Here's the week, so far--

Monday--Day 2 of Daughter's Birthday--most of you know that she's a leap year baby. So on those years that she doesn't have a birthday, she claims both Feb 28 AND March 1 as her birthday. She stretches it over 2 days. So Day 2 bought more birthday cards, cake and cash!

Tuesday--She gets an acceptance letter from her first choice in colleges--Drexel University in Philadelphia. She's over the moon!

Wednesday--TheTinyJEWELBox is named Best Personal Blog in the Sun Sentinel Best of Blogs contest. I was over the moon!

Thursday--She gets an acceptance letter from her second choice in colleges--Clemson University in South Carolina. We're both over the moon!

Today--I'm sitting outside waiting on the postman. I'm hoping that I win the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes and continue the winning streak...

What's happening in your house this week? Your comments--priceless!!

Yes!!!! Last night, at Yolo Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, TheTinyJEWELBox was named Best Personal Blog in South Florida. As many as you know, The South Florida Sun Sentinel held this contest, and the winner was determined by votes. It was an amazing feeling to be with so many big names in the South Florida blogosphere and hear all the hoots and whistles when my name was called.

Thanks to everyone who voted. I HEART YOU!

Yes!!! I've been nominated again for an award. This time, it's the Sun Sentinel BOB awards. You can vote once daily for TheTinyJEWELBox until March 1st. I'm so honored to be nominated and the competition is stiff!!

I've put a banner to make voting easier, but you have to register on the Sun Sentinel's site. Here's the link to vote directly. TheTinyJEWELBox is in the Personal category.

Thanks so much!!

Last night, out of the blue, I got an email from brand new FOJ Aymee of PainePR in Los Angeles. She's been reading TheTinyJEWELBox (Who knew??). She invited me to a very cool event next week. I'm sooo excited about it. However, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to publicize it, so I'll wait--it's only a few days away..

She DID say that I'm allowed to bring a laptop, so I'll be tweeting LIVE from the event. I think it's going to be fun. In fact, when I told Husband about it, he asked if he could go too!

So Wednesday is sounding like it's going to be a busy day. I have THAT event in the morning, then I have an Examiner event to cover, followed by an author's lunch that I planned to share on TheTinyJEWELBox, a party thrown by Swarovski Crystals, and finally a family thing--the high school magnet fair--Dear Son is going to high school next year and it's time to apply.

I also got a very cool product in the mail yesterday, to review for ThingsinPink. Look for that to post by the end of the week. I'm busy busy BUSY---and for that I'm very thankful. but what about you? How was your Thanksgiving? What are you most thankful for? What's new in your life?

Your comments--priceless!!

Heyyyy!!!! I sure missed you guys!!! But it was a crazy week and I'm not sure I could have gotten thorough it, had I had to have written blog posts.

I did a LOT of things this week--I spent the day with Terribly Girly Photography on Tuesday. I visited with the cast of New Moon AND went to the LUCA LUCA trunk show on Wednesday. On Thursday, I was introduced to the MOST AMAZING hair salon in the world (I'm writing about it next week). Then on Thursday night, I met the great fashion designer, Trina Turk. On Friday, I wrote what feels like a million articles for Examiner. You can read them here.

Also, last week, I was notified by the good folks at Working Divas Network that I was chosen as their very first Blog of the Week. Wow, life is good!

I'm honored that Working Divas Network would recognize lil ole me in such a great way, but I am truly a WORKING diva. My blog ventures through both my personal and professional life, as they are so intertwined.

This week shouldn't be as bad as last week, so expect a few posts.

Your comments--priceless!!




I post daily. So that you don't miss any of my randomness, you might want to subscribe by email.

So, as many of you know. I've been in a serious rut. My blog words no longer seem to flow as easily as they once did. I lost my MOJO! I was so overwhelmed and actually felt paralyzed, unable to move forward.

Well, I had a very frank discussion last night with a good friend. We talked about my rut, my goals, my fears, and my plan. We talked about the things I am doing right, as well as the things I haven't done so well.

It was actually therapeutic. It was also humbling to have someone, whose opinion I value, take an honest interest in me and my plan. She was able to show me things that I have never seen before, and help me to formulate a strategy. I feel blessed. That's the GOOD news.

The BAD news is this--while I committed to writing my 2 blogs daily, most days I don't feel good about what I've written. More often than not, it seems to be fluff with no substance. I've decided that on the days that I really don't have anything to say, I simply won't write. So, rather tha a daily blog, TheTinyJEWELBox may become a 5 times a week blog, and sometimes a 3 day a week blog, and I'm sure they'll be weeks that there's only 1 post.

I'm not dropping the blog. Oh heavens no!!! In fact, I'm looking at completely redesigning it to incorporate more of my interests. What it does mean is that when I do write, it'll be straight from the heart. And of course, I'm still writing for Examiner.com. Please subscribe to my page there. And I'm always available through email at TheTinyJEWELBox@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Your comments--priceless!!



I post daily. So that you don't miss any of my randomness, you might want to subscribe by email.

So, yesterday I saw good ole Doctor Hematologist! And the good ole Doc saw me too! And there was good news--The Iron Infusions are over!!!!

No more twice weekly bags of iv iron. Nope. I'm done. Well, at least for the time being. While I do have to go get my iron levels checked periodically, I am not scheduled to SEE the doctor for a year. A year. A YEAR! YAY!!!!

This means that I have to keep my iron up. Like Malcolm X said, "By any means necessary." Or, I'm back to the drawing board. And me NO LIKEY the drawing board!!

