Fashion in Politics

I recorded the Democratic National Convention so that I could fast forward through all the political commentaries and just watch the speeches. I'll do the same with the Republican Convention. I believe it's important to draw my own conclusions before listening to all the media mumbo-jumbo.

During my marathon viewing session, one thing jumped out at me that I didn't expect.

Michelle Obama.

Remember how I commented on the fashion of Sex in the City? You may recall I predicted roses would be popular. Well, check out Mrs. Obama.

Obviously, brooches are a signature of hers. Did you notice, though, that each night those brooches were floral? Since some are comparing her classic style to Jackie-O, perhaps she's one to watch.

El Azteca

When we first moved here, I craved Mexican food and couldn't find it. Eventually we found a Taco Bell that sufficed. It wasn't fabulous, but it was Taco Bell.

A few months ago a little place opened down the street from us. Garrett and I recently ate there and enjoyed it. Last night we went again with my mom, freshly arrived from Oklahoma, and our friend Stephanie, freshly returned from her honeymoon. We weren't disappointed.

A deli sign advertising sandwiches still hangs on one wall from its previous owners. On another wall hangs a black, bespangled sombrero. Another wall is shelved with all sorts of groceries with Spanish labels. Three tables and 8 chairs fill the floor. Two stools hug the window.

The owner is friendly and proud. His personality alone makes me want to keep going back. He told us that he has lots of relatives in Oklahoma, but he didn't want to be around tornadoes.

Yeah, we understand.

The food is authentic. While we were there, lots of customers came in and out. This place has the freshest salsa anywhere. Since we raved about it last night, he brought out guacamole to go with it. We have enough leftovers to last a week.

I may be at the end of my pregnancy, but it's nice to finally have found good Mexican food.

Very bueno.

Painting Pottery

Garrett and I found a pottery place in Ridgewood called Color Me Mine. We tried to be craftsy this weekend.

We're not.

But we tried.

Garrett made Max a piggy bank.

I made our family a "you are special" plate for happy occasions.
We get to pick them up on Saturday. Unless, of course, Max has other plans that would involve a visit to Valley Hospital.

Girl Scouts Rock

Girl Scouts rock!

When I spoke at HAWK's writing conference this summer, I met a friendly writing group from Arkansas. Later, I received an email from my publisher that Jeannie Stone, one of the fun-loving members, is a Girl Scout leader and wanted to work with Glamour to help the girls achieve their Bronze Award.

I'm thrilled to get to be a part of it. They've scheduled so many fun activities for Glamour's release. The best part is that even if you're not a Girl Scout, you can still attend!

Here's what I know so far.

Friday, November 21 in Fort Smith, Arkansas
I'm not sure of the details on this one.

Saturday, November 22 in Russelville, Arkansas
11-3 Booksigning at Hastings 11-3
5-7 Writing workshop given by yours truly at Pope County Library. We'll focus on journal writing and "Finding your Fairy Voice"
7-midnight Slumber party at Pope County Library. Lots of fun activities are planned that relate to Glamour. During the evening, attendees will receive special patches made just for the event!

Contact Jeannie Stone at 479-747-0210 for more information on the slumber party and writing workshop.

Jeannie's ideas are fabulous, and I can't wait to see her and the girls in action. She's incorporating some of the ideas found on my website as well as coming up with her own. I'm not sure what's been decided, but all of her ideas are based on the novel. I've heard there may be a Native American dancer, an astronomer, a doll maker and much more!

Monday and Tuesday, November 23-24 in Little Rock, Arkansas
I think they're planning more of the same, but I'm not sure of the details.

Contact Meredith Poland at 501-758-1020 or 800-632-6894 ext. 224

If you're in the Arkansas area, I hope you stop by for the booksignings and/or sign up for the slumber parties and writing workshops. It's going to be a blast.

If you have a Girl Scout Troop in another state and would like to incorporate Glamour into your schedule, let me know. I'd love to meet more amazing people and get to be a part of activities.

How cool do I feel?

Sonia Gensler, my friend and critique group member, told me about this fascinating blog she learned about while at SCBWI in LA this summer. She's now a contributor.

Kidlit Central News provides all sorts of useful and interesting information regarding children's publishing--especially by or about those in the central United States.

Yesterday, August 21, Sonia was the contributing blogger. She offered an idea that was useful for her about how to critique online. Guess where she says she got it?

No, really, guess.

Moi!

She's so sweet and provides a plug for Glamour (coming to a store near you November 18), my website, and my author blog--which has weekly journal prompts and slightly different material than this site.

