Single on New Years?

I think New Year’s Eve is overrated. I always have. And I do not believe it is because I am 42 and single. It is like when you hear a movie is the greatest movie ever made and your expectations are so high that when you see the movie you think, “Well, it was alright.” Same with New Year’s Eve. If you go into to New Years not expecting much you will probably have a great night.

My plans are to hang out with my almost 3 and 7 years old nephews. You are probably thinking that will end at 7 p.m. Nope. These kids are on some crazy rock and roll schedule with their night owl parents and the kids will probably put me to bed.

This will probably be a great New Year’s because I know I can expect lots of tickles, hugs, kisses, rounds of hide and seek and diaper changes. These type expectations probably won’t let me down.

Whatever happened so great on New Years anyway originally that set the standard so high? Is it like Fat Tuesday? Everyone knows they plan on dieting as soon as the New Year rolls around so this is the last chance to eat up?

The worst New Year’s Eve I ever spent was on the millennium! I was a flight attendant at the time and laid over in I thought, “Well, at least I can go have a glass of wine or dinner with the crew.” The crew turned out to be a PDA gay couple and me. No one wants to hang out with a PDA couple gay or straight! And the hotel was having a narcotics and AA convention that night and had closed the bar. Not to mention, if you want to know how to age very quickly– do a lot of drugs. These people looked BAD!

I hoped that this was not a sign of the year to come!

I can’t even remember 2000 so it must not have been too bad. Not like 2007. 2008 has been trying for me personally because I lost job and one of my college roommate’s melanoma returned and other friends have lost their dad or are currently fighting for their dad’s life.

But I did have great things happen too in 2008-appearing on CNN and other shows promoting Princess Bubble. Making new friends and hearing how Princess Bubble has impacted lives.

My advice to you this New Year’s Eve with or without sweetheart-expect nothing! Think of it as a regular Wednesday night before a Thursday you don’t have to work and you will have a great time. Even if you end up soaking in the tub with tabloids and a glass of wine. (My favorite thing to do-next to sitting on the beach.)

Happily Ever After and Happy New Years from us at www.PrincessBubble.com
New Release, Princess Bubble, Strikes Chord with ’s 51% SINGLE WOMEN WHO, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, OUTNUMBER MARRIED WOMEN
, December 28, 2008—This New Years almost 90 million Americans will celebrate the romantic holiday single. Two successful prince-less princesses show the world that being a stuffy Old Maid does not have to be “in the cards” for single woman today! Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb offer girls of all ages updated version of the traditional fairy tale. No longer a “Damsel in Distress,” this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds “happily ever after” even before she finds her Prince!
With wisdom gleaned from their careers as single, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a modern-day book that celebrates singleness. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that some single women face.

“Knowing how low self-esteem and depression plague many single females, we wanted to spread the message that ‘happily ever after’ can occur even before Prince Charming arrives. . . or even if he never does,” said Webb.

“We’re definitely not anti-Prince,” said (whose college nickname was “Bubble”). “We’re not anti-family or anti-marriage, if anything we’re anti-‘Damsel in Distress.’ Our message—the single life can also be a fairy tale. The End!”

Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her “prince” before she can live “happily ever after.” Princess Bubble dons her “thinking crown” to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up at FindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that “living happily ever after” is not about finding a prince. “True happiness,” the book reveals, “is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already!”


check out www.PrincessBubble.com

On the Second Day of Christmas: Pop the Princess Bubble
http://jeannesager.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-second-day-of-christmas-pop-princess.html

My mother refuses to buy my daughter anything that celebrates the Disney princesses. Tinkerbell gets a bye, but she's convinced the princesses are bringing down the strength of girls in the states. I'm not quite as anti-princess, I've got to admit. But I'm not crazy about anything that would make my daughter think she needs a guy to get ahead. So balancing the normal princess crazed pre-schooler desires with my ideals is anything but easy.

I've tried to lessen the blow with frequent readings of Princess Bubble, the kids book from Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb (with illustrations by Maria Tonelli) that follows the traditional fairy tale path . . . until it doesn't.


Princess Bubble goes to college, graduates, buys her own palace, even takes a job (albeit as a airlines stewardess, but come on guys, do you remember any of your fairy tale faves ever lifting her fanny?). When all her friends (princesses sparkle and the like) start marrying off and telling her it's time (what is it with all those smug marrieds?), she decideds she's just too darn happy being her.
If that's not the fairy tale ending you want for your daughters - making their own choices - what is? Thanks to Susan Johnston, it's one you can bring home this Christmas for your little princess!

She's offered up a copy of Princess Bubble, autographed to your child, as part of Inside Out's 13 Days of Giveaways! To enter, leave a comment with the reason you think your daughter/niece/granddaughter/whoever needs a copy. Get extra entries by grabbing my badge and/or blogging about this contest and all 13 Days of Giveaways (remember to leave the link in comments as well).

Princess Bubble Tips Her Tiara to All Who Serve Us During the Holidays

I, Susan Johnston, am no longer a flight attendant; but I flew for eighteen years. I know there are many, many professions that require workers to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or other holidays. Nurses, doctors, firemen, police officers, wait staff, hotel employees, all airport personnel … work holidays.

As a flight attendant, when I was flying we received no holiday pay. That has changed at Delta; but the pay cuts the flight attendants have taken over the past few years have been extremely hard for many to handle. The cost of living has risen while their salaries have crashed. In addition to less money there is more stress! Since 9-11, the public has had to deal with much more in security that many times they (the passengers) tend to be ticking time bombs themselves which seem to be set to blow up once in flight.

As a passenger, you may think, “Well, I have had some less than perfect flight attendants.” You may very well have had this bad experience. But, please remember many times your first flight is the crew’s fourth or fifth flight, many times the crew has been rerouted unexpectedly and not made it to a child’s event or have slept a few quick hours in an airport chair somewhere and not eaten in hours.

Please remember as you travel or use the services of the people working this holiday to wish the workers a “Merry Christmas.” Thank these people for being at work to serve you so you can celebrate.

Christmas is the birthday of Christ. Christ humbled himself to be a lowly baby in the manger to serve the world. He showed us the greatest leader is a servant. The best gift we can give this Christmas is our time, kindness, and consideration to our family and all those around us.

Princess Bubble learns in her fairy tale that true happiness comes from, “Loving God, helping others and liking who you are already.” Turns out the path to your own “happily ever after” will make others around you happy too!

Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you every holiday worker! I am not working this holiday and I am so excited! But, this is our first Christmas without my father and I know that will be hard for my family. If you are missing someone in your family this season or missing being with your family because you are working, please know our heart and prayers go out to you!

Merry Christmas and thank you to all!!

Susan and Kim (Princess Bubble authors)

www.PrincessBubble.com

Princess - Prince = A Happy Ending Too? November 9, 2008



This was written about Princess Bubble by Beauty vs Beast. Check out this blog at
http://beautyvsbeast.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/princess-prince-a-happy-ending-too/

Apparently, there IS a fairy tale where a princess ends up happy and prince-less! Princess Bubble is a picture book for young girls where the main character is a princess who questions the traditional fairy tale ending.

It was written by Susan Johnston, who happens to be a happy single woman herself, and it’s exciting to see the book garnering some attention. I was told about the book via a link to the CNN interview that Johnston did recently and apparently Princess Bubble is rather autobiographical. Princess Bubble works as a flight attendant, helps her friends out with their weddings, tries internet dating and wears a thinking crown. Maybe she can’t quite identify with that last one, but still. The parallels between Princess Bubble’s and Susan Johnston’s happy endings are both clear and cheering. Here’s someone who’s clearly taken a look at their life and said, “Hey, I may be single, but I’m still having a really good time here.” Which is kinda cool, don’t you think?

If you want to learn more about the book (and I totally think it should be going to some little girls for Christmas) I have two links for you. 1. The official site: www.princessbubble.com and 2. The CNN interview: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2008/08/11/intv.susan.johnston.cnn?iref=videosearch

This funny video is cruder than Princess Bubble; but shares a similar message. Don't wait on a prince or expect a prince to bring "Happily Ever After" find it from within.

We at Princess Bubble are passionate about empowering and inspiring these targeted girls.

Happily Ever After!

www.PrincessBubble.com

Target Women: Disney Princesses

Girls, Self-Esteem & a Princess
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2008/08/11/intv.susan.johnston.cnn?iref=videosearch

Many concerned mothers today worry about raising their princess. There is a royal struggle to have fun with fairy tales and at the same time teach girls the true meaning of “Happily Ever After!”
This is a story I can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with my children.”
—Noelle Williams, mother of three

“We’ve had countless women all over the nation tell us they wish there had been a book like this when they were little.”
—Susan Johnston, Princess Bubble author

Two Sassy Single Authors Redefine Fairy Tale Endings for Young Readers!

