Trailer

What is a Trailer? A Trailer is a :15 second TV commercial.

My Trailer is almost complete and will air on the following networks. ( most if not all) Discovery, Fox News, History Channel, Lifetime, Food Network, TLC, A&E, HGTV, ESPN, USA Network, CNN Headline News, AMC, Angel One, Animal Planet, The Weather Channel and CMT. :15 seconds is quick but you will recognize my book and words immediately. I ask that if you see my Trailer please let me know. I won't receive a schedule. My marketing director, Terry will send me a report after the ads have aired, which will indicate the dates/times/networks and number of households which viewed each ad. As soon as I get the final trailer I will put it on facebook. Here's hoping that Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors will reach many people and save lives.

Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, my favorite time of year. We have seven inches of snow and yesterday's beautiful sunshine created many glistening trees in our yard. God's beautiful creation is amazing. Now those of you who know me know that I do NOT like cold and would rather be somewhere in the sun. Today it doesn't matter where I am - Jesus Christ was born and He is what matters in my life. It is time to stop the hustle and bustle and take time to thank the LORD for what He has done for us.  Don't forget to remember those who are suffering and sad today because of a loss in the family or illness of a loved one. Stop and say a little prayer for those less fortunate than you and help them if you can. Remember this is JESUS' day!

Life in Palm Desert

Ron and I had a little break, although I did have a couple of events, and went to Palm Desert. We stayed at our daughter's home the first night. It was so fun seeing the grandkids. They sure have grown. We stayed with my brother and sister-in-law for 4 days and then went to our timeshare for 6 days. We arrived with 80+ degree weather. Oh we were loving it. Friends came for Happy Hour and we all had a great time. The weather was in the 80's through Monday or Tuesday so we were swimming, hanging out by the pool just resting and enjoying life. We played tennis and looked at many open houses. I did find a couple - I do have my favorite but Ron just shakes his head. Ron has never been out of town during the Christmas season so as we were sitting outside eating at Sammy's Woodfire Pizza, Christmas Caroles were playing and the lights were all aglow. Ron said this is just weird, how can it be so hot and be decorated for Christmas. He said that the entire week. Lots of tennis, pool shopping and ffriends. I spoke at the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian church to the Stephen Ministry group. A great group of people with lots of great questions and concerns of those grieving.
I was able to talk to others outside the church concerning Matt's Last Call: Surving Our Protectors. On Thursday it poured all day 61 degrees! - shopping and packing!! Friday morning we headed for the airport.We had a fantastic easy trip home. Two days later 6 inches of snow followed by a windstorm! Where is that home I found in Palm Desert? I might need to put my name on it???

Christmas

As we are busy shopping for the perfect gift, baking, mailing out our Christmas cards, decorating our homes and wrapping gifts let's stop and think of the true meaning of holidays. Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It isn't about the presents around the tree but His presence in our lives.  Take some time to meditate and be thankful for the many gifts that God has blessed us with thoughout the year.

Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors

It has been brought to my attention that some bookstores do not have my book. They are told Matt's Last Call is out of stock, order and they will ship it when available. I have contacted Tate Publishing but they say it is the distributors issue.

My suggestion would be to either contact me personally, I will always have books available OR go to my website: http://mattcutshort.tateauthor.com and order it from there. Those are your best bets.
What a blessing book has been and I thank God for giving me this opportunity to share Matt's Last Call with everyone. I am hoping to save MANY lives.

Praise the Lord

Yesterday was a great day. Through all my research and following through with those who allowed me to use their name and business in my resource directory I met a great man, John Marx director of Cops Alive. He asked me to do a telephone interview for the copsalive podcast. It took place yesterday and the Lord helped me tell my story about Matt's Last Call. I felt it went well but of course remembered things I should have said after the fact. My goal is to save a life but talking with John we decided it should be, "I am out to save lives!"

It is hard to believe that after 7 years, 5 months and 15 days I have not only written a book but I am speaking all over our valley and now onto podcasts that go all over the United States. I thank God that He lead me in this direction and that so many people have reached out to me for help. Praise the Lord!

