Michelle Nelson-Schmidt's Blog, page 76
May 13, 2012
4am in Reinholds, PA
I am still messed up in my sleeping schedule so I am setting up my phone to be able to update my blog. Cause ya know, awake, thinking a billion thoughts and one of them was, “I really want to start writing my blog again.” Then, “Hmmm. I should keep my eyes closed even if I am awake. Do you think that makes you look less tired in the morning? Should I answer those emails I need to answer? I should work on that next book. How far is my drive tomorrow? I miss my family. I love my family. I didn’t exercise today. Will I be able to tomorrow? Why do I gain weight so easy? I wonder if NJ has Wells Fargo, Ohio has none and I have to deposit checks. That banana dessert Jill made was really good tonite. So was dinner. I wish i liked to cook more. Do my kids care I don’t cook? We eat too much pizza. I wonder what they ate tonite? Probably pizza. Why can’t Democrats and Republicans find a common meeting ground – have we forgotten we are ALL Americans? We really need to get Otto fixed. The dogs need grooming. The dogs need their shots. Are the kids done with shots? I should get them check ups. I need a check up. I need to update my blog more.”
And there you go. 4am in my head.You’ll never get that space in your brain back. You’re welcome.








May 10, 2012
Midnight in New Madison, Ohio
I am supposed to be asleep. I have my last day of school visits in Ohio before packing up super early Saturday morning and heading to New Jersey for visits there. My sleep schedule is a mess. After a day of visits with sometimes 6-7 45-minute presentations, I get back to my hotel room and the second my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep for 2-3 hours. Then I wake up, do a workout, go get dinner and then makes sure I know my schedule and where to be the next day. By then it is 11pm or so and I SHOULD go to bed, but that nap threw me off and I can’t fall asleep. And so I stay up until 2-3 am. And the cycle repeats. Ah well…
I am drained and exhilarated when I get done with a school visit. I give 100% every single time to these kids. I try very hard to look every one of them in the eye as I am talking. I want them to see that I SEE them. I try hard to get to every question and comment. I slow down and make sure I hear every word, even if it is, “I have a dog, his name is Barney.” This matters to them. To be heard, to be seen, they want matter to me. I need them to know that they DO. So much. And when they tell me they love my art or my books or me, I slow down, look them right in the eye and put my hand over my heart and say, “Thank you for telling me that, that means so much to me.” And they can tell I mean it.
My biggest fear ever since I was a little kid, was that my life might not matter, might not make a difference. As a little girl I really worried about that. What if I lived my whole life and once I died, no one really cared, what if I had not mattered, had not left something important of myself behind. I think that is why I am so driven. I am not a religious person. I don’t define myself with any religion, nor am I affiliated with any of them. I don’t claim to know what comes next or what doesn’t, but what I do know? I have THIS life right NOW, right HERE. And I need to make it matter. I need to do good here and now and pour out the love and joy I feel everyday just to get to be alive. I somehow have been lucky enough to have created the life I have dreamed of. Yes, I worked my tail off, but I know luck has to be in there somewhere. So when luck came along, I was ready, I grabbed it and never let go. And I want these kids to know, every single one of them has a life to live that will matter. They have something to give that will make them light up inside – I tell them when they figure out what their magic life is it will feel like sunshine lit up inside their heart.
This three week trip is very unusual as I normally will only travel when my kids are at their dad’s house, but due to a scheudle mix up, here I am, three weeks on the road. I am so grateful for my husband and kids for supporting me in my career. They are an amazing family to come home to. And I am grateful to my amazing parents that spent the week at my house to help with all the driving that goes along with teenage kids. Knowing I have that love at home, well… not sure I can find the words for that gratitude.
I am meandering now, I think I’ve lost track of where I was going in this post. I guess I am just trying to share in words the light that is filling up my heart right now. The little girl inside of me – whose voice is still the same as it ever was – is pretty thrilled to find out that her life matters. Every email I get from a child, or drawing I get in the mail, or hug or high five I get from a child who breaks out of line in the hallway and runs tome when he sees me after a presentation, makes me realize I have done something right. I matter to these children. And that? Feels like sunshine lighting up inside my heart.








