by Joey | Jul 16, 2014 | Throwback
Helloooooooo!
::Swims to the surface. Takes gasping breath::
Oh, gosh, guys! It’s been a WHIRLWIND of a few weeks. I can’t even wrap my head around everything.
Remember last week when I said the book was coming out this week? Just bare with me a little here. I don’t want to send something out into the universe until it’s ready ready. It’ll be soon. Soon! Things just have to line up.
A lot of you have asked where, when what, etc. So I’m going to try to answer some of your questions today!
- The book will be released on Amazon. It will be available on any kindle device or kindle app. It may eventually be released in paperback, but I have some decisions to make about all of that, so for now it will just be on Amazon.
- I will release the title once we’ve 100% nailed down the cover art. We are damn close.
- Because it will be released digitally, I will not be hosting any signings (for now). If the book is released in paperback, I’ll keep you all posted if this changes!
Your support, you guys? I can’t even begin to explain to you how all of this makes me feel. I felt this kind of support last year when I was sick–but having support for something fun and exciting and life changing trumps that, for sure!
It was ridiculously fun to have my author photos taken! (Author photos!? WHAT!? ha!) It was absolutely storming (which my darling sister lovingly pointed out that any time I have my picture professionally taken, it’s awful weather. Looking at you, bridal portraits and wedding day). My sister followed us around the house with a lamp (my nieces and nephews were getting such a kick out of it) trying to find the best lighting & make do with the circumstances.
One of my beautiful bridesmaids welcomed me into her salon so she could hook a girl up! My hair desperately needed some help!
What else? Oh! I had a lovely visit with my very pregnant bestie! We got her all set up for when the baby comes (lots of organizing, list making and assembling)! She’s preeetttttty much all set! I was able to sneak in work here and there (mostly when the momma-to-be napped), and also just got to spend some much needed time with people I love.
I got vaccinated yesterday for whooping cough because the second my little niece decides to make her appearance, I’ll be heading south to help the new momma and daddy!
Oh, funny story about that! I’d gone over to Walgreens earlier in the day yesterday to snag the shot, but they were swamped. They asked me to come in later. So after my author photos (in the middle of awful storms), I ran out the door, dog and stuff in tow. I was going to run by Walgreens for the shot before I headed home.
I’m sitting in the little waiting area. I’d been there about 10 minutes when I hear flip flop flip flop. I know the sound well. I looked up to find my mom approaching.
“What are you doing here?”
“There was a huge crack of thunder when you left, so I followed you! I’ve been sitting out in the parking lot next to your car so I could keep an eye on Bailey.”
She grabbed my keys and went and sat in the car with the dog while I got my shot. The couple waiting next to me giggled.
“How old are you?” they asked.
If there was any question, Bailey is definitely one of the grandkids! haha!
I think that might be it for today! I know I’ve been so in and out lately. Things are in overdrive over here–and I promise to keep you totally posted with all things book related!
Love you all so much!!
by Joey | Jul 10, 2014 | Throwback
1. Tuesday night, I was setting the coffee pot. I called out “Honey? What time are we going to the gym in the morning?” That hung in the air before we both sort of chuckled. “When did we become that couple?” I asked. We’ve both made some significant changes this year–and I think we’re both feeling better than we ever have! You don’t have to do it all, but finding something manageable for yourself is all it really takes!
2. I’m heading out to South Carolina tomorrow! One of my absolute besties is having a baby in August, and this will be our last hoorah before the baby comes! It’s so crazy to me to think the next time she and I get to spend time together she’ll be someone’s mom! When the baby comes, I’ll be packing up and spending some time out there to help out. I’m the closest thing to a sister she has, and being that to someone is…well, it’s just really special. I can’t wait to be little Sophie’s Aunt Jo!
3. I’m getting my haircut on Tuesday for the first time in…well, way too long. For some reason whenever I know an appt is coming up, I obsess over it! I’ve been loving my super long hair–but I’ve sort of let it just grow into a mop. I’m really hoping for some fun layers to actually give some shape and life back into my locks! I’m thinking a little something like this!
4. Random, but last night the hubs was having a craving for Hardee’s. I couldn’t tell you the last time I ate at Hardees (I think it was back in HS). I wasn’t specifically craving anything, so I tagged along. I ordered a 1/3 cheeseburger on one of their freshly baked buns and oh, my gosh, y’all. I can’t believe I’m sitting raving about Hardees, but I am! The burger was so delicious, the bun was so fresh, and their fries were perfectly crispy! Thanks to no gall bladder, I tend to feel pretty sick after any type of fatty (super greasy) meal. I felt fine! I don’t know what they’re doing there–but we’ll be back.
5. I just realized it seems kind of funny that I talk about going to the gym and Hardee’s in the same post. But that’s just it. We’re not extremists, honestly. We eat pretty healthily 95% of the time. We only drink water (except our one cup of coffee/day). We eat at home 95% of the month. So when we splurge we spurge!
6. I finished my editor’s edits yesterday. My sister (who has been an editor for 20 years) is going through and giving one last sweep of the manuscript. Every time I go through it, it’s looking more and more like a real book. Once the book is out, I’m planning on sharing my experience with the whole process. Would you guys want to see that?
