Gail Rubin will be signing her new Kicking the Bucket List book at Bookworks TODAY! Sunday, October 30, at 3pm. Bookworks is on Rio Grande Blvd. in Dietz Farm, North Valley.

Come say hi to Gail and wear your best spooky attire – but no clowns please! Get a jump on your gifts for the holidays at the cool stores in the strip mall. You may need last minute things for Halloween too!

- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin brought up an interesting thing at her talk at the NM Book Co-op. She spoke about inheriting your parent’s stuff and what to do with it.

If we have parents, they have given us things; some things that do not work any longer. They can’t part with them and think if they give it to us they are off the hook emotionally. The problem is, we don’t want it! So get rid of it! We do not have an emotional attachment to the things.

Now, not to say all things from parents are white elephants or bad. I have gotten some great stuff from my mother but some of the things she has given me over many years, are not so hot. I still have a card written by my grandmother that is nice. It doesn’t say anything important but I remember her when I read it. We have to remember the things given to us have the best intentions but still…….

Maybe we need to downsize and get rid of things before we are plowed under from things from our parents. Start now!

Gail also gave some stats about how unprepared we are. Gotta get on that!

- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin will be featured at Bookworks in Albuquerque, on Rio Grande Blvd., Sunday, October 30, from 3-5pm.

Gail REALLY wanted that day to roll out her new book. Why? Because October 30, is Create A Great Funeral Day!

Get a jump on holiday buying by getting books for everyone on your list at Bookworks while you are there. Books make the best gift. They don’t break, can work for others long past one person reading them, and they can be funny and useful. And you know kids need a good book for a holiday gift. Forget the underwear – you can get that in the White Sale in February! Get Kicking the Bucket List book – we all can use it!


- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin will be the featured speaker at the NM Book Co-op lunch at Golden Corral in Albuquerque near Cliff’s on Friday, October 28. Meeting starts at noon but people start coming for lunch as early as 11am.

Gail will be talking about how her new book and books in general give authors a leg up and portray them as “experts.” Gail has an impressive resume and has made a name for herself as the Doyenne of Death. This is her month!

Gail’s message is important above and beyond the whole Halloween thing. We are all going to die so get ready for it and do it your way. Dying is a mind-set. It doesn’t have to be scary. It is an event that will happen to everyone.

Being an author of a book can get you on TV, radio, in papers, magazines, and potentially speaking to groups that may lead to back-of-the-room sales on your books. The name of the game is getting your name and reputation out there.

If you come to the lunch there is no fee to attend and it is open to everyone BUT you must pay for your own buffet lunch and buffets offer something for everyone.


- Barbe Awalt

Such a coincidence! #33 is “Write Your Family History.” It just so happens that one of our books next year will be on that topic by Henrietta Martinez Christmas and Paul Rhetts. The advantage of writing it down is you can give it to other family members. They may not be interested in their family history now but just wait!

You can also use the Personal Bucket List books for members of your family to do that very thing. Who knows, a gift to a family member can be re-gifted to another family member when the research is done.
That is also in Gail Rubin’s Kicking the Bucket List book. Re-gift with a purpose! Re-gift with some family pictures!

- Barbe Awalt

It is no secret that I love libraries. I always have used them; as a student in Cockeysville, Maryland, I used my library a lot. As a book publisher, libraries are my best friend.

Gail Rubin has in her book that if you have a lot of extra books, donate them to a library. They will do two things with your donation: circulate any books they want or need, and sell them in their used book events. The money raised goes toward library programs. You do not have a say on which option they will take. When you donate books you say goodbye to them. But either way, they help your library.

AND you are helped because you have reduced the books in your collection. Do you actually read or need all those books?

To find out what library to donate to, find out if they like local books. Libraries should have a good collection of local books – that is one of the topics people want to use. Local books may have a different perspective on local matters.

