Today over at Book End Babes I’m reviewing a new twisty novel by James Renner, The Man From Primrose Lane. I was so adamant about people not leaving comments over THERE that might ruin the reading experience that I’ve created this post as sort of a mini book club.

If you haven’t read it but think you might want to, look away. Look away now before it’s too late.

If you HAVE read it, oooooh, let’s chat!

Did you like it? Did you figure out who the mitten man was before the author told you? Did you get to the part about the frog man and think the author had lost his mind? Did you get to the part about time travel and skim the technical stuff because “science is hard?”

This is mini book club and we’re all friends here. Leave a comment and let me know what you thought.

Four years ago today my husband and I huddled together in a New York hospital room waiting to hear the prognosis of our baby girl who was in surgery. Under the watchful eye and skilled hands of Dr. Alejandro Berenstein, she was bravely undergoing her 4th angiogram to determine if a 4th embolization procedure would be needed to repair the rare disorder that had so cruelly taken up residence in her brain, Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM).

Four years ago, we were blessed with a cure.

Today Katie is in first grade. Academically she’s meeting her milestones, loves school and excels in art, which is evident from the pile of drawings, cards and stick people adventures we have posted, filed away and piled around our home. Aside from her prominent facial veins and being mildly uncoordinated, she is the epitome of a happy, healthy 7 year old. And you know what, I’m going to attribute her lack of coordination to my less-than-athletic genes.

During the years we wandered around the VOGM lion’s den, we spoiled Katie, particularly with regard to her diet. If she didn’t want to eat it, we didn’t make her. Now we have a child who hates every vegetable except potatoes and all fruits except bananas. We’re working on it. Otherwise, her demeanor is as angelic as this picture of her on her first Halloween.  

For a child who was coddled, sheltered and spent a fair amount of time in the shade of my helicopter parenting, she continues to be a kind, thoughtful, loving little girl.

When we turned our calendar to May this year, Katie noticed the notation, “Katie – 4 year Anniversary.” She asked what it meant and I told her. She may not remember much about our trips to New York but she knows about her condition. Her response, “Oooh, does that mean I get a special dessert that night?” I laughed. I may have even snorted, because as wise as she is, wise beyond her years, she’s still only 7, and in this family, big celebrations mean big treats. I better come up with something good.

Each year on this day I’m just as grateful to God, thankful and humbled by his grace as I was four years ago.

God has big plans for Kaitlynn Jeanette Stone.

I’ve written countless stories about Katie’s experience with VOGM and I’ll keep writing them, because parents, doctors and sonogram technicians across the country still have no clue what it is.  The panic of VOGM may be fading in our lives, but it’s always at the forefront of my mind. It will always be at the forefront of my mind.

Today is a good day.

Forever and always, we thank Elizabeth, Bill and Liam for leading us to New York.

“To whom much has been given, much is expected.” 
Luke 12:48

Today I’m sitting here on the eve of our first major “spring weather event” and even though I’ve already carved out a space in our basement storm shelter, a.k.a picture, garage sale, camping gear storage room, and I’m watching Weather Channel radar so intently you’d think the storms are promising to drop Little Debbie snack cakes from the clouds, I’m vowing to remain calm. I’m the calm one.

Over the past 13+ years my husband and I have learned to compensate for each other’s, shall we say, weaknesses. He hates spiders, I pee my pants at the sight of wasps. He can MacGyver the hell out of anything using a Band-aid and a crazy straw and I cook meals containing several courses and get them all done at the same time. A task that apparently, boggles his mind. My husband is the guy you want to have around after the situation is contained. He’s caring, compassionate and ready to strap on his tool belt to get the job done. What job? Just go with me here, whatever job needs to be done when the situation is contained.

Did I mention he’s also a lemur whisperer?

Unfortunately, the love of my life is  not so great during the “actual” emergency. “Oh, Dani, how can you say that? Won’t he be upset when he reads this?” NOPE. He knows.

Case in point. The Storm of 1998.

