September 2006
Copyright Nancy Mills. 2006
Issue 41. All rights reserved.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER LINK TO YOUR FRIENDS:
http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spiritedwomannewsletter/
CIRCULATION: 2, 601 (and growing!)
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CONTENTS
- Spirited Woman Quote
- Editor's Spirited Message
- Spirited Woman Circle Guest - Fannie Flagg
- Spirited Woman Q & A - Marie Javins
- Upcoming Spirited Woman Workshops
- Host a Spirited Woman Workshop
- Spirited Woman! Store Special
- Spirited Woman Gift Certificate
- Blog ? of the Month
- Join the Spirited Woman Club - Get a Free Listing
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SPIRITED WOMAN QUOTE
"Your life is an adventure, filled with unlimited journeys. Just go for it and be surprised." - Nancy Mills
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EDITOR'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the world of SPIRITED WOMANHOOD.
Are you ready for the fall? Yes, we're almost there. This month on September 16 and 17th, I'm teaching the SPIRITED WOMAN Workshops for the first time in Boulder, CO at Prema Rose's Creative Space Studio. If you're in the area, why don't you come and join us? We're even offering a Special Buddy Rate.
Just a last minute reminder. America's beloved author Fannie Flagg will be our Spirited Woman Circle Conversation guest on September 5th. Her new book, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, is currently on the New York Times Bestseller List! We're so happy for Fannie and delighted to have her in the series. There's still a few spaces left, so, sign-up for the call!
This month, our Q&A is with another inspirational wunderkind,
Marie Javins. Marie is a comic book colorist, an editor, and a travel
journalist. In 2001, she spent a year traveling around the world via
public transport (buses, donkeys, whatever), and her new book,
"Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik: One Woman's Solo Misadventures Across
Africa," was just released. Marie is funny, courageous, and a true
adventuress. I urge you to read her uplifting interview.
As always, I would like to thank you for your support, comments, enthusiasm, and friendship. And for those of you new to the newsletter, I'd like to welcome you to our growing numbers. YOU inspire me, always. And I genuinely look forward to meeting you (again or for the first time) in person at a SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop or within our new SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE.
The SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter is meant to be fun, informative, and inspirational. Your free monthly tool to stay connected with other spirited women nationwide. I welcome you forwarding this newsletter to ALL your spirited friends.
Nancy Mills
Founder Spirited Woman
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SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE
FANNIE FLAGG
Tuesday, September 5, 10 am PST (right after Labor Day!) is our next SPIRITED
WOMAN CIRCLE "up close & personal" 1-hour phone conversation. Our
special guest is America's most beloved author/actress Fannie Flagg.
Fannie's new book "Can't Wait To Get to Heaven" is currently on the New
York Times Bestseller List. Yeah!
Gutsy. Inspirational. Talented to the way beyond. Fannie really looks forward to chatting with you and to answering your questions. She's never done a teleseminar before and she's excited!
Remember: If you sign up and miss the call, you'll receive either a MP3 or PDF version.
Next Conversation: On October 10, 10 am PST, our guests are wine experts/authors/radio personalities, The Saucy Sisters.
Fannie's call is filling up, there are only a few more spaces! So, please join us and book now! To sign-up go to: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
Past Spirited Woman Circle 1-hr. Conversations Available: Author Janet Fitch, NPR Radio Personality Frances Halpern, Hollywood Reporter Calendar Editor Selena Templeton, Author Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, Actress/Author Marcia Wallace and Mystery Author Rochelle Krich. Buy in MP3 or PDF format. $15 ea. They're so wonderfully inspirational.
To order, go to: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/registration/.
TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE.
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SPIRITED WOMAN Q & A
MARIE JAVINS
As
many of you know or (not), I am a former travel journalist. For over a
decade I traveled the globe, notepad in hand, writing for numerous
newspapers and magazines. I gave it up in the mid-90's to pursue other
dreams. Yet, I must say I have a fond spot and an understanding of
fellow journeyers.
That is why when I read about Marie Javins, I just had to interview her. A kindred spirit on many levels, Marie spent one full year of her life in 2001, traveling around the globe by public transport (think donkeys and container ships) and then posting about it as she traveled on her popular MariesWorldTour.com.
Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Marie, age 40, currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. But as she says, "this does tend to vary," since after her yearlong adventure, she has lived in Uganda, Namibia, Australia, Barcelona, and Kuwait. To support herself she is a freelance comic book colorist, editor, and travel journalist.
