My oldest daughter came out of her room after 11:00pm and informed me that she couldn't sleep. She's very excitable, so she immediately jumped into letting me know that there was a thunder storm going on outside, too.

I immediately got excited because I love thunder storms, as long as they don't carry a threat of tornadoes with them. In WA State, they don't - so I love them. I was talking to my fiance on Skype and let him know that I was hanging up so we could go see some of the storm.

"We should go outside and watch," I told my 9-year-old, Guenevere. "I love thunder storms!"

"I don't!" she replied. "They scare me!"

"Why do they scare you?" I asked, ushering her out the back door into the cool night. I was relieved to go outside because inside was so muggy after a hot day like this one. To my surprise, Guen grabbed my pink robe and wrapped it around herself before stepping out through the screen door.

"Because," she began. "It's loud and it touches the ground and destroys stuff."

I smiled. "I think this one might have the kind that goes from cloud to cloud. Look!"

We watched as lightning lit up the night sky several times before we even heard the far away sound of thunder.

First, let me say a HUGE thank you to Jerry Dobias for posting this amazing review of my book. After I read it I was almost in tears because it was just so touching.

On that note, I'd like to briefly say that, since I've been in a more collaborative mindset, I have interacted with some of the most amazing people I've ever met! From business owners to charity executives and media publishers... to other authors, many of whom are wildly talented.

Thank you - to all of my new acquaintances - for being you.


This review signifies a sort of turning point in my perception of how rewarding and gratifying networking can be. Because it's such a great review and so heartfelt, I want to share it here.

I have officially been a non-smoker for 2 weeks and am now on step 2 of the nicotine patch kit to help my body get rid of its pesky nicotine addiction. (As one of my friends said, "Oh lord, you're one of those people now, aren't you?" LOL)

Now this next part makes me feel kinda stupid. It's okay, though, because the discovery was an awesome happy moment today that's continuing to make me smile every time I hear it, hehehe =).

About a week ago, I met with my mom at one of our local gift shops, The Holly Hut. I've been wanting a wind chime forever now, and I was checking out some of the amazing ones in the shop.

Now, the bigger ones that sound super awesome are about $100 to $150 each, but those things are huge and I can't afford one of those right now. BUT... I found a really cute one while I was browsing that says, "Treasure LITTLE Things!" at the top. It's got some glass beads and butterflies hanging from it, and I've been leaving the back door cracked so I can listen to it =).