In the spring of 1998 I was attending night classes at Newman University. Bad weather had been predicted for that evening but my professor was not a fan of absenteeism and “I don’t want to get my little Honda Accord hailed on” seemed a poor excuse so I went.

At 10 PM when I started for home I noticed the wind picking up, the rain coming down in sheets and when I cruised down our tree-lined lane, small branches were beginning to hurl themselves at my windshield. The weather was disconcerting but it paled in comparison to the scene that awaited me when I got home.

Walking through the door of our cozy 1920′s bungalow I was relieved the electricity was still on but knew it could go out at any moment because Dan Dillon from KFDI told me so. If you’re from ’round these parts, you KNOW. Dan Dillon is the man you want on your radio in a weather SITUATION.

Dan The Man, Dillon

Like a dutiful Kansas girl I headed straight to the basement and smack-dab in to an episode of Hoarders. My then-fiancee Doug was drenched in sweat, hair sticking out at all ends ala Kramer from Seinfeld and he was very tipsy. No, actually I’m pretty sure he was drunk. He was sitting on a workbench looking at a pile of boxes with household items he’d quickly amassed as the storm barreled down on the city. He was listening to Dan Dillon too. Dan provided vital information about the storm. Dan calmed me. For Doug, Dan seemed to have the opposite effect. Dan was fueling Doug’s need to, “emergency hoard.”

As I took stock of the situation I quickly determined a gentle response would be required. My brain was shrieking, “What the hell are you doing down here, Crazy Pants,” but instead I squeaked out a quiet, “Hey, babe, whatcha got goin’ here?”

Unfazed by my somewhat, “It’s okay, buddy, we’re gonna find a quiet padded room for you,” tone, he jumped off the bench, bear-hugged me, told me he was glad I was safe and then replied, “It’s gettin’ pretty bad out there so I decided to bring down some necessities.”

Me: But it’s just rain and thunder.

Doug: Yeah. NOW. But you never know.

In case you’re curious about what should go on an “Emergency Hoarding Neccesity” list, here’s what I saw peeking out of the boxes.

1 – Enough Charmin to make clothes for a small village. But who would, ’cause that’s totally impractical in the rain, right?

2 - Booze – I’m talkin’ ALL the booze. In our late 20s with no children. Oh, we had some booze.

3 - Photo albums –  A good call, actually. I was pretty impressed.

4 - Underwear – The only type of clothing he’d grabbed for the emergency-hoard. God bless him. The clothes on his back may have been funky after the weather-pocalypse but his under-things would be fresh.

5 - BMX racing trophies –  *shrugs* I got nothin. Maybe he wanted to barter with them. “I’ll trade you two 1st place national championship trophies for that hunk of cheese, my good man.” Also, after the weather-pocalypse we’re all going to be British, apparently.

6 - Guns – A hand gun. A shot gun. Two BB guns. All. The. Guns. 

The whole thing reminded me of the famous scene in The Jerk when Steve Martin,  rejected by his girlfriend, shuffles out of the house saying, “I don’t need any of this. I don’t need this stuff. . . just this remote control, and this ashtray and this paddle game. . .”

Gratuitous picture of Raspberry Zinger

My boys! At eleven, Jakie no longer fits on his shoulders but I bet that won’t stop him from asking, “Dadoo, can I have a ride?

Earlier this year I found out my short story, “No Place Like Home” would be included in the winter anthology, Sleigh Ride. The book is a compilation of stories from 7 authors including 4 previously published and 3 newbies. It was the brainchild of friend and author, Malena Lott and the debut book for her indie publishing site, Buzz Books, USA.

I wrote the story, agonized over the editing process, kissed it, and sent it on its way.

A few short weeks ago I found out our local bookstore, Watermark Books, had agreed to buy 50 copies AND they wanted to have an official book signing. WHAT? When I found out, I was stunned, excited and immediately wondered how I was going to lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks. Then I ate my weight in sugar wafers trying to sort through my feelings about the whole thing. Pssst, I didn’t lose those 20 pounds. Shocking, I know.

