The Cherry On Top

I’m on my way to Orlando today for the annual Romance Writers of America conference. As you’re reading this, I’m probably sitting on the plane…grinning.

Or, perhaps, signing books at the Literacy Signing…grinning.

Or meeting up with my friend, Lynn…grinning.

Or simply wandering around the conference resort…grinning.

Yep, that’s right. I’m excited about this trip. Very excited. It’s an action packed four days with meetings (editors, agents, publishing folks), parties (pajama party, karaoke party, cocktail parties, balls, award dinners, etc), and much-needed time with one of my very favorite pals (translation: girl chat…all night long).

You see, being a writer is fun. It really is. But it can be rather isolating at times. So, when an event like this comes along (especially one such as RWA that is a tough act to follow in all regards), it’s a chance to get out and talk with people who actually want to hear about my day. It’s a real boost.

I’m taking my camera this time. And I’ve even promised myself I’ll actually take pictures at all the events (I’m wonderful at bringing my camera, not so good at remembering to use it).

In the meantime, is there something you look forward to each year (either at work or home)? Something that takes you away from the norm for even just a few glorious hours?

~Elizabeth

And We’ve Never Even Met

Four years ago this month, I had my world turned upside down with two words: Multiple Sclerosis.

I remember that moment like it was yesterday. It was completely unexpected and more than a little scary. I was, after all, a mom (with a then 7 and 11 year old), and things like that aren’t supposed to happen when you’re a mom.

Or so I thought…or, rather, thought in terms of me.

I quickly found out I was wrong.

The next year was a little nuts with a number of things going on in my life at the same time (with denial about the disease being near the top of the list). I knew what M.S. was and I knew what it could do.  Yet I still felt that if I put off the decision on meds and stayed far away from the countless internet sites on the disease, I could pretend it wasn’t real.

Wrong again.

Eventually, I pushed past the denial and made the decisions that needed to be made. The second year, then, became about learning…and adjusting…and accepting. Once that second year was over, it was on to forging ahead (while simultaneously moving halfway across the country).

Which brings me to now. There are times, when I think back, that I can’t help but be proud of where I am–I’m feeling great, my career is better than ever, and my life, overall, is pretty darn good. But there were some mighty rough seas to charter to get to this place.

For some of those choppy waves, I had a hand (friends willing to listen or nudge when needed). For some, though, I simply swam alone.

But even when I swam alone, I had certain images that kept me moving. One of those images was a fellow writer I’d never met (still haven’t to this day) yet had been put in contact with by a mutual friend. This man had (has) M.S., as well, and was able to answer the kinds of questions I needed to ask. Those email exchanges helped more than I can ever say. Yet it went beyond that, too. This man helped me by simply being. 

A few weeks ago he biked in his first 600K  (to read about his journey, click here).

That’s right. A 600 K. With M.S.

 Keith was a life raft for me in many ways, making me believe in me again. And I will be forever grateful to this man I’ve never met.

Recently, I had my chance to be a life raft (something I hope to be many times over) when I got an email from a co-worker of a librarian I met at a conference a few years ago. This co-worker has M.S. and needed an ear. So the librarian sent her in my direction and we’ve been emailing ever since. 

I don’t know that I’ll ever accomplish a 600 K ride in my lifetime (mainly because I’m not–nor have ever been–much of a biker). But I hope that something about me and my drive will help this woman in the way Keith has helped me.

It’s about paying it forward, I guess.

So how about you? Have you ever had (or been) a Keith in your life?

~Elizabeth

If you follow the link above to Keith’s piece on his 600 K, you might find yourself wondering what a brevet is (I know I certainly did).  If so, check this out:  http://www.veloweb.ca/randopage.html

The Clever Few

I’m in awe of people who invent things to make life easier/better. You know, those think-outside-the-box kinda people. Sure, there are times I say, “wouldn’t it be cool if there was something that could (fill in the blank),” but it’s invariably followed by, “they already make that.” I suppose this should tell me that I’m rather out of the loop at times, but, more than that, it tells me that there are some very clever people in this world. People far more clever and creative than me…

There’s the guy/gal who came up with the diaper genie concept (a godsend when I had my girls fifteen and eleven years ago, though, I imagine there’s something even more high speed for new parents these days).