This is a good time to find out about your libraries. This year there are a couple of library bond on the ballot in New Mexico. Usually, libraries are one of the first things cut when there are money problems despite the fact that library usage is up. Support you local library and downsize your books!

- Barbe Awalt

The very first item in the Kicking the Bucket List book is “Release Your Attachments.” This is an important way to start off and get into a mind-set that makes you more productive and frankly, healthier.

How many times have we said, “I am going to wear that dress – it is so beautiful – but I just can’t find the occasion.” Or, “I want a knick-knack I see. I don’t have a use for it but I just can’t leave it in a store.” Or just keeping things because I will deal with them tomorrow or it is expected I keep things given to me. Or my problem – it is on sale!

Enough! You can’t take anything with you to the greater beyond and if you move to a smaller place, do you really want to pack those things and take them? We all have too much – clothes, trinkets, books, shoes, papers, files, electronic stuff that has no use, and the list goes on and on. There is something to be said for the Tiny House Movement. It forces you to downsize. It forces you to decide what is important.

Sure, if a stuffed toy from your childhood is important, keep it. But maybe the twenty other stuffed toys are not really needed. The saying – “If you haven’t worn or used it in two years, it has to go.” - is true. What haven’t you used? As we get older, simple is best!


- Barbe Awalt

The week before Halloween couldn’t be a better week for Kicking the Bucket. It is a time to think about death and all the things you want to do to get ready. Face it – we all have to go sometime!

Some of the things I am personally doing:
Cut down on kitchen crap - #70
Minimize old medications - # 71
Evaluate your stuff - #93
Sit down with a certified financial planner -#38
Clear out the bathroom - #73
Reduce gift-wrap reserves - #75
Cut back on Christmas décor - #76
Recycle old paper files - #31

There is nothing that feels as good as ridding yourself of garbage, clutter, excess, or stuff you just haven’t used in about a million years. Do it! The weather is beautiful to open the windows and declutter!



- Barbe Awalt

Why is Kicking the Bucket important NOW? We are all getting older. That is a fact. Another fact is we will not live forever. And a third fact is we can’t take it with us.

With all of that in mind, we have too much stuff and we are not taking care of the business of dying. You might say thinking about dying is dark and ugly but we need to think of it as just another thing we have to do – like flu shots, taxes, and maybe New Year’s resolutions.

If we want something done right or done the way we want it done we have to do it ourselves. Take time to make a will so people you want to get certain things will get them. Do your own obit to say the things the way you want. It may make you happy to see what you have accomplished. It may scream to do a few more things that you haven’t done. Get things appraised. Values change in time – up or down. We need to know.

But above everything, clear out the excess! Too many books, records, films, clothes, jewelry, papers, and much more. Downsize NOW! And make sure important documents are together both for you to find fast in case of a problem or for loved ones to find.

This generation needs to get its’ act together. NOW! What time better than the end of the year?

By the way, Kicking the Bucket List is now available in paperback, Kindle and iBooks.

PAPERBACK: http://nmsantos.com/Bookstore/Kick-Bucket/Kick-Bucket.html

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Kicking-Bucket-List-Downsizing-Organizing/dp/1943681155/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AQ82CX4G2C4B3KVJ27GH

APPLE: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kicking-the-bucket-list/id1167108702?mt=11


- Barbe Awalt

We are starting the craft show/holiday fair season. There is nothing better to get in the spirit – nothing better than a little cold weather! Right now it is in the 80’s! Too hot! Hopefully that will change – no climate warming right?

A craft show or holiday fair can be a community event, school or church fair, or a fine art show. It doesn’t matter. It is festive and there is the required hustle and bustle. It also doesn’t matter if you buy though it is hard not to buy and the vendors would prefer you buy.

I buy local. Of course sometimes you have to get things at a big box store or chain but local art, crafts, books, wines, foods, and other things are best and fun. Local people are the backbone of the economy. Support them and take time to go to a local event. You will come away with a smile and a little HOHOHO!