ATLANTA, October 8,2008—You know how the story goes—Prince Charming, “Happily Ever After,” The End, right? Is this the ONLY option today’s moms want to share with their young daughters? Two successful single gals are offering parents an updated version of the traditional fairy tale. No longer a “Damsel in Distress,” this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds “happily ever after” even before she finds her Prince!

With wisdom gleaned from their careers as independent, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a new generation of fairy tales that celebrates singleness and self worth. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that many youth face.

Three most common disorders in girls: low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders

In 2003, breast implants tripled from 3,872 to 11,326 in girls under age 18

Girls ages 12 to 19 spent over $8 million on cosmetics in 2005
(Source: Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls,2007)

“I adore sharing the Princess Bubble message with my daughter because it teaches her that happiness comes from within,” said Kim Daniels, mother of two.

Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her “prince” before she can live “happily ever after.” Princess Bubble dons her “thinking crown” to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up atFindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that “living happily ever after” is not about finding a prince. “True happiness,” the book reveals, “is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already!”

“We are definitely not anti-Prince,” said Webb. “We just believe that young girls today are bombarded with so much inaccurate advice on how to build their self-esteem—messages that focus on the outside rather than what’s within. We want to change that message.”

ABOUT PRINCESS BUBBLE and BUBBLE GUM PRESS: The Princess Bubble message, cleverly articulated by former Delta flight attendants Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb, seeks to find an alternate ending to “happily ever after” and change the notion that life begins and ends with finding your Prince Charming. Looking to bolster the poor self-esteem of female youth and the stigma that many single adult women carry, Johnston and Webb believe“this is a book for women of all ages, a story they can believe in and share with their children.” In upcoming adventures, Princess Bubble will travel to distant lands where the knowledge of every new culture will enrich her flourishing life.

-30-

Review Your Book-Princess Bubble

Princess Bubble

Written by: Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb

Illustrated by: Maria Tonelli

Published by: Bubble Gum Press

Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins and Parish Rollins (age 4) for ReviewYourBook.com 9/2008

ISBN: 0-9650910-0-7
“Every Little Girl Should Have This” 5 stars
A friend and I were discussing how to teach our daughters that they do not necessarily have to grow up, marry, and have children. How do we teach them that it is okay to be single? This book is the answer.

It is a modern-day fairy tale. Through cute characters and scenarios, it teaches little girls that happiness comes from being okay with yourself and through loving God. It shows that it is okay to marry, and most of your friends will marry. It is also okay to not marry.

The illustrations are adorable. I had to wait to review it after my daughter’s bedtime; she did not want to let it go! This will make a great gift!

http://www.reviewyourbook.com/review.cfm?reviewid=1127

Fairy Tales Can Come True
by Noel Rozny

Fairy Tales Can Come True

If they're based on some semblance of reality. Which is why I love the "Princess Bubble" book series, which came to me through a random, magical email sent by a celestial fairy godmother. If you're not familiar with Princess Bubble, she's not the type to be napping while Prince Charming slays the dragon. Rather, she'll be out traveling the world and helping others, thank you very much. Authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb created the series to kick that whole "damsel in distress" business to the curb, and to show young ladies that you don't have to have a man in your life to be happy. In an interview with CNN, Webb said "Knowing how low self-esteem and and depression plague many females, we wanted to spread the message that 'happily ever after' can occur even before Prince Charming arrives . . . or even if he never does." I don't have daughters yet, but when I do, I guarantee they'll be following Princess Bubble and all of her adventures.

http://www.frenchchristmas.typepad.com/

Does Mommy Love It? YES!
Princess Bubble
By Mommy Zabs on September 30th, 2008

We all know the main elements of a fairy tale. First, we have the beautiful damsel in distress, then a handsome prince charming who rescues her, and finally, the life happily ever after. Perhaps there was no beautiful princess in distress, then would there still be a fairy tale? What does “happily ever after” really mean?

In the book, Princess Bubble by Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb, the fairy-tale is modernized. Not only is the princess not in distress, but also learns to find happiness within her own self. She no longer sits and waits for Prince Charming, but realizes that he’s not the only key to happily ever after. An article in the Tennessean writes, “Princess Bubble is not anti-Prince Charming, but if anything, Princess Bubble is anti-damsel in distress.”

Growing up, I was told by my parents that I was smart, and I could do anything. The confidence to live a happy life is in my own heart and volition. Heck, if my Prince Charming came along, it was icing on the cake! By the way, he didn’t come along until my late 20’s, but I had lived a wonderful life prior to that

Adding to the new message for girls, the illustrations in Princess Bubble are colorfully vibrant. They are vivacious and bring to life the beauty of a princess who finds fulfillment in loving God, being kind to others and being comfortable with who she is already.

http://doesmommyloveit.com/2008/09/30/princess-bubble/

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Books, seminar help girls build self-esteem
Monday, September 29, 2008
By Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
The Grand Rapids Press
It's a great time to be an American woman, right?

Girls today can realistically consider every option as they map out their futures. They can run for president, be a professional athlete, CEO, mother or combination of these.

And little girls believe they can do anything. Just ask the nearest preschooler.

But then the world seems to chip away at the confidence of these girls when they hit middle school, that awkward time when many adolescents struggle to find their voice. Once confident girls are suddenly aware they can't measure up to the airbrushed definition of beauty celebrated in glossy ads featuring skinny and voluptuous models.

Cattiness and cliques compound the problem for many girls who find themselves sitting alone at lunch when they desperately want to belong.

Enter Lindsey Williams, a 19-year-old Western Michigan University student, who is doing her part to help young women help themselves and each other. This weekend, Williams will host the "I Am Woman" seminar for girls in grades six through 12 and their mothers.

The event will feature a presentation by Patti Criswell, a Kalamazoo-based social worker, WMU adjunct professor and author of six American Girl books.

"This is a way to teach girls: 'You're not alone,'" Williams said. "Because you do feel like you're alone."

Williams did.

Her family moved from Kalamazoo to Rockford when she was in eighth grade, and Williams struggled to find her groove at her new school. She was frustrated by the way girls would cut each other down and fight over boys.

"My mom was a huge part of getting me through that time," Williams said, recalling how great it felt to have a safe place to come home to.

Her mother repeatedly told her to "teach them, not tell them," and she took that message to heart.

Since 2006, when Williams was in her junior year of high school, she has hosted seminars for mothers and daughters in hopes that participants would bond and develop a support system for one another. This is the last year she'll organize the seminar, funded by a grant from the Nokomis Foundation, because of living in Kalamazoo, but she's hopeful someone might step forward to keep it going.

"I didn't really blossom until I found something that I was passionate about and inspired by," she said, explaining her commitment to social justice and feminist issues.

This is key, said Criswell, 43, who met Williams at a women's conference.

Turbulent teen years

While there are plenty of community resources to build girls' self-esteem through elementary school, many girls experience a drop in confidence when entering their teens.

"Body image is absolutely huge," Criswell said.

And Criswell observed young women today tend to be more passive than those from her generation.

"I think my generation was more likely to speak up," she said. "We were coming off the women's movement.

She said, "women need to speak up" when someone is calling a friend by a negative name.

Criswell said it's not enough to arm little girls with "girl power" messages. They also need to learn how to stand up for one another.

Tools for change

At Saturday's seminar, Criswell said she plans to help girls find their voice and build a bridge between girls and their moms.

She recommends moms bank their time with their children. Invest as much as possible throughout their childhood, so they know you'll be there when they need you as young adults.

She said parents of teenagers are kind of "on call" all the time. Teens are more independent and like space, but when they need you it is often right away.

"Build traditions into your daily life, not just Christmas," Criswell said, explaining this can be as simple as stopping for breakfast on the way to school once a week or joining a mother-daughter book club.

Building bonds

Parents can strengthen their relationship with their kids if they have fun with them, play cards, invite their friends over and make their home a welcoming and easy place to be, Criswell said.

With honest and open communication, moms can express their concerns about the peer pressure and social situations they worry about. Meanwhile, daughters can offer their moms reassurance they know how to handle those situations and ask for help when they can't.

"Letting go is an inherently difficult process," Criswell said, adding it is possible to do so while "staying close."

The mother of a 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, Criswell has spent her career counseling girls and families.

She said it is a myth that mother-daughter relationships have to be awful, but "it's true that it will be uncomfortable," she said.

Criswell and her daughter have been in a book club together for nearly five years.

"I love these girls," Criswell said about the group that includes girls from different schools. "All those girls know they can come to me anytime, and my daughter knows she has all those other moms she can go to."

Shattering myths

Many books have been written in the past decade about girls and self-esteem

One of the newer ones was inspired by the young girls reading books about princesses being rescued by a prince.

Atlanta author Susan Johnston got tired of the little girls in her life reading books about girls waiting to be rescued so she co-wrote a book called "Princess Bubble" with her best friend, Kimberly Webb, to remind girls it's possible to be a happy, well-adjusted princess without being rescued.

