The Real World is NOT What They Said

When I was in college, my professors kept telling me what the real world would be like. Competitive, hard work, always fighting for my place in the world.

I graduated with my degree in Communications (which is college-speak for "Congrats! You have no marketable skills without a higher degree.") and went out into the world. It was not what they said. At all. Here's how.

1. I was told the market would be competitive. I went to a local newspaper and to freelance for them. I was hired as a full-time reporter weeks later without even trying. No competition.

2. I thought I would *love* what I did. I thought I would write news stories that would change the world. After a few months of what seemed like nothing but county council meetings and chasing ambulances, I was beginning to hate the world of hard news. I did love the lifestyle pieces, but they were not as often as I wanted.

3. My professors sang my writing praises all the time. I thought surely my editors would do the same. Not so. I was publicly chastised for using quotes the publisher didn't like. Yay, reporting!

4. When I became a photographer, I thought work would fall into my lap and was shocked when it did not. I got business, but not much.

5. I was sorely disappointed to not be hired as a wedding photographer because Uncle Bob had a nice camera and offered to do photos for free. Nobody, in all my training, ever said I would be passed over for a loud, balding uncle/friend/cousin with a camera.

6. Now that I've been a stay-at-home-mom for many years, I never thought I would have a hard time getting hired for a job again. I've seen all the reports about moms returning to the workplace, but I never thought it would happen to *me*. I thought I would be hired immediately.

7. In my attempts to become an author, again, I was never told I would have to be my own marketer. I know how to write, not market myself. Honestly, I can market others easily enough, but trying to toot my own horn isn't that easy.

So there are a few things about the real world that took me by surprise. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was nonetheless.

Goals: Can't Make 'Em if You Don't Try

I have goals in life. I mean, don't we all? But I have lofty goals. I have many goals I haven't reached and I've been 29 for a few years now! I'm not getting any younger! (Or older, if I have my way.)

So I thought I would share some of my goals with you. Accountability and all, right? And I realized I can't achieve my goals if I don't try. I will fail if I don't even make the effort.

Here are my life goals. All of them. Some I have achieved, and they are crossed off. But way too many are sitting idle without my doing much about it. Ready? Here we go.

Family:

1. Become a mother
2. Adopt a child
3. Foster children who are aging out of the system
4. Be the "cool house" where kids feel comfortable hanging out and talking to me
5. Raise children to not be homicidal maniacs and/or criminals
6. Raise children to love the Lord
7. See children married off so they're their spouses' problem

Career:

1. Write a book
2. Write more than one book
3. Attend a literary conference
4. Have a sit down with a publisher even if they don't pick me up
5. Be sure a publisher picks me up
6. Hold/own a hard copy of each of my published books
7. DJ my own radio show
8. Become a public speaker and encourager 
9. Get paid to write and/or talk

Faith:

1. Realize I don't have it all together
2. Realize nobody has it all together
3. Pray more, gossip less
4. Show my faith to everyone around me
5. Give my friends a hand up when needed
6. Serve my community and church more
7. Help my husband be the leader of our home
8. Help my children grow in their faith and love

So these are my goals. Some are a little more lofty than others. Some are fairly simplistic.  Many I can't accomplish at this point yet (no arranged marriages for the kiddos, thank you). But many I can. I can attend a writer's conference. I can work on becoming a DJ or public speaker. And of course I can always pray more.

Help me stay accountable, okay? Thanks!

Looking for a Job

I'm currently looking for a job. I know, it's been awhile. I've been a stay at home mom since I was pregnant with SB. But it's time. I'm ready to rejoin the work force that I haven't seen in a LONG TIME.

What about those novels I've written? I'm glad you asked. Three novels written. A fourth undergoing major surgery right now. But they don't pay the bills, and until I can afford either self-publishing or a writer's conference, my novels will be sitting in anticipation!

I've put in several applications for photography jobs and several for writing as well. I love being creative! I'm praying that the right job will come along.

I recently had a job interview and it was such a blessing. Even if it's not the position for me, it was great to stretch my interview chops out. I haven't had a job interview in nine years! Yikes! I've been 'self-employed' for so long, I haven't had to go in interview mode for some time.

