We Will Survive Book Reading

Dear Friends/Family,

At first I was afraid… it’d be my three children and me, but that would’ve been totally okay because I love those little darlings. But then Linda and her husband, Bill came in and I was no longer petrified.

Linda O'Connell and husband, Bill

A man and lady were occupying the room we had reserved, so my daughter kindly informed them of the event and invited them to stay. It turns out he is a writer and they would’ve loved to attend, but they couldn't. 

Critique partner, Sioux and her friend Darice popped in. Carrie (the gelato maker and friend of the family) graced us with her presence too. Then long time friends of my son’s, Martina and Josh surprised us! And last but not least, my older sister, Sue bounced in. My little sister, Ruth and her husband, Bud had every intention of coming, but traffic made it impossible. No worries.

from left to right: Martina, Josh, Darice, Sioux

from left to right: Rita, Jessica, Carrie, Suzanne

We started a little late and I began with a big No-No by saying my story paled compared to others in the book. After the reading was over I was told that my experience… okay, I don’t know the exact words, but I received the message loud and clear, especially after receiving another in private. The sheer kindness of people… well, my heart is more opened and I will be more positive about myself.

When I read, I go into some zone and I read well (there, how’s that for positivity?).

 Lynn Obermoeller

Linda then read her story. I heard comments about how well she read. And of course, she’s a pro.

Linda O'Connell

Linda and I both shared our experience meeting Ms. Gaynor and how it was like sitting with friends… just like what we were doing right then at the reading.

The ugly Christmas sweater meets disco winner clearly belonged to my son, Casey. However, since a lot of folks missed that memo, we put everyone’s name in the drawing and my sister, Suzanne won. She generously and kindly turned to Josh and handed him the book. Josh later admitted that he knew he was going to be the winner, but when his name wasn’t drawn, he was like, oh well. But then when my sister handed him the book, his intuition of being the winner was realized! (I love how those things happen, and watching kindness in action.)

You can't really tell that Casey won the best dressed contest because he took off some of his decorations (a white jacket and white tie and another Christmas scarf wrapped around his neck), but can you see the Christmas lights in his beard?

from left to right: Rita (the baby in the story), me (Lynn), Casey, Jessica

Sioux had given Linda and me a Christmas card with a poem she created replacing the words to "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" with "Oh Come All Ye Writers." Sioux is one of the most hilarious people I know. The three of us belted out the song to Sioux's words. And let me tell you, we can't sing like Gloria Gaynor. The notes and chords that left our lips were funnier than Sioux's words to the song.

Seven more books were sold! Thank you! And the proceeds of the sales will go to a local shelter for abused women. If anyone knows of one, suggestions are welcome. I have a few (as in two) more books for sale and if you're interested, contact me at lober13(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll donate that money as well. I spied some copies at STL Books in Kirkwood, MO so you can always purchase a copy there... if you're local to the area.

Here's what you would have received as a gift for attending...

Handmade ornament with "We Will Survive... 2013" printed inside along with some glittery stuff

But because the holidays made it hard for those to attend, if you again email me that you've purchased a book, I will send you an ornament... while they last.

From the top and the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your loving support and kindness.

And know that we all will survive… somehow.

left to right: Lynn Obermoeller and Linda O'Connell

We Will Survive Book Reading Christmas Event

Dear Friends and Family,

By now, you all know about We Will Survive... here's the latest on an upcoming event.

(Click on flyer to enlarge)

Chicken Soup Signing Cancelled, but Handmade Marketplace Craft Show Still On

Dear Friends and Family,

The Chicken Soup for the Soul book signing at Main Street Books has been cancelled due to the snowy weather (although the book store may be open, best to call and check), however, if you are the adventurous type, you can still head to the Handmade Marketplace Craft Show but it starts at 12 Noon now instead of 9 AM.

Check back for details about the We Will Survive reading on Monday, December 23!

Christmas Meets Disco and Chicken Soup and Crafts

Dear Friends and Family,

First let me say that the book signing with Cathi LaMarche, Alice Muschany, Linda O'Connell and myself (we four St. Louis writers) who are honored to be in Gloria Gaynor's new release, We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song was a complete success. Thank you everyone!!! We sold out the store's copies in the first hour and had to run to our cars and grab our own personal stash. A good signing I'm told is selling 7-10 copies. We sold 32! Plus the four I was going to pick up for a friend, that makes 36! You can also check us out in St. Louis Today (Post-Dispatch).