And, I am pleased to report that I completely forgot to go downstairs in the medical building and get a Coke. Completely forgot! But I did stop on the way home and got a yummy Thai iced tea. Me and caffeine were separated, but we have reconciled our differences and the relationship is back on! I LOVE caffeine.

In all seriousness though, I will sorely miss my doctor and his staff. They are WONDERFUL! As I've said before, I have no idea how he assembled such a group. But I promised to stop in periodically and say "hi."

Your comments--priceless!!



I post daily. So that you don't miss any of my randomness, you might want to subscribe by email.

What qualifies someone to give you advice? Do they need to have experience with the given subject? Must they have significant success in that area. Often, I hear people say that they wouldn't take relationship advise from someone that wasn't in a good relationship. Or that they wouldn't take parenting advise from someone who didn't have children, etc.

But suppose that person has an advanced degree in children's psychology, but are childless? Would you discount the advice of such a person? Would a woman with several children be a better source of information?

What do you think? When you seek out advice from family, friends, or even professionals--what criteria do you use? Should they have experience the problem first hand? Or do they simply have to have your best interests in mind? Let me know what you think..

Your comments--priceless!!

My problem lately has been focus. I have a long list of things that I need to get accomplished and I just never seem to get started.

This week is nearly filled to the brim. So I'm not going to try to pack more into it. But, starting next week--I will plan my work and work my plan. If I am to received all the blessings that I believe are in store for me, I have to put in the work. I simply haven't been doing it.

But the staycation is over. I am back on course. As always, if you are an obstacle in my path--PREPARE TO BE TRAMPLED!

Your comments--priceless!!

Chess is not one of those mindless games that you can play with your eyes closed. Chess requires strategy. You have to think 2 moves ahead. You have to anticipate your opponent's next move.

I'm in the middle of a chess game. I have my next few moves planned out. My opponent has underestimated me. He didn't know that this is a timed game. He also didn't know that I learned to play chess as a child. He thinks he's a Knight, he's really a Pawn. But in the end, it's all about the Queen!

Your comments--priceless!!

Michelle O's commencement address over the weekend starting me thinking--What would I say to graduates if I were giving the keynote address? I think my message would be on the same vein as Michelle's--enjoy life, give back, and don't lose sight of what's important.

Enjoyment is key. Life is much too short and tomorrow is never promised, so live in the moment and see blessings in every circumstance. Don't forget those without whom you've couldn't have made it. Become that person to someone else. Know that being successful does not necessarily mean that you are wealthy. Don't get caught up in the pursuit of money and material things. Realize early that money has nothing to do with happiness. If it did, then Liz Taylor wouldn't have been married 32 times and Michael Jackson wouldnt have a rubber nose. Find things in life that make you happy--family, basketball, toy poodles, whatever! Find those things and enjoy. That's what it's all about!

Your comments--priceless!

Yesterday, in the 11th hour, the favorite pulled out of the famed Kentucky Derby. This resulted in new favorites being thrust into the spotlight. But, wouldn't you know, the winner ended up being a longshot, one that, supposedly, didn't have a chance of winning. This was a "cheap" horse, being jockeyed by a man who raced to victory on a different horse, just the day before.

The beginning of the race was unremarkable, with the favorites leading. Just before the final turn, Calvin Borel, made his move atop Mine That Bird. He found a hole, slid in there, and rode the rail to victory. After the race, he displayed pure, raw emotion. One couldn't help but to be happy with him.

The lesson to be learned here is this--Nevermind the odds. It doesn't matter who thinks you are going to fail. They are not in control of your life. Do what you've trained to do. Don't focus on your competition. Run your own race and don't give up.

Your comments--priceless!!

There are few things more exciting to me than networking with successful women. Something about being a woman while also doing it big, is inspiring to me. Believe it or not, I have connected with many through Twitter. I have made friends that I wouldn't have any other way. They are available for guidance, mentorship, bouncing new ideas off of, and just idle chat.

So, in honor of Follow Friday, where you recommend folks that you've found helpful on twitter, I'd like to recommend these wonderful chicks--

@frugalista, @erinpatrick, @stacijshelton, @superhussy, @paula_deen, @adrigonzo, @msteenamarie, @smball804, @calinative, @nicoleprexec, @bherrera, @thejstandard, @pamperry, @resoucefulmom, @teaandthee@gina2011, @nicolelewis

Please share with me some of the great folks that you've found on Twitter. I'm always glad to expand the circle!!

Your comments, priceless!!

Yesterday, after dinner and homework, I challenged my son to a couple games of bowling via wii. From the start, it was evident that I am a far superior wii bowler. But, I also noticed him getting more and more frustrated with his own performance. It seemed that his ball would go straight and just before hitting the target, take a curve and divert off into the gutter.

It reminded me of some of my own experiences, where I had a goal in my crosshairs and thought it was certain that I would obtain it, only to end up off to the side, not even coming close. In those instances, and even in my son's case, it wasn't the preparation that doomed me. It was the follow-through. I'm generally very diligent on the front end, thinking things through, weighing all options, pondering all possible outcomes, but not taking control once the project was launched.

My son lined up properly, his aim was accurate, but once the ball left his hand, there was no follow through. He just dropped his hands limply and hoped for the best. That was so familiar to me. We worked for a few minutes on his posture and also control, especially once he released the ball. It made a world of difference. He actually beat me a couple games afterwards. I think we both learned something...

Your comments--priceless!