There’s the guy/gal who came up with those wheels that actually allow you to roll your suitcase side to side (and, thus, presenting less of a tripping hazard to your fellow travelers).

There’s the guy/gal who came up with the idea of a single pen that can be red, green, black, or blue with no more than a click of your finger.

There’s the guy/gal who…well, you get what I mean. There’s some really cool stuff out there–some useful, some utterly bizarre (like the Snuggie, which, in reality, is nothing different than wearing a bathrobe backwards)–but all invented by someone with an idea. And the determination to turn it into reality.

So tell me, what’s your favorite (relatively recent) invention and why?  And, while you’re at it, how about one you find more than a little odd.

~Elizabeth

Ooh…aah

I spent part of yesterday at the Museum of Natural History on West 79th Street in New York City. One of my favorite parts? The blue whale. It’s one thing to imagine how big such a creature is and quite another to stand under a to-scale model and actually see it.

Wow.

One of my favorite facts about the blue whale? An adult can grow as long as three school buses and weigh over 400,000 pounds (that’s about the size of 24 African elephants).

Wow.

Your turn. What’s a must-see museum or exhibit you’ve seen? And any cool facts that stick out in your mind from your visit?

~Elizabeth

More Than A Lamp

I was working on a synopsis when the call came. The moment I heard my eleven-year-old’s voice, I knew something was wrong. She was cleaning her room, moving things around, when it happened. 

Her beloved Tinkerbell lamp fell off her cubbies and broke. 

If you knew my daughter, you’d know how tragic this really was. She’s a die-hard Disney lover (like her mom), with Tinker Bell being among her favorites. The lamp had been a gift from me when we moved out on our own three and a half years ago.

I remember the day I gave it to her…the way her eyes lit up and the sound of the happy squeal right before she threw her arms around me. And I remember the way she placed it on her cubbies with pride, using the night light feature every night before bed (she loved the purple hue it gave her room).

When we moved to New York last year, the lamp was one of the first things to find a place in her new room, the fairies that adorned the base of the lamp a forever nod to that sweet innocence she proudly holds onto.

And then Friday happened.

Sure, the tears were for the lamp, itself. But I think they were just as much about the memory, and the symbol, and the feeling of “home” that lamp provided. So while I listened to her sob in my ear, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this was one boo-boo I had to fix…

A fix that should be arriving on our doorstep later today.

So tell me, is there something you or a loved one own (s) that you wouldn’t hesitate to replace (even if it’s no longer available in stores and therefore the purchase price is twice what you originally paid) in the event of a mishap?

~Elizabeth

From a Very Small Mountaintop

I’m, essentially, an introvert (novel concept for a writer, eh?). I enjoy listening to others talk but find it hard to volunteer stuff about myself unless I’m super close to that person. It’s simply the way I am. When bad stuff happens, I don’t share it. When good stuff happens, I don’t tend to share that, either.

So today I’m stepping out of my comfort zone to share a few recent good-news-tidbets (simply because I want to tell someone).  Ready?

*KAYLA’S DADDY, my first ever romance with Harlequin American, has sold out. I’ve  only uttered this aloud to one other person and she knows who she is.

*A MOM FOR CALLIE, my second romance with Harlequin American (written under the name, Laura Bradford), hits store shelves on July 13th! You can find it in Wal-marts and Borders (among other places) nationwide! If you can’t wait, it’s available on the eharlequin.com website right now.

*I just got word that DEATH THREADS is on the Barnes & Noble national mass market mystery list for its 7th week in a row (first I’m sharing this)!!!

That’s it. Now it’s your turn. Tell us something special you’ve accomplished recently!

~Elizabeth

Memories in the Making

Today marks the start of half-days for my youngest. Half-days that will last until school officially closes at the end of next week.

There’s a part of me that’s looking at the clock trying to figure out how I’m going to cram a day’s worth of work into half the time. But there’s another part–a larger part–that’s determined to do it. So we can enjoy our time together. And I treasure it, I really do.

There may be things in life I wish I could change (my self-confidence at the top of that list), but when it comes to time I’ve spent with my kids…I have no regrets. Except, maybe, that it went too fast.