March 30, 2012
My ship has come in! MONSTERS ARE HERE!
BUY YOUR MONSTER HERE!!!! (in case you don't read to the bottom. ahem.)
Thursday, August 18, 2011 I requested a quote from a company that helps coordinate getting small production runs made of stuffed plushies. You see, I had written a book, Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster – that was not finished, not polished and not acquired by a publisher yet – so the most logical thing to do was spend about $6000 to get 1200 Whatif Monsters made. Right?
Welcome to my brain, folks! It's crazy in here, but I promise you lots of FUN!. Ignore that man standing in the corner shaking his head, it's just my poor husband. He has to go along for this ride EVERY day. Because he promised to. In a binding contract we both WILLINGLY agreed to. Ain't love grand??
They told me the cost, I gulped a bit and asked my husband to borrow his credit card. "Use yours." he said. "Um, I maxed-out all mine from forming my LLC and getting a Trademark for my monster that I will SURELY need when I started to sell these guys." I said. My husband looked at me. "You ALREADY did all that?? Did you talk to anyone AT ALL? What if you don't sell that book? What if you don't get enough money to pay for these? Ever?"
"PASHAW. Details." I wrangled the credit card out of his hand He lovingly and supportingly gave me his credit card knowing there was NO way this could go wrong and that was that.*
The process began. See, I don't think all too much about big GIANT things before I do them or else I will scare myself silly and never do them. So I DO THEM, COMMIT TO THEM, and then? I go throw up. It just works for me. I have learned to trust my process. Even if I give my husband gray hairs before the process and give myself gray hairs after the process.
The process worked too. I got most of my funding from LOVELY supporters that pre-ordered the monsters as well as bought handmade monsters. I love them forever and they all get a free place to stay at my house forever and ever amen. Lemme know if you want to check out Atlanta. ANYTIME. Srsly. Just don't mind the dog hair.
And then in November I sold the book! BAM! I did the 'I told you so dance' for my husband! I have MAD dance skills! He walked away, something about needing to not see that display again and washing his eyes or something. Srsly. Skills.
(Books come out this summer! SQUEE!!!)
And the monster process took longer than I thought it would. I actually thought I might have them by December. Then by January. Then by February. People were patient thank goodness.
BUT. BUT. Two days ago, I got a call from a man driving a truck. Out of the blue. Truly! I had been told it would be two more weeks! But no. Today was the day! I felt like a mom about to give birth to 1200 green monsters. Um, on another planet? Okay, that's just weird. But still. EXCITED!
So SEVEN months and TEN days later? I present to you: (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Want to know what 1200 monsters look like all packed up? Now you know. you're welcome.
What? They are SO CRAZY CUTE that you simply MUST have one?? Well…. OKAY!!!
BUY YOUR MONSTER HERE!!!!
Pre-Sales going out next week!
*I totes paid back the money on his credit card LESS than a month later. I did the 'I told you so dance' then too. I should video that. It is awesome.








February 23, 2012
Procrastination is the Mother of Inspiration
I wrote the last time right before Thanksgiving. Right after I got a contract for my third picture book, Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster. Pretty much right after that it was a whirlwind of turkey, mashed potatoes, a week of school visits in Louisiana, Christmas in the mountains then about 30 days of non-stop painting to meet the January 28 deadline for the art. I holed up in my studio with fresh paper, paint and brushes and pretty much didn't leave for a month. It was heaven, as any other artist will attest.
As I painted, I listened to Salem's Lot by Stephen King on audiobooks, then watched a ridiculous amount of true crime drama on Netflix. I don't know why I watch those shows, especially doing what I do for a living. I admit it fascinates me though. I am always stunned there is such evil in the world when I see so much good and experience amazing people and children all the time. By watching so many though, you do see the pattern that most evil in a person seems to start because a child was abused, neglected or forgotten. And so when I do my school visits, when a child asks a question or wants to tell me the name of their pet, I focus on them with everything I have in me, look them directly in the eye and listen as if it is the most important thing I have ever heard. Because at that moment, to that child, it is. We all need to feel listened to and important. Maybe if we all did that with each other more, the evil would go away. Or at least lessen.
