By Patricia Bradley
&
Patricia Johns
Patricia B here. You know what I mean about those dreaded words...first week back in school and the teacher says, "What did you do this summer?" She wants 500 words, and you can only add so many adverbs and adjectives...
Well, the two Patricias decided to tell you what we did. I'll start off and try to stay away from word padding. <G>
I started my summer off traveling the Natchez Trace from Tupelo to Natchez, Mississippi, researching for a new book. Love that town. Below are the Windsor Ruins, a plantation home not far from Natchez that burned in the late 1890s, leaving twenty columns standing. It was an eerie yet peaceful place.
Then I returned home to this ~ Yep, that's my bathrooms being destroyed.
Here are a few before and after photos:
Before
I could stand in my bathroom and practically touch all four walls!
After:
And that's how I spent my summer! Now on to Patricia Johns:
This month, my 17th Harlequin book released! Very exciting stuff, and I decided it was high time I did a book signing. I had never done one before, mostly because I was terrified of sitting at one of those tables in front of a bookstore and staring out at a mall. But I thought I should do one, if only as a learning experience.
So I lined up a book signing, coordinated it with Harlequin, and made no secret to my friends that I was scared to death.
And I have to tell you--I DID learn something! I learned that I have truly fantastic friends in my life! I was at the mall for four hours, and the entire time, my friends came by one or two at a time, congratulating me, buying a book, and generally making me feel loved. There were some who drove quite a way to see me, too. I was just so struck by the love my friends showed me. They were amazing!
There are times in life when you realize how fortunate you are to have the community that you do, and this was mine. I'm truly humbled.
I hope you've enjoyed our summer activities! Now, what did you do over summer?
For various reasons I had family coming in and out a lot and camping in my living room. Took a couple short jaunts--one to have another look at a town and area I'm adapting for the book I'm writing now. But it was no Natchez Trace trip, which sounded intriguing. Those solo books signings can get lonely, but I'm so glad yours wasn't! Quite a summer all around. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had a busy summer, Virginia!
DeleteCongrats on your first book signing. And I love your new bathroom!
ReplyDeleteI want your bathrooms, Pat! Mine are...not good. Congratulations on your signing! They are so fun when they go well, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteOh, that looks dumb. Congratulations, Patty J., on your signing. And on 17 books, too. :-)
DeleteI know what you meant, Liz. :-) I am so glad I did the remodel. Glad it's behind me, too.
DeleteFor some reason Patricia Johns can't comment.
The bathroom looks awesome, and your research trip even moreso. And I'm so happy you had a great experience at your book signing. I've had some that were loads of fun and some not so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roz! And I know Patricia had a great time at her book signings!
DeletePatricia B. I kid you not, we are redoing a bathroom and I picked out the same sink and vanity! Right now it's in the driveway, mostly because the first tub we got was warped and we had to pull it out and get another which put us behind. I can hardly wait for my "after" photos.
ReplyDeleteAnd, congrats on the booksignings. I used to do a lot, not sure why that changed :)
Blogger is wonky today! My comment may show up twice, Pamela...I am so enjoying my vanity and new bathrooms, and glad it's behind me!
DeleteAs long as the toilet's not leaking, I'm good with my bathrooms. Oh, and I need the shower faucet to work because that's where the cat drinks from. Yours is very spa-like PB. I would've loved to come to your signing, PJ!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying my bathrooms, M.K.! I've even thought about moving into mine. lol
DeleteI spent my summer preparing to leave and live on the boat. A little short on words, right? For the next nine months, I can touch walls in my bathroom, kitchen, bedroom...is anyone sorry for me?
ReplyDeleteNot me! I'd like it if you could sneak me in somewhere. lol
DeleteSure! Might be a little tight in the back cabin, but...
DeleteLove the new bathroom! And the signing looks like fun. Other than RWA, I spent the summer writing, sealing the deck, and painting my kitchen cabinets.
ReplyDeleteWhat color, Beth? I painted my bedroom furniture with chalk paint and it was so easy!
DeleteThey were dark fake walnut, and now they're kind of a deep coppery color. We used one of those kits, where you paint them with a base coat, and then glaze and clear topcoat. With the new hardware, they look so different.
DeleteSummer? Did I miss it? I'm with Beth. Except for RWA all I did was work and write. I DID paint the outside of my house. Painted a bedroom "summer aqua". I was going for the beachhouse look. Love the bathroom re-do! WOW. I'm halfway there. Just need entirely new plumbing throughout the old, old house. Hmmm. Next summer. Congrats on 17 books! That's so rewarding to think about, huh? Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone in the US..coming up. Three whole days. I'm going to nap!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, bad plumbing is what started my remodel. lol. I decided if I had to replace the plumbing I might as well do the whole thing. lol
DeleteBook signings are both fun and nerve-wracking. Glad the friends were present. The travels sound wonderful. I've been on the Natchez Trace and seen the Windsor ruins. It was in the fall, so the weather was great. That's when I prefer travelling, though spring is good too, except the bugs can be a challenge--hiking at Manassas included tons of mosquitoes in May.
ReplyDeleteCallie, I think Natchez in the fall would be awesome! I plan to return to Natchez when they do an archeological dig - they've said I can take part in it!
DeleteAn archaeological dig sound fantastic. I thought of majoring in archaeology and though I went a different direction, I'm still fascinated by the subject.
DeleteFun post, Ladies! Sounds like you'd both rock those essays now. I'm with Catherine as I sort of missed my summer this year. I'm inspired by your travels and remodels though and already making plans for 2019.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful summer!
ReplyDelete