ExecutiveMom's Safety and Self Defense Blog

A Fireproof Review

As an avid reader, I have enjoyed many stories by Eric Wilson.  I love the action and his characters.  I also have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the movie that was made based on his book Fireproof.  I have also read several of Mr. Wilson's reviews on Amazon.com. Some good, some bad and all very honest and straightforward as he sees it from another author's perspective.

I honestly have to say that when I first approached Eric Wilson to review my book : Shattered Reality for me, I didn't really expect any type of response.  I was shocked, thrilled, honored and humbled that he would take the time out of his busy schedule to read my writing and present me with an honest opinion.  With a voice such as his and others who have reviewed my story, I am hopeful that one day , we will be able to open up and speak more about serious issues such as Child Sexual Assault.  I thank him with all my heart for his candid review and opinions, they are very meaningful. 

Before I share, remember April is Child Abuse Prevention/ Sexual Assault Awareness month so pick one of your favorite charities and donate some of your time or resources. I know that the economy is tough on everyone - let me tell you I am counting pennies from under my driver's car seat to pay for a Happy Meal for the kids these days - but there are kids who are counting on us to make a difference in their lives so they can become happy, healthy, functioning adults. Two of my favorite sites are: Stop the Silence and LavenderPower.org.  Thank You!

4 1/2 Stars...From a Father's Perspective, March 29, 2009 Eric Wilson - Novelist By  As a father of two teen daughters, as the husband of a woman who endured childhood abuse, I find this subject heart-rending but vital. So often, our society tries to quiet the voices of the victims because of the uncomfortable repercussions within families, jobs, churches, schools, etc. Kimberly Cheryl brings her own heartache to the page, refusing to be silenced. In "Shattered Reality," Cheryl pours emotion into her words, giving us enough detail to feel her and her daughter's pain without giving undue attention to the acts themselves. I had planned to read this book in another month or two, after finishing a project, but I found myself flipping through the pages, unable to pull myself away from this candid, painful, yet ultimately insightful account. It contains a number of editing errors, but that did not stop me from reading through the entire thing in one sitting. Do we find absolution in these pages? Not really. The justice system continues to do a pitiful job of protecting the abused, with a jaundiced male eye turned toward the perpetrators and the "overly-emotional" mothers involved. As a father, I would find it hard not to pick up a dull knife and end the perpetrator's possibilities of further abuse, but of course that too is an emotional reaction. Where do we go, though? When families and the law stand opposed to the truth, when they try to protect the status quo at the cost of young lives, I find myself livid. Cheryl has opened her heart to share her own family's story. I would've loved to hear more of the father's point of view or involvement, but the words here are potent. The drawings done by her daughter are also moving. If only we could look past outward appearances and stop pointing fingers at young women and men who don't look "acceptable," we might find that many of them are covering hurts that go very deep. Understandably, Cheryl says she'll never forgive. She says she'll never forget. My wife has never forgotten either, but she would say that forgiveness has been vital in her long-term healing, letting go of the need to exact a penalty for wrongs done and instead holding onto a future with men, women, and family who know how to love safely and unconditionally. "Shattered Reality" is not only an honest and easy-to-read account, it contains a wealth of helpful resources at the end. It would be a great companion piece in the literature for any who have endured abuse, first or secondhand.

Please don't forget to get your copy today as well as visit us on our web site to learn more about education, awareness and resources.   Unfortunately, this isn't an April Fool's Joke...

Heartfelt Book Review - In Time for April's Child Abuse Prevention Month

Shattered Reality

Posted on March 27, 2009 by tbfreviews

FROM THE AMAZON SITE…“A wonderful read for all parents, teachers, counselors …. we need to open our eyes to child sexual assault and help put a stop to this silent epidemic. The sexual abuse of a child creates a devastating family crisis. Parents want to know what to do and say to help their child but they also want to know how to respond to and heal their own emotional turmoil. As a parent, you need to know it’s okay and natural to act with disbelief and denial. This is my story, a mother’s story, about the abuse of my daughter and my struggles to over come. I thought I could trust my family members. I thought I knew and could trust the legal system. I was wrong. As a parent, I couldn’t find help for ME…what to expect on this journey with my daughter and her recovery. I didn’t know how much pain I would suffer as well. This is my story and my struggle toward recovery. Some how, some way, I hope it gives you hope for your journey as well.”

FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS…How do I really explain my feelings after reading this book as a young teen victim to child molestation myself?  It’s not that I “really liked” this book and wanted to re-read it again at a later date, but that I “really liked” the fact that it is out there to bring this real issue out in front of everyone’s eyes instead of keeping it hush hush.

[F]amily’s experiences with Child Sexual Assault are unique to us, they are sadly too similar to so many other families who have had to deal with the aftermath of abuse.

In my case it was a close family friend, shoved under the rug, and forgotten by everyone who knew (everyone but me of course).  I cried when I read how she described the mannerisms of her daughter from the beginning of sharing, afterwards, and as she remembered how her daughter used to act while unknowingly to her it was happening.  I knew those feelings.  I knew those feelings and honestly got a little frustrated while I read thinking like her daughter…”I was the victim, not you! Why is it all about you?!”.  Nothing towards the author really, more perhaps of how I felt about my own past.  But then I’m glad I read it from a mother’s perspective because it helps me better understand a little of why some of the adults who knew reacted the way that they did back then.   The feelings of denial and frustrations of not wanting to believe or not knowing what to do.  Perhaps if a book like this was out 15+ years ago for parents, teachers, and friends who knew a loved one who was suffering, the help needed for the victim would have been more readily available and case’s wouldn’t be so hard to reach justice.  Victim’s family’s could receive the support they needed to help themselves and their loved ones.

Thank you Kimberly for writing your story and thank you to your daughter for sharing so that others who are impacted know they are not alone, they are not to blame, it can happen to anyone by anyone, and help is out there for them.  I’m a firm believer that one can learn from another’s story even in our darkest days.  There are reasons for everything and testimonies to go along with each.  It’s our job to share those testimonies in life.  As a mother myself, I pray that my own daughters and even my son don’t face this evil at any angle.

Find out more information…

Read her Guest Post here from the other day.

Executive Defense Technology, LLC.       www.execdeftech.com
To order T-shirts to support children of assault visit: www.animewithattitude.com
Her Blog: http://executivemom.typepad.com

Get Your copy today from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Borders.com !

49 Ways to Know You Are Too Popular On Twitter...

Well - I thought I'd end my week on one last Twitter note that I found funny but know that I'm getting addicted to one more Social Media will have to paste and post of the Fridge just to remind me not to get too addicted..(I still think the pharma companies are going to have a lot of fun making up a disease name for this one and selling you Prozac for it :)

From @Twitter_Tips:

You know you are too popular on Twitter when...

1. People don’t invite you out—they go without you and livetweet you about it.
2. Because you instantly tweet about everything you do, you no longer see the point of confessing in church.
3. You know where the Twitter Twanonymous 12-step meetings are held (“Hi, my name is @, and I'm a Twittaddict…”).
4. You gossip like a complete Twit: “What a failwhale! Her mistweeted tweetahead retweet got her uninvited from the tweetup and the twitcast. With tweetard twittiquette like that she'll never be in the twitterati twibe.”
   
5. You never do anything without first considering how Twitterrific it will sound on Twitter.
6. You lie about how much you Twitter to keep your friends and loved ones from trying to organize a Twittervention against you. You are always jumpy when you go out, afraid they will throw a net over you and pry your blackberry away.
   
7. Everyone knows that while you’re technically still married, your spouse is actually a “Twittdow” (Twitter widow).
8. Whenever you get long-winded, your spouse tells you to “Shut up if you can't talk like we do on Twitter.”
9. Watching court TV you thought the bailiff said “Please be tweeted,” instead of “Please be seated.”
10. In your dreams, everyone has @ symbols where faces should be.
11. You have two homepages: twitter.com, and status.twitter.com …not necessarily in that order.
12. You're Scobelizing your time, resources and life away.
    