Anyway, this is not a post about evil, don't worry. What next? I got the book done and sent off for review then did 3 days of school visits in Kentucky and Ohio. What a way to break my month-long studio painting! Oh the children, they light me up from the inside out. I hope with all my heart I can do this until I die peacefully in my sleep at 94. With all my faculties working. With a down comforter. And a big screen tv to watch at night. For all that true crime shows you know.
My book comes out this summer and I already have 3 weeks of visits for the fall confirmed and have a 4th week that is about to be. I have many weeks for this spring booked and boy are those Ohio people AMAZING, because I am booked for 2 weeks solid up there! LOVE. THEM.
I am already thinking of how to change up my presentation for my new book so that I can go back to schools I have already been to so the kids can see something new. Oh boy, is that going to be fun. NEW, BIG, GIANT, PAINTINGS! I will never do a presentation without those. When I turn those around it is my Bon Jovi Rock Star moment. And I won't lie, I bask in it. BASK. I am adored among short people. And it is AWESOME. Although when I get home and I am just 'Mom' again and no one is 'ooohing' and 'ahhing' over me, it is kind of a let down. I am trying to teach the kids to bow down, or at least salute or something, but that seems a no-go. But they are very willing to flash me an eye-roll. And then they just want to know what is for dinner. Bah.
So something keeps coming up when I do these school visits. A question. By boys and girls. Especially the second and third graders. "Are you going to write a chapter book?" "Will you please write a chapter book?" "Miss. Michelle, can you please write a chapter book for me?" And my heart? It melts. If these kids asked me to water ski across the Atlantic I would do it. Or at least try. Or at least take lessons on Lake Lanier.
I got asked that question during my very first visit last May. And it has been stuck in my head ever since. I want to. But I write in rhymes for the most part. I want to. But I write 300 words or less to tell a story. I want to, but I am not a novelist.
But they asked me to. Over and over.
But.
But you know what? Three years ago I was not a picture book author and illustrator either. And you know what else? The idea for a middle grade chapter book has finally come to me in my cluttered up brain. It is a story that happened to me when I was in fifth grade. When I sat next to Maureen Byrnes and it was the single most humiliating moment of my life*. I thought I would die. I was sure of it. SURE. OF. IT. And that? Would make a great book. My kids LOVE the story. That one and the one about how Chris Cicchini walked home at lunchtime recess and was brought back an hour later by a Truant Officer to Mr. Beecham's class. Dude. CRAZY times. My memory of elementary school is strangely crystal clear while something just ten years ago I am all, "That did NOT happen. What are you TALKING ABOUT??"
So this morning I sat down and wrote the first two paragraphs and am going to outline the book. I have no idea if it will happen, but I am at least going to try because the kids have asked me to. I hope I can at least stand up on the skis, but I have the rest of my life to practice, so I will give it a go.
Full Inspirational Disclaimer: I went to my accountant yesterday and she helped me set up Quickbooks. I have to go back and enter in all my work receipts, payments, expenses, sales, sales taxes etc. I swear I almost started crying in her office at the thought of it. I have to get it done in the next week or so, so I can file my business taxes by March 15. So naturally I am inspired to both paint a new painting that has popped into my head and write a novel. A NOVEL. Procrastinate much? Someone from my high school days posted a comment on my Facebook when I wrote about painting as a means to avoid paperwork-y stuff: "Procrastination, inspiring Americans since the real tea party." So true. But what if I DO get a novel out of it? I will make the kiddos so happy! Even if my taxes are late.
Whatever works, right?
*My most humiliating moment is actually a toss up between this event in 5th grade and the seventh grade dance where Brendan Schubel chose my best friend to slow dance with when Crazy For You by Madonna came on. Ugh. Still cringe when I think about it. Poor Brendan, whenever that song comes on the radio I think of him and cringe. But to be fair, the next year at the 8th grade dance he did slow dance with me. I have pictures to prove it. And I would show you, but…my hair. Oy. That is another novel of humiliation right there.








