Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 40

Family Ties

Last week was a week for family.  That Sunday I flew into Washington, D.C. to sign 1000 books in a huge warehouse in nearby Maryland for my publisher, Random House.  Then I ended the week in Colville, Washington, for Wayne's family reunion.  Two families.  My professional family--the good people at Random House--and my real life family--my husband, children and a huge assortment of cousins and their children and their children's children.  It brought to mind how we are all connected in one way or another.  The people I met in Maryland started out as strangers when I first arrived, and I left feeling as though I had made good friends.  Wayne's family is filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, fun, food and laughter.  We knew some better than others, but after a day of shared memories and laugher and deepened relationships, we left with strengthened cords of love.   Deep thoughts for a Monday morning.

Alone with thousands of books . . .

I spent all day Monday in Westminster, Maryland, at the Random House warehouse, signing books to be shipped out to bookstores across the country.  Later I was given a tour of the humongous building.  They have what they call their Indiana Jones room.  Remember the last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, where they wheel the ark into the cavernous storage facility?  Well, they have one of those rooms in this warehouse.  It's so huge that you can't see the end of the aisle—which is dark because it's so far down.  The room is several floors high, too, with thousands of crates of books.   Anyone working in that part of the warehouse has to have a repelling license in the event the machine breaks down so they aren't stuck up in the machinery.  If I was ever going to get locked up in a room, I'd request this one (so long as there was sufficient light to read!).

Alone with thousands of books.

I spent all day Monday in Westminster, Maryland, at the Random House warehouse, signing books to be shipped out to bookstores across the country. Later I was given a tour of the humongous building.  They have what they call their Indiana Jones room. Remember the last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, where they wheel the ark into the cavernous storage facility?  Well, they have one of those rooms in this warehouse. It's so huge that you can't see the end of the aisle—which is dark because it's so far down. The room is several floors high, too, with thousands of crates of books. Anyone working in that part of the warehouse has to have a repelling license in the event the machine breaks down so they aren't stuck up in the machinery.  If I was ever going to get locked up in a room, I'd request this one (so long as there was sufficient light to read!).

Heart pounding excitment

This morning was filled with a bit of excitement when we got hit by a thunder and lightening storm.  I was swimming my half mile in the local pool when we lost electricity.  The  entire area went pitch dark.  I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.  Then the alarms started to ring, rivaling a huge burst of thunder, which shook the building.  That got my heart pounding loud and strong.  A different kind of aerobic exercise, for sure.  We like being different on the left coast.  While the rest of the country is sweltering, we're cool and wet.

Grandpa Camp

I promised an update on how Wayne is fairing with Grandpa Camp.  The best way I can think of to describe his 13-day constant contact with his grandsons is a conversation we had many years ago after I'd returned from a church retreat.  This was the first time Wayne had been left alone with all four of the kids for any length of time—all of them eight years of age or younger. I was at camp, having all my meals cooked and served to me, laughing with my friends, listening to inspiring, uplifting messages. This is how our conversation went when I returned home:



"Oh, Honey, I had the best time ever."

And Wayne said, "Ted threw up."

"The meals were incredible."

And Wayne said, "It got in the carpet, in the hallway . . . he never made it into the bathroom."

"I made so many wonderful new friends."

And Wayne said, "It was the five hot dogs he ate for lunch."

"I missed you all so much.  How was your weekend?"

And Wayne said, "I'm so glad you're back."

"Me, too."  And we hugged.

Grandma Camp

I regret it’s taken so long to update a blog.  As the saying goes, I’ve been so busy I’ve been chasing my own tail!



One reason I was so busy last week is because it was my annual Grandma Camp with my granddaughters!  This year we headed to Chicago, where we had fun shopping the Miracle Mile and attended the musical, “Crowns.”  It was serendipity that while we were visiting, The Taste of Chicago was going on—and it was wonderful.  My favorite taste?  The Chicago hot dog!



A special memory that will stay with me is one evening when our dinner was delayed. To pass the time, we asked each other questions.  Who was your first kiss, Grandma?  (My cousin!)  What's the very first thing you can remember?  Now that you're old (old!?) what would you do differently?  These are treasured moments with my granddaughters that will stay with me.  I hope they will with them, too.



Tomorrow I hope to post an update from Wayne with his adventures from Grandpa Camp

Happy 4th of July!

I can't think of the 4th of July without remembering a parade we took the kids to when our son, Ted, was about five years old.  He was completely enthralled with the marching band and asked all kinds of questions about the musical instruments.  I was so pleased our son was showing interest in playing an instrument that I picked him up and asked him which one looked like the most fun and which one he would like to learn how to play.  Ted thought it over very carefully and gave me his answer.  The whistle! 



Enjoy our country's birthday.  Happy 4th of July from our family to yours.

How to Prepare to be a Model

Naturally, before yesterday's video shoot, I wanted to have my hair and makeup done.  As I've said before, I look much better on radio—thinner, too--but since I was going to be on camera, I wanted to look my best.  While I was at the hairdresser’s, Wayne was at home and took a phone call.  A friend asked for me, and Wayne, being Wayne, told them I was out “getting detailed.”  Wayne simply doesn't understand it takes a village to get me ready to be seen on camera.  Then again, maybe he does!

My Day as a Model

Lights!  Camera!  Action!  If you think I'm talking about the Cedar Cove movie, you’re wrong.  Today all the cameras and action took place right here in my office.  My publisher sent a camera crew (okay, it was just one guy with a video camera, but he's like a one-man band!) to take video of me in my offices here and at home.  We're also doing shots of the yarn store and the Victorian Rose Tea Room.  Frankly, I think those models for Victoria's Secret don't get paid enough.  This is really hard work.  But don't expect me to show up on film in my underwear and a pair of wings. <g>

Honey, I'm Home!

It's back to my real life now.  I was on the movie set last week and met Andie McDowell, who is even more beautiful in person than any woman has a right to be.  I'm so excited--the movie is going so, so well.  The morning after the set visit, I flew to Columbus, Ohio, for a huge yarn conference, where I met up with my fellow author and knitting buddy, Christina Skye. 



I was home on Sunday and not two minutes inside the door, after hugs and kisses from both Wayne and Bogie, Wayne asked me, "What's for dinner?"  Yup, I'm back in the real world again.  But you know what?  I wouldn't want it any other way!