I'm a Sucker for Cool Dads

So today we went to the movies--Harry Potter-- with the DD and her BFF since 3rd grade. And my DH and I enjoyed the movie (doesn't take much eh?), but what we enjoyed more was the girls' reactions to the underlying relationship plots. And afterward we went to bowl (yes, my only be B plus in college was in bowling-- totally my crap technique). Many gutter balls later! But we laughed.

Love: it's more than early crushes... it grows... what I loved most was that despite being all "ooh la la " as teens, these girls were describing REAL HEROES. Men who are funny, smart, geeky, and able to laugh at themselves...

Love!

Cool Weddings and Why I Write Romance

So I watched this new video and I really want to embed it, but I have no idea how... will try... really.

And in addition to my video embedding challenges, I had to write thank you notes today--and I was a basket case cause they were to potential publishers/agents and I have horrible handwriting. So I wrote it all out on the computer and transferred the info and then I still ended up ripping up 4 envelopes cause I messed up the address either aesthetically or logically.

Help!

But I do digress. I am a bit closer. And I have signed up for the M&M in GA and can't wait to do that...

And now it's time to read and relax.

Here's the wedding video, I hope. The Cool Wedding. Seeing the Joy here is why I write Romances--cause I love love love LOVE!

RWA Conference Virgin--No More! Oh the Glory!

Well it's been ages since I posted! But here I am, full of ... ok ... truth is I am pooped. It was so wonderful, but so exhausting. I talked till I lost my voice, I pitched and it worked out very well (no illusions: my DD calls me a pessimist, but I call myself a realist). It's hard to be "on" all the time. And it's hard to figure out who is who... and it's hard to have a success and then reflect upon the folks in one's life who aren't there to celebrate it.

And as an unpublished writer, every small success is celebrated over at my house.

I learned a lot about myself. Yes, I am not shy, but I am a bit reserved. I can tell a funny story (about myself--easier that way) and people laugh at my stories. But to hobnob in a group of many, many people who I don't know and some of them might be "uber important?" No way. It's daunting. Plus, I don't like NOISE and crowds that are too large. It's like going to a vampire ball for me. Sucks me dry.

So. I didn't make it to the RITA/GOLDEN HEART Reception for chocolate and wine. Too many people and too overwhelming, but I loved watching everyone kibbitz and I enjoyed all the winners' speeches and I loved dressing up pretty for a change.

I learned I like one-on-one chats or small groups. I learned I can shut up--don't laugh those who know me and who are reading this! All those years of DISCIPLE Class have paid off! I just look down.

Oh, I learned to smile and wave... a lot. Ask the penguins.

I learned that I am a floater, not good at introducing people I don't know to people I hardly know, but exceedingly good at introducing people I just met to people I just met... it's a weird thing. I felt too new -- I guess I hung back a bit, but I had a great time. And I learned I can do this again.

Plus I got my requests: woot!!!!!!!!! It's a temporary high.

And now it's back to reality: writing and polishing. Back to wondering if it is worthy to send. If I am a crap writer and am always going to get close but no cigar... But no matter. It is here. A start. I plan. I plot. I have more stories beating the brain cells and begging me to hurry up and get this book out the door. I have a fourth ready for revision. I have a fifth in embryonic stages, and I have a series I am playing with for YA.

Even if I am never published, I have learned that romance writers rock and I am blessed to be a part of this huge, creative group of people. From top to me, they care. We are all on the same journey.

It is crazy. A journey filled with sorrow, bizarre fits of happiness, an occasional jaunt to buy much chocolate, and one's companions totally get one's complete obsession with Hugh Jackman, cutting out pictures of amazing gorgeous men, spinning tales and living in one's head. They get the hope, the fear, the doubt, the shoes, did I mention the chocolate and the wine, and the glory of jumping each hurdle and reaching each goal.

Annie and Tomorrow and Good Golly Gee!

Okay, still worried about the dang PRO Pin... why did I forget it?

Okay, admit I am feeling slightly OCD and am obsessing about Pin because that distracts me from the real worry: how will the dang pitches go?

