Ah, I am home from Nationals. The perfect capper to a great week, I got to fly home first class thanks to the dh’s Platinum, Gold, Titanium… I don’t know what it was… extra miles that let me get to sit in first class. Awesomeness in a cup!

So, back to last week… My gals Avery M and Michele M and I left Dallas and landed in Orlando—everything went relatively smooth to the bus to the hotel—the Dolphin—and to the room. I won’t go into how the hotel messed up my portion (TWICE) and I spent more the half an hour standing at the desk getting it corrected. We were all so happy to be there, and the (Tiki) drinks afterwards, made it far less painful.

Wednesday, Michelle had a meeting all morning and afternoon so Avery and I hit the Magic Kingdom. We had a BLAST. It was the very first time I have ever done something like that without my kids and while it was weird, I totally loved it and got into the grove after twenty minutes. I even went to the place that tripped me and made me sprain both my ankles last year when the fam and I went. I booed it with great enthusiasm and hurried away before it could trip me again.

Later that night was the multi (and by multi—I mean 100s of) author book signing. I had my little stack of books, and by then Nikki B had arrived (she came in on Wed) so she, Michele and Avery would talk with me, run check out their fave authors and come back to say who they saw. THEN I had a total brain-fart moment. A young woman came up to me and wanted a book signed. I have to say, this was the FIRST time this has happened. I have signed books at the signings before, sure, but it has always been to chapter-mates/friends. I wasn’t expecting it and totally blanked. Afterwards Avery asked if I had talked to her and whatnot. Alas, I did not—total book-signing foul! So if by chance you read this… Amy (I totally remembered your name), I am so sorry I didn’t chat with you. I was a little shell-shocked at the experience. I really hope you enjoy the book, and thanks more than I can say for coming over to me and getting it!

I actually signing-fouled twice. Sophie Oak, a chapter-mate of mine, came over and I blanked. I knew I knew her, hell I sat next to her at the last meeting, but went blank. I’m gonna blame it on all the sun I got at the Magic Kingdom. I made it up to her by hollering out her name EVERY time I saw her again… LOL. I am sure she got sick of it :-)

The girls and I went looking for dinner after Nikole got done with her volunteer work after the signing and we ended up at a Karaoke bar at the Swan. Little did we know, that was THE place to be that night. We drank Sangria sake—which was sublime (now that WAS awesomeness in a cup).


(from left to right Avery Michaels, Michelle Miles, me and Nikki B)

I had asparagus sushi rolls and the girls got up and sang. I, no matter how much liquor I imbibe, hold onto certain inhibitions—call me a big old scaredy cat! At the time we didn’t know how infamous the night would be (there were between 20 & 40 conference goers there throughout the evening—we got back to the rooms close to two in the AM). The next morning, I heard people after people talking about it—or rather talking about it being tweeted and retweeted. Too cool!

Thursday morning was the Samhain breakfast. Michelle and I spoke with all our table mates and we got to meet a super-sweet woman—Cara McKenna—who had just signed several books with three different houses and she was up for a Golden Heart. If that wasn’t inspiration, to work hard I don’t know what was. The rest of that day and Friday are pretty much a blur. I attended many a workshop and took copious notes. I was/am fired up—which is why I love going to conference.

Saturday, Nikole and I were trying to figure out which workshop to go to next (or maybe were trying to figure out where Meg Cabot’s workshop was—can’t quite remember) and I hear, “Dennie? Is that you?” “Yes?” I answered like I wasn’t sure. It was several days into the conference and I am not entirely sure if I *was* sure at that point. Anyhoo, it was Jackie Barbosa. I had my second first. This was the very first time anyone has ever come up to me at conference like that. Sure, I know people there who I have met over the years and whatnot. But no one has ever come up like that before… too cool. And after, I felt like a dork, ‘cause I think I was probably still half asleep and amazed someone came up to *me* to say hello… LOL. So if I seemed weird or anything Jackie, I apologize.

The Ritas that night were nice. It’s fun to dress up and look all sparkly, but I was so glad to put my jammies on afterwards and think about heading home. On a funny note, my hair stayed ever-slightly puffy the entire time in Orlando. Almost immediately after walking off the plane at DFW it went flat—could’ve been the 105° temp here in Fort Worth.

Truly the only downside (even my shoes were comfy the whole time) of the entire week was eating. The food at conference was eh. When we ate out, it was good, but the hours were whacked –I don’t usually eat anything after 8 so dinner three nights in a row after 10:30 was rough! But the company was marvelous. My couple of firsts were cherishable and coming back home was heavenly—‘til the kids started fighting again and I started checking the dates for the 2011 conference in New York City. (and am totally going to try and pay extra to fly first class again!)

Now, I have to get my ass in gear. I want to get my ass in gear, so it will be done! I am going to work on my Cherry Adair goal-sheet (she gives spectacular workshops so if you ever have the chance to take hers, do—and if you listen to her on the 2010 RWA tapes and hear chastising yawners—the third one was Avery… LOL). I am going to work, work, work and bust all my goals to smithereens!

So that was my week…