Thursday, April 15, 2010

I did it! I did it!



I did it! I did it! I completed a goal I wanted to do since I knew it was available. I went to a book signing yesterday in Victoria Gardens which is located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at Border's Books to get my book, Eat the Cookie...Buy the Shoes by Joyce Meyer signed.

Before I left, let me tell you I was not having a great day but decided to take a pain pill before leaving for the 45 minute car ride to do this. Steve agreed to drive me and our kids chose to stay home.



When we arrived the book signing wasn't scheduled to start until 6pm but at 5:15pm, the line was already around the building, so Steve dropped me off while he went to park. This is a picture Steve took from the entrance of Borders to where I was standing. Trust me, you can't find me, I was that far back!

People were coming and going inside Border's books to purchase the copy of the book which was just published on Tuesday. I had decided since I had two Advance Reader Copies of the books, I would bring both just in case she would sign multiple copies. In addition, I had two more books, The Penny and Simple Prayer along for more good measure. I mean signed books mean more to you right?

So while I waited some women in line were proceeding to read their copies in line and asked how I got mine in paperback form. I had to explain what they were and how I got mine being a book reviewer. That lead into discussions about blogging and why I was there. I was asked how I rated her book a 3 star, 4 star, and then I said confidently, "Trust me, it's a 5 star book and one you will love!"

An employee from Borders came out to tell us based on the number of people waiting to have their books signed that Joyce would not be personalizing them but just signing them instead and they would only be signing books purchased from Borders that day.

Well we shall see about that! I am one determined lady don't they understand I blog about things like this. I mean you're reading it right? Then another lady made a comment about why I had so many other books with me and I said, "Well I am hoping that if she will sign one, she may sign the rest. It can't hurt to ask and the worse thing she can say is No, right?" Then I heard, "See we should have brought our other books."



After waiting almost 1 hour and 45 minutes we finally made our way to her table. The line literally wound its way inside the store so it really took so much longer than you would think. Yet in spite of it all, I got to shake hands and talk to both Dave and Joyce.



I think my nerves got the best of me, because I just thanked her for all she was doing and for taking the time to sign all my books. She smiled at me and said, "Thanks for buying all my books!"



I got my picture with Joyce but again because there were literally so many pictures it was literally an assembly line. I have to say Joyce was amazing being so patient with so many people and the entire process took her well over 2 hours of non stop signing as fast as the lady could. As she was signing one of mine, she laughed and said, "I'm forgetting how to sign my name!"



Also by the time we had waited in line for about an hour, Borders employees announced that all copies of Eat the Cookies...Buy the Shoes was sold out. So people started to buy any Joyce Meyer's book that they could.

After we finished Steve and I went to dinner at P.F. Changs one of my favorite restaurants as a date night. On the way home, I took two more pain pills because I was going to double over, but you know what, you couldn't erase the smile on my face that day all the way home. I did it! I achieved a life goal and the start of something really amazing in my life, once the recovery process is complete.

There was no way, no matter how much pain I was in, was I going to miss my time with Ms. Joyce! I simply love her too much! Thanks Joyce Meyer for taking time to do this for me!

28 comments:

Danae Hudson said...

That is awesome! I'm so glad you got to go. It's always so nice to cross something off of your list!! :)

Denise said...

Really nice.

Angel said...

Wow, that is exciting. Sorry for your pain, but it sure sounds like it paid off!! I have never been able to get one of my books signed, not in person anyway. How cool!! Hopefully, you rested a lot today!! Love you! Angel

Andrea said...

WOW..what a privilege. I am thankful you had this opportunity. She is an awesome lady. Hope you are doing well, today.
Hugs,
andrea

PS: You look great in the picture!

Debbie Petras said...

I'm so glad you had this opportunity to meet Joyce Meyer and get your books signed. I can only imagine you waiting in line that long after recently having your surgery. You must be a big Joyce Meyer fan; lol.

I also wanted to let you know that I received my copy of the book "Lunch in Paris" that I won from you. Thank you so much! I skimmed through it and it looks so good!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Please take care of yourself and don't overdo it. Sorry I'm sounding like a nurse. :)

Hugs,
Debbie

Deborah Ann said...

Wow, good for you! I would be thrilled to meet her!

Cathy said...

I'm so glad you reached your goal and that she was so sweet to sign them for you. Awesome!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

What a wonderful opportunity! I'd love to meet her one day.

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

What an exciting day for you my friend. And how happy you must have been when she signed all of your books. I hope you weren't in to much pain and you are able to rest now!
Have a blessed day!
Kim

Mari said...

That's so cool! I stood in a line like that once to meet and have a CD signed by Michael W Smith. It was worth the wait!

Thena said...

So awesome that you got to go. She is a great writer and speaker.

Jane In The Jungle said...

YAY You made it!!!!
So glad to see you there with her.

And PF Chang is a personal favorite of mine also!!

Saleslady371 said...

Wow, that's determination! So glad you made it!

Samantha said...

Wow, that is so awesome !
So glad you were able to stand in that long line and got them all signed !
Blessings to you sweet friend.

Steph T. said...

Can't stop a determined woman of God!!! I am soo happy God blessed you today! Hope you are feeling better though.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

You go girl! So proud of you, Kat!
You have spunk, that's for sure!
Now rest up :)

xo, misha

p.s. you won't believe this, but my verify word is "pain"!!!!!!!

Mich said...

Fun! Good for you! what an inspiring woman of God to be able to meet.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I am so happy for you. How awesome was that trip. I love P.F. Changes too! I just love Victoria Gardens.

Unknown said...

So excited for you! I got my book in the mail yesterday! Thank you so much!

Beth Herring said...

I am glad that you got to go and meet joyce. I pray that you didn't overdo and pay for it later! ha!

RCUBEs said...

I'm glad that you did it sister Kat! That's amazing! And you had a great dinner after :) Blessings.

Billy Coffey said...

What an awesome experience! I'm glad you hung in there. Wow, what a line of people that was.

Darcie said...

I am so glad it worked out for you Kat! What a thrill for you and so many others!!

Girly Muse said...

What a fun experience! You DID it!!!
Now praying for NO MORE PAIN! But glad you had something so fun to smile about. XO

Musings of A Minister said...

Orchids to you! Fantastic! I'm proud of you. Great post. As I have told you before I usually don't read long posts but I read this one. Great pictures. My wife is going to review this book.

Loren said...

aaaaaaaaaa!!! (that is me screaming a joyful scream!!!)
How awesome is this! I am sooo thrilled for you and am glad you were able to go and then have a date night! I know where we will go when we are together!!!

I was at Barnes & Noble the other day with Jantzen and they had a long line too so I asked who was signing their book. It was Trisha Yearwood signing her new cookbook....I said, OH, I live in the same town as her and see her and Garth all the time :) but I was happy so many turned out for her!

Love you

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

How AWESOME! I love Joyce Meyer, she is a HOOT!

Glad to were able to meet them!

Blessings~
Laura

Crown of Beauty said...

Oh you dear one determined lady, Kat...you did it! ANd I surely envy you. I just love JOyce Meyer...and are you going to do a give away of the duplicate signed book of hers?

I hope for another time you will accept international addresses... so I can join this giveaway too
(I am so looking forward to going on my Daniel Fast, based on the book I got from you!)

Blessings on your day, dear Kat. Bless you for having been so brave that day, standing in line for hours.

Love
Lidj