Okay, admit I am nervous about the entire event and what will occur. And must admit I am not a Night Owl, yet all events are LATE AT NIGHT. What will I do?

Okay, admit that I am nervous about waking up my roomie--I get up a lot... am not a good sleeper... and I must hit the head a lot... old bladder...

Okay, why am I up now? I must sleep! Really!

Conference Pins Amiss

I have arrived in VA--staying at a friend's house. Getting reacquainted with favorite restaurants and old haunts. I am vilely reminded about horrible traffic in bondage, long waits at the red lights, and general over-crowding, but I am also drooling over the wonderful produce in Wegmans, the culture, the great restaurants and the fun things to do here.

If I could live in both worlds: AL and NoVA, I would.

But that's impossible.

I gave myself a mini preconference panic moment when I realized I had forgotten my PRO pin at home. AACK--amidst all the planning and packing and hoteling and organizing, I had let that one tiny detail drop off the radar screen.

Would they let me into the PRO retreat without my tiny pin proving my rejection? Would I be thrown to the hotel's curb? Nope. My trusty friends who have attended the national conference reassured me that I would not be the only PRO attending without my pin. And I'll get a lovely ribbon and badge denoting my PRO Status. Whew.

And that's the thing: I am a newbie to the conference. A First Timer. A Virgin. Eager, afraid, anxious, excited. All the emotions that go into losing one's innocence. Will I come away from this experience enlightened? I believe so. Will all my hopes be fulfilled? Maybe. I do know I've got a huge slice of cake waiting for me to taste and I can't wait. If there's any more that comes out of this experience, well, that's the unexpected delight of frosting whipped to perfection.

I can't wait to head to the hotel and start my adventure.

Bras, Basics. Briefcases and Bungee Cords

The big day looms... conference... RWA National Conference is days away. I have my pitch (thanks to all my friends, hair dresser, writing friends for listening! And supporting! I have new clothes: thanks Catherine!! And I have my computer bag ready and I have new brakes on my vehicle.. and a new purse...

But I had to finish shopping. Bras were on the list. AAAAAHHHHHH. Shopping for bras NOW that I am in the 40s it is like shopping for bathing suits in any age. Glahchghgh. But I did manage to find some. But not a strapless. But I remembered my strapless I had and it will have to work. I AM NOT TRYING ON ANY MORE BRAS.

Blech. How do the cohangas change sooooo much??? I mean really?

I left my house today with a small list: new computer bag thingie for DD, wine, water, snacks. I came home with new brakes... argh. $300 later! But I have all other stuff. Blech more money spent.

We are bringing an extra teen home with us. Must pack lite... and we did.. but ARGH we managed... I have a computer bag, food bag, a clothing bag, a lot of CRAPOLA. Incredible shrinking powder would be nice!

But we managed...

I have high hopes, I have talked myself down... despite hopes... must be prepared... for disappointment... as usual.. I don't want to be.. but... oh I am scared to get tooooo hyped up.... Better to expect nothing. That way I won't be sad if it happens but oh so very bloody happy if it does...

3 More Sleeps--AACK

I am officially in panic mode. I have put aside all list making and planning for this huge conference till today because I've had company for a week. Enjoyed my company. She helped me put together a snappy wardrobe for the conference, read my book, listened to my pitches, and was a lot of fun to boot.

We leave on Saturday. And I have a boatload of work to do to get ready.

Packing lists--worry about that later...

Cleaning house--another guest coming back with us so need to get sheets and towels and bath ready for her. Our house is also in need of a cleaning before we leave. That's today.

Putting up Camp Bin--thank goodness.

Figuring out what to do with the cats.

Canceling papers, stopping mail, shopping for this's and thats. A duffel bag for DD, a new strapless bra for moi, other odds and ends.

Planning a trip to Asheville.

Learning how to be a category coordinator (I don't know if I am cut out for it, but I will try--).

Dishes, garbage out, beds made, mundane chores, toilets cleaned--all must happen THIS WEEK.

But I will get it done... one step at a time.

No time to practice the pitches-no time to write at all-and no time to fiddle around, but here I am on my computer blogging and checking blogs.

The hammer must fall now. Time to focus.