Countdown to Reno ...Conference Journal

Monday, July 25--two days until I leave

Just went through my closet--I have nothing to wear! I'm off to the mall--I seriously need a new dress for the Harlequin party and the Awards Ceremony--did I mention I was up for a RITA :)! I find a sassy black skirt, a casual top to travel in and a pair of cute, colorful cotton striped pajama pants at Victoria's Secret (the kind that cover you up) I find nothing for the party or ceremony, but have to get to a nail and pedicure appointment and at least I came home with great looking nails and toes! Go through my closet again. Nothing has magically appeared, so panic sets in. Call my daughter, Teri, and beg her to come shopping with me tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 26--one day to go

We hit the mall (same one I went to yesterday) and go to Nordstrom. (First place I went yesterday and found nothing) Teri immediately finds tops, pants, dresses and even shoes for me! (Where were these clothes yesterday? I swear the leprechauns came through the store while I was sleeping last night) I try everything on--Pay dirt! I not only find a swirly floral print dress for the party (the arms need a few stitches underneath because they're a little big) but I also find a dress for the awards ceremony (the straps need to be shortened) Looks like I'll be sewing in Reno, but I'm so happy I found something to wear, I don't care. And anyway, how hard is it to make a few little tucks? I also find pants that actually fit, strappy new black heels and a large purse. Success is sweet, but suddenly the day is gone and I'm not packed! I'm packing until late that night (putting things in, taking them out, putting them in again) Finally, I'm packed and off to bed., worrying I will oversleep, or I've forgotten something, or the car will break down or my flight will be cancelled... (that did happen one year!) Toss and turn for awhile and finally fall asleep.

Wednesday, July 27

It's ten a.m. and I'm ready to go! I didn't oversleep and so far my flight hasn't been cancelled. But what have I forgotten? Something, I'm sure. My son, Dave, drives me to Los Angeles Airport (the car doesn't break down) where I meet up with my roomies, Sandra Paul, Barbara Benedict and Angie Ray, and several other authors who are taking the same flight. Traveling always makes me a little nervous, but I can't wait to leave. Our plane is small and full, but we switch around a few seats so we can sit together and probably annoy the people around us because we laugh too much. It's a short, uneventful flight and before we know it, we're landing in Reno ! We can hear the slot machines as soon as we step into the terminal! Luggage is collected, we board the shuttle and it's a quick ride to the Hilton Hotel where we check in (I just know I've forgotten something!) Our room is huge! Large living room with full bath, sofa, table and chairs, bar, and a bed, plus a large bedroom with full bath and more chairs. We drag all the chairs into the living room, which has a great view of Downtown Reno. I can't find my key, so we ALL have to go back down to desk and get new keys. My roomies give me a hard time, of course. We never miss an opportunity to razz each other! I take a shower and forget to put shower curtain inside and there's a lake in the bathroom! We call housekeeping and I get razzed some more. Down to literacy signing, but my books aren't there! Rats! I take group picture with other Desire authors, then say hi to more friends and join back up with my roomies. There's a get together with Desire authors later and the Senior editor for the Desire Line, Melissa Jeglinski. So great to hear everyone's ideas. Up to Orange County Suite, where Mary Theresa Hussey is presented with an Industry Award for her outstanding service to support and help writers. We have decadent chocolate cake, then back up to our suite, where guests, including Caroline Cross, Ann Marie Winston, Michelle Thorne and several others drop in and out It's wonderful seeing everyone. Angie and I up until 1:30, but like those little pink bunnies, Sandy and Barbara keep going...

Thursday, July 28

Today we sleep in! Yeah! But those dark circles...we slice cucumbers (slightly frozen from the fridge) and lay around waiting for the bags under our eyes to go down. I order room service and the poor man who brings our order in! We're all laying around in our pj's (very discreetly covered, of course) with cucumbers on our eyes. What he must think...! We converge on food (I suck up coffee as fast as possible) then I'm showered (kept the curtains inside this time!) and I'm off to meet with Caroline Cross and Ann Marie Winston downstairs. I find Ann Marie, but miss Caroline, so Ann Marie and I catch up on the past year, then go back upstairs and find Caroline up there. Thursday afternoon is low key , then we go downstairs in search of food again. (the never ending quest) End up at a nice Mexican restaurant with chips and dip and margaritas! (We eat food, too.) Susan Anderson joins us for a little while, and after she leaves, Caroline tries to open bottle of water, but is having trouble. Another author, (who will remain unnamed) offers to open the water for her, but when she can't get it open with her hands, places it between her thighs and announces "I've got strong thighs--I can do it!" Unnamed author promptly twists top, which sends the table into a frenzy of laughter. Poor Caroline says, "I don't think I want it now..." This unnamed author is now nicknamed "thighs" and we have sent condolences to her husband. Tonight we stay up until 2:00!

