This past week has been a roller coaster ride. At the highest point, I got notice that my book, PRIME TIME, was finally out in print. I’ve been waiting for this moment for four years. It took a new publisher to make it happen. This book received great reviews in its original from, even getting four stars from Romantic Times magazine. My new publisher looked at the book, liked it, but decided it needed some work (which it did!). The new version is even better than the original and is now out in both e-format and print.

In addition, I finally finished the new story I was working on. I’ve been struggling with this one for so long, but I’m happy with the way it turned out and was especially happy when I wrote ‘THE END’.

In addition, I have a shadow. A 16 year old girl who has to do a paper for school on what she wants to do in life. She wants to be a writer so has been with me at work for the last few days (I work in a bookstore), asking questions about writing and the writer’s life. She’s forced me to do some heavy thinking about this life that chose me. I dashed some of her hopes (she believed you wrote a book, sent it to a publisher, and they published it. That easy.), but I also pointed out that if you are a writer, you’re going to find a way to write. You may never make money at it, but you’re going to figure out how to make it work. It’s been kind of fun. And interesting to have someone who thinks I’m amazing because I’m a writer. (giggle)

But when things are going that good, you know there’s going to be a shoe drop. And one did. Heavily. On Wednesday, my hubby and I had our pet, Pixel, into the vet for her regular checkup. She passed with flying colors, but because she’s 19 years old, the vet did some bloodwork and tests just to make sure everything was okay. Friday we got the call. All was not good. In fact, definitely not good. As in, she’s reached the end of her road due to advanced liver disease. There is no coming back from this. He said she’d stop eating, lose weight, and eventually, just pass away.

How do you say goodbye to a furball you’ve loved for 19 years?

I know there are a lot of people out there who won’t understand our attachment to her. After all, she’s just a cat. What’s the big deal? I also know there are a lot of people out there who *will* understand. And grieve with me.

As I said, a week of highs and lows.