Writer's Workshop - Thanksgiving Memories

Memories of my Thanksgiving growing up were of driving to my grandmother's apartment to have dinner. She always cooked the turkey and everyone else brought the sides. The turkey was always dry. I grew up thinking that's how turkey was supposed to taste! After the meal, my dad and aunt would take a nap.

After I married, we split holidays with each of our families because everyone lived within an hour of each other. My mom started cooking the turkey for my family and I realized that turkey was really good when it was moist. We always ate at 2:00pm. Once all the leftovers were divided up between the three of us adult children, we hugged, kissed and said our goodbyes. Off we went to the other parent's house, where we partook in a second turkey dinner at 5:00pm. Not wanting to hurt anyone family feelings, we always ate twice... and put on a few pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Since our family has moved to "middle earth" we no longer have to rush around, scarfing down the first meal and then the second. We can stay in our jammies all day if we want, and we can take our time preparing the mass quantities of food that seems so difficult to reduce... Everyone makes a side, the turkey cooks in a rotisserie, and the pies cook while we eat!

But that's not the prompt I wanted to write about. Since I don't feel any of my Thanksgiving holidays were interesting or filled with wonderful smells, I chose to write about that time I fell down...



My H and I were in San Francisco a year after we were married. We were crossing a street close to Fisherman's Wharf. Of course, he was walking ten paces ahead of me, and I was trying to double my steps to catch up with him. I didn't see that there were little pockets in the crosswalk and managed to step into one of them. I can clearly remember falling into the pavement. As I hit the street, first with my arms, then with the rest of me, I let out a loud and anguished grunting-type noise. You know, the kind of grunt that one makes when they have been hit in the stomach with a very strong fist or baseball bat... My H was oblivious to the fall and continued to walk to the curb. He then turned to make sure that I was still ten paces behind him and saw that I was face down in the middle of the street! He stood still and watched...and laughed... I slowly brought myself to my feet and finished crossing the street. I was bright red with embarrassment, but could only laugh along with him.

From that day on, I walked and still do today, with my eyes on the ground in front of me! I still find myself finding unlevel places to trip over, but I manage to catch myself before going down for the count!



One such walk occurred in an outdoor mall in Los Angeles. As I looked for holes to avoid, a shiny object on the ground caught my eye. I picked it up and examined it. It looked like a very pretty broken broach with rhinestones. I looked around to see if someone was looking for it, but there were only shoppers coming and going. I brought it home and showed it to my mom. She could tell the difference between a rhinestone and something a little more valuable. She took it to a jeweler and then called me that night.

"Are you sitting down, honey?" she asked in a tone that made me feel like good news was coming.

"Okay, I'm sitting" I replied.

"This rhinestone broach is a one and one-half carat diamond surrounded by 18 smaller diamond chips!" My heart skipped a beat and it was difficult to breathe.

"Oh my gosh!" I screamed. "I don't believe it!"

"Well, dear" she replied, "believe it!"

I sat there and laughed. Because of my humiliating experience in San Francisco, I changed a behavior that led me to find a treasure! I felt like the luckiest girl in the world that night!

To be continued....

Please click the logo below and catch up with some amazing stories of Thanksgiving... or falling down... written by the many admirers of Kat at Mama's Losin' It.

Judy, Judy, Judy - Wickedness

Welcome to this always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from a well-known actress, loved by so very many, Judy Garland! I hope you enjoy her quotes and my thought-provoking responses!

Let's Do This!

1. "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." Have you ever realized that you were trying to be like someone else?

I think because I've grown up being a people pleaser, I would be different versions to different people. I feel I am now a bonafide schizo and really don't know who I am. And, with the slight memory problems that I have, I wake up each morning a different person! It's fun...sometimes.


2. "Behind every cloud is another cloud." Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about things?

It really takes so much more energy to find all the bad things in life. Since I am naturally lazy, and slackish, I prefer to be optimistic as much as possible. Besides, you don't get that big vertical dent in your forehead from the constant frown.


3. "How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." Tell us about a time when you realized your perception of reality was an illusion.

