Yes. I did more research than I ever wanted to and saw some things I wish I didn't. I went on ride-alongs, spent time with Homicide, Cold Case, and SVU detectives, hung out in subways learning how to spot pervs and pick-pockets, viewed an autopsy, went to a police firing range, and witnessed court cases and I read, read, read.

You know how you wake up in the morning and sometimes you look gorgeous and other times you look like you got hit by a mack truck? I realized that my mack truck is food. If I have no sugar, yeast or wine, I have no undereye bags and my skin is perfect.

I'm a ready-shoot-aim kind of gal.

I am grateful that I didn't let fear get the best of me. It only holds you back from possibilities and greatness.

I think of my life as a journey, and I'm still on it.

I have learned that a bitter experience can make you stronger.

I have learned to be ready for anything - and be there for my kids. That's what life's all about.

Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning yet never arriving at the ideal perfection of truth.