Two days before the book signing I obsessed about everything from my hair color to my outfit. I was a mess. Thank the good Lord for sweet Rachel at Dillards. She was there for me during my 9th hour of shopping and gave me the Pretty Woman moment I’d been craving. She’s a recent transplant from New Jersey. I hope she loves Kansas because now she must always be here for me in times of fashion crisis.

Irony: For those of you who have already read the story, yes, it was completely accidental that I chose a grey faux fur to wear at my signing. For those who haven’t read it, you’ll have a giggle when you do.

BOOK SIGNING DAY!! I walked in to the already-bustling book store 20 minutes early so I could collect myself and set up the adorable wicker sleigh my sweet and thoughtful Mama loaned me to display my goods. Within minutes I was approached by someone, and then another, and then my family started pouring in. My brother called me from the car where he waited with a shot of Tuaca (vanilla liqueur – liquid courage) but I had no time for pre-signing hooch. It was awwwn.

For the next two hours I hugged and signed and laughed and posed for pictures and had a bit of an out-of-body experience.

I have fans. They get excited. With Deena Flanigan Kreutzer

Me with my proud Papa, Larry Gordon

As my family filed in, they said hello and then shuffled over to the side where they lined the wall, talking and snapping pictures. They may not know till now, just how special that was for me. I was completely out of my element and even though I barely had time to make eye contact, I heard their familiar voices talking to each other, flanking me, protecting me, cheering me on.

Guess what? I HAD A FLASH MOB, Y’ALL. One of the best parts of the day came when Doug arrived with the  baby dolls, Jacob and Katie. Shortly after walking in the door, Doug asked, in a commanding voice, if he could HAVE EVERYONE’S ATTENTION. And he did. At least 60 people. Before I knew it, I was being serenaded with a personalized rendition of Deck The Halls. Song below.

Pack the shelves with Sleigh Ride books.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Paperback, hard cover and nook.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Many more books she will make.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Now we give her this awesome cake.

Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaaaaa

HOW ADORABLE ARE THEY?

  Then, just as the song promised, they presented me with this cake!! Gorgeous AND delicious.

Hidden in the sleigh for me to find when I got to the book signing was a card and a  box of Raffaello almond/coconut candies. My all-time favorite. My husband gets me. Sure, flowers would’ve been a nice gesture but hidden candy and cake?? Perfection. I’m never leaving him.

Highlight #2: My friends for 22 years, Darren and Gigi VanBuskirk, drove 6 hours roundtrip to see me for one hour. That’s love. I adore them.

Gigi VanB - MPV award for driving 6 hours to be there.

Highlight #3: Having my husband, kids, parents and siblings there. Since I was wearing more eye makeup than a drag queen, I had a firm, “no tears till 4:00” rule but when I looked over and saw my favorite people, I nearly lost it.

Highlight #4: Most people who purchased books were family, friends, Twitter pals, friends of friends, etc. BUT, there was a perfect stranger who made my day, BETTY!. She was in her mid-60s, I’m guessing, with a short crop of maroon hair.  It was lovely but clearly the color was purchased and not God-given. Betty approached the table and with great excitement asked me to sign her book because, “I’ve never met an author in real life or had a book signed. This is a treat.” Ohhhh, Betty, you precious thing, trust  me. The treat was all mine.

Highlight #5: My good friend, Andrea Anglin, rushed over from a birthday party and brought her children, Elizabeth and Joe. Elizabeth had me sign her autograph book and announced, “you’re my first author.”  My mother overheard and got misty-eyed. I bet she’s misty again reading this. It’s okay, Mom. There. There.

No "best wishes" or "love ya" from me. I signed quality content.

Highlight #6: Hearing the book store clerks say, “You’re a success. You sold out. Only Bob Dole has ever sold out.” Now, I’m guessing Bob Dole had more actual books to sell but still. . . me and Bob, huh? *Matthew McConaughey voice* “Alright, alright, alright.”

Highlight #7: My Book Club Hotties. They’ve encouraged me for over a year. They were there when best-selling author, Beth Hoffman, said, “Don’t give up on your dreams or yourselves.” I adore each of them.