I was quite upset when I learned that monkeys didn't fly!


4. "I've never looked through a keyhole without finding someone was looking back."
Have you ever felt someone was watching you a bit too closely?

Yes, that someone is called Mother-in-Law! I really shouldn't say that I think I'm being watched all the time... but sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of a snow globe.


5. "If you have to be in a soap opera try not to get the worst role." Have you ever had a job that you were embarrassed by?

I've been very fortunate to find work that I believed in. However, I did appear as an extra in a B movie about 30 years ago...that I never talk about...because it is still available online!


6. 'In the silence of night I have often wished for just a few words of love from one man, rather than the applause of thousands of people." Do you feel that you need a lover to make you feel “whole”?

Absolutely not! I need at least two or three to get the job done right!


7. "If I am a legend, then why am I so lonely?" Tell us about a time when you felt lonely.

I felt a little lonely after I ate my first "Tommy's Burger"...which was smothered in Chili. Nobody would come within 10 feet of me...


8. "I can live without money, but I cannot live without love." Would you rather be rich and alone or live with love from a lover?

It depends on the lover...and how rich he is!


9. "I try to bring the audience's own drama - tears and laughter they know about - to them." Tell us about the last movie that you saw where you could feel the drama as though you were living it.

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" because it mirrors my life. I'm always trying to get somewhere and always having to change directions! I do, however, get to meet some very interesting people along the way!


10. "I was born at the age of twelve on an MGM lot." What was your life like at 12?

Born at the age of 12? I bet your mom was mad! Actually, at the age of 12, I was in the 6th grade, I had a crush on about three boys, and I finally got a better grade than the smartest girl in school. Life was good!

Thanks for bearing with me. For some really interesting and funny stuff, click on the logo below and say hello to Janera!

"I" is for In-N-Out Burger

I've been working on this story for a few weeks. It begins as a fact based comparison between the West Coast's In-N-Out Burger and the East Coast's Five Guys Burgers. I'm a Southern Cali girl, so you should know up front that this story will be a biased.

In 1948, the first In-N-Out Burger was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, CA. Harry's idea of a drive-thru hamburger stand where customers could order through a two-way speaker box was quite unique. In that era, it was common to see carhops serving those who wanted to order food from their car. Harry's idea caught on and California's first drive-thru hamburger stand was born.

The Snyder's business philosophy was simple: "Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment." These principles have worked so well over the years that they are still the company's fundamental philosophy.



The In-N-Out menu consists of three burger varieties: hamburger, cheeseburger, and "Double-Double" (double meat/double cheese). French fries and fountain drinks are available, as well as three flavors of milkshakes. The hamburgers come with lettuce, tomato, with or without onions (the customer is asked upon ordering, and may have them fresh or grilled), and a sauce, which is called "spread". There is no pressure to make a quick decision. Order one style of burger, fries and a drink. Personally, I always order a shake with my burger. It's like milk and cookies; how else would you have it?



There have been a few modifications in recent years. The original In-N-Out offered only drive-thru and walk up service. Most of the newer In-N-Out Burger locations provide indoor and outdoor seating. Aside from building improvements, though, In-N-Out has retained the basic traditions that have made it a favorite for 60 years. I love it because it's simple, quick, fresh and delicious! (And they toast their buns!)

Check out the similar interiors of the restaurants:

IN-N-OUT




FIVE GUYS




Five Guys is a quasi upscale fast casual restaurant chain that originated in Arlington, Virginia. The chain sells mainly hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries, and, in contrast to many other restaurants that have a similar menu in a similar market (such as Steak n Shake), Five Guys often serve beer and have a license for the consumption of beer on the premises.

Sell a really good, juicy burger on a fresh bun. Make perfect French fries. Don't cut corners. That's been the business plan since Jerry Murrell and his sons opened their first burger joint in 1986. When they began selling franchises in 2002, the family had just five stores in northern Virginia. Today, there are 570 stores across the U.S. and Canada, with 2009 sales of $483 million. Overseeing the opening of about four new restaurants a week, the Murrells are proof that flipping burgers doesn't have to be a dead-end job.



