Category Archives: Uncategorized

April 13, 2023 · 6:23 am

The Author and Artist Hour featuring Camille Flores

Well, I had an unexpected author interview just after my 50th birthday with the amazing Toni Lontis. If you’ve watched any of my previous attempts at interviews, you might have noticed my deer-in-headlights look. As an introvert, this sort of putting myself out there is nerve-wracking, to say the least. However, Toni knew this about me going in and worked her magic so that I didn’t feel the angst as I answered her sometimes difficult questions. Of course, I still had to spend several hours recharging my batteries after the interview, but I think it was worth it overall.

I did have some trouble with the earbuds my son lent me. They kept popping out randomly. In fact, the headshot of me at the introduction to the video has me holding my ear because the earbud was not staying put. Ahh! I could have worn my heavy-duty ear-muffer headset that I use to teach in, but I didn’t want to muss my hair. So if you see me fidgeting, that’s why.

The first half of the interview is about my experiences as an American female expat and the books I wrote for the A Woman’s Survival Guide to Rural Mexico series. Although I’ve talked about most of these experiences publicly before, I suppose I hadn’t realized how much trauma I experienced and how long it’s taken to finally work my way into a life I love and be ok with those unpleasant episodes.

Then, the topic changed to herbs, and you already know that’s a subject that literally lights me up–everyone that’s seen the interview has commented on how my whole demeanor changed once I started talking about plants. Yeah, so that makes me a bit of a weirdo, but I’m ok with that.

So if you have a mind to, you can watch the interview on Youtube:

Or you can listen to it as a podcast on Toni TV:

Toni TV

Or watch it on the Everyday Women’s Network:

Everyday Women’s Network

One more thing about working with Toni Lontis…I know there are women who read this blog that have stories to tell. Toni’s multi-media platform encompasses a wide range of services for women, including personal coaching, business promotion, author interviews like the one I did, and genuine connections (she can help you find the person you need in your life at the exact moment you need it).

I’d like to encourage those women to set up a call with Toni to see how your stories can find a voice so that we all can be heard.

Book a Chat with Toni Lontis

1 Comment

Filed under Inspirational Writers in Mexico, Uncategorized

Tagged as author interviews, c.e. flores, expat stories, how can i market my book online, live author interview, surviving mexico, the author and artist hour, toni lontis

March 23, 2023 · 7:37 am

Nifty, Nifty, Look Who’s Fifty

Today is my birthday, and I’ve reached a milestone. I’m 50. I really never imagined myself at this age. It’s sort of snuck on me. But here I am, looking forward to the next stage of life, gray hairs and all.

So how have I been? Two years ago (I gave myself some extra time), I made the resolution to be fit at fifty. I have to admit, I don’t have those Victorian babe arms just yet, but I am more toned than previously and nearly ready to move up a hand weight level. Whoop!

I also have gone nearly completely gray. It’s a bit premature, but I decided during social isolation that I would stop dyeing my hair, and that’s the unsurprising result. It does shine terribly when it reflects the light during my online classes, and it’s become wispy and unmanageable, but what are ya goin’ to do?

Although there were some setbacks in my 40s, health issues, unemployment, Covid, and my mom’s death, I managed to write and publish a whole slew of books, install electricity and internet at the house, and adopt this motley crew of animal companions (I’m not an animal hoarder–nope).

Most days are full and satisfying, allowing me to flex my creativity, and my pets make sure to let me know I’m valued (even if it’s just to open the food packets for them.)

My life here in off-grid rural Mexico is still challenging. Everything takes twice the effort with half the result. I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. I am grateful for what I have, though, and that’s enough for now.

How has aging been for you?

5 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as expat life, growing older, off grid living, turning 50

January 1, 2023 · 6:59 am

2023 Ready or Not!

I struggled the last week or so trying to decide if I wanted to make resolutions, pick a one-word focus, or just throw my hands up and say, “come what may.” I considered the 23 in the 2023 Gretchen Rubin challenge and figured 23 goals were too many. Then I thought maybe picking three goals, but that seemed like too few.

I eventually settled on a one-word focus. In 2023, my focus is COMPLETION.

So what does that entail? Well, I have found myself starting projects and getting distracted with side projects and never getting the original projects finished. So I’d like to COMPLETE them. I get a thrill from project completion, and I’d like to fill my year with those little thrills.

I want to focus on three aspects: writing, building and exercising. Here’s the breakdown.

I currently have 13 (yes, 13!!!!) WIP (works in progress). If I complete even half of those, I’ll feel all sorts of tingles. I’m setting myself up for a writing challenge over on ceflores.com this year instead of a reading challenge.

The next aspect is my son’s house. I’d like to complete everything that requires brickwork/cement. That includes the rooftop accessway and redoing the patio by the pool since we used those bricks in another project. Additionally, I’d like to complete the pool project. That means getting a solar panel and batteries to run the pump in an effort to dissuade the frogs from spawning.

And finally, fitness. Although I’m not going to be “fit at fifty” since that’s just 3 months away, nor have I obtained those Victorian babe arms I so want, I do want to complete my exercise routine every day. I know that I might have another 30-40 years left, and I want to stay as mobile as possible. To that end, I’ve got to keep moving now. And it’s not even like I’m doing hours of workouts–it’s less than 30 minutes (plus 5-8 dog walks) and so completing it every day won’t be onerous.

So what do you have planned for 2023?

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New Year’s is the perfect time to start journaling! Click on the image below to get yours!