Theresa lives in South Florida with her husband Brian and two cats who think they are dogs. All of her diligence and good dieting flies out the window at the first sign of a hurricane when her need for comfort food (Cheez Doodles and chocolate—not at the same time) kicks into high gear. You can contact Theresa at:
[email protected] Health Communications, Inc.
3201 SW 15th Street • Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
phone: 954-360-0909 • fax: 954-418-0844
Contributors
The stories in this book are original pieces or taken from previously published sources, such as books, magazines and newspapers. If you would like to contact any of the contributors for information about their writing or would like to invite them to speak in your community, look for their contact information included in their biography.
Kate Baggott is a Canadian writer living in Europe. Her essays, articles and short stories have appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Christian Science Monitor and Technology Review among other publications. Links to recent pieces can be found at www.katebaggott.com.
Suzanne Baginskie recently retired from her job as a law office manager/ paralegal for more than twenty-five years. She has been published in other Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Cat’s Magazine, True Romance and has written several nonfiction articles. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her husband, Al.
Karen A. Bakhazi is a new writer who enjoys coffee trips and working with the girls in her church’s youth group where she is inspired by watching the kids learn and grow spiritually. She and her husband enjoy frequent trips to Disneyland where you never have to grow up!
Jessica Blaire lives in Michigan and currently works as a travel editor for a webzine. From yoga to rock climbing to chasing her hyperactive four-legged furry roommate down the street, she fits exercise into her daily schedule and lives for the delicious concoctions found at her local natural grocery store.
Guy Burdick is aWashington, D.C.-based editor and writer who has type 2 diabetes. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with this wife, Suzanne Kelly, and their adopted shelter pets. He currently is working on a book about his experiences, Difficult Run: From Diabetic Coma to the Marine Corps Marathon.
Kathe M. Campbell lives on a western Montana mountain with her precious keeshond and a few kitties where she raises champion mammoth donkeys. Three grown children, eleven grandkids and three great-grandchildren round out the herd. Her Montana stories are found on many e-zines. Kathe is a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, People Who Make a Difference, and various anthologies, magazines and medical journals.
Sally Clark lives in Fredericksburg, Texas, and still shops incognito at the same grocery store. Her humor work has appeared in America’s Funniest Humor! Book Two and GreenPrints: The Weeder’s Digest. Sally also writes and publishes award-winning poetry, nonfiction, children’s stories and greeting cards. Contact her at
[email protected].
Harriet Cooper is a writer living in Toronto, Canada. She specializes in humorous and serious articles and essays on diet, health, the environment, family, relationships and cats. She also writes short stories and humorous verse. Her work has appeared in numerous national and internationalmagazines, e-zines, websites, newspapers and anthologies.
Barbara A. Croce is now a certified personal trainer, working on location and out of her home. She attributes her success to Jesus, her Lord. She lives with her best friend and husband of twenty-six years, Rich. You can check out both her websites at www.glorywriter.4t.com and www.barbsfitu.com.
Suzan Davis is the author of Babes on Blades: Drop Physical, Mental and Spiritual Flab Through Inline Skating and is a frequent Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor. Suzan’s public relations firm promotes exercise and healthy living. She lives in California with two charming children and two naughty dogs. Suzan swears life begins after forty. Contact her at
[email protected].
Marilyn Eudaly lives in Texas with her husband and faithful dog, Hairy Truman. Her daughter, who is mentioned here, lives nearby and is her writing mentor. Marilyn is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers and the North Texas Romance Writers of America.
Greg Faherty has had several fiction and nonfiction stories and poems published, including one in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV. When he and his wife are not exercising with their dogs or cooking healthy meals, he owns and operates www.a-perfect-resume.com, and also provides proofreading and editing services.
Susan Farr-Fahncke is dedicated to making a difference. Susan is the creator of www.2theheart.com, the founder of the volunteer group, Angels2TheHeart, and a busy author. With stories featured in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, she is also the author of the beloved Angel’s Legacy. Susan teaches online writing workshops, and you can sign up for a workshop and see more of her writing at www.2theheart.com.
