Running, Running, Running (and Some Skipping).

I’m sitting in a coffee shop by myself for my usual Sunday morning ritual: to get some writing done. It is terrible that I have to run out to sit all ALONE and enjoy – er, I mean, suffer through – uninterrupted coffee and breakfast.

I’m not joyful at all over having a few hours of alone time, and – ‘scuse me – large cappuccino with brown sugar and cinnamon, please? – and even though it might look like I’m skipping to my car, I’m really not; you see, there’s just a nip in the air so I’ve picked up the pace to a brisk jog. Am I whistling too loud for you? Sorry.

And that’s not a smile, you see – yes I’ll have the avocado poached egg special? thanks – it’s just the face I make when I’m sad. I just hate having to go do this once a week for a couple of hours, but ya know, commitments.

Guys, I don’t know if I’ll make it through.

All kidding aside, I love being home with Penelope. But I also love being able to have some alone time, and seeing her little face light up when I come back because she missed me, you know? And she and her dad get some alone time, too. They laugh together, play together, and Greg takes great pride in dressing her in the most mismatched, awful outfit concoctions he can find. (These fashion crimes have gotten worse by the week, and I think now he is out to see just how much he can make me cringe when I walk in the door.)

ANYWAY.

So I’m not sure if you follow me here, there and everywhere, or if you get my newsletter (*ahem* *cough* little red box on the right *cough cough*), but I believe I can say this now because it’s probably too late for them to go back on their word and take me out of it so…here goes….

I AM ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF ‘SCARY MOMMY’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS’!!!!!

See that ‘Scary Mommy Contributors’ at the bottom of that cover?! I’m one of ’em! Jill Smokler is the ridiculously smart New York Times Best Selling Author and woman behind the website Scary Mommy. The proceeds of this book are going toward her non-profit organization and this year’s Thanksgiving Project, which puts Thanksgiving dinner on the tables of families in need.

You can learn more about the Thanksgiving project and see my name in lights, along with other (talented and hilarious) writers, here: Scary Mommy’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays. 

You can also pre-order your copy of the book, which comes out as an e-book on November 17th, here: Scary Mommy’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays. I’m pretty sure that laughing your ass off while helping others in need, all for $2.99, is a FANTASTIC way to kick off your holiday season. And just a warning, you *might* pee your pants while reading. You can even gift it to another fellow mama who appreciates a good laugh!

In other news related to giving…

Did you see my giveway for a gorgeous, $59 Montage photo book? You can win one of your own FOR FREE! If you want to look like a photographic rock star wizard and maybe knock off a few holiday gifts early this year, check it out now because I’m picking the winner this Tuesday. You can see images of mine, and enter to win your own, here: Montage Photo Book Giveaway.

And lastly, did you decide on your Halloween costume yet? Because I have a TON of hilarious ideas here. Some are DIY, some are available for purchase, and if you see any of the ones you like from Spirit Halloween, I have some coupon codes for you! You’ll find them at the top of my post.

Running from home, running a giveaway, running around shouting about the Scary Mommy Thanksgiving project…and now skipping back home as fast as I can to go see Greg and my little girl.

Oh, and one last thing!

Yesterday was our six year wedding anniversary. We went OUT!

If you live in the Charlotte area and are looking for a great place to celebrate an occasion, I HIGHLY recommend the Fig Tree on 7th Street where we celebrated. Get the beignets for dessert!