"These girls were so worried about having the acceptance of a young boy, and that just broke my heart," Johnston said.

A single woman who has stood up in 17 weddings, Johnston said the book aims to get a positive message out to girls and give their moms a reminder that they don't need to wait for a prince to make them happy, either.

"You can read it at 6 or 36," Johnston said, adding she wants all girls to know, "sometimes, life isn't how you pictured.

"It can be even better."

Princess teaches value of single life

Book shows that a prince is not necessary for happiness

By ALLISON SMITH
Staff Writer

Who needs a prince?

Princess Bubble is the fairy-tale story of one princess who discovers that finding her prince is not a prerequisite for "happily ever after."

"We want little girls to remember that even if they didn't have a prom date or are not married at 22 or even in their late 30s that they are special and princesses," co-author Kimberly Webb said.

The story of Princess Bubble has Middle Tennessee roots. Webb and Susan Johnston, co-authors of the book, have family here, and Webb graduated from the now-defunct Madison High School in Madison.

As a way to draw in a larger community, the authors asked girls from all over the country to draw what they thought Princess Bubble looked like. There are more drawings in the book from Middle Tennessee than anywhere else. Their illustrations are featured on the inside cover of the book.

The authors, who are single, paid to publish the book themselves because they believed the message was so relevant and they wanted to get it out as fast as they could.

"It exceeded her expectations, especially because she was not writing it to make money," said Shelley Fenton, Webb's sister who lives in Hendersonville. "All she knew was if only 200 or 300 friends and family bought the book, it would be a success."

Nearly 20,000 copies of Princess Bubble have been sold. Since the book was released in August 2007, it has gained national media coverage. Last month, Princess Bubble aired on CNN, and the Today Show featured it last year.

"CNN received our press release, and agreed this was an extremely relevant message for today, and loved that it was delivered in such a light, fun, fairy-tale way," Webb said.

Fenton, who attended the Today Show taping with her sister, said she was impressed with how well the book has done.

"A lot of cute books are out there, but this apparently stands out enough to be popular beyond the scope of the Southern area, which is neat," Fenton said.

Webb, who now lives in Atlanta, said the tale has "intrigued both moms and kids alike."

The authors say Princess Bubble is not anti-Prince Charming, but "if anything, Princess Bubble is anti-damsel in distress."

The message was not lost on Webb's 10-year-old niece, Katie Fenton.

"It's just a really happy book that says happiness is found by loving God and being happy with who you are already," Katie said.

Shelley Fenton says her children still enjoy other classics like Cinderella and Snow White, but love the modern-day references and message of Princess Bubble.

"This is just a happy princess story," she said of Princess Bubble.

You Don't Need A Prince to be Happy

Junior League of Atlanta Book Review of Princess Bubble

JLA Sustainer writes fairy tale book appropriate for people of all ages

By Katherine Dorsett, Peachtree Papers editor



Princess Bubble is a truly unique children's fairy tale book written by Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb. The book stars a single princess named princess Bubble who is confused by the traditional fairy tale message that says she must find her prince and get married before she can live "happily ever after."

Princess Bubble uses her "thinking crown" in the book to research traditional fairy tales. She realizes she does not have a wicked step mother, does not live under the sea, not is she surrounded by dwarves like other fairy tale princesses. She also does not need a prince to save her. instead, Princess Bubble is a college graduate, a home owner and is working as a flight attendant to satisfy her desire to travel and meet people. Most importantly, she is happy the wayshe is now!

Princess Bubble is an independant modern girl who does not need a man to live "happily ever after." princess Bubble discovers she is happy with the way her life is...and although failing in love in a handsome prince can certainly enhance her happiness, it does not define it.

Book co-author Susan Johnston says "We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress. I want to remind readrs young and old, that true happiness comes from within and is to be shared. We can't make someone responsible for our happiness. The League is a fantastic example of helping others and the joy we get from that experience."

Elizabeth Thomas blogged a message about Princess Bubble on the book review internet site buildingrainbows.com She writes, "After playing Barbie with my daughter and her friends, I was concerned that the girls truly believed the only way to be happy was to find a prince. Had I taught my daughter this? Then I heard about Princess Bubble and discovered its wonderful message."

"Some 51 percent of adult women in our country are single, so I thought the timing of our book was right," says Johnston.

Young Girls & Self Esteem
Life is funny! Us older girls are told if we look younger we will feel better about ourselves but the youngest girls these days feel the worst about themselves.

In 2003, breast implants tripled from 3,872 to 11,326 in girls under age 18
Girls ages 12 to 19 spent over $8 million on cosmetics in 2005 (Source: Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls,2007)
CNN recently did a story about the staggering number of teen girls in abusive relationships.
We at Princess Bubble believe that young girls today are bombarded with so much inaccurate advice on how to build their self-esteem—messages that focus on the outside rather than what’s within. We want to change that message.
Three most common disorders in girls: low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders.
At a very young age we teach girls that they will live “Happily Ever After” if they find a prince. Is this the ONLY option today’s moms want to share with their young daughters? Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that many youth face.
Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb, seek to find an alternate ending to “happily ever after” and change the notion that life begins and ends with finding your Prince Charming. Looking to bolster the poor self-esteem of female youth and the stigma that many single adult women carry, Johnston and Webb believe“this is a book for women of all ages, a story they can believe in and share with their children.” In upcoming adventures, Princess Bubble will travel to distant lands where the knowledge of every new culture will enrich her flourishing life.
The real fairy tale is when our girls realize their value and power to make a difference in the world!
To learn more about Princess Bubble visit www.PrincessBubble.com

You may have seen Kacy Stuart, the 14 year old amazing kicker, on The Ellen Show. If you did not you may view her at http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/09/fridays_show_closes_out_premie.php

Well, I just received a sweet email from Kacy's dad thanking me for a comment I made about Kacy and our support for her and her talent. Having had an amazing supportive father myself, I was thrilled to learn Kacy also has the gift of a fantastic father.

I believe it is so much easier to for girls to feel great about themselves and choose wisely the boys/men they spend time with if these girls have had a good role model of a supportive loving father/uncle/grandfather. Of course millions of women turn out fantastic without this male support system, but- I believe it is a bonus if you have these men in your life.

We at Princess Bubble wish Kacy Stuart the best and will get "a kick" (had to throw that in) out of watching what amazing things she will do in the future.

Go Kacy!

www.princessbubble.com

Elevated Existence Review of Princess Bubble

www.elevatedexistence.com

A New Twist on “Happily Ever After”

EVERY YOUNG GIRL DREAMS OF BEING A PRINCESS. SHE PUTS ON HER

crown and princess gown, waves her magic wand and hopes to one

day marry a handsome prince so she can live “happily ever after.”

And why shouldn’t she think that? Isn’t that the status quo in most

fairy tales? It was until now thanks to two women in Atlanta who

decided to update these traditional tales. Enter Princess Bubble, a

modern princess who travels the world, helps other people and

finds happiness — all beforefinding a prince.

“You must not make someone else responsible for

your happiness,” is the overall lesson, co-author Susan

Johnston, who wrote the book with her friend Kimberly

Webb, told Elevated Existence. “We both believe

true happiness comes from loving God,

helping others and liking who you are.” This is

the message they hope to instill in today’s young girls.

“Princess Bubble” was written to reduce the over-

whelming sense of failure, self-doubt and despair many

young women face, said Johnston. After becoming

confused by fairy tales claiming she needs to find her prince in order

to be happy, Princess Bubble begins to talk to others, including

married women and even her mom, who encourages her to take the

modernroute and try match-making Web site, FindYourPrince.com.

“Wearedefinitely not anti-prince,” Webb said. “Wejust believe

young girls today arebombarded with so much inaccurateadvice

onhowtobuild their self-esteem — messages that focus on the

outside rather than what’swithin. Wewant to change that message.”

Thanks Susan and Kim. So do we!

Is Happily Ever After Possible Without the Prince?

by Stacie Haight Connerty
Add Vote
“True happiness,” the book Princess Bubble reveals, “is found by being kind to others and being comfortable with who you are already!” The star of the book, Princess Bubble, is confused by traditional social messages that tell her that she has to find a prince to be happy. Princess Bubble enjoys traveling and helping others, recently graduated from college and is happy, so she seeks understanding as to why she needs to find a prince.

Princess Bubble dons her “thinking crown” to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up at FindYourPrince.com. She has princess things, princess friends, basically lives the princess life. But, while all her princess friends are finding their princes and having royal weddings, Princess Bubble is playing the bridesmaid, never the bride. After a fun little adventure, she discovers what the really meaning of true happiness is. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that “living happily ever after” is not about finding a prince but finding happiness within yourself. Isn’t this a great message for us all anyway?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan Johnston, one of the authors of the book. A small town girl, Susan has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. She has traveled around the world with co-author Kimberly Webb as they were both Delta Flight attendants. Their main message is that “happily ever after” truly is attainable for everyone and especially in the case of Princess Bubble, which is sans the Prince.

