11/05/06: Anna journal entry #4

The Good Kind of Stress

A lot of amazing things are happening in my life right now... I'm having the busiest November that I have ever experienced.

I am so excited to be working with my agent, Jennie Dunham. Having her send my manuscript to editors gives me the chance to concentrate on finishing the young adult novel I am working on. And, it gives me the extra time to work hard with Friends and Helpers to provide holiday gifts for 150 families and 650 teens in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, who are all victims of domestic violence. We're also heading back to New Orleans for a few days next week, bringing 2,500 stockings stuffed with candy and a gift card to Wal-Mart. After we visited the schools in September, we asked the principals what the families in the area needed most. The response was food and materials to rebuild their homes. But since many children are bused 30 or more miles each day to attend school, it would be difficult on the students to get the food or supplies home. We decided the best plan would be to provide gift certificates for Wal-Mart, which is not only open, but has everything from food and home supplies, to clothing and cds. It even has a nail salon. The Friends and Helpers Foundation is also sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner in the Ninth Ward. If you are interested in getting more information, or seeing how you can help, visit www.FriendsandHelpers.org

After I return home from Louisiana, my husband is having his very first gallery art show in Los Angeles at Gallery 1988 on Sunday, November 19th, 7-9pm. I am so proud of him! He's wanted to do an art show for a very, very long time. And, some of the proceeds from the paintings he is selling will go to his scholarship at Art Center College of Design. I love that he is donating money to help someone attend art school who would normally not be able to afford it. (If you need more information on his art show, visit www.myspace.com/fortminor)

Then it's Thanksgiving with family; next, wrapping and distributing gifts to the families that have been victims of domestic abuse; and, then celebrating Christmas and New Years!
It's taking a lot of discipline to make time to write. But all of these things are the good kind of stress. Working with Friends and Helpers, supporting my husband, writing - they all bring joy.