The Book!

Had I not looked ridiculous sitting at the end of the driveway yesterday I surely would have been sitting on the fence waiting for her arrival.

We were eating an early lunch facing the front window when I saw "the truck" slow in front of our house.

I jumped off my bar stool and ran to the window. .

and said.. ."this is it!!!"

Lunch forgotten . . we opened up the kitchen door and waved at the driver as he backed up his truck to the loading dock. 

The driver and the farmer moved the pallet of books from them to us..  .

and I am nearly certain the truck driver had never anyone as happy to see him as he did yesterday.

I smiled as I read the box . . .

"Mennonite Girls Can"

.

I said. .

"I'll wait until one of the girls comes. . .

and we'll break open the shipment together".

Unable to hear me through the squeals.  ..

he took out his box cutter and broke the shrink wrap and yanked out a box.

Because of his thirty some years of Safeway practice. .

slid that blade across the seam and before I could protest even weakly. .

the books lay revealed.

To be fair .. .by that time I had already sent word to the girls that they should come.

They knew that this might be the day so I had cell numbers. .land lines. ..and all other possible numbers listed and ready.

Judy and Marg arrived first.

I loved these photos and thought you might want to see what it looks like to set eyes for the very first time on a book that bears your name as author.

Do they look pleased ?

I thought so too.

It has been a little like a group pregnancy. . .

counting down months and then days and then finally hours with a few contractions for good measure.

The two of them. . .

packed up their boxes and boxes for retailers in their towns ..

and off they went.

Kathy came next. .

and the fun began all over again.

At first in a hurry to get going ...

 .. she settled on a stool and shared a cup of coffee and a look see with me.

Then. ..Bev came.  .

and picked up her boxes . .

and then Julie as well.

Anneliese. . .will have hers soon as will Ellen and Betty and Charlotte.

On Mother's Day weekend ...we will be all together celebrating properly as a  group . . .

signing books and enjoying this time that is once in a lifetime.

Books are at the warehouses in Waterloo and Scottdale and are being packed up for all of you who have  ordered.

The local retailers should have their books on their shelves very shortly.

We'll be doing some deliveries to local retailers this morning.

If you don't see it there  . ..

be sure to ask.

all for now ..