Getting a job is scary, too, because it means not being home with the baby and not waiting for the kids to get off the bus! I've never had a job-job since being a mother. I'm apprehensive as you can well imagine. But I think it's time.

So pray I can find the job I'm meant to find! 

Rejection...

Part of trying to find an agent and get published it sending out query letters. I thought surely I was the only person who loathed trying to sell yourself and describe your 75,000-word piece in two paragraphs. then I learned all writers hate query letters. At least I'm not alone.

I send queries to two agents a few weeks ago. I got a rejection letter today from one of them.

Oddly enough, I smiled. A rejection still means I put myself out there. I still tried. And I'll never make it as an author if I don't try, right?

I hope the other query I send gets a different kind of letter back. That agent required a LOT more in a query than just the basic letter. And more detail hopefully = a better chance of getting picked up.

One day that rejection will be acceptance. And it will be worth all the rejections letters in the world!

My First Job

It seems that recently the topic of jobs has come up. The kids ask me what my job is. I tell them they are my job. They seem to think that's silly.

So I told them about my first real job. I was a wench.

No, you didn't misread that. I was a wench. At the age of 15.

Yes, this is me at age 15. I was so cute.

Throughout high school I worked at a little place called Medieval Times. You know - knights jousting, horses whinnying, pretty girls with slits up to there in their skirts. I was one of the pretty girls.
I worked as a photo wench - taking and selling pictures of our guests with the royalty. Then I went to the less glamorous job of cash control (selling tickets).

But it was the best job. I had a plethora of cute teen and twenty-something guys flirting with me. I got to wear an awesome costume to work. I could even speak with a British accent (and people asked where I was from!). I actually had a few people ask me for autographs. And I got paid to do it.

I made some amazing friends, and had several experiences that affected my life - mostly positive, some negative.

Since that time I've been a restaurant hostess, a day-care provider, a reporter, a photographer, and now a mom. And while being a mom is the biggest trip ever - being a wench at Medieval Times runs a close second. I loved that job.

New Blog: My Escape from Reality

I think I've mentioned here before my desire to become a "real writer."

I've written two novels. I have a third almost finished and I'm character-boarding for a fourth. So exciting!

I've done two book reviews here, but I don't feel this is the place for book reviews, so I started a new blog solely for book reviews and maybe a little about my own writing, so head over there and check it out!

My Escape from Reality.

Also, while you're at it, don't forget to follow me on twitter (@SprinklesofAlli), Pinterest and my Facebook page!

Welcome!!! Have Some Ice Cream!!

Oh, thank goodness you're here! I was having a hard time keeping the ice cream away from the kids! I saved it just for you.
In case you haven't heard, it's my SITS Feature Day!

It's like a birthday, only better because I get comments. But the double-fun is that my birthday (yep - the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday!) is on Christmas Day, so we can celebrate BOTH!
Two scoops for everyone!

If you're new to A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae or not, it doesn't matter, I have ICE CREAM! Just don't touch my sprinkles! I'm already short.

For those of you NOT used to my sarcasm and superfluous use of exclamation marks (!!!!), I'm Allison. I'm a Christian woman, wife and mother - both biological and adoptive. I'm an avid adoption blogger and I also strive to let other moms out there know that they are not alone in this vast world of motherhood and all the twists and turns our busy lives provide.

This is me, wild hair and all!!

And yes, that is a halo above my head! Actually, I took this pic of myself at Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta and I had the hardest time trying to hide that darn halo. Just ask my Tribe Members - I bet they saw it!

This is my family:

 

We are made up of two crazy trombone players who met when we were 13 years old, started dating at 17, and got married at 22! We have a biological daughter, SB, and an adopted son, Mac. We also have two heaven-bound children whom I cannot wait to see one day seated at the feet of Jesus.

Now, to find out more about who *I* am, check my about me page, and please please check out My Testimony about trusting God! These both include abridged versions of our story regarding infertility, miscarriage, giving birth and fighting tooth and nail to adopt.
And if you just want to know what the best posts are, I have a tab for that, too. See The Posts You Don't Want to Miss!

Oh, you want to know why I'm A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae? Good question. You see, way back in 2006 I started a blog about my pregnancy. Then it evolved into talking about my baby and our quest to adopt through foster care. And then we went into the fight of our lives to keep our son both with us and safe, so that blog came down and this one - which is slightly more anonymous - came up. I called it "Mommy's Scoop." And from the scoop came being "A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae," to indicate that I don't have all the answers.

