Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Has it really been two and a half weeks?

Announcements first:

1. I will signing with Jessica Day George and a few other authors this Friday (2/12) at the new Dragons and Fairy Tales Bookstore in Eagle Mountain, Utah from 5-7pm. I think we will each be reading a bit from our books.

2. I will be speaking, reading, answering questions, handing out nail polish, and signing books at the Orem Barnes & Noble from 1-4pm this Saturday (2/13). Everyone is invited! Oh and if you're going to be at LTUE this weekend, you should pop over to the signing. It's only a few minutes away!

3. I'll be doing an online chat on Feb 16th hosted by TwilightMoms.com. More details to come...

Okay, on to the post:

So, um, I just realized that I haven't blogged in two and a half weeks. Okay, so I realized that every day for the last few days, but saying the word "just" in that sentence felt like a better opener than saying something like, "Every night for the past 1.5 weeks, just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I'd suddenly sit up and say, 'Oh crap, I still haven't blogged yet!'"

But any who, it's been a crazy 2.5 weeks around here so I thought I'd get you up to speed with the goings on in Bree-land. Or "Land O' the Bree" as I like to call it. (Ok, not really, but I did just take a bunch of Dayquil, so I can't be held responsible for anything I say in this post from here on out.):

1. I've been working like a madwoman on TDD2. T-minus 5 weeks until deadline. (Hence the blog silence.)

2. Spent 2 weeks covered in KidA's boogers because he had a cold.

3. Caught KidA's cold after holding him while he cried for two hours straight because he had an earache. (Once again, hence the blog silence.)

4. Got to spend Friday in the Fort with the awesome Myra McEntire (author of HOURGLASS, coming from Egmont USA in 2011) and Taycob.

(Look, he bakes!)

5. Took hubby out for his B-day and let him choose any movie he wanted to see. Was thinking he might pick AVATAR 3D

or something like that . . . but instead he chose WHEN IN ROME.

This is why my husband is the perfect man for me. (Side Note: We'd already seen SHERLOCK HOLMES or he probably would have picked that as his B-day movie. But once again, that's why he's the perfect man.)

6. While I was at the movie theater, a 15 year old guy started to hit on me . . . that is until he got close enough to see how old I was. He was like, "Heyyyy . . . ewwww . . ." and then he turned away really fast.

7. I attended a Dark Divine book club party MADE OUT OF AWESOME hosted by street team member Debbie and 20 of her closest friends . These ladies went all out for this party. They decked the whole house in purple balloons, chiffon, and beads. They even served a full Thanksgiving feast in honor of the Thanksgiving scene in TDD.


8. At the book club party, I was asked to judge a TDD pedicure contest. The winner had purple toenails decorated with little walnut tree branches.

They also made themed jewelry, bookmarks, and keychains. And at the end of the night, they presented me with a beautiful embroidered tote bag filled with tons of purple goodies, including comfy socks and M&Ms printed with TDD themed messages. (Squee!)

(Grace & Daniel under the walnut tree. Caption: "First Love Bites." Isn't that the cutest thing ever?)

9. Also at the party, I met Shelli and Nancy of the the Infinite Jewelry Company (Official jewelers for the Twilight series) and they presented me with this beautiful necklace

and said that they are excited about the idea of creating a signature line of TDD jewelry--(double squee!)

10. Before the party started, one of the ladies warned me that their group could get kind of CRAZY. Boy, was she ever right . . . And I felt right at home! Seriously, it was like they were all my BFFs by the end of the night. (And when I left the party at 11:30pm, and they were still going strong!)

11. Crashed hard the next day when my cold came back with a vengeance. (Hence no blogging last Sunday.)

12. Got a terrible earache last Monday.

13. Woke up early Tuesday morning to discover that my left eardrum had burst and I was temporarily deaf in that ear. My doctor says the hearing loss will last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. Um, kind of hoping for the first of those two options.

14. Taught a class on blogging and social media for my local chapter of SCBWI with BFF and writing buddy, Brodi Ashton . . . in which we stressed the importance of updating your blog consistently. (Hehe.) Most of the class was discussion based, but if you'd like a copy of the hand-out I gave the class, CLICK HERE. Also, Brodi said she'd post her blog tips HERE if you want to check them out. (And she's a much better blogger than I am--you know, because she'd never neglect her blog for 2.5 weeks.)

15. I was nominated for a SMOOCHIE Award for The Best YA Kiss of 2009. Actually, Grace and Daniel were nominated for their smooch under the walnut tree . . . but I'm the one who orchestrated the whole thing, so I'm taking the credit. ;) I'll keep you posted on whether or not Grace and Daniel win.

16. Spent part of the weekend in Park City with my mom and sisters for a little R&R. Let my mom pick which ever movie she wanted to see . . . so I saw WHEN IN ROME for a second time. (My review: riddle with plot holes, but still totally cute. Enjoyed it just as much the second time around.) Then we stayed up until 2 am talking and laughing. (But shhh . . . don't tell my sister Brooke because she left at 10:30pm and we told her we were all going to bed as soon as she was gone.)

