The Pioneer Woman

Last night,

I attended a booksigning at the local bookstore for

The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

The Pioneer Woman,

is a blog written by Rhee Drummond.

I stumbled upon her blog about a year and a half ago

while looking for photography tips.

She cooks, she writes, she's a photographer, she homeschools and lives on a cattle ranch.

She is very popular in the blogsphere.

My friend, Susie,

came along to keep me company,

athough she had never read her blog.

Upon our arrival,

we purchased our cookbooks and were assigned to the group "N."

There were about 300 people in attendance.

First, PW (Pioneer Woman) had a question/answer session,

then it was time to start with Group A

and the people with children could get in line also.

While we were waiting,

I met PW's sister-in-law,

Missy.

Of course, I got her autograph.

I wasn't out of place here,

there were many other blog stalkers like me.

In the meantime, Susie had picked up this book.

"Becoming Latina in 10 easy steps."

Although she claims she was going to buy it for me,

I think she was reading it to make sure she's doing things right.

The "A and kiddie" group were taking a while and I was getting anxious.

Since Shawn and Cody are in Chicago for hockey,

I had left my two younger kids with my neighbor and it was nearing their bedtime.

Susie suggested I go up front and get one more picture with PW in the background,

then we'd leave our cookbooks with the bookstore for her to sign later.

I made my way to the front of the signing table and Susie starting clicking away.

The problem was,

she couldn't get a clear shot.

The people getting their books signed were getting in the way.

What is wrong with people these days?

By now,

I had captured the attention of the ladies in the front row seats

and they were giggling

because we couldn't get a clear shot.

Somebody suggested to Susie to move to get a better angle.

Another gal said,

"the line attendant should just stop the line and let you take a picture."

Right on, lady.

Now you're talkin'.

What does it take to get a good picture around here?

What?

What's that?

You're going to stop the line for me?

Just to get a good picture?

Well, okay, if you insist.

A nice, clear shot of me and P.W.

Then she asked,

"would you like me to sign your book?"

Remember, she is currently signing the remaining "A" and "kiddie" group's

and Susie I are merely "N's."

I thought about that for 2 seconds and then said,

"Well, okay.

You see (I continued, ....

...I have two young children at home

and my husband and son are in Chicago.

My son plays travel hockey......."

Susie says I was a blabbering idiot.

Which is soooo unlike me.

"So, yes please sign it."

"To Lisa,..."

Notice I have 2 books in my hand?

In all my excitement of not only getting a picture with Rhee,

having my book signed,

and jumping ahead,

I forgot to get Susie's book signed.

You would understand,

wouldn't you?

Well, let's just say,

I had to leave Suzie's book with the rest of the books that needed autographs,

and got the business from Susie on the way home.

Shawn said,

"You left your wingman?"

I say,

"If it happened to Maverick,

it can happen to anyone."

Look Susie,

I picked up your book today.

All signed and everything.

Friends?

A Message from Ms. October

It is now November

and my reign as Ms. October has come to an end.

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in my

own celebration of self.

It's just sick, isn't it?

Ask me if I care.

The guest blogger's,

the lunches,

the gifts,

the birthday greetings.

I appreciate all of you.

(I'll only say that once.)

Your the butter on my popcorn.

Which is the highest compliment one can receive.

By the way,

my plans for Ms. October 2010 will soon be underway

and I'm sure you'll want all of the details.

You can never be too prepared.

On a final note,

my reign (I love saying that)

was celebrated by some of the Latinas.

Left to right.

Susie (Ms. Mexico)

Cathy (Ms. Peru)

Me (Ms. October)

Sandy (Ms. Colombia)

Ana (Ms. Cuba)

and

Guadalupe (Ms. Ecuador)

Gracias mujeres.

~~~~

One day in October,

I had lunch with the Canadian

and my gift was in this.

Isn't it adorable?

I loved it

and that's just the gift bag.

Inside was a precious little mirror with two love birds.

It resides on my night stand

and I've caught myself gazing into it

more times than I care to count.

~~~~

Friday,

I had a birthday lunch with Sheila (Ms. Ahwatukee)

and Michelle (Ms. Tempe).

It was a beautiful afternoon as we sat out on the patio,

enjoyed lunch

and this little treat.

One gift I received

was this leather bound novel.

Okay,

it was a box with faux leather,

but one can dream.

In fact,

I dream that,

one day,

my image will be on a real leather bound book

and also on display in

The Louvre.

Hey, a girl can dream.