Darkness Closes In

Darkness Closes In as three more suicides take place this past week. Two male ages 23 and 25 and 1 female age 19.That makes 25 since January of 2012. The students at our high school are concerned, not knowing where to turn or what to do. Recently, a group of kids headed to the Interact Club advisor's classroom and sat sobbing while the President and Vice-President of that club sat behind him for comfort. A sister, whose brother took his life a short month or so ago, joined the group in tears. The advisor is an awesome man who has been dealing with several suicides of former students.

As I sit and chat with the different Law Enforcement officials we try to come up with the why, and what can we do. I believe that the most important thing we can and must do is get these kids into church youth groups or Young Life. Satan is doing an incredible job of destroying lives so we must turn to God. "In Him there is no darkness at all . . . if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
( I John 1:5-6) All I know is God has kept me standing through the death of my son. I can always reach out to HIM! HE is always with me and will never let me down. All I have to do is ask.

Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors - Released

Finally after 2 years and four months of writing, finding a publisher, and all that goes into publishing a book  Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors was released today. What an exciting time for me.
My goal is to Save a Life and I plan on doing that with the help of Jesus Christ. HE has been so faithful to me throughout this process and I know how great HE is. He walks with me at all times.

This was not an accident having Matt's Last Call published at this time. There has been 23 suicides in our valley since January of this year. Besides that there has been at least 3 suicides among law enforcement officers that I know of. One in Montana, Idaho and in the Longview, WA area. This has got to stop. We all need to work together to stop suicide. There is help out there. My book has resources, teaching tools - a self-help guide besides my story on how to deal with death of a child no matter what the age. I hope everyone will purchase a copy of my book and use it as a tool.

Check out my website: http://mattcutshort.tateauthor.com You can follow my blog, email me, and/or purchase Matt:s Last Call. Let's come together and SAVE A LIFE!

Matt:s Last Call: Survivng Our Protectors

6 more days until Matt's Last Call: Survivng Our Protectors is released. I am anxious to get Matt's Last Call out to everyone to see, purchase, read and help Save A Life! This book is so important to me because I don't want anyone to go through what I have had to endure since June 1, 2005. The tragedy and the pain of suicide is unbearable. In our valley we have had 22 suicides since January of this year. And , even more than that in our state, other states and in particular the military. Please help me save a life by purchasing my book and follow  the self help guide. I know with God's help I will Save A Life. Go to my website to purchase Matt's Last Call  http:mattcutshort.tateauthor.com or send me an email at: ztribe21@hotmail.com.

Website

My website is up and running. I am still working on some things and in particular a page with MEET THJE AUTHOR. I'll try my best to keep everyone up to date as to where I am. This has been so much fun but way more work than I expected. It is God's will that I do this and if that helps save a life I am ready and willing. I am off to Leavenworth this afternoon to  the Daily Joy Tea House.  Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors is the topic and I look forward to sharing my story. May God Bless each and everyone of you. Until next time.....

Time away

My husband and I took four days off to go visit my brother and sister-in-law in Vancouver. We had a lot of fun - happy hour at Beaches and then back to their place. Mick helped me edit and hopefully make better my website. I truly hope it is up and running very soon! We went to Columbia Employee Outlet and bought some great Cougar clothes!!! They are at the cougar game as I write this so - GO COUGARS! On our way up I- 5 we stopped in Tumwater to talk with a gal at the library concerning Matt's Last Call: but she wasn't there. I will make contact by phone. Lunch at a great Bistro on the water in Olympia and the a stop at Joint Base Lewis McCord where I chatted with a great lady concerning Matt's Last Call: - great ideas and so helpful. God is leading me in the right direction. On to Lakewood and our grandchildren. They have all grown so much. Watched a couple of them play soccer and win their games!! Home today and now I am working hard on completing little projects for my book. When I arrived home I had a couple of calls one asking me to speak, one wanting a video interview and one wanting a book. So onward I go with faith in Jesus Christ and looking forward to SAVING A LIFE! Tomorrow I am at the Omak Library.

