July - the month in random pictures

So, July started out with a derecho, which is apparently the meteorological term for a crazy scary storm with gigantic hail and 80 mph winds. We lost power for three days—three brutally hot days with no AC, running water (we’re on a well), or *sob* internet. But that wasn't the worst of it.  No electricity meant no this:

Without a functioning flat iron (which, incidentally, I consider the most important technological advance of the last century) I could scarcely leave the house.  It’s a testament to my pioneering spirit that I muddled through . . . and turned book 2 into my editor on time before heading to the beach with the family.

The beach was so peaceful and laid back, we felt like we were 300 miles away.  Oh wait, we were 300 miles away. As you can see, the weather was iffy:

The rain was a bummer.  On the bright side, the week was blessedly free of derechos. Plus, rain showers meant more time to visit to one of my all-time favorite beach destinations: the Island Book Store in Kitty Hawk, where I picked up these:

I recommend them all. Love these authors!

And as long as I’m recommending things, I should add these to the list:

Anyway, we had a great time, and the trusty mini-van got us back home.  Now, I'm in the midst of prepping for RWA’s annual conference in Anaheim.

As you may know, here on the blog I have a long-standing tradition of writing detailed accounts of my harrowing awards ceremony dress shopping experiences. This year, however, the process was relatively drama-free. I went to one store, tried on five dresses from the clearance rack, and walked out with two. The whole trip took an hour.

Awesome, . . . except. A successful shopping trip makes for a dreadfully boring blog post. But never fear! I feel certain that I shall be able to deliver more dressing room drama in the future.

Earlier this week I also made my annual (okay, more like quarterly) pilgrimage to my happy place:

I got two pairs of shoes.  Well, three if you count these:

These should work with a few conference outfits:

The other pair is practical and *cough*…comfortable. We’ll leave it at that. Avert your eyes. No photos, nothing to see, move along, folks.

And now that RWA is almost here, I’m really excited. This is my first conference since selling and even though my book isn’t out yet, I’ll be at the Grand Central signing on Saturday from 12 to 1:30. I might even get to sign and give away some ARCs:

And I have lots of shiny new bookmarks to hand out:

I think all that’s left to do is pack.  (Well, that and a marathon hair appointment on Friday. Seriously, I've already warned my kids they're on they're own for lunch and dinner.)

If you’re going to RWA, you’ve probably seen the packing lists and videos with expert packing tips. My advice? Don’t stress about it. You’ll be fine. As long as you have this:

The Obligatory Dress Post, or "How Not to Find a Dress for RWA Nationals"

The RITA/Golden Heart Awards Ceremony (being held on July 1st in New York City) is a lovely, glamorous red carpet affair. The occasion calls for a fancy dress and dressing up is something I always look forward to. Until I have to actually find the dress.

This summer’s conference will be my fourth trip to RWA Nationals and therefore marks my fourth attempt to acquire stylish evening wear. In past years I’ve met with varying degrees of success, where success is defined as “not looking like the biggest country bumpkin in the room.”

Interestingly, I have identified my four distinct phases of dress acquisition. They always occur in the same sequence and no phase is ever skipped. I share them with you so that you may learn from my mistakes. We start with . . .

The I’m-Sure-There’s-Something-in-my-Closet I Can Wear Phase. This phase is characterized mainly by delusions. Every year I seem to forget that my closet looks nothing like Jennifer Lopez’s. The closest thing to formal wear hanging in the corner is a black velvet New Year’s Eve gown circa 1993 (remember Elvira?) and . . . oh wait, that’s it. This leads me to shrug and enter . . .

The I’ll-Just-Borrow-a-Fabulous-Dress Phase. My well-meaning sister and sisters-in-law are horrible enablers during this phase. They generously offer up their own fashionable gowns, assuring me something will work, when they know full well that I’m a couple inches shorter than anyone in the family. After a period during which I seriously ponder the question of whether I might be adopted, I turn to . . .

The e-Bay Phase. I’m not proud of this. Well, I was a little proud of this. Whatever. The good news is that Bidding Fever is blessedly short-lived. When the cast-off prom gown for which I paid $18 arrives, I invariably realize that there is no help for it. I must be brave and face . . .

The Trying-On-Real-Dresses Phase. This phase is nothing like the whimsical portrayal in the movie 27 Dresses. No. This phase includes Dressing Rooms with 3-Way Mirrors and Fluorescent Lighting. It is the black moment, involving numerous trips to the racks, tugging, squeezing, and, all too often, ugly crying episodes. Then, just when it seems like hope is lost, I find a dress that’s, well . . . not awful. It could work. With the right shoes and jewelry. You know, it might be perfect.

Coming soon: The Obligatory Shoe Post