Lately, the Norwegian and I have made several day trips out of town to handle family business.  In the past, we’ve used our GPS, which we lovingly call “Emily,” because that’s what the company named the particular voice setting we use. Well, it turns out that Emily is a much better navigator than I am. Never mind it’s her job and she has most routes plotted out and stored in her electronic mind. How in the world could anyone else compete? Usually, I don’t. Because I am a terrible navigator.

However, on this trip we forgot Emily. Yes, went off without her. And we suffered for it because we were left to our own devices.  Actually, the Norwegian wasn’t too concerned because he has a “map ap” on his smart phone.  The words map ap should’ve been my first clue that we were in trouble.

We knew how to get to the outskirts of where we were going; then we decided to use his handy-dandy  map ap to guide us to the specific addresses we needed to find. Sounds simple, right?

The scene went something like this:

Norwegian (driving, hands me his cell phone): Just type in the address and follow the blinking dot. That purple line leads us to the address. Just make sure the blinking dot stays on the purple line.

Me:  Blinking dot? I want a list of streets, not a blinking dot.

Norwegian: No, you want the blinking dot because it will tell you where to turn before we get there.

Mind you, the display area is a 3.5 x 2 inch cell phone screen. I’m blind without my  reading glasses and  get a little woozy if I try to get up and walk around with them on, much less try to read something tiny in a moving car… because, of course, the Norwegian, bless his stubborn heart, would rather get lost than pull over and give me time to familiarize myself with his darned blinking dot map ap.

Still, I tried to be a good copilot and make it work. Despite how the blinking dot, which represented our car, seemed to be moving in a different direction than we were traveling. I turned the phone every which way trying to get the dot to move in the same direction. Soon, I thought I was getting the hang of it.  Until the Norwegian asked me the name of the street BEFORE we were supposed to make our turn. 

Me: I can’t read it. The print is too small.

Norwegian: Just do this (indicating that I should use my fingers to enlarge the screen).

I did this… and the blinking dot went off the screen. Panicking, I jabbed at the page trying to minimize it so the blinking dot would come back into frame, but a different page popped up – some sort of advertisement. Of course. I couldn’t figure out how to make the darn thing go away.

Me: Are you kidding me? Just tell me how to get to the darn page that lists the directions. If I’m going to navigate I have to use a system I can understand – unless you want to pull over and show me how to work this thing.

Norwegian (who kept driving on): How can you be so good at backseat driving, but so bad at navigating?

As I made a conscious decision to bite my tongue, I realized why our daughter says that when the Norwegian and I are in the car she sometimes feels as though she’s stuck in a Seinfeld scene featuring George Costanza’s parents. Poor girl.

How about you? Are you a better pilot or copilot? Do you have any funny road trip stories to share?

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RT Book Club gives CELEBRATION’S BRIDE 4.5 stars! They say, “…Her couples’ imperfections make them realistic and alluring and their love scenes are provocative and passionate.” CELEBRATION’S BRIDE, book four in the Celebrations, Inc. series, will hit the shelves in July.

In my new book, CELEBRATION’S BRIDE, which will be available June 18, the heroine, Sydney, has a history of being somewhat of a vagabond, moving every few years. Because of her tendency for itchy feet, she usually doesn’t accumulate many personal possessions so she can travel light.

Lately, the Norwegian has been contemplating retirement and we’ve been talking about downsizing and traveling. Naturally, that means I’ll have to pare down. I’m making peace with buying books for my Kindle. That way I’ll be able to take my library with me wherever we go because I couldn’t live without my books. There are several other special things I won’t be able to part with either.  Here are just a few of them: 

My animals (Marie is the cat; Samantha is the corgi). Of course, it’s a given that the animals will come with us.  Or if we travel abroad, the Crown Princess will care for them. Still, it will be difficult to leave them even temporarily.

My office is my sanctuary. I love going to work every day, and it’s a pleasure spending a lot of time in here. I have a huge glass-top desk. It’s not only great for working, but it also cleans up easily when I art journal on it. I have it sitting a third of the way out into the room, so that I face the door and my back is to the wall (my art table is in front of the desk along the left wall). I’ll probably have to downsize the desk when we move. But for now, here’s a picture of the left side and some of my favorite things I will definitely be able to take with me. That’s an inkwell with a feather pen that the Norwegian gave me for Christmas a few years ago; the “N” is a paperweight the Crown Princess gave me for Christmas; next to that is a “magic wand” Kathy Garbera gave me (and yes, it really works   );  behind that are two tea cups my good friend Mimi gave me; that’s a picture of the Norwegian and me in Paris; the smaller photo is me with the Crown Princess many moons ago, back in my auburn-hair days); that’s my prized Eiffel tower lamp and on it is a magnet of Berthe Morisot that Kathy G. sent me from London and a small beaded change purse that I found in an antique shop and couldn’t live without.

I have an art table in a corner of my office. The picture shows just the tip of the art supply iceberg. I have so much paint, paper and ephemera and stuff that might come in handy for a future art journal project. I don’t know how I will part with it. However, since the definition of  ephemera is transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved, maybe that’s all the more reason I need to let it go…in due time. I mean, not tomorrow… or even next year… But I do need to think of what items I should put in a portable art journal kit.