Today, I think I’m going to meet her at the bus stop with a picnic lunch. Maybe we’ll make a yummy dessert together, too…

And since I have seven more half-days ahead of us, tell me something special you’ve done with your kids. Don’t have any kids? Then how about a special memory shared with a parent? Maybe we can give it a whirl, too.

~Elizabeth

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five…

I’m going into space today. 

Okay, maybe not truly, but kinda. Sorta.

My fifth grader is going to a space mission simulator with some of her classmates and I volunteered to go along (really, who can resist a chance to pretend something so cool as space travel?!?!?). If I understand correctly, the kids will get to see what a mission into space truly entails. While there, they’ll perform the tasks that a real team must perform every single time we go into space. There will be kids who get to be the astronauts, kids who get to be the communication officers, kids who get to work with the gear, etc.  You know, a real hands-on learning experience that will make them see space exploration in a whole new way.

Now, I realize I’m only there as an extra set of eyes for the teacher, but I have to tell you…I’m more than a little excited. I mean, really, how many times in life (as an adult) do you get to experience something so cool through the eyes of kids (one of which is your own)?

So, since I’ll be learning space jargon and all the buttons you’re not supposed to push, I leave you all to carry on a conversation together. As for a topic? How about the coolest field trip you’ve ever been on (as a student or a chaperone) and what made it so cool…

~Elizabeth

When Music Leads the Way

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my 11-year-old’s school orchestra concert. And while most of the parents seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event, I was the one getting teary-eyed (on several occasions).

I don’t know what it is about watching her play the violin that gets to me, but it does. Every single time.

Perhaps it’s the poise she exudes as she glides the bow across the strings. Perhaps it’s the simple fact that I *love* the violin (whether it’s played fast like a fiddle or more violin-like). And perhaps it’s nothing more than a mother’s pride. But while I’m sure it’s a little bit of each of those things, I wonder if it might be a little bit of regret, too.

I played the piano for a few years as a kid. My teacher taught me to play by numbers rather than reading music (big mistake). I did fairly well but I never really *learned.* Fast forward to now. I’m a firm believer in the healing power of music. It’s why I tend to listen to it whenever I’m sad or struggling with something. But can you imagine if I could *play* it myself at those same times? The feeling of accomplishment I’d have?

So how about you? Did you–or, better yet, *do* you–play an instrument?

~Elizabeth

A Taste of Home

I’ve lived in a lot of places over the years, claiming eleven different structures as “home” in eight different states. I’ve lived in New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, and New York.

While I enjoyed many aspects of all of these places, the place I feel the strongest pull of “home” is St. Louis. Much of that pull, I’m sure, is because of time (the better part of seventeen years was spent there–my longest stretch in one place ever).

That said, I guess it’s natural to miss it from time to time. Fortunately for me, I get to go back once or twice a year to visit thanks to my work as an author and annual checkups with my M.S. doctor. Those visits enable me to see my friends face-to-face and to breathe in the St. Louis atmosphere I grew to love.

For the most part, the visits hold me over from one to the next thanks to memories and future plans. But, from time to time, I need a little dose of home in between visits. Sometimes, flipping through pictures helps. Sometimes, emailing a friend and asking for the latest scoop helps. And sometimes–as was the case this past weekend–incorporating a little “St. Louis” into my life in New York helps. 

My latest attempt to infuse a little St. Louis into my life here in New York? I baked a pan of Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (a St. Louis tradition) using a recipe from a friend I met while living in St. Louis.  I brought the treat to a PLOT LUCK dinner some fellow RWA friends and I had on Saturday night. The smell in the house while I baked planted a smile on my face a mile long…one I spread to my friends when they got to try my little taste of home!

So how about you? What’s something that reminds you of home (wherever home may be)?

~Elizabeth

For those who might be interested, here’s a recipe for Ooey Gooey Butter Cake as told by my friend, Heather Richards. Just do me a favor, okay? If you make it, tell people it’s a St. Louis tradition, okay?

Ingredients for bottom:  *1 package yellow cake mix. *1 stick butter. * 1 egg.  Combine (this will be relatively dry). Press into greased 9 x 13 pan.

Ingredients for top:  * 1 (16 ounce) package of powdered sugar. * 8 ounce package of cream cheese. * 2 eggs. * 1 tsp. vanilla.     Combine.  Pour on top of crust.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool completely or it will be runny. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut in squares.  Enjoy!!!!