Learn more about Sonia by going to her website and her blog. You'll be glad you did. When her novels get published, you'll be able to say that you knew she'd make it big.
The above is a picture of Sonia from the OWFI conference this year. For the last two years, she's won 1st place with two different novels in two different categories. Yeah, she's one to watch!

Brown Box with Glamour-ous Contents

Garrett came home for lunch and asked if I'd seen the box on the front porch. Nope. He carried it inside so I could open it.
Lovely advanced copies of Glamour gleamed up at me.

Seeing a beautiful book with my name and picture on the cover and my story inside was surreal. The cover is even prettier in person than on the computer screen. The font looks friendly and inviting--especially for tween and teen girls. Admittedly, I was afraid to look too closely for fear I'd see a mistake of some kind even though the publisher sent word that everything is perfect, "glamorous even."

For now, I'm content with admiring the book from afar. I've got to get used to the idea that I'm a published author.

With a hardcover novel.

That you can buy.

At a bookstore.

Yep, this should sink in by November 18--when you can buy a copy of your very own!

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Garrett drove us to the beach on Sunday. It took at least an hour longer to get there this summer than it did Easter Weekend when we were bundled up like snow skiers. The traffic was horrendous. On the way home, it wasn't quite as bad. But what do I know? I slept most of the ride.

We are definitely amateurs. We took some water, snacks, towels, and a red blanket. I slathered myself with sunscreen that had a 50 rating before we left Park Ridge and once we arrived. (No pregnancy mask for me thankyouverymuch.) We also took a little $5 rain umbrella and a book, but I forgot them in the car. The beach was filled with regulars. They had beach umbrellas, ice chests, beach chairs, and even tents. We, obviously, were not part of their crowd. We did, however, know better than many new parents who tried to force those huge baby strollers across sand.

Spreading our blanket at the first available spot meant that we were nowhere near the actual water. That far out, sun worshipers surrounded us in their tiny bikinis and golden skin. I kept looking for harpooners or Green Peace to spot me.

Not to worry.

When we walked toward the ocean--ah, the sand felt so good on my feet!--we saw the other beach goers. The water was filled with individuals, couples, and families. They were all laughing and having fun. Frolicking is the appropriate word. My first observation was that no woman of a certain age in the midwest or southwest would even consider wearing the swimsuits these women wore. Bikinis abounded.

Well, flesh abounded. Sometimes, the bikinis were rather hard to see. I felt a little more confident in my maternity swimsuit. So did the one woman I saw who covered her bikini with a t-shirt that announced: I'm fat because I'm pregnant. What's your excuse?

The women were typical New Jersey. They wore jewelry at the beach. They carried designer handbags. They wore stylish and expensive swimsuits. You might think they were all pretension. But when a wave knocked one down as she attempted to catwalk with a certain haughtiness because she knew people might be watching, the true Jersey girl came out in her. Her facade broke as she regained her balance and wiped her wet hair out of her face. She guffawed and turned to all those nearby. "So much for trying to be cool."

Because the waves were so strong, I simply stood with my feet in the water and let the waves ebb and flow around me. I was afraid that if I went too deep, Poseidon might knock me down and then I'd go into labor and ruin our day. Garrett, of course, ventured in. He waded out about waist high, turned around, crossed his arms to shiver and mouthed, "It's cold." The lady beside me turned to me and laughed. I guess she thought he was funny, too.

Then again, she may have been laughing at me since I'd placed his hat on top of mine. Attractive, I'm sure.

Coffee Klache

At Panera, I couldn't help but overhear a group of gentlemen, most of whom were probably in their 70s. They reminded me of the male, NJ version of The View. They discussed everything from politics to health.

"Anthony" seemed to be the mediator. He's extremely concerned about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. He thinks states like Oklahoma are easy targets for taking away women's rights.

"Mike" was concerned about the state of health in America today--especially the youth. It troubled him that they're resorting to tummy tucks and other plastic surgery to become willowy thin while most are obese. He claimed he liked a woman with some meat on her, but most women today were just too fat. He knows anorexia is bad, but he thought maybe some women should look into it.

"Vince" was a smartass who almost made me laugh aloud several times. He's the member of the group who called the others out when they made absurd comments.

"Harv" was the oldest contributor. He seemed more like a guest star than an actual daily contributor to the group. He made his way around Panera greeting people who knew him even though he, obviously, didn't recognize them. Still, it was clear he reveled in the attention.