I was completely overwhelmed and at one point forgot how to write my name. After the event, I received an email from a grade school friend, Eddie who said, "Lynn, you looked so happy." I felt more nervous than happy, but after I thought about it, I was happy. So many friends and relatives came to support me, it made my heart sing... which is why my head can't stop singing, "I Will Survive"- it's been playing non-stop since.

Here's a few pictures from the event:

Cathi LaMarche, Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller, Alice Muschany

 Kim Coleman (an amazing survivor herself), Lynn Obermoeller

Here we are again with Donna Volkenannt in the background

I know some of you wanted to attend and had other commitments, so here's another chance only this will be a little different, hence the title of the blog post Christmas Meets Disco. On Monday, December 23 at 7:00 PM head on over to The Gelateria where Linda and I will read our stories and you can also get your signed copies of We Will Survive or bring in your copy to have it signed. And not only that, we're giving away a copy for the best dressed Christmas Meets Disco outfit. Add to the fun, you'll receive a free ornament especially designed by yours truly if you come to the event. The Gelateria has food and drink so come straight from work and relax, treat yourself and have a good time. I heard there will be chocolate too. But remember, if the weather is bad we'll be cancelling, so check back here for updates.


I'm in a critique group with four lovely ladies--Linda O'Connell, Sioux Roslawski, Tammy Goodsell and Beth Wood. They, along with some other local writers, will be signing books from various (new) Chicken Soup titles this Saturday, December 14 at Main Street Books in St. Charles. From 11-1 you can see Cathi LaMarche and Nina Miller. From 1-3 you'll spot Linda O'Connell, Tammy Goodsell and Theresa Sanders. From 3-5 get a look at Sioux Roslawski and Beth Wood. Bring a canned good and you will get a discount on your purchase. A win-win, you're helping feed someone in need and saving a few bucks.

And if you're still itching for some unique holiday gifts to buy, you can also head over to the St. Charles Community College where my daughter will be displaying her hand-made goodies. Lots of other crafters too. That's from 9-4. Make a day of it, that's what I plan to do. And if you can't make the craft fair, but still want some home-made goodies, check out Rita's egabragcrafts.com!

Christmas Meets Disco

The Gelateria

3197 S. Grand

St. Louis, MO

Monday, December 23

7:00 PM

Chicken Soup

Main Street Books

307 South Main

St. Charles, MO

Saturday, December 14

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Handmade Marketplace Craft Fair

St.Charles Community College Gymnasium

4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.

Cottleville, MO 63376

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

And the Winner is...

Dear Friends and Family,

We have a winner...

MARY

Congratulations Mary and if you email me your address, I will make sure you get your copy of We Will Survive.  My email is: lober13(at)gmail(dot)com.  However, if you come by to the signing today, I'll make sure you get the book!

Thank you everyone... stay tuned for highlights from the book signing!

xo

Book Give-A-Way, We Will Survive

Here’s a chance to win your copy of Gloria Gaynor’s new release, We Will Survive, if you haven't already purchased one. But even if you have, it will make a nice Christmas gift.

This copy will be signed by four St. Louis authors—yes, four of us (Linda O’Connell, Cathi LaMarche, Alice Muschany and myself) have our stories of survival in We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song.

I’m going to pick a winner before Saturday, December 7 because that way if you don’t win, you’ll have a chance to get your own signed copy from us four at Barnes & Noble, Mid Rivers Center Drive, St. Peters, MO from 1-3:00 PM on Saturday, December 7.

And if you cant make the book signing, there’s a rumor that Linda and myself will be reading our stories at the Gelateria on Monday, December 23 at 7:00 PM. Books will be available for purchase, along with other fun give-a-ways. Weather permitting, so check back here to make sure it’s on.

December is a busy month and if you don’t have time for any of the above, hop on over to Amazon and purchase a copy… I’ll still sign it for you, if you want.

Okay, so how do you win a copy? Just comment on this blog post. And if you tell a friend and they comment and mention your name, I’ll put you in the drawing twice!

Hurry, you only have four days… I’ll announce the winner on Saturday morning.

Oh, and check out the cool letters made out of books that my gradeschool BFF gave me… can’t get much cuter than that. Thanks Susan!

