My book launch was last Saturday.  It was an enjoyable and exciting experience, but it was also exhausting.  I’ve learned so many things since I began the journey to getting this book out there, with my most recent lesson being this:  Fake it ‘til you make it. I am, by nature, an introvert.  I’m hard-wired to do things like only leave the house when necessary, be more of a listener than a speaker, and spend the majority of my free time with my cat and dog, neither of which are interested in carrying on conversations with me.  Don’t get me wrong, anyone who knows me knows that once I’m settled…

Throughout my life, I’ve heard different variations of, “Be sure to stop and smell the roses.”  I’ve always taken this to mean, “Don’t get so busy that you hurry through life, neglecting to take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you,”– or at least that’s how I like to interpret it.  The arrival of spring, with its breathtaking blooms and foliage, has reminded me to pay attention to things I tend to take for granted—things like a warm breeze, or the smell in the air after a refreshing spring rain.  When I think about the things I often take for granted, I think about my dad. In 2011, my father was…

I used this photo and title to get your attention because I‘m willing to bet you feel strongly about pineapple on pizza; as in, you either love it or hate it.  I love it—don‘t judge. About a week ago, I met a friend for dinner.  Since I’ve started selling my book, a lot of friends have said, “Hey, let’s meet up for dinner and I’ll buy your book in person.”  This is great in one way, and not so great in another.  It’s great because it forces the hermit (me) to leave the house and spend time with friends.  The not so great part is that they ask me where…

As I sat here wondering what on earth I would write about this weekend, I was hit with a realization:  I don’t have to write every week.  I initially said I was going to, and because I feel like I should always do what I say I will do, I’ve done it every week even when I didn’t really have the motivation or time. For me, the problem with writing and posting every week is that it starts to feel like work.  I have a full-time job.  Writing is what I do for enjoyment when I’m not working.  It’s not like I have to write something every week.  I mean,…

Last week while I was at work, my desk line rang.  When I answered it, a lady immediately went into a spiel about how I was eligible for a vacation (or something like that).  I don’t remember exactly what it was about because as soon as I realized it was a sales call, I mentally checked out.  When she finished the first part of her pitch and asked if it was okay to get me all signed up for the vacation/something-like-that, I told her I was not interested and that she had reached a place of business.  Instead of saying thanks and goodbye, she completely ignored what I’d just said,…

When you write a book, the result you hope for is simple:  you hope that people buy it, read it, and like it.  For this result to come to fruition, several things have to happen.  I would say the first and most important thing is that the book has to be good, but I can’t say it because it isn’t true.  I have one book in mind (won’t mention which one) that in my opinion was horrendous—I couldn’t even get halfway through it—but it sold millions of copies.   The reason it sold millions of copies is simple: whether a book is good (or bad) is subjective.  One very true statement is in order for…

I’ve never been a crafty person.  In fact, I could be the poster child for Pinterest fails.  I look at the things that some of my friends make and I’m dumbfounded by their talent and creativity.  But what impresses me, even more, is how some of my friends use their talents for the purpose of helping complete strangers.  These friends not only have beautifully creative minds, but they also have beautifully giving hearts. About a month ago, one of my friends made a Facebook post asking for plastic bags so she could make beds for the homeless.  I didn’t understand what kind of bags she wanted (trash bags like you…