Girly Girl by Author Kristin Billerbeck

I'm on Top of the World!

This is the hike I normally do by myself or with a friend, who moves as slowly as I do. Yesterday, my daughter came alone -- and practically killed me. Why do 11-year olds think Mom should RUN up a hill?

Doesn't the fact that I SIT and write all day have any bearing on her mercy? Apparently, it does not. But I love this triumphant shot because I'm behind her gasping for air and she's raring to go. Aging. One of the cruelties of life. Aging beside your energetic daughter? Hateful.

We're taking a mommy/daughter yoga class. Because downward facing dog at home always gets me a face full of doggy kisses. Maybe I can redeem myself. You think?

We biked today. I did better at biking. Yay!

Memorial Day -- Remember

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, which is about more than just having BBQs and a day off. When I head up to San Francisco, there is a giant military graveyard in San Bruno along the way. The headstones seemingly go on forever and since I was a child, I have always been silenced by that view. By how many men had to die for me to be able to drive freely up to San Francisco and have a great time. Don't forget the price of freedom tomorrow. Thank a veteran.

The Woman in Black -- FINALLY A Review

I finally got to see "The Woman in Black" -- no one would go with me to see it, as my friends are all chickens apparently, so I waited for the DVD and bought it on sale yesterday.

It was everything I wanted it to be: a good psychological thriller where your mind does most of the fear-factor. I am not a horror fan, but I do love a good psychological thriller that messes with your head.

So the box says, "Do not watch it alone." But you see, I had no choice. (Can I get some boo-hoos of sympathy here?)

As for the first question everyone seems to ask: "How was Harry Potter in another role?"

I have no idea as I have never seen a Harry Potter movie. I know, but I just have no interest. So the answer was, Radcliffe was great. Maybe a little melancholy. Better yet?? CAPTAIN WENTWORTH baby! Ciaran Hinds is in it. He is just the perfect hero and this movie proved no different.

So I snuggled up in my bed with the covers pulled tightly up and my TV isn't all that big, so my oldest comes in and I tell him, "I'm watching my movie, you're going to not like it." But he gets sucked in and here's the really funny part, he jumps at this scene and I ask him, "Was something scary? Because if it was, I missed it."

"Didn't you see the face and the kids?"

I hadn't. Apparently, scary movies are less scary with age. So we rewind and I too, jumped at the face staring back at me through the drawings. Then my other son comes in. Now we're all sucked in and let's face it, once you start watching a creepy movie, you can't really move because the ghosts will get you if you get off the bed. Everyone KNOWS this. So we all sit through the rest.

The ending scene is really creepy. Again, creepier when my kids pointed out the dead on a passing train that I apparently missed the first time. My guess is that the book doesn't end this way because storywise, it doesn't make sense. But if you're up for a good psychological thriller, this one won't let you down. But there are some disturbing scenes with the dead. Which I suppose is why no one would go with me in the first place.

But Ciaran Hinds is in it. : ) Isn't it funny, no matter how old he gets, all you can see is Captain Wentworth? Or is that just me?

Justin Bieber -- Want his T-Shirt

I love the sentiment of this T-shirt. It's so true, isn't it? The have-tos of life get wearing. I somehow imagine Justin Bieber has less have-tos than the rest of us, but that's hardly the point.

My kids have to wash cars to raise money for their houseboats' trip today and it's FREEZING out -- at least for us Californians.

Perspective...

I have two sets of friends who are on vacation together. One of them lives in the midwest. One in Florida. Now they met in a part of Florida that to the midwesterners is a bit...shall we say, sketchy. So naturally, I hear about this vacation from each person and it just made me laugh out loud how they viewed it so differently.

Florida friend: "Hey Kristin, let's move here. Look at this place!" Along with a link to a gorgeous condo.

Midwest Friend: "It was pretty scary. I slept with my loaded gun under the pillow."

LOL I have to admit, I'd be more inclined to be like the Florida friend. I live in the city. People just look sketchy. Of course, no one in their right mind would give me a gun anyway.