There is so much more that I want to say, but I'll stop here and let you explore! I hope you enjoy your stay and have another scoop of ice cream!


Follow @SprinklesofAlli




 

I'm on Facebook, too!

When I Grow Up

At school this week my kids were talking about what they want to be when they grow up. I thought it was worth a share.

Mac, naturally, wants to be a race car driver. He's never seen Nascar, only the movie Cars. But he has a need - a need for speed. When asked why he wants to be a racecar driver he said, "I love to race car drive. I love going fast. But I can't drive yet."

SB said she wants to be a ballet teacher. I could totally see her as a dance instructor. She loves to dance and loves to teach and she adores children younger than her. So I think this would be a good match.

I also asked NotMine1 and she said, "I want to be a dancer like my mother." Except her mother is a nurse. But at least she has a beautiful vision of her! LOL
I would have asked NotMine2, but seeing as she can't talk, I thought we could just try something out. Apparently goat herding is NOT in her future.

What do I wear?

So, as I've said before, I'm super stoked about going to Atlanta in a few weeks for Bloggy Boot Camp with the SITS girls!

This will be my first blogging conference and I'm sure I'll make a total fool of myself by tripping up stairs or something, but still, I am excited and I can't wait to hear what everyone had to say, plus there's a cocktail party. For adults only. I think I'm more excited about the adults only part than the conference part.

So, the biggest issue when it comes to meeting 125 other women in a small space is what to wear. And, if you don't know, I'm plus sized, so that makes it double hard because I have to try to look half my size.

Which means the outfit will be the biggest challenge. Sure, I can talk to, laugh with and network with them till I'm blue in the face (and probably will!), but it's what I look like that they will remember. I've been told that having super-cute shoes is the key because someone may not remember you face, but they will remember your shoes (which sounds kind of superficial if you ask me, but whatever. For this event I just want to be popular!).

So here's the current outfit selection. Please tell me honestly if you think it's a winner or a loser!

Aqua top with tulle ruffle

Adorable capri length black leggins

Aubergine cardigan for the chilly conference rooms

One Month Away!

I am so excited! Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta is only one month away!

I have so much to do - make sure I have business cards, find a suitable wardrobe, get some notebooks to write notes down, charge up the laptop, find a suitable wardrobe, figure out who I *have* to meet, and - of course - find a suitable wardrobe. LOL. More on the wardrobe later!

Bloggy Boot Camp is a conference for women who blog where we can learn about growing our readership, looking more into the direction our blogs are going, and more.

Honestly I'm not sure exactly what to expect from it aside from two blissful nights away from anyone I know (I love my family, but who doesn't want an escape?) and a chance to network with some awesome women who's blogs I admire!

One Month! Woohoo!

The Publisher

So, it seems I completely forgot to blog about this, but I was offered a publishing contract a few weeks ago.

I was so excited to actually find a publisher who was willing to look at manuscripts I didn't do a whole lot of research on them.
They are legit, but not incredibly big and there are several factors that, along with prayer, make me think this was not the best move for me. But it had got me working harder to write, researching more in the way of publishers, agents and publicists and everything else.

I am excited about writing. I have always wanted to be a novelist, for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first full-length "story" when I was twelve years old. It was almost 100 hand-written pages and I was so proud of it.

I feel like this is part of God's calling in my life. It's something I have always wanted to do, something that I feel like I need to do.

In my research I found a publisher I really want to work with. They're not taking submissions until January, which gives me time to finish some writing, getting some things planned out and pray like heck that they'll like me.

I have one novel completed and two almost done. If my posting becomes a little more scarce, that might be why! :)

Love Letters

I just wanted to take a moment and ask you to stop by my Etsy shop and maybe purchase a little something.

Love Letters are artful photographs that look like letters made to spell out names.

All are 11x14 prints that can be personalized with your names along with a wedding date or last name or whatever you want with it.

 

So stop on by...

If you shop now and use the coupon code JUSTBECAUSE, you can get 10% off your entire order! Thank you!

Got Pictures?

About 10million years ago, before I had children, I had a semi-successful photography business.

