And the countdown continues: three weeks today is our book’s release. But if we thought we were done, we had another thing coming!

Rob is working furiously to edit the 11 chapters (plus foreword, epilogue and acknowledgments) that make up Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss and Reclaiming Joy. It’s difficult for him to be cocooned away in the quiet of our bedroom while we have company here, but fortunately, despite the quite epic rains of the past weekend (see the flooding we were driving through – and the damage it did to our car – in a post I put up on Facebook on Saturday), our friends have been wonderfully understanding about finding ways to have fun and explore the area on their own!

People – especially those close to us – understand the life of freelancers and the randomness with which a project that was up in the air (an audio book) can suddenly become more urgent. So away we go! While Rob’s editing, I’ve got a new writing project on the go.
 
I wish I had any inspiration for a new book, but as I’ve told Rob, “If it’s anything like the first one, something pretty awful’s going to have to happen and I don’t think either of us wants that!” Ah, humour. No matter how dark, it does help us through.
 
So here’s what I’m busy pecking away at these days (besides my daily journals here, of course). I was contacted by a friend who works in publishing at Walmart and was asked if, by any chance, I might be interested in writing for their site. Intrigued, I took a look at what they were suggesting and thought: If I can write things that I know to be true, that resonate with me and might with you (um, without any need for more rhyming) then this could be a perfect fit.
 
So I sat down to write something about being good to ourselves at this time of year of love and hearts. Using guidelines generously provided to me, searching my heart and doing some research into products and availability, I came up with this piece for ideas.walmart.ca. 
 
With a focus on wellness, comfort and things that I think might be helpful to someone in my shoes (as loose fitting as they are these days – about the only thing on me that is or are!) I came up with my first article. 
 
So here we go. I hope you enjoy it and if you have any ideas you want to send my way, I’m always open to suggestions! Drop me a line or post it on my public Facebook page. And, as always, thanks for your input and your support. And a BIG thank you to the editors who made this first effort as good as it could be! Also, my very good friend (and fellow freelancer) Lisa Brandt is writing there, too…so if you’re poking around the site, look for her!
 
Here’s to new adventures. Ever wonder why they all seem to come at you at once?