“Countless women of all demographics have not only loved the message of Princess Bubble, but have gone out of their way to help us get the word out,” Johnston said. “Many women have told us that their marriage actually improved once they were reminded that their husband is not responsible for their entire happiness, but a gift to share their happiness with.”

Advertiser
We’ve had women all over the nation tell us they wish there had been a book like this when they were young,” said Johnston. “This is a story women can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with their children.”

Princess Bubble IS your every day princess…even with her own traditional “once upon a time” tale but an exciting new twist. A more realistic twist. I loved the humor and the nod to modern culture they add in, and this makes the story relatable to young girls and all women today! Princess Bubble really appeals to all ages and you find yourself rooting for her at the end, even without her Prince. Pick up your copy today.

What critics and readers are saying about Princess Bubble:

“A fairy tale for all ages…”

“… a lovely story with an important message for girls (and for their parents) who can read it to help be prepared whatever may happen.”

“Princess Bubble is a ‘thinking girl’s’ princess, one that really thinks about who she is and what is really important in life.”

“… contains cute illustrations and a fun message to counterbalance the ubiquitous princesses.”

“No longer a “Damsel in Distress,” this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds “happily ever after” even before she finds her Prince!”

“This isn’t a man-hating book at all, just a kid-friendly rewrite of the usual fairytale.”

“…an intelligent and freeing response to the classic fairytale story told to young girls through the ages.”

“Finally, a story about a princess that does not need a prince.”

“… a realistic portrayal of the struggle many women still face today; the pressure to meet the man of their dreams, get married and like fairy tales, live “happily ever after.”

“Princess Bubble is such an optimistic character and a wonderful role model for any young girl.”

“3 Tiaras up!”

“This is a story I can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with my children.”

Real Answers to Tough Questions Tweens and Teens Face Growing Up

Our friend, Sissy Goff, co-wrote this new book. We wish her much success and wanted to help her spread the word about this important topic.


Contact: Karen Campbell
(616) 698-3246 [P]
karen.campbell@zondervan.com
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Real Answers to Tough Questions Tweens and Teens Face Growing Up
Authors Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff encourage girls as they grow into the woman
God created them to be.
Grand Rapids, Mich., August 18, 2008 – Counselors and Authors Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff help
girls navigate their teenage years and grow in Christ in their newest books. Mirrors and Maps: a Girls
Guide to Becoming a Teen and Growing Up Without Getting Lost: Discovering your Identity in Christ
(August 2008) are a compilation of everything Trevathan and Goff wish they knew growing up.
Mirrors and Maps is geared toward middle school girls, and Growing Up Without
Getting Lost is aimed at high schoolers. Both books honestly answer the questions
girls ask while their lives are changing.
• Who am I?
• What do I want?
• What should I do?
• Who do I want to be?
Trevathan and Goff are experts on helping girls struggling with the changes of
growing up. Trevathan founded the Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, and
Goff joined the staff shortly after. They have devoted their careers to helping young
women in crisis, and Growing Up Without Getting Lost and Mirrors and Maps are a
combination of their experiences and insights on girls growing into teens and maturing
into woman.
“What a valuable resource for high school girls! We have known Melissa over the
years as a youth leader, mentor and friend and Sissy as a gifted counselor and
mentor to many teens in our community. Now they are authors who have produced a
work that will help girls all over the country discover who God is calling them to be.â€
-Michael W. and Debbie Smith, Author, Songwriter and Recording Artist, Parents of 5
(About Growing Up)
Trevathan and Goff co-wrote Raising Girls (Zondervan 2007) to help parents understand their daughters
and how to effectively love and parent them.
About Melissa Trevathan
Melissa Trevathan has been a youth director, a teacher, a retreat leader and is now the founder and
executive director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville. She's worked with kids, teenagers and
adults for over 40 years. She's been a guest on TV and radio programs in the US and Canada and cowrote
two other books with Sissy Goff. When she isn't counseling, writing or teaching seminars, she hangs out
with her old English sheepdog, Molasses.
-moreContact:
Karen Campbell
(616) 698-3246 [P]
karen.campbell@zondervan.com
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
About Sissy Goff
Sissy Goff has been the director of child and adolescent counseling at Daystar since 1993. She's been a
guest on TV and radio programs across the US and Canada and speaks at churches, schools, youth
conventions and parenting seminars. She's written for CCM magazine and cowrote Raising Girls with
Melissa Trevathan. Sissy lives in Nashville with her little Maltese, Noel.
Author Websites
http://www.melissatrevathandsissygoff.com
http://www.daystarcounselingministries.org
About Mirrors & Maps
Mirrors & Maps: A Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Teen
By Melissa Trevathan & Sissy Goff
Youth Specialties/Zondervan
9780310279181
176 Pages
$16.99
Softcover
PUB DATE: August 2008
About Growing Up Without Getting Lost
Growing Up Without Getting Lost: Discovering Your Identity in Christ
By Melissa Trevathan & Sissy Goff
Youth Specialties/Zondervan
9780310279174
176 Pages
$16.99
Softcover
PUB DATE: August 2008
About Zondervan
Zondervan is the world's leading Christian publisher of books whose authors are noted for their excellence in the craft
of writing as well as their worthy contribution to the ongoing global evangelical conversation. The works published by
Zondervan not only confirm readers' faith and understanding, they also challenge and stretch readers' thinking. For
more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general, ministry, and
academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards
than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan publishes bestselling books, audio, video,
curriculum, software, and digital products in such categories as biblical languages and studies, biography, business,
contemporary issues, counseling, cultural, devotional, evangelism, family, fiction, history, inspiration, leadership,
ministry, pastoral, personal development, prayer, philosophy, reference, relationships, textbooks, theology, youth and
more. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are
translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan Books on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com/books.
-moreContact:
Karen Campbell
(616) 698-3246 [P]
karen.campbell@zondervan.com
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
About Youth Specialties
For nearly 40 years, Youth Specialties has worked alongside Christian youth workers of nearly every denomination
and youth-serving organization. Each year, Youth Specialties serves more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide
through training seminars and conventions, resources and the Internet. Youth Specialties produces the YS National
Youth Workers Convention for more than 15,000 youth workers each fall; and in the spring hosts the a one-day
training event for 20,000 youth workers. It also hosts DCLA, a triennial event for students and Planet Wisdom student
events which happen in more than a dozen cities during the school year. For more information, visit
www.youthspecialties.com.
###

What Makes You Happy?
If you know anything about our book, Princess Bubble, then you know that we want to share the message of true “Happily Ever After” with the world! We believe that true happiness is found loving God, helping others and liking who you are already.
The honor of being involved with Princess Bubble is that almost daily we hear, “Thank you for writing this book.” Or, “If I had only known this message when I was younger…”
Oprah is doing a segment on What Makes You Happy?
I email Oprah all the time because I know if she ever heard about Princess Bubble she would totally embrace our message and agree that this is the true meaning of happily ever after!
If you are in agreement with us please click on the below link and tell Oprah and the Harpo staff about the new way the fairy tale ends!
Thank you so much for your help and Happily Ever After!https://www.oprah.com/ord/plugform.jsp;jsessionid=ac1106eb30d930fd707b22e3411a9afa90e3f76855f7.e3qNc3aRbx4Ne3uLb3uRbN4Rai0?_k=_c4co1rd_ky2

This prince-less princess is fine
By Helena Oliviero
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Girls adore a good princess tale. The bouffant gowns. The prince. The happily-ever-after.

It’s all make-believe, of course, but the pressure to meet a real-life prince —- even for grown, fiercely independent women, can be too much, says Susan Johnston, a former Delta Air Lines flight attendant who worked for the airline for almost 20 years.

Johnston, who is 42 and single, has traveled the globe and has enjoyed her life with friends and volunteering at her church.

Still, she can’t keep a nagging question at bay.

“People often ask, ‘why are you still single’ like something’s wrong with me,” she said.

So Johnston, who lives in Atlanta, decided to write her own modern-day princess story, “Princess Bubble” (Bubble Gum Press, $12) featuring a princess/flight attendant who doesn’t meet a prince.

It’s a semi-autobiographical story for girls, so let’s take a look at where Johnston and Princess Bubble connect.

Princess Bubble

Graduates from the Royal University and takes a job with the Royal Heir Line.

A bridesmaid many times. Told she could wear dresses and satin shoes again.

Asked, “Why hasn’t a beautiful princess like you found a prince?”

Joins www.findyourprince.com. Kissses a frog, but there’s no prince.