Two kids and no time later, I'm trying to revive it after taking some "time off." I tell people all the time that I don't feel that God intended me to be a stay-at-home-mom. I enjoy it right now, but I don't feel that it's my calling.

I don't know that being a full-time photographer is my calling for life, but it is my calling for right now, so I'm reopening the biz. Partly because I need to make some money. And partly because I need...well...to make some money.

Marshall tells me all the time that I'm not in the photography business to make money. And I'm not. I'm in it because I love it and I want to help people preserve their memories for a lifetime. I offer discounts to anyone who asks because I'd rather someone have wonderful wedding photos than my make a ton of money. Great for my clients, though!

So, if you live in South Carolina or northeastern GA and need photos, give me a ring (or email).
My website is www.orangeblossomphoto.com 

Wedding, bridals, engagement, maternity, families... I'm ready for you!



(Also - check out my ETSY shop, Love Letters. Perfect gifts for wedding, new baby, housewarming, anniversary and more!)

Shop the Sale

I think coupons are awesome. Back in the day, I thought coupons were for saps. Seriously, I thought only "losers" used coupons for anything.

I am proud to announce I am now a coupon loser. And proud of it.

I am not going to pretend that I know all the secrets to couponing, and many times I find that when only using coupons it's cheaper to buy the store brand of something (cheese slices, zip-top bags, etc) than use the coupon for the name brand.
However, I have discovered shopping the sales. Every week I scour the sale ads from my local stores and plan my menu around that. It's amazing. I save like $30 a week shopping the sales.

Now, add coupons on top of those sales and the savings are great. For instance, this week Olive Oil is on sale at one of my stores, plus the coupon I have and I'm getting an $10 olive oil for $4! 60% savings and we ALWAYS need olive oil.

I'm excited about shopping this week, I have a TON of coupons in hand and I now shop different stores to make the most of their sales. Yes, it's extra effort to shop the sales, but part of my job is to save us money when we can!

Happy Shopping.

PS - I credit www.southernsavers.com for telling us what's on sale and where to find the local coupons. Wonderful stuff!

A Dog with A Bone

There are so many opportunities I am looking at right now. My mom says I'm like a dog with a bone - I need something to do at all times and whatever it is consumed my every fiber of being. It's true - I am constantly going from project to project and I can't stand to not have something going on. Sure, I'll take a week off here or there between projects, but then I need to jump right back in the saddle.

There are many things I'm attempting to heap onto my plate right now...some won't pan out and they'll be dropped like yesterday's orange peels, but others will and they will become my New Projects.

Have you ever been on a mission trip? I know many people who have, but I have not gone on one before, though I've always thought about it. Recently the adoption agency/attorney we went through before posted that they will be going on a mission trip to Uganda this summer. I want to go. Adopting from Uganda has been laid on my heart recently, though we can not afford it right now. But going to the orphanage to help build, paint and take care of the babies would be a privilege and maybe tide me over until we can adopt.

Writing is my passion - you know that. Writing about adoption, parenting, every day life...Pre-Children I worked as a reporter for a newspaper. Not ten minutes ago I posted my resume and samples of my work to another newspaper to become a freelance writer. Something to keep me writing, bring in a little income and get me some more published experience.

Also along with writing...I'm working very hard on a new novel. Yes, I have one done but not published. I have the sequel to that about half done and now I'm almost half-way through an entirely different story. I love it. I feel my characters like they are alive in my head (or maybe I just have multiple personality disorder). I am writing when I can and also hoping to attend my first writer's conference this spring.

Something else I feel passionately about is womens ministries - moms specifically. I love helping to lead our womens Bible study at church and lately have felt that ministering to moms is something I would like to do. Marshall and I have talked and are praying about and planning a video-based moms ministry website. I'm hoping to have more info on that soon!

So that's my plate full of bones... I'm gnawing on them all right now and we'll see what God leads me to and what He takes away! God Bless you this week!

The Big Picture

The first rule about blog writing is that you don't talk about blog writing (or, maybe you don't blog about blog writing? Since we don't talk we blog.). It's kind of an unspoken (unwritten?) rule, yet I've seen several professional bloggers write about not writing about it. Confused? So am I.

