Monday, March 23, 2009

Photographs and mem....um...messories

This is the mess I left in my little writing/editing room in the little log house before I went to bed last night - exhausted, spent (see the sun peeking in!). Now, obviously there is a bunch of papers on the floor, etc, but if you look closer, you'll see some other things. Like, the "children's" books I'm going to review for Kerry Madden: Gentle's Holler, Louisiana's Song, Jessie's Mountain: my first time to review children's books - these books are so charming (if you have kids - these books are wonderful chronicles of a mountain family - from Maggie Valley! my town!), and I very much enjoyed them: well done, Kerry! There's a marble horse's head on the table and wrapped around it is a gift I received from an old neighborhood/school friend of mine, when we lived on Drusilla Lane (on Singletary) in Baton Rouge--Mike and his wife Tanya are wonderful - Mike, bless him he knows me well after all these years!, made me the most perfect necklace from an ancient ancient "wolf's head" arrowhead (I'll get a better photo later and the story), and I keep it by me as I write. There is a bookmark from Angie Gumbo Writer, and one from my friend Charles Mills. There are other little gifts and thoughts from friends and family (including more from Angie!) - and things I've picked up from the mountain or other places.

In this photo, you can see the MESS that is on my dining room table. There is a month's worth of mail I have to get to. In that mail are some wonderful beautiful thoughtful gifts from some blogger friends, like Lisa and Maria-Therese and Barbara that I want to take my time pouring over instead of the fast way I had to when I arrived home; and there is a book I won in a book giveaway from Katrina, and there are the other books I have on the table for my own give-away that are still there from the last contest (Barbara chose her two Deborah Smith books, and I have her one to grow on *teehee*). There are also my birthday present surprises from Good Man Roger - some are under the boa he got me to replace the one the critter took (because they are 'personal' - haw!). If you look closely, you can barely see Fat Labrador Jake's head peeking up.
And, if you could just see my INBOX(es) on my emails (yes, plural) - I have email to answer, read- and as well, I want to take my time reading all your comments from previous posts while in Texas, etc, that I haven't had time to get to - some of them, but not all! I will read every last one of them; with pleasure, too.

The tax information I still have to do...gawd! I'm So Behind.

Lastly, these are the magazines I have not had time to read that are on my couch - well, on the soft soft throw (not real fur!) on my red couch.

Last night, I finished the galleys - almost. I will do a quick check and then send them on. I will get one last peek and then that is IT. I want to talk to you all about this process and what it has shown me, means to me, what I have learned- and, how it will change not only how I read books, but how I review them.

Tommy was back in the hospital briefly for one night, but it was all okay and he's back at home (whew). Frank still in hospital, but doing better. Your continued thoughts mean so much to us.

Pre-orders are coming in - THANK YOU! My first booksigning party will most probably be April 17 - but, I best get my butt in gear and stop playing here.

*MUWAH* (I wrote this ninety to nothing lickity spit so I hope it makes sense and there aren't errors! ha!) And THANK YOU to my guest bloggers: Brian at Eazy Cheezy, Angie Gumbo Writer, and Kimmi Richardson - scroll down if you haven't read them.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

so nice to have you posting from home again dear kat- your mess looks like heaven to me xx

Janna Leadbetter said...

Gosh, you need a good swipe of time to catch up, with nothing new added to the pile!

Great job with the galleys! Can't wait to hear more about the process.

Sandra Leigh said...

Welcome home, Kat! Isn't it amazing how mail piles up when you're away? In recent years, I've been able to arrange that my bills, at least, come to me online, so I don't have a nasty pile of those waiting for me. It sounds as if your mail is mostly fun stuff, so take your time and enjoy it. Now that we know you're back at home, we can wait patiently (sort of) for your next post.

Debbie said...

I feel like I am just as behind as you and I don't have an illness in the family, extended trip, or book release to blame it on. I'll blame it on congress. That works for me.

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Kat, Good to see you're back home in the thick of things, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on reading the galleys. BTW: Your guest bloggers did you proud!

Barb Davis said...

Glad to hear the pre-sales are doing so well. Would love to be at the book signing, but I'm afraid I live almost 3,000 miles away from it. Sad. But I did do the pre-order. Looking forward to it arriving!!!

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

Your chair looks so cosy!!
There's a boa?!?!? :D

Michelle said...

I want that chair!

So glad you're home safe.

Anita said...

I want that chair too! It looks so comfy! And I like your house...it looks lived in and loved!

Polly said...

I LOVE the excerpt from Tender Graces!! It is, to me, beyond description. I am so happy to have found you! You know, my mail looks eactly like yours and I haven't even been away. Take care.

Jessica Nelson said...

What a comfortable looking room! :-) Take it easy. Get your taxes done and your book, everything else can wait. LOL Well, maybe get the bills done too.

Deb Shucka said...

Looks and feels like home. I'm really looking forward to hearing about your process and what it means to you. Hope you can get some rest in the midst of all the delicious madness.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Hey, as long as you're not messing up MY room downstairs, it's okay. LOL. Really, my whole house looks like a bomb went off. I just keep saying I'll clean it later, I'll sort the mail later, yada yada.

Hey, your Tanya friend...her maiden name begin with a K? (Wondering if it's the same one I knew from Tara who married a cousin of mine.)

Love you. Rest your eyeballs. Pat Jake for me. Oh...just remembered him sitting up and rocking the rocking chair! :)

Lori said...

Oh my dear, you have a lot on your plate but it's all good and happy things. It does make me want to have you put your feet up and make you a cup of tea. Take a deep breath and enjoy!Hugs, Lori

Barry said...

Your place feels like home!