Tricia Finch is a former youth librarian, now a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer. She lives in Venice, Florida, with her husband Jeff, son Nicholas, two dogs and two cats. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking and having fun with her family. Tricia’s credits include Venice Gulf Coast Living, Southwest Florida Parent and Child, and book reviews for School Library Journal and KLIATT.
Jacquelyn B. Fletcher is a full-time freelance writer who has written hundreds of magazine articles in addition to nonfiction books, young adult fiction, brochures, Web content and a variety of other projects in the name of her motto: Will Write for Food. Contact her at
[email protected].
Peggy Frezon is a freelance writer from upstate New York. She is a frequent contributor to Guideposts, Sweet 16, Positive Thinking and Angels on Earth, and her work has appeared in Teaching Tolerance and Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2. She enjoys playing with her dogs, Hudson and Kelly. You can e-mail Peggy at
[email protected].
James Hammill is a business analyst with ANALYTICi in New York. He lives in Caldwell, New Jersey, with wife Astrida and has two sons, Chris and Greg. James loves singing bass with the locally popular a capella groupWide Variety. You can e-mail James from the group’s Web site, www.widevariety.com.
Julia Havey is eDiets’ “MasterMotivator” and a bestselling author. She lost 130 pounds, and she proves that healthy eating and motivation can change a person’s life—not through deprivation but through the realization of belief in one’s own abilities to succeed. Julia’s book, The Vice Busting Diet, is endorsed by Dr. David L. Katz, M.D., Dr. Mehmet Oz and the amazing Mark Victor Hansen. Visit her website at: www.ViceBustingDiet.com.
Jonny Hawkins is a full-time cartoonist from Sherwood, Michigan. Thousands of his cartoons have been published in magazines, books and other publications over the last twenty-one years. His annual calendars, Medical Cartoon-A-Day and Fishing Cartoon-A-Day are available everywhere. He can be reached at
[email protected].
Selena Hayes is a freelance writer at heart and a secretary by demand. The proud Canuck lives in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with her husband and three children. Her advice for successful weight loss—cut your hair, dress lightly and wear smaller jewelry. It’s all about having fun!
Lori Hein (LoriHein.com) is the author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America and a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul II. Lori’s writing has appeared in publications nationwide and online. She publishes a world travel blog at www.ribbonsofhighway.blogspot.com.
Jan Henrikson savors the occasional bite of chocolate in Tucson, Arizona. She is the editor of Eat by Choice, Not by Habit, by Sylvia Haskvitz (Puddle Dancer Press, 2005) and managing editor of Dr. Becky Coleman’s newsletter, The Wave (www.o-c-e-a-n.com). You can reach her at
[email protected].
Samantha Hoffman wrote her first short story in third grade. Her work can be found in The Corner Magazine in London, The Sidewalk’s End and LongStoryShort. She lives and writes in Chicago, where she’s working on her novel. Samantha can be contacted at
[email protected].
Georgi
a A. Hubley retired after twenty years in financial management to write her memoirs. She’s a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and numerous national magazines and newspapers. She has two grown sons and resides with her husband in Henderson, Nevada. You can reach Georgia at
[email protected].
Jennie Ivey lives in Cookeville, Tennessee. She is a newspaper columnist and author of two books, Tennessee Tales the Textbooks Don’t Tell and E Is For Elvis. She has published numerous fiction and nonfiction pieces, including stories in three Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies: Horse Lover’s Soul, Life Lessons for Women, and Healthy Living: Menopause. Contact her at
[email protected].
Janet Marianne Jackson is a passionate writer and traveler; most of her published articles are based on her traveling experiences. Janet is also keenly interested in health and fitness matters and as a former scientist still keeps a hand in medical and technical writing.
