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Well, it is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I am, as always, feeling so blessed in my life. Blessed to be living in Canada, blessed to have the love and support of so many friends along with my family, and blessed to be sharing thoughts again with you via a blog!
It has almost been two years since I was writing the daily blogs of short stories that has evolved into "The Shining Star Collection" book. If I had known where that was all going to lead, I might not have ever started writing the stories!. The publishing process over the past 13 months, to get to this point of where I am putting the finishing touches on my website, has been one HUGE learning curve. I cannot thank the folks at Friesen Press enough for guiding me on this journey!
Like anything in life that comes to fruition after years of dreaming of it, one cannot help but be a little awed ... just believing fervently in an outcome CAN make it so. Yet again, the power of positive thought wins, despite all my moments of doubt!
It is a quiet weekend for us this year with just a small turkey dinner for two tomorrow night which is a good thing! I am madly trying to get the website finished, launch my Like Page on Facebook, read up on Twitter (as I have never ventured there and am still not sure why I should - LOL!), while finalizing all preparations for the first Christmas Craft show I am partaking in next weekend! The "Fall into Christmas" show in Medicine Hat runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede will be where the rubber hits the road. Have I built a booth that will draw people in? Did I order enough books? Will they support an author by buying a book vs. a hand made candle or sweater? So many questions that will be answered a week from now. Excited but nervous! I plan on posting photos and updates from the show as I can, but again - just not sure how much free time I might find. Hoping that it is so busy I don't have time actually.
Fate has turned this little venture into what needs to become a main source of income for me. I lost a contract position after 5 years at the end of August, which coincided with the launch of the book. I am trusting in God that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to do.
All that being said, right here, right now, it is time to give thanks. I would not be here without the support of those of you who encouraged me along this path; the initial readers and fans of the stories, those who dared to ask, "When can I buy it?" and to all of those who have already bought a copy. To my beloved Aunty Erna who so kindly left me an inheritance that funded the publishing of the book. She was in the book business for over 40 years, so I hope she approves! To my sister Kathy, who has been selling the books at work in Saskatoon and who is going to drive to help me at the shows in not only Medicine Hat, but Red Deer and of course in Saskatoon too later in November. You are my number one fan and I love you!
Thanks to the EWI Chapters who are selling/buying the books as a fundraiser. Thanks to my dear friend Padget who encouraged the Saskatoon Figure Skating Club to use it as a fundraiser. To the lovely ladies at Finishing Touches in Okotoks who kindly offered to sell it for me in their stores and to our dear friend Shannon Tannas with Fisher Crescent Retail in Okotoks for inviting me to do a signing at her boutique in November, I also give hearty thanks. To David Horsager, who reviewed my book and who has been on ongoing source of strength and inspiration to me over the past few years ...thank you my friend!. To my Sol Sisters - love you all to the moon and back! Thank you for always being a safe place! Finally, to my dear Mom who always told us we could be whatever we wanted to be and to my darling Tiff for always encouraging me to pursue my passions! THANK YOU and GOD BLESS you all! Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!
Love,
K