- Barbe Awalt

After reflecting on the Green Chile Cheeseburgers I judged, the best ones are those made on your own grill. You have control: buns, toppings, types of cheese, type of meat, and hot or mild green chile. You know what you like. And you can cook as many as you want!

Now is this season to cook out. It still is warm and you can enjoy the taste of a good green chile cheeseburger!

I did see that the construction elves were busy on the new Range Café on Rio Grande Blvd. near I25 and Old Town. I can’t wait! Yum!


- Barbe Awalt

It’s here – the Blank Bucket Book. Or the official title – My Personal Bucket List book.

This was a brainstorm. For a gift for the holidays I am encouraging people to write their own Bucket Lists. Sure, I would like you to get one of the Bucket List books in the series to go with it but you can have fun with this by itself.

How you ask? Of course you can give the Personal Bucket List book and not do a thing to it. OR you can put pictures, suggestions, places, foods, family members or whatever you want in the book. The idea is that you are suggesting to the receiver what they can fill the Bucket List book in with.

Are they tracking down or documenting family members or friends? Are they going all over the world? Are they sampling a certain kind of food or drink? Are they collecting ANYTHING and why? Are they accomplishing adventures?

When the book is done, they can give their Personal Bucket List book to a family member or friend. It is now a very personal keepsake.

AND, it is less expensive than the series Bucket List books - $9.95! You and they can make it what you want and because of the small size they can take it with them always. It is the perfect solution for the person who has everything, the hard-to-buy-for person, or someone and their Bucket List that you want to celebrate. It isn’t just for the holidays either!

Check it out!



- Barbe Awalt

Yes, I know Halloween isn’t here yet but all the stores have started the season with their Christmas displays. It is the “Most Wonderful Time of The Year!”

So, I will start you off slowly. This is the time of year to buy a ristra for the front of your house. What is a ristra you ask? A ristra is a carefully tied collection of chile – of any length - made during harvest season right now. It was done so people in the Southwest would have chile flavoring through the winter but now it also is a great decorative item too. You can get the big chile on a ristra, a ristra of the small chile for your kitchen, or a plastic ristra. If you don’t live in an area that has ristas at the produce stand – yes, they are still open - the ristras are found online.

I have seen just one on a house or the whole front lined with ristras. Quite dramatic! Why don’t you want to have the big chile ristras inside? They shed seeds and chile parts. The small, really hot chile ristras are good for your kitchen and don’t shed.

Get a ristra and celebrate fall and winter with this tradition.

- Barbe Awalt

We were thrilled to be invited to the ceremony for Ollie Reed Jr. & Rod Taylor, who received the Max Evans Rounders Award from The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion in Santa Fe ear;her this week. Slim Randles, author of the Cowboy Bucket List book and previous Rounder winner was there along with Don Bullis who was also a Rounder winner. Of course Max and Pat Evans were there. We are friends of Ollie’s and he was truly touched to have received the award. Ollie is a good-old-boy!

One of the guests was Pat Hodapp, the author of the Santa Fe Bucket List book. She will be speaking today at Women Write the West Conference in Santa Fe. Pat will also be presenting at the New Mexico Library Association Conference in Albuquerque, November 3 & 4. She is busy!

- Barbe Awalt

To say Gail Rubin is a go-getter is an understatement. She is dynamite. Here are just a few of her engagements so far!

October 18, 7pm Southwest Writers at New Life Presbyterian Church – 5540 Eubank NE, Alb.
October 34 &35, National Funeral Director Association Convention and Expo, 4pm at the Funeral Business Advisor Magazine Booth #2837, Philadelphia
October 28, New Mexico Book Co-op Lunch Meeting noon (but people come early to eat), Golden Corral 52007 San Mateo NE, Alb.
October 30, Bookworks, 3pm, signing of Kicking the Bucket, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. Celebrate Create a Great Funeral Day!
November 7, OASIS Albuquerque, 10:30am, 3301 Menaul NE #18.
November 21, Professional Organizers of New Mexico 3pm (private)
December 4, Page One Books, 3:30 pm 5850 Eubank B-41, signing Kicking the Bucket
December 10, Treasure House Books, 1pm, Old Town Albuquerque, signing Kicking the Bucket

Whew!!!!!!!!

