My New Gig...

Hello All,

Just wanted to let you know some exciting news... I have recently been asked to be the resident expert on a site called Mydiningspot.com. Don't let the name fool you, I'm not going to be talking about food. But I am going to be giving food for thought on life and all it's challenges. They are expanding their site to provide a more well rounded array of what people need in life. So I will now be featured on their home page under a column called "Coach's Corner."

You can not only read my articles, but also participate in the "Ask the Coach" section. Where I'll be answering questions from my readers. Plus, it's a pretty cool site in general, lots of good info including recipes and restaurant reviews.

The website is www.mydiningspot.com. Have a good weekend everyone!

Prayers For Cara

You all know that I did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past June, but at that time, I had no idea I would be writing this blog to you today to ask you to pray for someone I know. My sister-in-law Cara, who is only 29 years old, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Ironically, she was a volunteer at the walk (that's us together in the picture) and didn't know at that time that she was going to be "the one" in the "one in three" that are effected by it. Anyway, I am asking you to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She has just undergone a mastectomy and had several lymph nodes removed. She will be receiving her prognosis today and will soon find out how much chemotherapy she will have to endure. We are hoping that she won't have to have more surgery in the future or receive radiation, but those are both real possibilities.

Please remember to take care of yourselves. You just truly never know and let me tell you my friend...contrary to how we all feel at times, we are not invincible.

Okay, so there was the trip...

For those of you who read my last blog about everyday love, and thought I was absolutely crazy... I just thought I'd clarify. I don't want you to get me wrong, I love romance just like the next girl. But it's the little things that we encounter each day with each other that really makes our relationship grow. It's the everyday stuff that makes me love my husband the most. However, he does know how to incorporate romance into our lives too. So in an effort to let you see the whole picture, I thought it only fair to let you know that we took a trip to San Francisco and toured wineries this spring to celebrate our anniversary since we knew we wouldn't have time right now.

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, you're not completely off the hook. Romance is always good...we do love flowers, but picking up your dirty socks is pretty cool too!

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've actually been married that long. It seems like just a day ago we were newlyweds living in a rent house with used furniture and thinking we were so in love.

Now here we are, 15 years later. And strangely enough, somehow we actually love each other even more then we did back then. The romantic love that new relationships experience is always fun, but it's the day to day love that really gets you through life. We have been through a lot together. Eight years of infertility, five years of having the most beautiful children in the world and many moments in between. We've laughed, fought, partied and worked together. He is my biggest fan, my provider, my workout partner, my children's father, my lover and my best friend.

Yes, romantic love is nice, so you might be wondering if he got me flowers or a new diamond for our anniversary. No, I told him all I wanted for our anniversary was for him to take the trash out. Because it's not about diamonds. Everyday that I get to spend with him is a gift. And it's that everyday love that has sustained us for the last fifteen years. We don't play games with each other, we don't keep secrets from each other and we don't hold grudges.

If you're in a relationship that needs work, think about what's really important. Love has everything to do with it. It's the little things that count.

To read more about the little things in love that matter, check out one of my past ezine articles, "Love & Little Things" by clicking here: www.lonetreecoach.com/ezines/ezine12.pdf
Then if you enjoy that article, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.lonetreecoach.com/contact.html

First Day of School

School started last Monday for us. And much to my dismay, my oldest daughter started kindergarten. She was so excited and I was filled with such mixed emotions. Don't get me wrong, I was excited for her but yet my heart was aching with sadness that my little girl was getting so big. It is interesting that the thing we want most for our children - to grow up and become intelligent, independent individuals - can hurt so much. Yet, I put a smile on my face and sent her on her way.

And as my youngest daughter and I get settled into our new routine without big sis around, I realize how fast life moves. I think about the many other transition points that we will be encountering over the next several years. (What will I do when the little one goes to school too?) Those thoughts of course blossom into the transitions that we face throughout all of life. I don't think there is ever a time when we are not going through some type of transition, whether they be transitions of choice or not. And I guess that's a good thing since I base my business on helping individuals work though those transitions by making positive changes in their lives. So with that, I want to remind you all that change is inevitable, so embrace it and run with it. Refusing to do so will only leave you behind. Here's to moving forward...

Giving Up Wine...

Those of you who know me, know how much I love wine. I share that love with several friends. One of them sent me a little story and I just couldn't resist sharing it with you. Enjoy!

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner. I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?' 'No, I had to stop drinking years ago,' the homeless woman told me. 'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked. 'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.' 'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked. 'Are you NUTS?!' replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!' 'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.' 'The homeless woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.' I said, 'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and wine.'

Social Networking

I recently attended a teleseminar with the well known marketing guru, Alexandria Brown. I was surprised when she suggested that if you hadn't gotten into social networking, you were missing a simple piece of the marketing puzzle.

I had always thought of those sites as places for teenagers and those seeking relationships or mates. But apparently they are a great way to not only network with other professionals, but also market your name out to more people in the world.

So, I am happy and somewhat sheepish to announce, that you can now find me on such sites as: www.myspace.com, www.facebook.com, and www.linkedin.com. For those of you who have regularly kept up with my blog, or been to my website, you won't find too much new and exciting. But if you have an account, feel free to check in with me and add me to your friends list. Mention that you found me through this blog so I'll know where you're coming from.