Getting ready to publish a new book.  Working on the book cover and finishing up the editing.  Can't wait to send it off.   It's non-fiction and I've been working on it for years and years, only because I wasn't ready to share it for my own reasons, but it has been ready for a long time.  And through some trials with my mother's illness this past year, I now see that there is no time like right NOW. So, I'm going for it, and I hope you all love it and find something helpful in it.  <3  Here's to taking giant leaps of faith, Cheers!

Thank you, Tracey Cook for the photo and always to Jennifer Streiner for the cover art.  <3

Success is all about Focus. There is a lot of noise out there, even more noise in your head, but if you stay focused, keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will succeed. Small steps, daily, toward your goals and you will reach them, probably even beyond them. :D   Don't give up.

Now, tell me honestly, do I look a little veiny to you?   :D  My awesomely talented sister-in-law touched up one of my pictures.  Such a talented artist she is.  Thanks Jennifer Streiner.  She also created the cover to the Lucy and Harold book.  We have plans for future projects, too.  I'm a very blessed writer to be surrounded by so much talent!

Dealing with people who try to dim your glow. (A letter to my children.)

It’s sad but true; there are people in the world who will try to bury your light, on purpose.  It’s insane really that we’ve given them any power, but lately, it seems, they have so much.  We’ve made them into nightmarish creatures with no weaknesses, bent on tearing us down.  And it seems that no one can stop them.

The truth is:  these people are few and far between.  They are not powerful; they are weak, scared, and small.  They are sad, frustrated people.  Somewhere along the way, they have learned that they are not lovable or even that they are broken.  In order to keep from hurting more, they try to control, to lash out, to bring others down. They simply don’t know that they are loved, too.  That is their issue, not yours, because you cannot spend your precious life trying to convince another of their worth.  There is a path and purpose, a natural process in the soul for that. Their own lives will bring opportunities for change and healing.  You do not have to manage that.  It’s not yours to do.

Your job, child, is to be the brightest, most magnificent you that you can be.  Forgiving yourself regularly for the missteps you will inevitably make.  Never allow another to convince you that any mistake is greater than the love in you.  When your life brings you an opportunity to heal, grab onto it with your whole heart. 

Pluck the weeds in the garden of your life often.  They will choke your spirit, if you allow it.  Yes, there will be times when you will have to deal with negative people. That’s fine, you have the power and strength within you.  However, you NEVER have to allow them authority over your mind.  Let Love be the authority in you.

Our souls are naturally joy-filled.  Never allow another’s insistence of guilt, shame, or doom make you believe that you are anything less than Forgiven, Loved, Lovable, and Worthy.  The soul is powerful, love is powerful.  Fear, guilt, and shame only seem so, do not be fooled.  You were created worthy, let no person convince you otherwise.

Remember:  Love Understands.  Fear Condemns.

I’m sad that some people are so miserable, too.  But I’ve learned that I’m not responsible for that, and I should never feel guilty for the hard work I’ve allowed in my own being which has allowed for healing and which makes the joy in me overflow.  I’ve spent many years dimming my glow because I felt bad that I felt happy while some are miserable no matter what is happening.  Gratefully, I realized how insane that idea is.  By dimming my joy, I only added to the world’s fear, by allowing my light to shine, I stand as a reminder that Love Rules! 

Live your own life and let God handle the rest.  Dance a happy dance.  Never stop giggling; the universe is wondrous and quite, quite funny.  It is insane to hide your joy, to be less than you were created to be, especially because a miserable person insists that you do.  It doesn’t make them happier!  And it causes you to miss opportunities to remind another Light of the joy in their soul.  

Settle for nothing less than open joy.  I believe in you.    

Love Always, mom. 

What a busy season!  I've been furiously writing another full-length novel, working on updating Bubble Girl for a future publication, along with writing more short pieces and submitting them to magazines regularly.  Phew.  Throw in a new job, 2 kids, a house, and a kitten...it's a wonder I can manage to read 5 pages every night of other people's wonderful fiction before I slip into my semi-coma sleep.  I promise to have some new stories to share soon.  I've been receiving some messages lately that the natives are getting restless.  I hear you and promise to entertain soon! Hope this update finds you all well and happy :D  -Dee

5 Really Great Ways to Annoy Your Teen

http://t.co/i2KOFn40

My new book:  Lucy and Harold's Adventures in the Afterlife is now available in the Amazon Kindle Store, and slated for release in all major book retailers within the next few weeks.  I am busily working on a brand new story and looking forward to writing the second in L&H's series soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Harolds-Adventures-Afterlife-ebook/dp/B0087HQ8Y0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_i.SYpb1CACC2H_tt