It is with pleasure that I announce our new Wednesday writer.

If you've been around Squidoo for any length of time, you have probably heard of Carrie White, aka inkserotica.

Carrie has been on Squidoo for just over two years and has proven herself not only as a compelling writer but as a community-minded participant. This is evidenced by her stints as a Squid Angel and a Squid Greeter, as well as through her blogs and lenses made especially to help the Squidoo community.

She's a freelance writer and reviewer living in London, and her many interests include cryptozoology and true crime.

Welcome to the fold, Carrie! And thank you for all you do for the Squid community! Looking forward to your first post next Wednesday!

Today is a special day here at Squidoo Lens Reviews. We would all like to wish a very happy birthday to the blog creator, editor-in-chief and our friend, MiMi!

MiMi is known as GrowWear on Squidoo and has a range of motivational t-shirts and other gifts on Cafe Press by the same name. While everyone should have a happy childhood, MiMi knows from her own experience that this is sadly not always the case. Her mission in creating this range was to inspire and encourage others who have suffered from neglect and need reminding of their worth. Her compassion and wish to help others in their own journey of personal growth is reflected in several of her 81 Squidoo lenses, including Children: Building Character, Top 10 Personal Growth Songs That Inspire, Quotes About Success, and The Top 10 Motivational Quotations.

She joined Squidoo in January 2007. During this time, she has also served as a Giant Squid Greeter, Giant Squid Challenge Leader and an Honorary Squid Angel. She is one of Squidoo's most popular and respected figures.

Squidoo Lens Reviews was a project that MiMi launched in July 2008. She ran the blog single-handedly, giving shout-outs, nods, and promotion to remarkable Squidoo lenses, until early 2010 when she extended an invitation to write for the blog to a small group of lensmasters. Needless to say, we all jumped at the chance! These days, MiMi's work is for the most part behind the scenes, but don't be fooled, she works as hard as ever to ensure the smooth running of this project in addition to promoting Squidoo Lens Reviews to reach an ever-widening readership.

MiMi has established herself as the queen of pink with her top-ranked lens, Pink Tool Kits For Women, and not far behind it the companion Pink Gardening Tools For Women. Her lensography also includes tributes to two of her dearest Squidoo friends in Be Positive: Like Joan Adams and Drifter0658. But I first encountered MiMi through the remarkable Homeless in America, which was the lens of the day when I first discovered Squidoo, both inspiring me and leaving me a little in awe as a brand new lensmaster.

I know MiMi has made a great many friends during her Squidoo journey and is both widely respected and held in great affection. I have a feeling they will add their own personal wishes here or elsewhere, but on behalf of all of us at Squidoo Lens Reviews, we wish you all the best on your special day. Many happy returns to you, MiMi!

Visit MiMi's full lensography

Image Credit: Princess Cake by aggiebutterfly

"Out of the loop" is a great way to describe my adventures of the past few days.

Computer troubles put me to swiping computer time from friends and family. And let me tell you, they are angels for sharing.

Thanks again, y'all!

I know how hard it would be to let someone have my computer, and I tried to keep that in mind as I hurried up and checked and read and responded to messages and other things that just had to be attended to.

Back on my own home turf, I am as happy as can be.

One of my first emails today was from lensmaster LeanneChesser. I had been waiting on a response from her as to whether or not she would take over as Thursday Author here at the blog. Well, she said YES! So, I am more than pleased, and oh, so proud, to welcome her to the team.

Among many other things, Leanne teaches children with special needs, and she's a mother and a brand new grandmother. She's passionate about personal growth, and that's evident in the work she does online.

She'll start writing her Thursday reviews here next week, and I am so much looking forward to them.

Welcome again, Leanne!

For more of Leanne's work, please visit these sites:
Feed The Homeless: http://www.squidoo.com/feed-the-homeless
Meaningful Quotes: http://www.squidoo.com/meaningfulquotes
Random Acts Of Kindness Day: http://www.squidoo.com/randomactsofkindnessday

We also have a new food lenses reviewer. Correen (clouda9) will be treating us twice monthly to the food lenses she comes across at Squidoo. If you've read any of her work, you know that, indeed, her reviews will be a treat.

Welcome again, Correen!

For more of Correen's work, please visit these sites:
Member site: http://www.foodloversweb.com
Website: http://www.foodloverswebsite.com
Blog: http://mygrandmasrecipes.crabbysbeach.com/blogs

Leanne and Correen, thank you again for joining the team!