Fall

It looks like fall is here. It is very chilly this morning with bright blue skies and a touch of smoke still in the air. The smoke was at hazardous levels for three weeks - incredible how much it looked like a sky ready to dump a pile of snow. Those days were in the 80's but due to the smoke it didn't get close to that. Right now the Omak fire is going on. Guess they lost a couple of homes. No lives were lost. I just pray for the firefighters safety and that the fires will soon be 100% out. We need to start breathing some clean air.

Suicide

Two more suicides amongst law enforcement in two different states in the last couple of weeks.  Both of these didn't have to happen - I think our pride or embarrassment of the situation is part of the reason law enforcement in particular, take their lives. I am here for those of you hurting. Please ask for help. There are so many people and organizations out there who are willing to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and the law enforcemnt departments. Let's together work to SAVE A LIFE! God is always by my side and He can be by your side also. Just ask Him to be your personal Savior.

Timing of Matt's Last Call

The timing of Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors is not accidental. The more I am out in the community the more I realize how important Matt's Last Call is. I heard of another suicide today that happened a couple of years ago. This one was a person that took their child's life and then their own life out of revenge for someone else.  So very wrong but I hope someone reads this and can understand that suicide is not the way to go and that there is help. Please - I pray- THINK before you act. I pray that everyone receives a copy of Matt's Last Call and  pays it forward to someone else.We all need to step up to the plate and HELP SAVE A LIFE! God has given me the ability to write this book and I need  everyone to help me get it out throughout the United States. God is so great. He is the answer to everyone's problems.

God's Blessing

With the fires still burning and the smoke at hazardous levels God Blessed me last Saturday at Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors Call:  pre-launch event at Encouraging Words. Everyone came in from the smoke and had their book signed, had a cookie and lemonade. I was able to speak with each one and tell my story. I am out to SAVE A LIFE. The best part was seeing Matt's friends who I don't see anymore. It was so great seeing them. Matt's best friend 's parents, from hockey, came as did former co workers of mine. Many friends were there and I really appreciated everyone's support. Suicide is huge in our valley and we must all work together to stop this from happening again.

Fire

Our valley is filled with smoke - Homes on the line - Flames lick at edge of city's flank. No homes have burned but there are evacuations. Firefighters from all around to keep people and their homes safe.  Saturday night we had a tremendous lightening storm. Each srike filled the sky all around us. Spectacular but we all knew that fire was right behind. I just want to the thank the Law Enforcemnt and Firefighters for there awesome work. You are willing to put your lives on the line to save us.You are and always will be appreciated by all. May God keep you safe.

Labor Day Weekend

 A beautiful day, blue sky, no wind and 80+ degrees.Today I have been working on my private pre-launch event, purchasing a few items, checking RSVP's etc. As I am cruising through the day up on my screen pops my website design project manager who describes what Tate Publishing is doing and what is expected of me by Monday! Good thing I didn't go camping with my husband and his family. I took a deep breath, read the directions carefully, looked at a few websites and then decided to go for a walk. I was tired of being inside and wanted to enjoy these last days of summer. When I got back home I decided I better get to work. I figured out a rough plan and sent it on. My project manager will be in touch with me so I can breathe easily through the weekend. I have also been setting up speaking events as well as book signings. This next wek will be a busy one but if I stay focused and close to God I can do it. Then the events begin! I am so excited to finally get Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors out to the public. I'm ready to conquer the world and save a life!

Frustration

There is so much to do to get ready for my events for Matt's Last CAll: Surviving Our Protectors. I have been on top of everything gliding smoothly over every detail. Then things changed with a bang! We lost power last Thursday for several hours, which totally messed up our internet connection - laptop, IPAD and home computer all down. Just got them working today - just NOW! UPS lost some of my promotional items - well actually the delivery girl got turned around and delivered the packages on a total different street with a total different address. My husband went looking for the address - no such number?! When he got back home I saw a UPS driver - I YELLED at her to stop - of course she didn't hear me so my husband chased her down. In the meantime the Wenatchee UPS business called me and between the 3 of us we were able to get my packages back safely. One contained my eBook downloads! They are all there and safe. It is so frustrating trying to communicate with no computers. A couple more issues that hopefully are resolved. Later today I am going  to meet someone whom I hope can help me book a few more events. We are almost there - hang in there for the soon to be pre-launch event at Encouraging Words, September 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. 629 South Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, Washington. Always keep God in your heart. He's the only on who keeps me sane.