Oh. And it comes out next week.
by Joey | Jul 7, 2014 | Throwback
This weekend was exactly what I needed. My editor worked her butt off. I worked my butt off. My sister worked her butt off. And things are really, really coming together with this book. I can’t even believe all of this is happening. There’s a title. There’s content. There are cover options. And I’m kind of dying on the inside because how is this happening? In the last several weeks, so many people have uttered the words I can’t wait to read your book. AND THAT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO DO BACK FLIPS, Y’ALL! I won’t, because I’m a liability. But I want to!
Not to harp on it, but the fact that so many people are taking the time to make my dream their priority isn’t lost on me. Of course it’s important to me, but so many people are putting their lives on hold and donating their time–and, oh man. There will never be enough words to tell you what that means.
I told J the other night that I think I finally get it. After college, I never ever understood when people truly loved their jobs. I didn’t even really understand how J could spend all day and all night working. Saturday afternoon, we were sitting on the couch. I was working on edits while he was watching TV–and I just felt so happy. I could do this work for the rest of my life, and I really hope I get to.
After college, my mom called me a fish out of water. I just flopped around, searching. It seems silly to me now. This has always been my place — I was just doing everything and anything else. Back then, all of this seemed so scary. Don’t get me wrong–it’s still scary. But it’s the best kind of scary.
J and I got to spend some quality time with lot of people we care about, which is always good for a little rebooting. In my opinion, there is nothing more important in life than the people we get to share it with. With football season just around the corner (holy yikes), I’m soaking in whatever time I can get with him.
You guys–I drove the stick by myself to run errands and no one died!! I think I can officially knock it off my 30 before 30–even if I’m not the best at it yet!
I’m easing my way back into the running thing. Being sidelined for 7 weeks kind of threw a wrench in all that training I did. I have to keep perspective, though. When I first started out back in February, I couldn’t run to the end of my driveway. My first run out after the boot came off, I ran a mile. Since the boot has been off, I’ve run a total of 8 miles. I’ll take it.
Phew. Okay. I think that’s about all I have to catch you all up on. I hate that I’ve been so quiet around here–but someday, someday. I know, I keep promising. Love you guys!
by Joey | Jun 30, 2014 | Throwback
You know
this adorable scene in The Notebook?
(skip to 1:13)
Yeah. It’s not like that. It’s not like that at all.
It’s on my 30 before 30 to learn to drive stick shift. It just so happens that my darling Camry is dead, once again, and the only vehicle left for me to use is stick shift.
I’m pretty sure you all, no matter where you live, could hear J and I screaming at each other on Sunday afternoon. To my credit, I drove around campus several times and made it all the way to Walmart and back without dying. J and I weren’t speaking to each other by time we got home. Whatever.
Our luck with cars over the weekend was laughable, honestly. J’s fancy new-to-us-car wouldn’t start on Saturday morning, so we had to drop lots of dollar bills to buy a fancy new battery.
Sunday, we were meeting friends for lunch (which was kind of a nightmare in and of itself–if you live in or around Fuquay–pass on
Cooleys, k?). Black car: black interior = hot as donkey balls. So J decided to start the car while we were saying our goodbyes in the parking lot. When we went to leave, J goes to open the door. and…
nope.
Locked.
Cool.
It’s Sunday in a small, small town. Not a single lock smith was open. And because his new car is fancy the tool at the O’Reilly’s Autoparts wasn’t the right tool.
So what can we do?
Hashtag: Anyone Got A Bicycle?
by Joey | Jun 13, 2014 | Throwback
1. We had to shave Campbell. I can’t get over his tail. He went to rub on Bailey’s face the other day. She backed away from him as if she was saying don’t rub on me you mutant. I still think he’s handsome, but then again I don’t think people with ugly babies realize their babies are ugly. Ignorance is bliss, y’all. I will say this: makes a huge difference in the number of times I have to sweep in a week!
2. J and I are binge watching Orange Is The New Black. By time this goes live on Friday, we’ll have finished the series. It’s pathetic how sad that thought makes me feel.
3. One of the funniest moments from this past weekend had nothing to do with the proposal. After we picked Amber up from the airport, we were starving. Our hotel was right across the street from the epicenter, so we wandered over for a slice of pizza. On our way back to the hotel, these boys stopped us asking to take a picture with them–claiming it was one kids’ bachelor party. We agreed. As the kid was getting the camera up on his phone, I actually looked at him. Uh, Will? I asked. He looked up and I could actually see his eyes focusing. He hollered out to his buddy: Uh, Bagner? We’re busted. This is Hodges’s wife. They were brothers of J’s fraternity!! No one was getting married–they were just hitting on us! BUSTED!
4. J is freakishly good at sewing. I used to pick on him for it, but then I realized it could come in handy… I sure do love that kid.
5. Of course there was a massive storm blowing through just as I went to take pictures of this mani. Sorry the photos are so dark!
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear: Lacey Lilac
OPI: Can’t Find My Czechbook
Pure Ice: Beware
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