Monday, April 6, 2009

Monday Sound Out

From Chicago, where we sing I'm Dreaming of a White Easter, it's Sunday Sound Out with Dawn Meehan! Tonight: answers to your questions and musical guest Bing Crosby! And now, the woman who has been changing diapers for 14 and a half years straight, it's Dawn Meehan!

The book signing on Saturday went really well! I wasn't sitting there by myself twiddling my thumbs like I feared. In fact, the store sold out of my book! (They had 60 of them.) I felt really bad that some people left empty-handed after driving all the way to Winnetka.

I was running late (as usual) getting ready for the signing. You know how the pockets of new pants are often sewn shut and you have to clip the threads before you wear them for the first time? Well, I put the pants on and realized the pockets were shut so I clipped the front right pocket, then the front left pocket. I looked around and saw one more pocket on my butt, so I reached back and started clipping those threads. As I was cutting, I remember thinking, "Huh, that's interesting. The inside of this pocket looks like my underwear....my underwear???" Yeah, that back "pocket" wasn't a pocket at all. I just cut a hole in my pants. I had a huge hole in the butt of my pants, I was running late, I'd only had half a cup of coffee, I was nervous, I was starved, and I didn't know how to get to the bookstore so I really wanted to allow an extra half hour of "get lost" time to my drive. STRESS!

Anyway, I was able to throw a couple stitches in my pants before leaving and I made it to the store in time (and without getting lost, I might add! Clearly God was looking out for me!) I didn't throw up which is good, but I think I lost 5 pounds in sweat through the palms of my hands. Real classy, I know. I went through 3 paper towels, wiping my hands off! I just get so darn nervous speaking in front of people! I had so much fun though! It was really great putting faces to names and meeting several blog readers! Thank you for the flowers and granola bars, Julie! Thank you for the wine, the chocolate, and the card Michelle! Thank you for a nice letter, Laura! Thank you for reading my tweet about being starved and bringing me granola bars, Jane! And thank you to everyone for coming out to see me!!!!!!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the day...
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Book Signing
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I just read your Guideposts article and I loved it! So then I had to go to Amazon and order your book! And now I'm checking out your blog! As a children's writer and grandparent, I can so relate to your wonderful stories. May you continue to write forever!
Thank you! The article in Guideposts was good because Rick Hamlin is a great editor. Have I mentioned how much I love editors? :) And if you aren't familiar with Guideposts Magazine, check it out HERE! If you ever need a pick-me-up (and who doesn't?!), this is the magazine for you. Sooo inspiring! And if you scroll down that home page a little bit, you'll find the latest video blog from me.

Is your book gonna be available on audio?
possibly, but not right now

Your book rocks! I read it from cover to cover already...now for those who live WAY from from Chicago but in the US... will you accept mailed in books to be autographed?
I'm going to be adding some signed bookplates to my website soon. Keep an eye out for them.

Oh I totally forgot to ask how your ankle is doing. That should have been one of the questions ;)
It still hurts (wearing heels yesterday didn't help), but it's getting better. Thank you!

So did you move the book that had the picture facing forward so it had the spine out so your book could be picture out?
Of course! In fact, my good friend, Michelle Brownlow moved my books to the endcap at the store by her! She even took a picture of it and sent it to me! LOL!

So what is the trick to get the nailpolish OFF the couch???
Very large throw pillows

Is that an Ektorp?If so, Ikea has an AWESOME semi-annual sale that I discovered in January. I stocked up on Ektorp slipcovers - some of the colors were full-price, but I got one for $9 and one for $11. I figure I will stockpile them for things like ... this.
It is an Ektorp sofa from Ikea! Good to know about the sale. I don't know what I was thinking getting tan slip covers! Next time, they're going to be navy! And next time, I won't put them in the dryer and shrink them!

So...how calm were you once you saw that lovely addition to your sofa? Curious because I know I'd probably have flipped out ;o)
Oh, I do my fair share of flipping out, don't get me wrong, but I really try to ask myself, "Will this matter in 5 years?" before I react. So many times something seems like a big deal, but when you stop and think about it for a minute, you'll realize that in the long run, it really doesn't matter.