17. I participated in an Authorpalooza with 30+ other authors at my local Barnes & Noble on Saturday. It was a ton of fun and I met some great authors, spent way too much on books, and was reunited with some old friends. (More to come on Sunday about the Authorpalooza--and a giveaway of some of the goodies I picked up, so be sure to come back to check it out.)

18. Yep, that's right, I'm going to blog TWICE this week to make up for my blog slacking as of late.

19. So what did you do in the last 2.5 weeks?

16 comments:

Kristin Rae said...

What have I been doing the last 2.5 weeks?! Well, I finished reading TDD - totally loved it (reviewed it on my blog today actually: http://kristincreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-of-dark-divine-by-bree-despain.html). AND I've gotten OBSESSED with Friday Night Lights and I have you to blame for it! (And I blame Netflix for having them available to "watch instantly" through my PS3.) Hubby and I have been watching 2-3 episodes a night. Thanks for shining light on a show hubs and I can actually watch together! :)

Myra McEntire said...

*WHEW* I'm tired now! We were so glad to have you in the Fort, and Taycob, too.

I want that cardboard cut out in a bad, bad way.

Looks like you're having a blast, and best wishes on your edits! *sprinkles fairy dust*

Unknown said...

Hi Bree :)
What an amazing 2 1/2 weeks you've had. There's nothing like that helpless feeling when your little one is sick but having your mom there is the best. That book party sounds amazing. Wow.
You've sure done a lot & Yay! for The Dark Divine 2 being close to done!
Love & Best Wishes to you & yours,
Rob

Crystal Cook said...

You really have been busy during your blog silence!I think everyone must be getting sick lately, me and fam have been battling it too, in fact my oldest is home sick today:( Yikes about your eardrum, that is so scary, my middle kiddo has unilateral hearing loss (born with it)and is prone to ear infections so he is constantly getting his ears checked to try and prevent exactly what happened to you so he won't be completely deaf. I love that smooch under the walnut tree hope it wins:) my last 2.5 week? Starting an art blog, trying to work in writing everyday(doing pretty good thanks to your encouragement)and endlessly chasing kids :)

Catie S (Book Bound) said...

That is an awesome bag you were given! I love it.
I'm glad i'm not the only one who spent way more than I intended to at Authorpalooza.

Ellz said...

#5 awwww
#6 LOL, that is funny.
#8 and 9 very nice
#17 congrats, sounds like fun.

I am giving away Dark Divine Jewerly on my blog tomorrow, (the ones from ETSY). I would be thrilled if you would mention it. I can send you a direct link in the AM.
http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/

D said...

Sounds like a busy and fun two and a half weeks! We started ours off with going to Disneyland and a fun 70th surprise party from my great-aunt but ever since then we have just been sick sick sick. Way too many boogers around here.

brickhouse79 said...

Well, how could I turn down a Kristen Bell movie, really. In the words of Dylan "she's every woman" (though he was actually referring to Anne Hathaway...). Keep pounding on that second book! I'm just as excited to read it as your many fans :D.

Sarah Blake Johnson said...

You've been super busy.

I finished my first draft (and revised it once) of my MFA thesis and turned it in. I also interviewed a publisher who'll I'll get to meet at Bologna Book Fair in March (in Italy).

Have fun writing! :)

~S

Deb said...

Okay...I am going to leave this comment in the right place this time (not under your last blog post. What kind of idiot would do that??)

Anyway, I am excited to see you at Dragons and Fairy Tales on Friday. All the Inkers will be there with purple on our toes :)

Now, stop reading comments and get back to writing!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

wow, besides being ill, it sounds like you had a great time these past couple weeks. that book club looks amazing. I wish I could have been there and congrats on all the fun other stuff you had going on. :)
-Lauren

I don't know if you entered the Holey Donuts giveaway or not, but if you could check out this post and do so for my blog, it would mean a TON for my family and you can enter for the book afterwards too if you wish (White Cat by Holly Black ARC)!:

http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-white-cat-arc-250-holey-donuts.html

Marny said...

Are you going to be at LTU&E at all? If you are, stop in the green room and fill out a contact for so we can have you on the schedule next year. We love new authors!

Anonymous said...

WOW! A busy, fun time for you! And that's a really nice man to let you see the movie you wanted to. ;)

Nicole said...

Hang in there you busy girl. You're doing great!

Cranberryfries said...

I dont know how you fit it all in. You're a rockstar for sure! I'm glad during all of that you got to go to PC for some R&R. Nothing better to get those juices flowing again.

Eek good luck with the eardrum. That's crazy!

Dutley said...

I think it's awfully rude of that book club to take so much of your time away from writing TDD2. I'm so glad you came though. What a great time we had getting to know you. Sorry about your health get better soon. Luckily spring is on the way and this nasty winter can be over already. Have a great weekend and book signing today.