Looking Forward to Today

I have been looking forward to this day all month. My friend, who works way too many hours, and I are going to Leavenworth today for lunch, shopping and a little promotion for Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors.We have so much fun together and when I am down she is able to pick me right back up.

The weather has cooled down quite a bit so we might get blown away in my convertible. Fall appears to be fast approaching. Leavenworth is so beautiful any time of the year. People come from afar to visit this small little Bavarian Village.

Suicide

For those of you who have not been following my blog please start at the very beginning of my blogging. In those beginning blogs I talk a lot about Matt's Last Call. Actually at the time the books title was A Life Too Short: Matt's Story. That title has been changed to Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. Follow along and learn a little about my son and suicide. With God's help I WILL save a life with Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. I will share these posts on Facebook.

Matt's Last CAll: Surviving Our Protectors

After Matt's death June 1, 2005 I suffered in pain, darkness and grief so strong I didn't think I would make it. Four years and one and a half months later God gave a very special friend of mine the ability, without words, that I should write a book about Matt's life, death and the pain I live on a daily basis. I didn't want anyone else to go through the pain I have experienced. Matt's Last Call took about a year to write even though I have tweeked it ever since. One year into the process my friend, who was helping with the editing, and I found Tate Publishing. I signed my contract on September 26, 2011 after much prayer, talking with my attorney, and Dr. Tate's daughter, also part of Tate Publishing, calling and wanting to know specifically why I turned them down. After much discussion and prayer I decided I was in the right place and a great Chritian Organization. This part has been enlightening and a lot of hard work on all involved. Many panic attacks by me because I knew "I could not do this!" In the end I am thrilled. Pre-launch  Events are beginning to take place and my one and only goal is to SAVE A LIFE! I hope everyone will join with me, buy a book, learn from the book and help me save a life. NO one needs to die at there own hands. May God Bless each and everyone of you and I hope to see you all at one of my events.

Sunny Days

Today  was sunny, very warm and a bit windy but a great day for a drive to Leavenworth for a belated birthday lunch with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. We had a delicious lunch on the deck at Visconti's. Sipping ice tea and just enjoying the beautiful day. After lunch we walked around checking out a few stores  before heading back home. I love getting together for lunch with my family. It makes each day a little brighter and takes my mind off the dark days of pain and sadness. The Lord always knows when I am in need of friends and family.

Another Suicide

Yesterday at church a friend stopped me and told me about a 22 year old young man who took his life over the weekend. My heart sinks once again and all I can think about is that poor family and what they are about to go through for the rest of their lives. The pain is sheer agony. I do not know the family but recognize the young mans name. He sang with our high school hitones at the funeral of another former student just a few short months ago. Anyone reading this PLEASE help me get the word out - suicide is not the answer. There is help. Matt's Last Call: Surving Our Protectors will be out very soon. As soon as I get the first shipment (this month) I will have some prelaunch parties and I will sell to anyone who would like one. I am passionate about the subject of suicide and I WILL save a life with the help of God. My goal is to sell 2500 copies hopefully by October when the bookstores launch Matt's Last Call. I am hoping to sell at least that many myself so the money I earn can help some other organizations with the suicide issue. Pray for all the families who have lost a child to suicide.

Summer Fun

Last week I attended the 60th reunion of the Wenatchee Youth Circus. When I was a kid I was in the circus. We had so much fun performing, traveling and becoming a real circus family - 80+ kids and our parents were chaperones when they could attend. I think my favorite place we went was Alpenrose Dailry in Portland, Oregon. We stayed for two weeks. After the afternoon shows we sometimes got to go swimming, we were in the Rose Parade, watch calves being born and just had a ton of fun. After the evening shows we had hootenanies and nightly banana splits with Alpenrose Ice Cream. Wow! It was so good. One of our circus members who was at the reunion surprised us with Alpenrose ice cream and all the fixings for banana splits after the show. Such great memories we shared  and the banana splits was a big hightlight of the night.  It was so great seeing my friends from those days and talking how we taught each other "our" acts for the new kids coming in as we left for college.  We always had church service on Sunday mornings with Guppo the Clown as our leader. He started the circus and is still going strong. I thank God for those very special years and for all those involved in it.

