I’m really pushing hard on this book now. In that zone where it’s all coming together and there’s so much to wrap up. I love that place–but it’s really tough! So wish me luck on it, okay?
Speaking of driving, we got home at the end of last week. Spent the weekend back to school shopping, and today, off they went. The summer just ZIPPED. Probably because I spent 4 out of 24 days between July 29-August 22 in my home. The rest…elsewhere. Is it any wonder I’ve decided I am NOT LEAVING MY HOUSE for at least a month. :cursing:
Anyway, I have to get back to work, but I did want to say hello, I’m home, the funeral was amazing and wonderful and had me on my feet singing my lungs out and applauding my aunt’s life, rather than crying and walking away feeling like a used dish rag. Uplifting…not heart-wrenching.
Did everybody else’s kids go back to school today? Or last Monday? How’d that go?
PS: On the subject of driving. I drove the girls to Florida by myself and Bruce drove my daughter’s car down the following weekend. What an adventure. Just being quiet and listening to the conversation had me (quietly) cracking up.
Example:
12 year old: Twilight is the best book ever. I wish I was a vampire.
17 year old: Yeah, it rocked. I wish I was a vampire, too.
20 year old: Well I’d rather be a werewolf.
17 year old: If you were a werewolf and we were vampires, would you try to kill us?”
20 year old: No way.
12 year old: But werewolves hate vampires. They can’t even stand the smell of them.
20 year old: Well, I haven’t been able to stand the smell of either of you since the day you were born, and I haven’t tried to kill you yet!


Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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Good luck on the book Leslie. I know it’ll be great.
LOL on the girls and the way they get along. And readers! You must be so proud.
I’m glad the funeral was so special and paid tribute to your aunt. That’s how it should be.
And I hope you get to enjoy that full month at home, writing and relaxing.
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That conversation is hysterical! Thanks for sharing it.
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That is a funny conversation . My daughter went back to school last Monday then school was canceled Tuesday for tropical storm Fay nothing happened by Thursday I think it was we had all the rain and wind and they still had school.
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I would want to stay home too. LOL on the girls Twilight conversation. My oldest niece(17) is totally into Twilight right now. She is on the final book and plans to finish it before the movie comes out in November. Of course with all of her school work, it might be pushed to the back burner(but I doubt it). Since I have already read the whole series, she is just borrowing my books to finish up(my sister too).
My nieces started back 2 weeks ago. They get out of school in mid-May, so they go back really early.
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12 year old: I want a baby brother
20 year old: no you don’t
12 year old: yeah I do. You always wanted a baby brother
20 year old: Yeah, then I got YOU!
Good luck and happy writing!!!
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Good luck with the book Leslie. I hope everything wraps up quickly and just the way you want it to.
I would have loved to be a fly in your car during some of those conversations. I love listening to my kids when they don’t think I am. I learn so much, sometimes even things I wish I didn’t.
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You’re in the home stretch, Leslie. You’ll make it and then some. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing the funny conversations that your kids had.
Have a great day all,
Cher
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Paula R – If you see this would you please let me know you’re ok. I’m not sure where you are, but for some reason I’m thinking you might be in or near the path of Gustav.
Okay, sorry for the interruption…back to the regularly scheduled topic…..
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Oh those girls must be fun. My grand daughter loves those books by S.Meyers she gobble each one up in less than a day. She returns to school Thursday.
Tomorrow we head home for a couple of weeks and I have a doctors appointment, Thursday, for the progress report on the arm. Wish me luck. I am hoping to get JUST one more month to enjoy what’s left of the summer.
I just finished L.Leigh’s new book, Wild Card. It is a xxx rated scorcher and a very very good story. (really bad boy)
Glad you’re going to get some time at home. There’s no place like home.
Also it’s wonderful to hear you are nearing the end of the book. You are
really growing with each book, as an author, and boy am I excited there is soon to be another. I have truly loved each one better than the last. YUM<YUM! So get busy.
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LOL, Leslie! I foresee similar conversations in my children’s futures… already my oldest says things like, “Mom and Dad, you should have stopped with two!” (The two older ones tend not to appreciate the youngest’s charms at this point in time…)
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Leslie…finished both of your new books over the weekend and they are HOT! I also finished Janelle’s book. Holy cow, couldn’t put it down.
I am taking a mini break from books to catch up on magazines.
I know what you mean about enjoying being home. We were that way in July and June. Nothing like home.
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I had my niece go back to school, I don’t know what was more of a headache her going back to school or having to get her school supplies!