18 interivews!!?? WOW, that's awesome!!! Any chance you could schedule several of them together and have somebody come babysit for you?
I'm actually doing a bunch of them tomorrow and thankfully Joe is watching the kids for me. Most of them are taped, but here's a list of the live ones. If you're in the area, tune in and listen!

Columbus, OH WBEX-AM 6:10am central
Hartford, CT WQQQ-FM 7:10am central
Buffalo, NY/Bradford, PA WESB-AM 9:00am central
Colorado Springs, CO KCMN-AM 9:50am central
Phoenix, AZ KIKO-AM 10:30am central
Sacramento, CA KAHI-FM 3:00pm central

And finally, here are the winners of the autographed first chapter of my book!

Dawn Schubert & Mona Hernandez

Congratulations!!!

And a fitting song for a city that didn't get the memo about global warming...

30 comments:

Jenene said...

I got your book in the mail on Saturday, I started reading it yesterday, and I'm already halfway through it. It's really funny! I keep wanting to read parts out loud to my husband, but I have to remember he's not as excited about it as I am.

Funnyrunner said...

how COOL. congrats, congrats, congrats!

Sandy in Illinois said...

Dawn,
Just wondering if you used duck tape to mend your pants. I know that is one of your preferred sewing materials.

Lynn said...

I'm ridiculously sad that I didn't win a book, lol. I don't get to buy new books...but maybe I can talk my library into getting it! ;-)

Suburban Correspondent said...

I shrank my first set of Ektorp slipcovers in the dryer also, Dawn. We are kindred Ektorp spirits.

And I work part-time in a chain bookstore. Don't worry - I've got your back - your book will always be facing out on the shelf!

Tracy said...

Dawn-quick comment on the book and signing. First I am already done with the book, it was fantastic! My hubby drove me there Saturday, so I read half of it on the way home (he took the scenic route looking for a Mexican restaraunt his friend told him was that way).
Your kids were so well behaved and cute at your signing. BTW you need to warn people to not read while drinking, I about choked when I read the superglue part!

Sandy said...

Glad the book sale went well! It's not just your city that didn't get the global warming memo. I live in the South, and we have freeze warnings tonight!

Cheryl Pitt said...

Congrats! What a wonderful day. But I have to ask (so off topic) who are the guy and girl blondes in your slideshow with the amazing eyes? I think they are the last or second to last photo. I've never seen such amazing blues!

Anonymous said...

Hee! Thanks for cracking me up on a dismal Tuesday morning. Cutting a hole in your pants and wondering why the pocket lining looked like your undies is completely something I would do.

Unknown said...

OMG I WON?? WOOHOOOOO thanks so much Dawn...what do I do now? You can email me @ mth1392@aol.com. I am so excited !!!!!

Niki said...

I love your tweet about Brooklyn and the butter. I have photos of my daughter and her friend smearing butter on themselves and then chasing eachother around the house being "butter monsters, so they can slip out without getting in trouble"

Erin said...

You've thrown your Ektorp slip cover in the dryer as well. When they say washable, at least to me, that also includes the dryer.

When we bought the chair the only cover color that went with our sofa was white. Yes, white and children. By now it is a dirty white (unfortunatly that doesn't sound as good as "dirty blond.")

Anonymous said...

Ah IKEA sofas. James did the same thing with our covers for the sofas in the family room, thinking he could wash them and ended up shrinking them. Then broke the zippers trying to get them back on. I gotta get new slipcovers.
It was nice to finally meet you at the booksigning. I totally apologize for the pic of me texting on the iPhone. I was listening! Blame my hubby.

Michelle said...

You may be dreaming of a white Easter but call me a pessimist... I'm dreaming of a grey one. Even Mister Man told me yesterday "Mom, I am SO done with winter." And he's 5!

Love the update on the pants story. No wonder you stayed sitting down ;)

I think your dad had more fun than anyone, which was way cool to see! And tell him thank you for not actually getting my face in any picture (truly). I loved that! I don't like having to pretend that no that isn't me, that's just a really bad picture.

Ellen said...

