TAH-DAHHHHH!!!

Hello Stevie-snookie-oogums-sexy-beast, washappeninwitchoo?!

I am VERY excited to show this to you...it just got finished TODAY, and though it still needs more content added, and more tweaking, this is basically what the overall web site will look like:

http://thechildrenoftheholocaust.com/holocaust-survivors/

It is a brand new re-created version of my "baby" web site that I taught myself how to create back in the late 90's (it took me over 2 years to teach myself how to do it, and when I was finally ready to launch it, that stupid ass, Allen Craft, crashed my computer and I had to start all over again)!

Here is the original site that I created back then.....www.Tolerance4Kids.com.  I haven't updated it in the past 10 years because I had a life crisis happening after 9/11 and just couldn't bring myself to do it.  After 9/11, I went through my belongings and threw every Holocaust book I own (over 250 of 'em) on the floor, and as a symbolic thing I wanted to set the pile on fire and just NEVER do anything else Holocaust-related.  Of course, after having a good cry, I did not set them on fire, I just packed them all away in a box, and put them in storage, and never touched my web site either.  In fact, I forgot my password and login information to make any changes.

It's been 10 years since then, and I've slowly climbed out of that abyss I was in, so it's time to "get busy livin'" again, and get this web site going full-speed ahead. At this point, even though I still have PTSD to some extent, (and with Pete's help) I'm finally (still scared but) ready to move on and start a new chapter. I have had to "re-invent" myself from scratch, which was not easy by any means. Maybe you can relate to that.  For a long time, I wanted a license plate on my car that said, "Sux2BMe." Then I started getting peeved at the human race, (very antisocial), and thought I should change that to "Sux2BU," but living in DC, I figured I might get shot at on the highway if I did.  So, I had my dog's name on my license plate instead, "SasCGrl."

But I digress...

So this new version of my web site "baby" is absolutely AMAZING, much more professional, polished, and updated, and I am so HAPPY about it!!  This Holocaust stuff (as you know, because I've told you repeatedly) is my biggest passion in life, so I'm very thrilled that Pete said we could go ahead and re-do it.  Like most awesome things in my life that have happened (meeting you twice, meeting Miep Gies and being her friend and pen-pal for 15 years), this whole thing was a total FLUKE!!  I hadn't given it any thought for 10 years, I was just ready to give up, let it lapse and just let it die.

Before our wedding, we needed more refrigerator space, so someone on Freecycle had an apartment-sized fridge that we picked up for free, and used in our garage to store food items that we served at the reception.  After the wedding, we decided to return the favor, and put it back on Freecycle for the next person to use.  (I am a total Freecycle-aholic). This really nice random couple came to pick it up one evening, because their refrigerator had suddenly died, and they had nowhere to store their ice cream!

So, as we all talked outside in our driveway after loading it into their truck, they revealed that they have a business that builds web sites for individuals, small businesses, and corporations.  So, I mentioned my web site, and gave them the link to look at, to see what they thought.  In a few weeks, they came up with a proposal, and a price, (which was dirt cheap, according to Pete), and we signed on the dotted line!  So, we not only helped THEM store their ice cream, but they helped ME with my "baby."  It's a WIN-WIN!!  Now it's something I will work on daily or at least once a week to update, BUT it's also going to be a great thing to use if and when I ever start giving presentations at schools again.

Kinda gives me a sense of purpose again, after not having that for a long time.  I've been living day by day, not thinking much about tomorrow, for about 10 years.  Ya tend to do that when you're depressed.

BUT THERE'S MORE!!  We're eventually going to link a connection to Amazon.com to sell more Holocaust-related books, AND---the BEST part of all this----is that I'm going to have MY book self-published finally (coming soon, stay tuned), and try to sell THAT on my site also....don't get the wrong idea though, I am NOT looking to make a profit, but it would be nice to have the web site pay for itself, to cover the annual costs of hosting a web site, along with the search engine fees.  So, if someone goes to my site and clicks on the Amazon.com link, I would get a small percentage of whatever total money is spent on books there.  So this web site is just the "tip of the iceberg," because it will lead to more and more things I want to do, but never had the time, energy or money to do before.

Anyway, I'm just very proud to share it with everyone, so you were the first person I thought of to send it to. Again, keep in mind it's a work in progress, it's not ever going to be "done," but it will change, and more content will soon be added as I go.  So, check it often, compare it to my old site, and see what kinds of work I can do when I put my passion and my mind to it!!

....and after 10 years of stagnation, I feel renewed, so this is just the beginning!!

Love, Rebecca