For those of you who are following my word count for Unleash Your Story, (www.unleashyourstory.com) I have a semi-final figure.  But first, a word from our sponsor . . . . 

As you might remember, I’m doing this as a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis.  I mentioned to Wayne that I estimated I would write close to 30,000 words this month, despite the fact we had out of state company for seven days, I spent one entire work day at the Puyallup Fair as the berry pie judge (I’m still working off those calories!), my brother was in town, and in addition to all that we had the grand opening for the yarn store.  Wayne, my doubting Thomas of a husband, declared it would never happen.  I’d set the bar too high this time.  Well, as of September 29 at 5 p.m. I have a total of 37,908 words.  Stand back , all non-believers and, Wayne B. Toes, that means you!

Twenty-six years ago today—precisely at 4:39 p.m.—I sold my first book.  Editor Mary Clare Susan phoned to make an offer.  I was in such a state of bewilderment and awe that I said a total of four words.  Hello.  Yes.  Thank-you. Goodbye.  A few days later I phoned back just to be sure I hadn’t dreamed this up.   I remember praying intensely that God would allow me to sell just one book.  I could never have imagined or dreamed all that He had in store for me.   How grateful I am for the wondrous adventure the last 26 years have been,  and I hope to have just as many years more living this wonderful dream.

Tomorrow morning I’m heading to Seattle to meet with the Guideposts Advisory Council.  Seeing that this wonderful group of 75 supporters is visiting our area, I’m leading a short walking tour.  There are some interesting statistics that I want to share with them. 

For instance, did you know there are mountains in Washington State that have never been climbed or explored?  We have the only rain forest in the continental United States. Our state has a rain forest on one half of the state and desert on the other.  Washington has the largest ferry system in the world, too.  I do hope you’re impressed!

Sunday morning I received a phone call from one of my yarn store partners regarding the knitted fashion show that was to be held that afternoon.  “How many models did you get?” she asked.  I was supposed to supply the models?  Yikes!  I’d completely forgotten. 

Visions of me, and me alone, modeling sweaters in front of 75 women, sent me scurrying to the phone.  As a testament to their friendship, Marcia Hestead and her daughters Charity and Hillary, their friend Kjerstin, and my friends Pat Parks, Barb Dooley plus my daughter, Jenny, and my granddaughter, Maddy, saved me.

The fashion show was exciting, the food perfect, and the company glorious!  Some of the pictures are posted in the Photo Album (directly under the Archives section).

Today is magical for me, the realization of a dream.  This morning A Good Yarn Shop opened here in Port Orchard.  I have five incredible investors who have put their hearts into making this a reality.  Our mission statement is Friendships Formed and Traditions Taught. 

I was at the shop later than my bedtime last night, helping to label and display yarn.  As I left it occurred to me what a shame it would be if someone actually wanted to purchase yarn and ruin my beautiful display. Alas, this will be a lesson in sharing and letting go.  Knit on, my friends, and if the fancy strikes you, stop by A Good Yarn Shop and pick up a skein and some knitting needles . . . just not off the display I created! 

My sleeves are pushed up to my elbows ,  and I’m gearing up to dig into 92 Pacific Blvd, the title for next year’s Cedar Cove installment.  We’ve had guests, family, social events and beautiful weather, all of which have kept me from plowing ahead with the book.  To me, writing is sheer joy,  so I’ve been feeling deprived and a bit frustrated this month.   All that’s about to change!  I’m forging ahead—my friends in Cedar Cove are anxiously waiting for me to return so their stories can be told--I’d best get to work!

Wayne and I are headed back to the Puyallup Fair this afternoon--we have tickets to a Frankie Valli performance.  Last year I had the privilege of seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway, and it was sensational.  The thought of going to hear the real thing is just thrilling! 

Judging berry pies on Monday, which was more fun than a person should be allowed, and seeing Frankie Valli in person on Wednesday.  Boy oh boy, life is good!

Wayne and I, along with the Roches, who are visiting from Pennsylvania, are headed to the Puyallup Fair today.  Normally I wouldn’t take a day off from writing to attend the local fair, which just happens to be the tenth largest in the country.  However, I’ve been asked to be one of the pie judges.  You read that right--I’ve been asked to sample and judge berry pies.  I have to ask you, does life get any better than this?  It’s a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest, the sun is out and I’m headed to the fair to eat pie.  Life is good.

Our dear friends, Gary and Marsha Roche, are joining us for the next week.  Gary is a Battlefield Guide for Gettysburg.  He has willingly shared his passion for the Civil War with Wayne and me.  For two years running we’ve ventured to Pennsylvania to tour Gettysburg with Gary and his friend, Bob Mullin, who’s also known as Mr. Gettysburg.  We don’t have a Civil War battlefield to show Gary, but we do have incredible mountains, and a Civil War cemetery—honest!  And plenty of sunshine and blue skies to fool him and Marsha into thinking it’s always this beautiful in the Pacific Northwest.

This week I’ve been working on the text for the Cedar Cove Cookbook. A few years back my cousins and I collected our favorite recipes for a family cookbook. We titled it Adler Food, a term that came from my children.  Whenever Wayne and I drove to Yakima,  our kids would get so excited,  because my mother, Grandma Adler, was such a good cook.  Naturally, my mother loved to spoil her grandchildren.  I’m so excited about this new cookbook, which will be available in September 2009.  This is going to be Adler food at its best.

I had quite a day yesterday.  I was in the pool swimming my half mile at six in the morning, had a conference call with my publisher at eight and two lengthy radio interviews before I had to rush off at noon to speak at the Senior Center here in Port Orchard (aka Cedar Cove). Then I went home to cook dinner for twelve.  Will someone please play the sound track from the movie Rocky!!? 

For those of you who are Keeping Pace with Debbie at www.unleashyourstory.com (a fund raising event for cystic fibrosis) I was working on revisions all last week and it’s too hard to calculate an exact word count.  However, hold on tight as I’m gearing up to start another project this week.

Forty years ago this Sunday I was a teenage bride with stars in my eyes as I gazed upon my hero, Wayne Macomber.  He’s still my hero and the love of my life.  We’ve had good years and bad ones—all marriages do.  It amazes me that  it's been forty years since we said our vows and started our life together.  God has blessed me many times over in my life, but perhaps one of the most profound blessings was in the husband He chose to give me. 

A huge thank you to all my wonderful readers!  I am over the moon.  Yesterday afternoon I received word that 8 SANDPIPER WAY soared to the number one slot on the New York Times list its very first week out!    I want each one of you to know I appreciate the fact you spend some of your hard-earned dollars to purchase my books.  Your constant support is a wonderful encouragement to me. 

Wayne and I will celebrate this weekend with our friends, the Wilsons from Colville.  The Wilsons and Wayne and I share a wedding anniversary, so there will be a double celebration this weekend.  Champagne, anyone?

Grandma Camp was a huge success.  We had so much fun camping that when it ended, I understand both girls went home and took naps!  But then, so did I, for three days in a  row--the entire Labor Day weekend! 

We cooked and baked, and I taught them to knit, too.  We had so much fun that we’re already planning camp for next summer.  Only next year I think I’ll start taking naps a week in advance.