Making A Pot Of Coffee

Discombobulated--describes my thought patterns to a tee! (thank you Susan, I love that word!)

Went to the kitchen yesterday morning to make a pot of coffee. But first I had to throw out the old grounds in the trash can. The trash can was full and I decided to go ahead and empty the trash and put it in the big can out in the garage.

Out in the garage, carrying the bag of trash I noticed the dryer door ajar and sat the bag of trash next to the washing machine. In the dryer was a load of clean towels which I put in the basket and carried to the living room. Just as I sat down on the sofa to fold the towels, the phone rang. My husband calling to remind me to please wash him a load of jeans and that he'd be working late and that he'd bring home some bar-b-que for supper. No problem. I headed to the bedroom where we keep the clothes hamper and sorted out the jeans on the bed. I needed the clothes basket to put them in but the basket sat in the living room filled with towels to be folded.

Sitting down on the sofa again to fold towels so I could put them away so I could use the basket, my eyes kept darting down to the carpet noticing all the dog hair that seemed to have accumulated over the last two days. (we have four large forever-shedding dogs)

I couldn't stand it a minute longer and went to the closet, pulled out the vacuum cleaner and plugged it in only to discover the bag was packed full and had to be changed. In search of another vacuum cleaner bag, I glanced at the clock in the kitchen...and gasped at the time. I had a hair appointment and would be late if I didn't leave right then.

Throwing on clothes (because I still had on my jammies), I drove like a crackhead on speed, making it to the salon without a minute to spare. Loving my "new do," I chatted with my hair dresser, getting caught up on all the latest gossip.

Afterwards, on the way home, I stopped by the drug store to pick up some mascara. An hour later and four plastic sacks filled full of "stuff" plus the mascara, I left for the grocery store to buy milk and eggs. And felt rather pleased with myself for only getting those two items.

Back at the house, putting the milk and eggs in the fridge, the door bell rang. My mail lady had a package for me. A friend who lives out of town had sent me the cutest long sleeve shirt. Well, I had to try it on right then and ran to the bedroom.

Admiring myself in the mirror with a "new do" and a new shirt, the phone rang. My neighbor wanted me to come over to help her hang a new painting on their wall. I hopped over to her house across the street. We hung the picture, which is gorgeous, she liked my new hair style and shirt and we talked up a storm about girl stuff. Eventually, I noticed through her living room window the light outside seemed to be fading.

Every evening, a friend of mine and I walk the race track over at the nearby middle school. Hurrying home to change into my walking clothes, I called Lisa to let her know I was running late and would be there shortly. At the track we both got tickled with each other because she too, had been to her hair dresser and had gotten a new cut and style. Which looks adorable on her. We lost track of time, talking and laughing and walked for an hour and a half.

Back at the house again, I stripped my clothes off on the way to the bathroom to bathe. In the shower with the hot water cascading over my neck and shoulders, exhaustion settled in my old bones. I couldn't beleive how tired I felt as one yawn came after the other. It dawned on me in the shower that being the caffeine addict I am, I hadn't had any all day.

Too pooped to care, I dried off and put my jammies back on. The dogs went nuts running to the garage door, which meant my husband had made it home with our supper. It was 9:00pm. I slipped on my house shoes and shuffled my way to greet him in the garage.

On the way, I looked at the jeans piled high on the bed, still unwashed. The pantry door stood open in the kitchen with the trash container jutting out waiting for a fresh plastic bag. On the counter top lay four bags stuffed with goodies from the drug store. In the living room, in the middle of the floor like a soldier standing sentry, stood the vacuum cleaner with a packed bag sticking out its side. The laundry basket sat on the coffee table piled high with unfolded towels.

Out in the garage the large trash bag sat next to the washing machine.

My husband's eyes scanned my body, clad in jammies and said laughing, "Hi Honey. I see you're still in your pajamas. What did you do today?"

Smiling sweetly, I kissed him hello and replied, "Tried to make a pot of coffee."

Signing off and Happy Trails to all--

Cherri

Making Headway

I admit I've been slow to post on my blog...but really, I've been busy. And that's pretty much a pet peeve with me when people tell me how busy they've been. Life's short, slow down a bit. The earth won't turn any faster trying to keep up, so why is everyone trying to outrun it?

Well, I blinked and POOF! time got ahead of me. During the Christmas Holidays, my husband and I took an incredible road trip driving from Houston, where we live, to New Mexico, Arizona, California, and over to Nevada. Then reversed it all and drove back home. IN SIX DAYS!!! Just driving through Texas ate up twelve of our precious hours on the road.

Then we returned on the day before I was scheduled for back surgery. Which I might add has been successful and that's another reason for not posting. So, my excuses are legit, as I've been out of town, on the road, and surgery- recuperating.

Getting back into writing mode full-throttle, rockets blaring makes me VERY happy--

So, I'm returning at a snail's pace once again and here's wishing everyone a prosperous and joyous NEW YEAR ahead,

Cherri

A Day For My Keepsake Book

Saturday, December 1st, I held my first booksigning ever! That day will stay with me for the rest of my life.

