The Bandits are going on vacation. Yep we're taking time off from the blog this week.Wednesday is the official start to the Romance Writers of America's national conference in San Francisco. Yippee!! As you know 19 of the 20 Romance Bandits will be in attendance at the conference. Yippee!! 6 of our published Bandits will be signing their books at the mega-author book signing Wednesday night. Yippee!!
While this is exciting for us and whichever of our readers make the trek to San Francisco, it leaves a bit of a hole in the blog schedule. Some of us flew to SF early to do some sight seeing before the conference starts. In fact, when y'all read this I'll be touring Sonoma Valley wineries with some friends from Texas. (Hopefully the limo driver will know the way back to the hotel!) So be patient with us. We Bandits love all our readers and will be missing our time with you here in the lair.
While we're out connecting with our Bandita sisters, researching ideas for our books, attending inspiring seminars, and partying like crazy, please know that we've left Christie Kelley in charge of the Lair. She will be making the cabana boys do their exercise routine like a drill sergeant. Sven will be practicing his massages, (on her, I'm sure). And the gladiators, (except Demetrius who is traveling as Joanie's personal body guard), will be polishing their gear in preparation for our return to the Lair! (Must remember to buy body oil for the boys while in SF!)We have a few planned blogs ready to post. And if we get time with a computer, we'll t
ry to pop on to flash y'all some pics of our adventures. (San Francisco may never be the same after a Bandit raid!)So while we've got the "Gone Fishing" sign up on the lair door, be sure to check out the blog. You never know what or WHO might pop up!
35 comments:
Is he coming to Oz for a visit
Have Fun
Helen
He Is
Have fun everyone I am sure Christie will keep everyone in line while you are all having fun.
The GR is going to freeze here today it is so cold and raining I am loving it.
Best wishes and good luck to everyone have a ball and a few drinks for those of us left behind.
Have Fun
Helen
Hey Helen!
Congrats on the chook! And your cold rainy weather sounds good to me right now. I'm looking forward to the much cooler temps in San Francisco.
We will DEFINITELY be raising a few glassed to you and our other loyal Bandita buddies! And our stalwart comrade who will be (wo)manning the Lair, Christie!
Most of the Banditas will be en route tomorrow, but luckily I live only 2 hours away so will be helping Christie get all the last minute things squared away here. :-)
I hope you have some small "woolies" for the GR.
AC
The cold snap is definitely pushing up from Antarctica, it's turned bloody cold this afternoon. Here I was walking around in shorts and tshirt, now it's tracky dacks and a jumper.
Helen glad you stopped the GR from going to SF, let's see if we can keep him away from all those women, we'd never hear the end of it if he did.
Congrats Helen, I know you will take good care of him! (He wouldn't have survived San Francisco,LOL)
Have fun everyone, we'll be waiting to hear everything about SF!
Congrats on the GR, Helen.
Have a great time in San Francisco. Can someone bring me back some sourdough bread?
Well done Helen...you certainly need to get out some woolly socks for those skinny legs...Hey maybe a lovely wooly scarf too!
Boy it's blooming cold here in Brissy too!
Talk about Antarctic blast!
My D.Daughter emailed me she has arrived in SF...wonderful flight cos' about 10 Aussie RWAu ladies on the same plane for the conference.
I think we should all have a party here...I'm going with one of those Pomegranate Margaritas'
ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 1/2 cups pomegranate juice (see Note)
1 cup añejo tequila
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
10 thin strips or slices of cucumber, for garnish
directions
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and simmer over high heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved; let cool completely.
In a tall pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the pomegranate juice, tequila and lime juice. Stir well, fill the pitcher with ice and stir again. Pour into 10 margarita, martini or cordial glasses, garnish each with a cucumber strip and serve.
NOTES To make fresh pomegranate juice, cut the pomegranates in half crosswise and use a citrus juicer, preferably a large one, to extract the juice. One large pomegranate yields 1/3 cup of juice, which can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Pic here
http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2008/03/07/RB0102_Red-Margarita_e.jpg
Cheers Carol
Wait, I get both the cabana boys and the gladiators????
YES!!!
Well they can put those swords away and pick up a paintbrush because I still have a bunch of painting to get done.
And Carol, while the boys are painting, I think I'll try one of those pomegranate margaritas. They sound fantastic!
Natalie, sorry it's getting so chilly for you. Right about now, I'd love that. Maryland is always hot and sticky in the summer.
Can't wait for the pics from SF.
Helen, congrats on the GR, keep him on the straight and narrow.
Christie, we could always have our own little party in the lair. I am on my way to work now but will definitely be back later to see what is happening. As tall as the Cabana boys and Gladiators are I am sure they can get your painting done, they won't even need ladders!