Fairy Godmother tells her that true happiness is not about finding a prince. “True happiness,” says the fairy Godmother “is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already.”

On the last page of the book, Princess Bubble is single, smiling and looking forward to the future.

Susan Johnston

Graduates from Auburn University in 1988 and two days after graduation begins working as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines.

Flies with Delta for 18 years. Now works in the real estate business.

A bridesmaid 17 times. Also told she could wear the dresses again, but never has.

Frequently asked “Why aren’t you married yet?”

Joins Yahoo singles in 2007 and goes on a disastrous date. It was just a few weeks after losing her father and the date tells her she “should be over it.” She weeps on the date and has never tried online dating since.

Her inner voice tells her she shouldn’t miss out on where she’s at by focusing on where she wants to end up.

In the latest page of her own story, Johnston is single, but would love to meet The One someday. “But if I don’t, I will still be very content.”

We at Princess Bubble have been overwhelmed with the reactions we have received from women, mothers, girls-all thanking us for the message of Princess Bubble!

Oprah is asking, "What makes you happy?" If you agree with the message of Princess Bubble (That true happily ever after is not found in a prince;but is found loving God, helping others and liking who you are already!) then please join us and tell Oprah our message!

https://www.oprah.com/ord/plugform.jsp;jsessionid=ac1106ea30d9d54a7ec2b7214b31b49e9ddbc9b4d0c2.e3qNah8Kc34Ne3uLb3uRbN4ObO0?_k=_cqot570q_k8xb



Thank you and Happy Labor Day and Happily Ever After!!

Princess Bubble Doesn’t Need Prince Charming to Live Happily Ever After


There’s a new fairy tale princess in town: Princess Bubble.

Before you roll your eyes, however, I should note that Princess Bubble is different from other princesses: she ain’t no damsel in distress, and she don’t need to be rescued.


Authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have co-written a fairytale whose heroine teaches little girls they don’t need Prince Charming to live happily ever after. Like her creators, Princess Bubble is single, has a college degree and owns her own home. She works as a flight attendant, meeting friends as she travels all over the globe.

I haven’t read this fairy tale yet, but I have to say, if I were the parent of a little girl, this would be a must-have bedtime read. With so much of literature marketed to little girls focusing on the traditional princess archetype (I’m looking at YOU, Disney’s Princess Collection), with all the wicked stepmothers and witches from whom she must be rescued, Princess Bubble is a stand-out example to impressionable girls that happily ever after comes from being self-fulfilled and independent, not from a fairy godmother or handsome prince.

"We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress," said Johnston in her interview with CNN. She references her own situation as a single woman as exemplary that, prince or no prince, as long as she is comfortable with herself and seeks to be a loving and kind person, a single princess can live happily ever after, after all.

Princess Bubble
What is your idea of "happily ever after?" That is the concept that I struggle with when reading fairy tales to my daughters. I try to convey to them that BEFORE I met their father and got married I was living "happily ever after." He was just icing on the (wedding) cake. I tell them, they can find fulfilling lives of travel, careers and good friends without or before marriage. What do these ramblings have to do with this blog?

Well, there is a book that I just discovered written by two Spirited Women - Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb - and it is titled Princess Bubble. Princess Bubble has a career with an airline, travels the world, owns her own home and has lots of great friends and family. One day she is called to meet with the Queen who puts pressure on her to marry (because all of her friends are!). So she signs up for Royal on-line dating (which is very clever) but after going on date after date she realizes that she is already happy. Her fairy godmother appears with an empowering message for Princess Bubble - "you do not have to be rescued!" True happiness is about helping others and making a difference in the world.

To learn more about the book, meet the authors and find out where to purchase it, log on to http://www.princessbubble.com and become enchanted!

- Kristin Flannery

My Princess and Me
Heather Cabot



When I was about my daughter's age, family lore has it that I demanded to dress in long ruffled skirts and shiny patent leather shoes for nursery school. Every single day.

So I guess it shouldn't surprise me that my own precious 2 1/2-year-old now dons a shiny lavender purse (even at bedtime), pink sneakers (with flashing purple lights) and is suddenly obsessed with all things sparkly and shiny. Yes, it's happened. My princess wants to be a princess. Despite my own history, I had dreaded the moment my baby would show interest in tiaras and tulle.

For a while, I actually thought we had smoothly averted the craze that turns spunky little girls into wannabe beauty queens. I was proud that she tussled over trucks and soccer balls with her twin brother and jumped around in the mud...and that she showed zero interest in Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty costumes last Halloween. I guess it made me feel virtuous -- like somehow I was living up to my feminist obligations because the princess phase hadn't taken hold. Back then, just about a year ago, White House hopeful Hillary Clinton was still in the game and enjoying historic frontrunner status and I felt compelled to ensure my daughter was going to pursue any dream she wanted. And for me, that track was not going to include a detour to fairyland.

Only it has. And surprisingly, I'm okay with it. Perhaps, I'm experiencing what it is to be post-feminist. Is it possible that the allure of the princess does not have to be feared nor resented by anxious super moms? Maybe it's just a natural exploration of femininity and fantasy that could actually enhance a child's sense of self later in life?

I started thinking about this when we took the kids shopping for their first baseball mitts. Did you know you can buy hot pink gloves? I cringed at first. But then it occurred to me, as I watched my husband teach my daughter how to throw and catch a ball, does the hue really matter? If it gets her interested in being healthy and active, maybe not.

Not long after the outing to the sporting goods store, we made our first pilgrimage to Disneyland during a family vacation. I still felt so conflicted. As we braved the crowds on a scorching day, we couldn't help but notice throngs of little ones decked out in glittery gowns and faux glass slippers.

What message would this send to my children about our values or who we want them to be?

Would this outing lay the foundation for a lifetime of eating disorders and cosmetic surgery?

At 2-years-old, it's hard to say if my daughter and son absorbed the weight of all this. Okay - they had no idea. But it was running through my mind the whole time until we finally made it to the "princess show"...and I melted. I welled up when I saw the wonderment in my daughter's eyes as Snow White descended from the stage to dance with the adoring flock of preschoolers. It was, well, magical. I was taken back to my own girlhood love of castles and fairy godmothers and yes, handsome princes. Then I wondered what was I so afraid of? We are raising a confident, spunky, well-rounded kid and if right now, pink and princessy is her thing what's wrong with that?

Perhaps it's the context I'll need to provide as she starts to absorb the narratives around the classic fairy tales. There's actually a great new book I got my hands on last week that provides some thoughtful help. It's called "Princess Bubble" (Bubble Press 2008) and it was written by two former Delta flight attendants Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb. The storybook is a modern fairy tale in which "happily ever after" has nothing to with being beautiful or needing to be rescued.

"We just believe that young girls today are bombarded with so much inaccurate advice on how to build their self-esteem--messages that focus on the outside rather than what's within. We want to change that message," explains Webb.

The story culminates with the heroine finding "happily ever after" within herself and her contributions to the world. Her self-worth is defined by her integrity, intelligence and compassion. Isn't that what all parents want for their kids?

All this played out in my mind last night, as I watched Michelle Obama gracefully command the stage in Denver. I was fascinated by the cutaway shots of her mother in the crowd - watching and listening so carefully to her daughter's inspiring words. I can only imagine the pride. Then I wondered what role princesses played in Michelle's household growing up? Or in the lives of her young daughters today? I would love to ask her what she thinks about all of the anti-princess hype in the media today? Is it valid?

What I have come away with is that I have to trust my own instincts as a modern mother and I'm starting to believe that no amount of princess marketing to girls can trump the self-confidence and self-reliance shaped by parents. We have the responsibility to fill our children with the sense of possibility - to help them see their innate worth and potential.

So if for now, that journey entails sequins and sparkles, I'm in.

Sunday, I was walking to church (which I have to throw in because I live in Atlanta and don't get to walk anywhere-we are a city of cars) and I noticed gobs/piles of trash everywhere. I did not pick up the trash because I had nowhere to throw this trash. But, I got a trash bad at the church and picked up so much in my 1.3 mile walk home I could hardly carry the bag!

It hit me, this is not something someone dropped by accident. This was all intentionally thrown out the car window. The first thought that came to mind was the Crying Indian! I shared this story with Kim, my co-author, and my sister, Julie and before I could even mention the Crying Indian they BOTH said, "We need the Crying Indian!"



Kim and I watched the Crying Indian on YouTube and I was amazed that one commercial impact a generation so much! I am not sure today this commercial would have the same impact. In the 70's, we seemed to hear a lot more about taking the Native American's land and then seeing this Indian (which I hear was really Italian) shed a tear that we not only took his land but were trashing it! This impacted everyone I know!



I have never thrown any trash out because this mans face with the tear is embedded in my memory forever. I work on-site for a builder and the Hispanic construction workers dump their trash everywhere! I am always picking up after them. I thought before this walk, "The Crying Indian commercial did not air in Mexico!" But, now I see it is not cultural it is generational.

