Wonder what Carrie thinks...

I love Fridays. And laughing. And being crazy. And laughing like crazy on Fridays. So here's a video that yanked my funny bone this week. Try not to die laughing, cuz you have the whole weekend ahead of you...;)

Yellow Shoes

As of this morning, all three kiddos are back at school, and can you believe it? Our son's a senior. A. Senior. Nearly 18 years old, as in, an adult. Wow. I told him this morning that he was gonna 'rule the school", Lol...

Yesterday he and I got into a bit of a 'debate' when he asked me to buy him a pair of shoes with 'big personality', as he put it. I probably would have been more yielding initially if I hadn't just been treated rudely by the staff of another store, but that's a different story...

As you can see, he talked me into the shoes (and a payment plan to pay me 1/2!), and I guess they're not all that bad. One friend said he's just starting a trend. And hubby said we should pick our battles.

Truthfully, they've already kind of grown on me. Next year he'll be in college and if he moves away, I won't know what he's wearing on any given day and that makes me sad just thinking about it. Waaa...

So maybe when he's done with making his 'statement' and puts these shoes in the trash bin, I'll sneak them out and stash 'em in a closet. You know, for old times sake....

*sniff!* *sniff!* (Would somebody hand me a tissue already...?)

Meet the judges!

As I hope you've heard by now, B&H Publishing Group is giving away two, new Adirondack chairs much like those on the cover of my latest release, Sweet Waters. Just think...you could be relaxing in one of those chairs with a tall, frosty drink and a book (preferably one of mine, haha), while imaginary water laps at your toes. Ahhhh....

But I digress!

Today I'd like to introduce you to the distinguished panel of judges who will help decide the winner of this amazing contest. They are:

Judy Gann
Author, speaker, librarian extraordinaire, and treasured friend from the Pacific Northwest, Judy encourages me with her ideas, humility and ready smile. Read more about Judy at her website: www.judygann.com






Mary Hampton
Mary and I met years ago at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference in the redwoods of Northern CA. My writer friend and I love to chat about kids and our beloved central coast~and she makes a killer chai tea. You can learn more about Mary at: www.refreshmoments.com


Ronel Sidney
My bloggity buddy from SoCal encourages me with her faith and friendship via this blog, Facebook, and Twitter! Read about Ronel and her ministry to women at her site: www.mommyaccountability.blogspot.com



Karen Ball
Karen and I met in the mid-90s at Mt. Hermon where she tactfully let me know that my writing needed, uh, work. She challenged newbie-me to find my passion and write about that. Now all these years later, Karen's my amazing editor. LOVE how God works! In addition to being a phenomenal editor, teacher, animal-lover and friend, Karen's an award-winning author. Find out more about Karen at: www.karenballbooks.com


Them's the judges, Friends. Now if you haven't yet, go on and follow this link for your last chance to enter to win the two Adirondack chairs!

Back to School Giveaway

Happy Sunday, Friends! Just learned that Lauren over at 5 minutes for books posted a super nice review of Sweet Waters and that the site's giving away a free copy. Not only that, they're giving away several other books too. So hop on over and check them out!

The weekend's a comin'

It's Friday...can I get a woot-woot?!

The sun's shining today along my stretch of the coast. First time in weeks, and it's a super welcome sight. Too much of the gloomies affect me in a not-so-good way, know what I mean?

Anyway, I wanted to remind you that August 30 is coming soon, so if you haven't had a chance to enter B&H Fiction's Adirondack Chair Giveaway in celebration of the release of my new novel, SWEET WATERS, then get going, missy! (Or mister ;) Here's the link with the information you need--and YES, the contest is open to residents outside the U.S. so get crack-a-lackin'!

On Monday I will post the pictures and bios of our prestigious panel of judges...so watch for that!

Also, if you're a writer, you'll want to check out the newly recharged and repopulated CAN--Christian Author's Network--Blog. I now write once a month for shy writers. Stop laughing...I am shy (before I get to know ya, that is...;). Here's a link to my list of posts. You can also click on the CAN title banner to read all recent articles.

Here's to sunny days in your neck of the country. Have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

At least it wasn't shorty shorts and cowboy boots

First day of middle school for pre-teen girl and I had a Lorelai moment. See, teen daughter had come along for the ride, promising to help pre-teen girl get her new locker open. I had dressed in mismatched sweats and sandy flip flops and stayed put in the car reading a magazine and trying not to gloat too much as all-around me, mothers with younger kids hustled to get them out of the car with backpacks and lunch boxes and jackets, etc., etc.

