Pre-Book Signing Nightmare

I’m normally a level headed woman who deals with new situations and opportunities with glee.  I thought I was handling the pressure of my first book signing (for Laughter in the Midst of Mothering…….  www.LindaCrosby.com)  but I realized when I awoke from my nightmare that I must have been suppressing inner turmoil about the event.  The dream was entertaining, however.

I dreampt that the alarm was not set and I overslept.  The air got sucked out of my lungs as I realized my dilemma.  The book signing started at 11:00 a.m. and in my dream I awoke at 12:15 confused and flustered.  IT WAS SO REAL!  I couldn’t figure out if it was 3:00 or 12:15…. you know, because the clock hands could be reversed….funny how your mind plays trick on you even in your sleep.  Then my father called me from his cell phone at the book store to ask where I was and to tell me that the highway north of us was flooded and I would need to go the long way around.  I was sobbing and mumbling. 

I went to find my husband, whose fault it was for not setting the alarm, and he was watching a movie in a theater room that we don’t have.  I told him over and over that we were late and he was to blame.  His eyes were glued to the big screen.  He didn’t seem too interested in my plight.  So I went over and beat on him with the back of my wrists…. you know…. like an orangutan.  (Dreams are great, aren’t they??)  Next, I went up stairs, did my hair and threw on my clothes…. crying all the while.  Back downstairs I went again to tell Rick he had to drive so I could apply my make-up in the van.  He had moved to the workout room that we don’t have and was busy clanging weights…. not listening to me.  Another primate beating occurred. 

Then I woke up.  It was over.  I hadn’t acted like a monkey.  The alarm was set.  My husband was asleep next to me… and he didn’t buy a theater room or gym without asking me first…. and there was time to make it to the book signing.  Whew.

If someone out there has another dream interpretation other than pre-book signing jitters, I’d love to hear it.

Sweet Dreams.

It’s Official! WOOOooo HOOOooooooo

April 26, 2008.  My first book signing at Devotion Christian Store in Scottsdale…. makes my heart glad.  All those blood-shot-eye nights in front of the computer diligently trying to tell the quirky family stories …. in less than 400 words … were all a blur today.  Several times I have asked my hubby, in the dark of the night long after we should have been sleeping, if my book is just a stupid little devotional book.  He would chuckle and think I was kidding.  I wasn’t.  Of course he loved my stories… they are about HIS kids.  And my mom loved them, but mother’s love everything their children create.  And my first editor loved the stories, but I paid her to tell me that. :o)

Today as strangers came and picked up my darling pink book, read the stories and then asked for an autograph…. the descriptive words “stupid and little” were washed from my mind. 

The Lord is so faithful at guiding our steps.  The only way to describe this entire journey is the favor of the Lord.  It is amazing to see the hands in which the Lord is putting my book.  Jewish hands.  Unbelieving hands.  Grandmotherly hands. Husband’s hands.  And I am so honored that KIDS are discovering the joy reading the book!  I’m not sure if I would advise that or not.  They could find much fuel for folly.

Thank you to all who believed in me and supported me and loved me.  I am humbled and honored to be surrounded by such amazing people.  XOXOXO

 

Proud Parents :o)

OH!  My website is up!  Yeah, Sarah!   www.LindaCrosby.com  Check it out!

 

Ta Da!

 

Here she is.  My magnum opus.  :o)

 

My book and my prolific bougainvilla.

Yesterday was the day I have been waiting for for over 3 years.  My books arrived at our door.  WOOooooo HOOOooooo!  It is titled Laughing in the Midst of Mothering: Finding Joy in being a Mom.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t home when the truck pulled up and Austin called me to give me a moment by moment account of the driver getting out…. getting the dolly…. loading the cartons… Larisa opening the garage door….  So, two hours later I arrived home to see them for the first time.  My kids had already openend a box and looked at them.  How could I blame them? Their picture is on the back too.  The books are cute.  I mean, really.  It’s pink and has a cute mama on the front.  And my name is on the cover.  I can cross “Having a book published” off my bucket list.  They will be available on my website SOON! 

AND…. I’m 42 today.  So I actually held my first book when I was 41.  What a fantastic birthday gift!  We had birthday dinner at my parent’s house last night (because tonight is church) and mom made her famous Russian Kulebiaka loaf.  It’s my favorite and I’m heading there for lunch today for leftovers.  Skip the cake, bring on the loaf.

Today, more than ever, as my ringtone loudly blasts by Rachel Lampa, “I am blessed.  I am blessed.  From when I rise up in the morning ’til I lay my head to rest.”  I feel very blessed, thankful and full of joy.  Tough days come, but today is a day I will remember for a lifetime. 

Oh, and did I mention that my kids made me breakfast in bed?  Yes,  I had to lie there until 10:00, but it eventually came!  Swedish pancakes with powdered sugar, a cutie orange, sliced apples and Larisa’s specialty, crunchy fried garlic potato cubes.  I was in heaven.  THEN I got cards from my boys and Austin wrote the most words he has ever written to me, including “Thanks for being my mama for 11 years.”   Ahhhhh.   AND my dear husband wrote on our bathroom mirror in barsoap a lovey birthday greeting.

Thank you, family and friends, for loving me!  XOXOXOXOXOXO