Getting ready to leave for San Francisco tomorrow! And Natalie I WISH I had some of that wet and cold coming my way today. It is supposed to be 100 degrees and HUMID here in Alabama. No wonder the GR headed for Oz!!
Sounds like Christie is in for a hunky good time!!!
Dianna, we'll definitely keep the party on while the other bandita's are away.
Louisa, I'm with you. It's supposed to be 90 here but it's so darned humid that it feels hotter. I can't wait for September so I can turn off the air conditioning.
Yay, Helen. About time he returned to Oz.
I, too, live near San Francisco, so I'll be heading out of the Lair Tuesday morning, but be sure to check in Wednesday for our post about SHOES!!! Yes, what the best-dressed gals in the City will be wearing to the Conference.
Yum, Carol, on the Pomegranate Margarita recipe. Sounds delish!
Hi folks! I'm a Bandita on crack right now, as I try to get everything squared away for me to leave town for a week! Naturally, things go crazy at work right when you try to leave, right? LOL. And we HAD to go to the lake this weekend, generate massive quantities of laundry, and put ourselves further behind. ;-)
I jump on a plane tomorrow AM and can't wait to see everyone in SF!! But I have a very important question before I go for everyone who is left. I wear makeup about once or twice a year, and I'm thinking it's time to replace my ancient tube of mascara before I go. What should I buy to replace it? I have NO IDEA what's good. I need something waterproof, because I'm going to cry like a river when Susan wins the GH. And I'm cheap, so you'll need to factor that into your recommendations. ;-)
Please, help!! :-)
Thank you so much for that lovely pic of Russell. *sigh* He's my favorite.
I leave REALLY early Wednesday morning but I'll be hanging out here until then. Think I could get me a Chocolatini?
And I'll have to check the blog from the airport Wednesday so I can see the shoes. How fun!
Congrats on the GR, Helen. He's going to love the break from the heat. Much like I will in San Fran!
Kirsten - Maybelline Great Lash is probably your best bet. I've used it for years and I've seen make up artists use it on TV. Plus, you can probably get it at Target or Wally World for right at or under $5.
http://www.maybelline.com/product/eye/mascara/great-lash-waterproof-mascara.htm
Kirsten, I'm with terri on the Mabelline Great Lash. They have straight or curved brushes (I use the curved because my eyes are small and it's easier).
Hello to all,
Thanks to Christi for keeping us
going while RWA is underway! Cabana
boys and gladiators still available
for a fun time! Yay!! Just one
tiny problem, I'm babysitting with
two of my grandsons, so I'll have to
bypass the pomegranate margaritas
for the day! No worries, there's
always tomorrow!
Pat Cochran
I'm still getting ready - have laundry to do and still have to pack. I live 90 miles from the airport so I have to stay at a hotel since I have to be at the airport so early *sigh* I'll definitely check in before I leave though to say good-bye :-)
Can't wait to see everyone!
Christie, hope you don't over-work the cabana boys and gladiators. What? You said they were going to be painting *g*
Kirsten, I also agree about the Maybelline Great Lash.
Another tip: When using mascara for the first time, wipe off the wand with a tissue then put it back in the tube and you'll have just enough (no clumps *g*)
Carol,
That pomegranate margarita sounds FANTASTIC! Please pass one over here. I know, I know, it's only 10 in the morning here on the West Coast but I'm already stressing. For one thing, the tree trimmers decided to set up their giant industrial woodchipper right behind my car at 8:11 AM!!! Everyone KNOWS Aunty does not crawl out of bed before 9! GRRRRR! Watch for reports on CNN if they do anything to my car or do not GET OUT OF MY WAY by noon.
Foanna Update!
For those concerned about our darling Fo and the Yosemite fire, never fear!
Our double Rita nominee was spotted this morning in the Biz Center of the San Francisco Marriott by none other than Joanie T. and Demetrius. Not sure if Fo got to see any of Yosemite... I'm guessing not. They generally don't let tourists in if they are having problems.
Now our latest worry is Madame D-W, who last we heard was stuck at the Sydney airport with a 10 hour flight delay. Madame was threatening to SWIM to San Francisco. More later as news becomes available. Or tune in CNN! LOL!
Kirsten,
I use Loreal mascara, it's in a gold tube but can't remember what they call it. It's been a long time since I bought any... ACK! I should probably buy new also! Another thing to add to my list! Thanks for the tip about wiping off the wand, Beth. I've never tried that.
Make that 2 chocolatinis! One for Terrio and one for ME!
Helen--Good for you! Have fun with that ornery GR. ;)
Carol--I am writing down that recipe and swooning as we speak...
So glad to hear Anna C. is all right!
Have a great week, everyone!
