Monday, October 05, 2009

I'm Almost Back!

If all goes well, I'll be turning in my chocolate cookbook today.

The stupid school district up and made today a professional development day, which means the kids are home right when I need them to not be.

Luckily, my sister-in-law's kids were dying to have mine over to play, and since she knew I had a deadline, she thought that heck, let them hang out there for most of the day.

Boo. Yah.

So in a little bit, I'll be driving the munchkins over to her place and then settling my behind into the chair to write. The cooking part is done. (Can you hear the angels singing? It's truly a glorious sound.)

I've written down the recipes as they've succeeded, but I still have a lot of other stuff to work into the book about ingredients and chocolate (lots of stuff about that) and a glossary and a bunch of other fun stuff in between that I hope readers will enjoy reading as they run into.

After turning it in, I'll have to celebrate, but it can't be with chocolate (I had no idea that it's possible to get tired of the stuff. It is! Who knew?! After six months of constant chocolate experimentation and cooking, my entire family is about to gag.)

I think I'll grab a bag of corn chips and salsa (Salt! I need salt!) and curl up with a book. So I'm not quite back to my regular blogging schedule, but I'll return soon. Ish. I promise. I just need to take a deep breath once I turn this puppy in.

(Oh, and I'll probably get the edits on my next novel soon and may have to break briefly for that, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there . . .)

But today I thought I'd leave you with an actual, unedited e-mail exchange between me and my 12-year-old daughter. This is the girl my husband says is a miniature version of me because she's so stubborn. (Thanks, babe. Okay, not that it isn't completely true or anything.)

Just the day before, she'd prepared a lesson for the junior high's writing club on how to get ideas to write stories. Ironically, she then e-mailed me the following. The exchange covered a few days. Her e-mails are in red, mine are in black.

mom i want to write a story but i have no idea's

Give yourself your own lesson about coming up with ideas. :D

i did, but i wouldn't listen

Man, that stubborn self . . .

i know!!!!!!!

Next time either ground yourself or bribe you with chocolate. That might help.

Tride, i am to stubbon, i wonder who she gets it from


21 comments:

Amanda D said...

Congrats and good luck today! You can do it!

Lara Neves said...

I thought I heard the Hallelujah chorus in the distance today!

Good luck on all the edits and additions today!

Teri said...

Congratulations on the near completion of you cookbook!

I loved the e-mail conversation. My daughter, 9, does the same thing, only she calls herself "mini-Teri" and then I just have to site back and wonder......where did she get that from!

Laura said...

If writing a chocolate cookbook makes you sick of chocolate, then I'm NEVER going to try to do it. It's not worth the risk.

However, I am going to buy your book and use it sparingly so I can find out what kind of paradise your family has been living in for the last six months.

Kristina P. said...

I am excited for this cookbook! Can't wait to see all the delicious recipes.

Randi said...

What a crack-up your daughter is! And I love that you didn't just cave and give her an idea.

I also think she should reconsider that chocolate thing. It almost always works for me!

Wonder Woman said...

That's hilarious!

Good luck finishing it up today! Are they trying to have it in stores by Christmas?

Jenny P. said...

Yay for almost done! I'll be excited when you're back.

Love the email exchange. Bet she's a fun girl. :)

Cluttered Brain said...

When is it going to be available in stores? I must try out some of the chocolate recipes...Your updates on FB made my mouth water... Cute email.
Does your daughter enjoy words as much as you? Just wondering.

Melanie Jacobson said...

Congratulations on finishing! I can't wait to buy it!

Erin said...

Good luck with the edits! And I loved the e-mail exchange.

That Girl said...

Sister-in-laws are awesome.

And so is chocolate.

Although salt is a close third.

Shelley said...

1. Love teenage daughters and the self enlightenment they bring.

2. It is a fine, fine thing you do bringing us chocolate love. Stay in your chair and finish this service.

3. Whole foods has a chocolate bar with sea salt on it.

Jillybean said...

I'm sure this chocolate aversion of yours will pass quickly enough. Until then, might I suggest cheesecake as an alternative?

Don't you just love it when your kid opens their mouth and you hear your own voice coming out?

I can't wait for the chocolate book!

Anonymous said...

I've missed you, Annette. Glad to *see* you.
Congratulations on the finish of your chocolate book! I can't wait to try out that bark stuff.
That email conversation was awesome. She even talks like a writer "I did but I wouldn't listen." I say things like that all the time!!

Cranberryfries said...

Isn't that the truth? Just when you need the breathing room? Man I hear ya! Silly school districts. Can't the coordinate with my schedule. Ha!

Glad you were able to work it out anyway.

Love the email!!

Luisa Perkins said...

Hurray!

Your daughter is adorable.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I am so thrilled for you and for your imminent return to pseudo normalcy!

Jessica G. said...

Can't wait to see the finished product!

And I love that she won't listen to herself. I do that, too.

Heidi said...

Kids are the most humbling thing ever. Can't wait for the cookbook--I'm not tired of chocolate (yet).

Amber Lynae said...

Cousins are so great. My daughter loves playing at her aunt's house with her cousins.

I hope you got a lot done. The finish line is always great when it is in sight.

My daughter has my sass. It can be very frustrating.

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