Middle school is a whole new animal with drop off lanes and a new level of Independence for both mom and kiddo. No more worrying over makeup and hair, or dressing to see people in the morning. With my youngest in middle school, I can now throw on whatever, offer her a prayer and a kiss, and watch her walk into school from the comfort of my car.

Not.

Neither pre-teen girl nor teen girl could get the new locker open, the text read, and could I come help? Drat. I glanced in the mirror to see strands of hair flopping every which way. A little blush would've been nice...and did I even brush my teeth this morning???

Needless to say, I trudged through the crowded corridors where moms and teachers and siblings struggled with first morning jitters and jammed lockers. Hopefully no one noticed me (nor heard teen daughter say, "Did you even get dressed this morning, mom?"--yeah, she'll get hers...) But even if they did, it wasn't as bad as Lorelai on Rory's first day at Chilton. I'm hangin' on to that...

Mid-week hello

This week's been flying by...sorry for the delay in posting! It's Wednesday and my youngest starts school next week already. Ba! I'm not ready--and neither is she. So I guess that's where I've been...cramming in the most summer we can in these last few days.

The fair's still going on in our county and it's been rockin'. I could actually hear Rick Springfield's voice smokin' through the air last night (remember him from the 80s???). There's something about the misty night and the nearby ocean that literally buoys sounds from Seaside Park (aka the fairgrounds) and floats them over the city.

Thankfully, no heavy metal bands are scheduled ;)

In addition to summer fun, I've been working on a church newsletter, shopping for school supplies (again, blech), doin' some interviews for Sweet Waters, and seriously missing my reality show fixes--although David Cook's at the fair tonight, so that will certainly help!!!

Ah well, here's to squeezing every ounce of fun out of the summer, and more beachy days, my friends, wherever you are!

Have a Seat!

We survived the Fair, and I only got a *little* sunburn (forgot to put the sunscreen in my beach bag--sigh). Lots of fun, though, and I'll be heading back to Seaside Park next week to see David Cook!

Have you seen this?
If you receive my newsletter, then you already know that B&H Publishing Group is celebrating the release of Sweet Waters with this AMAZING giveaway!

They are giving away...wait for it...a set of two Adirondack chairs similar to those on my book's cover!!!

Here's how it works: Simply snap a picture of where you'd put these chairs (in your office, at the beach, by a tree, etc.), then e-mail the image along with your name to SweetWaters@BHPublishingGroup.com.

For more details, here's the link to check out!

I've had a pair of Adirondacks for years and years, but alas, they're pretty rickety now. Wish I could enter--but I think that's against the rules =) So the very best to all of you who give this a shot. I get to take peeks at the pics, and I can't wait to see them!!!

Fair Daze

The Ventura County Fair starts today!!! Sooo much fun. Greasy corn dogs mixed with the smell of hogs, ah. On the upside, it's held at Seaside park, as in 'right next to the beach'--how many fairs can say that?

So it's dollar day and I'm thinking of running over there for at least a couple of hours to see what's new. Besides it makes for great people-watching fun--and as an author, I can't have too much of that, Lol.

Next week David Cook, yes, the American Idol David Cook, will be performing--big woot! If you're a local, you can read the details in this article.

How about you? Any fair-going in your neck of the world? Last year people actually paid to be flung into the air by a monstrous sling shot. Worth the price of admission to see that right there--haha. So what's the craziest thing at your fair?

Tea for five, si vous plais...

Spent some time this weekend over at Lori Kasbeer's cyber beach pad. If you'd like to read that interview and enter to win a free copy of Sweet Waters, hop on over by clicking this link.

As for other doings this weekend, I had High Tea in Beverly Hills yesterday with one of my daughters, my mother, and my sis in law--and my sis in law to be. We were actually there to celebrate her upcoming marriage to my brother (can't wait!!!). Haven't done High Tea in a very long time. Have you?

It was all very Grey Poupon, with a harpist, and fine china, and gloved attendants all around. The menu was appropriately high priced and we all remembered our manners. I'm not a huge tea drinker, but I determined to enjoy that part when~woohoo--guess what? They had chai. Chai Tea at High Tea. Seriously.