November 23, 2011
Ruckus Media Group, The Whatif Monster and The Universe. It’s crazy, y’all.
About 8 years ago I stood on a beach at sunrise after a run. I watched the ocean. I listened. This is the place on earth where I most hear God, The Universe, the voice deep in my heart that tells me what I am supposed to be doing. I made a promise that day and said I would follow my heart with everything I had if the universe would help me – no matter how hard it got. I knew children were my calling. I knew that I wanted to help them see their value, feel their worth and to know how much they MATTER. We all matter so much and we all deserve to hear that – to hear that our dream, no matter what it is, matters.
I have always felt a particular need to talk to and help sick children. I have visited children’s hospitals to share my art and volunteered at Ronald McDonald House helping sick children and their parents create art for an hour or so to forget about what they are going through – even if just for a bit. My husband and I donate money every month to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Every month or so we get a picture of a sick child and I put them up on the fridge. Everyday I look at each child, say their name and tell them I am thinking of them that day and to stay strong and fight so that they can follow their dreams. I really do this. The dogs can verify. Here is my fridge.
Aren’t they the cutest? I call them ‘my kids.’
When I came up with the idea of the Whatif Monster, I immediately knew that I wanted to have a special edition monster one day that I could create and children’s hospitals and charities could use to sell and keep all proceeds. (I also have a Jimmy Buffett Whatif Monster and a Bon Jovi Whatif Monster, but that is a blog for another day – but Jimmy and Jon if you are reading this? Call me! I got big ideas!) Of course in order to have a limited edition, I needed ANY edition! So I created the green Whatif Monster that stars in Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster. No matter the book had not been bought, or my editor OR agent had not seen it yet. When I decide on something I DECIDE. I think BIG y’all. And I had the universe on my side, right?
I even decided to manufacture 1200 of the green little dudes because the handmade ones are so labor intensive and people kept ordering them. So of course, I started the $6000 process with not a dime in my pocket. (yes, my husband had to pretend he did not know what was going on – he is NOT the risk-taker I am and I am sure I have him heart palpitations that past 3 months) But pre-orders came in, generous donations arrived, school visits began. And I am happy to report I will have every dime I need to pay the rest of the deposit in January! (and my marriage is intact! Bonus!) The production samples are on the way! Now I just have to make sure I can sell about 1000 more of the little dudes or it’s gonna get all kindsa Tribble and Gremlins up in here. heh.
But sometimes you just have to go for it – just go with your gut and see what happens. Sometimes you fail HUGE, and trust me, I have – but like I tell every child at every school visit, you cannot fail if you don’t give up, you just may change some things along the way.
Yesterday I got an email that I have an OFFER from a publisher, for my book, Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster. It is still surreal to me. I mean, I thought it would happen, hoped it would happen, NEEDED it to happen (1200 monsters on the way y’all!!!) but then when it does? I kept asking my husband if I was dreaming. Because now? Think about how MUCH CLOSER I am to that special edition monster??? Crazy, right? I know! (Srsly Bon Jovi, Rock Star Whatif Monster!! GOLDEN.)
ARE Y’ALL READY FOR THIS NEXT PART? The SERENDIPITY, the UNIVERSE IS TALKING you best pay attention PART??
Because the universe wants to MAKE SURE you are paying attention and that it remembers your promise so many years ago on the beach, I was contacted by the lovely people at Ruckus Media Group. They make amazing apps for children. They work with some awesome people in the children’s publishing industry that I know personally and adore. They are GOOD people. They asked me if I would promote a partnership they just formed and it helps – are you ready? St. Jude’s Research Hospital. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I KNOW! I of course said YES! YES! YES! (See I told you they were lovely people!)
