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Thursday, February 5, 2009

I'M PUFFING OUT MY TINY CHEST!

I have just had the MOST FUN! I went to our local book store and met a famous author, and she was so sweet, outgoing, and down-to-earth, and so young and pretty. I had previously read two of her fantastic books, and I purchased two more to have her autograph.


Of course, I'm talking about Michael Lee West ... our very own Gollum (Designs by Gollum)!


She chatted with our town folk as if she had lived here all of her life and as if she were one of us. It made us feel so special.




I was SO proud and SO name-dropping crazy, because I was able to say I "know" her (you know, telling everyone about her beautiful home and what lovely tablescapes she does)! If they got the impression that I had been to visit her in her home, that wasn't my fault! I never intended to leave that impression!




Actually, she and I threw the word "blog" around the entire time she was here, so I'm sure everyone there figured out that I was just one of the many admiring fans who visit her blog. That didn't stop me from puffing out what little chest I have, and acting like I was special because I "know" her (even if before today, it was just "virtual")!



I was so busy bragging about my "friendship" that the author did not get much of a chance to talk (sorry Michael Lee). Of course, when I'm around NOBODY gets much of a chance to talk (sorry world), but you would think I'd let a famous, visiting author talk! You know what they say, "pride goeth before the fall". I am now feeling horrible about Michael Lee coming all of this way to talk about her book, and then having to sit there and listen to ME talk! I do sincerely apologize Michael Lee.




Michael Lee, thank you so much for coming to visit our little book store in our little town and especially for being so generous and kind that we felt like you were just "one of us", instead of a famous author. I had a great time, and if you haven't figured it out, I was very proud to say that I "know" you. Oh wow! Now I don't have to put the word "know" in quotations when I'm talking about her! Just think of all of the name dropping I can do since I really do know Michael Lee West! laurie

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow must have been wonderful!!
Diane

ellen b. said...

Oh what fun! I'm glad you had this fun name dropping experience!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Laurie, that sounds like such a fun and wonderful day. I'm sure Gollum was just as happy to meet you as you were her. You're pretty special also. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

LAURIE,
I AM SOOOO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU. THAT IS AWESOME.
I COULD NOT TELL YOU WERE EXCITED OR ANYTHING...LOL...
I AGREE WITH MARTY...I'M SURE GOLLUM WAS JUST AS HAPPY TO MEET YOU AS YOU WERE HER.......BUT I FEEL VERY OUT-OF-THE-LOOP....I DON'T THINK I EVEN KNOW WHO GOLLUM IS......I DON'T GET OUT MUCH.....
BLESSINGS
debbie

Pug1 said...

AWWWW you are too cute! How exciting! CHEERS! Michele

santamaker said...

What fun, Laurie! You looked like you had won a million dollars in that picture! Wow, great for both of you! Now, let me see...you have met Michael, Michael has met Susan and I have met Susan...that means that we have a connection for real now! (the Kevin Bacon thing)

Bridget said...

That is so totally cool Laurie! You lucky duck!!!

Anonymous said...

How very fun and exciting for you!!
So glad you were able to be a part of Gollum's booksigning- I am sure it made for a special time for all who were there and maybe we will get a few of them blogging after hearing you and Gollum brag bout the joys of blogworld!

blessings
mary

Four Paws and Co said...

Oh, you lucky lady, you! How amazing was that?!? I just have a big smile on face now because you met her! ♥ Diane

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Girl how cool is this ??? I mean to relly see Gollum in her very own person..You looked like the cat that just ate the canary with your big smile...and how great that Gollum got to meet you girl..aren't you glad they got the power back on so you could see her...I would be puffing to..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

a quiet life said...

what a cute post, you both look adorable!

xinex said...

How exciting, Laurie! You got to meet the famous Gollum! You both look great!...Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Laurie,
What a cute pic and story, looks like you two had a fun night together. Cindy

Cindy J. said...

You are so darn cute and so funny! I will say it again, I bet she was just as excited to meet you. I know I would be. But how nice you two got to meet. What a wonderful place that bookstore is. So nice to see you back here, where you belong. Love, Cindy

Bo said...