13. Big events nearly give you a heart attack every time—from simultaneously trying to listen to it on TV, tweet, and see what everyone else is tweeting about it
    
14. You start to think in 140-character thoughts using abbreviations with too many exclamation points and question marks: “Y can't these ppl learn to p/u their own damn dirty socks. It’s thx 4 nothing 4 all the work I do around here, imho. Y do I p/u with this??!!”
15. Two-hundred thirty-seven people already sent you this blog post this morning.
16. If it weren't for Twitter, you would have no contact with other living beings 167½ out of 168 hours each week. (It would be never, if grocery delivery to your door was available in your area.)
17. People DM you before calling so that they know you will answer.
    
18. When you see thousands of people following the “Can you hear me now?” guy around in ads…you know just how he feels.
19. Your kids know they won't get your attention unless the notes they leave on the kitchen table say something like “@Mom, please bring home milk and DM me if I can go to @Jason’s house.”
20. You have your real name legally changed to your @twitterName.
    
21. Obama and Kevin Rose follow you…and DM you when they need advice.
    
22. You get the “Twitter Twitch”—you've twittered until two in the morning and now all you can do is lay in bed and twitch. 
23. You never leave the site except to go to Tweet-ups.
24. More people know you by your Twitter picture than by what you actually look like.
    
25. You don't bother to have your Twitter client automatically startup on boot because doesn't everyone sleep with Twitter on the laptop next to them in bed?
26. When Twitter goes down, you have to restrain yourself from trying to tweet about, and write in your blog until it comes back online.
27. You understand Twitler's every reference and know exactly how he feels. 
28. You are always accidentally trying your Twitter password to log onto things.
    
29. You need a job, but you can't find one with a Twitter-friendly environment so you remain unemployed…and Twittering about it.
30. You're more popular on twitter.grader.com than @grader itself.
31. Your @name starts appearing in other people's Twitter jokes. 
32. You decide to do a quick check of your tweets before your email - and it ends up being hours before you read your email.
    
33. You freak out when twitter goes down for a few hours and wonder if you will ever see your friends again!
34. You look for the UNFOLLOW button during boring TV shows.
35. You find yourself in an actual, honest-to-goodness face-to-face conversation…and catch yourself looking for the “reply” button. 
36. You start to think of everything in @’s as in “I wish @husband would take the garbage out…”
37. You would never need to wear a tracking device if you were convicted of something because your BrightKite tweets make you easier to track than Barack Obama.
38. You get wedding presents from Twitter friends you have never met in real life. 
39. You resolve to get off Twitter to get some work done but can't remember when you had that thought, and anyway @guykawasaki is just now saying that Alltop is cool because …
40. @guykawasaki DMs you but you miss it because you get too many DMs all at once.
41. When your realize you're having heart palpitations from being so hyped up trying to reply to your thousands of DMs and @'s.
42. You tweet wearing gloves when the heat goes out. 
43. Twitter's business model depends on your tweets. Either that, or they get money from Greenpeace for saving the Fail Whale.
44. It takes you three tries to read this post—because you have to check twitter in between.
45. You’ve long since forgotten what it was like to have friends in the real world in the days “BT” (before Twitter).
46. When you're off twitter, you make up new twords. You share the twords with your twouse who rolls their eyes at you and goes back to sleep.
    
47. Your dog has her own twitter account.   
48. Your name is @conniecrosby. 
49. When u go online to find that recipe, you get so many DMs you logon to twitter & forget to eat dinner, much less cook it.

#50 and more can be found HERE if you are interested..... Is this YOU??

Have a wonderful Weekend and BE SAFE - especially while Online - you really never know who is on the other side of that picture!!

The Tao of Twitter

For the last couple days since joining, I have been trying to figure out the Tao - or meaning, way, path - of Twitter.  I have really had a hard time condensing myself to 140 words but that is me.  I have also wondered Why? What is so interesting about little "blips" or "blurbs" from so many others.  And how will I keep up with all the incredibly interesting information. 

