Is it really December 1st, 2011?  It is so hard to believe how my life has changed over the past five years.  My oldest daughter, Zoe, turns seven on the 5th.  Besides the fact it is hard for me to accept I could possibly have a seven year old it is a rather exciting time for her as well.  Her reading has improved so much and she is finding a real passion for it which of course excites me.

When I quit the mortgage industry in 2006 and took my creative endeavors on the road as a full time artist and photographer scraping out a living was hard enough.  The idea of actually being able to write for a living seemed impossible.  I have to admit I still don’t see myself as ever selling enough books to make a real living but I get to live the life none the less.

What do I mean?  I have an amazing husband who happens to be doing well enough with his own business that he wants me to focus on my books.  My online art stores have been shut done and painting has stopped.  My paint brushes have been traded in for a keyboard.  I thought this would be an easy transition because I love to write so much but after five years of pushing my art business I am finding it difficult to let it rest.  I am also one of those people who has trouble giving up an income producing option and gamble on something that may never see real profits.

I have done it though and as a result Book 1 was released on time and I am 20,000 words closer to book 2.  I have about half a dozen book ideas mapped out that I am excited to get to so I know 2012 will filled with a lot of new releases.  My husband worked with some amazingly talented people to get my new website up, sexy huh?  It is nice to be married to a web developer sometimes!

The Christmas shopping is nearly done.  The presents have already started to be wrapped.  The decorations are up and my heart is so warm this holiday season that I have such a support team around me.

Friends helping me edit, strangers giving me pep talks, a husband being an all around laundry doing, dinner cooking, super dad, hard working amazing man.  With all of these people in my life I can honestly say I don’t want or need anything else for Christmas.  My stocking is so full.

Stay tuned in the next few days… I hope to have a surprise on the horizon when it comes to the cover of book 2.