Before my friend passed away, her family and friends had set up a benefit to help her with medical bills.  We planned out the music, food and an auction.  So, I sent out a call to my fellow authors asking for book donations.  Boy was I suprised to find out how generous some can be.  These seven gals came through, sending me not only signed books, but goodies for the basket also. 

Even though my friend is gone, we go ahead with the benefit to help her husband who is left behind to pick up the pieces.  Above is a picture of the completed basket.  I want to give special thanks to the following authors:  Amanda young, Meg Allison, Carolan Ivey, Michelle Pillow, Kally Jo Surbeck, Jerri Drennen and Marie Harte.  Thank you ladies for you generosity and prayers. 

Today my good friend and fellow author Amanda Young celebrates the release of her first print book.  I’ve read MIA as an e-book and I have to tell you it was great.  Go to your local Borders or Walden Books and buy a copy, or order it on amazon.com.  It’s a great read and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

To everyone who knew him, Tristan McKade is dead. Only the SCS (Supernatural Control Squad), a top secret division of the military know differently. Sent back to his hometown, Tristan is on the hunt for the serial killer. 

Sara McCoy is just beginning to move on with her life without Tristan. Ready to let go of the past, Sara is celebrating her recent engagement. The night is going well—until she notices a man lingering at the back of the room. His resemblance to Tristan too strong to ignore, she follows him outside, where he vanishes.

Unable to concentrate on his assignment, Tristan is determined to let go of the past before more innocent women die. In a bid for closure, he pays a clandestine late night visit to Sara’s house to say a final goodbye to the woman he loves — and the son he never knew he had.

Learning the shocking truth, Tristan and Sara are drawn into a bizarre triangle that pits them against The Mangler, an entity determined to possess Sara at any cost. A bloody battle of mind, body and soul ensues. Only one man will walk away alive—with Sara as his prize.

Most all of you would never know this because I don’t have a picture of me posted anywhere, but I’m overweight.  I have been for several years now and had pretty much learned to accept it.  The recent events tied to my friend’s passing have made me realize that I shouldn’t be satisfied to be fat.  It’s not a vanity issue at this point.  Either you like me or you don’t.  No, this has everything to do with health.  There’s diabetes in my family, along with heart disease, colon caner and leukemia.  When I was younger I never worried much about the ominous medical history in my family, but now death has become all to real for me and suddenly I’ve realized that if I want to live to see my grandchildren, I need to make a change.

So back on the weight watchers I go.  Last week was easy.  With all that was going on I didn’t feel like eating, but I have a feeling this week will be another story.  My ultimate goal is to lose 60 pounds, but I’m planning on doing it 10 pounds at a time.  Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for me cause I have a feeling it’s going to be a long journey!

My tears are not of loss
But of time too quickly gone.
I miss our days together
Even while they’re going on. I savor odd, sweet moments
When you laugh or when you smile,
Nostalgic for your presence
Though you’re with me all the while. Strange how fantasy
Can wander in and out at will,
Looking back from somewhere
That is just beyond a hill. And so when once you leave
You will not leave me alone,
For I will have you with me
Long, long after you are home

Copyright by Nicholas Gordon

* * *

Today my good friend Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Havens lost her 9 month battle against the cervical cancer ravaging her body.  She was surrounded by family and friends as she passed into the beyond.  May she walk beside God in his kingdom in heaven, looking down fondly on those of us who loved her so.  Goodbye my friend…you’ll be missed more than you’ll ever know.

Sometimes, I swear it’s the little stuff that can really make or break my day.  One minor irritation isn’t too bad, but when you get several bundled together, suddenly your having a bad day.  On the flip side, one good thing is just that, where several good things equals a good day.  The big question I have to ask is do they counterbalance.  Well, today they did.  Minor irritations, my daughter leaving the playdough outside after she’d already went off to bed, my son taking my mop bucket to the garage to ‘help dad’ and not returning it (yeah, more than a minor irritation on this one, since I needed the bucket to clean up a mess.).  Suddenly I can see my evening slowing taking a turn for the worse.  Then I made a conscious decision to change things.  After they went to be, I took a nice, long, hot bath and oh my, can I tell you that my perspective has changed.  Sometimes it really is the little things that can make or break a day!

To my new blog.

If you’ve been following my other blog, please be sure to make the necessary bookmark changes as I think I’m going to like it here so I’ll be shutting down the other blog.