Moving on. I realized that this is blog post #162 for me. It's a random number, but considering I'm blogging, on average, 71% of the time (227 total days possible, if I added correctly), I think I'm doing rather well.

All this rambling to just to say that I wanted to tell you the POINT of this blog. A little late in the game, huh? Oh, well. Here it is anyway.

You see, I think I'm a fabulous writer. I know I may have delusions of grandeur, but some of my friends (whom I trust to tell me if my work is crap) have said that my work is good. My professors always told me I was an excellent writer. I've wanted to be a writer since I was about 10, but applying for an English degree seemed cheesy, so I went for "Communication Studies." Which had led me back to...writing.

Now, this blog is not my finest writing work. It's casual. I can just speak my mind. So if you're looking at this thinking I have no idea what I'm talking about, I promise, I do know how to write.

In light of my fabulosity (a word I just now made up) and apparent ego-tripping, I also aspire to become a public speaker. I want to talk to throngs of moms out there who need some reassurance that they are not the only ones who think their daughters are too sassy or their sons are really alien beings. I want to talk about parenting, adoption, infertility, post-pardum depression and the gamut of everything in-between. I want to encourage mothers to keep going, even when they feel like quitting and running away to Mexico - with or without their husbands.

(This is, if you didn't pick up on it, the reason I wrote yesterday's post on becoming well-known.)

So, I started this blog as a way to do several things:

1. Keep writing every day.
2. Share my faith.
3. Encourage other moms.
4. Become a launching point for my soon to be well-knowedness. (Another word I made up just for this blog.)

So, in a very brief and slightly random post, that is why I blog. Now you can say you knew me when (when I become "well-known" or when I get committed, either way).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/notionscapital/2493066577/

Getting to Know You

Recently I was chatting with a good friend of mine and I asked what one had to do to become "well known." Not necessarily famous, but attained a status of which their name was known in certain circles without a ton of explanation.

My friend thought this was an incredibly deep question - deeper than I thought - and said I should post this to Facebook and see what results came about. So I did.

Her response, however, was by far my favorite.

"...but i think it is through being transparent ...meaning having people know you for who you really are," she said. I loved it because I do try to live my life, at least here, in transparency.

Here are the other responses I received. Most were insightful, some were a little sad. But I thought them too interesting to not share with the blog-o-sphere where everybody is out to become "someone," myself included.

"When you become too popular on fb to have a personal profile and are requested to move to a page so that you can have fans." - from W. M.

"For common people like us, word of mouth." - M. B.

"...get on Oprah's book list?" - J. B.

"Unfortunately, people remember most the people who impact the Seven Deadly Sins: Envy, if you're better than them at anything; Wrath, if they hate you; Sloth, if you make them do something they don't want to do; Lust, if they want you; Pride, if you compete against them; Gluttony, if you are their meal ticket; and Greed if you have something they want. Sadly the Seven Saintly Virtues don't have as much of an effect. That's why "nice guys finish last."" - K. B.

"I would think to be well known for something, you must do it the best or the most uniquely." - S. W.

"Allison, most of the "well-known," AKA, "celebrities" we think about are the products of enormous promotion projects. Think Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, yes, Nora Roberts, etc." - J. W.

I am most impressed with all the responses I received. 

The response about being known for our sins is terrible and terribly true. Think about OJ Simpson. Yes, he was famous before everything happened. But he then received a air of notoriety that still hangs around him to this day. Monica Lewinsky, as well, might have been "well known" among her peers for being an aide at the White House, I am sure it's considered quite the honor. But it was her dishonor that led to her being famous and still parodied to this day. 

I also did like S. W.'s response about doing something best or most uniquely. I think we all attempt to carve our own little niche in the world. Something that makes us unique and note-worthy. While I know many, many good mothers, Michelle Duggar of TLC fame is famous for having birthed nineteen children. It's something like a sport for that family (Whom I adore, by the way, I love their show and their solid values.)

J. W.'s response, however, seemed to hit the nail on the head. We've all heard of sports legends like Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky (even my spell check had his last name in there!). Yeah, Wayne is NOT the only guy to have played professional hockey - but he is the most well known because of some very strategic and advantageous marketing on his behalf. We all know who these people are because they are thrust into our daily lives on a constant basis.