- Barbe Awalt

Which books wanted?

Congrats to Slim Randles, Loretta Hall, Pat Hodapp, and me ! We are all Finalists in the NM & AZ Book Awards. The Winners will be announced November 18 at Tanoan in Albuquerque. We are keeping our toes crossed. I can say without exception these are a good group of authors – me not so much.

Slim is madly working on his Fly Fishing Bucket List book. Pat has about a million ideas for another – she loved the process so much. I have a Crab Bucket List book coming our next year. Loretta is working on a kid’s book.

For a FLASH SALE DAY – any of the Bucket Books List books are $11@ (plus shipping) for one week – until Wednesday October 19, 2016! Get a jump on gift buying for the holidays!


- Barbe Awalt

This is the time of year when you love the outdoors. I am not saying camp but I am saying enjoy the trees turning colors and notice how the foliage is getting ready for winter. Enjoy Santa Fe and that is a good place to see a wide view of fall colors.

When you are up on Museum Hill, do stop by the Museum Hill Café for one of the best lunches I have had in a while. It is a very good place to read your Santa Fe Bucket List book! Just saying.


- Barbe Awalt

Sunday was the last day of Balloon Fiesta. So long until next year. But it gives you plenty of time to get your pilot’s license and a balloon! Some of us have ballooning all year but to the rest of you – see you next year! Sky’s the limit!


- Barbe Awalt

There is something breathtaking about Dawn Patrol. In the early morning dark, the balloon-usually about six- fly like lanterns in the sky. All balloons are not permitted to fly in Dawn Patrol. The balloons have to have special things so they can go up in the dark. Do go early to Fiesta so you can see Dawn Patrol. Get the pin too!

- Barbe Awalt

It is very important to have a really cool and different balloon vehicle at Fiesta. In the picture (partially!) is the trolley car we used to use. We had to put a sign at the door because random people thought it was the Old Town Trolley and they could just hop on. The trolley was sold to the Village of Los Ranchos.

Now we use a ½ size school bus. It fits a lot of people and the trailer for the balloon attaches on the back. We can see a school bus on the Fiesta Field and to my knowledge no one else has one.

The advantage to a vehicle that everyone can fit on is the protection from the wind, rain and cold. It also means everyone can get on the Fiesta Field with the balloon. And then when everything is over, everyone goes to breakfast en masse. When it is still dark, there are a lot of asleep people in the school bus.

Our wish list: a vehicle with bathroom and a lift gate on the trailer.

- Barbe Awalt

Zebras don’t get enough praise for what they do. Zebras are the launch officials that dress in stripes like zebras. They travel in packs. Zebras are the final word on launching. Pilots respect Zebras!

Our friend Pam is a Zebra. You don’t get to be a Zebra by looking pretty. You are trained and mentored to do the job. All the Zebras we know are balloon pilots or crew. It is so important to do a good Zebra job when there are thousands of spectators and hundreds of balloons.

Look for Zebras on the Fiesta Field. They have their own pin and they might trade with you. And our friend Pam is pretty cute, too!

- Barbe Awalt

Yes, it is out! I had the first signing the Ultimate Christmas Bucket List book. The signing was at Greeting & Reading in Hunt Valley, Maryland, last Tuesday. That is one of my favorite stores and I remember going to Greetings & Readings at their old location many moons ago!

This is going to be a perfect stocking stuffer, secret Santa gift, or for the person who loves the holiday season like I do.

It will be sneaked at the Hot Air Balloon book signing at Treasure House in Old Town Albuquerque on October 8, 1-3pm. Come in and say hi! Or HO! HO! HO!

- Barbe Awalt