For some reason, I secretly thought chai was sort of the poor man's tea, a concoction so milky and rich and nutmegy that no high falutin' tea room would serve it. "Go down to Starbucks if you want that stuff," I figured they'd say.

But there it was, right on the menu, right next to the caviar and salmon crudites. Three of us, including Pre-Teen Daughter, ordered it. My mom informed our server that all the 'young people' wanted it. Lol... Thank you, Mom, for including me in that description!!!

Ah well, I'm back at home in my little beach community where the sun's shining, the sands dusting, and no one would admit to owning a harp. After wrapping up some much needed office cleaning, I'm going to head outside, and then, maybe later I'll walk to Starbucks for some, um, tea...;)

Chillin' at the beach

So the girls, my mom and I spent yesterday afternoon shopping inland where the air was still and the sun hot. Traffic was heavy and the sun stayed out until the last 1/2 mile or so, when we hit a thick marine layer overhead.

But it's the weekend and what's a little fog between friends? Despite the drop in temp and the brisk breeze, Dan and I decided to hit the beach for a light dinner in the evening. Here's a pic at sunset.

After the launch

Here are a few reader friends with their copies of Sweet Waters, picked up at the launch party. Aren't they go-jus???

Still basking in the afterglow of the weekend, but wanted to pop in to announce the winners of Truffles by the Sea. May I have a *drumroll please*?

They are:

Michelle V
Adge

Thanks to ALL for playing! The book is on its way to each of you ladies.

Speaking of playing, I'm so excited to tell you all about the contest that my publisher B&H has cooked up for you! Really, really, good--so much so that I wish I could enter! I think that would be against the rules, though, haha.

Anyway, I'll be announcing it first via my newsletter. So please, please sign up for that over on my sidebar or on my website: www.juliecarobini.com. My current subscribers can attest that I only write when there's something to say, so in other words, your inbox won't be bombarded by my newsletters!

Off to finish the reorg of my much-neglected home office. Writing a book wreaks havoc on the place, I tell you. Anyone else doing their spring cleaning in the summer? Lol

Ah, well, hope you have a beachy day my friends--wherever you are!

Launch Party 2009

Happy Monday, Friends!
Despite the fabulous beach day, readers showed up on Saturday at the Bank of Books to pick up a copy of Sweet Waters and nosh on appetizers made by my son, Matt, and friends.

Here are a few pics from the shin-dig. I always have trouble posting pics on blogger--ack. The pics and captions may be a bit jumbled, but what's a mess between friends anyway?

My parents, Dan & Elaine, entering Bank of Books.

Robin and Diane. Diane manages a church bookstore and reads books--including mine--during her daily train commute!


Chef Matt and friends...and a tray of yum-o appetizers. Signing books!

A very chocolatey gift

It's Friday and I'm in a givin' mood! Just learned yesterday that Truffles by the Sea has been nominated finaled in the 'Lits' category of the BOTY contest. (Tx, Colleen Coble for setting me straight on the wording! Woo-hoo!) That's the Book of the Year contest put on by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Awards will be handed out at the annual ACFW conference in Denver this fall.

Heroine Gaby Flores will forever live on in my beach-loving heart and I LOVED writing Truffles by the Sea. To celebrate, I'm giving away TWO copies, chosen randomly from commenters through tomorrow (Saturday) night. That's because I'm super busy today working on the last minute details for my Sweet Waters launch party in downtown Ventura. You can find date, time, etc. of the launch by clicking HERE.

But as soon as that's done, I'll be choosing the winners from a hat, so to speak. If you'd like to win a copy of Truffles by the Sea (nominated for a BOTY - Lol!), then comment on this post and make sure to give me your email so I can contact you if you win.

Have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

Book Clubs!

Popping in to mention that CBD.com just posted my Discussion Questions written especially for Sweet Waters. If you're part of a Book Club, click this link for your copy. These questions cannot be found in the book, but they're meant to guide your discussions at clubs (they do not, however, provide the necessary chocolate stash for such discussions. Sa-wwy ;))

Carry on...have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are!

Tomorrow's another gift...

If y'all could see my desk right now you'd run away screaming. Seriously, it's gross. Blech. Can't get out from beneath its disheveled-ness (is that a word, Dad?)

But really, when that's all you've got to complain about, why bother? Being on Twitter is fun and a bit frivolous, but sometimes I read things that so pain me to the depths that I vow never to complain again.