I thank the Keep America Beautiful people for that memory and think it is time for a new campaign!

www.PrincessBubble.com

Princess Bubble Doesn't Need Prince Charming to Live Happily Ever After


There's a new fairy tale princess in town: Princess Bubble.

Before you roll your eyes, however, I should note that Princess Bubble is different from other princesses: she ain't no damsel in distress, and she don't need to be rescued.

Authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have co-written a fairytale whose heroine teaches little girls they don't need Prince Charming to live happily ever after. Like her creators, Princess Bubble is single, has a college degree and owns her own home. She works as a flight attendant, meeting friends as she travels all over the globe.

I haven't read this fairy tale yet, but I have to say, if I were the parent of a little girl, this would be a must-have bedtime read. With so much of literature marketed to little girls focusing on the traditional princess archetype (I'm looking at YOU, Disney's Princess Collection), with all the wicked stepmothers and witches from whom she must be rescued, Princess Bubble is a stand-out example to impressionable girls that happily ever after comes from being self-fulfilled and independent, not from a fairy godmother or handsome prince.

"We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress," said Johnston in her interview with CNN. She references her own situation as a single woman as exemplary that, prince or no prince, as long as she is comfortable with herself and seeks to be a loving and kind person, a single princess can live happily ever after, after all.

Saturday, August 23, 2008
Princess Bubble
Working with first grade students, I got to see a little window into the interests of 6, 7 & sometimes 8 year olds. From my experience, there were certain commonalities throughout schools & students. I don't want to be accused of 'Betty Crockering', but many (not all) girls were quite obsessed with one thing... PRINCESSES!!! *Disney* princesses particularly. There is a new children's book out there that I think can be an important counter-part for children with this obsession. If you've ever read A Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, you may see a couple similarities...

The name of the book is Princess Bubble. "Princess Bubble is a 35-page, modern-day fairy tale starring a well-employed, globe-trotting, good-friend, good-date, helpful-neighbor princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale message that implies she must find her “prince” before she can live “happily ever after.” Princess Bubble is also a college graduate & homeowner. In the book, she works as a Flight Attendant.

Although I think it would be even better to show Princess Bubble as an Ambassador, Business CEO, Firefighter, or basically anything that is not considered pink collar... this book seems to be on the right track. The authors, Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb, added, "We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress. True happiness comes from within and is to be shared. We can't make someone else responsible for our happiness." (CNN)

By Katherine Dorsett
CNN
(CNN) -- Once upon a time there was a princess who was living quite happily and not pining away for her prince or trying to avoid being killed by her evil stepmother.

The story of "Princess Bubble" is being told by two real women who are living their own happy lives.

"After my 17th wedding as a bridesmaid and many baby showers later, I became the godmother or surrogate aunt to many little girls. As we played Barbies and Cinderella together, they would tell me that the princess had to find the prince in order to live happily ever after," says Susan Johnston, co-author of "Princess Bubble."

"I pointed out that I have not found a prince, but I have a fantastic life. I wanted these girls to know they can have a fantastic life no matter what stage they are in," says Johnston.

The fairy godmother in the book tells Princess Bubble, "True happiness is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already! Happy princesses are people who enjoy others and like themselves."

The book is based loosely on the lives of authors Johnston and Kimberly Webb. Princess Bubble is a college graduate, a homeowner and works as a flight attendant to satisfy her desire to travel and meet people. Johnston and Webb once worked together at Delta Airlines and have college degrees.

"I've had countless women all over the nation tell me they wish there had been a book like this when they were little. Now they know that being single doesn't mean they are alone," says Johnston.

The book is aimed at empowering young and adult readers to take charge of their lives.

The star of the book, Princess Bubble, is unlike other traditional fairy princesses. For instance, she does not have a wicked stepmother and has never been surrounded by seven dwarves. She also does not have a prince and is perfectly happy on her own.

Are the authors anti-man? "We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress," said Johnston. "True happiness comes from within and is to be shared. We can't make someone else responsible for our happiness."

The authors paid to publish the book. "We thought the message of this book was important and it needed to be out there in the universe," says Webb.

"Some 51 percent of adult women in our country are single, so I thought the timing of the book was right," says Johnston.

Johnston and Webb say they would not mind getting married one day. However, like Princess Bubble, they understand they'll be happy with or without a prince. They are destined to live happily ever after.

"I've dated a lot, but I think it is better to be single and wish you were married then to be married and wish you were single," Johnston says.


Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/22/princess.bubble/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Single Girls This Holiday Season Live A Fairy Tale Life



Atlanta, GA, August 21, 2008 --This Christmas season thousands of single belles will hang their silk stockings and say their prayers before a quick night’s sleep-then it’s off to work they go. This ever growing group of Carols, Noels, and Merrys will shop, party and cook as they celebrate the holidays with families and friends. Two successful single gals will ring in the New Year with a resolution; offering parents an updated version of the traditional fairy tale. No longer a “Damsel in Distress,” this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds “happily ever after” even before she finds her Prince.

With wisdom gleaned from their careers as single, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a modern-day book that celebrates singleness. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that some single women face.

“Knowing how low self-esteem and depression plague many single females, we wanted to spread the message that ‘happily ever after’ can occur even before Prince Charming arrives. . . or even if he never does,” said Webb.

“We’re definitely not anti-Prince,” said Johnston (whose college nickname was “Bubble”). “We’re not anti-family or anti-marriage, if anything we’re anti-‘Damsel in Distress.’ Our message—the single life can also be a fairy tale. The End.”

Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her “prince” before she can live “happily ever after.” Princess Bubble dons her “thinking crown” to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up at FindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that “living happily ever after” is not about finding a prince. “True happiness,” the book reveals, “is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already.”

“We’ve had countless women all over the nation tell us they wish there had been a book like this when they were young,” said Johnston. “This is a story women can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with their children.”

As seen on The Today Show and CNN.




www.PrincessBubble.com

Cinderella, others arrested in Disneyland labor protest




Just for the record-Princess Bubble has never been arrested or involved in any trouble with the law. www.PrincessBubble.com
ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth.


"Tinkerbell" and other Disney characters were handcuffed Thursday in a protest outside the gates of Disneyland.

The arrest of the 32 protesters, many of whom wore costumes representing famous Disney characters, came at the end of an hour-long march to Disneyland's gates from one of three Disney-owned hotels at the center of a labor dispute.

Those who were arrested sat in a circle on a busy intersection outside the park holding hands until they were placed in plastic handcuffs and led to two police vans while hundreds of hotel workers cheered and chanted.

The protesters were arrested on a misdemeanor count of failure to obey a police officer and two traffic infractions, said Sgt. Rick Martinez of the Anaheim police. They were cited and released, Sgt. Chris Schneider said.

Bewildered tourists in Disney T-shirts and caps, some pushing strollers, filed past the commotion and gawked at the costumed picketers getting hauled away. The protest shut down a major thoroughfare outside Disneyland and California Adventure for nearly an hour.

"It's changing my opinion of Disneyland," said tourist Amanda Kosato, who was visiting from north of Melbourne, Australia. "Taking away entitlements stinks."

The dispute involves about 2,300 maids, bell hops, cooks and dishwashers at three Disney-owned hotels: the Paradise Pier, the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel.

The workers' contract expired in February and their union says Disney's latest proposal makes health care unaffordable for hundreds of employees and creates an unfair two-tier wage system. The union also says Disney wants to create a new category of part-time employees who would receive greatly reduced benefits.

"The other hotels around the area all have health care that is provided by the boss and have been able to get wage increases," said Ada Briceno, president of Unite Here Local 681, which represents the workers.

"At the other hotels in the same classification, for the same work, the workers get paid $2 to $3 an hour more."

Disney spokeswoman Lisa Haines said Disney and the union are in negotiations and nothing has been finalized. She said workers have protested 14 times but sat down to negotiate only 11 times in the past six months.

"Clearly we're disappointed that Unite Here Local 681 has spent more time protesting," she said. "Publicity stunts are not productive and are extremely disruptive to the resort district."

Before the arrests, the picketers marched and chanted outside Paradise Pier, holding signs that read, "Disney is unfaithful," and "Mickey, shame on you." They were joined by community activists and religious leaders from local churches.

Luz Vasquez, who works in the bakery at Disneyland Hotel, said she can't afford to lose many of her benefits. She said it's already hard to care for her three grandchildren and aging mother while earning $14.32 an hour.

"Disneyland is being unfair with us because we're fighting for our health care and they're trying to take it away," said Vasquez, 45. "They're trying to cut our hours and take away our seniority."

Co-worker Diane Dominguez, 50, said she was worried about losing health care because of the heavy labor involved in lifting mattresses, moving furniture and making dozens of beds a day. She also said rising prices and the cost of gas were eating into her salary of $11.11 an hour.