I wondered if they'd each planned several topics for the gathering. They were highly entertaining. Someone should take a video camera in there and film them. I'd tune in daily.

Harv: I can't hear you guys today.
Mike: Maybe you need to check your batteries.
Harv: (fidgeting with his ear) No, I got new ones.
Anthony: How much do those cost?
Harv: 4 or 5 dollars.
Anthony: I should carry some around and sell them at the home. Make some money.
Harv: (throwing up his hands and shaking his head) No! They shouldn't touch your skin. Batteries give you the cancer. That's why I won't use a cell phone.
Vince: I thought it was because you couldn't see the numbers.
Harv: (shrugs) That, too.
Mike: (pushing back his chair) Anyone want another pastry?
Harv: I won't eat the stuff. I've lost weight.
Anthony: How much?
Harv: 50 pounds.
Vince: Ah, you lost that in the hospital last year. Got nothin' to do with pastries.
Harv: (holds hands open to the sky and grins) Whaddayagonnado?

Flips Flop

After seeing a photo on this blog, my friend Katie cautioned me against wearing flip flops because they're not good for sciatica. Since she does physical therapy on patients with the ailment, I figured she knew what she was talking about and heeded her warning--mostly. Sometimes flip flops just look better with an outfit, and I've never been one to cast off a cute pair of shoes for mere comfort.

Until now.

Yesterday, I decided to don the worst kind of flip flop and go shopping. The fact that my toes started going numb should have indicated what sort of hell I was in for during the night. At one point I thought I was in labor. Nope. Just stupid.

To all my pregnant pals out there: Flip flops are of the devil.

Xanadu

Xanadu is an un-apologetically over-the-top show that's goal is to entertain.

And it succeeds!


My former student and all-around special girl Caitlin was visiting the city this week, so we got together to catch up. At TKTS, we scored third row tickets! Then, we went to Starbuck's. (I don't feel like my tall chai frappuccino is so bad for Max now that I know it only has 45 mg of caffeine.)

Then, I took her to Ellen's Stardust Diner because it's the perfect location for theater lovers because the waiters sing and dance. Imagine the diner in Pulp Fiction where the actors dance. The diner was having some sort of Elvis celebration there with a couple of singing Elvises. So, of course, we ordered the peanut butter, banana, and jelly sandwich. Yum.

My friend Colleen promised me that I would love Xanadu because it was so absurd and self-effacing. She was right. When I learned Whoopi Goldberg was in it for a month I really wanted to see it.

Below is Kerry Butler, the star of the show.
If you look hard, you can see Whoopi on the left and Cheyenne Jackson, the male lead, signing autographs. Whoopi was very gracious.
It is a silly diversion that only lasts 90 minutes! Pegasus resembles a carousel horse. Actors wear roller skates, leg warmers, spandex under shorts, as well as garb of ancient Greeks. Plus, 2 of the 9 muses are played by guys. Curtis Holbrook was one of these sisters, and he was so funny I had to make myself stop watching only him.

Obviously, Xanadu doesn't take itself seriously. Which makes it work. Unlike other shows on Broadway, you're so busy laughing that you never have the urge to look at your watch.

Shiny new apple

I have a new computer.

Garrett spent hours this weekend transferring things from my old laptop to this one. He's been telling me I needed a new one for almost a year. A plethora of reasons, including the desire to complete Glamour without having to learn a new system, kept me from yielding. Although the blue screen of death appeared fairly frequently, Garrett always resurrected my little laptop for me. This week I finally consented to a new computer because my old faithful IBM Thinkpad was doing strange things a little too often.

Change isn't easy. I like my old laptop.
Sure, only one of its closure clasps works.
Okay, so the keyboard is coming apart from the rest of the computer.
Yeah, the letters are missing from most of the keys from daily use.

I'm a big fan of The Velveteen Rabbit. Loving something makes it real. Just because it's not shiny new anymore doesn't mean it should be thrown in the fire.

I still don a plaid, pleated skirt I've had since the 8th grade.
I still date the guy I met as a college freshman.
I still drive a dented Taurus with the check engine light on.
Why? I love them.

However, I have a lot of work and photos saved to that laptop. If it decided one day to eat them all, I'd have thrown the thing in a fire myself. When I realized that possibility was close, I consented to the new computer.

Since it's a Mac, a definite transition period is to be expected.

But I'm sure I'll grow to love it.
The flat keyboard feels rather nice beneath my fingertips.
The white color is bright and cheery.
The features seem exciting--once I learn how to use them.