I only recently learned of Five Guys Burgers, and wanted to give them a try. St. Louis has yet to acquire an In-N-Out, however according to their website, it could be happening in the near future. (It took St. Louis seven years to get a Nordstrom store!) My first impression as I walked in was that it reminded me of In-N-Out without the drive-through. They make their burgers fresh and in front of you. What I didn't like was the menu and the way it was set up. There are just too many choices of items to add to the burger. I became stressed out because all I wanted was a cheeseburger with tomato and lettuce, no onion and no sauce. They have two sizes of fries, with the small size being too much to eat at one meal. AND, THEY DO NOT SERVE SHAKES!!!

Five Guys Facts

There are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger at Five Guys. (stress)
We use only fresh ground beef. (great that it's fresh, but what about fat?)
There are no freezers in Five Guys locations, just coolers. Nothing is ever frozen.
We use only Peanut oil. (What if one has a peanut allergy?)
Our menu is trans-fat free. (that's nice)

Here is a visual that compares and contrasts the two restaurants.



You can decide....but if you ask me....hands down its IN-N-OUT!!

This post is in response to Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday meme. Please stop by Jenny's post to read about others who are inspired by The Letter "I". Just click on the logo below and you will be transported to Jenny's Tangents...and post!



Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today!

Wednesday Wickedness - Oh Boy, George!

Welcome to the always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from singer and celebrity, Boy George. George was already "out" before "coming out" became a common phrase. His creativity and courage to express some of his deepest thoughts are both controversial and entertaining. He lives his life differently than most, but he has made a very unique musical contribution which, I think, has encouraged many young people to follow their dreams.

That said....here we go!

1. “I can do anything. In GQ, I appeared as a man.” What have you done that really surprised people?

Every time I open my mouth, I surprise someone! Sometimes, I sound like a man...usually first thing in the morning! Actually, I have helped my kids lose their hiccups by suddenly screaming at them...anywhere and anytime!


2. “I suppose there is a lot of toughness in me.” What was the last thing that happened that showed you how tough you are?

Someone once called me "strawberry freckle face." It was all I could do not to take them out. I was ten years old.


3. “I try to exist in a world where there is freedom of opinion, where you're allowed to make jokes. I don't want to live in some PC world where no-one's allowed to say anything.” What do you think about being PC (politically correct)?

I work for an organization where political correctness is highly regarded out of fairness for all individuals involved. Honestly, I think most of it is crap! I have to stop and think about "proper responses" every time I open my mouth. It is just too much work for my limited supply of brain cells.



4. “I find it difficult to say this, but I'm quite a loving person and I've always been loving to my friends. In the long run, that pays off. I'm very interested in other people, and if you are, they're interested in you.” Do you have an easy time making friends?

I make friends easily; it's keeping friends that is difficult for me. I suppose it is a result of not being politically correct when expressing myself.


5. “Remember that I was out of the closet at the age of sixteen. My parents knew I was gay; I`d had to tell them.” At what age and situation were you in when you “came out”, in the sense of true honesty, with your parents?

After living together with my (then boyfriend-now spouse of 34 years) ball-and-chain significant other, I finally came clean about the arrangement with my parents. The "coming out" devastated my dad but he got over it three months later when we made it legal.


6. “People say things about me all the time and I get over it. I`ve had some appalling things told about me.” What is the worst lie that was told about you that you felt compelled to respond to?

When I was in high school, we had an authentic covered wagon located in a grassy area of the school. One weekend, it was destroyed by fire started by students who I knew. Those involved were all suspended from school. Someone started a rumor that I had turned them in. It was not true, and I protested being accused, but I had no way of proving that it wasn't me. I suppose if I had been more politically correct, I may have avoided having the finger pointed at me...

7. “I'd rather have a cup of tea than sex.” Are there a lot of things more important than sex to you?

Well, there are certainly things more important than sex, or a cup of tea, although I think it would be interesting to have a cup of tea with George. I think I would rather stick pins in my eyes than have sex. When one is a large woman, there is a lot of hard work involved, and to be honest, I'm just not up for it.