Last month, her new book, Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik: One Woman's Solo Misadventures in Africa,
was published to much fanfare. Why not? Wouldn't you like to stalk a
dik-dik? Marie's interview is fun and enlightening, one woman's
delightful tale of wanderlust. Enjoy.
Q. When did your love of travel begin?
A. When I
was a child my parents would take me camping in national parks and that
was the extent of it. When I was 17, because I was from a slightly
poorer background, I was able to get a scholarship on an exchange
program to Finland. This clued me in to a much bigger world out there
and taught me that there was nothing to be afraid of in travel. It took
me a lot longer to realize how little money it can actually take to
travel. I could use frequent flier miles, and I could go somewhere
cheap, and I could rent out my home and actually make money by
traveling. My style of travel has really changed over the years -
initially I would do tours and these days I go by myself or rent a flat
in one place and stay for several months.
Q. Before you left for your around the world journey in 2001,
you spent 13 years coloring and editing comic books for Marvel Comics.
How does one become a comic book colorist?
A. What
encouraged me to become a comic book colorist was mounting student
loans. My Antioch College had a co-op program where half the year you
would study on campus and half the year work at internships. My last
internship was Marvel Comics in New York. Then the student loans kicked
in and I stayed. The way you learn to be a comic book colorist is you
learn from other colorists. At the time I was using paintbrushes. It
was a lot of fun for a long time but we went bankrupt as a company
several times - so by the time I left I was happy to leave. The comic
book colorists were happy to teach anybody and I was lucky enough to
have an aptitude for it. A talent I had no idea I had by the way. I
literally fell into this career. I was editing by day, and to pay my
student loans off, at night I was going home and coloring. Eventually I
left the day job and was just doing the freelance coloring.
Q. At Marvel, you worked for 10 months each year then
vacationed for two - yet you still sold your East Village apartment
and decided to travel around the world solo. Was there a moment, a
turning point, an urge to hit the road full time?
A. Yes.
What happened was as the years went on it became more apparent to me
that I was just slaving away for 10 months a year and being miserable
and looking forward to the two months off. At some point the little
light bulb went off "that ain't right." Specifically when I returned
from two months in Southeast Asia in the year 2000 I sat down with my
family and said this is no way to live. And then we tried to come up
with a way that I could live and exist financially at the same time I
could travel and do what I like to do. We came up with that I would do
this interactive website and that I would go as far away on earth by
plane and I would come back over land. That sounded good, but when I
looked into it, I realized that all I had to do was add one Amtrak
journey and one container ship voyage to Australia and that would be
the entire world, not just half the world. That's how
MariesWorldTour.com was born.
Q. Pre-blog technology, pre-popularity of digital cameras,
you had people logging on to your site to read your dispatches and vote
on your trip route. What was that like?
A. The whole thing
was really hard. I type really fast, so I was just taking notes with
pen and paper which I can't recommend highly enough when you are going
into seriously developing areas. You don't have power issues or worry
about someone stealing your computer. I didn't take my computer, I
carried everything I needed for a year on my back. At that time, it was
really difficult to find an internet connection. So, I'd write
everything out in long hand and I would type it in as fast as I could
in an internet cafe. I had a web designer, but I would actually code
the entries myself in HTML in Notepad and I would upload it. And the
digital photo thing did not work then, so I used film and just scanned
in my pictures. Technologically it was different. My web designer would
put up polls and people would vote on my trip route.
Q. You also did something really clever to fund your trip.
You asked people to send you $25 and you'd send them a souvenir worth
less. What were some of your souvenirs?
A. I loved that
program. It was a lot of fun going shopping for total strangers. I
didn't really make any money off of it, but it was one of the
highlights of the year. I raised maybe $500. One person got a Mao's
Little Read Book from China. A friend of mine had flown out to China to
meet me and I just gave it to him and had him drop it in the mail when
he got back. I bought a lot of souvenirs in Africa - a lot of carved
wooden things and then sent them to people. I just got an e-mail the
other day from somebody who said, "you might not remember me, you sent
me 10 Kangaroo jerkies when you were in Australia."
Q. You spent a great majority of your trip in Africa, please share with us one of your most memorable African experiences.
