Last night's conversation. Here's the scenario: Mr T sitting on the plush, brown love seat, feet stretched out on the leopard print ottoman, computer in his lap. Me, on red/beige plaid chair watching Fox News. (First of all, this is not, I repeat, not a political blog, so don't chastise me for watching Fox. Sometimes, I watch CNN. Sometimes I watch wrestling.)

Mr. T: What is up with your blog?

Me: Whaddya mean?

Mr. T: I mean it really sucks.

Me (sarcastic): Gee, thanks.

Mr. T: No, seriously, it's really bad.

Me: I know! I heard you!

Mr. T: Well, you gotta do something about it. These people have followed you for two years. They've left comments and e-mails. A lot of them have friended you on Facebook. You have really let them down.

Me (now feeling lower than a snake's belly): I know it's bad, but I don't know what to do about it.

Mr. T: Well, write something funny. You're a funny girl, that's why I married you, you know. Well, that and the fact that you looked good in sweaters.

Me (sarcastic again): Well, I guess I could go put on my new yellow sweater and you could post a picture. However, I don't things my readers would appreciate it. Most of them are women. Besides that, some things have not 'stood up' well to the test of time, if you know what I mean?

Mr. T: Come on, now, Katheryne (he's the only one allowed to call me that). People will stop reading if you don't give them something they can laugh at or at least relate to.

Me (thinking silently to myself): When did Mr. Politician/Lobbyist/Consultant/I Love All Things Political and I Live For Talk Radio become such a literary genius?

Me: I'm not angry any more! I can only be funny when I'm unhappy.

Mr. T: So, you've been unhappy our whole married life? (bah- dah -boom)

So, that conversation really got me to thinking, which can be a very dangerous thing.

Just so you know, I'll have a new website soon, thanks to my publisher. I'm sure between Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and my release I'll have something fun to share with you.

However, I will tell you a secret. My manuscript is with a few producers in Hollywood that have requested to see it.

And...are you ready for this? I have a face-to-face meeting this Monday with another producer.

Yes, it's exciting. BUT - there's always a big ol' 'but' in the way, isn't there? - nothing may come out of it. I'm not a 'pride-ful' person. If a movie doesn't come out of this, I'll be disappointed (because I really, really want it), but it won't be the end of the world. I won't be embarrassed that I didn't 'make the cut.'

Besides, the fact that my story has gotten this far is just more than I ever dreamed. It's not every day that producers request to see your manuscript, is it? So, even if a movie doesn't pan out, I still have the book and I can still sit in my rocker when I'm 102 and tell my grandkids about it.

I'm telling you all of this because Mr. T is right (did I just admit that?) You all have been with me every. step. of. the. way. Check back in on Monday night, and I'll let you know how it all went! Have a good weekend. And hopefully, wherever you are it's not raining cats and dogs like it is here in the DC area.

Gee whiz! I am stttrreesseed out. First of all, I can't think of anything to write about. I know it took me forever and you all had probably given up on me, but I think I answered most of the questions you'd asked in the last post. Some of those questions had been asked way back in the summer, so my apologies for just now getting around to it. Second of all, when I do force myself to sit down and write it really sucks. Which means my blog is getting worse, not better. That is not the way it's supposed to work, y' know.

Don't think I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs, though. Nope. Well, maybe I am, sort of. This is the month my novel is going into production. Next month I do final edit and re-writes. (I have 15 days in which to finish it. No pressure.)

I don't know about you but when I get stressed I EAT. Oh, how I wish I could be one of these delicate little girls that 'forgets to eat'. I don't understand those women, but just once I'd like to be one of them. And since I'm not? Well, that's one of the reasons I haven't posted a picture of myself in ages. Let's just say I'm uh...larger than life.

I may be fat...but I'm happy. And happy is a great place to be!!!!

You're questions (FINALLY) answered....

1. How old are you?

I am 47! Yes, I know the saying 'a lady never reveals her age.' Sorry, but I disagree. Society puts too much emphasis on youth. I am proud of my age! I don't let it hold me back from doing anything that I love. As long as I'm healthy I'll be riding horses, riding my bike and dancing the night away until I'm 107.

