Re-writes are not fun!

I'm taking a break for about a week, or however long it takes to do re-writes on the book.

Apparently, according to my darling editor (I am NOT being sarcastic - really, she is darling), I need to 'up' the creep and action factor.

So, D.E. (darling editor), I'll see you in about 1o chapters!

PART 2: PINK LUCY'S QUESTION

Okay, peeps. Quick review. The last post was an answer to Pink Lucy's question (pinklucy.blogspot.com)

"Do you ever do or wear anything that you wonder if you're too old for?"

And of course, my answer was a great big YES!

Also, if you remember I told you that I don't worry about such nonsense any more and as long as it's not a sin and it's not hurting anyone then I do and wear exactly what I want!

Well, here's a secret:

It took me forever to get to that place in my life!!

And boy howdy, have I made some big mistakes along the way.

Let me share with you some words of wisdom. If I can 'save' one person from falling into the same trap I did, it will be worth it.

You see, when you're an insanely happy, witty, creative, free-spirited person it is very

hard to fit into just any ole' job.

Very. Hard.

I was blessed. I had the perfect job for 2 decades of my life.

I was a radio personality.

I was good. Don't take that as conceit. It's not.

We're all good at something.

Some people dance. Some people sing. Others sew, paint, play an instrument or are great at sports.

I talk.

I wrote most of my own material, won a few awards, and even had great ratings

No one thought anything of it when I wore funky clothes, sported a sassy, unique - (i.e. wierd) haircut

or spouted off zingy one-liners

It was expected of me. I was an entertainer

BUT (there's always a big 'but', huh?)

One day I got tired.

No, not tired of my job. Tired of what I thought I was missing out on.

Tired of being different.

For once, I wanted to say something

that no one laughed at.

I wanted to be in a place, a job where people took me seriously.

So, I started a process.

I decided to conform.

I grew my hair out.

I changed the way I dressed.

I gave up a career that had been good to me and that I was good at

to do something else, so I could

be like every one else

Well, guess what?

Those things people loved about me when I was on the radio?

Those are the very things people despise about me as a regular Jane.

Witty comments and comebacks aren't recognized as feminine traits

(now I know why I didn't date much in high school)

happiness and a loving nature is considered suspect

(i.e. fake)

When someone mentions an incredibly famous person at a party and you say,
"Oh, yeah, I was on stage with them once!"

or

"I was at their house"

they either think you're lying or bragging

(mostly they think you're lying)

And ultimately

you get to the point where you realize you can't keep up the charade.

Conforming sucks.

It never really works.

You are who you are.

But you can't go back.

Oh, sure

You can go back and cut the hair

wear the fun clothes

get a tattoo

But now you're stuck in a world/job you don't belong in

and you stick out like a big, ugly, sore thumb.

The moral of this story?

Know who you are.

And be.

Have a career and lifestyle that supports that.

Don't care if it makes you a lot of money.

Learn to live in your means, because if you're doing something that let's you be you,

the money isn't that important.

The most important thing is

It won't feel like work at all!

"PINK LUCY'S ANSWER...PART 1

This morning I was reading Pink Lucy's blog (pinklucy.blogspot.com) and she asked a very interesting question:

"Is there anything you do or wear, that makes you wonder if you are too old for it?"

The answer to that question iiiissss...

Yes! A resounding YES!

Every cotton-pickin' day of my life - Yes!

For instance:

Am I too old for this spiky blonde hair?

(I did let it go gray once. My daughter threw a fit: "No mother of mine is going to get old!" - huh??)

Should I sell "Dixie" and buy a grown-up car?

Should I really wear my dresses over jeans? With cowboy boots?

or

Should a woman my age really be wearing Wellington Boots?

But the most important question of all:

Is it wierd that I know ALL the lyrics to Lil' Wayne's

"When I Arrive"?

(Okay, yeah, that probably is wierd)

So, to PL and counless others who've tortured themselves with the above question, here's the deal:

I spent the first 46 years of my life wearing what others thought I should wear: Mama, teachers, friends, what Society thought a wife of someone who does what Honey does should wear, etc.

