Michele Summers's Blog, page 4

PATTERN, COLOR...WATCH OUT!

My heroine Bertie Anderson would totally rock on this wallcovering and she'd definitely add the collection of pictures and paintings. 

In my debut novel, Find My Way Home, releasing this July, Bertie is a small-town designer with big dreams. And she's known for her wacky combination of colors and patterns. Of course I would write about an interior designer with a love of color, texture, fabrics and boldness. A gal after my own heart. ;-) Keith Morgan, jaded ex-professional tennis player finds Bertie's color combination obnoxious and weird, to put it nicely. And he can't believe he's hiring her to re-do his old Victorian home. But, hire her he does and lots of fun follows as they fight their attraction for each other under a mountain of fabrics, trims, and wallcoverings.




Stay tuned for a sneak peek...

Look for  Find My Way Home,  coming this July.

MARCH MADNESS...means UNC Basketball to me!

It's that time of year again...yes, it's spring. FINALLY! 
But that's not what I'm talking about. Every March, since I was a kid, has always been much more than sunshine, daffodils and spring break. Where I'm from and in our household it always meant: UNC Basketball and heading to the NCAA tournament. As the Carolina fight song states; "I'm a Tarheel born" and with that birth comes a love for basketball, especially UNC basketball which is somehow programmed into our DNA. So, as my family will attest, there is definitely a little madness in March where we live. A lot of nail-biting, hair-pulling and F-bombing. When my poor kids were young, they were always sent to their rooms and told to hide under the bed while UNC played and Mommy watched on the tube. Not a pretty sight. (plus, I wanted to avoid scarring their ears forever with the colorful expletives that would fly.) Michael Jordan, probably the most famous Tarheel to play for UNC was a classmate of mine. Yep. We took French 40 together. Initially, I didn't recognize him; we sat several rows apart and lets face it, he was super cool personified and I...was not. But one day, out of the blue, he called and asked to borrow my notes. Sweet! Right? Actually, I couldn't figure out why he had phoned me except that the professor took great pleasure in calling out my name in a loud, booming voice every class. But my brothers (also attending UNC with me) were over the moon! My cool factor had shot through the roof with this new, unexpected development. Not only would Michael borrow my notes, but he used to stop and speak to me on campus and when I jogged my five miles (which was every day...back then I was thin and in shape!) he'd slow his car and keep me company for a few labored steps as I trudged up some god-awful hill. What a nice guy. Very unassuming. And I thank him to this day for giving me my small claim to fame. I knew him when.  So, as the madness kicks off tonight, remember if UNC is playing, don't call, text, or email as I will be glued to the TV with my son (a Tarheel down to his light blue blood) rooting/screaming (and yes, a little cursing) for the Heels to bring home another victory. 






Unfortunately, I can't promise the calm part. 


GO HEELS!! 

THE DREADED INTERVIEW

This quote came true for me the other day. Went to interview for a part-time job at a jewelry store. For those of you who don't know me personally, let me introduce myself: I'm a  Jewelry Whore! Yes, I know. Jewelry, handbags, shoes...things I will turn tricks for. I'M KIDDING...I'M KIDDING. (sorta'). Anyway, I digress...so, I go to this interview wearing some of my favorite pieces of jewelry, thinking, surely the owner would be impressed. All for nothing. The owner, a very young, good-looking guy barely batted an eye. Why would he? His store dripped with carats of the diamond variety. My everyday Yurman and Hardy weren't even close to competing in the bling category. Oh well. And as the interview progressed, I realized that I sounded as dull as my silver and gold bangles that needed polishing.  A sampling of his questions (which I found quite weird):
Him: What do you do for fun?
My mind went blank until I remembered...
Me: Tennis. I play whenever I get a chance! (good answer, right? Wrong.)
Him: Hmmm, okay. What else do you like to do for fun?
Me: Uh, fun? Like my head hitting my pillow for 12 hours of uninterupted sleep...that kind of fun? (clearly not, by his look of confusion.) Besides working, writing, cooking, cleaning, carpooling and taking care of 2 kids. Let me see...sometimes, I collaspe on Friday nights and watch Shark Tank. (I love that show!)
Him: *a look of utter disgust* Okay, what's your favorite movie? 
(I have like a million favorites but couldn't think of any!) 
Me: Er...American Hustle! (See, I was cool and fun! I had watched the Oscars.)
Him: *no reaction* If you could pick someone to play you in a movie, who would it be?
Me: Tina Fey! (I was getting better. I'd just seen her in a shampoo ad.)
Him: *another unimpressed look* What else do you like to do besides play tennis and take care of your kids? 
At this point, I was wondering what any of this had to do with my ability to greet customers and wear pretty jewelry. 
Me: Travel? (I squeaked, unsure of my answer.)
As he ushered me to the door with instructions to call him next week because he was so busy and might forget (code for: you're not getting the job), I walked out thinking: 
I'm no fun. At. All. 
So, I've decided to make a list of what I like to do for fun and memorize it. (Never know when the question might arise again.) And I went home and polished all my jewelry until they sparkled! Now, that was fun! And it made me happy.

SATURDAY'S SHOE SALE!

Like most women, I'm a little shoe crazy. There's just something about the design and materials of a beautiful shoe that always catches my eye. Most of the ones I adore, I'd probably never wear...outside the shoe store (not too stable on anything over 4 inches). And then the cost always plays a factor, because I'm always drawn to the ones that equal my mortgage payment. But in my dreams and definitely in my stories...my gals are working those shoes! I honestly think I can't write about someone who doesn't love a good shoe. I wouldn't know where to begin. I know, crazy, right? So, in hopes that spring is around the corner (puhleeeeze!) Some of my favorites hit the runway.

Having the time of my life!

US Open August 2013 Actually I'm having the time of my life through my nephew (third from right on back row). Those boys from West Point are so cute and having a great time at the US Open. Go Army Tennis!