Hi Laurie...What fun that must have been! Gollum is a very pretty lady & I imagined she was just as pretty on the inside...she is always so generous & gracious on her blog. BTW, you looked very pretty yourself...this picture must have been taken pre-poodle-do!
LOL ;-) Bo

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Are you trying to out trump me girl?! Laurie, I betcha' anything that Gollum enjoyed meeting you as much as you enjoyed meeting her! I have got to check out her books! And what about you?! I just discovered your other blog and had just started reading it and now you've got part II for us! You really have a way with words. You are a beautiful, funny, witty and sensitive woman. Thank you for sharing with all of us!

Kat said...

How exciting! That picture of you two is wonderful, you both look like you are having a great time. And I'm going to ditto Marty, I'm sure she was just as happy to meet you! What a fun night. Hugs, Kathy

LillyB said...

I'm so glad you had something fun and exciting happen to you! You deserve it after all the chaos you have been thru!! It looks like you had fun and I am so glad!!!
p.s. do you have electricity yet???

Elizabeth said...

Hi Laurie! Wow, you've been busy while I've been away. I feel over stimulated just by reading all of your posts. Oh, before I forget, I love the soup supper table-scape. Nothing cuter than the Campbell's Soup Kids. I didn't realize Arkansas got some much snow and ice. BRRRRR. How exciting to actually "meet" Gollum. It's funny how you feel like you already know your blogging friends. Maybe we should have a blogging "union". I was going to say reunion, but I guess you need to have a union before you can have a reunion huh? Ha Ha. Anyway, thanks for visiting me while I was a way and leaving comments. It was greatly appreciated as always. Stay warm and I'll be back to visit soon.
Hugs, Elizabeth

Cathy said...

Whata fun evening! Great picture too!

Cathy

Glenda said...

I really hope Michael was able to help you come to grips with your "inner critic". You have stories to tell and others that need elaboration.

This was a wonderful experience to have happen to you. Congrats.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Well...Miss Laurie...You are becoming quite the celebrity yourself! First George and now Gollum!!! How much fun!!!...Debbie

SmilingSally said...

I'll bet she loved meeting you and reading this post.

xashee's corner said...

oh How FUN!! that must have been AWESOME!! Thank you for sharing such a special event! :D i LOVE the photos!! Hope you have a FANTASTIC weekend! :D

Salmagundi said...

Great fun!! I'm sure it was a lot of fun for Gollum, also. Enjoyed the post - thanks for sharing the experience with us. Now, we 'know' someone who knows Michael Lee!!! Sally

Diana LaMarre said...

Wow, what an exciting day you had!

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a treat! especially after your ice storm ordeal!
Hope things are a bit more back to normal for you!
Have a happy weekend, Laurie!
;-D

Rattlebridge Farm said...

The minute I walked into the bookstore, it was as if Laurie and I had known each other our whole lives. We had a fabulous time, didn't we, Laurie?!

Unknown said...

Your so funny, i probably would have done the same thing. Got all excited and never shut up about it. Would of done the same thing and Gollum probably was flattered. lol. mishelle

imjacobsmom said...

That was so cool! I bet it was fun to discover she was coming to your town and then to actually meet her! I bet she was happy to meet you too. That's a nice pic of the two of you, BTW! ~ Robyn

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hey Girlfriend...

Ohhh my gosh...you got to meet Gollum!!! Girl, I'm just green with envy...first you get to meet Christine and now Michael!!! I want to meet you too!!! Why do you live so darn far away? hehe!!!

I'm so happy for you...and shoot, Girl...don't apologize for your talking...you need to quit doing that...we love you and love that about you!!! And of course, you know that I'm saying that because if anyone could "hold a candle up to you"...it would be me! Hehe!!! Can we help that we just have so many good things to say?

Well Sweetie...bet you're happy to have your electric back (the dishwasher...washing machine...hehe!) You have a great weekend!

Love ya,
Chari

Melissa Miller said...

Well look at you. You look beautiful Laurie. How exciting!

Thanks so much for visiting my Roo table last night. You are always so sweet to me.

Have a wonderful weekend.
~Melissa :)

~CC Catherine said...

Laurie! WOW...that is so cool! What a great experience to meet her in person. Glad to see you are back blogging again! ;) Stop by my Show & Tell before Sun. 2/8, 8pm and at the end of the post is a challenge to see who all can guess the "GUESS WHO's EYES these are"(What or Who). ~CC Catherine ;)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you all had such a fun time!