Yeah, maybe I'll like this newbie after all.

Lamaze Day 2

Garrett thinks that the Lamaze course should be retitled What to Expect When You're Expecting. I agree. We rather expected to learn only about "breathing" and to be verbally crucified if we wanted anything beyond "normal" childbirth, which is what most of us call "natural" childbirth. You know, the kind with no medical intervention or painkillers where women suffer and in generations past... died.

On the contrary, the second day was spent mostly discussing medical interventions. She passed around doodads and gadgets. Some aren't that scary but other we hope won't have to be used. For example, did you know that sometimes they monitor the baby internally during labor by hooking a thing to the top of its head while baby is still inside you? I kid you not. Remember sewing your fingers together as a kid? It sort of works under that premise--except I think the doc goes by feel and can't see what he or she is doing. Sure, if something major happens and they have to do it, I'm not going to deny modern science; however, we're keeping our fingers and toes crossed that this particular advancement in science won't be required!

As naive as we are, we also learned that the epidural stays in your back the whole time. I thought it was sort of a one shot deal. Plus, they don't go into your spine like they once did with a "spinal." Cool. Juice me up. In our research, we'd learned that women who get an epidural too soon often have an increased requirement of c-sections, but the class taught us that if you go until 4-5 cm all should be well.

Garrett finally learned that a c-section is traumatic. He didn't understand why I didn't want one until yesterday. He thought it was just a little easy cut and out comes the baby. Now he understands that it is major surgery. I, on the other hand, feel a little better about it if I actually have to have one. Until yesterday, I thought they cut through the stomach muscles. Apparently, they separate it. Still...ew.

Someone cited a fact that the World Health Organization believes only 10-15% of moms require c-sections in industrialized nations, but in the U.S. it's 31%. Although the modern media likes to act like it's moms who don't want to be inconvenienced with an unexpected arrival, only 2% of those are at mother's request. We discussed the whole campaign this area has had for a while called "Too Posh to Push." Perhaps my personal campaign would be "Too Queasy for Cutting."

Don't get me wrong. We, obviously, believe in the miracles of modern science, but I don't want them forced on me. Although I've passed them up after other surgeries, I have no problems with painkillers during childbirth. Garrett shared some story a guy told him at work about a woman who championed "normal" childbirth and gripped the bed so tightly she ripped the tendons in her hands and had to have physical therapy. Many months later, she still hasn't recovered.

We look forward to welcoming Max into the world. I don't feel compelled to be a hero. Feeding him will get him to think that anyway, right?

Week 34 and 35

Week 34
Garrett put together our little froggie and dragonfly mobile this week and placed it on the crib. It plays a lullaby.



Week 35

It's becoming more obvious that this kid's arrival should be soon!

Movies

The Bucket List
G's opinion: 4 of 5 stars. The story was fantastic. Everyone needs to be reminded how short life life really is. They need to live for the moment because in a very short, few moments, their lives will be over. The only criticism I have of the movie is that the special effects, at times, seemed fake.
B's opinion: 3 1/2 of 5 stars. It compelled me in the same way a Nicholas Sparks' book does. I continue with the story even though I know how it ends, there are no surprises, and nothing is told in a new way. Still, the cast was terrific and there are some nice exchanges between Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. Plus, it was nice to see the man who played Jack from Will and Grace in a different role. Oh, and I thought it was making a negative commentary on the rich vs. poor and sharing hospital rooms...but it actually showed it in a positive light. So, I guess that was one unexpected twist--although it was made pretty evident at the beginning of the movie.

The Other Boleyn Girl
G's opinion: 2 of 5 stars. Nothing worse than a historically inaccurate movie done poorly.
B's opinion: 1 of 5 stars. What a disappointment! The book--and history itself--was soooo much better. The film merely touched on the political, familial and religious strains of the times, leaving the film little more than a prettily costumed Hollywood love story. I hate that Anne and Henry were portrayed as so one dimensional. C'mon, Elizabeth I received her good genes from two strong leaders who followed the wrong motivations along the way. All three of them changed the world forever. I don't know if the fault lies in the screenplay adaptation or the actors themselves. It's a sad, sad day in cinema.

Boomer Sooner

Several days ago I made my usual morning trip to The Gym. The crowd was the typical fare of 30 and 40 somethings with most of the regulars in attendance.

However, I noticed something a bit out of the ordinary. There was a fairly young, round guy wearing a Longhorns cap. I watched this guy for a bit before I remembered that I was wearing my OU socks, a gift from my lovely wife, conveniently hidden under my long Under Armour workout pants.