Obama Teases Beckham

Okay, Obama has a sense of humor. This is supposed to be funny, but I can't tell you why it raises my ire? Maybe because Beckham should be carved in stone? Apparently, Obama asked Beckham why all the facial hair? Then, made fun of his age saying half the Galaxy could be his kids.

Seriously? Is Obama jealous of the fact that Beckham looks like a Greek god?

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/david-beckham-to-send-obama-big-box-of-underwear/

There's a pic of Obama and Beckham, but why would I mess up a perfectly good shot of Beckham?

Free piece of advice, Obama: If you want the soccer mom vote, don't mess with Beckham.

Ashley Stockingdale Update

Yesterday, while the kids swam, I sat at the pool and read my own book, "With this Ring, I'm Confused" -- as if that wasn't weird enough, I didn't remember any of it. I am a long way from Ashley Stockingdale, so I think finding her voice is going to be more difficult than I'd planned.

I usually begin writing with the first line. When I have the fist line, I know where the character is going, but that can take time. My characters have attitude and they will not be rushed.

It's Girls' Night with my childhood friends, so maybe I'll get my giggly on with that. I really appreciate everyone's suggestions already! And thanks to Nicki who has offered to read the first chapter when it exists.

My Daughter has "the Gift"

Honestly, I don't know where I got this skill, but I can generally pick out a designer. I'm sort of the "go-to" gal for fellow writers when they need information on "What kind of wedding dress would a traditional, wealthy bride wear?"

Or..."What kind of handbag would a NYC society woman carry?"

So today, I see this gorgeous wedding gown on "The View" and I taped it so Elle could see it. I thought she'd love the beading and the shape. (I know her tastes.)

I just showed it to her, and she said, "Yeah, I've seen that before."

So I stop the DVR before it finishes, "Then, who designed it?"

"It's a Lazaro."

It was. My useless gift lives on...

Real Housewives' Gretchen: Clock is Ticking

Gretchen is saying she's ready for babies. She's not, however, ready to marry Slade. Nor his debt. Nor his baggage.

There's an ex-wife out there saying, "Really? Really now, you look like that and you pick a guy who must reverse his vasectomy, which face it, most of Orange County would have gladly paid for in the first place, to have a child? A guy who owes me a small fortune and doesn't see his sick child? THIS is the guy you want?"

If he's not good enough to marry, the chances of him being good enough to father your children are not great. I understand that it's hard to think practically when you're in love. I guess I'm just confused as to how you got there in the first place?

Anyone?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/usshowbiz/article-2149581/Real-Housewife-Gretchen-Rossi-34-wants-baby-right--getting-boyfriend-reverse-vasectomy.html

Ever have one of those mornings?

I woke up early for a radio interview. I like to get dressed, put on makeup, yada, yada, yada before I do an interview. It just makes you feel more professional, am I right?

But this morning, my friend, God love her, texts me a video of her day on the beach. (Thank you, I'm SO not there.) So while chatting, I lose track of time, and I end up doing the interview "not pretty" -- we all like our pretty on, right?

What's worse is that I'm a little worse for the wear this a.m. because Elle was doing my hair last night, so I woke up with what you'd call, ELECTRIC bed head. As in someone stuck my finger in a socket. Which is no big deal. It's radio.

I make my espresso, and the little pod gets stuck in the machine, so I'm wrestling with it when the phone rings. There's a flaw in my plan. NO ONE is gone yet, so there is absolutely nowhere to do this interview except in the bathroom. And I don't want to sound like I'm in the bathroom because that would be weird. So I go outside. Where my dog promptly follows me and nudges her ball at me.

So if I sound sidetracked it's because I'm trying to keep my dog from barking. After the interview, my phone rings. There's a new program I'm going to be doing where I'm conducting classes and roundtable discussions. The guy from NYC calls this morning to show me how this works.

SHOW being the operative word. Now, I have never met this guy...but as we're talking and I click through the "how-to" there is ME on a Skype sort of image with my hair everywhere, no makeup on and my jammy shirt. There is just no better way to meet someone new than to suddenly be thrust into a Skype call at your worst.

Ugh. It's 8:50 a.m. and I'm over this day. I'm ready to be in Nashville with the girls...