8. “I knew style and content went hand in hand.” What celebrity do you find that their sense of style speaks to you?

Sorry, George, your sense of style just doesn't talk to me. (Did I say that with political correctness?) I hate wearing hats because they make my hair flat and suffocate my head, thereby giving me one heck of a headache!

9. “In the '60s everybody wanted to be the Beatles or the Stones, in the '70s there were bands everybody tried to emulate, like Led Zeppelin. And I think in the '80s you had lots of bands that had quite individual sounds, ... '80s Rewind.” What do you think about today's music? How does it compare to what you consider YOUR day?

In my day, when dinos and sabres roamed, most of the music was danceable. I can't dance to some of the genre of today. I really miss the 20 minute drum solos, too!

10. “Most psychiatrists or analysts are a waste of time.” What do you think about shrinks and psychologists?

Bite your tongue, George. Without therapists, most of us would have eaten our young by now. You could have been one of those youngs. Besides, where would we get our "happy" pills? Do you think some general practitioner cares whether or not our coping skills are in good shape? I think not. "Just pay the lady at the front desk, please" can mean the difference of living in hell on earth, or making chocolate chip cookies with the kids! We need them...some of us more desperately than others.


I'm so glad you stopped by today. If you'd like to leave a comment, you don't have to be politically correct. Just say what you feel...good or bad. Then click on the logo below and read some of the responses left by people more interesting and funnier than me.

Saturday Centus - Gotta Rake Those Leaves!

Once again, I had a brain-dead Saturday morning. I went back to bed, but please don't tell... I love this weekly meme sponsored by Jenny Matlock. Each week, she gives us a prompt and challenges us to write a story using the prompt but no more than 100 words in length. I hope you enjoy it! (The prompt is in bold.)

The early November sunshine cast golden rays upon the backyard leaves yet to be raked. As I poured my coffee I watched the deer slowly make his way across the yard. He had just assaulted the last of the mums, and was now searching for hidden delights below the leaves.

I laughed as I thought "I would never see this in Anaheim. I might see Mickey or Donald, but not a real Bambi!” I quietly walked to the deck and Tootsie ran ahead of me. She bolted down the stairs to the yard. As she hit the last step, there was nothing left but dust and leaves.

Please stop by Jenny's Saturday Centus and enjoy the creativity of others. They are all quick reads, so you won't lose too much time. Just click on the logo below.

Wednesday Wickedness - You're Fired!

Welcome to the always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from well-known businessman, entrepreneur and celebrity, Donald Trump. Enjoy his quotes, the questions and my silly responses!


1. “A little more moderation would be good. Of course, my life hasn't exactly been one of moderation.” Do you live your life by moderation or extremes?

Well, Don, if I had your bank account, the word "moderation" would not exist in my vocabulary!


2. “All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me - consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected.” Have you ever thought someone was flirting with you in a work environment? What happened?

Of course, many have been "unconscious" when they flirted with me. It happens all the time! I've never had to buy my own lunch!


3. “As long as your going to be thinking anyway, think big.” Have you ever “thought big” and you wound up crashing and burning?

I'm a big woman. I usually think big. The only time I crash and burn is when I am involved with someone bigger than myself...which happens more often than not.


4. “Everything in life is luck.” Do you believe in luck? If not, do you feel it all happens to us for a reason?

Sure I believe in luck. That's why I usually come home from Vegas in my underwear! I can't think of a reason why that happens!


5. “Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you're generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.” Have you ever benefited big time because you declined an offer, investment, job (Well you get the idea.)?

First, when I listen to my gut, I usually gain a few pounds. Second, how can one stick to what they know...if they don't know anything? Third, after declining to invest in Yahoo, I benefited "big time!"


6. “I don't make deals for the money. I've got enough, much more than I'll ever need. I do it to do it.” Tell us about someone that you know that has all the money they need.

I can't, because there is no one who I know in that position.