"The most important is health care. We need that and they want to take it away," she said.

At the heart of the issue is a free health care plan that has been provided to Disney hotel workers through a trust fund that Disney and other unionized hotels in the area pay into.

Briceno said that in exchange for the free medical plan, union members agreed in previous contracts to a lower wage for hotel workers in the first three years of their employment.

But Disney now wants to eliminate the free health plan for new hires and wants to create a new class of workers who put in less than 30 hours a week, said Briceno. Those part-time workers would receive no sick or vacation pay and not be given holidays, she said.

The company also wants to increase the number of hours full-time employees must work before qualifying for the health plan, she said.

"At the end of the day what it means is that workers are going to be priced out of health care," she said.

Haines said the majority of other employees at Disneyland pay for a share of their health plan, even though the resort shoulders about 75 percent of the overall cost. She said it's important to negotiate a contract that's fair to those other unions, too.

"We do remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that's both fair and equitable, providing that union leadership is reasonable and realistic in its approach," Haines said.

Online Dating and Self Publishing....Future of Younger Generations

When the first online dating sites popped up, people were hesitant to say they met someone online. They wondered if this made them look desperate. Times have change.
The Facebook Generation, I have to admit I am addicted as well, is comfortable with virtual friends and connecting to people with like/similar interest. I must add, caution always imperative
when meeting strangers anywhere!

In our fairy tale, Princess Bubble, the main character joins www.FindYourPrince.com to date. The modern version of a fairy tale ball.

This same generation of constant computer users, blogs and publishes everything online from independent films to columns that have daily followings. I believe this blogging bunch will not see self publishing at
all as negative or second rate. Kim Webb and I self published Princess Bubble because we needed to reach girls a.s.a.p. with our message of true meaning of "Happily Ever After!" So many young girls are starving
and compromising themselves for the attention of a boy/man.Recently CNN reported staggering numbers of teen girls are in abusive relationships! Kim and I felt did not have time for some agent to agree with us and then to find a publisher. We needed to start reaching girls as soon as possible! Now, we have reached people and appeared on The Today Show, CNN and many other media outlets and would welcome the right publisher because this is a lot of work! And we both have full time jobs.

But the stigma continues, despite national attention, our hometown paper The Atlanta Journal and Constitution emailed me, "We typically don't write about self-published books..." I found this so interesting! Nancy Pelosi's book is currently rated #1,681,028 on Amazon, but she does have a publisher.

All of this will soon change. Just as the perception of online dating has changed, self publishing will one day not carry the same stigma it does today. I am proud of the work we have done and all we have learned. Exhausted! But proud. And encourage everyone to follow their dreams even if you have to go a non-traditional route.

Watch Princess Bubble on CNN!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2008/08/11/intv.susan.johnston.cnn?iref=videosearch

CNN.com Time Change

We will now be on at 9:30 EST Monday August 11th on CNN.com.

We are having trouble with our site and can not change the time there.

Thanks for your support!
www.PrincessBubble.com

Authors with Alabama connections write children's book that adults can appreciate
Sunday, August 10, 2008
CHANDA TEMPLE GUSTER
News staff writer
There's a children's book out in Birmingham-area stores that some brides are giving to their single bridesmaids as gifts.

It's called "Princess Bubble" and paints an empowering story of how a happily single princess learns to embrace her life and not feel rushed to find her Prince Charming just because that's what's in the fairytales.

It was written by Susan Johnston, 42, a real estate agent, and Kimberly Webb, 40, a flight attendant. Both are living single in Atlanta and said the purpose of the book is to remind girls and women that if they are single, they can still have a good life.

"We just want to empower and inspire girls. It's not anti-men at all," Johnston said. Adult readers have told them they wished such a book was available when they were kids.

Johnston, who has been in 17 weddings, said she got the idea for the book when one of her friends' young daughters told her that Barbie absolutely had to find a prince and couldn't live happily ever after without one.

"I told her, `Well no, look, I have a good life and I haven't found a prince,' she said. The girl told Johnston, "Well, that's just not possible," and Johnston knew then she had to write a book.

"Fifty-one percent of the women are single today, and I don't want these little girls to grow up and feel like they can't have a good life if they don't find Mr. Right," she said. "Everybody needs to be reminded that they are a princess" single or married.

She collaborated on the concept with her best friend Webb, found an illustrator and finished the book in late 2006.

"If we meet Mr. Right ..., that would be fine with us," she said. "But we are going to be happy until then."

Both women have Alabama connections: Johnston's mother is from Anniston, her father is from Tuskegee and she graduated from Auburn University. She said she still has several relatives in Birmingham. Webb's father is from Birmingham and her mother is from Mobile.

The women have received praise and national attention for their book, appearing on the "Today" show in 2007. On Monday at 8:40 a.m., Johnston will appear on CNN.com to discuss the book.

They would like to work on other books to show the main character, Princess Bubble, going to other countries and seeing how different cultures make everyone special. (Johnston's nickname in college was Bubble, hence the book's name "Princess Bubble.")

Locally, the $12 book can be found at Milestone Books in Vestavia and Swoozies at The Summit. The book can also be found at www.princessbubble.com.

Teen Girls Abused in Dating Relationships

We at www.PrincessBubble.com strive to empower girls/women and are sadden by the below article and know we still have much to do in this fight to protect our girls and remind them they are special and wonderful princesses!

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Teenagers and preteens endure significant levels of different types of abuse in dating relationships -- particularly among those who become sexually active at a young age -- and most parents are unaware of what is going on in those relationships, a survey released Tuesday said.


About 10 percent of the teenagers surveyed said they had had sex by age 14, a new survey says.


Sixty-nine percent of teens who had sex by age 14 reported some type of abuse in a relationship, with slightly more than one-third saying they had been physically abused, according to the survey, conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited.

About 10 percent of the teenagers surveyed said they had had sex by age 14, while 20 percent said they had sex between the ages of 15 and 16.

One in five 13- or 14-year-olds in relationships say they know friends and peers who have been "struck in anger" by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Sixty-two percent have friends who have been called stupid, worthless or ugly by their dates.

Liz Claiborne Inc. and loveisrespect.org commissioned the survey. Loveisrespect.org operates the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline.

"What makes this data so disturbing is the clear and unexpected finding that dating abuse and violence begins at such a young age," said Jane Randel, the vice president of corporate communications for Liz Claiborne Inc., at a news conference to coincide with the survey's release.

And the "parents don't know what's going on," she said.

Nearly half of those preteens or "tweens" who responded said they had been in a dating relationship. The survey considers tweens to be between 11 and 14 years of age.

Slightly more than two-thirds of parents surveyed believe they know "a lot" or "everything" about their tween's relationship, but only 51 percent of tweens agree, the survey said.

One-fifth of tweens say their parents know little or nothing about their dating relationships, while only 6 percent of parents concur.

But despite the number of teens and tweens who say they have experienced abuse or say they know someone who has, only about 51 percent say they are aware of the warning signs of hurtful dating relationship.

And slightly more than half -- 54 percent -- said they would know what to do if a friend came to them for help, the survey said.

Teenagers and tweens need educational programs about abuse in relationships, experts say.

Concern about the issue prompted the National Association of Attorneys General to pass a resolution last month encouraging states to work with local school districts to implement teen dating violence education policies.

The states need to send a strong message about this, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, president of NAAG, said Tuesday at the news conference.

"The best way to do this is to mandate this, in my estimation," as Rhode Island has, he said. "We're fighting for generations here and generations yet to come to end this scourge."

Last year, the Rhode Island General Assembly adopted the "Lindsay Ann Burke Act," which requires each public school district to provide curriculum and policy on teen dating violence and abuse.

The act is named for a 23-year-old woman who was murdered in 2005 by her former boyfriend, the Rhode Island legislature said. Her boyfriend is now serving a life sentence without parole in the state prison for the murder, the Providence Journal reported.

"Teens have a right to know this ... and parents have a right to know as well," Ann Burke, Lindsay's mother, said at the news conference. "Lindsay had a right to know this information too. It's too late to help Lindsay."

The survey, conducted from January 2-18, 2008, questioned 1,043 tweens, 523 parents of tweens and 626 teens through a customized 15-minute online survey. The respondents were invited by e-mail to participate.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for tweens; plus or minus 4.1 for parents of tweens, and plus or minus 3.9 for teens

Anti-princess movement finds "Happily Ever After" in Princess Bubble!

As Seen on The TODAY Show and will be featured on CNN.com on August 11th!

Many concerned mothers today worry about raising their princess. There is a royal struggle to have fun with fairy tales and at the same time teach girls the true meaning of “Happily Ever After!”
This is a story I can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with my children.”
—Noelle Williams, mother of three

“We’ve had countless women all over the nation tell us they wish there had been a book like this when they were little.”
—Susan Johnston, Princess Bubble author

Two Sassy Single Authors Redefine Fairy Tale Endings for Young Readers!