A. Hmm. I have several going through my head, but I will have to tell you the most
memorable. It's not necessarily the most wonderful. I was traveling
with a friend inside an Isuzu truck in Lalibela, and in the back of the
truck there were probably about 40 Ethiopian children and parents, and
lots of luggage and cargo. This excursion was forever - it involved
breakdowns. At some point, we realized we were overloaded and it was
illegal, that's why we were driving at night on dirt roads. Ultimately
the electricity cut out, the driver panicked, we swerved slightly, and
went into a ditch. The truck rolled over on its side, and people and
luggage flew off everywhere. People started screaming. My friend and I
crawled out of the hatch, and we walked for an hour to get help, and we
were bleeding, and when we finally got to soldiers, we realized there
were no emergency services. The next morning the Red Cross opened up
and they then dealt with it. I continued on to Sudan after that, and
later discovered I had a cracked rib and walking pneumonia. When I got
to Khartoum I just went straight to the Hilton. It wasn't until I
caught a ship to Italy where I got medical care.
Q. Did you always dream of turning your experiences into a travel book?
A.
Absolutely yes. I was trying all along to make a book. I made a book
proposal and I just couldn't get an agent to save my life. I still
don't have an agent. One day I stumbled over a news item on a message
board that Brooke Warner at Seal Press was looking for travel books. I
actually at this point had lost hope completely. I sent her my proposal
and I anticipated it goes off into the blue and you never hear a thing.
And she called me the next day. She said, well we already have books
about traveling around the world, but what we really need is one about
on Africa. I was like, you got it, no problem.
Q. What is a dik-dik? And how did you end up naming your book "Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik?"
A.
A dik-dik is a chihuahua sized antelope that you see on safaris in
Africa. A great deal of my 2001 trip consisted of going on safaris,
because that's just what you do when you're in Africa for the first
time. And so I looked at a lot of dik-diks. I actually did not stalk a
dik-dik as much as it stalked me. I had a lot of dik-dik stories. One
night, I really was afraid there was a lion outside my tent in Kenya
and I heard this animal out there for ages and I couldn't sleep and I
was scared out of my wits. And finally it went away. In the morning I
looked outside and there were these tiny little prints and I think it
was a dik-dik. I have to say I was trying to think of a book name that
was memorable and clever and that's the first one I thought of and it
took me ages to convince the publisher.
Q. Was there ever a moment you wanted to turn back and go home?
A.
There are moments, ups and downs when you are frustrated on the road,
but its not the things that you would think. It's not the moment you're
in the truck accident or when you're being harassed or when a policeman
pulls you over and demands you pay him off. It's not those moments.
It's really more the acumulation of frustration moments which could
drive a person batty and it doesn't sound like such a big deal. Things
like being in Ethiopia and having too many taxi drivers try to get too
much money out of you, and then going to the post office and they won't
let you in because you have a camera and arguing with the guard - and
that's the sort of thing where it just adds up and you're going I want
to give up. Where as the actual big stories you are too busy dealing
with them at the moment to be that frustrated or upset.
Q. What are your future travel plans?
A. I am
hoping that "Stalking the Wild Dik Dik" has enough success so that I
can do another trip, sort of like MariesWorldTour. But in this one I'd
like to do West Africa. Hopefully in 2007.
Q. Why do you feel that you are a Spirited Woman?
A. I looked at
my life and found it wanting and proceeded to change it. People told me
to leap and a net will appear. I believed them, I did. I left a great
job, my home, my friends and family behind, and actually the net still
hasn't turned up yet. But I'm still continuing to follow my dreams,
because once you've given it a start and you've tried it there's not
really any going back.
THANK YOU MARIE. TRAVEL THE GLOBE IN SPIRIT FOR ALL OF US.
Marie welcomes you visiting her terrific website: www.MariesWorldTour.com or you can also reach her via e-mail at: marie@mariejavins.com.
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/newsletter/. Presently there are 40 past interviews online for you to read.
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SPIRITED WOMAN MEDIA COVERAGE
SPIRITED WOMAN IN THE NEWS! To read current articles please visit our press page at: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/press/. There's also some wonderful radio interviews to download on your IPOD.
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UPCOMING SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS
This month we're going to Boulder. Is this locale gorgeous or what?
Who-ee! More and more women are attending the SPIRITED WOMAN workshop across the country. Over 700 have signed up to date.
The SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop includes three hours of creative playfulness and growth. Emphasizes your ALIVENESS and reinforces YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE. Great for transitions, movement, fun. Attendees range from writers/artists/healers to business owners. Led by Nancy Mills, Creator of the Spirited Woman Approach to Life. Limited to 12 women. Offered at amazing locales.
2006 SUMMER/FALL WORKSHOP CALENDAR
BOULDER - Saturday, September 16, 2006
1-4 pm., Prema Rose's Creative Space Studio, 6231 Fourmile Canyon, Boulder, CO 80302
Find out about our Special Buddy Rate for this workshop.