Here are a few more of my favorite things that I will take with me:

Crown Princess made this for me for Mother’s Day. I wouldn’t part with it for anything.

This is a little tray of candles shaped like sweets. They are so pretty and absolutely calorie free.  

I love the double heart ornament that hangs from the ceiling fan in my office.

The Norwegian gave me these whimsical pens years ago. I’m not even sure they write anymore. Still, I keep them on a shelf in my office.

Stepping outside my office, into our backyard, we’ve planted a fabulous little herb garden. I’m so spoiled by the fresh herbs; I’ll have to buy potted ones since I won’t be able to take the garden with me when we go.

Finally, there’s my Don Juan rose bush. The Norwegian gave it to me for Mother’s Day several years ago. It’s in a large planter. So, we were actually able to bring it with us when we moved into this house five years ago. We’ll take it with us when we move again.

What do you have that would be difficult to give up?

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Be sure to check out CELEBRATION’S BRIDE, which will be available June 18. It’s book four of my Celebrations, Inc. series from Harlequin Special Edition.

Nancy is thrilled to announce that her July book CELEBRATION’S BRIDE received 4.5 stars from RT Book Reviews! This book is the fourth in the Celebrations, Inc. series from Harlequin Special Edition.

Congratulations Michelle Fidler! You are the winner of the $10 gift card from Monday’s Welcome to Kathleen O’Brien post. Please contact me through my website NancyRobardsThompson.com and let me know if you’d prefer an Amazon or B&N gift card and which email address I should send it to. Thanks to all who posted.

Please give a warm welcome to our third and final new Jaunty Quill: Kathleen O’Brien!

Kathy Garbera and I are pleased to introduce her because the three of us go way back!

Kathy: When I first met Kathleen I was awed by her incredible talent; she was just heading off to the RWA conference and was a Rita finalist.  But what really struck me was how generous she was to me, a very green, very young author who had no idea what she was doing, just that she wanted to be published someday.  Later on, as I got to know Kathleen better and was published myself, I found her to be even more generous with her advice as I steered through the waters of writing for series lines at Harlequin.  She’s funny, really smart and a fabulous writer.  I find her books are some of my favorite comfort reads that I return to again and again. I am thrilled that she has joined as at The Jaunty Quills.

Nancy: Ironically, Kathleen was the second published author I met. Kathy Garbera was the first. Since then, I am honored to not only call both of them good friends, but Kathleen and I are critique partners, too. Kathleen and I meet weekly and dream up all sorts of mischief… Oh! And book plots, too.  Naturally, I was ecstatic when she agreed to join us here at the Jaunty Quills.  What I love the most about Kathleen is that her work is beautiful. She’s poetic, not only on the page, but in life, too. Everything about her is beautiful – inside and out.

And not only is she beautiful and poetic, she’s smart, too. And you can’t hate her for all that because she’s so nice… and prolific. She’s published more than 40 titles (in category and single title); everything from hot, sexy contemporaries to dark, brooding suspense.  She’s a five-time finalist for RWA’s prestigious Rita award; the winner of the Maggie award; and a three-time finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice. She is a former journalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Seton Hill University.

I know Kathy and I speak for all us when we say Kathleen, along with Jesse and Vanessa, will make fabulous additions to our community. Welcome!

Leave a comment to welcome Kathleen and you could with a $10 gift card. The winner will be announced next Sunday.

Also, check out Kathleen’s next release, BETTING ON THE COWBOY (book two in the Sisters of Bell River Ranch series), Harlequin SuperRomance, July 2013.

When the Crown Princess was still away at school she had a flat tire that left her stranded along the left shoulder of a major highway. She had to wait two hours for AAA to come to her rescue. It was inexcusable that they made her wait that long. After that, the Norwegian and I knew we needed to teach her how to change a tire herself so she could take care of herself.

Learning how to take care of herself was empowering. Her experience made me think about other things women need to know and I made a list. Don’t worry, it’s not a practical list. I’ll save the sensible stuff for another time. Right now, let’s go a little more intangible.

Here’s my list of eleven things women should know:

HOW TO FLIRT FOR THE SPORT OF IT. Even if you’re married, it’s all in good fun and can be an instant self-confidence booster. So go ahead, make eye-contact, smile Work it, girl!

HOW TO FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING LUNCH BY YOURSELF /GOING TO A MOVIE BY YOURSELF / TRAVELING BY YOURSELF. Learn how to enjoy your own company so you don’t miss out while waiting for a friend or lover to finally get around to doing what you want.

HOW TO POLITELY, BUT FIRMLY, DEFEND AN ISSUE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT. Even if you don’t persuade the person to see things your way, the point is having a position and being able to articulate it.

