Earlier this year I found out my short story, “No Place Like Home” would be included in the winter anthology, Sleigh Ride. The book is a compilation of stories from 7 authors including 4 previously published and 3 newbies. It was the brainchild of friend and author, Malena Lott and the debut book for her indie publishing site, Buzz Books, USA.

I wrote the story, agonized over the editing process, kissed it, and sent it on its way.

A few short weeks ago I found out our local bookstore, Watermark Books, had agreed to buy 50 copies AND they wanted to have an official book signing. WHAT? When I found out, I was stunned, excited and immediately wondered how I was going to lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks. Then I ate my weight in sugar wafers trying to sort through my feelings about the whole thing. Pssst, I didn’t lose those 20 pounds. Shocking, I know.

Two days before the book signing I obsessed about everything from my hair color to my outfit. I was a mess. Thank the good Lord for sweet Rachel at Dillards. She was there for me during my 9th hour of shopping and gave me the Pretty Woman moment I’d been craving. She’s a recent transplant from New Jersey. I hope she loves Kansas because now she must always be here for me in times of fashion crisis.

Irony: For those of you who have already read the story, yes, it was completely accidental that I chose a grey faux fur to wear at my signing. For those who haven’t read it, you’ll have a giggle when you do.

BOOK SIGNING DAY!! I walked in to the already-bustling book store 20 minutes early so I could collect myself and set up the adorable wicker sleigh my sweet and thoughtful Mama loaned me to display my goods. Within minutes I was approached by someone, and then another, and then my family started pouring in. My brother called me from the car where he waited with a shot of Tuaca (vanilla liqueur – liquid courage) but I had no time for pre-signing hooch. It was awwwn.

For the next two hours I hugged and signed and laughed and posed for pictures and had a bit of an out-of-body experience.

I have fans. They get excited. With Deena Flanigan Kreutzer

Me with my proud Papa, Larry Gordon

As my family filed in, they said hello and then shuffled over to the side where they lined the wall, talking and snapping pictures. They may not know till now, just how special that was for me. I was completely out of my element and even though I barely had time to make eye contact, I heard their familiar voices talking to each other, flanking me, protecting me, cheering me on.

Guess what? I HAD A FLASH MOB, Y’ALL. One of the best parts of the day came when Doug arrived with the  baby dolls, Jacob and Katie. Shortly after walking in the door, Doug asked, in a commanding voice, if he could HAVE EVERYONE’S ATTENTION. And he did. At least 60 people. Before I knew it, I was being serenaded with a personalized rendition of Deck The Halls. Song below.

Pack the shelves with Sleigh Ride books.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Paperback, hard cover and nook.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Many more books she will make.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Now we give her this awesome cake.

Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaaaaa

HOW ADORABLE ARE THEY?

  Then, just as the song promised, they presented me with this cake!! Gorgeous AND delicious.

Hidden in the sleigh for me to find when I got to the book signing was a card and a  box of Raffaello almond/coconut candies. My all-time favorite. My husband gets me. Sure, flowers would’ve been a nice gesture but hidden candy and cake?? Perfection. I’m never leaving him.

Highlight #2: My friends for 22 years, Darren and Gigi VanBuskirk, drove 6 hours roundtrip to see me for one hour. That’s love. I adore them.

Gigi VanB - MPV award for driving 6 hours to be there.

Highlight #3: Having my husband, kids, parents and siblings there. Since I was wearing more eye makeup than a drag queen, I had a firm, “no tears till 4:00” rule but when I looked over and saw my favorite people, I nearly lost it.

Highlight #4: Most people who purchased books were family, friends, Twitter pals, friends of friends, etc. BUT, there was a perfect stranger who made my day, BETTY!. She was in her mid-60s, I’m guessing, with a short crop of maroon hair.  It was lovely but clearly the color was purchased and not God-given. Betty approached the table and with great excitement asked me to sign her book because, “I’ve never met an author in real life or had a book signed. This is a treat.” Ohhhh, Betty, you precious thing, trust  me. The treat was all mine.

