Moving, Reading, and Being a Lazy Blogger

I'm almost moved into the new house and getting ready to put everything together. I'll start posting pictures of my progress.

After 17 months of writing, editing and re-writing, I thought I'd take some time and be on the other end of a book for a change. So, while I'm asking myself 'what to read? what to read?' I thought I'd revisit the books that my English literature teacher used to assign to us. You know the ones that bore you to tears? The ones that made me beg my Dad to let me mow the lawn, scoop the stalls, anything to use an excuse to not have to read those looonnnggg, drawn out, bo-ring! 'classics'. Don't tell Mrs. Wiseman, but I was able to read just enough that I could make a report and carry on a conversation about it..

(And by the way, Will Truitt, if you are reading this, I know every trick in the book, so don't even think you can get away with something like that...)

Anyway, back to my reading. I decided on Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Other Writings. Oh. My. Goodness. Thomas Wolfe's You Can't Go Home, Again. Ugh! I can't get into these anymore at 47 than I could when I was 15 or 16.

Henry David Thoreau

And life is just way too short to pretend to enjoy something you don't. So, if my finding Thoreau and Wolfe excruciating painful makes me 'uncouth and uncultured,' then so be it. I am uncouth and uncultured.

So, if you'll excuse me I'm going to go on line and order the new book "Social Climbers" by Beth Dunn. It's had rave reviews in the Blog World and it sounds like a fun read.

Beth Dunn
(much cuter than Henry David Thoreau, don'tcha think?)

But I'll keep H.D.'s - I can call you H.D, can't I Henry David? - book near my nightstand and it will be cheaper than a sedative when I can't sleep

What are you doin' in March?

I still don't have a definite date

BUT..

it looks my book will be

released in

MARCH!

Painting at the new house...

This is the new sofa I bought on Saturday. I have the blanket over it so Mr. T won't get paint on it. It's going to go against that big wall.

And the picture below is of the dining room.

Both walls were painted a very pretty shade of robin's egg blue. I toyed with the idea of leaving the color, but decided against it as I'd have to change so many of things I already have to accomodate.

I also thought about removing the wallpaper, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. Instead, I decided to paint both walls a creamy white. Although, it's hard to tell in the pictures, it gives these two rooms a very, calm, serene feel. I'll also, keep the furniture various shades of white and decorate and accent with light pastels, such as powder pink and sage green.

I have most of the furnishings I need for the living room, but will be on the lookout for a cream colored dining room table.

Last Road Trip for ole Dix

Okay, maybe this was being just a little too dramatic...

but this weekends Dixie Road Trip was bittersweet....that's Mama and my Aunt Linda comforting my through my 'tears.'

Soon, Miss Dixie will be driven away to her new home..

I didn't really find too much for the new house, but I'll take pictures tonight of what we're starting on (painting, etc).

Washington is pretty empty in August which means two things.

1. The air quality is a lot better, (probably since all of those yahoo politicians have left for the month)

which means

2. Mr. T has a lot of time to paint

so tomorrow I'll post a few pictures of the new place.

The last Dixie Road Trip -

ever! ((sigh))

We are movin' into our new house in 2 weeks and we really don't have the space for her. It really breaks my heart. You all know how much I have loved her. Good Grief!! I gave up a beautiful, paid-for Mercedes to drive Dixie exclusively. I mean, who does that?

(The same woman who wears diamonds, too-thick beauty queen makeup. ripped jeans and Wellington boots, all at the same time, that's who! Yes, that would be me.)

me and Dixie in Summer 08

I was looking like a bleach blonde tramp, but Dixie was still lookin' good.

Never fear, my dear readers she is going to a good home. My good friend, Monika, will be startin' her own blog soon and I thought that she and ole' Dix would be a great match.

So, tomorrow mornin' at the crack of dawn, me, Mama and my Aunt Linda are gonna fire the ole' girl up one more time and let her do what she does best. Haul all the antiques and goodies we can find and bring 'em on home. Hopefully, I'll find something I like for the new digs.

I'll snap a few of our last trip and then when I turn over the keys to Monika and she opens up her new business I'll post a few pics of that, as well.

And speakin' of Monika - you'll really want to get to know her. She is one of the most talented ladies I have ever seen. Whether it's doll-making, sewing pillows, furniture covering or making purses, Monika is amazing.

Have a great weekend. I've gotta get some shut-eye, so I'll be full of energy and will be able to enjoy my last Dixie Road Trip. ((sniff, sniff)).

You have been here since I first started Hillbilly Debutante. You've been here when I first decided to write a book. You cheered me when I finished the first Chapter, you talked me through the frustrations of writer's block and you've hoorayed! when I finally finished.

You've been incredibly patient as you've asked me time and time again - "what's it about?" and yet I keep putting you off.

I promised that I'd take you with me every step of the way.

WELL...

I talked to the publisher today and production will start within the next 10 days.

Everyone tells me I don't act excited. It's not that. I guess 'anticipatory' is more what I'm feeling right now.

Honestly, I feel scared. And I'm asking you right here and now to please stay with me.

We only have about 5 or 6 months (less if all goes well).

In the meantime, I will be interviewing a few publicists. I'm going to take my time with that process. I've got my eye on someone but he doesn't know it yet.

And, my sweet ones, while we move onward with this process, let us not forget the ultimate goal -

a Lifetime Movie.

(hee!)

I have to apologize for being a bad blogger lately. I've had other things on my mind.

I've also been keeping a teensy, weensy little secret from you. I am moving. Nope, it's not what you think....I'm staying put, I'm not going back 'home.'

As a matter of fact, I am home. It feels good to say that, you know.

Do I still miss the country? You betcha! Will I probably end up back on a small farm somewhere? Oh, yeah! But as long as my children are in Washington, DC, I'll re-arrange my dream so I can be closer to them.

But for now, I am moving to a big, beautiful home with a huge backyard for Sally and Violet to roam, with a biiigggg garage in which to shelter Dixie.

For security reasons, I won't post pictures of the front of the house, but I'll post some of the backyard and of course you know I wouldn't dream of shopping for furniture and accessories without you along!!

Please don't think I'm rude as I cut this conversation short....but someone is waiting for me....

Sophia Floriana Tapper

P.S. The most popular question was about my finishing school days. I'll tackle that one next post.

Broken Dreams

Have you ever wanted something so bad, and I mean so bad that you begged God to make it happen?

I have.

It was the summer of 2005 and I wanted to move back home. I had a contract on a farm house and I was ready to roll. I was trading in the world of politics, rush hour traffic and road rage for what I love most - dogs, horses and Wellington boots.

But alas, the real estate market crashed. I couldn't give that house away. Every day went something like this, "God, please, please, let this house sell. Please let me out of this place and let me go back home."

Even at the last minute I pleaded and panicked, "I am begging you to not make me stay here."

One day, though, it just became painstakingly evident that Washington, DC, is where I am meant to be.

So, I started Hillbilly Debutante.

When you go back to the beginning I am sure my anger is very evident. It has been interesting to me to review and witness my 'slow as a snail's pace' transition from angry white redneck woman to beleagured blogger, to finally, a woman accepting of her plight.

My mother kept telling me that for some reason, I am supposed to be here.

She's right. If I had left here, I never would have started this blog. I never would have written that book, and most important, I never would have been around for this:

It breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes to think that I could right now, as we speak, be sitting half a continent away from my Sophia Floriana.

Thank you, God for telling me no. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Is there an issue in which God seems to be telling you 'no'? I am asking you to be patient and know that He is in charge and wait to see how He is working in your life.

(P.S. I should be getting a release date on the book within the next 3-4 weeks)