The Waiting Game is over

The waiting game is over. I received the first look of the layout for "Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors" yesterday. It is absoultely fantastic. Reality has hit and I know this book will touch a lot of people. Suicide is an ugly topic no one wants to talk about. However, we MUST talk about it, learn the warning signs and turn people's lives around. Hopefully "Matt's Last Call" will not only save someone but also save someone from the pain I live with daily on the death of my son. The Lord has been good to me. He is always by my side and keeps me strong.

The Waiting Game

I should have had the layout of Matt:s Last Call: Surviving our Protectors by last Saturday. The waiting game is so hard - I have to stay focused on God and remember that the design group only wants the best for me. I was told as soon as my designer receives it she will email it to me for my approval. At that point it will be bound and snail mailed to me for final approval. At that point ON to PRINTING! You all know I am more than ready. It is an exciting time and I am continuing to work on marketing and talking with people about my Matt's Last Call:Surviving our Protectors. I will keep you informed. Sorry I haven't been blogging much - we have had too much going on with retiring, end of school, parties and trying to get the yard looking nice. I hope everyone has a good and SAFE 4th or July!

The Last Day of School - forever

Today is the last day of school forever for my husband. What is he thinking? Excitement, time to catch up on sleep, no stress, wow, now what? Although he does have some plans there is always that fear of what if.....I am totally excited for him to retire. We can now do things that he missed out on because of school - like trips to Hawaii or seeing the grandkids in their sports, yard work - Ron loves to work in the yard, and for me he has offered to help me with marketing , Matt's Last Call: Surviving our Protectors.He is going to be my business manager which will be an enormous help. He will also help promote my book among his different groups of men he works with in our community. I'm hoping for a good long tour. All in all I am looking forward to having my husband home.

End of an Era

With the end of school approaching we find ourselves wondering what God has planned for us. Ron has 7 more days until retirement. Things we know: our last sport's awards and sad good-byes to our great tennis teams, multiple retirement parties to attend - Ron really deserves to be recognized for all the great things he has accomplished as a teacher and coach. He really doesn't like acknowledgements - wants the other guy to get all the recognition. However, after his first party and yesterdays recognition at school I think he kinda likes it. Don't tell him I said that! One thing we know for sure is Matt's Last Call: Surviving our Survivors will be launched in October. I still have to go over the layout when that is completed and ok everything so it can be printed. So, what are our plans? Probably a book tour but have no details at this point. All I know is I want it out there among ALL law enforcement, military/veterans, and anyone who is contemplating suicide or those who grieve due to a loved who who took his/her own life. Ron will definitely continue teaching tennis lessons and camps as well as Men's Ministry. He looks forward to having time to do his favorite things. For now, everything is in God's hands. May God bless each and every one of you.

Sad and Lonely

This past weekend and through next Friday - June 1 - 7 years since Matt died has been so hard on me. Even though I had my 3 beautiful grandchildren here for five days Memorial Day is so hard and grief has hit me harder than any other  year. I am sad and lonely at my loss and I struggle to do anything. Some people say it gets easier - Well - They are WRONG! All I can do is lean on God - thank goodness He does not get tired of me- He is the only one I can count on. I must look forward to the launch of: Matt's Last Call: Surviving our Protectors. It looks like the launch date will be late October - not sure when I personally will get to start selling books on my own. I just picked out the cover so now we will move on to layout. Praise The Lord!

Graphic Designer

God is so great! Back in January I started working on marketing and looking through the many graphic designers at my publishers. There was one persons work that I loved. I was hoping I would get him. I held my breath when I receive the email that  Shawn would be my graphic designer for my book cover. A week or so ago we talked on the phone to get to know one another. I shared ideas with him about ideas for the cover and he gave me some ideas. This month he is working on several different covers and then he will send them to me to pick the one I want on: Matt's Last Call: Surviving our Protectors. I should have them by the 24th! I am so excited - I think we are a great fit. He and his wife have just had their second child - congratulations to them. And thank you God for blessing me with Shawn and thank you Shawn for taking on my book cover.

