Beat the Clock

I leave for Chile on Saturday and I am in "end game" mode. In a perfect world, I would have two of everything. One set in Chile and the other in the US. That way, I could just walk out the door with a toothbrush and a flight confirmation.


Alas, that's not my reality, so I am sorting through closets, cabinets, and drawers. Some things will go with me, some not. Some will be thrown out. Others, just stored for next time, whenever that is.

I'm eating down on food, rummaging through the fridge to create meals out of leftovers and frozen food. Asking myself how long flour lasts. Graham cracker crumbs? Should I try to save them or throw them out? Can they be stored in the freezer? Would spices still have any zip in six months if I stuck them in the freezer now?

Then, there are the things I want to bring back with me. I have accumulated so much s...tuff.

Not to mention the copies I ordered of "A Million Sticky Kisses." Worried that they wouldn't arrive in time to go with me, I paid extra for two day shipping. The two days were up on Tuesday. Today's Thursday and I still have no books. Lost in the mail, they say.

I'm running around here with my fingers crossed, playing another round of Beat the Clock, pushing everything right down to the wire, and wondering if taking copies of "Penny Possible" and "A Million Sticky Kisses" will make my suitcase overweight.

Gold Stars for Penny

If I may toot Penny's horn for a moment, "Penny Possible" has received 24 5-Star Reviews on Amazon. I am grateful for and humbled by the response to Penny's book. Last month, I was able to donate over $1,000 to Warrior Canine Connection based on sales of "Penny Possible."

Here are a few comments from people who have bought the book:
"It's a great book for kids too! After ordering one for me, I ordered one for my great niece!"
"It's a beautiful little book."
"Buying this to have on hand to send to my daughter a couple of weeks after she goes away to college this summer."

If you've already bought a copy or two, thank you! If you'd like to buy a copy, click here. Either way, please tell all your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers about Penny and her book.

Coming up next...A Million Sticky Kisses, The Story of a Gringa Teacher in Chile.

Penny Possible Premiers!

Like dogs?
Got kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors who like dogs? Are you a kid at heart?
Want to help support returning veterans?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, please consider buying my first-ever book, "Penny Possible."

"Penny Possible" is a picture book which tells the story of a service dog during her two years of training. Penny, a Golden retriever, is a real dog who is now in her "forever home" with her Iraq war veteran. She was bred and trained by Warrior Canine Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains Golden and Labrador retrievers to be service dogs to wounded veterans.

An overnight success (it literally just went live on Amazon yesterday), "Penny Possible" is among Amazon's "Hot New Releases."

I will be donating the profits from "Penny Possible" to Warrior Canine Connection to help with their mission of reconnecting disabled veterans to their families, jobs, and communities. If you would like more information about Warrior Canine Connection, please visit their website.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of "Penny Possible," please visit Amazon.com.

Thanks for your support. It's all possible. Woop, woop!

Penny Possible

Coming to Amazon very, very soon. "Penny Possible," the true adventures of a future service dog. The true story of Penny, the Golden Retriever, destined to be a service dog to a wounded veteran. All profits from the sale of "Penny Possible" will be donated to Warrior Canine Connection.

Dog lovers, Golden Retriever fans, supporters of veterans, people with kids and grandkids, this book is for you!