A Few Things You Should Know For Thanksgiving Plus a Bonus

Dear Friends and Family,  
 

Did you know baked pie scraps, when put in your mouth right from the oven causes your saliva to sizzle? Or that tablecloths shrink an inch every year? My table setting has wooden race stripes on each side that grows wider each year. And ‘If you build it, they will come’ doesn’t work for Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps I need to ask folks over sooner than the day before. And another thing, always, always share your recipes with guests, that way if you are no longer living, the person who is trying to perfect your recipe will not curse you every year. And finally, make sure you remove your hair net before your spouse comes home, unless you like to be razzed silly.  
 

Not on the silly side:  

Gloria Gaynor’s new book, We Will Survive will be released on December 1^st. Four St. Louis writers (Linda O’Connell, Alice Muschany, Cathi LaMarche and myself) have stories in the book! 
   

We’d love for you to join us four St. Louis writers at a book signing event and here are the details:
 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

1-3 PM

Barnes & Noble, Mid River

320 Mid Rivers Center Drive

St. Peters, MO  63376

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving... with love.

Old Habits Die Hard

What does that mean, old habits die hard? I figured it meant that some habits are hard to die, right? But I want to know how to form a habit that is hard to die. And who says it only takes three weeks to establish a habit? Why, when I do something like exercise or not eat sugary substances for more than three weeks and come week four, I could take one bite of sugar or skip one day of exercise and it’s all over. My little sister complains about the same thing, she says she could do something for three years, miss one day, and boom, done. Habit over. Doesn’t seem to die hard to me. My little sister and I share that gene.

I really do want to establish a good routine for exercising and staying away from sugary substances. I’ll hear all the usual responses, but I want to know the real trick to make those two things—those habits—to die hard.

LA Time

No, that’s not LA Times, it’s LA Time… funny how just one letter can make the difference, right? This is the time I was in LA this past September for my son’s 30th birthday.

We surprised him. He had no idea that his two sisters, Rita and Jessica and his momma were coming. Can you tell?

Casey at Glitch - "What?"

It took him a while for the realization to sink in that we were going to be bombarding him for a week. I kept a journal for him and gave it to him after I got back and pasted all the goodies in it. I’ll see if I can condense it. I wrote close to 80 pages. Egads, I can ramble.

The first morning we walked to Venice Grind—a coffee house Casey frequents to do his daily drawings and writing.

 I was trying to be artsy with my camera and I told Casey to get entangled in the vines.

He was such a good sport to humor me.

 

We took a trip downtown—took the train, went to Grand Park, walked downtown.

 Casey, Jessica and Rita - "Oh Mom do you have to take another picture.

 At Grand Park looking at City Hall.

 Rita, Jessica, Casey - They thought if they had their back to me, I wouldn't snap a picture.

 Casey, Rita and Jessica - Can you see the excitement of yet another picture?

We made cupcakes for Casey’s birthday that look like him.

 These cupcakes got devoured along with the gooey butter cake. We shared with Casey's students 

and with the folks at Glitch City.

 

On his birthday we went to Tescayloa Canyon and took a hike. Nearly killed me, but it was worth the struggle. It was beautiful. I didn't have my camera for the canyon. But here are a few shots of Casey on this 30th.

 Casey on his birthday

 Casey cracking up seeing the gift Rita gave him. Marshmellow guy from Ghostbusters. 

When Casey was little, he LOVED Ghostbusters.

We went to Venice one day. Hung out at Cow’s End until the sun was setting. We then walked the pier. We tried to reach the water’s edge before the sun went completely down, but I went down instead. Tripped, and in slow motion I fell flat in the sand. Casey hollered, “Mom down!” We missed getting to the edge, but I snapped a photo for the boy who helped his mother rather than leaving me behind.

 Jessica, Casey, Rita - finally they cooperated a bit with the camera.

 Mom down

Sunset at Venice

 Casey

One evening, we went to Glitch City. A community space that my son and several other young men share… where they work on their future games. On certain Wednesday’s it’s game night. Open to the public. Everyone comes to play board games or video games. This evening two young gentlemen were trying out a new game and they needed 10 participants. I was one. Two people were vampires and eight were humans. No one knew who was who but the idea was if you were a vampire you wanted to infect the humans. If you were human, you wanted to gain points. In both instances, you “touched” someone. Long story, but I was a vampire. I convinced my daughter Jessica that I was human and then she did the rest… started infecting others, convincing them that positively she was safe because her momma wouldn’t lie to her. Bah. Lying was kind of what the game was all about… so the winner was whatever human received the most points (for every touch) or if the vampires were able to infect everyone. Eight out of ten became infected (not bad—thanks Jessica!), but some little human won! However, it was fun. Although the rest of the evening Jessica snarled at me like a vampire.

