I Met Stephanie Klein!!

Stephanie Klein does not know this, but she is THE reason that I went to the Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas. Yes, there were literally hundreds of authors present, but she is who I went to see. After discovering her blog, greek tragedy, (http://www.stephanieklein.com/) and after reading her books Straight Up & Dirty and Moose, I just knew that I had to meet her. I completely "get her." While our worlds are completely different there are still many similarities.

When someone blogs the way that Stephanie does there is not much room for mystery. I feel as if I know her. And, after listening to her speak and getting to talk to her face to face, I am so pleased to know that she really is who she is. There are always those authors who are good on paper but are anything but interesting in real life. Stephanie is real and beautiful and strong and good. I am so thrilled to be able to (after spending so many hours perusing all of her pictures) have a picture of my very own of she and I together!!

I must say it was a personal thrill for me and she was very gracious to put up with all of my babbling. (Thanks Stephanie & best wishes to you!)

Something to Howl About

Today was one of those powerful days when you are actually glad that you showed up at work. I had the privilege of listening to the dynamic Angela Wigglesworth. She instantly charmed us with her beautiful smile, her delightful sense of humor, and her wonderful ability to tell a story. Her message was one of love and giving. She reminded us to help others every chance we can and to never be afraid to ask for help ourselves. When she spoke she did so from her soul, which one instantly recognized as a good one. I was most impressed with her delivery---she sure knows how to captivate a crowd. Angela, if you're reading this, I want to say "Thank You" for telling us your story! (For anyone interested in learning more about her you can visit her blog at http://www.littlewriggle.typepad.com/ ).

She got me thinking...what are my stories (as far as education is concerned)? Which moments made me know that I was where I was suppose to be? Which moments have yet to reveal themselves? As each new school year starts to unfold there is always a mixture of emotions that run through me. I find myself eagerly awaiting all things new: school supplies, outfits, seeing friends, meeting new teachers...much like when I was a kid in school myself. I also find myself having those back to school dreams a couple of weeks before school starts. You know...the ones where nothing goes right, you get lost, you hate it. In fact, just the other night I actually dreamed that my new book rep was none other than Wolf from the American Gladiators. He came howling through the front doors of the library dressed in red from head to toe; his wild hair following him; a motorcycle helmet tucked beneath his arm. If I were to attempt to analyze this myself I would have to say this: The 2008-2009 school year will get off to a red hot start. It will be a battle of American Gladiator proportions where the teachers work with the students encouraging them to try their best. We should expect the unexpected but never tire of preparing ourselves for the reward that lies ahead. There will no doubt be some howling and growling but hopefully we will rally as a pack and get the job done.

Shaken-Not Deterred

Before I fell asleep I visualized "the perfect day." This visualization had me waking well-rested and happy. I looked like those made up actresses after a great night. Hell...I could've been a Bond girl. My dark, auburn tresses (slightly curled at the ends) cascaded down my back...my bare, tanned back. My legs were toned and my butt was thong worthy. I slinked into the bathroom where I changed into my sporty athletic wear. I now looked something like Eva Longoria...all tiny and petite. My Nike running shoes were like new (though I'm certain I have gone through pair after pair) and my cheekbones were high...it was time to hit the pavement. I jogged my morning mile or four and returned to a still sleeping husband. I showered and then put on some silky pajamas with a matching robe...the kind with the flirty butterfly sleeves. I fluttered into the breakfast nook where I prepared my coffee. As I was standing over the stove creating a breakfast for champions my sexy husband shuffles his way behind me. He's got on those perfect manly pajama pants-rolled down just so...something Pierce Brosnan would perhaps wear...

That's as far as I got. Sorry to disappoint. I kept replaying it over and over but I never got past the stove. But I will tell you this: I woke up this morning before my alarm (yes, I set my alarm...I have to get something done this summer!) and I...are you ready for this?...put on my tennis shoes! Freaky weird I know. I put on some shorts and a T and went on a morning walk/jog. Granted my sort-of-blonde bob and I would not get a call back at a Bond girl audition, and as far as that butt image I mentioned earlier...I can't even fit into a sarong these days let alone a thong. But I did get up, exercise, have a cup of coffee, and I even made scrambled eggs.

I am SO glad that my visualization stopped at breakfast!!!

Dream On

If any of you out there can interpret dreams...by all means: COMMENT ON MINE!!! This morning I awoke with the realization that "it was all just a dream." Let me see if I can pull some of the pieces together and paint you a picture of just what went on last night: It all started with a wedding. There were two grooms and they were Trace Atkins and Tim McGraw (uh huh). The weird part of it was that there was never a bride in the picture...hmmm. After the "wedding" it was determined that the "winner of the contest" was none other than moi. (I am guessing that this dream was a conglomeration of Nashville Star, Celebrity Apprentice, America's Got Talent, and my very own Subconcious Heaven!). The next thing I know I am being carted off in a miniature car (much like a canvas folding chair one would use at the lake) with only a small red backpack and a stuffed Yorkshire Terrier. Two friends of mine are driving me to my yet undisclosed destination (they are a tad peeved that they did not "win", but nevertheless happy for me). We arrive at a HUGE auditorium (think Academy Awards) and I am told that I will be performing ON STAGE in fifteen minutes. {Note to readers: I CAN NOT SING!}

The lights dim and I find myself sandwiched between Trace and Tim (don't I wish) as we begin our opening number. There are many sheets of notebook paper taped to the wooden floor of the stage. Each song title is highlighted in a different color and apparently "my color" is pink. I pray that the two deep voices of the PROFESSIONAL singers will drown out my feeble attempts at song. But then I am caught up in the moment and I start to actually sing. I am a little better than I thought. That's when I notice we have backup singers/dancers on stage with us. This is turning out to be quite the production(now I am remembering my phone conversation with "Danielle" who promised me a trip to Las Vegas if only I would drive down to Timbuktu and listen to her "spiel" this Sunday at 4:00).

As the song list dwindles down to the grand finale I have embraced my new lifestyle and am confident that I am where I was meant to be all along. There are only three of us left on stage. I work my way over to the far left side of the stage (secretly thinking I should be in the middle...you know...for aesthetics) and croon my heart out. That is when I notice that Trace and Tim are both out in the audience on small round stages. There is one other small round stage...in the middle...and it is empty. I look to my right and notice there are two backup singers accompanying me.

As the lights dim and the curtain falls I am whisked away by my two friends and loaded into the blue canvas mini "car". I don't know whether to be embarrassed, upset, elated, or confused. All I know is that I left my damn backpack (read: purse/cell phone/wallet/LIFE) and stuffed terrier backstage! We pull into my friend's driveway and right away the evening's events begin to peel away from me layer by layer. While us girls are starting to giggle and rehash the night I hear a loud whirr outside. When I step outside the front door I can see my mom and my dad with leaf blowers strapped to their backs (this isn't even their house...or mine!) I bring them inside and introduce them to my friends and my mother and I start to snoop around looking at all of the cool decor while my friend wraps up a phone conversation (get this: she is talking on a baby blue WALL PHONE...complete with curly/springy cord).

There was also a part of my dream that was SO not related to the above but nevertheless was dreamt the same night. It involved a waterpark and friends. Oh yeah...I just remembered...my husband and I went to take the kids to a community pool and when we got there it was night and it was overcrowded and I had my dog, Roo, with me and it was cold and we ended up talking with old people at a picnic table. Before we knew it "Danielle" showed up and started asking us questions about Las Vegas!