Two and Three Amazing things to Share (with Thanks to Heather & Sarah)

I wrote last week (seems like a year ago) about three amazing things that have happened in as many days.  Three huge life changing things.  I shared the first (our excitement at possibly finding our future home in Lovettsville), and I've not shared the other two.

I have gotten a few nudges from my facebook friends (Heather and Sarah!) as to when I was going to share them.  Because these 2 things aren't finished (or decided upon), I wasn't sure how to share them.  But I've decided that I just need to, and maybe my friends can help me figure out what to do about them.  I'm really stuck.

Number 2 isn't where I'm stuck - but because nothing is set yet - I don't know exactly what to say.  But, I will say this, I've discovered an agency that works with special needs kids (amongst other populations).  And, they need someone to help out as a parent advocate.  This speaks right to me and what I know about who I am and what I want to do.  I've had to learn to be an advocate for my son with his IEP and delays.  To know that theres a place out there that needs help from parents is thrilling.  Whether I do this as a volunteer, and maybe someday as a job remains to be seen.  But the fact that all my experiences with Trent aren't going to waste, and that I know that that lonely 3 am feeling I've had mulling over all the IEP paperwork is something I can help another parent avoid is THRILLING.  So, I know its a bit cloak and dagger, but I just don't know enough about whats happening to say more. And I don't want to endanger my chances by spilling too soon.

Now, Number 3. This is one of the biggest things I've had to face, and frankly, I'm a bit shattered over it.  Anyone who has known me has known my lifelong dream is to write a book.  I've got journals from when I was 6 years old, all the way up until now. I've always written.  The blog (duh) is evidence to that.  When I was a little kid, I always answered, "I want to be a writer."  For years, people have given me journals, and "how to" books, its just kindof one of those things you know about me.  If you know Tammy, you know she wants to be a writer.  If I go through this life without actually getting published, I will be crushed.  I will feel like I haven't finished yet. 

So, enter my bwf (best writer friend) Susanne. She and I have started going on writing trips together.  Just the two of us, holing up in a hotel, each with our laptops writing away.  Or in coffee shops, whenever we can get away, we go.  Her sweet hubs Colin found an ad in the paper where a known author was giving a talk on how to break into the publishing world.  Long, long story short.  We went.  We met Mr. David Hazard , who has written over 30 books, and is most well known for his work on Blood Brothers, which led to Elias Chacour's Pulitzer Prize.  About 6 people showed up, and of the 6, David tapped me as someone he'd like to work with.  I gave him my book idea in a nutshell - and he really liked it.  And I'm not tooting my own horn when I say, he really liked it.  We then spoke a few times after the talk, and he'd like to coach me.  It's a year long process, and at the end, we'd have a finished work for me to take to a publisher in NYC.  He'd lead me to them. 

Here's the heartbreaking part (makes me cry even now thinking of it) - he doesn't work for free (who does?).  To be my coach for this year, to do this one project with me, it's gonna be around $4100.  He wouldn't be a co-author, or want a piece of the book sales, he works strictly in the coaching/mentoring area now.  But I don't have a penny to spare right now. 

So, I have told him to give me a few weeks to figure this out.  What would you do?  This is literally the brass ring.  He's handing it to me.   I've researched him, and others hes worked with.  He's legit.  And this is my lifelong dream.  And he is very selective about who he works with.  How is this happening right now, when I don't have any money? 

What am I going to do? It's like looking through a window at the most fabulous party you could imagine, everyone you love is there, all your favorite foods and music, yet you can't find a way out to get to that darn party.

Should I take up a collection?  Haha.  As you know, we are barely keeping the utilities on right now.  But, I know this will lead to a publishing situation.  I know it like I know my eyes are green.  I just do.  However, how do I get there.  HELP!!

Anyone have any ideas?  Much love to all my readers.  Your thoughts on this are much appreciated.