Highlight #5: My good friend, Andrea Anglin, rushed over from a birthday party and brought her children, Elizabeth and Joe. Elizabeth had me sign her autograph book and announced, “you’re my first author.”  My mother overheard and got misty-eyed. I bet she’s misty again reading this. It’s okay, Mom. There. There.

No "best wishes" or "love ya" from me. I signed quality content.

Highlight #6: Hearing the book store clerks say, “You’re a success. You sold out. Only Bob Dole has ever sold out.” Now, I’m guessing Bob Dole had more actual books to sell but still. . . me and Bob, huh? *Matthew McConaughey voice* “Alright, alright, alright.”

Highlight #7: My Book Club Hotties. They’ve encouraged me for over a year. They were there when best-selling author, Beth Hoffman, said, “Don’t give up on your dreams or yourselves.” I adore each of them.

Highlight #8: Sitting in my brother’s truck after the event for a victory shot of hooch. His toast to me, “You did it, Dude. Here’s to the first of many. Now, don’t be a girl. Drink that down in one gulp.”

I’m still walking on air. Still feeling like a bride on her wedding day. Still remembering what a surreal day it was and secretly, looking forward to the next one.

To those of you who shared the day with me, THANK YOU. You will never know what your presence in those 2 hours meant to me. I wish I could kiss every single one of you but it’s cold and flu season so accept this heartfelt *wave* instead.

To those of you who made it to the end of this VERY long indulgent post, thank you too. Your sacrifice was just as great.

If you read the story and enjoyed it, we’d love to see your review on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

If you haven’t purchased a copy of Sleigh Ride yet and now after reading this post you’re all excited to see what the fuss is about, here are some links where you can purchase the trade paperback and e-book. Don’t forget, a portion of the proceeds benefits the national domestic abuse prevention fund via Alpha Chi Omega foundation.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Ride-Anthology-Malena-Lott/dp/0615552331/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323296108&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble for nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleigh-ride-samantha-wilde/1107145378?ean=2940013578845&itm=1&usri=sleigh+ride

Monthly contributor for Book End Babes.

I read books and chat it up about them, first Friday of each month.

I’m also thrilled to be writing a Charity Spotlight series for the life-changing micro-giving site, Love Drop.

Sir Taco Of Bellshire profiles with a pumpkin, pre-pummeling

Last year, my little family discovered the sheer joy of post-Halloween pumpkin destruction. It’s exhilarating, it’s cathartic and when it’s 65 degrees like it was this afternoon, it’s some pretty sweet family fun.

When Jack-o-lantern mouths begin to pucker and pumpkin skin starts to wrinkle, don’t just throw them away, grab a handful of tools and head to the backyard. Warning: If you live with a Bob-Villa-type, like I do, your tool choices will be limited because evidently, *animated air quotes* “these are important tools, they are used to fix things and pumpkin guts will get them sticky. . . . and blah blah blah.” And YES, I WAS doing my Dougie voice just then.

I was all excited to grab the power drill and perform a little open-head gourd surgery but nooooo, Dougie Villa squashed that idea. Sooo, we grabbed a couple baseball bats, a large stick and a hammer. After Jacob and I gave him a boo boo face, he also reluctantly gave up his crow bar.  YES!

It's all smiles and adoring gazes before the big smash.

Getting their game-faces on. Katie tried to look tough but ended up looking more like a contortionist.

LET THE SMASHING BEGIN!!!!

After a spirited battle cry that sounded something like, “WOOGY WOOGY WOOGY,” these sweet baby dolls beat, smashed, crow-barred and kicked those poor pumpkins, laughing maniacally the whole time.

Jacob gives an aggressive pumpkin carving tutorial: Video here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_r31uTGrLo

We even played pumpkin baseball: Video here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWFRVO2K5xw

Katie takes her pumpkin carcass for a drive.

Jakie was less than thrilled when I made him use a British accent and say, " 'Ello guvna. Pip pip, cheerio."

Then Katie ended up in the leaf pile

And Mama was ready for a drink. Warm Apple Cider + One (or 2) shots of Butterscotch Schnapps.

Hey photog friends! How ’bout the staging on this photo, eh? I threw in a few festive items but forgot to move the chair and extra place mat out of the background! You’re right, I will NOT quit my day job.