This week Ruckus Media Group, is partnering with St. Jude’s Research Hospital for the annual Thanks and Giving campaign, a holiday program that asks shoppers to Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not,” while shopping this holiday season. When customers purchase any of our interactive storybooks on the App store (now until November 28th), we will donate 100% of the net proceeds ($1.39) to saving children with cancer and other deadly illnesses. That’s every app!
You can read about their campaign here: http://www.pitchengine.com/ruckusmediagroup/black-friday-customers-can-support-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-with-every-purchase-from-ruckus-media-group .
So? You buy an app, you help a child? Win, win, right? How amazingly cool is the universe?
So very thankful for my life and for all of you, lovely readers. Happy Thanksgiving – and don’t forget to begin following YOUR dream if you haven’t yet.








Ruckus Media Group, The Whatif Monster and The Universe. It's crazy, y'all.
About 8 years ago I stood on a beach at sunrise after a run. I watched the ocean. I listened. This is the place on earth where I most hear God, The Universe, the voice deep in my heart that tells me what I am supposed to be doing. I made a promise that day and said I would follow my heart with everything I had if the universe would help me – no matter how hard it got. I knew children were my calling. I knew that I wanted to help them see their value, feel their worth and to know how much they MATTER. We all matter so much and we all deserve to hear that – to hear that our dream, no matter what it is, matters.
I have always felt a particular need to talk to and help sick children. I have visited children's hospitals to share my art and volunteered at Ronald McDonald House helping sick children and their parents create art for an hour or so to forget about what they are going through – even if just for a bit. My husband and I donate money every month to St. Jude's Research Hospital. Every month or so we get a picture of a sick child and I put them up on the fridge. Everyday I look at each child, say their name and tell them I am thinking of them that day and to stay strong and fight so that they can follow their dreams. I really do this. The dogs can verify. Here is my fridge.
Aren't they the cutest? I call them 'my kids.'
When I came up with the idea of the Whatif Monster, I immediately knew that I wanted to have a special edition monster one day that I could create and children's hospitals and charities could use to sell and keep all proceeds. (I also have a Jimmy Buffett Whatif Monster and a Bon Jovi Whatif Monster, but that is a blog for another day – but Jimmy and Jon if you are reading this? Call me! I got big ideas!) Of course in order to have a limited edition, I needed ANY edition! So I created the green Whatif Monster that stars in Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster. No matter the book had not been bought, or my editor OR agent had not seen it yet. When I decide on something I DECIDE. I think BIG y'all. And I had the universe on my side, right?
I even decided to manufacture 1200 of the green little dudes because the handmade ones are so labor intensive and people kept ordering them. So of course, I started the $6000 process with not a dime in my pocket. (yes, my husband had to pretend he did not know what was going on – he is NOT the risk-taker I am and I am sure I have him heart palpitations that past 3 months) But pre-orders came in, generous donations arrived, school visits began. And I am happy to report I will have every dime I need to pay the rest of the deposit in January! (and my marriage is intact! Bonus!) The production samples are on the way! Now I just have to make sure I can sell about 1000 more of the little dudes or it's gonna get all kindsa Tribble and Gremlins up in here. heh.
But sometimes you just have to go for it – just go with your gut and see what happens. Sometimes you fail HUGE, and trust me, I have – but like I tell every child at every school visit, you cannot fail if you don't give up, you just may change some things along the way.
Yesterday I got an email that I have an OFFER from a publisher, for my book, Jonathan James and The Whatif Monster. It is still surreal to me. I mean, I thought it would happen, hoped it would happen, NEEDED it to happen (1200 monsters on the way y'all!!!) but then when it does? I kept asking my husband if I was dreaming. Because now? Think about how MUCH CLOSER I am to that special edition monster??? Crazy, right? I know! (Srsly Bon Jovi, Rock Star Whatif Monster!! GOLDEN.)
ARE Y'ALL READY FOR THIS NEXT PART? The SERENDIPITY, the UNIVERSE IS TALKING you best pay attention PART??
