I’m off to get a perm. Although you won’t be able to see the results, I’m sure to be gorgeous (with big hair)!

Tonight is the first signing for 50 HARBOR STREET in my hometown, at Bethel Avenue Book Store. There's been a lot of interest in the new book, and I’m excited about seeing all my friends (with my gorgeous new hair).

I'm gliding, soaring, and laughing again, and can you guess the reason? I'm back at my desk writing. I'm happiest when I'm in front of my computer in an imaginary world with characters so real they could be my friends.

Another blessing–I'm getting guestbook entries that tell me 50 HARBOR STREET is out. I can hardly wait for your feedback on it. This Cedar Cove book is my personal favorite thus far, I think. Before you ask about 6 RAINIER DRIVE, it's coming, it's coming (but not ‘til September 2006), and you're going to be so surprised.

I'm not as young as I used to be. I know this because of this past weekend. On Friday my friend, Renelle, and I attended the Seattle gift show in, well, Seattle. (Renelle and I were married a week apart and were in each other's wedding.) We spent a good ten hours on our feet on Friday and almost that long on Saturday. Our plan was to spend the night in a swanky downtown hotel, meet up with our husbands, and party.

So much for that! Renelle's husband ended up working on an overtime job and couldn't get away, so Wayne opted to stay home, and, frankly, it was just as well that he did. After being on my feet all day, I was more than happy to sit in our hotel room with my feet up and watch a rented movie. Saturday was just as tiring, so by the time Sunday rolled around I was content to spend a lazy day with my husband and talk about all the energy I used to have.

Okay, time to set the record straight. In a previous blog, I wrote I'd slept in the same bed as John Grisham in Arkansas, and I thought I had. But alas, I have learned it isn't true. I attribute my error to a possible combination of the following: a) selective hearing (my kids are going to have fun with that one!); b) sleeping in a room filled with John Grisham novels, c) wishful thinking and d) a misunderstanding. My apologies, my friends.

My weekend is booked solid. While Wayne and the boys are off on their Father/Sons Getaway trip, I'm heading off to Yakima to visit family and friends. Then on Saturday I'm picking up two of the grandkids for an overnight adventure at grandma's house. Wayne and I sleep on a raised bed. In fact, I have a little stepstool I use to climb into bed. Under my bed is the perfect camp out for grandkids in sleeping bags. It should be great fun. Maddy and I are going to bake a cake—I succumbed to the TV ad for the cake pan with the hollowed-out center—and Maddy can hardly wait. I can see it already, cake for breakfast. Monday morning I'm off to Conway, Arkansas for three days. I'll be in touch.

I met with the ladies in my Breakfast Club this morning. This is our tenth year together. For those who may not know, I based THURSDAYS AT EIGHT on the concept of my own group. For the last three years we've been meeting at Uncle Dave's, which is traditionally a man's kind of café. Almost always we're the only women there. It's never bothered us. There just aren't that many restaurants in Port Orchard that are open for breakfast. The guys welcome us, and we add a bit of class, even if I do say so myself. Because of my traveling schedule, I've been away a month. It was so good to be with my friends again and laugh with them. One of the men commented this morning that we certainly seem to have a lot of fun together. That, we do.

In case no one else noticed, it's Wednesday, which is the day I take to clean off my desk . . . now if I could only find a clear path to it. This is what happens when I go gallivanting about the country, having a grand time meeting with relatives, friends and readers (one and the same in most cases).

For the good part of a month I've been ignoring my to-do stack here at the office. I've really had a wonderful summer, and the not-so-neat piles on my desk are clear evidence of that. Okay, enough procrastinating—it's time to get to work.

I had my yearly physical this morning. You'll be glad to hear that as far as the doc could see – and he poked at all the appropriate places – I'm healthy. That's a relief. I don't know about you, but the minute I walk into a doctor's office, my blood pressure starts to rise. It's even worse in a hospital. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but folks die in those places.

Back to my physical, I sat an hour in the cubical, and while I waited for my turn, my creative imagination went amuck. By the time the doctor arrived I was convinced I had five or six fatal, or potentially fatal, diseases. Physicals are like that for me.

Jazmine, my granddaughter, and I arrived home from South Dakota (via Omaha) yesterday afternoon. What an incredible time we had. The autographing was fabulous, and the Little Professor Bookstore people said I outsold Harry Potter. (That's what happens when one is related to half the town!)

In Aberdeen, South Dakota, I'm a celebrity, but in Port Orchard I'm a wife, mother and grandmother. Wayne wants to know what's for dinner, two of the grandkids reminded me I promised to take them to see "Sky High," there's a ton of mail that needs to be answered and, well, despite everything, it sure is good to be back home.

I'm having a wonderful visit with my Aunt Betty. Yesterday she hosted a special tea in my honor at the senior housing complex where she lives. Instead of tea for two, it was tea for 31! My cousin Karen baked all the cookies and bars for this event; thanks so much Karen! We shared all sorts of incredible stories about my dad, laughing over the antics he pulled when he was young.

I was on the local TV last night! Yesterday’s newspaper article turned out wonderful, and I'm delighted with the special treatment they gave to Aunt Betty. It made my continued losing streak at Tic bearable (I'm hoping to have enough money left over for gas by the time we leave!)

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend. I'll be back in the office on Monday.

I'm in beautiful Aberdeen, South Dakota, enjoying my visit with my aunt Betty enormously. My cousin Karen and I arrived yesterday, and right away I knew I loved this town—we were invited to attend an old fashioned ice cream social!

Aunty Betty and her friends enjoy playing card games. They roped me into playing a game of Tic (a form of rummy). I soon found myself on the loosing end–I had no idea that they could be so ruthless! I'm already down by 70 cents.

This morning I had a fun interview with the Aberdeen American News. You might get the chance to see my picture and the interview if you live in the area. They also interviewed by aunt Betty Stierwalt, which was so sweet. This daughter of Ted and Connie Adler is enjoying her visit home to her roots.

I'm looking forward to the book signing at Little Professor Books tomorrow at the Lakewood Mall. I'll be there at 6:00 p.m. if you can make it.