BOULDER - Sunday, September 17, 2006
1-4 pm., Prema Rose's Creative Space Studio, 6231 Fourmile Canyon, Boulder, CO 80302
Find out about our Special Buddy Rate for this workshop.
LOS ANGELES - Saturday, October 21, 2006
1-4 pm., Black Box Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd. 90025
SANTA BARBARA - Saturday, October 28, 2006
1-4 pm., Private Santa Barbara Estate, TBA to Attendees
Remember: Take a workshop & you'll get a FREE LINK & a FREE 60-WORD newsletter ad on our website - forever!
For more info on the workshops and to see new workshop pictures please go to:
http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_workshop/. You can also call Nancy Mills at her toll-free number: 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: NancyMills@TheSpiritedWoman.com.
To sign-up, credit cards are accepted on-line at: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/signup/ and via phone at 888-428-1234. Workshop checks are mailed to: Nancy Mills, P.O. Box 20042, Santa barbara, CA 93120. Checks must be received within 10 days of making a reservation. All payments due in advance of each Spirited Woman Workshop. All reservations final.
And, if you're wondering...the SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop has been held in the following cities to date:
LOS ANGELES
NASHVILLE
PORTLAND
EUGENE
ASHLAND
LAS VEGAS
LAUGHLIN
SAN FRANCISCO
SANTA BARBARA
SAN DIEGO
BERKELEY
MAUI
OAKLAND
SEATTLE
CARLSBAD
PHILADELPHIA
KAUAI
SACRAMENTO
TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS.
WHY NOT MAKE YOUR CITY NEXT?
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HOST A SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
...In your city. Here's Nancy with hostess Chris Zydel at her wonderful
Creative Juices Arts in Oakland, CA. Chris has hosted three workshops
in her studio.
She's even wearing a SPIRITED WOMAN scarf!
It's great fun! You'll love it. Anyone who hosts a workshop in their home or business receives a free workshop, great publicity, and a chance to meet other fantabulous women. Since the workshop size is small, most spaces work out ideally. If you'd like to host a workshop, go to our host page and fine out how to do it: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/host_a_workshop/. Or please feel free to call Nancy at 888-428-1234.
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SPIRITED WOMAN! STORE SPECIAL
Our
Spirit! Box special has been so popular - we've decided to extend it
through September. These magical boxes are fabulous for keepsakes and
memories.
Colorful. Spirited. Each box comes with the original SPIRITED WOMAN CHANT. Hand-painted & shilaced onto shell. Regularly $35 for 3 boxes - NOW only $25. Buy 5 sets of boxes and the sixth one is free.
To order go to: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_store/.
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SPIRITED WOMAN GIFT CERTIFICATE
BE SURE to give a Spirited Woman Gift Certificate. You can give a gift certificate for a workshop, a Spirited Woman Circle Conversation, any of our store products, and even to plan an ad in our newsletter! The certificate is available on-line or by calling Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234. MAKES A GREAT GIFT. Easy, affordable & inspirational.
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THE SPIRITED WOMAN BLOG
For those of you who have never blogged - don't worry - we have really easy instructions on our blog page on how to post. So, please try it. It's fun!
Here's the September blog ? of the month: What's your favorite Spirited Woman outfit?
Just click on: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/
We really want to know. ALSO keep those other blog posts coming in too - and BE SURE TO TELL US WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE A SPIRITED WOMAN. We want to know that too.
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THE SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB - LISTING BOARD
NEW FEATURE! put your picture (OR LOGO OR PRODUCT SHOT) UP WITH YOUR AD.
Here's the good news. If you have taken the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP you are automatically a member of the SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB, and you'll receive a FREE listing (up to 60 words) - monthly. For those of you who have not taken the workshop (come on girls, you need to join the club!) - the listing is $25 per month per listing or $40 per month with a photo! What a great deal!
Photo rates for workshop attendees, with your one free 60-word ad - to ad a photo is $15 additional/per month.
The listing board is a great way to advertise your service, business, workshop, event or WHATEVER - and to stay connected with other spirited women. Currently, the newsletter reaches over 2,500 women. Think of it as your very own SPIRITED WOMAN DIRECTORY. Be sure to check out what other women are offering and support them. Also, see below HOW TO PLACE A LISTING.
Our current ads are featured in the newsletter. More newsletter listings are at: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/newsletter_ad/
WHAT IS SAVVY MISS? She's an intellectually curious, fun-loving woman.