Because the universe wants to MAKE SURE you are paying attention and that it remembers your promise so many years ago on the beach, I was contacted by the lovely people at Ruckus Media Group. They make amazing apps for children. They work with some awesome people in the children's publishing industry that I know personally and adore. They are GOOD people. They asked me if I would promote a partnership they just formed and it helps – are you ready? St. Jude's Research Hospital. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I KNOW! I of course said YES! YES! YES! (See I told you they were lovely people!)
This week Ruckus Media Group, is partnering with St. Jude's Research Hospital for the annual Thanks and Giving campaign, a holiday program that asks shoppers to Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not," while shopping this holiday season. When customers purchase any of our interactive storybooks on the App store (now until November 28th), we will donate 100% of the net proceeds ($1.39) to saving children with cancer and other deadly illnesses. That's every app!
You can read about their campaign here: http://www.pitchengine.com/ruckusmediagroup/black-friday-customers-can-support-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-with-every-purchase-from-ruckus-media-group .
So? You buy an app, you help a child? Win, win, right? How amazingly cool is the universe?
So very thankful for my life and for all of you, lovely readers. Happy Thanksgiving – and don't forget to begin following YOUR dream if you haven't yet.








November 16, 2011
To The AMAZING, AWESOME, FANTASTICAL Second-Graders of Lake Carolina Elementary School
Dear Second Graders,
A promise is a promise. Here is me singing Lady Gaga's Born This Way. I TOLD you I could not sing! But I certainly do not let it stop me.
I had the most wonderful day with you today! (and the pre-K, kindergardeners and first-graders too!!!) I LOVE YOU ALL! And don't forget your PINKIE PROMISE to me!!
Love, Miss Michelle








November 4, 2011
Making Me Kinda Speechless – and that is hard to do with me.
Where to start? With the incredible children I am meeting everywhere that are changing my life one little face at a time? Or the incredible donation I got for my Whatif Monsters? Or perhaps the email I got from my agent as I pulled in to my driveway after two days and 10 presentations and on a SUPER high to get an email saying a publisher really wants to buy my book?
It seems unfair to have this much good all at once. I want to share it with everyone! At least when I can comp visits for schools with no budget for my visits I am doing something. And mark my words, I will give back more and more and more as I am able. I have BIG plans y'all, big 'uns!!
So first I will start with the visits. These children never fail to touch me, to give me hope, to make me so utterly optimistic for our future. These children, OUR children – ALL of us in the AWESOME country, are AMAZING.
At the end of every presentation I make the kids listen to a promise I want them to make me. I tell them to really think about it before they agree to it, because I take promises VERY seriously and I try VERY hard to keep every promise I make. This is what I say:
"You all are young right now. You are learning so much. Some of you might already be hearing the little voice in your heart telling you what you are passionate about, what you love, what you are meant to do. Some of you might not hear that little voice for a while – and that is okay. Because one day, if you listen and really pay attention, I promise you will hear it. And I want you to promise me, that when you do, you will follow your heart, follow your passion, listen to that voice. Now, your goals might change a bit along the way, that is okay. Keep going. And you have to keep going even when it gets hard – and it WILL get hard. You might have to study longer and harder than all your friends, or practice something over and over when you would rather be playing a video game, or you might need to figure out how to get the money – I worked 3 part time jobs in art school, I know that part is extra hard, but if you DO NOT QUIT, you will make this world so amazing, so beautiful. And in 20 years, I want you to find me. I promise you will be able to find me somehow, I am everywhere out there on the internet and will be on whatever else is out there then. And I want you to call and say, 'Miss. Michelle, when I was 6 you came and talked to my in Alabama. And now I am a doctor/teacher/artist/dancer/football player/writer/computer programmer… I kept my promise.' Because can you imagine how amazing this world is gonna be in about 20 years of all of you follow your hearts and your dreams?? That is the future I am looking forward to! I am counting on all of you! now, who will make this promise?"
And when they raise their hands I tell them this is a pinkie promise and it is sacred, so they cannot break it. And people, these kids took it seriously. So rest assured, one child at a time, I am making this world EPIC in about 20 years! I have talked to about 5,000 kids so far and have pretty close to that many pinkie promises! Our future is set, I trust these kids! You're welcome.