Roberta Beach Jacobson has twenty-six cats and two dogs. She writes for True Confessions, Playgirl and True Experience. Visit www.travelwriters.com/Roberta. Edwina L. Kaikai is an award-winning journalist and author of Stomach in My Lap, a frank,motivating chronicle of her fitness journey. She’s passionate about staying fit and helping others get there, too, via her example, book, website and speaking engagements. She’s just a click away at www.emptylap.com.
Colleen Kappeler is a freelance writer, editor and writing teacher. Colleen has written personal essays for several nationalmagazines and hasworkedwith hundreds of writers over the past seven years. She works with writers to help them discover and invest in their writing passion. Visit www.wisconsinwriters.com.
Susan A. Karas owns and operates a business with her husband. In her free time she shops and enjoys visiting with her two grown children, who just moved out into their own places. Susan is a regular contributor to Guideposts Magazine and has been published in Sweet 16, PLUS Magazine and Guideposts 4 Kids. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Candy Killion has contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living: Menopause and Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul: Daily Inspirations. She lives near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband John and—of course—Max.
Jerry King is a prolific, versatile cartoonist and the author and illustrator of seven nationally published cartoon books. He has also illustrated ten children’s books and has provided illustrations for numerous children’s publications. One of Jerry’s cartoon characters has been made into a stuffed animal. See more of his work at www.jerryking.com.
Deborah P. Kolodji is a native Southern Californian who works in information technology to support her book-buying habits and to pay for her children’s ever-increasing college tuition. Her story, “A River Runs Through Me,” appeared in the anthology, Charity, by Red Rock Press, and she has published hundreds of poems in journals both on and off the Web.
Nancy Julien Kopp has published stories, articles, essays, children’s stories and poetry in magazines, newspapers, online and in anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter Soul and Chicken Soup for the Sister’s Soul II. Nancy is a former teacher who still enjoys teaching via the written word.
Jaye Lewis is an award-winning writer who, at age sixty, finds that the trials of life and its lessons are the best way to find out who she is. You can read more of Jaye’s inspirational stories on her website at www.entertainingangels.org or e-mail Jaye at
[email protected].
Delores Christian Liesner lives life passionately and humorously, revealing dynamic hope and confidence found in the Heavenly Heritage of our personal God. She writes fromRacine,Wisconsin. Best jewels are husband Ken, children and grandchildren. Delores is a CLASS graduate. E-mail Delores at
[email protected].
Terry A. Lilley is a long-time resident of New Mexico, where foods are full of flavor and every meal is an invitation to a celebration. In between the fiestas, she takes time for the siesta and the occasional bit of passionate gardening.
Gary Luerding resides in southern Oregon with Lynne, his wife of forty-four years. He is a frequent Chicken Soup contributor with “Beyond the Breakers” (Fisherman’s Soul), “The Honeymoon is Over” (Military Wife’s Soul), “My Mother’s Piano” (Mother’s and Son’s Soul) and “The Sunny Side” (Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Sons) and author of Inshore Ocean Fishing for Dummies.
Michelle May, M.D. is the award-winning author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don’t Work. She founded the Am I Hungry?® Weight Management Program, dedicated to changing the way people think about eating and exercise. You’ll find book excerpts, workshops, resources and presentations for your organization at www.AmIHungry.com.
Michelle McLean is twenty-nine-year-old mother of two. She has a BS in history, will soon begin work on her master’s and is an avid writer. Michelle does some freelance work and is currently working on getting some children’s stories and her first novel published.
Ann Morrow and her family live in Custer, South Dakota, where she writes humor/inspirational pieces. Her columns and short stories have appeared in various publications, including previous Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Please write to Ann at
[email protected].
Mark Parisi’s “off the mark” comic panel has been syndicated since 1987 and is distributed by United Media. Mark’s humor also graces greeting cards, T-shirts, calendars, magazines, newsletters and books. Please visit his website at www.offthemark.com. Lynn is his wife/business partner, and their daughter, Jenny, contributes with inspiration (as do three cats).