She's smart, always up for checking out the latest hot spot and wants
to save the world by volunteering, one charity at a time. Connecting,
informing and empowering women everywhere. SavvyMiss is a free website
community providing members the opportunity to build relationships and
read fresh, unique articles. SavvyMiss.com
TAKE YOUR JOB DUTIFULLY, YOUR VACATION SERIOUSLY! - I juggle around two jobs, a household AND teenagers, so I vacation SERIOUSLY. Travel was often out of budget as a single Mom, until I joined World Ventures: http://ciriasvacation.worldventures.com. Now, I still earn money while bathing under the Mexican sun, sitting at a cafe in Paris, walking around the ancient streets of Rome!
SOCIAL CHANGE: A PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE OF WOMEN LEADERS - A project intended to bring awareness to the amazing changes women are making daily. Looking for women that are working to heal the earth through spiritual leadership, environmental justice, social activism, healing arts, education and other various avenues to be a part of this photo documentary. Contact Emily Fitzgerald 512-751-7986 www.efitzgerald.com
PARLOR PERFORMANCES - Jeannine Frank's "accidental performing arts series" (now in its 17th year!) presents comedy, cabaret, authors, & more in a cozy West LA concert hall -- and also books artists for fundraisers, conventions and special events. For free monthly e-calendar or more info, contact Jeannine at frankent1@juno.com or call 310-476-6735.
HUGS, HOPE AND PEANUT BUTTER: Bouncing Back After Hitting Bottom.
Humorous essays illustrated by critically ill children. An inspiring
book for any woman who's faced tough times. And isn't that EVERY
woman? Laugh out loud as the author recounts in Erma Bombeck style,
her own life experiences and lessons learned from them.
www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm
THE GIRL BLUE PROJECT is a FREE,
self-awareness program for teen girls combined with the performing arts
and community service. Our sole purpose is to awaken the truest
potential in young women by promoting discipline, non-judgment,
self-acceptance and self-discovery. We are a grassroots, 501(c)(3)
organization funded by individual and in-kind donations. For more
information and to support us visit: www.thegirlblueproject.org.
BARBARA SCHIFFMAN: TUNE IN TO THE MOON as your energy-map for
structuring projects, goals &/or life-shifts. Learn to use the
Moon's phases to focus and energize your projects or goals from
EvoLuminus Coaching's Barbara Schiffman. Her Moon Cycle MasterMind
includes weekly group phone sessions with guided Zodiac meditations
plus online support and networking all month long. Info: 818-846-3043
or mooncycle@charter.net.
"SHARING WITH WRITERS" is the official Authors' Coalition (http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com) newsletter. We're a group of serious writers - experienced and aspiring - who are dedicated to the mutual support and development of each others' careers. Sign-up by sending an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com
HOW TO PLACE A LISTING
E-mail a 60 word or less description of your listing (word count
must include phone number and such) by the last day of each month (i.e. September 30 for October 1 issue) to:
NancyMills@TheSpiritedWoman.com and put "LISTING BOARD" in the subject line. The same applies to photos and a JPEG (no larger than 200 pixels) is required.
All past SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP attendees receive ONE FREE 60-word listing EACH MONTH. To ad a photo it costs $15 monthly. All additional listing are $25 per item per month, and with photo $40 per month.
For those of you who have NOT attended the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP it cost $25 per listing per month or $40 with photo. Please follow the above instructions.
You can pay for listing via credit cards online at: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/newsletter_ad/ or by calling Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234. Checks for all payable listings are to be received in advance of next monthly issue (September 1) and sent to: Nancy Mills, P.O. Box 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120.
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Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute the SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter with the understanding that the copyright notice and all the content is to be attributed to Nancy Mills, the SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter. Copyright Nancy Mills, September 2006. All rights reserved.
Please Note: The Q&A portion of the newsletter IS NOT available for use in and of itself unless written permission is given by Nancy Mills. Recently someone posted our Q&A on her blog without permission and that is not okay.
THANKS FOR YOUR SPIRIT! SPIRITED WOMEN! AND YOUR SUPPORT!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER LINK TO EVERY SPIRITED WOMAN YOU KNOW!
http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spiritedwomannewsletter/
Nancy Mills
SPIRITED WOMAN
PO Box 20042
Santa Barbara, CA 93120
Office Number: 805-698-3555
Toll-Free Number: 888-428-1234
E-Mail Address: NancyMills@TheSpiritedWoman.com
SPIRITED WOMAN Website: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com
Privacy Policy: The Spirited Woman Way is to keep our newsletter/mailing list under wraps. It is not for sale even to a goddess.
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LET'S HEAR IT FOR SPIRITED WOMEN EVERYWHERE!