And you might be thinking that kids don't keep promises. Well, you are wrong, lemme tell you. Just look at these letters I have already gotten. BAM! So don't you tell me this country is going down the toilet – these kids GOT THIS PEOPLE!
You visited my school on Nov. 2, Wellborn Elementary!!! You never even saw me but I wanted to Thank you!! You were an inspiration to me. You gave me the hope to follow my dream to be a vet!! I am just a plain ordinary girl in 5th grade, Nothing Special. I am just another kid wanting to make a difference. I hope you don't think when you read this that these are just foolish words coming from a kid! Your story is a hope for all kids!!
Sincerely,
S
My response:
S,
Let me just tell you, you are something SO SPECIAL!!! Never write that or speak that you are nothing special ever again!
Do you know how few people would take the time to write me like you did? That alone puts you so far ahead of so many others!! I have absolutely NO doubt you will achieve your dreams and you absolutely will make a difference. You already have, sweetheart, you already have – by writing me. Your email to me means more than you might ever know. Never doubt how much impact one person has on this world. You will make a difference in this world, I am sure of it already.
Thank you for writing me a million times over from the bottom of my heart!
Have a wonderful day tomorrow and PLEASE keep in touch!
My very best,
Michelle
…………………….
Hi…I met you today at Wellborn Elementary…I asked you to paint my dog…my name is John and I promise to make something of my life, with God's help and guidance.
I really enjoyed meeting you today and I am asking Santa Claus for your books…love, John
My response:
Dear John,
Your letter to me means more than I can ever explain in words. I have no doubt you already are, and are going to become an amazing man and be amazing at whatever it is YOUR little voice and God tells you to do and become!
I am going to talk to Santa and make sure he knows how to get you my books, too!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, John.
Love,
Miss Michelle
ps what kind of dog do you have?
Awesome, right? And then I melted in a puddle of love and happy.








October 24, 2011
Whatif Monster Moments are Everywhere – moments I need to write down so I never forget…
Above photos are my Whatif Monster Halloween costume I am wearing for a half marathon I am running in Saturday. You only live once, right??
This past week I was doing school visits down in Panama City, Florida. I did 20 presentations in 4 days. It was a lot of visits and a lot of children and A LOT of fun. I kept having to stop and pause to really take it in. For years I had been dreaming about school visits. About talking to kids, about teaching them that heart, passion, hard work and perseverance IS enough. That if you don't give up, you cannot fail. I made every child pinky promise me they would promise to listen to that little voice in their heart when they finally heard it and to never quit – even when it got really hard. Even when they wanted to give up. Even when they wanted to cry from failing for the hundreth time. They all promised me. Because I told them I had cried. I had wanted to give up. But I didn't and I got to be there now, talking to them. I said, "In 20 years, I want each of you to find me and call me up and say, 'Miss. Michelle! I am a doctor, teacher, scientist, artist, musician, dancer, writer, veterinarian now! Can you imagine what the world would be like, what an AMAZING place it would be, if you all followed your dreams?'"
After I said that at one of my presentations, the last one actually, a little girl in the front row began to wave her hand wildly with a look of great worry on her face. "We'll do questions at the end sweetie." I said, but I could tell she was very worried about something serious.
Later when I was signing books, the little girl came up to me. With just as worried an expression on her face.
"Miss Michelle!! How am I going to call you???"
"What, do you mean, sweetie?"
"In 20 years, how will I call you? My mommy doesn't have your number! And I made a pinkie promise!!!" (She was WORRIED.)
"Ooooh," I smiled. "Okay, don't tell anyone I am giving you this, because I don't have enough for everyone, but here is my business card. It has my number on it. You can call me with this."
The look of relief that washed over this girls face and the giant grin that replaced it was priceless. Then she skipped off like the weight of the world had been lifted off of her.