NEW TITLE

For marketing purposes the name of my book has changed. I need to trust my editor as she knows what sells and how to get my book out to everyone. That is the most important thing as much as I hated to change the title. My book will be going international so we need to reach out to everyone. I'm going to trust the Lord on this one as it was the hardest decision I have had to make during this entire process. The title is:

MATT'S LAST CALL: SURVIVING OUR PROTECTORS

Please help me out by sending this out to all your friends. Things are starting to pick up and before we  know it the book will be on the sheves of bookstores around the world. Help me save a life.

Suicide

Aprill 22 The Wenatchee World published an article: Three Mothers Share Their Grief Of Losing Sons To Suicide. Please log on to The Wenatchee World and read this article. I am one of the mothers. KC did an excellent job of writing it - I was very impressed. Suicide is growing daily and I want to stop it. My book is with the layout and design people now, I think. If not it will be very soon. I am looking forward to getting it out so those contemplating suicide might change their minds. People DO care and help is out there. It is important to know that those left behind are in the worst kind of pain you can imagine. Please let us help you - life can always get better especially if you have Jesus on your side. He is my strength and I can go on because of HIM.

Jesus Christ is Risen

What a blessing Easter was - Jesus Christ is Risen and we have eternity because He died for us. Our sins are forgiven. Our church service was awesome and so powerful.

I am so thankful we were home from Palm Desert so we could hear the awesome message our pastor gave. The church was standing room only and the music was fantastic. My prayer is that everyone would return to our church, or any church for that matter, and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior if they haven't already. May God richly bless each and everyone of you.

God Leading the Way

Things are beginning to move with A Life Too Short:Matt's Story. My time with our youth group last week was very rewarding. The kids were so respectful and attentive. I am going to Cashmere tonight to promote my book and will speak to 500 Wenatchee High School sophomores Friday. I will be teaming up with a doctor which I think is going to be great. I am looking forward to both. God is certainly leading the way. I am amazed at what is happening with my life. I never would have thought....after June 1, 2005.

I had five tennis matches last week - all successful with no rain but freezing! I have three matches this week and then we have spring break.

Friday morning I will receive my second edits from my editor. Hopefully the changes and corrections I made last time will be enough. Who knows, I changed and rearranged so many areas of the book it was hard for me to see what I ended up with. At least I will have one week with no tennis practice so I can devote my time to my manuscript. Also, a little get away time in the sun will be a great break. Thank you Lord.

God's Blessing

I feel so blessed. God is paving the way for "A Life Too Short: Matt's Story." I am honored to speak at our church youth group tomorrow night. It will be the first time I have presented Matt's Story to anyone other than just telling people what happened. I am looking forward to speaking to these awesome kids and I hope I can make a difference in their lives or possibly someone else's life. Once I receive my book in July, I will go back to the youth group and let them be one of the first to purchase an autographed copy. Prelaunch events are great. I am hoping to have several prelaunch events between July and October. If anyone is interested in a prelaunch event please let me know. In the meantime, God is preparing the way for me.

Busy Time of Year

We have completed two weeks of tennis season and today we wake to SNOW! We do have pictures which can always be inside and our athletic director wants to chat with the varsity and JV teams. That should take care of today. Tonight we have the parent meeting. I do hope they all attend as this is the time they learn how our teams work. We have always had great parent support so I look forward to this season.

I do hope with this snow that we haven't totally skipped spring, summer and fall - back to winter????

I have completed my first rounds of edits for A Life Too Short: Matt's Story. My editor gave me good solid constructive criticism so that made the process a little easier. I did change the book around and now I don't know where anything is!! I have two weeks until I get my second round of edits. I am praying my editor will find favor with what I have done. God is so great. He just keeps me on my toes and holds me tight.