2. Describe finishing school.

I loved it, although it was a different world for me. Much to my mother's disappointment, I preferred to be out riding, shooting with my Dad, or going to the livestock auction with my grandfather. Going to finishing school forced me to learn how to be a bit more ladylike. We had a very strict dress code. We could only wear dresses or suits, skirts only, no pants. No bare legs. We always had to wear stockings. Absolutely no gum chewing. No crossed legs. Feet flat on the floor or crossed at the ankles. Proper annunciation. I didn't know it at the time but it would prepare me and give me the confidence I would need for White House dinners or state events where I might be seated next to a senator, governor, ambassador or other dignitary. All in all it was a great experience and I think if you have the opportunity to put your daughter in such a class/school by all means do it!

3. How did you come up with the name 'Hillbilly Debutante?'

You know, I've made no secret about the fact that I grew up in a very rural area. I may poke fun of myself and talk about being a 'hillbilly', but actually I have had an amazing life. I would even venture to say 'glamorous'. Sometimes I look around at the people I've had the privilege to meet, my larger than life friends and neighbors (some of whom you've seen on television - that's all I'm sayin') and I can not believe the fun I've had/am still having. I have the best of both worlds. I am a true blue bona fide country girl that gets to enjoy everything the city has to offer, including lots of parties, benefits, i.e. lots of opportunities to dress up! I truly feel like a "Hillbilly Debutante."

4. How long did it take you to write the book?

17 long, hard, months.

5. What is your pet peeve?

Easy. I loathe snobbishness. I simply can not and will not tolerate someone that thinks they are better than others, and treats them accordingly. That is the most valuable lesson my parents taught me and I have been very adamant with my children as well. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have, it is never right to look down your nose at someone else. (Even the Bible states that God dislikes someone with 'haughty eyes.') Prime example: I used to work at a retail shop and one of our customers always treated us like the scum of the earth. She was just awful. One time she even told the manager that she didn't want us 'sales clerks' to speak to her when she came in the store. Imagine the surprised look on her face when she and I came face to face at one of Washington's premier invitation only events. I'm sure she was flabergasted that I was sitting at the table with some of the ladies that frequently have their pictures in the society pages. After that she'd come back in the store and try to be nice. But by then the damage had been done. While I don't hold a grudge, I never forget how someone treats me.

I'm sorry it took me so long to get to your questions. Some of you had wanted to see pictures from my visit to the country a few weeks ago. Sorry! No camera!

But I will be able to post some pictures from some fun things I'll be doing between now and Christmas.

Dear Santa....

Yes, I know it's a little early to start taking requests. But, I thought I better get an early start. (If I know my good buddy Allie over at Summer is a Verb, she has been working on her wish list since December 26th of last year.)

Okay, Santa, if you get closer to the computer screen and squint your eyes you can see the delicate little necklace that Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece is wearing. I'd love to have that. Actually, I have a necklace similar to this. I'd just like to have a shorter chain. Oh, and another child figurine as well (for Sophia).

Any chances you can make me have hair just like Marie-Chantals?

I didn't think so.

Book Synopsis revealed....

For all you spoiled babies who think you can't wait until closer to release date, I'm going to give in to you. I still thinks it's a little too early. After all, it's not being released until Spring. But you all have been with me since I first put pen to paper. You've listened to me whine when I had writer's block and was sending out to agents and publishers. You went 'hooray' when I finally did find someone. So, this little preview is just for you.

Julie Patterson, a former Miss Mississippi with a successful husband and two adoring children lives a lavish lifestyle most women only dream about. Life becomes even more idyllic when her husband Tom receives a much anticipated promotion to Washington, DC. Soon, the Patterson's American Dream turns into a nightmare when a neighborhood friend turns out to be a psychotic stalker and mind manipulator that won't rest until she destroys Julie. False Victim is a gripping tale of lies, deception and betrayal and one woman's quest to hold her family together, while struggling to keep her faith intact and her sanity from slipping. A fast-paced psychological, edge of your seat thriller, False Victim will haunt you long after you've finished reading it.

And yes, it's based very, very, and I mean VERY heavily on a true story.

Ta ta for now!