I have to confess … I’ve never been a huge fan of Angelina Jolie.  Her films are interesting but her life seems to be an incredibly hectic journey where she must be everything to everybody.   She is involved in several charitable issues, has numerous children and is engaged to a movie star. Sometimes I would like to see another side of her where she is much more laid back.
Today, Jolie made news by announcing she had a double mastectomy based on carrying the BRCA1 gene that causes breast and ovarian cancer.  By having the mastectomy, she decreased her chances of having breast cancer from 85 percent to 5 percent.
That shocked me.  Two thoughts ran through my head.  First, I was proud that a woman was taking control and making her own choice about her body and future.   Jolie wanted to be there for her children and by having the mastectomy; she increased those chances.   My second thought was sadness.
Every day we see fundraisers for every type of cancer.  Breast cancer awareness is everywhere.  I wonder about the time, money and research going in to curing cancer.  Is taking off our breasts the best answer?
Where are we in finding a cure?  What does a cure look like?
So many women have chosen to have life changing surgeries speculating about forthcoming cancers.  I understand their battle but is it a scapegoat to avoid finding a cure?   Frankly, I don’t see men choosing to have surgeries to avoid testicular cancers.
I’m proud that Jolie had the courage to make her choice and had family to support her, but I don’t want the headlining grabbing actress to discourage the value of early detection.
Every woman must make their choice but let’s keep working on a cure.

Yesterday was a sweaty and stressful day but it was not as hard as it used to be.  I woke up early to the sound of my door bell ringing.  I was confused until I realized it was moving day for my mother.
The reason for this move is simple and life changing.   About a year ago I met my true love, David.  After date for 4 months, we were engaged and we are going to be married in September.
For the past 5 years I lived in a townhouse with my older sister and mother.  It was a convenient and cost-effective situation that I knew would change eventually.   Yesterday, it finally did.
My sister moved last winter and my mother made the move yesterday.
Surprisingly, it was not a difficult move.
Here are my top 5 tips for moving efficiently:
1.    Be sure to pack everything and do it early.  If you do this the movers just have to pick up the boxes and move the furniture.
2.     Stay out of the way of the movers.  Let them do them do their jobs.  This includes moving and organizing the furniture.
3.    You don’t need to unpack immediately.  You can do this over the course of a week or two.
4.    Be sure to pack an overnight bag.  That first night can be hard and you will not be able to find anything.  The bag ensures that you have everything you need within an arm’s reach.
5.    Get pizza!  Call the pizza delivery guy at the end of the day and rest!

I’m back from the Romantic Times Convention.
It was in Kansas City at the Crown Center.  It is very entertaining.
I’m a huge romance fan and was very overwhelmed by seeing all the readers and writers as well as cover models!
I did a workshop about PR and authors.   It was a lot of fun.   If any of my attendees are reading this, feel free to write to me and get a 10 percent discount on products.   Just mention to me what was the most important lesson you learned in my workshop.
Here is a photo of me with my favorite author cover.
Love Lora Leigh!!
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Good Afternoon!

I’m off to the Romantic Times convention tomorrow.  It should be great fun and I’ll meet some of my favorite authors.  I’ll post pictures.

I’m speaking Wednesday afternoon about common mistakes authors make when dealing with the media.

I am making products available on my web site starting in June.  For anyone who attended the convention, there is a 10 percent discount.

Email me and we will chat: sara@lienpublicrelations.com.

Have fun!

Sara