Spring is around the corner

I am hoping spring is around the corner. Last week tennis practice was held in the barn. (A private indoor court) Between shovelling snow and ice on the outdoor courts and trying to coach was crazy. All the courts are now free of snow and ice. It is overcast/trying to rain and the sun is trying to find its way out.It is very windy.  I always say the wind is a good teaching tool as many matches are windy.

My manuscript is coming along. I have worked endless hours on perfecting it these last 5 days. My editor gave me some great constructive criticism. It truly pays to get a new set of eyes on a manuscript. Things she found were so obvious but I had read it so much I couldn't see through the fog.

I get to speak with a youth group in a couple of weeks and then I will go back to do a prelaunch in July. I am so excited to share my story. God is leading the way.

Home Again

After a long flight and 4 hour drive from Seattle we are finally home. We drove 35 mph on Snoqualmie pass. It was snowing like crazy and the pass had been closed a lot while we were gone. They were doing avalanche control as we headed up the pass but as we approached the mile post where they were working the sign flashed "COMPLETE" We were so excited. We just kept on driving- passing all the line of trucks and cars stopped and chaining up. We really lucked out. No traffic the entire way home. The snow had melted and Thursday and Friday were beautiful and halfway warm - 50 maybe. Sunday it was freezing and this morning SNOW on the ground. High School tennis begins today. Oh - I am not looking forward to shoveling snow or practicing indoors for a few days. I'm already frozen and I haven't stepped outside yet. I am looking forward to the season. For some reason the JV's have a short season. I'm done April 24. Guess God granted me some free time to work on my book. Speaking of my book, I am to receive my manuscript Wednesday. It will be the first time I have seen it since September. I am so excited to see their comments/corrections that need to be addresssed. Stay tune....

Paradise!

I am enjoying my last couple of days in Maui. It is so beautiful and warm. Love the beaches, food and hanging out with my brother and sister in law as well as Ron's family. God knew what He was doing when He created this place. I hope someday to live here parttime.

A happy place and so much to do. I saw a lady selling her new book. It got me so excited for the day when I can do that. I would love to do a book tour in Hawaii. We will see. I need to get it out everywhere. I was told by someone that they want to buy my book because their loved one took her own life last week. My heart goes out to the family.

All for now. Stay Safe and I'll be back soon on a regular basis.

Time for a break

It is time I take a short break and work on my book.My developmental editor has been in touch with me and I am in for an exciting time. I also need to get my plans ready for the upcoming tennis season. Don't give up on me. I'll keep you all informed as the weeks go on. Pray for me that all goes smoothly and that God has His hands on this project. May God be with you all and I will return soon!

Another Life Gone

 I was reading  facebook this morning and one of our sheriff deputy's had been asked if he had had a good shift. Well, not so much. A 14 year old boy took his own life - no one knows why. People, we must wake up and try to help those who are depressed or talking about taking their life. I know it is hard - we had NO clue when Matthew took his life. Everyday I hear of another person who has taken their life. God is the only one who knows the answers. Pray, ask Him for direction on how to help someone. My book is very informative and has a great resource directory. I thank God for His wisdom and direction to my special friend who was my inspiration in writing my book, A Life Too Short: Matt's Story. All I can do is pray for all and pray that my book will touch someone as soon as it hits the store shelves. God can and will help if you are struggling. All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and then pray for wisdom. He is the only one that will always be there for you.

A Sunny Day

It is a beautiful sunny day, yet very windy. That's ok - It will melt the snow and hopefully warm up as tennis season is right around the corner. I'm already getting the girl's sizes and geting ready for our first meeting February 1. In the meantime my copyeditor is finishing up and I will be meeting my conceptual editor the first week of February. God has blessed me so much. I can't believe this is really happening. I have met so many wonderful and different people through this process. I really have high expectations for myself so please pray for me.

Snow

Well we have certainly been hit with snow the last week or so. Yesterday was beautiful with the sun out and glistening on the snow. I ventured out for a few errands and have done the same today. We are suppose to get 5 more inches today followed by freezing rain. That ought to be interesting. I have several things to do tomorrow - maybe I'll just ice skate my way to town!! God has kept me safe all these years on our crazy driveway. I will just trust him.