I guess for me the site can be used as a sort of teaser and filter of information in the areas that I enjoy but the concept of its popularity has still been mind-boggling to me. Then, this afternoon, I came across an old article:  2007 - Twitter through a Heart Surgeons Eyes   . 

Having spent most of my Pharmaceutical Career working in a Hospital Setting, I could relate to the doctor's coffee room.  I think this may have answered my "Why"....

I took a step back, and saw some startling similarities between Twitter and something in my offline world as a heart surgeon.

The Coffee Room!

Every hospital (and operating suite) has one. It’s where the team meets all too briefly in short breaks between a hectic schedule, to share snippets of conversation, touch base, keep connected.

A typical ‘fly on the wall’ experience may sound like this:

Dr.Martin looks up from the journal he’s skimming to say:

“Hmm… interesting. Wonder if it applies to kids too?”

Dr.Jones beside him glances at the title and says:

“Don’t think so. I read about it in the latest Annals last week.”

Across the room, nurse Jenny sips her coffee and looks at the door where nurse Anna waltzes in (she’s going off duty).

“There’s a sale on at Debenham’s. I got 3 pairs of these for 5 quid each.”

She points at her shoes. Jenny is interested.

“Wow. Cool. I’ll check it out.”

Sister Janet, browsing the newspaper in the corner of the lounge now speaks up.

“You’ll want this coupon then. It says 15% off on all shoes.”

Dr.Mark, the resident, dashes in and grabs a cup of coffee.

“Martin, we’re done in OR 2. When do you want to begin the next operation?”

Martin looks up.

“Right away. Can we go ahead?”

Dr.Spencer, the anaesthetist, speaks up:

“Give me 10 minutes. I’m waiting for an important call.”

A voice calls out from the doorway:

“What’s the score? Is Dhonee out yet?”

Eyes glance at the TV, and then Martin answers.

“Not yet. He’s going strong. Sure, Spencer, I’ll wait. Gives me time to finish this article.”

Another voice sounds from the door.

“Dr.Mark, you’re wanted in OR 3 right away”

Mark rushes out.

“Think this pink jacket would go well with the shoes?”

Jenny asks Anna, as they walk out of the room, pointing to the ad in the paper.

Now, look at just the conversation bits with my explanatory notes stripped away, and you’ll see how remarkably similar this looks to a typical Twitter screen.

Dr.Martin: “Hmm… interesting. Wonder if it applies to kids too?” Dr.Jones: “Don’t think so. I read about it in the latest Annals last week.” Anna: “There’s a sale on at Debenham’s. I got 3 pairs of these for 5 quid each.” Jenny: “Wow. Cool. I’ll check it out.” Janet: “You’ll want this coupon then. It says 15% off on all shoes.” Dr.Mark: “Martin, we’re done in OR 2. When do you want to begin the next operation?” Dr.Martin: “Right away. Can we go ahead?” Dr.Spencer: “Give me 10 minutes. I’m waiting for an important call.” Mr.X: “What’s the score? Is Dhonee out yet?” Dr.Martin: “Not yet. He’s going strong. Sure, Spencer, I’ll wait. Gives me time to finish this article.” Voice: “Dr.Mark, you’re wanted in OR 3 right away” Jenny: “Think this pink jacket would go well with the shoes?”

Senseless snippets? Or meaningful conversation? Sales pitch? Education? Networking? Information? News? Updates?

Or EVERYTHING.

That’s Twitter, in a nutshell.

Now back to enjoying my "Snippets" - You can join me @Executivemom133

See you there.

Maybe Twitter Will Make Me a Better Author?

As I'm trying to figure out this vast world of Social Networking and it's many nuances ...  I received a wonderful email this morning.  It explained that maybe Twitter does have a purpose after all.  I remember in my almost 20 years of Pharmaceutical Sales, we had two types of presentations.  The full blown sales presentation (like my novels) and the 30 second "Hall Stopper" (Twitter writing).  I was never very good at the 30 Second Detail and I'm not very good at writing short briefs - they just don't seem to explain all I want to say or I don't quite seem to get my point across the way I intend it to be when it's short.  Sooo, maybe this is truly a good way for me, at least, to finally learn that 30 second "Hall Stopper".