From surprises to sheer thrills, the day unfolded. And many thanks goes to everyone who attended for making my debut signing for THE SCENT OF MONEY one of the greatest days in my life.

Debo, Stacie, you two knocked me off my feet when you hugged me...how cool is it to have one of my best friends and her little sister travel all the way from DeRidder, Louisiana just to see me? I can tell you, that was one of the most endearing moments of my day. Especially when it's been years since we've seen each other!

Publishers, Linda Houle and Lisa Rene Smith stood at my side and made me feel more special than I could have dreamed possible.

Author, John Foxjohn dropped in to say hello and gave us some laughs to keep us going for the rest of the day.

Several of my best friends came to eat cake, laugh, and of course buy a copy of my book. To Lessie, Bella, Dave, and Bill--my heart is yours. (Lessie and Bella are part of my Sisters By Heart)

And what would a signing be like without my friend and Veterinarian, Dr. Karla Hilliard and her husband, Nate? She came with her husband and two gorgeous children in tow to participate and share in my debut signing. And to you Dr. Karla, I thank you! To Sheridan and Rowan, I am so glad your Mommy brought you and thank you Nate for coming to the gala.

For all the strangers I met that day, you are no longer strangers--thank you! And to a special little boy, age 8, named Caleb...thank you for bringing to us a delightful sense of where our country's future is headed. You are most definitely on the right track. Keep loving to read, Caleb. You are an inspiration to us all!

A hearty thank you goes out to Debbie, my friend in Victoria, Texas for opening a window into the world of dogs and their behaviors, strengths, and companionship! (she is also a Sister By Heart) And for running one of the greatest boarding kennels ever. Kleinen Zwinger Kennels, where they have warm hearts for cold noses.

To my niece, Jen Fletcher, for creating (in my eyes) the prettiest and best web site in the world!!! She is an amazing woman and convincing her of this is going to take a lot of doing. To Jon, her husband, my nephew, I give you my love every day--for you make me so proud! And to their baby boy, my grand-nephew, catch those kisses sweetie, they're flying your way!

Most importantly, thanks goes to the one man who has always believed in me, encouraged me and has given me every single day since we met his unconditional love...my husband, Steven. He is my rock and my shelter. He's also very smart and makes me laugh every single day! I love you.

For my neighbors, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming and sharing in one of the most important days of my life.

And special thanks goes to Woof's Gourmet Pet Bakery for extending their generosity to me in grandest ways...Mark & Mark, you two are the best!!

If I have overlooked anyone, I am sorry--that day flew by in a flash and left me breathless, filled with complete joy, and happiness that'll stay with me for a lifetime.

Oh, and to Tanya, the cake decorator from Kroger's--you did an outstanding job on my cake, girl! Thank you!

The day went more wonderful than could be imagined, and I'm still looking like a plastic surgeon will have to remove the grin off my face -- to everyone, thank you.

Grinning, giggling, and grateful,
Cherri

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Deadline Rush

With my debut signing for The Scent of Money approaching, I feel lost in a blizzard. Not a snow blizzard, LOL, not in Houston...the kind of blizzard that blinds you with your eyes wide open. The kind of blizzard that bites your nose when you blink.

This coming Saturday, December 1, 2007, I will be at Woof's Gourmet Pet Bakery in Old Town Spring, Texas. I can't wait! There will a cake with the book cover for its icing and a red, white, and blue theme in honor of my mystery series, American Service Searchers, using Search Dogs to hunt for lost and/or dead people.

Prizes are set aside and ready to go packed in a box, the cake is ordered, and my new outfit I picked up from the cleaners this morning, the little card table, table cloth, chair, napkins, plates, forks, etc., are all ready to go. I feel good about having everything in order in a timely manner and feel good about being able to donate a percentage of the proceeds to All Woof Rescue. Everything for the first time in my life has come together like clockwork. Except the one area I have zero control over...the weather! It is supposed to rain all day Saturday.

And if it does, I'm still going to be there, grinning and loving every moment getting a chance to meet new people, seeing friends I know, and let's not forget the dogs. The wonderful world of canines. Come on out, eat some cake, shake my hand, meet some wonderful folks, and pet some doggies.

Hope to see you there and bring your umbrella,

Cherri
my website: www.cherrigalbiati.com

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Gonna go for it!

For the longest time, I've wanted to participate in the NaNoWriMo. This year I'm going to do it.
Time has NEVER been on my side. We are not good friends and probably never will be. So, why am I doing this? Because either I love writing so much I think I can accomplish this feat, or I'm just plain nuts. (most likely the latter)

For those of you who don't know about NaNoWriMo, it stands for National Novel Writer's Month. And is held every November. Beginning midnight-001 on November 1st, and ends midnight November 30th. The goal is to write a novel in one month and you must have at least 50,000 words to complete this task.

Am I up to the challenge?

Oh yeah! I'm gonna go for it!

Cherri