All the Things About Last Week

Holy wow, you will not believe how much crazy fun I’ve had since DESCENDANT was released on May 1^st.

First, a flight to Utah for the release party here.

 

The King's English Book Shop

Lots of people came—the chairs filled and…

the line went out the door.

My publishers, Rhett and Emmaline Hoffmeister came.
And also my publishing sisters Donna K. Weaver and Michelle Davidson Argyle.

Next, a beautiful few days spent networking and a little bit of family visiting,

Cooking lessons with my oldest.

Dinner with these FABulous ladies! (Minus Raylene.)

Launch party pics still--I'm horrible about remembering to snap pics sometimes. But I spent time with all these people! 

And these people too.

And my good friend Windy.

and then this fabulous conference, where I presented.

Lots of catching up with my writing family.

A little visiting with each of these ladies.

Partying with Authors Incognito.

 

Photo courtesy of Heather Zahn Gardner
Reunion with my Utah critique group.

Photographer Heather Zahn Gardner and me,courtesy of well, Heather. 

Some eating on the job.

Fantastic looking group, yes?

Breakfast and lucky pie with Elana J.

Some silliness and book signing.

Some more catching up.

Debbie Davis and me.

Shopping and late nights with FAB #3. (Yes, this is an old pic too.)

And then Mother’s Day with my oldest son and both my mothers (bio and step) before heading back to Texas to the rest of my family, where I was greeted with these.

Lots of stuff in one week, yes? But so much amazing, my brain is still spinning. And now to get back to writing!

Don’t forget to stop by the Descendant blog tour stops for exclusive information, interviews, playlists, and excerpts—also for multiple chances to enter the MASSIVE contest. Don’t miss out! 

A Week of Wonders

Wonder #1: Will she survive?

This was not my favorite thing that happened last week. It wasn’t me! It was my teenage son (yes, he’s fine). Neither of us will be driving her for a while, because, well, she’s in intensive care (it's worse than it looks). But a good friend reminded me she’s Ford Tough. Which is encouraging. Being that she’s American made, my baby can take it. I think. Either way, this week I seem to need therapy more than most others.

Wonder #2: What was Enterprise thinking?

Instead of my gorgeous Mustang, I’m driving this. It has manual windows and locks—who even makes those anymore? Why? It isn’t therapeutic to drive, but gets me from place to place, which is the point, I guess. Anyway, it goes.

Wonder #3: Why don’t I go to movies more often?

Taking my two youngest kids to see this was very therapeutic. I hear shirtless wolf-packs have a tendency to aid in healing a broken heart (you know, because my car is in critical condition and all). Vampires are also helpful from time to time. Just sayin.


Wonder #4: How to explain a child’s important question?

I laughed out loud in the movie during a certain scene in which Charlie and Bella are having an uncomfortable chat. This is what happened:

Mr. Monkey (9 years old): Mom, what’s a virgin?

Me: Uh…Um…

Him: Is that someone from Virginia?

Me: Uh, Yep. That’s right. Now watch the movie.

Him: Oh, that’s what I thought.

*wiping a bead of sweat from my brow* Crisis temporarily averted. More serious discussion plans are underway.


Wonder #5: How do we celebrate Independence Day and do it justice?

Eating brownies topped with home-made ice cream and strawberries, while sitting on the driveway watching the city fireworks show on our right, a really great neighborhood fireworks show (which, BTW was better than the one done by the city—someone with pyrotechnic training and a permit) on the left, and a whole slew of random really awesome fireworks not far away, while the kids use sparklers to light their own fireworks in the street.

Wonder #6: How did I get so lucky to live in this fantastic country?

Someone upstairs must be watching out for me, that’s for sure.

Happy birthday, America!

*singing* “Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave? O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The Story of a Week

I got almost no writing done this week, but I swear I had really good reasons. (I know, excuses, excuses.)

See, it’s like this.

Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to turning this:

Into this.

I didn’t stay to watch them cut it, but I hear it tasted yummy. 

Then, Wednesday, since I was already in cake-making mode, and because she deserved it for always making incredible cakes for all our critique group book launches, I decided to make this

for my good friend Heather Justesen for her recent launch of Rebound. 

We ate it at critique group. It was yum. Chocolate.

Thursday afternoon I spent some fun time with my sister and my two little nieces and nephew—

during which a tragic drowning accident caused my beloved iPhone to die an untimely death.

There is no picture of that. Too graphic for my audience here.

After a night of mourning (aka uncontrollable sobbing) I paid a visit to this place.

They set me up with this. (In white)

I felt much better about life.

Then Saturday, I did this most of the day. 

Along with a few other important things.

Like this. (The query kind.)

Weekly word count total: around 900 words. 

*big sigh*  

I’ll try again next week.

*This week, instead of posting Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I will be posting Tuesday and Thursday, with a possible post on Wednesday to announce a contest winner.  (Big hint!)