I am going to spend the next 70 years wearing what I want to wear.

Doing what I want to do.

My philosophy on life is I'll live my life my way as long as it doesn't break God's Law, the Commonwealth of Virginia law, and doesn't hurt anyone.

Oh, yeah....
I'm also careful about making sure I'm covered up and modest! I don't wanna make the above mistake - YIKES!!

Hobbit Feet

NO!! These are NOT my feet, thank you very much.

However, they do look like like my feet. Quite a bit, actually. Hmm, maybe that's why my son calls me "Hobbit Feet."

I bought these...

So, I suppose before I wear them, I should make a pit stop

here!

The things we girls go through.....

So many of you out there

according to blogs, e-mails and phone calls I receive, are participating in the annual March of Dimes Walk for Healthy Babies. Many of you know what that means to our family and words aren't necessary. You just know.

The rest of you? You don't. And even if you were here beside me I don't know that I could find the right words to say.

So, I'll tell you the best way I know how.

Jayson Charles Truitt came to us in the wee morning hours of September 10th, 1987.

He was beautiful with his Daddy's light brown hair and olive skin tone, and my blue eyes.

Too exhausted and numb to show any kind of emotion, I silently watched as Mama and my mother-in-law took turns holding him, softly talking to him, singing to him as grandmothers often do.

Throughout the maternity ward the joyful sounds of new life echoed throughout the hallways. Gentle coaching from doctors for Mom's final push, the robust cries, followed by the jubilant laughter of Dad's, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The nurses had wanted to move me to the 5th floor during my labor - to protect me from these sounds.

"No!" I demanded. "I want to hear them - I need to hear them."

Maybe it was the heavy-duty drugs they gave me - but, somehow I felt like this situation was a 'numbers' game and it was 'someone's time to go through it. So,if someone had to do it and that person was me, then I would take it like a man. Because I was strong and I could handle it. As if I'd been chosen for that reason....

I sat very stoically as the nurse wheeled me to a car waiting outside to take me home. Home to an empty nursery. Home to a toddler that would have so many questions when I had no answers.

Passing through the lobby, past the gift shop and out the automatic doors, I looked down at my arms. Arms so empty that they ached.

No woman should have to leave the labor/delivery room or hospital empty-handed. No one.

A few years later I was blessed with the oppotunity to became the spokesperson for the Missouri March of Dimes, traveling the state, telling our story.

There are so many stories like this. But every year, because of people like YOU who take time out their hectic schedules to get involved, there are less stories like mine to tell.

So, to you, I want to say 'thank you.' YOU are my hero.

For more information on exactly how the March of Dimes works to prevents infant mortality, and ensure healthy babies, please log on to

marchofdimes.com

I am feeling rebellious today....

Keep me away from ALL tattoo parlors....

MAMA AND FACEBOOK - A MUST READ!!

Like a lot of women in her generation, Mama isn't too internet savvy, but after a few days coaxing from the Grandkids (mostly Rachael) and then another few days coaching from the Grandkids (mostly William), she was able to set up a Facebook account.

Unfortunately, we have now created a monster. Mama is addicted just like everyone else. She has more than a dozen 'friends', and thank you to the bizarre quizzes they have passed down to her, we now know what 'sitcom Mom' she is (June Cleaver), if she has ever 'not paid her restaurant bill' (she hasn't), and who her 'hot Hollywood crush is' (Collin Farrell, although she swears it should have been Sean Connery.)

But today, takes the proverbial cake. Keep reading.

The following is the e-mail I received from her a few hours ago:

"Okay, I've got to ask.....what is the "crack whore" group that Will has joined on facebook????? Maybe crack whore isn't what it sounds like but I'm just curious."

Of course I did what any good mother would do.

I panicked!!!

"You must click on it and see what it is!!" I screamed into the phone, trying not to hyperventilate. Or jump to conclusions.

She clicked.

It seems one of Will's buddies started the group and they make fun of the likes of 'Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, and Lindsey Lohan'. Then whoever joins the group can vote for one of the three to be the 'winner.'

No, it's not necessarily something you want your teenage Christian son to do (and he and I will talk about that later), but WHEW! - could've been so much worse!