I guess the only point that is listed here that still bothers me is the use of the English Language, the hacking of it and the miss spellings. I realize this isn't grammar school but, especially for the kids, my teen and my nieces and nephews (also teens) who use texting and Facebook so much, it kills me to see so many misspelled words! Honestly, you don't need to even know how to spell any more (that's what Spell check is for - and I am an awful speller let me tell you....). It's just annoying to know that there are so many kids who just don't know the basics (spelling, math...we give them so many crutches these days - okay a rant for another day :)

Here's that article - what do you think?

How Twitter Makes You A Better Writer
By now you’ve most likely joined Twitter (and if you haven’t, you need to, pronto!). Twitter is not only a great place for businesses and marketers, but it’s also a great place to spruce up your writing skills.

Yes. You read that correct. Twitter can make you a better writer. Here’s how.

Twitter forces you to be concise

If you’ve ever used Twitter, you know that you have 140 characters to say whatever you want to say. Now keep in mind, I didn’t say 140 words—or even 140 letters—I said 140 characters.
That’s not a lot of room. Letters, numbers, symbols, punctuation and spaces all count as characters on Twitter.

What all of this means is, you have to be concise. You have to know exactly what you want to say, and say it in as few words as possible.

Many writers, however, are “wordy” and often have long, drawn out descriptions and sentences, so it can be pretty difficult to create a message that’s only 140 characters.

Here’s where Twitter comes in again.

Twitter forces you to exercise your vocabulary

Since you only have 140 characters to get your message across, you’re forced to dust off your dictionary and thesaurus and find new words to use—Words that are shorter, words that are more descriptive, and words that get the job done in 140 characters or less.

Crafting a message for Twitter requires you to “pump up” your verbs (replacing adverbs and adjectives with them), and discover a better, clearer and more concise way to say what you want to say.

Now most people won’t hit 140 characters right away. No, they’ll end up with 160 or 148 characters to start out with (Twitter tells you how many characters you need to remove to make your message fit).

This is the final way that Twitter makes you a better writer.

Twitter forces you to improve your editing skills

Every writer needs to be able to edit their work. And by using Twitter, you can really hone your editing skills and make them top-notch.

It’s almost like playing a game; trying to write a 140-character message and still get your point across in a way that inspires your followers to take action, to click on your link or to “retweet” your post.

I like to think of it as a brainteaser, forcing me to think hard and dig deep down into my vocabulary to find a way to shorten my message.

I’ve been using Twitter since January, and my writing skills have not only improved, but I’ve been writing better copy as well.

Yet another reason you should be using Twitter. Not that you needed one.

About the Author: Jennifer Blanchard is a creative and effective copywriter. Her blog, Procrastinating Writers, offers writing advice, motivation and inspiration for writers who procrastinate.

To Twitter or Not to Twitter That is the Question

Do you think anyone has ever died of Texting or being in too many Social Network settings? At the very least, how many new cases of Carpal Tunnel do you think they diagnose a year from all they typing? I'm sure I have a bladder infection because I don't want to miss anyting, leave the keyboard and go to the bathroom. Note to self: buy a smaller laptop for better portability.  I also know I've lost weight since I've joined all of these sites because I have forgotten to eat (not really a bad thing :) How many people are being treated from STRESS due to "over socializing"?  Do yout hink the Pharmaceutical Companies will develop a new disease state and drug for those who suffer from "Social Network Stress?"  Do you think the electric company will understand when I tell them I just ran out of hours in the day to get around to paying my bills on time this month?  And do you think Jennifer really broke up with John Maher becuase he was Twittering too much? Hhhmmm...

For years, my daughter has suffered from ADD and I truly have never understood her.  I being a Type-A, direct to the point, organized sales person who lives by lists and calendars. My daughter on the other hand starts one project, gets distracted, wonders off to something else and then hours later finds herself doing what she started at one point in time.  How does that happen?

