Okay, folks. I thought I'd try something new. I have signed up with Amazon so that any time you folks decide to buy something from Amazon I can get a piece of the action. I have a widget added in the sidebar. I have some books listed there along with my recommendations. If you click through the widget and then purchase something from Amazon they will send me a percentage of the sale. Even if you don't buy what you clicked on, they send lil' ol me a percentage. So, let's say that you wake up tomorrow morning and think, "I need to buy a Samsung LN40A650A 40-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color." Your next thought will be to go to Anna's blog and click through to Amazon through my wee widget. Amazon then will kindly forward 4% to me. Maybe 6% depending on how many of you feel like helping out. Four percent of 1,849.38 is....well, you do the math cuz I can't without a calculator.
See? This is so not complicated.
For me--cash for treats for my 21 pound cat and more coffee for me from CoffeeBeanDirect. For you-- that warm glow you get when you help out your fellow man.
By the way, I don't get a plug nickel for recommending Coffee Bean Direct. I just want to say that I have been buying their whole coffee beans for three years now. Ummm, ummmm good! If you love really good coffee...give them a try. I buy 5 five pound bags at a time. That means free shipping (25 lbs = free shipping). The beans arrive vacuum packed in mylar bags which means it stays nice and fresh for a long time. With free shipping the cost per pound (depending on what bean you buy) averages around $5.00. That is a bargain. And you won't find better tasting beans. I buy their Italian Roast Espresso whole beans for a kick-a$$ cup of coffee in the morning. The Viennese Cinnamon is a wonderful bean for nice afternoon cup. They roast your order when they get your order. Not days or weeks earlier. Makes a huge difference.
This capitalist interlude is coming to a close. I hope you all will buy lots and lots of stuff from Amazon through my blog. I promise to be very, very grateful exceeded only by the gratitude of my pulchritudinous cat.
UPDATED: That there is me...posin' with my morning sweatshirt. Sums it all up for me. Because I'm anonymous you don't get a head in this picture. Sorry about that. No legs either. Hmmm, missing hands too. What a let down, eh? Actually, the full meal deal would be a bigger let down. Ha. Maybe someday I'll sneak a pic of my head into my profile. Just check there now and again. Never know when I might decide to be a tiny bit less anonymous.
Thanks for my morning smile!! I too love coffee and am willing to try that other Joe. And Sherbie is beautiful!! SO BIG!! Your insight is worth every penny!! So, absolutely !!!! P.S The sweatshirt is great!!
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteI love you and I love your blog, but when I read this post it pulled on me in a negative way. There have been times when I have wondered at your ability to verbalize my very own feelings. I have wondered at how diligent you are to post your blog, even at times when no one, or very few people, comment. I have wondered at you talent for writing. At your ability to stay focused and on task when commenters have tried to confuse issues and draw you off on tangents. At the clarity with which you interpret scripture... I guess I have put you up on a bit of a pedestal. I know your are not looking for that, but hey, I admire you.
I have seen you as someone who really cares about others. Someone who is willing to give of herself to help all of us poor suffering souls.
As the child of a narcissistic mother myself, I have recently come to the realization that I was trained to be an object to be used. I was trained to be a non-person. To not have any desires or dreams of my own, let alone a need, want, or even thought or feeling that would serve ME and not HER.
I have nothing at all against you making a little extra cash to spend on your passion for coffee or cats, however, using the blog to do so puts a finger on the sensitive spot in me that says, "Wait a minute, here! Someone is crossing a boundary. Someone is trying to use you again. Someone doesn't have your best interests at heart. They are just trying to get something from you. You can't trust this person. You need to withdraw from this person. THEY ARE NOT SAFE!"
This is a knee-jerk reaction, Anna. Based on what I know from reading your every one of your blog postings, I do not believe that you are someone that uses people.
I just think that, given the audience and our extensive training and background experience in being expert doormats, you need to be aware of possible negative gut reactions such as mine.
You CRACK me up!! There were two things that especially made me laugh right out loud. I had to follow the link to find out what "pulchritudinous" meant!! And it even pronounces it for you if need be!
ReplyDeleteAnd secondly, the book on Stiffs!!??? Gives us more of a window into your soul, Anna. How funny...
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, it's been very helpful to me! I use amazon all the time, and if I'm going to spend the money anyway, a little might as well go to you, especially if it doesn't cost me anything! I don't think you're 'using' people by doing this. Frankly the money you'd make would be very minimal. I think you deserve at least a little compensation for all the time and great advice you've put into this. Maybe one day you'll consider writing a book of your own.
sister,
ReplyDeleteI'm no different of a person when I posted that humorous post last night than when I have posted the 180 other posts on my blog. I'm very sorry for your reaction; there is no way to have anticipated it. I'm not forcing anyone to do anything. If no one buys from Amazon through my site I would not be in the least bothered by that. It is something someone can do without it costing them any more than an extra couple of clicks. The post was intended to be humorous. It was an excuse to show off my kitty. It was one post where you get to see a different aspect of me as a person. One of the only times I have veered off the topic of NPD. This blog is so terribly serious. A light moment was not expected to be offensive. Some people liked what they saw...apparently you didn't. Not everyone likes everyone. I'm no less giving than I ever was. I'm sorry you've judged my post the way you have. If I haven't proven myself by now...if one light-hearted post can disprove that my blog is a safe place...do you realize how disheartening I could find that to be? There is nothing wrong with making some money with one's blog. I'm one of the few people who hasn't really made an effort to do so. I thought perhaps some of you would like to find a way to show your support for the blog. I'm not using anyone. It is not possible for me to use you or anyone who reads this blog. People can choose what they do. I hope your knee-jerk reaction will soon dissipate, and you can see the post with the humor that was intended. I wish you the best.
jacqueline and NNL,
ReplyDeleteThanks for 'getting' the post! Yeah, Sherbie is movie-star pretty. I have been tempted to share pics of him before just cuz he's so dang adorable. Another coffee lover! Kewl. You won't be disappointed with the other Joe. My cousin and uncle down the street are faithful customers of CBD since I introduced them to it. When I visit over there I still get a great cup of coffee!