Helen, congratulations! Please lock the bird into something down there if you can. We've had no luck getting him under lock and key to keep him away from San Francisco.
Natalie, I'm worried about the weather in northern California. I'm acclimated to 95 degrees and humid. While the cooler weather will be nice, it can be a bit of a shock!
Eva, Jane, and Carol, thanks for the good wishes. Carol, those pomegranate margaritas sound fabulous!
Christie, we'll miss you. I think the gladiators and cabana boys might've been planning to kick back while we were gone, but keeping them busy sounds like a great idea! We wouldn't want them to get lazy.
Kirsten, I'm with you on the makeup thing. I get most of mine from "free" gift packages when I buy other products. Good luck.
Terrio, just hail a cabana boy and tell him "chocolatini." And whatever else . . .
Pat Cochran, have fun with the grandkids.
Beth, thanks for the mascara tip. We makeup-challenged individuals need all the advice we can get!
A Nationally Known Catalogue Retailer sent me the wrong color pants, as I just discovered. They go with nothing. OT one H, this is a pain. OT other H, I now have something valid to obsess over. :-)
Have fun everyone.
Hola, banditas & bandita buddies!
Like many of you, I'm racing around crazy today trying to get myself squared away for a week out of town. But I'm only packing for me (as opposed to my usual job packing for a family of four) so I figure I'll make it okay. :-)
Thanks for the mascara recomendations. I totally need a new tube myself, being with Kirsten in the once or twice a year camp.
And awwwww, Kirsten, aren't you sweet, assuming I'm winning a GH? While I would LOVE to bring home that little necklace, I'm not writing any acceptance speeches just yet. I'm superstitious that way, I guess. But then Susan Unscripted is not an act anybody wants to see so at some point it'll have to be better safe than sorry & I'll write something down.
You can bet it'll involve the words "Romance Bandits", "Oh my sweet Jesus" & "I need a drink."
And I'm off to pack!
MMMmmmmmwaaaaah!
Susan - have you seen the Olympic angst has already started?! An American male gymnist - our best chance for a medal - is having to pull out because of injury. The heartbreak is already starting and we're still more than a week away!
I have got the GR rugged up really well and the dogs are keeping an eye on him because it is still really cold here this morning I am sure that the grandkids and I can keep him busy for the day and longer if necessary.
I suggest that the Cabana Boys make us one of those pomegranite margaritas each then they can get to work on the painting for you Christie.
I am so glad that Anna C has been sited and I hope Christine is on her way by now.
Kirsten can't help with the mascara it tends to hurt my eyes so I don't wear it I need my eyes for reading have to look after them LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Okay Helen, I'll give the cabana boys a few minutes off to make the margaritas. After all the gladiators have done a good job. My office is almost completely organized and the back wall of my bedroom just needs a second coat.
I promise pictures of my office will be coming soon. I still don't have carpet but that has to wait until all the painting is finished. (still a big job)
I'm off to the pond with my son for an hour or two.
Ah hem!!! Can I just say that I have just this day - about 2 hours ago - travelled through the Tioga pass through Yosemite and nary (?sp) a bush fire to be seen. That Fo - too chicken. Sorry couldn't resista GR pun.
A lot of smoke though :-(.
Oh and BTW - 1 more sleep til SF tomorrow. Woohooo!!!
Missed this blog but hotel internet stuff is often too fiddly but have free access here in Oakdale Holiday Inn so I thought hey - why not??
OMG - tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow.....
That is if my dh can brave the SF freeways and get us there in one piece and undivorced!!!!
Amy
sounds like you are having fun I am sure you will get there in one piece and undivorced LOL
Glad you could pop in
Have Fun
Helen
Whee - you lucky ladies. Have fun!
Terrio! Yeah, I just read that about Paul Hamm. I remember him from years past, & if I recall, he's a cutie (in a hobbitish sort of way.) That's so sad about his broken hand or whatever it is that's derailed his comeback effort.
I understand there's a forty-something year old female swimmer competing this year, though, for those of you who love the human interest stuff like Terrio & I do. Apparently she had a baby some ridiculously short amount of time ago. Yep. I'll be rooting for her. :-)
And I'm off to San Fran tomorrow! See you all!
WOOOOOT!!!
SAN FRANCISCO time!! I'm only an hour away, so I'll head in tomorrow by way of the airport where I'll collect SuperBeth. I'm super excited and can't wait to see everyone!!
Mascara... I wear Clinique, I love it! I've used tons of other products but this just has a fabulous texture, thickens but doesn't flake or rub off easily and just feels good. But if you're doing the budget mascara *g* then I defintiely third or fourth the recommendation of that cute little pink tube of Maybelline. Its one of the best on the market.
Now... margarita time! I'm writing down this recipe to try out. I adooooore pomegranite margaritas!
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