Like the 5 year old girl who played in the pool one day, and was whisked to the hospital the next. Diagnosis: brain tumor

Or the family wracked by divorce

Or the friend whose husband is battling persistent cancer

Life is tough sometimes, so I guess when I peek around my messy desk I should remind myself that things could be a lot worse. Although I don't say much about it, I've been down some dark roads before and don't care to revisit there again (except maybe to write about it all--someday).

In the meantime, I'm going to plow through this wreck of a desk, hope to make it to the bottom, and if not, turn out the light and go to sleep. Tomorrow's another beach day--and I don't want to miss out. Sleep tight, my friends--God is good.

Review and Giveaway!

We're back from Colorado! Loved ICRS and all the fun with that, and seeing old friends, and watching the kids raft down the river in the Rocky Mountains, but I also missed the beach and I'm glad to be home again (jiggity jig :)

Wanted to let you know that Rel over at Relz Reviews wrote about Sweet Waters (she liked it--woot) and is giving away several FREE copies! So dance on over and enter to win. You have until the end of the week...click here.

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Also, if you're in the Ventura area, I'm throwing a little launch shin-dig over at Bank of Books (748 E. Main) on Saturday, July 25 from 4 to 6 pm. If you're in the 'hood, please stop on by!

***

Even though I'd barely stepped off the plane on Saturday, then traveled north to the central coast, I turned around yesterday and spent the day in Santa Monica, noshing it up with the locals--including my sweet sis-in-law to be Darcy--and walking to the pier to celebrate Teen Daughter's 15th birthday. That girl can SHOP. She didn't get that from me, let me tell you. By the time we dragged home, my dogs weren't speaking to me, Lol... Ah well, at least the sun was bright and the ocean all sparkly.

Here's to a great week ahead--and beachy days, wherever you are ;)

After the show

My fam came with me to Colorado and we're still here, seeing the sights and visiting some old friends who left CA a few years back. The other night our friends-youth pastors-invited Teen Son to jam with them and he ended up leading worship at their youth group. The girls went along, so Dan and I snuck off to a nearby lake. Talk about your 'ahhh' moments. If we hadn't gotten directions, we never would have found this lake tucked away from the busy streets. Dan snapped this shot as the sun settled into the west.

But priorities, priorities...here's a pic of one of the kids' highlights. Our friends' kids joined ours in the hotel spa and somehow they discovered a way to turn the jets into geysers. Yeah, that's us, making a 'splash' wherever we go...LOL

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A shout out to Teen Girl who turns 15 TODAY! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!! Love you LOTS :)

***

And have a beachy day my friends--wherever you are!

More on Tuesday at ICRS 2009

After the book signings on Tuesday morning at ICRS, three of us hosted tables at The Heart of the Author Luncheon. That's Jamie Carie, me, and Patti Hill an hour or so before we went 'on'. Let me just say, being introduced by the Karen Kingsbury, then speaking to about 250 people responsible for stocking shelves in their stores was humbling. I felt honored and nervous (honestly). Wish I could remember what I said up there under those bright lights...but Julie Gwinn, the super fun & smart marketing dir. at B&H says I did well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, Lol...

I vaguely recall my amazing editor Karen Ball taking pics while Jamie, Patti and I trembled stood on stage. Me? I only remembered to take a pic of the 1st course of the fab meal the show served us. After that, not so much.

Phew...that's the sound of a whirlwind experience at ICRS. Tomorrow, I hope to post pics of fun times we're having now in the Rocky Mountains. Sing it: "Rocky Mtn. High...Colorado..."

ICRS 2009

Found this event poster at the B&H Publishing Booth at the Denver Convention Center. I was set for 9 a.m....early, early!

I got there with minutes to spare and a line had formed ... woot! Signed about 150 copies then took a pill for my carpel tunnel--haha, kidding. Loved meeting so many enthusiastic people.

Patti Hill and I sporting our cool new beach bags--embroidered with our names and book titles--compliments of B&H! Currently, mine is stocked FULL of books I picked up at the convention center.

All in all, a productive and exciting show. Had a fabulous dinner at Marlowe's with some of the B&H Team and other old pals: Karen Ball, Julie Gwinn, Aaron Linne, Patti Hill, John Olson, Tracy Higley & hubby, and Tricia Goyer! Much more to report, but it's past my bedtime. My fam's with me and we're checking out the Rocky Mountains tomorrow, so I'll check in after that. In the meantime, have a beachy day my friends--wherever you are ;)