Highlight #8: Sitting in my brother’s truck after the event for a victory shot of hooch. His toast to me, “You did it, Dude. Here’s to the first of many. Now, don’t be a girl. Drink that down in one gulp.”

I’m still walking on air. Still feeling like a bride on her wedding day. Still remembering what a surreal day it was and secretly, looking forward to the next one.

To those of you who shared the day with me, THANK YOU. You will never know what your presence in those 2 hours meant to me. I wish I could kiss every single one of you but it’s cold and flu season so accept this heartfelt *wave* instead.

To those of you who made it to the end of this VERY long indulgent post, thank you too. Your sacrifice was just as great.

If you read the story and enjoyed it, we’d love to see your review on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

If you haven’t purchased a copy of Sleigh Ride yet and now after reading this post you’re all excited to see what the fuss is about, here are some links where you can purchase the trade paperback and e-book. Don’t forget, a portion of the proceeds benefits the national domestic abuse prevention fund via Alpha Chi Omega foundation.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Ride-Anthology-Malena-Lott/dp/0615552331/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323296108&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble for nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleigh-ride-samantha-wilde/1107145378?ean=2940013578845&itm=1&usri=sleigh+ride

Monthly contributor for Book End Babes.

I read books and chat it up about them, first Friday of each month.

I’m also thrilled to be writing a Charity Spotlight series for the life-changing micro-giving site, Love Drop.

Sir Taco Of Bellshire profiles with a pumpkin, pre-pummeling

Last year, my little family discovered the sheer joy of post-Halloween pumpkin destruction. It’s exhilarating, it’s cathartic and when it’s 65 degrees like it was this afternoon, it’s some pretty sweet family fun.

When Jack-o-lantern mouths begin to pucker and pumpkin skin starts to wrinkle, don’t just throw them away, grab a handful of tools and head to the backyard. Warning: If you live with a Bob-Villa-type, like I do, your tool choices will be limited because evidently, *animated air quotes* “these are important tools, they are used to fix things and pumpkin guts will get them sticky. . . . and blah blah blah.” And YES, I WAS doing my Dougie voice just then.

I was all excited to grab the power drill and perform a little open-head gourd surgery but nooooo, Dougie Villa squashed that idea. Sooo, we grabbed a couple baseball bats, a large stick and a hammer. After Jacob and I gave him a boo boo face, he also reluctantly gave up his crow bar.  YES!

It’s all smiles and adoring gazes before the big smash.

Getting their game-faces on. Katie tried to look tough but ended up looking more like a contortionist.

LET THE SMASHING BEGIN!!!!

After a spirited battle cry that sounded something like, “WOOGY WOOGY WOOGY,” these sweet baby dolls beat, smashed, crow-barred and kicked those poor pumpkins, laughing maniacally the whole time.

Jacob gives an aggressive pumpkin carving tutorial: Video here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_r31uTGrLo

We even played pumpkin baseball: Video here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWFRVO2K5xw

Katie takes her pumpkin carcass for a drive.

Jakie was less than thrilled when I made him use a British accent and say, ” ‘Ello guvna. Pip pip, cheerio.”

Then Katie ended up in the leaf pile

And Mama was ready for a drink. Warm Apple Cider + One (or 2) shots of Butterscotch Schnapps.

Hey photog friends! How ’bout the staging on this photo, eh? I threw in a few festive items but forgot to move the chair and extra place mat out of the background! You’re right, I will NOT quit my day job.

Today was one of those days when the laughs outnumbered the quarrels. We spent the entire afternoon outside and even had a picnic on the driveway as the kids took turns riding in Dougie’s old and battered but still still beloved Jeep CJ5.

When it was finally time to come in to start dinner, showers, chores and homework, we became wardens again and there was much pouting in the land. But BEFORE that. . . ohhhh, the 3 hours before that was pure bliss.  As a parent, you take what you can get.  ;)

Pumpkin-pummeling, a chalk self-portrait by Katie.

Are you ready for a warm and fuzzy??