Snowed in

With all the snow I don't want to venture out. Our driveway can be nasty and I don't want to get stuck or have to walk. Guess I'm lazy! So today I started working on some photos from Junior High and college. I started Creative Memories scrapbooking several years ago. Instead of going way back to the beginning I started with Tami's birth and moved forward. I recently took photos from old scrapbooks and decided to just put them in small albums rather than all the extra work. I found pictures from 7th grade on through my junior year in college. In particular I found  pictures from my days in the Wenatchee Youth Circus. They brought back fond memories. Some are not the best - dad had most of the pictures on slides which my brother is working on. Anyhow, I have them all organized and ready to put in several small albums. A great day to do this and so many memories.

Winter has Arrived

We made it through November, December and most of January with just a sciff of snow. The Seattle area is getting hit hard today and we are suppose to get it tomorrow. It has tried to snow but just fizzles out. Oh darn. The sun is just know popping out which of course makes me very happy!! I use to ice skate, ski and sled and a little snowmobilling. Now, I am always cold and can hardly stand to go outside, I just get chilled and never warm up. Besides the cold, maybe it is the darkness, the mountains closing in and thinking about the lose of Matthew. He will never have to worry about anything again. He is in Heaven - the best place ever. I need to look on the bright side and know that one day we will reunite. In the meantime the snow will do it's thing and I will pray that it is gone by February 27 when high school tennis begins. Nothing like having to shovel the courts before practice.

Suicide

As each day goes by it seems like more and more people are taking their own life. If you are contemplating taking your life or know of someone who is contemplating it, let me explain a little something to you. Whether you think so or not someone does love you. If you disagree and/or don't believe me stop and think of all those in your life, whether that may be a good friend, family, co-worker,  or neighbor. Maybe I haven't named everyone but you get my point. Think what it would do to them if you were no longer around. Oh, I know you can't think straight, you are in pain, you think no one likes you or would miss you. You are wrong! Those of us who are left after such a tragedy NEVER will get over it. There are people out there who can help you. All you have to do is ask. Save your pride for another day. There is a greater way to find love, support, guidance and eternal life - that is, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Let me tell you, after Matthew died I didn't want to live either. A mother's love is so strong yet I could not help him. I didn't even know the heartache he was going through. But the Lord was always, and still is, by my side. He will never leave me. Ask Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior. He loves you and me and will never leave us. You will see, I am right.

Who I am

I have been an athlete, a teacher, a coach for gymnastics, cheerleading and tennis, a personal trainer, a parent of three children, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a faith-filled Christian. After Matt's death, I became associated with Concern of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and I now am the Washington State Concern of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison. I have been assisting other survivors as they work through their shock and grief. I have contributed a biography of Matthew and a mother's letter to him for the newly published book, My Life for Your Life, by Clarke and Tracie Paris of The Pain Behind the Badge,Inc. I know what it takes to succeed in athletics, and in life, and I know the pain a death can cause, so I want to share my experiences with others to save lives. I'm passionate about this process (writing A Life Too Short: Matt's Story) and I am determined that this material will be in print soon to help others.

God is Great

I am so blessed. I received word yesterday that production of A Life Too Short:Matt's Story, has begun. I heard from my director of copyediting and she walked me through the process I will be going through. I sent off my endorsements yesterday and my photos will be sent this week. PRAISE THE LORD

A New Year

I am looking forward to 2012. I am retiring from coaching tennis, effective June 30. My book, A Life Too Short: Matt's Story, should be ready for prelaunch around July.
With retirement my husband and I can do so much more. Promoting my book, travelling, working in the yard, seeing the grandkids more and basically doing what we want without a schedule. My husband wants to do more Men's Ministry. I know he is a bit nervous about the retirement "thing." He knows it's time but has a fear what will "I" do. He will be fine but I guess it can be a little scarey. To tell you the truth I am just plain excited.
God is great and I know with us following His will, Not our own, we will be just fine.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year - 2012. Be sure to checkout my FB Julie Zielinski Author and follow along with little teesers from my up and coming book.
May God Bless You all.