So what is the point of all this? I haven't got a clue, I just found it interesting. We all seek to be "well known." I don't know if I personally seek to be "famous" (which to me means being in the likes of Madonna or Julia Roberts), but known within certain demographics. 

I would love it if one day I was "well known" even a little among the throngs of female Christian readers in the world - or heck, even South Carolina. Or maybe if I were one day a public speaker (which I would love to do! I'm hire-able!) and someone actually knew who I was before I got on the stage. That would mean success in becoming "well known" in my world. 

Maybe one day, until then I'll keep dreaming. 

Heros: Take Thirteen. My Favorite Author

Ah, lucky Thirteen...

I hope today's hero won't mind! She's someone I aspire to be like in a professional sense. Her name is Liz Curtis Higgs and she's an author of Christian fiction, Bible studies/nonfiction and she's a public speaker. She calls herself "an encourager," and I wholeheartedly agree!

http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/liz-curtis-higgs-interview.htm

Liz has a lot of fans in the Christian community. And I certainly am one. I love reading her books, I've read her non-fiction and I would love to hear her speak. But what I love most about Miss Liz is that she takes the time to respond to her fans. 

Two years ago I had the privilege of going to Scotland. Liz writes all her fiction pieces based in Scotland and travels there often. So I sent her an email asking for advice. She wrote me right back. Personally. I don't know about you, but if I were someone in the "public eye," having good fan relations would be very important, especially as a Christian "celebrity" and she does just that.

This past fall I convinced my ladies' Bible study to do Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz's best selling study book (I think). I wrote on her facebook page to let her know how excited I was about it and she sent me autographed bookplates, bookmarks, magnets and more to hand out to my group (all for free, mind you).

And not only that, but she's an exceptional writer. She immediately draws you into the story. Her characters spring to life on the pages. Her insight is fascinating, as she writes fiction based upon stories in the Bible (a series on Jacob, Leah & Rachel and now one on Ruth & Naomi). You feel like you are standing there, eavesdropping on the lives of her characters.

Oh, I long to be like Miss Liz. I want to write novels that people curl up with on cold winter nights and warm sunny afternoons. I want to write non-fiction pieces that have people taking a second look at things and chuckling to themselves along the way. And I want to speak to other women and let them know that no matter what is happening in their life they are NOT alone. Other people understand their pain and their struggles and more than that God understands. I want to stand before other women and encourage them in a loving way.

So, Liz, if you ever read this, you are my hero! Thank you for being a loving Christian example for me!

Shameless self-promo

Yesterday I opened my very own Etsy shop called Love Letters.

Photographic letters made into words - Love, Hope, Faith, Joy and names.

All are printed to 11x14 size and ready to frame. Each photo letter is my personal photography.

Since I'm shamelessly self-promoting my own store...
These are great gifts for Christmas, Wedding, New Baby, Birthday, Housewarming - any time! You can completely customize your order, even including a portrait if you desire!

So hop on over to Love Letters by OrangeAlli and get shopping.

I promise to have more fun stuff to actually say tomorrow...

They Like Me!

So, self-bragging today...

A week or so ago I got an email from a friend of mine saying that she knew of a writer's review board that was accepting new clients based on submissions.

Basically, the company helps hook writers up with agents - because much like publishers these days, even agents don't take unsolicited submissions anymore. So this company sends manuscripts and samples to agents to help writers get connected. They're a middle man for the middle man.

The way this company works is to send in a 15 page sample and cover letter. If they like your work, they accept you into their program and for a nominal fee* they send out your stuff to agents in your genre.

It was free to submit, so I sent in about 20 pages and a cover letter with a brief prayer and quickly dismissed ever getting in because I'm a first timer.

But today in the mail I got a letter from said Middle-Middle Man and they liked my sample! They want to work with me! I'm shocked. Now, I would need to sign up with them and pay their fees ASAP otherwise they give my slot to someone else who didn't make the cut this go round. I don't think I have the nominal fee* amount to move forward, which is unfortunate. But I'm just so psyched that they LIKED MY WORK!

I'm not a crappy writer! I have proof! I'm so excited and maybe in this coming year I can work on getting my name out there. I long for someone to pay me for doing what seems to come naturally (now if only they would pay me to parent, too!).