Lisa Pemberton resides in Hannibal, Missouri. She shares her life with husband, Brad, her children, Brandon and Lyndsay, and extended family and close friends. Her company provides professional services to speakers and meeting planners. Hobbies include writing, coaching and genealogy. Contact Lisa at www.professionalspeakerservices.com or
[email protected].
Ava Pennington is a writer, Bible study teacher, public speaker and former human resources director. With an MBA from St. John’s University in New York, and a Bible Studies certificate fromMoody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ava divides her time between teaching, writing, speaking and volunteering. Contact her at
[email protected].
Perry P. Perkins is a Christian novelist born and raised in Oregon. His writing includes Just Past Oysterville and Shoalwater Voices. Perry is a student of Jerry B. Jenkins ChristianWriter’s Guild and a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. Enjoy Perry’s work at www.perryperkinsbooks.com.
PamelaWertz Peterson is a native of theMidwest who now lives in Santa Cruz, California, with husband, Mike, and tortoiseshell cat, Jazz. Passions include dream work, women’s spirituality, gardening, reading, cooking and travel. Pamela’s career path has veered from special education teacher to cooking school owner to private tutor to writer.
Stephanie Piro lives in New Hampshire with her husband, daughter and three cats. She is one of King Features’ team of women cartoonists, the “Six Chix” (she is the Saturday chick!). Her single panel, “Fair Game,” appears in newspapers and on her website: www.stephaniepiro.com. She also designs gift items for her company Strip T’s. Contact her at
[email protected] or 27 River Road, Farmington, NH, 03835.
Felice Prager is a freelance writer from Scottsdale, Arizona, with credits in local, national and international publications. In addition to writing, she also workswith adults and childrenwithmoderate to severe learning disabilities as a multisensory educational therapist.
Dan Rosandich owns and operates www.danscartoons.com, which is an extensive online database featuring three thousand of Dan’s best cartoons. The images are archived by subject matter to easily locate specific cartoons. Dan also specializes in creating custom cartoons and has been extensively published in most major magazines. E-mail
[email protected] with questions.
Linda Sago lives in Billings,Montana, with six cats and a large dog who is sure he is a cat! A freelance writer, she has written for Fit Magazine and Guideposts. Check out her story, two cookbooks, before/after p
ictures and weight-loss kit found at www.cu.imt.net/~gedison/emerald.
Charmi Schroeder is a freelance writer and speaker. She has appeared on several national television shows and in Sweatin’ to the Oldies 3 and has owned her own motivational speaking and fitness business, appropriately named No Limits. She currently works as a systems analyst while pursuing her passion for writing.
Laura Schroll is a freelance writer living on Long Island, New York. Her essays and articles have appeared in various publications including Tea, AMAGAZINE, ByLine, The Detroit Free Press and A Cup of Comfort for Mothers to Be.
Ken Shane is a songwriter from New Jersey. He is also the music columnist for the monthly newsmagazine NYC Plus and a frequent contributor to The Aquarian Weekly. He is currently collaborating on a novel based on the songs from his first album. Visit him at www.kenshane.com.
Deborah H. Shouse is a speaker, writer and editor. Her writing has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Newsweek and Spirituality & Health. She is donating all proceeds from her book, Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey, to Alzheimer’s programs and research. Please visit Deborah on the Web at www.thecreativityconnection.com.
Jean Stewart is an editor and writer in Mission Viejo, California, whose stories can be found in Chicken Soup for the Father & Daughter Soul and Horse Lover’s Soul II, as well as Cup of Comfort forWomen in Love. She also writes travel and parenting articles and is working on books for mothers and grandmothers, since she and her husband dote on their twin daughters and two grandchildren.
Ken Swarner is author of Whose Kids Are These Anyway? (Penquin/Putnam). He can be reached at
[email protected].
Sandra L. Tatara has had several short stories published, including a story in the 2003 edition of Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul. She raises registered quarter horses, paints in several mediums and is a hospice volunteer. She now has two grandchildren, and her first novel, Remember Me, is scheduled for publication in May 2007.