As for the book, NNL. Yeah, it is a little peek into my soul. I am a very inquisitive person...and I am not squeamish. Combine the two and the book fits in. The audio book is awesome. The woman who reads the book is so expressive and conversational in her reading style that it is almost like she is the author. (I bought the unabridged audio book.) I have loaded the book on my MP3 player and I listen while I cook and clean. Bursts of laughter punctuate the house as I listen. The author pulled off quite a feat. Being humorous without being tacky or disrespectful. I would love to meet this woman! She asked all the right questions. She is as inquisitive as I. I don't recommend the book if one is not matter-of-fact about their mortality. If you can't deal with the concept of someday being a corpse...well, then, this book is for someone else then.
*raising my cup of java* have a great day, ya'll!
I am actually quite glad to know about the book. (Stiffs) I feel like I am at a turning point. I have DEVOURED EVERYTHING I could get my hands on that had to do with narcissism and my particular situation and background that I have had a sort of tunnel vision this past year. So it is going to be quite refreshing to get my hands on something else!!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am very inquisitive and not at all squeamish. This book intrigues me and is not something I would've otherwise happened upon. So, THANK YOU!! The topic and the way in which it is presented intrigues me!
Anna,
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong. I love your blog and I laughed out loud when I read this post. At the same time I felt somewhat irritated by it. When I looked deeper into my feelings, I saw what it was that was bothering me. It was a knee-jerk reaction to any inkling of a suggestion that I might be being used. I am not suggesting that you are using me-- or us-- your faithful readers. It was simply an exploration of my own feelings. I just wanted to make you aware of it.
Your blog is a safe place. Even though I hardly ever comment, I read it all the time.
Please don't misunderstand.
Sister
Anna-
ReplyDeleteFrom now, on, when I buy from Amazon, I will do so through your sight. Delighted to help a fellow blogger. ;-)
And it is nice to see another side to your personality. A good reminder that we should not forget to have fun in the process of healing - living. Thanks.
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI'm humbled...and grateful. What a kindly sweet thing to say and do. I'd give ya a big hug if'n you were standing in front of me!
Smiling. I'd let ya and give one right back!
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteYou, who have given so much to all of us...
To ask that we share with you when we buy from Amazon...
All I can say is, what an honor. Will do with great gladness, it's the least I can do to thank you for all your time and effort and all the help you've given me. In fact, I think you should add a way to donate directly to you via Paypal. Why not? A simple way for us to help you back. Thanks.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I have absolutely no problem with you providing the amazon widget link. Go for it! Congrats on a very creative idea, which does not oblige anyone to do anything other than see some relevant books! p.s. your cat is a big hunk of gorgeous! "jewell"
My daughter has a t-shirt that says---
ReplyDeleteInstant human, just add coffee.
Dear Anna,
ReplyDeleteI buy quite a lot from Amazon, and like Katherine, I'm going to do it through your Amazon link from now on. I only wish there were more ways to show my appreciation for you and your blog. As I struggle and stumble through this endless recovery process, I feel like you have pulled me to my feet and guided me in the right direction, more than a few times. And--a bit off-topic--but I really enjoy the Christian framework of your posts even though I am an agnostic. (Unfortunately my mother used religion as yet another tool to bludgeon me all through childhood, so I have some complex feelings about it.) But no matter what my religious affinity may be, I appreciate wisdom and truth, and I have found an abundance of both in your blog.
--L.E.
Thank you to all of you! NNL and I conducted a little experiment when she ordered at Amazon through my site. We have been able to confirm that, yes, even if you don't buy something featured on my site after clicking through from my site... Amazon still gives me a percentage. The tiered percentages are based on number of items sold, not number of orders. Which is also very nice because after seven items are ordered it kicks me up into the 6% rate. So far...four items. Thank you peeps! By the way, even if you buy something at Amazon Marketplace (third party sellers) they still give me the percentage. I am amazed. Amazon is cool.
ReplyDeleteLet me help you write your book! ... From a family of 8 with a narcissistic mother!
ReplyDeleteOkay, where'd you get that sweatshirt?! I could also use the other one "Instant human, just add coffee". Just so funny!
ReplyDeleteYou can quit your day job now as I shop way too much at Amazon; sit back and watch the bucks roll in...
In all honesty, you have come into my life at just the right moment. This is such a weighty subject and besides my sister, there just doesn't seem to be anyone in my life who can relate. It's refreshing to know I'm not the only one out there, but it's also heartbreaking to read of the evil that so many people have had to endure.
On to a lighter note. I'll be so happy to give back and click on your blog first before I shop at Amazon.
Your kitty is a cutie! Take care!
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteCafepress is where I buy all my t-shirts, tanks and sweatshirts with attitude. ;o)
http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/coffee
The address above will take you to their coffee related messages. Have fun!
Hey, thanks for resolving to click through my site to Amazon. I've been earning big fat goose-eggs since I went on vacation. *sigh*
Thanks for the link to cafepress -- cute stuff!
ReplyDelete