I promptly walked over to this guy, set my foot up on the bench he was using, and raised the leg of my workout pants to reveal the OU on my socks. Speechless, his mouth hung open and his eyes widened. I think that I would have received the same look if I had walked over and pulled out my unmentionable (note: this part has been slightly edited by Brandi). A bit surprised myself, I pointed to his hat and said that I noticed his Longhorns cap. Still confused, he responded that he had borrowed the hat from his roommate and did not even know what it represented.

I have never seen him back at The Gym.

--G

Glamour

Okay... I've talked about how cool it is...

Here is the wonderful cover Nan Bishop designed for Glamour.

I know you want one of your very own.
Don't worry. Copies will be available in stores November 18.

Picture Books

We've been reading to Max at night. He seems to calm down for bed which allows Mommy to sleep better. Plus, research indicates that infants show a familiarity with books that were read to them in utero. Since Garrett and I swap off reading to him, he gets to know our voices. Research shows that Max will show a preference for our voices after birth, too. Athough, apparently, he'll prefer our voices muffled by amniotic fluid!

Here are our reviews for the latest picture books we've read.

The Rabbit Who Couldn't Find his Daddy by Lilian Edvall and Sara Gimbergsson
G: 1 of 5 rattles I thought pages had been torn out of the book because the story ended so abruptly. I wasn't even really wild about the illustrations. There's a part of me that feels bad about dogging a kid's book. I have no problem dogging a crappy movie, but I feel like I'm being mean to a little kid.
B: 1 of 5 rattles It lacks a satisfying ending. We had to make one up just to move on with our lives. The characters are even annoying. On a bright note, some of the illustrations are rather cute.

Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
G: 5 of 5 rattles. It's a good one for life. Dr. Seuss is a genius.
B: 5 of 5 rattles. It's Dr. Seuss. How can you go wrong? Not only is it inspiring, but it also teaches readers to deal with inevitable adversity.

Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes by Brian P Cleary and Besty E. Snyder
G: 4 of 5 rattles. I enjoyed finding the hidden alphabet items in the pictures.
B: 5 of 5 rattles. Bright and colorful alphabet book that encourages interaction with your child as you find the pictures of things that begin with certain letters of the alphabet. Since Max isn't much to interact these days, Garrett and I had a good time.

The Wriggly, Wriggly Baby by Jessica Clerk and Laura Rankin
G: 3 of 5 rattles. Cute illustrations. I liked the little dog and cat helper.
B: 3 of 5 rattles. It's definitely more fun to read aloud than silently. Uses active verbs and picture nouns.

And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss
G: 5 of 5 rattles. I liked the boy's imagination. You can see the evolution of Seuss's books from this one to the later ones.
B: 4 of 5. Classic Dr. Seuss...the first of his children's books! Note: it was rejected 27 times before it was published.

Lamaze--Day one

Lamaze is probably the only class you'll ever take where the instructor lies on her back and throws her legs in the air so that you get a full shot of her fanny and panty lines.

Right before class began, a guy came in alone to inform the instructor that he and his wife were unable to attend because she was in labor four weeks early. He wasn't with her at the hospital because they'd asked him to leave because he was agitating her. He asked for any last minute tips and the instructor told him to"breathe."

As suggested, we took our pillows and blanket. We all tried the suggested labor positions and breathing exercises, but I still have no clue why people use the pillows and blankets. Is it just on tv? Although we didn't use them in class, I was glad to have them because the room was c-c-c-cold, the seats weren't soft, and my back ached. Perhaps I'm a sadist, but I found comfort knowing that the other women in the room were as miserable as I.

What Garrett learned from the class:

• Labor's average time frame is 16 hours, including baby delivery.
• I used to think that the entire duration of labor consisted of pain and suffering. I learned in the class that this is only a small part of the labor experience. B's note: The instructor said that contractions fill 1/3 of the time.
• I learned that a baby should come out facing the mother's butt.
• The worst thing is not to breathe.
• A partner should be encouraging and touching, massage them, help them change positions.
• Woman should change positions every 30 minutes or so and go to the bathroom.
• I'm supposed to give Brandi ice chips every two minutes.
• Whatever I do, I'm supposed to make sure Brandi does not deliver topless. B's note: Seriously, the videos they show in this class are a bit traumatic!

Speaking of traumatic, Garrett wanted me to mention that our instructor gave birth to all three of her children at home. For one of the births, only her husband was present.

No, thank you.