This Little Mennonite Girl in Woman’s World?

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In one chapter of my memoir Because I Can … I talk about my upbringing and in the process I call myself  “a little Mennonite girl from small-town America.”

I’m 45 years old now. Three men taller than me, call me Mom. I’ve been a business owner. I’ve traveled around the country. Recently I’ve been using words like publisher, publicist and book designer. But somedays I see myself as a little (ex) Mennonite girl from small-town America.

Which is why it almost shocks me to see this today …

In Woman’s World!

A well-read magazine that has a readership of 1.6 million.

A national magazine which means friends around the country that played a part in my story can pick up a copy today. From Virginia (Hi Janelle!) to Florida (Hi Cheryl!) to California (Hi Margery and Brenda!) to Texas (Bare Naked Family! (don’t worry, naked doesn’t mean nude)

I would not be where I am today without each of them and so many others.

Thanks to all!

I hope sharing some of the struggles I’ve had might help someone else that is trying to process changes and/or loss in life. This article was underway before I knew Because I Can would be published this fall, so it doesn’t get a mention, but I thank Kathy Fitzpartick for the excellent article and John from Secoges Photographer for making me look better than I do.

And this article would not have happened without some amazing connections, especially people who helped me think (yea, I need help with that) blog, ask and more. Thanks Ben from Dream Year and Jeff  from Goins, Writer.

The connections continue with Attune Foods who sent me to Fitbloggin‘  where I met some great folks including Julie, Rosie (girls, when are we doing our show?) and Liz. And Liz introduced me to Linda who introduced me to Laurie who connected me with Woman’s World.

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I think all this calls for a celebration!

FREE copies of Because I Can for everyone!

Ok, I can’t do that, but I want to give away a few copies. To determine who gets them … take a picture of yourself reading this issue of Woman’s World (will be in stores until Sept 7th)

If you’re on Facebook, post it on your profile page. ‘Like’ Because I Can and tag it (@Because I Can) in the status update or on the picture and you’ll be entered in the giveaway.

If you aren’t on Facebook … email the picture to me at JanetOberholtzer@gmail.com and you’ll be entered in the giveaway.

Entires must be on Facebook or emailed by Thursday, September 8th at midnight to qualify. Three winners will be chosen to receive a free autographed copy of Because I Can.

UPDATE: Some stores stocked this issue of WW later than others, so I’m extending the deadline to allow those readers to enter – new deadline Thursday, Sept 15th.

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If you are here because of the article in Woman’s World - welcome! Let’s get to know each other … find out more about my story and my book at those links. And so I can ‘meet’ you … say hi in the comments, if you have a blog or online presence, leave a link. Again welcome and thanks for visiting!

For a behind the scenes look at the Woman’s World photo shoot … see this.