It can happen.

~~~~~

Thank you,

everyone.

Farewell,

October.

And...I'm out.

A Nash Halloween Bash

Images from last night's

Halloween Party,

hosted by our friend's,

The Incredibles.

So many creative costumes,

here are some favorites.

Alice and the Mad Hatter.

The Border Patrol Agent.

She captured this Mexican selling his wares.

Vikings.

A Hippie.

The "Chick" Magnet and His "Hot Chick."

The Cardinal and his She-Devil.

Minnie

KISS

Mr. & Mrs. Dracula,

and their little lady bug.

This Sparton Cheerleader,

not pictured,

Mr. Sparton Cheerleader.

Pastor Castor and his Naughty Nun.

and

The Biker Couple.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A New Addition

Take a look at this little beauty I recently purchased.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her

and with a little encouragement from The Canadian, I brought her home.

Sure, she's cute,

but when I saw THIS gorgeous transformation at Just a Girl

I was inspired.

Now, she looks like this.

It's amazing what some primer, paint and a little patience will do.

She's found her spot by the pool table and popcorn machine

and has been gussied up for Halloween.

The chic decor is from the dollar store and Goodwill.

I love these glasses.

They're very Spookyhollowish,

don't you think?

Everybody has to have a Jar 'O Skulls hanging around.

Worms,

gotta have worms.

My personal favorite,

Booger Juice.

Mmmmm, now you're talkin'.

It's not just for Halloween anymore.

Tasty eyeballs.

Pop one of these in your mouth

and say "ah."

BAM!

Dollar store.

I've got big plans for her for the holidays

but when those pass,

I'm going to send my kids in a sugar frenzy.

Picture gumballs,

licorice,

and lollipops in glass jars.

Glass sundae cups too.

Plain ole fun stuff.

Lucky for me,

2 out of 3 of my kids are not candy eaters.

Here's one last look.

Another view.

I don't want any comments

coming my way about this broom,

or else I'll cast an evil spell.

I know you were thinking about it.

A Sharp(ie) Lampshade

Do you have an old lampshade that needs some sprucing up?

Maybe your lampshade has some splotches,

some little finger prints?

Unidentifiable grime?

Am I getting too personal here?

Too intrusive?

I just want to tell you that you are not alone,

I share your pain,

your embarrassment.

We can work through this together.

Let me show you my lampshade.

Lamp is fine.

Lampshade has seen better days.

But, with some counseling

and a Sharpie,

I worked it out.

You can too.

Grab your Sharpie,

transform yourself and your lampshade today.

I grabbed the bird image from the Internet,

but if you are artistically inclined,

by all means go free hand, baby.

I printed out the image,

enlarged it on my copier,

taped it behind the lampshade,

turned the light on

and traced the image.

Once I had the image traced,

I removed the shade from the lamp and filled the rest in with my Sharpie.

It was as easy as that.

I have some other lampshades hanging around the house that are not being used and was thinking about doing this:

Wouldn't that be cute for the fall season?

Or these for Halloween?

The possibilities are endless.

Maybe this for your teen,

Upgrade that lampshade.

You can do it.

There are a whole slew of colors to choose from.

Don't even get me started on that.

Possible ideas:

Happy Birthday Month.

I (heart) Popcorn.

Boo!

EEK!

Latinas are Beautiful.

Welcome,

Ladies of L.R.C.

Go forth and be creative!

A Note to Self

Dearest Self,

When you've had a long day,

your tired

and yet,

you still have one more thing to do.

And that one more thing to do is

to take your youngest

to hockey practice.

Please commit

the following hockey game images

to memory.

The hockey player.

Even this picture of,

the ripple effect.

Keep in mind,

this spectacular puck handling,

which leads to the wind up,

the shot,

and the score.

Celebratory routine.

100% guaranteed.

Self,

Keep these images in mind.

Clear out the grumbling thoughts of

"why,

why did we start this all over again",

out of your mind and keep on.

All other grumbling thoughts?

Those can continue until further notice.

Signed,

Your conscience

(yes, you do have one.)

A Halloween Treat

Carley picked this out the other day at

Michaels Craft Store.

You use candy melts to cover Oreo Cookies.

I melted the candies and she did everything else.

So easy.

She loved them and they came out great.

White spiders.

Orange spiders.

Orange skulls.

Her and her brother are digging them.

Of course they are,

they're loaded with sugar.

Don't let the sugar thing get to you.

I say,

go ahead and make them.

You can put them in a little treat bag

and give them to a certain teacher for some major sucking up.

Not that I advocate that type of behavior.

(maybe)

Or,

Present them to someone really special,

like my daughter did to me,

her mother,

the current reigning,

Ms. October.