Dawn,

Loved getting to see you at the book signing!...and so happy your mother had enough extra books in her trunk for a true "trunk sale." :-) Started your book-so fabulous! I am so very happy for you. Loved your video for Guideposts about dreams coming true. Couldn't happen to a nicer or more talented gal. Btw, if you didn't see or hear about Oprah show today 4/6-you have to see it. All about "motherhood." I had about 50 Oprahs tivo'd and fate had me pick that one to watch and it was so good. You should look on her site because they are doing this whole thing about motherhood ongoing and YOU should be on her show!

take care of you,
Ellen

ps-Laughed so hard about cutting the pockets-only b/c I would do that too!

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Am bummed to have missed it! Love the photos! And that color blue looks GREAT on you!!! I am so happy for your successes--you totally deserve it, and also, you are so grateful to your readers and appreciative of your fans, unlike some other author/bloggers who only care about themselves. This is why you will go far Dawn, because you genuinely care about your readers!

xo not just a reader, but a friend too, Steph *hahaha!

Jennilyn said...

Sorry if this is random, but I thought you might enjoy this guy's sense of humor in blogging about church pot lucks. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2009/04/515-taking-sympathy-scoop-from-dish-no.html

The Queen said...

Why the heck do they sew pants pockets up? I never understood that.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn,

you look awesome on the pictures, absolutely radiant:) Just wanted to say I can't wait to read your book, hope Amazon delivers fast! I've been reading your blog since the pokemon incident and am absolutely loving it. It's been quite a journey and I am happy to have been able to follow it through your blog, so thanks for sharing.

Ingrid, a mum of 4 from Estonia

The Nowaks said...

Congrats, Dawn! I've been reading you since the Pokemon post, & have been anxiously awaiting your book! Good things happen to good people! :)

Here's a SSO question! Do you have a title for your next book?? What about a tentative release date?? Can't wait to read it!

Anonymous said...

Dawn,

I just ordered your book last night and absolutely can't wait to read it. I was just wondering if you had any idea how many copies have been sold so far, or is it too early to know something like that?

Congratulations!

~ Danielle ~

On Stage said...

Hi Dawn,
Congrats again and thanks for adding us in the slide show! Brian's at work playing it for all his co-workers!

I read a comment from Cheryl... I think you may have been referring to my eyes as well as my husband's. Thanks for the compliment! Our eyes are real... no colored contacts for us! You should see our childrens' eyes! They are gorgeous... blue with LONG eyelashes!

Sue

Unknown said...

Yeahhhhh I got my free digital excerpt of your book and LOVED LOVED LOVED it ! I am going out tomorrow to buy it. Thanks for making my Monday a much better day !!!!

jes8 said...

Dawn, I finished your book in about three days and loved every minute of it. I HAD to show my 12 year old son the part about throwing my arm across the car at a sudden stop just to prove to him that I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES IT! And when I rattled off your kid's names in one of the pictures, he totally called me a stalker, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, I was wondering, in all your spare time this week, if you had a chance to see Oprah on Monday? It was all about the "dirty truth" of motherhood. She had on a few mom bloggers and I was SO hoping you would be on there, but I knew you would have FREAKED OUT and told us all if you were going to be on Oprah. Don't worry, your time's coming!

theresa said...

I am anxious to read your book! Wonder if they have it here in Tulsa? Anyway....Do you think the Duggars would read your blog (or mine, for that matter) and wonder what the big deal is? Do you think they laugh at Jon and Kate plus 8? Do you think they ever watched 8 id Enough or The Bardy bunch? Just silly random ponderings this fine morning!!!!

Rick said...

I like the "Elf" version of Bing and Doris' song. Did I mention that your outfit at the signing looks terrific?

Dawn Schubert said...

I got the free digital excerpt of your book and absolutely loved it! I will be buying the book as soon as I can. Thank you so much!!!

Anonymous said...

I used to cut my pockets also, but then I realized (after having an over-zealous salesgirl once suggest that I go to a seamstress to have side slash pockets sewn shut because I didn't like how they opened on my "I've had two kids" hips) that they're much more flattering left sewn shut. Unless I think I'm going to be putting something in them (hands, keys, etc.), they stay the way the factory made them. I know that doesn't help you for this instance, but for next time....

~Laura

Heather M. said...

Love the book! I'm part way through it. I ordered copies for my Mom & MIL for Mother's Day too -- hopefully it won't bring back too many bad memories. :)

Thanks, it's great!!

Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...

And I will put BECAUSE I SAID SO on EVERY endcap that it is not! :)

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