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You know what’s fun? New mascara, book clubs, deodorant, Peyton Manning… I could go on.

August 3, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner 11 Comments

Know what's fun?

You know what’s fun? Being invited to attend a book club when your own book is the book of the month. Know what’s even funner (besides saying funner)? Arriving the night before only to discover you left all your makeup at home. Cue sarcasm. First world problem, I know, I know, but still…

Here’s the thing. Once you start wearing makeup in the ninth grade, it becomes a slight addiction, a minor vice. There’s always that next pot of magical cream that will make you look a wee bit more youthful/taller/thinner/smarter/funner/whatever… And when you don’t wear it people say, “Oh honey, you look so tired. Are you okay?”

Honey my foot.

So you keep wearing it.

This is how it all went down (lest you think being a writer is all glamour and glitter)…

Sunday afternoon: 

I drove to Little Rock for the Saline County Monday Afternoon Book Club. Around eleven p.m. the night before the event, I discovered that I left my “face” back home, three hours away in Fayetteville. So at eleven p.m., I rushed over to Walgreens and snagged a few basic necessities so I wouldn’t look completely dead the next day.

Maybe she’s born with it? Maybe she bought some Maybelline?

maybelline

 

Yeah, I’m calling this my Maybelline Accidental Salvation Makeup Kit. Maybe I’ll leave it in my car for future such emergencies.

Monday morning:

I enjoyed a nice hotel breakfast that included bacon and lots of coffee with those yummy, individual vanilla creamers. The free wi-fi flowed, and I worked on an article that’s due soon. I showered in plenty of time for my noon checkout, played around with my new makeup which I liked surprisingly well for such a quick purchase, and discovered rather quickly that I left my deodorant at home, too.

Ugh.

Monday afternoon:

I concentrated as best I could on not sweating as I loaded my suitcase back into my car, but it was blazing HOT, like already 95 degrees in the parking lot and 186 degrees inside my car. For the second time in less than twelve hours, I drove (the back way this time because I’m a regular) to Walgreens and bought clinical strength deodorant and two huge bottles of Smart Water, in the off chance it works.

I parked behind Walgreens, right beside a Budweiser truck, and swiped on my Dove.

dove

Baby, it was hot outside and a beer was beginning to sound really, really good. I took a swig of Smart Water instead then drove a mile or so to the library.

What a lovely event—a packed house. Thank goodness for my Maybelline Accidental Salvation Emergency Kit. Most of the folks had read my book, and everyone came armed with thoughtful questions. One lady wore her Gracie Lee t-shirt, and she was a Baylor alum. Discovering another Bear in the wild is always an exciting thing because instantly we have a #BearsofBaylor kinship.

Afterwards, I spent some time with my sister’s best friend, Donna, and her adorable dog, Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning

No matter how crazy my behind-the-scenes day began, I realize that any day I’m invited to talk to readers about my book is the BEST sort of day.

Thank you Ann Hall, Charlene Creech, and the Saline County Monday Afternoon Book Club!

Book signing

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Thank you @Maybelline for saving my face. @SCLibrary #TheAccidentalSalvationofGracieLee [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Miranda Lambert, Vice (my absolute favorite new song!)

 

Filed Under: Humor, Life Tagged With: book club, Maybelline, Saline County Library, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    August 3, 2016 at 8:32 am

    What an interesting trip you had. I met Peyton several years ago. (Gabby didn’t like him much.) Traveling with you has been a lot of fun this year. Funner than a lot of years.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 3, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Definitely funner than others.

      Reply
  2. Ann Hall says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Thank you for sharing “Gracie Lee” with our book club! Everyone enjoyed your reading & discussion! Come see us again & happy writing! Ann

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 3, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Thank you, Ann! It was my pleasure.

      Reply
  3. Gary D. Henderson says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Peyton Manning is a lot shorter than I remember… 😉

    Reply
  4. Talya Tate Boerner says

    August 3, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    I know, right?

    Reply
  5. Martha Orlando says

    August 3, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    Funner, indeed! Love your humor, Talya, and so glad the book club event went well for you.
    Blessings!

    Reply
  6. Fay Guinn says

    August 3, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    One of your best blogs! ? I can so relate. I don’t leave the house without the “face.” Unless I have on BIG sunglasses and lipstick. The daughter of a friend saw me au naturale one time and told her mother I looked sick. Learned my lesson. Love the name of your kit. The twins look as good as ever.

    Reply
  7. Dorothy Johnson says

    August 4, 2016 at 7:51 am

    You can even make forgetting your makeup and deodorant sound fun. I’m glad it was a fun trip. Think I’ll look for some of that Smart Water, just in case it works. (And Stash that extra makeup in your suitcase in the house instead of the 186 degree car.

    Reply
  8. Ian Holland says

    August 4, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Before and after pictures? Might prove you don’t really need make-up.

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    August 4, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    I really hate I missed this. Got stuck at doctor’s office–natch. Sounds like you had an “eventful” day:)

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

Click to BUY NOW!

Talya Tate Boerner books
Gene, Everywhere

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