red wagon featured book

About the Book

Delightfully smart and wickedly funny, Arlena de Bruin's publishing debut is a joyfully cheeky look at life in regards to family and relationships. Written with wit and dramatic finesse, this humour columnist has proven an innate and endless ability to find laughter in even the most mundane of life experiences; even when life involves a sports-addicted husband, teenaged daughter, twin eight-year-old sons, and a Border-Collie-Cross-with-Dependency-Attachment-Disorder.

From expiration date debates, to snooze button addiction, to tooth fairy infractions, to a day with the nautically challenged, On the Bright Side... and other rose-coloured catastrophes is a compilation of the funniest and most inspirational of Arlena's personal essays. Her insight and attitude towards life, love, and parenting clearly demonstrate an exceptional ability to both identify and celebrate the absurdity of the human condition.

This is a book that will leave you begging for more!

Check out Arlena's column  'On The Bright Side' on Castanet.net and 'Kelowna's Community Website' on ilovekelowna.com

About Mercy House

It is my heartfelt opinion that to truly make a difference in this world, it not only takes words, it takes deeds. That is why I have chosen to donate one dollar from every book sold to a charity which demonstrates a commitment to young women in crisis.

Mercy Ministries is an organization with a passion to not only help troubled girls, but to give them the hope and tools to rebuild their dreams. I believe hope is the single most important gift you can give to another human being. I also believe young women are the foundation, the cornerstones, of our community and its future. Supporting a charity dedicated to the fulfillment of both is a privilege and honour, indeed.

Mercy Ministries is a non-profit, community based organization designed to assist and meet the needs of young women facing life-controlling issues such as: eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, the effects of sexual and physical abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addictions. The organization was founded in 1983 and has homes in the US, Australia, England, and New Zealand.

The vision of Mercy Ministries Canada is to establish its first residential home in Canada in Surrey, BC, and accommodate twenty girls (with a goal to expand to forty) by providing twenty-four hour, structured programming, offered free of charge, with an average stay of six months.

Please join me in holding a vision for these young women so they may experience healing, joy, and remembrance of all they were intended and created to be!

For more information or to get involved with the Mercy House project, please visit their Website at www.mercyministries.ca

Reader’s Praise for “On the Bright Side…”

“Thank YOU for your article! You are my weekly reminder to laugh with my kids and relax with my husband. I look forward to many more gut-wrenching laughs!”
      Angie R. (one who needs to be reminded to see the simple things in life)

“You’re such a good writer. These are cute, funny, informative. I’m putting them in my folder for ‘Happy Endings.’ I’ll be in touch.”
      Susan Alt, Former Owner/Editor-in-Chief – TWINS™ Magazine

“Just wanted to say that I love your columns. Every one gives me a good laugh! I don’t have twin boys, just one 4 year old, (and a husband + two dogs), but so many of your stories echo through my house. It is so nice to read stories from someone I can relate to and who can show me the comedy in everyday life! Keep them coming!”
      Erin Scott

“I just wanted to write to you to let you know how much I enjoy your articles! You have a wonderfully creative style of writing, and a terrific sense of humour. It makes my day to read your newest addition, and especially to share it with friends and family. Hope you keep contributing for many years to come!”
      Audrey Magnusson

“Congratulations on brightening people’s lives and laughing at the trivial (which most people take as earth shattering) events in the lives of a ‘mother.’ I sincerely hope that all young mothers read your column and lighten up with their children. You are a breath of fresh air in a world so full of negativity and bad news. I’m going to e-mail all the young women I know with children and demand they read your column!!”
      Linda Webb (an old mother)

“Wow, great story! An absolute delight to read!”
      T.J. Wallis, Editor – North of 50 Lifestyle Newsmagazine

“Thanks for your words of encouragement. While this is a serious topic, your work is inspiring, enlightening, and funny! ...Thank you once again for being the voice that we all so need to hear. Let your light shine...”
      Don Campbell, Certified Life Coach & Founder of choosemycoach.com

“ ...wanted to thank you for your ‘Red Wagon Friend’ article. It gave me the chance to say thank you to my red wagon friend. Keep up the great work! You are an amazing writer and I wait for your articles every week. They always brighten my day!”
      Barb Smith