My new post is up for the Love Drop Charity Spotlight Series.

Today I’m chatting about the uber inspiring movie, The Blind Side and how you can change your own little corner of the world by visiting, CREATE THE GOOD.

Go HERE to read about Create The Good:  http://www.lovedrop.us/blog/charity-spotlight-create-the-good

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the latest Love Drop family:  http://www.lovedrop.us/

Becca and Jeff received a little surprise recently, well, three surprises, actually, TRIPLETS! Born premature and weighing less than 2 lbs each, these little darlings have been in the NICU but they’re coming home soon and when they do, this family of nine is going to be cramped for elbow room. *gasp* Eighteen elbows. That’s a lot of elbows, y’all.

Nate and J$ will be traveling to visit the family this week and we still have a way to go toward reaching the goal. In addition to the extra funds, babies Aaron, Jeffery and Aleana will need a nursery with 3 times the baby goodness so gift cards to Babies R Us, Walmart, Target and any other big box retailer is always welcome.

I know firsthand how this wonderful organization can change a life and make the world a brighter place. Please support them so they can continue to support those in need.

http://www.bookendbabes.com/2011/10/06/before-i-go-to-sleep-by-s-j-watson/

On 11-11-11, the winter anthology, SLEIGH RIDE, will be released in e-book and limited print.

The collection features four previously published authors and three newbies including ME!

Last Friday I received a little surprise in my email inbox, an advanced copy! *SQUEAL* I was giddy. I inhaled the tales like they were dripping with guacamole! They’re SO. GOOD! My little story, No Place Like Home is snuggled right in the middle.

This anthology, with contributions from, Maria Geraci, Samantha Wilde, Malena Lott, Megan Barlog, Maggie Marr and Jenny Peterson, is funny, poignant, bittersweet and even futuristic. I’m proud to be in such awesome, talented company. The anthology is the brainchild of author/friend Malena Lott, who is a big proponent of girl power. So much so, a portion of the proceeds will go toward a domestic violence education/awareness program.

Where can you meet the authors for a signed copy or buy Sleigh Ride online?

Details coming soon!

Early on in our journey with VOGM, we were scared, frustrated and had few places to turn for answers and support. In 2007, on a particularly heartbreaking visit to the New York hospital where we sought treatment, I remember thinking, “I feel so alone. Where are the parents who have gone through this? Why can’t I find out more information?” As I watched my daughter sleeping, still heavily sedated, knowing this would not be the last time I stood watch at her hospital bedside, I vowed at that moment to spend the rest of my life raising awareness for this unpredictable and unforgiving thing that snuck up on us and nearly stole her life.

Though it’s taken 4 years to muster the courage to undertake it and the resources to make it possible, I’m overjoyed to announce the creation of the VOGM Parents Alliance. I founded this organization to bring parents together, provide resources, education, and most importantly. . . hope. This is the first and only US-based website dedicated to VOGM children and their families.

http://vogmparents.org/

Most of you reading this post will never have a need to visit the site, except for an initial curiosity. Only a small portion of the population will need the information provided on this website, but for them, I hope it becomes a source of strength and empowerment.

This past weekend Katie celebrated her 7th birthday. We know how lucky we are to have her with us, strong, healthy, with a smile that lights up a room and is completely contagious. That smile is the reason we pay it forward. This organization is just the beginning.

Sincere thanks to Dennis Hildebrand and Mary Montavon from Hildebrand Creative who felt the project almost as deeply as I did. To the donors who cared about this enough to help fund it and those who kept telling me this was NOT bigger than me, thank you. Sometimes all we need is for someone to believe in us.

Now that my little baby savin’ project is built, how will parents find us? Well, that’s where I’d like to have your help. I’m watchin’ my Google stats like a hawk and although I’m doing okay with a search for “VOGM,” on a search for “vein of galen malformation” I’m still way back there on page 53. If you have a blog, maybe you could give the VOGM Parents Alliance a little love and link to us. http://vogmparents.org/

Thanks, friends! Here we go…………………………….