On another night we went to Otis College of Art & Design, where my son attended college and where he now teaches. It was open figure drawing. I never did this before. I have very little experience drawing, so trust me when I say I was completely intimated with all these fantastic artists. I’d look around and be floored by the talent. I gave it my best shot and had a fabulous time.

There I am with my figure drawings at Glitch

 

One night at Glitch City was “show and tell.” These young men hold themselves accountable by giving a five-minute presentation on what they accomplished for the week. Casey’s family was invited to join in so I presented my figure drawings. Let me tell you that was bold on my account and everyone there was way kind. I was blown away by seeing all the things these young men created. OMG.

We hit a lot of different eating establishments, went to a farmers market, and hung out together. It was a good time and I hope Casey will have fond memories of his 30th. I know I did.

 Mom and Casey the day we left.

All of us the day we left.

We Will Survive

For all you Kindle lovers out there, this month is your opportunity to get We Will Survive in your hot little hands. The book isn’t going to be released until December 1, 2013, but Amazon decided to start a new program by selecting four books each month for early release. Gloria Gaynor’s We Will Survive was the only non-fiction book chosen. You can get We Will Survive on Kindle First for $1.99 or if you are already a preferred member, you can get it free.

But don’t worry – all you folks who love to physically handle a book or if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still purchase a paper copy. You can pre-order or you can come to a book signing on Saturday, December 7, 1-3 at Barnes & Noble  at 320 Mid River Center Drive in St. Peters, MO. 

No, Gloria won’t be there, but four local writers (myself included) will be there. Yes, four of us (out of 40 from all over the world) have stories in this book. I think that says something for us Midwest writers… either that or we love the power of song and we know how to dig in our heels and survive… all kinds of situations.

Mark your calendars now as December is a busy time… and say hello to Cathi LaMarche, Alice Muschany, Linda O’Connell and me!

Don't Forget Elaine Viets Mystery Book Signing

I posted about Elaine Viets Mystery Book Signing that will help The Lupus Foundation of America. So go to the blog now and get the details... it's just next week, Thursday, November 7!

And here's no mystery.... Happy Halloween to all my readers!  Read Lisa's post about her Howl-O-Weenie experience.

And Happy Birthday Frank-enstein!!!! You know who you are!

It's All About Family

It’s official – my article, “It’s Genetic” will be featured in the upcoming Not Your Mother’s Book… On Family.

Publication release for this book is March 2014, so you’ll be hearing more about it as it gets closer.

I’m excited to share a story about my siblings. It began in 1994. My older sister, Sue invited her siblings (Warren, Ruth and me) to a St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game. Just the four of us. We had such fun together that we decided to do something every year… just the siblings and we haven’t missed a “Sibling Day” since. You can read about an incident that occurred on one of those special days in this publication.

Don’t you just love the cover?

Elaine Viets Mystery Book Signing Helps Lupus

For all you readers and writers out there, or those looking to help support a good cause, I thought you might be interested in this book signing event with Elaine Viets -- native of St. Louis, Missouri where the event takes place. A portion of the proceeds goes to The Lupus Foundation of America. My brother went to high school with Elaine. (This is a St. Louis thing--"Where'd you go to high school?") I had the pleasure of listening to her at the Missouri Writers' Guild where she was the guest speaker and caused the audience to laugh silly. I'm honored to be in the same anthology with her, Storm Country, where Elaine was kind enough to help support that project for the Joplin Tornado victims. I was at another event Elaine did helping yet another cause. And those are the ones I know about! My cousin has Lupus, so I would love to be there, but I will be out of town. I will be purchasing a copy of her book. After all, it's signed and it helps a great cause. This is a win-win if you ask me.

"Pay With Your Attention."

“Pay with your attention.” was quoted by a friend in a spiritual discussion. 

Good food for thought.

Anyone else have some good food for thought?

Tripping

Sometimes I’m a bit clutsy. Hard to believe, I know, I mean with all that grace going on in me. Not. I carry more than humanly possible to keep from going up and down the steps. Not sure why because heaven knows I could use the exercise. I don’t remember anymore what I had in my hands, but before I got to the top of the steps, I tripped.