Helen said...

I don't know about anyone else ... but I am dripping and drooling with pure envy! But happy for you.

Anonymous said...

Well,that 2 of us that KNOW her now.I'm so glad to got to meet her.Everything she does just blows my mind.It's always so perfect.
And girl I am soo glad you're HOME.WELCOME...Ann

Anonymous said...

Oh, Laurie! How fantastic to meet our Dear Gollum! I'm so glad you had a great time and it looks like Gollum is having fun too! She is a pretty lady,but so are you! Did you get to eat? lol
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh my Laurie....I wish I could have been there!! What a great time! I loved reading about it. Sounds wonderful!

Nicole ~ said...

Oh my goodness, it sounds like you had a wonderful day. I am very excited for you. Boy, she really does have a beautiful home doesn't she??

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Sounds like a fun event and she looks like a nice person!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Laurie, what fun, and you look so cute in the pic! What amazes me is none of us even knew who she was, and now you have met her! I'm sure she was just as thrilled to meet you, too, I know I would be! Love Ya! Connie

Unknown said...

How fun! I know what you mean about being kinda awe-struck. That's how I was when I went to Debi's store (Yaya Chique). have a great weekend...

nikkicrumpet said...

How very cool that you got to meet the wonderful Gollum in person!!! And you two look so cute together. I'm not at all surprised that she is sweet and down to earth.

Helen said...

I might have more luck with my email address if I typed it correctly ????
hdwoonie23@gmail.com

Bye for now ....

Lady Katherine said...

How great for you Laurie! I want so to meet her, when she comes to our town. I want to have those signed books too. She is a lovely person and so sweet to share. I enjoy her blog so much. What a fun day for you both!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Laurie dear friend thank you so much for all your prayers today for Kyra..your the best girl..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

playsdolls said...

What a wonderful treat for you,glad you had so much fun with the name dropping.

Connie said...

That's a cute picture, laurie. You are funny when you write l Humor is so important !!

Anonymous said...

Laurie~ I just love you, girlfriend ~~~ you are TOOO FUNNNY!!! So straight-forward n' honest, & I am STILL chuckling!!! THANKS for a WONDERFUL "story" about your "NEW BEST FRIEND"~~~(Well, she IS, you know!). Much love n' again, MANNNNY THANKS for the smiles!!! No DOUBT you two would "hit it off"~~~ two wonderful, talented, warm, witty & fun gals? Was there EVER any DOUBT? Love, Linda

Anonymous said...

P.S. Hey, BTW, can you get your "NEW BFF" to come to TUCSON or SCOTTSDALE??? XOXOXOXO

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Laurie, What fun! So glad you got to meet Michael in the flesh! Love the pic of the two of you! :-)
Susan

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Laurie, What fun! So glad you got to meet Michael in the flesh! Love the pic of the two of you! :-)
Susan

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

WOW!! What a great time I know you had..and an honor. The little bookstore is just charming..full of character. I know you had a ball.Thanks for the visit to see the blue and white table with Miss Kitty and Mr. Mouse. hugs ~lynne~

Kathysue said...

Hi Laurie, How fun would that be.I hope she was able to encourage you with your writing because I think you have a real talent in that field.There are so many of the blogland ladies I would love to meet in person and she is defnitely one of the many as you are also.I like the fact that we meet virtually also because I think we meet the inner person first before we attach it to the outer person.You are the best ,Kathysue

lvroftiques said...

Well girlfriend I'm jealous that the G girl got to hang out with YOU!!*winks* Y'all look like you had such a great time! You both look beautiful! Vanna

Anonymous said...

DEAR LAURIE,
I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT WHO GOLLUM WAS....I ENJOYED HER BLOG AND I CAN SEE WHY YOU WERE SO HAPPY TO MEET HER...SHE IS VERY TALENTED AND NICE TO BOOT. VERY HAPPY FOR YOU THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO MEET SOMEONE SUCH AS GOLLUM.
BLESSINGS
debbie

Belinda said...

It sounds like a wonderful afternoon, and I love the photo of you and Miss Gollum together...so cute! :-)