Well, social networking has now made me like my daughter.  I joined Twitter today.  I have put it off for as long as I could.  I follow many people, The Publicity Hound, being one of them and months ago she wrote about Twitter and using the resources.  At that time I was still learning MySpace.  Well, it seems as I was working out my MySpace layouts and connections, everyone else had moved onto Facebook,  Okay, Facebook is up and running and now Twitter is the thing to do... How do people find time to work a real job that will pay the bills with all of this?  Oh forgot, today on the news they talked about a Representative who was in trouble for being caught "Twittering" while in session listening to the President speak..oops, now there is a way to tick the boss off :)

First of all, I'd like to know how is it that I am always 5 steps behind and HOW do people keep up with all of these networks? Honestly, it took me an entire day of not moving from my comfy rocking chair (except to let the puppy out to potty) to put together and try to comprehend Twitter.  The sad thing is, these sites are all fun and they are addicting.  After reading a million Tweets and meeting new people, I finally came back to what I started this morning...answering a friends email from 6 AM.  (it's now 12:45 AM to be exact).  How time flies when you are playing with technology (and how crossed eyed one can become is amazing as well - I'm sure I won't be seeing straight for a week). 

Soooo - how is it that people (who have a life) can keep up with all these various Social Networks and forms of connecting with very interesting people but basically perfect strangers all the same.  Will I ever see sunlight again? Or will life be made up of endless Facebook pokes and Twitter Tweets?

My question to all those who successfully utilize these various networks - how do you "control" the information?  How do you write successful short tweets that others would like to read? Is there a way to write one "blog" or "tweet" and send it to all of your networking sites with a click of the button?

I am not old but I still remember typewriters and dial phones from college... computers are just overwhelming this soul.. Any advice?

Voices of Survivors - A Touching New Book

I'm Very Excited to Announce Our story is Part of a Touching New Book:

THEDORSEYTOUCH is very proud to introduce you to an amazing new book about survivors and for survivors, 'VOICES FOR SURVIVORS'. This touching book is a collection of inspirational stories that will wrench your heart and make your spirit soar.

This is one book you definitely need to pick up, read and absorb.

Thank you, Namid and Vanilla Heart Publishing, for providing a home for these incredible stories of real lives.

Peacefully yours,
Ed Dorsey, CEO
THEDORSEYTOUCH




This anthology project spearheaded by Namid, author of To Dance Amongst the Stars, The Strength of a Man, and Secondary Survivors, along with the accompanying workbooks.

Namid says: I was thrilled and honored when I first heard of this project. I knew instantly that it would be a tremendously powerful book, and it is. Through this project, I have had the honor to meet and work with amazing survivors from around the world! This book has touched me in more ways than one. The emotional impact of the outpouring we have received since starting this project has been phenomenal, to say the least. Each story is so poignant, so genuine. You will find that our writers have been raped by spouses, and strangers. They have been raped in their own homes, and in alleyways. Each person's story is different. Each person's path is unique. But the one constant thread you will find in this book is that each and every one of these people is not a victim; they are survivors. I am so very proud of each and every one of them. I thank them for their courage. I thank them for their honesty. This is more than a book, more than an anthology. This is a treasure. In this book you will find stories from men, women, mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, someone you may even know. Rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse touch more lives than we even realize. In this book, you will find people of both genders, of all races and nationalities, and from all walks of life. There are writings here from people all across the globe. Rape survivors come in all shapes and colors. Rape does not discriminate by race, gender, income, location, or any other factor. Rape affects people: ALL people. I hope that this book touches your heart. I hope that you understand the pain that survivors must endure. I hope you find peace, comfort, and solace in words written by fellow survivors, I hope that you find hope, strength, and inspiration in the amazing lives these survivors live! This is a phenomenal collection of work. Enjoy!


BUY YOUR COPY OF THIS AMAZING BOOK NOW AT AMAZON BY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS.