Yeah I rather be a werwolf too
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The Catholic school across the street from me is back today for their first day of school! The quiet summer without all the school traffic is over! Since I’m moving out this week I won’t have it much longer! The public schools in this town started last week and in the nearby town where my girls grew up and went all through school started on August 18th! Pretty much all of Sonoma county is back in school now. Oh yea, the Junior College in Santa Rosa also started recently. That is probably TMI!!
Leslie, after being gone so much it is always nice to be home. I love to leave but am always glad to get back. I hope your writing flows well. It sounds like you are in a really good place with the book.
I love the conversations from the car! It is always fun to listen to them talk to each other.
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My kids are grown so the beginning of school isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be. Although my daughter is now a teacher and still calls to see I want to do the back to school shopping, (She lives in AZ, so no can do)
I’m glad the book is coming together so well, but then I knew it would. :)
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I miss the days of road-tripping to softball tournaments with my daughter! She’s 21 now. She received her AA in Fine Arts (Summa Cum Laude) in May and started back last week on a combined BA/MA in Museum Studies. Her ringtone on my phone is “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” We used to sing that (and other songs) at the top of our lungs in the car. I love the things that come out of kids’ mouths.
So much blackmail material for when they grow up and have their own.
You’re on the home stretch of the book, Leslie. We’re
you on.
I finally located my copy of SLOW HANDS in the TBR pile. (The stack fell over…lol) I stayed up late reading it and can’t wait to get back to it!
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So glad everyone can relate! I swear, it was all I could do to keep my eyes forward and my laughter under my breath hearing the stuff they were saying. I just love their relationship, especially in light of Janelle’s “sister” post yesterday!
And Jodie, what is it with 12 year olds and baby siblings?!? Mine is saying the same thing now…and getting the same response from her older sisters.
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Katie–so glad you were singed by them.
And Jodie, I believe Paula is in South Korea, so she should be fine.
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Leslie – thanks for the update on Paula. I know she’s from Jamaica, and she’d left a post on my blog that when “she got back to the states,” so I was concerned she was in Jamaica again.
Maybe your 12 year old could start babysitting. That might change her mind about wanting a baby brother/sister. My son (started school yesterday) is a teacher assistant to one of the kindergarten teachers. I’m not sue how that happened, it’s one of his electives (only he didn’t do the electing). Anyway, one child screamed and hid under the desk the entire time yesterday. I’m pretty sure that was enough that I’ll never hear from him again that he wants a younger sibling! :happy2:
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School doesn’t start here until next Tuesday.
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Leslie…I loved Sean’s story….I had trouble waiting when he was introduced in the other book…
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Well, school started yesterday. It was a very hectic day. At dismissal–we had a lightening storm, and could not dismiss. I gotta say–these parents are CRAZY! Some days, I wonder why I ever came back to work. sigh.
This is the first year that my kids are comimg to my school and they love it–so that is a bonus.
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School doesn’t start here until after Labor Day (although some of the colleges have), so traffic isn’t bad- however, it is the last week of racing season at Saratoga, so I expect the next few days will get worse.
The conversations they have are always fun. My daughter and I still drive all over together and have some great conversations.
LOL- hubby- what’s that ink all over your arm?
Daughter- what ink?
Hubby- THAT ink!
Daughter- oh, you mean my tatoo??
hubby- yes and the one on your leg too?
Daughter- what leg??
Mind you she has had the one on her leg for over a year. He knew, but just chose to mention it. The one on her arm is a month old. He almost said something once but turned the conversation in another direction.
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Good lick with finishing the book! Love the sibling conversation!
Pat Cochran
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OOPS! That shou;d read good luck, not good lick! But hey, if good lick
helps get the book finished…………….LOL!
Pat Cochran
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:tinitime: :tinitime: :tinitime: :tinitime:
and you are how old
:flower4you: :lips: :hug2: :flower4you: :lips: :hug2:
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Just getting fired up for tomorrow
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Oh my this is it Janelle’s big day!

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Hello everybody…I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend…
Les, good luck with the book…I too feel like the summer just zipped by…this is the first summer besides those spent with the military that I have been away from home so long…the convo in the car ride back is very funny…I loved the last line…I was
Hey Janelle, I hope that you have a wonderful birthday celebration…wanted to get that in just in case I am not able to visit the jungle tomorrow…
Carly, I love the new hair…sorry I missed that discussion too…
Jules, I hope that everything is going well with you…
Well to all the moms and dads who have to send their kids off to school, I hope that this first week without them around every hour or so isn’t empty for you all…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Hey Jodie/Alannah…I AM OKAY…I wasn’t even thinking about the bad weather…I should call my mom and find out if our relatives are okay…thanks for thinking about me…
I will be back in the States on August 31, but I am making a very short stop in Seattle and leaving the next day…I can’t wait to be able to talk to you all during the “normal” times…
Peace and love,
Paula R.