7. “I have made the tough decisions, always with an eye toward the bottom line. Perhaps it's time America was run like a business.” Do you think running your country like a business would be a good thing?

Finally, you have my attention, Donald!


8. “I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That's were the fun is.” Do you live in the past in any way?

I love to live in the good times of my past, I stumble through the present, and I dream about the future.


9. “If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.” How are you at balancing work and pleasure?

I balance work and pleasure by sleeping through it all.


10.“Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war.”
Tell us about a time that you won the battle but lost the war.

Every day of my life is spent in battle. I won't know about winning the war until I breathe my last breath.


Thanks for checking out this Wednesday's craziness. Please visit the Wednesday Wickedness site by clicking on the the log below.





Happy Wednesday!

Saturday Centus - 11 Years and Counting

Welcome to my contribution to Saturday Centus, sponsored by Jenny Matlock - Off On My Tangent. She posts several memes during the week with which we can play along. On Saturdays, she gives a prompt and challenges us to write a short story, 100 words or less, using the prompt as the topic. AFTER you read my entry, and, give me a thumbs up or thumbs down, please click on the logo below and go visit Jenny. There are others there, just like me, with short stories that are quick reads, and very entertaining!

The theme of this week's Centus is in bold lettering.


It seemed like yesterday that I watched Tommy dance in the Halloween parade. He was a great scarecrow and played the part well.

Who knew that a week later, he would be diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. We saw many doctors who performed all kinds of tests and still they were unable to offer a cure.

Tommy was getting weaker by the day. Family and friends arrived for support. We prayed as we laid our hands on him. I fell asleep next to him and awoke the next morning to a sweet voice whispering,

“Mommy, I’m hungry.”

It was the 11th anniversary of the happiest day of my life.




Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!

Writer's Workshop - Passionate Life

In answer to one of the prompts from Mama Kat over at Mama's Losin' It, I'd like to share a dream I once had.

When I was ten, my grandmother took me to see Mary Poppins. I LOVED IT, and secretly wanted to see it 100 more times. I loved the Mary Poppins character and wanted so badly to be her. It was then and there that I began my passion to be a movie star (not actor, but movie star). I read all the movie star magazines and learned as much as I could about my favorite movie stars, but I didn't personally know anyone who was a movie star. I became discouraged because I thought one had to live in Hollywood or Beverly Hills to be a movie star, not boring Orange County.

In sixth grade, I wrote a short play, got friends to commit to parts and started raising funds to help pay for...whatever expenses one has with putting on a play. I think I collected about $3 in change. I became discouraged because all of a sudden everyone had other commitments...like riding bikes with Joey, practicing piano, and babysitting younger siblings. So the idea sort of died.

When I was in high school and saw how weird all of the drama people were, I thought I would never be a movie star because I'm not that weird. Little did I know that I was that weird, but didn't want anyone else to know. I was involved with student government, which was sponsored by the drama teacher. I thought he was weird, and he felt the same about me. He never asked me to be in any of his plays. At this point, I still did not make the connection between actors and movie stars.
(And I wonder where my kids get their stupid genes?)

I finally got it together in my mid-20's and took some acting classes...duh! The school I attended would send us out as extras on non-union commercials, movies, etc. I was told that I would be good at coffee commercials, because I looked like a mom. Thanks for nothing! I did not become a movie star, but I did get my "15 minutes" with a commercial for a local grocery store. I impressed the nieces and nephews, but they didn't have any pull in Hollywood. The more classes I took, the more I found how little I knew about everything! I took a voice class and had to sing a song in front of the class for the final. That was some scary stuff! The song I sang did not make it to the Billboard 100, but it did give me something to sing to my babies as I rocked them. They thought my singing was great! What did they know? As long as they got some one on one, they were happy!

That was my passion for most of my young adult life. Now, at midlife, my passion is writing...I can do it in my jammies and it doesn't matter how much I weigh! And, because of technology, I can do my work, and read the work of others who have the same passion...and I no longer feel weird!