Voices of Survivors Anthology (Paperback) at AMAZON

Voices of Survivors: Silent No More...Survivors Speak Out (Kindle Edition) at AMAZON

Shattered Reality - Book Give Away

Shattered Reality has been rewritten and released in March 2009 just in time for April....Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

I will be giving away a free copy of the book in honor of April and all it stands for.  To WIN - just send me an email in response to this letter and names will be drawn at random on April 2nd!!

This is a wonderful read for all parents, teachers, counselors, grandparents .... we need to open our eyes to child sexual assault and help put a stop to this silent epidemic.

The sexual abuse of a child creates a devastating family crisis. Parents want to know what to do and say to help their child but they also want to know how to respond to and heal their own emotional turmoil. As a parent, you need to know it's okay and natural to act with disbelief and denial. This is my story, a mother's story, about the abuse of my daughter and my struggles to over come. I thought I could trust my family members. I thought I knew and could trust the legal system. I was wrong.

Please help make a difference in the life of a child.  Get Your Copy TODAY on Amazon.com.

www.KimberlyCheryl.net
www.shatteredreality.org

Shattered Reality Book Tour - Where Author & Readers Can Meet

For the last 8 years, the one school program that my husband has been "required" to attend with our growing children in the Dr Suess's Read Across America program.  Not because I don't enjoy reading because I can always be found with a book in hand but because I HATE crowds.  Especially insanity of little people running around screaming.  Well, this past Friday was our school district's Read Across America (March 2nd is Dr Suess's Birthday) celebration and party for over 550 first through 3rd graders.  The school's cafeteria and gymnasium was packed with parents, students, and younger siblings in strollers. 

I tried my best to ignore all the emails going to the parents seeking help at the various booths.

Don't get me wrong - I have participated in all field trips, as a room parent, as a scout assistant, etc. but this is just one over sized event I did not care to volunteer for.  Unbeknownst to me, my favorite (and only) son who is a Beta Club Member not only signed himself up to work at a game booth but he was nice enough to volunteer me as well.  So Friday night, along with 1000 other parents trying to find a parking spot on our small school lot, I wearily approached our elementary school.  I worked the registration and Free Book hand out section as my son and his best friend put on fuzzy red costumes, blue curly hair and marched around for two hours as Thing One and Thing 2.  (I'm truly greatful he didn't sign me up to be the Cat in the Hat! :)

My point?  We spend so much time encouraging our kids to read - when was the last time you picked up a good book?  (and not Good Night Moon for the millionth time if you have kids - although it is one of my favorites) Why not pick one up and start a new book today?

One of my favorite Quotes: I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. (Booker T. Washington)

Well, we have been facing one HUGE obstacle - that of Child Sexual Assault and the unwillingness of a Prosecuting Attorney's office to prosecute a repeat offender.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month...so to heighten awareness and ask for your help in Protecting Children, I'd Love to have you participate and share your ideas, thoughts and concerns on my Book Tour for  Shattered Reality by Kimberly Cheryl.  (Buy Your Copy Today at Amazon.com)

Dr Suess epitomizes a love of children and learning.   Through Shattered, you can not only learn about Child abuse, it's prevalence in the U.S., prevention and the resources available, you can also Help the Children....

Join the discussions, enjoy the fun, read the reviews, follow the interviews and share!  TOGETHER we can make the difference in the lives of our children!

I can't wait to see you at one of the following sites this Month -
Cbeers - Kim

Pump Up Your Book Promotion
"We take book promotion to the virtual level!"

http://thebookczar.blogspot.com

http://thinkbetweentheink.blogspot.com  

http://asthepageturns.blogspot.com

http://booknookclub.blogspot.com

http://heatherlo.wordpress.com

http://quiverfullfamily.com 

http://inthepages.blogspot.com

http://purplemoonmyst.wordpress.com

http://scrappyd.blogspot.com

http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com

http://litlove.wordpress.com

http://www.wifeandmomof3.net

http://thebooksihaveloved.blogspot.com

http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com

American Chronicle Interview