The Pioneer Woman came to Dallas.....and I missed it........

I know there is no need to explain who The Pioneer Women is.....I mean, by now everyone knows her and her wonderful family.....Last night, she was in Dallas for her cookbook signing....and guess what??? I had to work.....I could not make it.....and I have only been talking about this for weeks....WEEKS....did you hear me?....Weeks!

Here is the review of the book singing by the one person who loves me beyond compare, who did not want me to drive to Austin on my day off, who was certain this was going to be a simple book signing.....that person is none other than my 26 year old son....

The day started out with him driving to Dallas to the Borders Bookstore to buy the cookbook and get a wrist band for the night event....He got a red band, which meant he was in the second group. I tried to warn him about the crowds, but guess what....he did not believe me....after all, according to him...who really goes to a book signing?.....are you laughing yet?

The crowds were just as I said.....huge....this poor man looks to be a little lost...just the way I pictured my son.....lost in a sea of women.....he did meet some nice ladies in line who kept him entertained while he waited. One lovely lady owns a quilt shop in McKinney, Texas and he has assured me he got all the details on that.....thank goodness I learned to quilt this past summer...at least it gave him something to talk about.

Now....when he agreed to go to see Ree.....I gave him strict instructions....take lots of pictures.....don't be shy.......oh....and be sure to take a picture and get Marlboro Man to sign the cook book if he is there.....my son asked, "What is a Marlboro Man?" I kid you not....Jeff has NEVER been on The Pioneer Woman's Blog in his life.....EVER.....I am willing to bet he was the only one in the place who could say that. On the other hand, I could tell him anything he would want to know.....he thinks I am crazy......anyway...

And just like the good son I know him to be ....he kept me updated via text messaging while I was at work.....

The first update I got read..."I am here in line, no Marlboro Man, think I heard the girls here, surrounded by women..... your age......." Well....so much for the notion of possibly meeting a young single girl in line.....I was certain with a sea of women, there would be some young single girls wanting to talk to a cute cowboy waiting in line.....the stars just did not align.....

After being in line close to 2 and a half hours.....he sent another text..."I am five feet away" and after about 5 minutes.....another text..."done and long" I am assuming he was talking about the line and wait, not Ree's beautiful long hair.....

I believe these are The Pioneer Woman's daughters in the background of this picture.....I was so sorry I missed seeing them, they are beautiful girls, so full of fun.

Another shot of the crowds in line......by the way, the red wrist band was the second group to line up to get a book signed.....I am sure Jeff was thanking his lucky stars he went in the morning to get a band.....or he might still be there in line......I understand from what I read online, the line lasted six hours....I know Jeff loves his mama, but I'm not going to ask if he loves her six hours worth of standing in line to see someone he does not even know......


I think this is when his text message said five feet away.....after a long wait....almost there.....

And here is my book......Seriously, Ree.....if you could only know how THRILLED I was to see I was missed....I mean, honestly, how could you even know who I am....but I can pretend you know me......and this signature....the next best thing to being there!! I asked Jeff what he said when he got to the table....because he had all kinds of things he was going to say....but he tends to get nervous around pretty women, and I am sure he forgot any conversation he might have wanted to have...but he did tell her how upset I was to miss the event, and that I had to work so he came instead.....He told me Ree replied,"How Sweet".....I wish I could have seen him blush.......

I am here to tell you, if Jeff had any notion of what to expect, it was certainly not what he experienced. He could not believe the crowds and the willingness of everyone to wait hours to see one person.....He was surprised at how gracious, patient, and sweet The Pioneer Woman is....I don't think he really expected that one.......but all in all, if he would have just paid closer attention to his mom talking about this for weeks....he would have known exactly what to expect.....

Thanks Ree for taking the time out of your busy life to meet and greet your fans....and thanks Jeff.....my wonderful son....who spent his free time waiting in a long line of excited fans just to get my book signed.....I will make you another one of Ree's Chocolate pies that you love so much........~Good Stuff