Please visit my good friend Mama Kat, the Head Dudette for "Writer's Workshop", over at Mama's Losing' It. You will find some great reads! Just click on the logo below and voila! You will be there!

Wednesday Wickedness - Dolly Style!

Welcome to this always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton! I hope you enjoy her quotes and my sometimes off the wall responses!

Let's go!

1. "I hated school. Even to this day, when I see a school bus it's just depressing to me. The poor little kids." What was your worst year in school? Why?

I think my worst year in school was my senior year in high school. I didn’t make the cheer squad; thereby, I was unable to do the captain of the football team. I gained back the 30 pounds I lost over the summer, and then gained some more. It wasn’t bad enough not having a date to the prom, but the four boys who I asked couldn’t (or wouldn’t) go with me. But the on the day of graduation, I didn’t cry. I couldn’t wait to get out and start my new life!

2. "I still close my eyes and go home - I can always draw from that." Tell us about YOUR home.

My home was fantastically dysfunctional! I loved being around my family, and then I couldn’t wait to be alone. I managed to get just enough of both. When I close my eyes, I can draw from the psychedelic images that appear when I rub my closed eyes!

3. "I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else." What have you been told that you couldn’t do, but proved them wrong?

I was told by a parent that they “just didn’t see me as a career woman.” If one considers a legal secretarial position a career, then I proved them wrong. I also had my own typing business for a year. It didn’t work out, but I was my own boss for the duration. I showed ‘em!

4. "I'm old enough and cranky enough now that if someone tried to tell me what to do, I'd tell them where to put it." What was the last incident where you were told what to do and were insulted?

Well, Dolly…do you have a couple of hours? I’m old and cranky, too! And, I’m a mom of teenagers; you know what I’m talking about!

5. "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." Have you ever reinvented yourself? How?

I try to reinvent myself about every two or three years, whether or not I need it! I can no longer color my hair…too much gray! But, if I could have hair like you Dolly, I would color it in a heartbeat! When I want to make a change, I use the Pro and Con sheet. Whichever side has the longest list…wins!

6. "If you talk bad about country music, it's like saying bad things about my momma. Thems fightin' words." Is there a type of music that you hate?

Hate is such an ugly word, Dolly! I don’t like anything that I can’t dance to. We used to call country music “cry-baby” music. Then I developed an appreciation for Blue Grass, but that’s only a part of Country. It’s still “cry-baby” music!

7. "It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen." Have you ever crossed dressed for Halloween or just for the hell of it?

Oh yeah! I cross-dressed just the other night when I gave out candy at the door. I put on hiking boots and tucked my shirt in. When you have white hair, you look like anybody’s gram or gramps! At least I didn’t scare anyone. I also cross-dressed when I was 10 and we were playing Robin Hood. It was an all-girl group and all but one other girl were too prissy to run around with no top on!

8. "My weaknesses have always been food and men - in that order." What are your weaknesses?

My weaknesses are food and men – in that order.

9. "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." Tell us about something that you did that required patience, but was worth it.

I went through labor four times… 46 hours; 36 hours; 28 hours; 24 hours.

10. "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." When was the last time you made a major change in your life?

When I attended my first 12-Step meeting. “Hello, my name is No Excuses, and I am a procrastinator.” Seriously, 20 years ago, I attended my first meeting. It opened my eyes and gave me a new take on the Big Guy. It also made me a more accepting person. I stopped throwing coffee at super models.



Thanks for the visit! Please pop over to the Wicked Lady and say hello! Just click on the logo for Wednesday Wickedness below!





Happy Hump Day!

"and she sparkled"

I just received this book from a good friend, and I am so excited to share it with you. It's the kind of book in which almost everyone can find a piece of themselves.


The author, Joan Steffend, initially wrote this for herself, however, after sharing it with friends and family, she received many comments about how they were touched by it. The book is a short read, and for some, the touch is very deep. I know you will love it!

Please take a look at the book and watch a short video by Ms. Steffend by going here

I am not a book reviewer, nor am I receiving anything for writing about "and she sparkled." I have just fallen in love with this book and want you to do the same.

Enjoy!