Today was one of those days when the laughs outnumbered the quarrels. We spent the entire afternoon outside and even had a picnic on the driveway as the kids took turns riding in Dougie’s old and battered but still still beloved Jeep CJ5.

When it was finally time to come in to start dinner, showers, chores and homework, we became wardens again and there was much pouting in the land. But BEFORE that. . . ohhhh, the 3 hours before that was pure bliss.  As a parent, you take what you can get.  ;)

Pumpkin-pummeling, a chalk self-portrait by Katie.

Are you ready for a warm and fuzzy??

My new post is up for the Love Drop Charity Spotlight Series.

Today I’m chatting about the uber inspiring movie, The Blind Side and how you can change your own little corner of the world by visiting, CREATE THE GOOD.

Go HERE to read about Create The Good:  http://www.lovedrop.us/blog/charity-spotlight-create-the-good

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the latest Love Drop family:  http://www.lovedrop.us/

Becca and Jeff received a little surprise recently, well, three surprises, actually, TRIPLETS! Born premature and weighing less than 2 lbs each, these little darlings have been in the NICU but they’re coming home soon and when they do, this family of nine is going to be cramped for elbow room. *gasp* Eighteen elbows. That’s a lot of elbows, y’all.

Nate and J$ will be traveling to visit the family this week and we still have a way to go toward reaching the goal. In addition to the extra funds, babies Aaron, Jeffery and Aleana will need a nursery with 3 times the baby goodness so gift cards to Babies R Us, Walmart, Target and any other big box retailer is always welcome.

I know firsthand how this wonderful organization can change a life and make the world a brighter place. Please support them so they can continue to support those in need.

http://www.bookendbabes.com/2011/10/06/before-i-go-to-sleep-by-s-j-watson/

On 11-11-11, the winter anthology, SLEIGH RIDE, will be released in e-book and limited print.

The collection features four previously published authors and three newbies including ME!

Last Friday I received a little surprise in my email inbox, an advanced copy! *SQUEAL* I was giddy. I inhaled the tales like they were dripping with guacamole! They’re SO. GOOD! My little story, No Place Like Home is snuggled right in the middle.

This anthology, with contributions from, Maria Geraci, Samantha Wilde, Malena Lott, Megan Barlog, Maggie Marr and Jenny Peterson, is funny, poignant, bittersweet and even futuristic. I’m proud to be in such awesome, talented company. The anthology is the brainchild of author/friend Malena Lott, who is a big proponent of girl power. So much so, a portion of the proceeds will go toward a domestic violence education/awareness program.

Where can you meet the authors for a signed copy or buy Sleigh Ride online?

Details coming soon!

Early on in our journey with VOGM, we were scared, frustrated and had few places to turn for answers and support. In 2007, on a particularly heartbreaking visit to the New York hospital where we sought treatment, I remember thinking, “I feel so alone. Where are the parents who have gone through this? Why can’t I find out more information?” As I watched my daughter sleeping, still heavily sedated, knowing this would not be the last time I stood watch at her hospital bedside, I vowed at that moment to spend the rest of my life raising awareness for this unpredictable and unforgiving thing that snuck up on us and nearly stole her life.

Though it’s taken 4 years to muster the courage to undertake it and the resources to make it possible, I’m overjoyed to announce the creation of the VOGM Parents Alliance. I founded this organization to bring parents together, provide resources, education, and most importantly. . . hope. This is the first and only US-based website dedicated to VOGM children and their families.

http://vogmparents.org/

Most of you reading this post will never have a need to visit the site, except for an initial curiosity. Only a small portion of the population will need the information provided on this website, but for them, I hope it becomes a source of strength and empowerment.

This past weekend Katie celebrated her 7th birthday. We know how lucky we are to have her with us, strong, healthy, with a smile that lights up a room and is completely contagious. That smile is the reason we pay it forward. This organization is just the beginning.

Sincere thanks to Dennis Hildebrand and Mary Montavon from Hildebrand Creative who felt the project almost as deeply as I did. To the donors who cared about this enough to help fund it and those who kept telling me this was NOT bigger than me, thank you. Sometimes all we need is for someone to believe in us.