HOW TO TELL WHICH IS YOUR DRINK AND BREAD PLATE AT A LUNCHEON WHERE THE PLACE SETTINGS ARE CRAMMED TOGETHER ON A ROUND TABLE. A friend of mine who was once a Walt Disney World Ambassador learned a trick in an etiquette class Disney sent her to as part of her training: with your hands in your lap, make a circle by touching your thumb and forefinger together on each hand while holding your other three fingers up. You’ll notice that your left hand forms a small “b” and your right hand forms a small “d.” The “b” of your left hand reminds you that your bread plate is on your left, and the “d” of your right hand signifies that your drink is on the right. Cool, huh? Go confidently to that luncheon!

HOW TO DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM A “TOXIC FRIEND.” This can be difficult, but really, it’s a matter of self-preservation. You don’t have to be nasty, just unavailable.

HOW TO GET RID OF GUILT.  Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said: No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them. Same applies to this – no one can make you feel guilty unless you allow them.

HOW TO NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY. Eleanor’s rule can loosely apply here, too. It’s not always about you and sometimes that’s a good thing.

HOW TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF. There’s something remarkably liberating about not taking yourself too seriously. This is one of the most important things I’m trying to teach my daughter. And it requires me making a huge fool of myself a great deal of the time. I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun.

HOW TO SAY NO. This is a hard one for me, especially when it comes to saying no to family. Alas, there are only so many hours in a day and it’s amazing how fast they fill up.

HOW TO SAY YES. This one is hard for me, too. It’s sort of the converse of the “just say no” item above. Learn how to say yes to things you want to do – girls weekends; writing conferences, the occasional splurge on a trinket for yourself. You work hard and you deserve a treat every once in a while.

FINALLY, KNOW WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT YOU. Everyone has something unique and special about them. What makes you special?

That’s my top eleven. What about you? What are some things you think every woman should know?

Look for CELEBRATION’S BRIDE by Nancy Robards Thompson –  Available JULY  2013

Thanks so much for the fabulous input, everyone! We’ve read your comments and will put your suggestions to good use. I put the names of all who posted into a box and drew five names.

Here are the winners of an advance copy of CELEBRATION’S BRIDE:

Rhonda

Sue P

Mary Anne Landers

Kathleen OD

Connie Fischer

Please email me through my website NancyRobardsThompson.com and let me know where to send your book.

Yesterday Kathy posted about things that make her happy. Our Jaunty Quills community is very, very high on my happy list. I particularly love the way we all interact. Sometimes the blog is more like a chat room with back and forth banter and sharing.  It’s so much fun to talk to you, to hear your thoughts on our posts and the stories you share.

Recently, my sister Jaunties and I have been wondering what makes YOU happy?  What do you like to read about here on the blog? Do you like glimpses into our writing processes? How we come up with ideas; how those ideas eventually make it to the page? Kristan’s post about making out with her hand springs to mind.  (Haha! Waving at Kristan) Do you like glimpses into our personal lives and hobbies… a la Kathy’s ode to her son or the time Robyn gave you a tour of her crafting/scrapbooking room? Do you like us to post recipes or previews of coming releases? How about character interviews? Or guest bloggers? What would you think about us doing occasional JQ blog reader spotlights where we interview you? Maybe we could do a ‘Reader of the Month’ feature?

Today, it’s all about you, dear readers. What would YOU like to see here on the JQ blog? And the possibilities are not limited to what I stated above.  Those were simply suggestions to get you thinking.  So tell us…what would you like to read about?

I just received several advance copies of my new book CELEBRATION’S BRIDE, which will be released in July. I will give away copies to several of you who comment. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Today marks the day that the Crown Princess has officially completed her first year of college. The Norwegian and I are road tripping it up to The University of Never Never Land to move her out of her dorm and bring her home for the summer!  I’m so giddy I can’t contain myself. My baby is coming home!

It’s been an interesting year of growth and challenges, accomplishments and even a few setbacks. But the final grade for the experience is an A+. She’s a different person than the girl I waved goodbye to last August. Of course, I love her because she’s my daughter, but I truly like the responsible young lady she’s become.  She didn’t starve to death or wear dirty clothes without me there to make sure she was taken care of.   I’m kidding, of course. Sort of. But she’s making it on her own. It reminds me of when she took those first few shaky steps as a toddler, and before I knew it, she was running.

Contrary to what I imagined, freshman year went fast. It gave true meaning to the saying, ‘The days are long, but the years are short.’ Honestly, last fall, when we drove off without her, I thought I’d never survive. I left my broken heart with her in her dorm room. However, in the months since then I managed to grow a new heart all my own. I hope that makes sense.  She’s happy. I didn’t die. In fact, I’m loving the extra time I have for me.

Okay! Enough of the sentimental hooey.  Let’s have a party!  I’ve supplied the streamers, balloons and all-you-can-drink champagne. Since the Norwegian and I are on the road, I won’t be able to comment today, but I will read each and every post when I get home. If you’ll tell me about a difficult experience you thought you wouldn’t survive but ended up stronger in the end – or simply tell us what you’d like to bring to the party – I’ll give away a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner’s choice) to one person who posts. Let’s get this party started!

Congratulations, Karen! You’re the winner! Please contact me through my website, where you’ll find my email address and a bookshelf to choose the two titles you’d like me to send you. Thanks to all for sharing your phobias!