Can't love someone else if you don't love yourself first, right? This is one of the key foundations to a happy, healthy relationship. Whether you're currently with someone or not, doesn't it make sense to be happy and take care of yourself so you can be the best you for everyone in your life?

Yep. Jumping on the bandwagon. I hope you guys enjoy them =).

This first one was kind of for practice, and I'm basically jumping in and learning as I go, so if you expect super high quality videos with a professional production team and no background laundry/children/cats/whatever, then you should probably adjust those expectations lol.... I am far from wealthy financially (for now ;) ) and just starting to put all this marketing stuff together to create websites and videos that serve a purpose.

With any luck, that purpose will be for you, the audience... and - as a bonus - me too =).

Yep, I'm at it again - or should I say "still?" Some of you who follow my Facebook might know I got a gnarly cold a few days ago, so I was pretty much out of commission for the weekend. Yesterday, too. But I feel a lot better today, aside from the fact that I still sound like a bad impression of The Nanny!

Fortunately, attending webinars, watching videos, and taking notes doesn't require me to speak at all =). From here, I plan to go ahead and create a marketing strategy for authors that anyone can duplicate and customize - calendar/schedule included.

I've always known that the key to having a book that sells is the marketing strategy an author implements. Whether it be a book launch, a promotion, or a discount deal, the way an author markets is the key to their success.

That's why I've been researching marketing for so long. I've tried to gather information from a number of different sources on the topic, and am continuing to do so this week. Last week was spent watching all of the videos from Writer.ly's #Pubcamp14 series and taking about 30 pages of notes. This week, I'm continuing by attending some of Mike Klingler's free webinars over the next 5 days as well as taking classes through the Digital Marketer website. And where is all of this going to take me - and any other authors I know and want to help out?

The Ten Pillars of Happy Relationship by Jennifer-Crystal Johnson is an insightful, organized, and detail-oriented self-guide on how to build a happy and healthy relationship. The author uses candid and focused examples of her past relationships to display some of the dos and don’ts people should act upon in their personal lives, especially their relationships.

The book presents concrete ideas that explore how personal development can grow into happy romances and fulfilling relationships. As the author takes the reader’s hands and leads them on a personal journey of growth in their relationships, they will learn the importance of knowing the ins and outs of:

• Learning to love yourself first
• Letting go of fear
• Being open to the new possibilities in your relationship
• Infatuation is different from love

My book is finally out on Amazon!

Everyone who is friends with me or follows me on Facebook will know all about this already, but I can't help but be super excited!

The idea for this book kind of fell into my lap after writing a series of five articles for a client. I was so inspired by the topic that I decided to expand on it in hopes of making a big difference for people in their relationships with themselves and others. Apparently, it's already working! =)

I traveled to another planet in my dreams last night and wanted to write about this before I immerse myself in editing work because it was so weird. And interesting.

As some of you guys may already know, I have some of the weirdest dreams ever. Last night was no exception - I dreamed that we had to move to another planet because the earth was on a collision  course with a star, so if we stayed, we would completely fry along with the planet.

Fun fact about this planet: I'd been there before in a different dream to visit someone who was involved in my adoption. In that dream, we were there for a week to visit and hang out.

The planet has small, bouncing meteorites that fall to its surface and then bounce back up into the atmosphere. I know. Weird and very impossible... but imagine yourself seeing a ball flying toward you from what looks like outer space only for it to bounce harmlessly and fly back up. Just the fact that it doesn't hurt the planet's surface is a huge relief after noticing how close it is!

My oldest daughter came out of her room after 11:00pm and informed me that she couldn't sleep. She's very excitable, so she immediately jumped into letting me know that there was a thunder storm going on outside, too.

I immediately got excited because I love thunder storms, as long as they don't carry a threat of tornadoes with them. In WA State, they don't - so I love them. I was talking to my fiance on Skype and let him know that I was hanging up so we could go see some of the storm.

"We should go outside and watch," I told my 9-year-old, Guenevere. "I love thunder storms!"

"I don't!" she replied. "They scare me!"

"Why do they scare you?" I asked, ushering her out the back door into the cool night. I was relieved to go outside because inside was so muggy after a hot day like this one. To my surprise, Guen grabbed my pink robe and wrapped it around herself before stepping out through the screen door.

"Because," she began. "It's loud and it touches the ground and destroys stuff."

I smiled. "I think this one might have the kind that goes from cloud to cloud. Look!"

We watched as lightning lit up the night sky several times before we even heard the far away sound of thunder.

First, let me say a HUGE thank you to Jerry Dobias for posting this amazing review of my book. After I read it I was almost in tears because it was just so touching.

On that note, I'd like to briefly say that, since I've been in a more collaborative mindset, I have interacted with some of the most amazing people I've ever met! From business owners to charity executives and media publishers... to other authors, many of whom are wildly talented.

Thank you - to all of my new acquaintances - for being you.


This review signifies a sort of turning point in my perception of how rewarding and gratifying networking can be. Because it's such a great review and so heartfelt, I want to share it here.

I have officially been a non-smoker for 2 weeks and am now on step 2 of the nicotine patch kit to help my body get rid of its pesky nicotine addiction. (As one of my friends said, "Oh lord, you're one of those people now, aren't you?" LOL)

Now this next part makes me feel kinda stupid. It's okay, though, because the discovery was an awesome happy moment today that's continuing to make me smile every time I hear it, hehehe =).

About a week ago, I met with my mom at one of our local gift shops, The Holly Hut. I've been wanting a wind chime forever now, and I was checking out some of the amazing ones in the shop.

Now, the bigger ones that sound super awesome are about $100 to $150 each, but those things are huge and I can't afford one of those right now. BUT... I found a really cute one while I was browsing that says, "Treasure LITTLE Things!" at the top. It's got some glass beads and butterflies hanging from it, and I've been leaving the back door cracked so I can listen to it =).