Everything I carried, flung across the hardwood floor at the top landing while my body morphed into the steps. I teetered between laughing and crying. The pain in my leg, arms and fingers throbbed—not just a teeny throb, but a broken-bone-kind-of-throb. I couldn’t look at the disfigurement, so I put my head on the steps and bawled like a baby. I thought I sounded rather pitiful, but the noise didn’t send hubby running.

I heard him through my wailing, “Did you fall?”

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.” A whiney-cry all in one.

It felt like hours before hubby mosey’d on over, picking up all the goods that were sprawled on the floor. He then says, “Do you have shoes on?”

If I could’ve gotten up and thrown something at him, I would’ve. I’m claiming it was the shoes that caused me to trip, thank you very much.

“Yes, I have shoes on.” But how about, Honey, are you okay? Let me help you. Did you hurt yourself?

His early Marine training days clearly keeps him in the “tough it up soldier” mode. I’m pretty sure that man’s arm could be dangling from his shoulder, but not the right way mind you, and he’d refuse to go to the doctor and he’d tell me it’ll be fine. Now that’s tripping.

Chocolate, It's Like...

I was on the phone with a friend and the subject of chocolate came up. She said, “Chocolate. Oh that’s like crack.”

I busted a gut. This friend hasn’t touched a drug in her life… other than something prescribed by a doctor. Her tone was so matter of fact as if she had been a crack addict and undoubtedly knew chocolate and crack were one in the same as far as its addictive qualities and staying away from it.

How do you capture the way someone expresses something in that exact same way? I doubt any of you reading this are going to crack up (oh bad pun) in the same way that I did. Are there some things writing can’t live up to? What do you think?

Writing to me is like chocolate… like crack… can’t get enough. I’ve never touched crack either, but I do understand addiction… especially the chocolate variety.

Strange Folk Festival!

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Don’t forget… Strange Folk Festival this weekend! Saturday, September 28^th and Sunday September 29^th from 10AM to 6PM. There will be vendors with their handmade items, food, music, activities for kids, a 5K race…

29^th at O’Fallon Community Park in O’Fallon, IL – check out the website: StrangeFolkFestival.com

 

Happy 30th Birthday Casey

--> Thirty years ago today I gave birth to my firstborn, my son Casey. I’m in California celebrating, with his two sisters, Rita and Jessica. Casey’s lived here for 10 years, and this is my third visit. Bad mommy.

I was due on September 1^st with Casey. That date came and went. After being three weeks past due, my doctor decided to induce labor, so on September 21^st I was scheduled. The nurses did their thing hooking me up to whatever it was that induces labor (hey, it’s been 30 years, I can’t remember what it was) and I was happy and on my way. The machine had a needle that indicated how strong the contraction was and when it was all they way at 10 (1 through 10 – and 10 being the strongest), I flapped my jaws wondering what all the fuss was about being in labor. This is a piece of cake. After an entire day, it became clear that inducing wasn’t working, so they took me off the machine. I guess that stuff jacked me up as they had to give me morphine to make me sleep as the baby was stressed or something. They assured me the drug would not harm the baby at all. I had serious doubts. I wanted to go el-naturale. It’s a bit of a blur, but at some point the real contractions took place. When the “one” felt like the previous “ten," I knew I was in trouble. I don’t know how many hours went by before I begged for any kind of drug. I’m pretty sure I told Casey’s dad to get a gun and put me out of my misery if the doctor didn’t give me something!

42 ½ hours later, out came Casey… on his dad’s birthday no less. That’s what I get when I joked to Casey’s dad, “Oh maybe I’ll have the baby on your birthday.” 

When I saw that beautiful baby with a full head of hair and my heart felt love like no other, I knew I’d do it all again, regardless of the pain.

Happy Birthday Casey!

Strange Folk Festival

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Looking for some fun and maybe even shop early for Christmas. I know, I know… but just think, a place to get a handmade gift—not the usual mall store-bought stuff. Plus, not only are there a ton of vendors selling their handmade items, but there’s food, and music. They have things going on for kids... projects that they can do. There's a 5K race, Running With Scissors 5K race, if you're into exercise! Grab a friend or two and head on out next weekend… on Saturday, September 28^th and 29^th at O'Fallon Community Park in O'Fallon, IL. Just 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis!

Stop by Egabrag Crafts—my daughter Rita’s booth, where I’ll be giving her a helping hand.

Check out the website: Strange Folk Festival for all the details.

Here's their press release...