The day I met P-Dub

We are enjoying an extended weekend with C's parents.  I wanted to highlight our Saturday for you.  It was the day I met P-Dub.

Back in early January, Ree Drummond, more commonly known as The Pioneer Woman announced her tour dates for her first non-cookbook, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.  Imagine my delight when I found out she'd be in Columbus on February 19th.  That day (which was January 6th) I marked my iCal so I wouldn't forget.

The signing started at 2 pm so I figured getting there at noon gave me plenty of time to get a good spot in line.  Except it didn't.  You see, I had never been to a book signing before (other than Newt Gingrich at CPAC) and didn't realize that Barnes & Noble started giving away color coded tickets when they opened at 9 am.  I was still sleeping at 9 am.

So I got my ticket, a blue one.  Smartly, B&N handed these out in ROY-G-BIV order (an order than C had to keep asking every 30 minutes). So I was in group 5. And there were 25-30 cards handed out for each color.

I must admit that I enjoyed watching the purple tickets line up at 12:45 thinking they'd be see shortly after 2:00.  A B&N lady quickly put them in their place.  I did not, however, enjoy the ladies who boasted of their red tickets and how they got there at 9.  Good for you.  I live 45 minutes away and you just proved that I have a little bit more of a life than I thought.

Like I said, the signing started at 2:00.  So from noon till 4:45 (when it was finally my turn) C's parents, C and I hung out at B&N.  We were able to commandeer a table in the cafe and spent much of the time there.

Reading about Jackie and Bobby. 

(Apparently they had an affair.)

Let's just cut to the chase.  It took roughly 30 minutes per group putting our group roughly at the 4:00 time table.  Add the fact that The Prioneer Woman is very personable and talked to each and every gal (and guy) plus one bathroom break (just a few folks before me) and that puts us at 4:45.

She's by the window! The looong line. 

Finally in line. I didn't get up till the blues were going. 

Talking to the lovely lady who drove all the way from Pittsburgh!

Almost there!!! My excitement levels were practically through the extra high ceiling. 

Finally, It was my turn (please, please, please note, I am not complaining about the wait, I was just thrilled to see her, no matter how many hours it took!).  I was so excited. And a bit worried that she wouldn't be the person I've seen on her blog (read: Paula Deen).  But she so wasn't.  She was completely genuine and personable and I love her more than I did before.

Hello, PW! I love you and I'm about to bumble my way 

through the next 90 seconds. 

Hey, look, I look sorta normal (that didn't last long) and PW looks amazing.

I look disgusted, but I'm not. 

Again, not unhappy, just super excited and babbling = bad pics of me. 

Here are a few notes from the bumbling (me, not her) 90 seconds I spent with her...

:: She has a great fashion sense (we knew this already).
:: Her finger nail polish was from the manicure she mentions here.
:: She is personable and genuine (I know I already said that but I can't say it enough) and a wonderful human being.
:: She told me my outfit was cute!!
:: We discussed other authors.  I told her I'd only wait in line for her and Jen Lancaster (waiting for a Cbus stop).
:: I actually told her I liked her more than Paula Deen.  100% so.
:: I wanted to tell her, but didn't, that we share a friend in CertainDry.
:: She told me my outfit was cute!!
:: She signed not one, not two, but all three books I brought! Two in marker and one in pen.

C was a wonderful husband Saturday.  Ok, he's a wonderful husband every day, but this day in particular.  He was genuinely excited for me and snapped the above pictures while I chatted with one of my blogging idols.  This was one of the the top 5 moments that I count as knowing he really, really loves me (#1 was when he flew to D.C. a few days earlier than planned to take care of me while I was sick.  While that gesture was great, the real sign: he (perfectly) cut up an apple for me. Right then I thought, "This marriage thing is going to work.")

I also cannot express my gratitude to Mama and Papa E. (and C) for sticking with me the entire day.  After my books were signed we went to dinner at Bravo! and enjoyed some delicious i-talian food.  We left at 6:30 and went past B&N on our way out.

Ree was still there.  Two and a half hours after she was supposed to be gone and four and a half hours after she started signing she was still there.  She didn't leave until every single book was signed (and most people had 2 to 3 books with them).

That is the sign of a person who truly respects and appreciates each and every one of her fans.  And I know like her even more. So much so that tomorrow I'm making her French Breakfast Puffs. I'm betting they taste 25% as good as if she made them.