I am sitting in my favorite spot in our home in Rancho Mirage with my dog, Orchid, by my side and my husband sitting nearby on the couch reading one of his shoot-em-up novels.

The rock fire pit, filled with all colors of rock crystals that were bought to acknowledge my spirituality, are ablaze in color. Soft music plays in the background and I am late with my story to my darling editor. When this happens, I am usually stressed because I don’t like to be late with my writings. But today, I am not stressed because she is aware I have a deadline on Monday and it’s for something BIG! This is what I want to share with you all but… first things first.

My draft, my deadline will be met and I am smiling as I think back five years ago to my previous Rancho Mirage lifestyle. I was playing golf and cards with girlfriends, I was very active at the club we belong to, running events and being part of the groups.

I often gave large and small beautiful dinner parties at our home, I was involved with a charity in the community, had a marvelous social life and many friends. I was grateful for the lifestyle but after some years I began to get restless. I wanted to explore new avenues. But what? I wanted to wake up excited and be curious about at least one thing a day. I felt stuck… like being on a cruise ship for six months in the middle of the Sea with no exit. Have you ever felt this way, dear readers? 

The Courage To Start A New “Chapter”

I remember when my daughters and I would go to the market and bring home bags of groceries. The snow would be falling and it never failed that my feet would come up from under me and though I should have taken a big flop, I always caught myself and “landed on my feet.” My young daughters would laugh and say, “Mom, you are so lucky; you always land on your feet.” And, darlings, the fact is I have always landed on my feet.

That is not to say that I have not had a large share of traumatic experiences; I have had plenty but I have managed to pick myself up because of optimism and will and I have a history of landing on my feet. For this, I am beyond grateful.

Five years ago, as many of you know,  I was told by a stranger, a writer, “If you keep a journal for three months, you will find your voice.”  From that moment, I never missed day writing. I feel it was fate that brought this woman and me together at a time when I was searching for a purpose. Five years later, I can say, “I landed on my feet.” And, what a landing it has been!

It has been a wild ride these past five years; filled with excitement, bewilderment, crying out of frustration with technology, risks, lack of knowledge, tenacity, eagerness, but always, no matter what, hope, and in the back of my mind… OPTIMISM.

I changed my life after 50. No more golf, no more cards once a week, no more leading club activities, no more dinner parties at our home, no more marvelous social life and no more working in the community. But, I know I made the right choice even though I do miss the interaction with girlfriends. You know darling, you can’t have it all. You have to make choices.

My life is filled with passion and purpose and risk-taking and learning and wonderful happenings as my Internet business, HoneyGood.com, continues to grow and I continue to grow as a woman over 50. My “work” now is remaining vital and relevant well after 50 and, hopefully, inspiring other women over 50 to do the same.

The Biggest Surprise Of My Life

I am under contract with a major publishing company in New York, who contacted me, to write my first book. I landed a book deal!  I am now a professional author!

 How did I feel when I received the email and call from the Managing Editor at the publishing house?

Grateful and shocked!

What were my first words to my husband, my ultimate concierge?

“I cannot believe this is happening to me!”

What was my ultimate concierge’s response?

“You earned this. You have dedicated yourself to writing for five years. You write with openness and optimism and remind the women who read your stories that anything is possible.”

So, I am on to a new adventure, darlings. Please take the ride with me. I will share every happening with you.  I need you, my friends from all over the world. I want to share this next “chapter” with you all. I am smiling.

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