Now that my little baby savin’ project is built, how will parents find us? Well, that’s where I’d like to have your help. I’m watchin’ my Google stats like a hawk and although I’m doing okay with a search for “VOGM,” on a search for “vein of galen malformation” I’m still way back there on page 53. If you have a blog, maybe you could give the VOGM Parents Alliance a little love and link to us. http://vogmparents.org/

Thanks, friends! Here we go…………………………….

You know how they have those helpful fruit shapes to describe body types? Well, I’m a pear. Big at the bottom, tiny at the top. Pears are awesome baby-birthers. When my shape started to change my lower half, bred from German stock said, “BRING IT. We can do this all day long.” My torso was not as confident. Oh sure, the bigger hooties were nice but my small-framed rib cage and sternum screamed, “we are bones, lady, we do not expand, expect our wrath.”

One day I sat in a snuggly reading position for too long and when I got up I felt a tightness in my chest. It was hard to breathe and I could swear I felt my sternum bone poking me in the. . . well. . . *makes swirly motions over chest* .. . general sternum-y area inside. It felt like it needed to be popped back out but how does one do that? I contorted my round little 5 foot 4 frame in every way I could think of. Nothin’. I looked like an uncoordinated extra in Cirque du Soleil.

Finally I realized if I performed a carefully choreographed maneuver of standing up, breathing out, throwing my outstretched arms as far back as they would go and leaning my head back. . . all at the right time. . . POP!! No, really, when it pops back out, there is a loud audible POP, which usually prompts Dougie to shout, “Oooh, good one, Honey,” wherever he is in the house.

I thought the caving issue would subside after I gave birth but no-ho-ho. Much like stretch marks, baby weight and loving something more than yourself, some things are here to stay.

The ole sternum still caves in every now and again and I have to go all , “Riggs from Lethal Weapon” on it. Google it, young people.

Again, don’t be alarmed. It doesn’t hurt, it’s just uncomfortable and inhibits my breathing until it pops back out. That’s normal, right?

So ladies, if you dare, tell me what bizarre long-lasting effect you have from pregnancy. Ohhh, let me preface that request by saying I do have a few male readers so any info about your downstairs lady business probably should be avoided. We’re adults, we know the carnival ride is never quite the same again, and in my case, sometimes it has to be snapped back together like a Hot Wheels track. Whadayagonnado?

Love Drop. . . again you say? Yes, again. This time, though, we’re gonna pay it right-the-hell forward.

Last month I was so inspired by all the love shown to my sister, Lucy that I immediately signed up to become a member. In addition to contributing a certain dollar amount every month, I’m also part of the Love Drop Blogger Network, helping spread the word about the next deserving person. Each month I’ll send a little snippet of their particular situation and link to the Love Drop video where Storytellers, Dennis Hildebrand and Mary Montavon do a phenomenal job of illustrating the story.

If the story touches you and you want to donate or send a letter of encouragement, awesome!! If you pass the story along to others, we’re very grateful.

Let’s do this.

Love Drop #9  - Melanie

Melanie and her two daughters

This month, Love Drop is rallying around Melanie, a mother of four from Massachusetts who was struck by a car on July 5th, 2011. 

Melanie was out for a pre-dinner walk with her 16-year-old son, Aidan when they saw a distracted driver veering their way. Melanie was struck by the car going approximately 35 mph. She flew 15-20 feet in to the air before she landed. Quick-thinking Aidan elevated his mother’s head and though she was losing a lot of blood, he stayed calm, talking to her, trying to keep her awake and from going in to shock until the EMTs arrived. 

Melanie suffered a shattered pelvis, ruptured bladder, internal bleeding, broken hand and fingers, as well as, multiple head lacerations from the landing. Melanie cannot walk or put any weight on her legs. Recovery could take up to a year before she regains the ability to walk again. Melanie will be wheelchair-bound for quite sometime.

