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 =).

I just finished attending a webinar by Mike Klingler, who is a coach I follow on Facebook. Every time I attend one of these, I always have a million ideas shoot through my head about my own business, and have been having some thoughts on the Soul Vomit anthology especially.

The reminder to continue learning was a big focus this evening. There were other focuses as well, but that one struck me especially hard for some reason. I love learning. I love information. I also dropped out of college the last time I tried to go... but I still feel like that was a better choice than continuing when my passion is already right in front of my face in the form of Broken Publications and my own writing.

I know what my cause is and what I stand for, and that's stopping domestic violence and helping victims to leave their abusers and thrive in happy lives afterward. I'm really hoping that some of the things I've learned will help others to do just that and allowing others to publish their stories in order to raise awareness as well as giving people a chance to write out their experiences for therapeutic reasons. Maybe it will help them just like it helped me.

Seven days.

It might just be me, but I've always thought there was something poetic about the number seven. Seven days in a week, seven deadly sins, seven tears, dog years....

It's funny because I've been so much more productive and have been reading a lot more because every time I find I want to smoke a cigarette, I pick up a book. I read an entire novella today and posted a review, am on the verge of finishing another book, and have a whole stack of books that I can still read sitting to the right of me.

I don't think I've read this much since I was pregnant with my oldest daughter... lol, gee, wonder what happened?

It feels nice to feel like I have enough time to do the things I want to do. I was constantly feeling like I couldn't get everything done. Who knew it was because I was spending so much time inhaling smoke?