ATLANTA, April 18,2008—You know how the story goes—Prince Charming, “Happily Ever After,” The End, right? Is this the ONLY option today’s moms want to share with their young daughters? Two successful single gals are offering parents an updated version of the traditional fairy tale. No longer a “Damsel in Distress,” this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds “happily ever after” even before she finds her Prince!

With wisdom gleaned from their careers as independent, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a new generation of fairy tales that celebrates singleness and self worth. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that many youth face.

Three most common disorders in girls: low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders

In 2003, breast implants tripled from 3,872 to 11,326 in girls under age 18

Girls ages 12 to 19 spent over $8 million on cosmetics in 2005
(Source: Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls,2007)

“I adore sharing the Princess Bubble message with my daughter because it teaches her that happiness comes from within,” said Kim Daniels, mother of two.

Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her “prince” before she can live “happily ever after.” Princess Bubble dons her “thinking crown” to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up atFindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that “living happily ever after” is not about finding a prince. “True happiness,” the book reveals, “is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already!”

“We are definitely not anti-Prince,” said Webb. “We just believe that young girls today are bombarded with so much inaccurate advice on how to build their self-esteem—messages that focus on the outside rather than what’s within. We want to change that message.”

ABOUT PRINCESS BUBBLE and BUBBLE GUM PRESS: The Princess Bubble message, cleverly articulated by former Delta flight attendants Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb, seeks to find an alternate ending to “happily ever after” and change the notion that life begins and ends with finding your Prince Charming. Looking to bolster the poor self-esteem of female youth and the stigma that many single adult women carry, Johnston and Webb believe“this is a book for women of all ages, a story they can believe in and share with their children.” In upcoming adventures, Princess Bubble will travel to distant lands where the knowledge of every new culture will enrich her flourishing life.

-30-


www.PrincessBubble.com

Meet Kelly!

TriangleMom2Mom's featured mom this week is Kelly Rives.

Kelly will always be Princess Sparkle to me-an important character in Princess Bubble, our modern day fairy tale! When Kelly is not one of Princess Bubble’s supporting characters she is acting as Queen to three princesses of her own and the founder of a successful consignment sale that now is in six cities. The
Raleigh sale is at the end of this month. www.divineconsignshow.com
I am posting the article so the world can know about wonderful Kelly and her fantastic business!

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Kelly: As a native Mississippian, I have loved living in North Carolina . Our family has truly found our place here. Growing up in Corinth , a small northeastern Mississippi town, I had never dreamed of living in North Carolina . But after graduating from the University of Mississippi and moving to Atlanta to teach, I realized that I might not have everything figured out. My husband, Ben, and I didn’t plan to leave Atlanta , but after we had our first child we quickly realized that we needed a little bit of a slower pace. Fourteen months later, we had our second precious little girl, and began to look for another place to call home. My husband’s company, Brasfield & Gorrie, had an office in Raleigh , and we took advantage of the transfer. And we have only been blessed. Quickly we found our church, Church of the Apostles, and made many wonderful friends there and through Ben’s work. We hate that our extended family is now so far away, but we are at home here.

Right after moving here, the former teacher-turned-stay-at-home-mother in me decided that I needed to add a little business to our already hectic world. Since our first daughter was born, I had developed a passion for smocked children’s clothing. I guess that is part of my southern hertitage in me, but I couldn’t get enough of it -- precious stuff, but ridiculously expensive. I had shopped many consignment sales, but I never really had any luck finding the type clothing I was looking for, nor did I want to sell my children’s outgrown clothing at those sales because I knew I wouldn’t get much for them.

So I started one of the first high-end children’s clothing consignment sales, the Divine Consign Show. We focus on trunk show and boutique clothing. No toys, no maternity wear, no DVDs …. just clothes. I knew that my friends and I would like this, but I have been astonished at how successful it has been.

Many trunk shows and boutiques now sell their overstocks and samples with us, so our customers get their choice of new and used clothes at amazing prices! So after just three years in business, we have sales in six cities. And we keep growing! God is so good. Since moving to the Triangle I have become the mother of a third baby girl, an involved member of our church, a delighted busy mother, a proud wife and a business woman. Who would have ever guessed?

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for your family in the Triangle?

Kelly: My favorite place to spend time with my family is the swimming pool! Any swimming pool. My girls have always been super swimmers, and they would rather be in the pool than anywhere else. I am from the school of learning that says, “Let them jump in and learn to love it!” My 18-month-old loves to freak everyone out by running and jumping in hundreds of times a day. I love to let her sink down and come up giggling every time! It is a great time for all of us.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place in the Triangle for yourself?

Kelly: My favorite thing to do is go and get a pedicure with my friends. I love to sit in the massaging chairs (sometimes with a glass of wine), visit with my friends and just be pampered. My fingernails are embarrassing, but I keep the “piggies” well dressed. It is so nice to be somewhere where I am not expected to play a game, cook a meal, clean a dish, or tell a story. Mommies need to be re-energized to be the best mommies they can be! And it all starts with the feet…..

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your family?

Kelly: When I was growing up my family ate dinner together at least five nights a week. Every night we each took our turn to say our “news” of the day. Each of us told of some very important part of our day. I have always felt that was a great way to keep our family focused on each other’s lives, and not so focused on ourselves. We have continued that tradition in our family with my husband and three girls. Our girls are still quite young, so we have slightly altered “news,” and we each share our favorite part of the day. This is so sweet. I love hearing what my girls found delight in throughout their days, as well as, hearing the highpoints of my husband’s days. We will always make it a point to have dinner together as a family, but the cooking the meal and cleaning it up are the hard part!

Mom2Mom: What did you eat last night for dinner? Can you share the recipe?

Kelly: Last night I had a good old Tomato Sandwich. White bread, tomato, mayo, salt and pepper! Since my husband was out of town, I took advantage of one of my favorites. But I love my Paula Dean recipe for a Tomato Pie. It sounds a lot better, and actually tastes better than my sandwich.


Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?
Kelly: I have two guilty pleasures.

Children’s clothing. I have a tremendously hard time dressing myself, but I love dressing my kids. Even selling children’s clothing has not dampened that love.

At the end of the day, when the kids are asleep and the kitchen is cleaned and my e-mails are all caught up, there is nothing better than a nice glass of wine. That is my little reward for keeping all of the spinning plates in the air all day long.


www.divineconsignshow.com

Alligators on the Castle Grounds!

I just heard about the 11 yr. old boy, Devin Funck, who was attacked by an 11 ft. alligator in Louisiana! How horrible! I cannot even imagine. My heart goes out to both him and his family. An event as traumatic as that will most certainly carry with it not only challenging physical healing, but emotional healing as well.

Alligators conjure up images in my mind of an animal that is big, dangerous, angry with a huge mouth and large teeth! They are sneaky, lurking in the waters, waiting to attack on their prey. Oddly enough I read that typically, alligators are docile. Docile?! How can that be? I obviously need to do more research on alligators, but this reminds me of how we all have emotional alligators in our lives. We build castle walls to keep them out, but somehow, through rivers or cracks and holes in our fortress walls, the emotional alligators, crocodiles and dragons of life manage to slip through to our safety zone. At first, we run and hide questioning how this possibly could have happened, after all, isnt' that what the wall is for? But little by little, we realize we have to face the dragons who've crept inside the castle walls of our lives. Some enter as small dragons, but the more we hide from them, they grow larger and larger, affecting not only our own mental health, but our relationships to those around us.

These emotional crocodiles take many shapes and forms- insecurities, anger, bitterness, jealousy, rage, to name only a few.
We often think we can fight them alone so we battle forward in our finest princess gowns, and tiara, with sceptor in hand, thinking they will surely notice our Royal Position and run, be we forget we can do nothing without the power of The King. He is the one who possesses and equips the armies needed to fight these battles for us. We must first come to Him, ask for His help, and acknowledge that our Power truly comes from Him.

William P. Young, author of the NY Times Bestseller, THE SHACK, refers to these emotional dragons as "The Great Sadness." He writes a wonderful fiction book touching on how we struggle so much with the belief that God is "especially fond" of us and the belief that He wants to help us fight the many emotional alligators in our midst. Ultimately, it requires our surrendering to Him and believing how He is truly kind, and loving and wants to heal us from the inside out.

I know I am now fighting some personal emotional crocodiles within the walls of my own Castle and as I sit here with sceptor in hand, I realize I must first bow my knee before The King. As my knee hits the ground, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders and empowered at the same time; empowered by His goodness, kindness, protection and love. For me, my Castle is only truly Royalty and only truly protected within the Kingdom.

Kimberly Webb, Fan of Princess Bubble