Before the accident, Melanie was a busy mama whose 4 children and husband relied on for most everything. Though her family will surely step up and help where they can, Melanie still wants to run her home as she did before. This month Love Drop is asking for assistance in making her home more wheelchair accessible. A front-load washer and dryer and stove with front knobs would help her immensely, especially since she loves to cook. 

As always, Love Drop appreciates monetary donations but they also like to see people get inspired and be creative with their donations. Do you have connections with an appliance store, maybe a company who helps people adapt their homes to make it more wheelchair accessible, gift cards to stores or even restaurants in the area would be a wonderful gesture.

Please visit the Love Drop site, watch the brief video of Melanie’s story and do what you can. . . if you can. 

http://www.lovedrop.us/

Thank you!!  

Lucy and Tracy with J$ and Nate

It’s no secret how much I adore the people from Love Drop. If you’re not familiar with them, then you must be new here because they’re all I’ve been talking about for the past two months. Love Drop is the micro-giving site dedicated to helping one new family or person per month.

Last month they sponsored my sister, Lucy, who’s battling a rare blood disorder, Aplastic Anemia. Last weekend I met the founders of the site, Nate St. Pierre and a man I know simply as J-Money. They stopped by our Love Drop going away party to wish Lucy well as she embarks on a 3-month journey to Omaha Nebraska where she will receive chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and start kicking this disease straight in the junk. Sorry, that wasn’t very ladylike. WELL, neither is this stupid disease.

Team Lucy!!

When Nate and J$ arrived, for me it was like meeting Bono and Santa Clause all rolled up in to one, but with less fanfare. I think our big loud group, many of us wearing hot pink shirts emblazoned with LIVE LAUGH LOVE LUCY may have intimidated them at first because they just slipped in to the venue and quietly began to mingle. When it was time for them to open their bag of goodies, however, they did not disappoint.

The beauty of Love Drop is that they don’t always ask for monetary donations. Sure, money is a big part of the goal every month, but just as each family/person is unique, so is their, “drop.”

This month, in addition to a $3,000 goal we were trying to meet to help pay insurance premiums, Love Drop also asked their members to provide Lucy with things that would keep her occupied in Omaha. Members must have had a great time with this request. Lucy received stickers, stamps, stationary, card games, books, a mummy doll that does the Michael Jackon, Thriller dance and even a SpongeBob Hangman game.

When Nate and J$ said, “Could you send Lucy a note of encouragement to read when she needs a little cheering up?” The people responded! At last count, there were 70+ cards and notes that rolled in for Lucy to take to Omaha.

When the final check was revealed, gameshow style, we were thrilled to learn that Love Drop members and visitors raised almost $4,200.00 for sweet Lucy AND provided her with a laptop computer. This will allow her to keep in touch with all the family and friends who can’t be with her every day, but will desperately want to communicate with her.

J$ presents Lucy with generous Love Drop check. *applause*

The Love Drop party for Lucy is a night I will never forget. Lucy’s friends and family and friends who have simply become family (Cat/Aaron/Meg/Arianne) packed in to the venue like hot pink sardines. We dined on Love Drop cookies and Lucy’s favorite candy from Nifty Nuthouse. We heard stories about Lucy that made us cry with laughter. We watched Lucy open gift after sweet gift, and tried to make Tracy comfortable who the day before, had given the BEST gift of all, her delicious bone marrow.

Nate and J$ had no obligation to stay when their portion of the night was over but they did. Even when the heat, the laughter and the sound of children’s high-pitched glee overwhelmed the room, they stayed. That’s the kind of men they are, they care.

To all the Love Drop members I’ll never meet, the family members, friends and extended families who donated this month, to Shannon Henrici, the Twitter buddies, the Facebook pals. . . thank you from the bottom of my heart. Know that you did your part this month to make sure Lucy has the financial/mental arsenal she needs to fight this disease.

To Nate St. Pierre, J$, Dennis Hildebrand, Mary Montavon, you have created something that will touch people in ways you never could have imagined. Thank you for helping my sister and inspiring others to do great things. This is your legacy.

My sister, Lucy is a pretty special lady. I can’t wait until I get to say, “she’s back and she’s cured.”

Dear Lucy, Happy Birth of New Marrow!  Love you!