Except.....

Now when Will's friends click on his Facebook and see who all has joined "Crack Whore 07", there in the midst of about 25 pictures of teenagers, is a big picture of

Mama!

That's right! As soon as she clicked to take a closer look, she instantly became a member!

Mama:

President of the Hospital Auxilary

Past winner of "Outstanding Young Woman of Eldorado Spgs"

Daughter of the American Revolution and the Confederacy

Sunday School Teacher

and

newest Member of Crack Whore 07

Some of your questions answered...

Last week with the help of my friend Jonathan Vidaurre (thank you Jon-Boy!), I added a counter to my blog. Since then I've had over 1,000 hits! (Yea!!)

I just want to take the time to thank all of you for visiting me and a special thanks to those of you who take the time to leave comments.

I know that in the looks department "Hillbilly Debutante" leaves a lot to be desired.

Especially compared to all of you. Oh, my goodness, these blogs I visit are just incredible. So beautiful.

A blog makeover for "Hillbilly Debutante" is the in the near future. (I have some ideas but just finding someone to help me implement those ideas is another thing.)

I've also had a few of you asking if I'll take anymore "Dixie Road Trips".

***Explanation to new readers**** "Dixie" is my vintage suburban. I use to take weekly road trips with her and report back on our adventures. "Dixie" and her travels became so popular that I soon found more invitations than I knew what to do with.***

"Dixie" needs some work before I can take her out. It's a matter of Honey finding the time to tune her up.

So, yes, "Dixie" will once again be a main fixture around here soon. She'll be happy to know that you asked about her (hee! hee!)

The book. Ahh, yes, The Book. I'll be able to give you more information about it pretty soon. As soon as I get the 'go-ahead' I'll start promoting hot and heavy here on "Hillbilly Debutante" and I'll even be able to give you a more in-depth synopsis of exactly what it's about. So, in about a week or two I'll be able to go into more detail.

I am now on "Facebook". I'm already friends with some of my readers and would love to hear from more of you ...

My family laughs at me because I swore I'd NEVER go on Facebook! Hmm..

I also swore I'd never have a tatoo either, but...never mind, that's for another story!

Olivia

Are you familiar with 'Olivia'? She is an absolutely adorable little pig created by Ian Falconer, in honor of his niece, also named Olivia. (Purely coincidental, I'm sure).

I fell in love with this precocious little creature since the moment I first laid eyes on her. I'm sure that, largely, is due to the fact that my daughter's middle name is O'Livia.

By the time I had discovered Olivia the Pig, O'Livia the Girl had discovered college and sorority life.

I'd just missed the age where I could buy all the Olivia books, dolls and paraphernalia that comes with a child's love for a literary character. (I'd just finished packing away all the American Girl books and toys from a few years before.)

Or it's very possible my love for Olivia comes from a deep-seeded, unfulfilled childhood fantasy. You see, I have always wanted a baby pig. I still want a baby pig! If I had a dollar for every time I begged Daddy for one I'd be a millionaire. Of course if I had a dollar for every time he said 'no', I'd be a multi-millionaire. And you know that old saying about how we grow up to marry our fathers?...yup - you guessed it. Still no baby pig for Kathie.

But don't feel sorry for me. This story does have a happy ending! You see, last night at the Kennedy Center before the ballet performance of 'Peter Pan', Mama and I browsed through the gift shop. And right there on the shelf smiling back at me with that sweet little 'I-know-you-want-to-buy-me' grin, was Olivia herself, performing her own ballet routine of leaps and pirouettes.

My heart leapt with joy! Why, I'd almost forgotten about her!

Without a moment's hesitation I paid for the book. Clutching it tightly against my heart I almost felt as if Olivia herself had reached out to me. For that evening during the ballet performance, all I could contemplate was a sweet little girl that would (in a few years) be perched on my lap, eyes wide with wander as she watched her first performance of the Washington Ballet.

What better way than to allow this charming little character, Olivia, to plant that first seed of interest.

And you can guarantee, that if Sophia ever decides she wants a baby pig - it will be hers for the asking!