To Explain ...

why this post will have no pictures, you'd have to know me.
Know I am a natural klutz.
Nothing is safe from my wild flinging hands, stumbling feet and knee bumping body.
Nothing.
Including my dear (newly departed) lap top.
Yep, that's right.
My lap top met with a Kristakltuz incident that included a cupboard door, an elbow and a cup full of milk.
No amount of wiping, swiping, shaking or pleading would stop the disaster.
I am no longer a joyful laptop owner. Or a computer owner for that matter.
And there is no way Jerry is letting me near his computers. Have you met me? Can you blame him?
So here I sit - at the community library.
Picture-less.
But not story-less;
So let the good times roll!

Yesterday Ree Drummond (a.k.a. Pioneer Woman) was in Dallas for her book signing.
For those of you not familiar with Ree or this book - I'll let you in on a secret ... this "book" is a recipe book. A recipe book that has gone #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. I kid you not.
I introduced my sister to P.W. ... I'm not too sure how long ago. I know it was after I'd spent a few days (and nights) reading through her entire site.
All the way to the beginning.
No word of a lie. By the time I was done reading, I felt like I knew her.
She's personable, sweet, funny, and a little kooky. I like her. Or at least the "her" that is presented on her site.
My sister also fell in love with her. So much so that we actually have conversations that revolve solely around what Ree has posted that day. Or objecting harshly to criticism Dawn has found on one site or another about her.
So when Dawn requested a signed copy of her cook book - what could a sister do?
I'm not much into that kind of thing. I feel uncomfortable asking people for things like that. I mean Stephenie Meyers was in town a while back and there was no way I was going to go get the Twilight series signed. It just isn't my thing. And I LOVE Twilight. Love it.
But for Dawn ... well, for Dawn I'd do it.
After seeing the mass craziness associated with her book signings in other cities (hundreds upon hundreds of people) I knew I had to be on the ball in order to not hate this experience entirely.
So after I dropped this kids off at school yesterday morning I headed over to Dallas, fought the morning traffic, got turned a few times by my g.p.s., absolutely didn't take "no" for an answer when the teller said I had to have bought the books there (they were preorder from Amazon) and got myself what turned out to be the first group color wristband.
That evening I waited anxiously and fretfully when Jerry and his older brother Steve were later and later and laaaater.
What was I going to get Dawn if I couldn't get this signed? I am NOT a brilliant gift type person.
They FINALLY got back from pulling parts from a car (who knows? Their guys for heaven sake!) and I frantically raced to my car... only to find myself stuck in traffic inching along at 15mph in the driving rain.
All the way there I worried. Had I gone all the way to Dallas that morning for naught? Was I going to have to wait hours and hours and hooooours to get this done? Not that I wasn't willing - just not my most favorite idea of how to spend an evening.
I got there ... late. But not too late! I was excited to find out that my group was the first group called up - and they were STILL in line! Actually, getting there late was a good thing because I had less time to wait in line. YAY! I'm sure there are other readers out there who hate me for coming in late and not having to wait ... It's all about preparation!
I try no to listen to conversations around me, as I have a hard time not adding my (usually unwanted, uncalled for, unasked for) opinion. My brother says I have a problem with "filters". He's probably right.
However, there was one comment I was unable to drown out with my iPod.
"I am so nervous, I'm shaking!"
I had such a hard time not turning around and asking her "Why?!"
Don't get me wrong, I love P.W.'s site. Enjoy the bit of my day I spend reading various stories, the recipes I have whipped up thanks to her, the pictures that have enriched my life, the homeschooling quizzes that have enlightened me ... But I didn't see why meeting her was such a big deal.
Why was meeting this woman, who I (and more than likely this woman behind me) have never met, will probably never associate with, haven't had regular person contact with ... so nerve wracking to these women?
I'll admit when I got up to have the books signed I had nothing witty to say and I couldn't tell you what she was wearing because I couldn't stop smiling back at her (she's got a very white, very straight smile - her dentist would be proud). But it had nothing to do with being overwhelmed or awed. I just plain had nothing to say. And I have a thing about teeth. I love 'em.
To conclude ... I'd do anything for my sister. I'm just glad it didn't include waiting for hours in line to get her cook book signed.
And Ree Drummond was as gracious as I thought she would be. She was there till 2:30a.m. signing books. Oy!