At another presentation, there was a little boy I saw that was crying at the end. He didn't want to be in any class pictures and big, giant crocodile tears rolled down his face. I looked at his teacher and she said, "He is a great student, I have no idea what is wrong." I asked if I could talk to him. She said yes. I asked him if he would hold my hand while we walked back to his classroom. He did. His teacher suggested he introduce me to 'Bananas' the monkey when we got int he classroom. She took the other students to a corner rug. The little boy brought me to a HUGE stuffed monkey. He was trying so, so hard to hold it together and be polite. "This….is….Bananas…" and he broke down crying. I hugged him tight. "Oh, sweetheart, what's wrong?? Do you want to tell me?" I asked quietly. He looked at me, you could tell his heart was breaking about something. Finally he spoke, "My…doggie…just…died."
Oh. My. My heart burst into a hundred million pieces of sorrow for this child. His dog had just died and he had to sit through an hour presentation featuring dogs. It must have been HORRIBLE. I hugged him tight and said I was so, so sorry. After he was done crying (and me too) I looked him in the eye. I asked if he remembered Bailey from my book – shaggy dog. He said he did. Well, Bailey was MY doggie when I was a kid and I promised I would pray to Bailey to go find his doggie and play with him and make sure he was happy and they would watch after us. He said that would be good and smiled a tiny bit. Then I drew a dog on a post it note and made it out to him and signed it Love, Miss Michelle. Then he smiled a little bit more. I told him I had to go, but I would never ever forget him or his doggie. And I never will.
One more more moment (in SO many) was a visit where a little blond girl ran up to me.
"How much are your books??"
"$6 each."
"Hmmm, I bet I can get my mom to buy one and I have money saved up and can buy the other."
"You would use your money to buy one of my books?!"
"Yes! I save it to spend on extra special thing."
(and then I floated away from happy)
About ten minutes later the same little girl comes up to me. "Miss Michelle, Molly is crying. Her parents never get her anything at school. And she is crying. And she is my best friend. Is there anything you can do to help Molly?"
"Show me Molly." I said.
She took my hand and brought me to a little girl, literally sobbing into a corner. I took her hand and asked if she would come with me. Molly and I walked away from everyone.
"Molly, do you like my books?" I asked.
"More than anything, but I know I can't get them."
"Is that why you are crying?"
"Yes….sniffle."
"You know, you have a VERY special friend. She cared so much about you that she told me how much you loved my books and she didn't want to see you sad.And you know what?"
"What?"
"Obviously, someone that has THAT special a friend must be an AMAZING person. And I don't meet AMAZING people just any ol' day. Can I give you two of my books and sign them for you so that you will remember me?"
Oh my goodness. The smile that came across that girls face could have lit up an entire city. After I signed it for her she took them and ran to show her friend. Them, the smile on her friend's face, that you remember, did not have any books of her own, smiled even MORE than Molly. The genuine look of happiness for her friend was something I will never, ever forget. When you hear the phrase 'priceless' that moment should be the definition.
And people, our future is in good hands. These children that are just starting out in life are a wonderful, joy-filled, compassionate force to be reckoned with. I for one, am not worried about putting my old age in their hands. But just to be safe, I will keep visiting school and encouraging as many of them as I can to follow their dreams!






October 12, 2011
He’s here! He’s dear! And he’ll take away your fear!!
OMGOSH!!!! He’s here! He’s here! And I am IN LOVE WITH HIM and the AWESOME folks at Binkley Custom Plush Toys!!!
If you haven’t already pre-ordered, you are going to want to NOW! Order your little Whatif Monster because he will take all your worries away for you. He will do the worrying and you go take your chances, risk, dare and DREAM! Because my little green dude is MAGIC! And with him by your side to remind you that life is not about worrying, but about LIVING and MAKING MISTAKES and LEARNING and TRYING AGAIN even if you fall flat on your face! He will be by your side no matter what!
Check out my dude!! (and I love you guys so much I didn’t even stop to clean up after I got off the treadmill I was SO EXCITED to share him with you! Ahem. Sorry about that. I really do love you. Good thing it’s not Smell-a-vision.)






