Just read this for the first time! I love your philosophy. I've always considered "tough times" to be a test...and I feel honored to have been chosen to be tested, as it were. All in all, I feel so fortunate, despite the minor pitfalls, to be alive here and now...and I consider myself (and every living person) to be among the luckiest humans to have lived during the past 4 million years, or so. As Madonna sang: "I get up again, over and over..."

I just discovered your site and wanted to say I'm really enjoying it so far. When I started watching your reality show, I had to laugh at how similar our lives seemed to be. I too have a bunch of animals, a dad who is a big part of my life (he lives next door to me and he is eerily like your dad in personality-at least in what he displayed on your show) and I am a single parent, who came out of an emotionally abusive relationship.

The juggling act is never easy, I work a 40 hour a week day job as an editor, 2-3 nights a week overseeing the dining room of a fine dining restaurant, and run my own somewhat-successful freelance writing business. Amidst all that, I try to fit in writing for "fun" (screenplays and two published books), spending time with my two children, staying fit and maintaining a relationship with my wonderful boyfriend.

Exhausting but all worth it! I read your book and found it very down-to-earth, touching and inspirational. You should be very proud of all your accomplishments and your three wonderful girls.