So I’m not really sure why, but I feel like I am on the verge of something happening.  Maybe it’s because I completed the revisions to the book and completely re-designed the pages.  It’s not the way I wrote it, but I think it’s pretty good.  I will be working towards having those pages up on Sampson’s website by the end of the weekend.  Maybe it’s because I received the merchandise and I actually have people who want it, but whatever it is…I feel re-energized about this venture.

I’m trying to remain very positive, while at the same time being realistic.  What are the odds that I will really STAND OUT at the Pet Writing Conference?  Still, if I can hand out a bunch of cards and get people interested and checking out websites, it will be worth it.

In the meantime, here is the first page of Sampson’s book.  Thanks again for reading!! XOXO

Remember the struggles I had with the T-shirt and the tote and finding the picture that worked right?  Well guess what?  They came today!!

The business cards…well that’s where the good customer service comes in!  I designed the cards with Sampson on the front and my information (name, phone number, e-mail and blog address) on the back; but upon close inspection I was missing a letter in the blog address!!  So I quickly signed onto my account at Vista Print and checked the card and it looked right to me on the proof, so I called customer service.  Granted I was on the phone for a few minutes more than I would have liked just in trying to get to the right person, but the woman I got was OUTSTANDING! 

She explained to me that I had designed a couple of cards (what can I say, you knew I struggled with this!) and I had inadvertently ordered the wrong one!  So she asked me if the print was large enough for me and we started talking and I asked her opinion and she basically helped me re-design the card, with enlarged font and she ordered 500 cards for me and she didn’t charge me!!  PLUS I will receive them BEFORE the pet writing conference so I will be able to take them with me.  Now that is how customer service is supposed to be!!

So I am here endorsing Vista Print, they have all kinds of items to print, their prices are (in my opinion) reasonable and their customer service rocks!  I will certainly use them again.  I also got a bunch of 25% off coupons so if any of you guys want any Sampson items…;-)

There is a country song called, “My heroes have always been cowboys.” That phrase is running through my mind right now, except my heroes have always been my children or my heroes have always been soldiers is how it plays in my mind. 

Once upon a time pre-pregnancy I wanted to join the Army as Military Police, GOD had a different plan for me then and instead I was blessed with two wonderful daughters, and then we added a third to our family.  My kids have always been heroes to me, children have it tough in this world and I was fortunate to raise three children who are fine upstanding citizens and wonderful people each in their own right, productive contributing members of society. 

I married a man who served six years in the United States Army as (ironic as it is) Military Police.  Our youngest daughter joined the Army last year and is currently in the Korean language program studying at the Presidio and making what is the Army’s version of the Dean or President’s list.  My two wonderful nephews each joined the Navy, Andrew as a Master of Arms (ironically enough the Navy’s version of Military Police) and Kyle as a navigator.  Andrew deployed to Iraq in 2006 on a six month special mission and Kyle served on the USS Abraham Lincoln and deployed to the Middle East in 2008 for seven months.

Of course I know other soldiers who are also heroes to me.  Some I have met and some I still hope to meet, but they are still heroes none-the-less.  Esther who serves the Army National Guard, is a single mom, goes to school and still does her two weeks/12 weekends a year. There are the two beautiful women Daly (who I met through Andrew) and Lilliana  (who I met through Daly) Puerto Rican Army Nation Guard who both served in Iraq.   Wonderful women, beautiful on the inside and out.  Lilliana’s husband also serves in the Army National Guard and I was privileged to meet him as well.  Matt, my friend Mindy’s son who serves in U.S. Marine Corps and has just re-enlisted to do Embassy guard duty.  Amanda (niece of my heart) who is currently serving full-time in the Navy and raising a beautiful little girl with my nephew Kyle.

There are some I haven’t met, Jeremy who is starting what I believe is his third tour in Afghanistan and Christopher who just came back from his second or third tour of the sandbox. 

And then we cycle back to Andrew, who served his five years in the Navy and last year enlisted in the Army National Guard, knowing even then that the unit he was to be assigned to would be deployed to Afghanistan.  So here I sit with that song running through my mind, because today my Andrew left for Afghanistan and I cannot help but be proud and frightened all at the same time.  I pray to GOD who has blessed me so much that Andrew remain strong; in body, mind and spirit and bring him safely home to his family.  And yes, I do pray that every night, for every single one of the brave men and women who sacrifice day in and day out to protect our country, protect us and protect our freedoms. 

Go with GOD by boy, and please come home to us.