Friday, July 29

Definitely sleep in again today. Thank God for cover up. The circles under my eyes are scary! A basket of fresh baked goodies, sent by my sweetheart of a husband, is delivered to our suite. We eagerly dive in, but it is early, so we restrain from too much sugar. Once I'm fortified with coffee, I meet up with Jean Willett, a good friend and we go to the luncheon together. Food is excellent (the cheesecake yummy) We yak up a storm, then back up to my room, where I have to make a quick tuck on my dress... Yeah, right. I just can't get it right, so I keep ripping it out. Two hours later I'm still trying to stitch up these blankety blank armholes! Sandy says, "Hope you don't ever intend to switch careers to be a seamstress. Ha, ha. Very funny. Finally I finish and have to hurry to get ready and meet my editor, Melissa Jeglinski and Rocki St. Claire for dinner. Once again I remember to keep shower curtain in...however, I decide to use this spray on nylon stuff I bought (so my legs aren't so white!) I stick my legs over the bathtub and spray away , then hurry off to dinner. Meet up with Melissa and Rocki and we're off to a beautiful Roman--Bacchus style restaurant at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. We drink wonderful champagne to celebrate Rocki's nomination for LIKE A HURRICANE and me for MISS PRUITT. We dine on mushroom stuffed ravioli and I have a delicious sea bass with tomatoes cooked in parchment paper. Rocki is great fun and I adore her! Off to the Harlequin party, which was spectacular! Music from DJ was great and lots of dancing. Met up with my roomies there and lots of other authors. I had the best chocolate cake with mint whip cream! (Is this a theme here?) Back from party around 11:30, gambled some quarters until about twelve and I won fifty dollars! Cashed in my winnings and back up to room. Remember that spray on nylon stuff I mentioned? I've turned the tub completely brown--yuk! My roommates tease me relentessly and I scrub it up with soap and water. From now on, I'll use that stuff outside only! Up until 1:30 tonight.

Saturday, July 30

I'm off to Jo Leigh's wedding at the chapel in the hotel. She looks beautiful and her groom, Laurence Wembelken, is dashing. She cried during ceremony and makes up all cry, too. There are several guests in attendance, friends and family, plus Jo's editor, Birgit Davis-Todd. After the ceremony, we all go up to Jill Shalvis's room for champagne and--you guessed it--cake! Delicious cake, too! White with custard inside and whip cream--yum! The cake topper was a bride dragging a groom--very funny! We toasted the happy couple and wished them well--had a great time. Many happy, healthy years to you both! Back up to room. I'm laying low today so I won't stress about tonight. Visitors come and go in the suite and I even take a nap. (that's what I forgot--my eye mask!) Michelle Thorne presents me with a little white bear holding a heart for good luck. I love her! Relax in the tub just before I have to go down to meet up with Catherine Mann and her handsome husband, Rob, Melissa, and Rocki. Catherine and Rocki are also nominees. Melissa gives us beautiful white wrist corsages and my RWA chapter, Orange County , presents me with a gorgeous orange rose corsage. We all eat dinner (I'm amazed, this is the first time in my nine nominations I could eat before the ceremony) then walk to the theatre and sit in the front row! There's a buzz of controversy because Nora Roberts will not be the emcee, which is disappointing, but I agree with and understand her decision to step down. This year's show did not emphasize RWA's 25th anniversary, the awards and the nominees, and a montage of news footage over the past 25 years had little to do with RWA. That said, though, I was so tense as my category came up, I barely heard what was being said. When they announced MISS PRUITT...Melissa screamed on one side of me and Rocki on the other. I was sooo stunned, and shaking with excitement, but somehow I walked to the podium and even managed a speech, though I know I forgot to mention some people I really should have. The RITA statue is so beautiful! I'm a little numb through the rest of the ceremony, but so many people come up to me I don't even know and congratulate me! My roomies screamed with delight and we all hugged (they've had to put up with my anxiety the past few years and told me it was about time!) Off to the Orange County party where my chapter toasted me with champagne and served...you guessed it again--cake! The yummiest carrot cake I've ever had! We partied for a while, then back up to our suite to celebrate some more in comfy clothes. Stayed up until 3:30! For me, this is a record, I'm sure! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends.

Saturday, July 31

We sleep in again, but it's finally time to pack and get ready to go home. We're moving a little slow today and I don't even care I have bags under my eyes! After a quick lunch with Mary Theresa Hussey, we're off to the airport...where we have to wait for five hours! Our flight is delayed! We try a few left over nickels in some slots, but no luck. We are all a little slap happy, but happy is the key word. We've all had a great conference and though we're ready to go home, we'll miss the fun of being together and laughing until the wee hours of the morning. My hubbie picks me up at airport and takes me out for nice dinner and more champagne. I fall asleep with a smile, happy to be home, and already thinking about next year!