I better show you pictures of my brick walkway all weeded before it grows new weeds.
Today we are going all meta, if meta is the word I'm looking for. So a wonky brick walkway clear of weeds is all you are getting, pretty much.
We are trying — TRYING — to be organized and do bloggy housekeeping so that you can figure out who the heck we are and where the heck the posts are. You have no idea how hard that is. Maybe not for you. But for us.
We feel strongly that we can post (sometimes) and that is all.
We made great strides in getting two! menus up there. Populating them, if populating is the word I'm looking for, with actual informative content, proves taxing to the most industrious among us.
But let me tell you a couple of things.
I am going on what amounts to a book tour. I'm still me, hanging out at home and sometimes talking to you, but all of a sudden the calendar has filled up. So I figured I better list the places and dates on that menu thingy that says “Speaking” under “Start Here” (and is that the right place for it? Paralyzing to even think about it). I will try to keep you updated on these things.
Please take a peek and see if you will be close by. I'd love to see you!
Also, if you live in or near Wheaton, Illinois (Chicago, basically) or Fort Collins (Denver), Colorado, and you think you might have a group that would like to hear me spout off about something, we can certainly wangle a way to do that when I'm there, if you act quickly (just because tickets are being bought)! The incentive will be that you can then split the travel costs! Send me an email at LMLDblog (at) gmail (dot) com.
{It's amazing to me that Bridget, my baby, is going to college and that is the moment that people are interested in having me come to their far-off places to talk to them. God is amazing! I really couldn't have done this before now, nor would I have wanted to!}
I also wanted to mention that I originally thought I'd go through the book chapter by chapter, to give you an idea of what to expect if you do buy it. However, in the meantime, Elizabeth Foss has been talking to me every week about each chapter of the book on her blog! So whenever I sit down to do that here, it seems silly to do that right now. I might pick it up again later.
You should head over to Summer in the Little Oratory at In the Heart of My Home if you are interested. There, she recaps the chapters and we have an actual conversation about each one. You can listen in. Many say that they don't expect me to sound like THAT. I don't know what THAT is or what they expected, but there you have it.
Don't give up on us. We will get all those menu tabs live sometime soon. Thank you for being so patient with us and for reading. We love you!
Kate says
Are you channeling Bertie Wooster? (Hint: if ….. is the word I’m looking for.) Just finished a P.G. Wodehouse binge, so I have Woosterisms on the the brain.
Leila says
Kate, almost always!
Sarah says
I grew up in Wheaton! Wish I still lived there so I could attend – we were only six blocks from St. Michaels…then my neighbor burned it to the ground…awkward. I haven’t been inside the new structure, but from the outside it looks like they did a great job rebuilding it.
Jenny says
“Many say that they don’t expect me to sound like THAT. I don’t know what THAT is or what they expected, but there you have it.”
I expected you to have a lower alto voice. Why? I don’t know. I also expected you to have a Southern accent. Why? Because I expect everybody to have a Southern accent and then am always surprised when they don’t. Why do I expect everyone to have a Southern accent? Because I have one and a failure of imagination. 🙂
Elizabeth says
I second the expectations of a lower alto!
You made me so curious, I went over to Elizabeth’s website only to be able to listen to your voice and was surprised too :). I thought Auntie Leila’s voice would be…. firm, occasionally stern even, haha. But instead it’s a very soft and sweet voice you have.
Caitlin says
I’m so excited that you’re going to Fort Collins! I grew up there, and my parents still live there. I’m going to try and drive over from Utah. I’m spreading the word to the people I still know in Fort Collins. I’m also going to create a public event on Facebook. I’ll post the details when it’s up!
Anna says
I’m willing to attend an event in FoCo!
Laura says
people are also taken aback by new england accents if the aren’t used to them… it’s not an accent you can imagine if you’ve never heard it… (i lived in NH for 5 years as a kids, but lost most of it… except soda and saying Concord correctly… it’s Con-kurd NOT Con-cORd… LOL
Patty says
I have no recollection of Leila having a New England accent on the podcast, perhaps because I was also flummoxed by her soft, sweet voice. I spent several formative years in CT, so perhaps the accent didn’t strike me? Did you say Bah-stuhn? I will listen more closely this week. 🙂
Laura Jeanne says
Leila, I went over to listen and I was surprised at the sound of your voice too! I always imagined that since you seem so wise and experienced, compared to younger women like me, that your voice would be somewhat deep and firm, maybe even stern sounding. Instead, you sound very youthful, cute and sweet! I think you have a lovely and very feminine voice.
Sue says
Exactly my reaction! But, I was actually surprised that you didn’t have a stronger accent – because I have heard your husband speak as well. 😉
Terri says
I’m so excited you’re going to be in central Indiana! Unfortunately, I’m scheduled to be out of town those days, but maybe something will change.
The output from all of you here is outstanding, and I’m so grateful for whatever you manage to get out to us. Best wishes on your book tour.
Anne Marie says
Seems everyone had the same thoughts I did about your voice!! Too funny!! I thought you’d sound more matronly and not so young. Will you be coming to Nebraska at all?! The Lincoln Diocese would love you! We are not SO far from Colorado!
Melissa says
Wow! I’m floored! You are coming to my parish, St. Mary’s in CT.
I’ll be the quiet one who comes up to say ‘hi’ and then can’t think of anything else intelligent to say!
I’m really looking forward to hearing you speak.
🙂
Melissa
Leila says
Melissa, I hope you do make sure to say hi! I am so excited to meet readers! All the others I will regard as outsiders. 😉
Elizabeth says
It seems that there IS a season for everything and now is yours to travel! God speed and His blessings!
Leila says
For the record, I *sing* alto!
Cynthia says
I am cracking up at the discussion of your voice. FWIW, I can give you a snippet of what voice plays in my head when I read you–http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Snake-the-Crocodile-and-the-Dog-Audiobook/B002V5CY1A/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1407271368&sr=1-1 (without the British accent, of course). I don’t know why, probably because she is forthright and firm like I imagine you must be. (And I had to chuckle at the bit that the sample picked from the book–nothing like a bit of irony!)
Leila says
Cynthia, hilarious.
I think I surely will sound JUST like that — when I’m 80! Including the accent.
Lisa says
It’s so funny that we imagine a voice and that so many of us seemed to have imagined a similar voice. You sound very young!
I am so happy for you that God’s timing seems to coincide with your own. I guess He didn’t feel like arguing with you. 🙂
Emily C says
Somebody on the blog recently commented on a lousy clothes iron that needed to be returned?
I HAVE A FAVORITE IRON TO RECOMMEND! My mom had this great black & decker iron when I was a kid that she still has and uses. And they have a retro version that’s just as hefty.
It’s solid, it’s metal, and the heft of the iron presses the wrinkles out. It’s called the Black & Decker Classic, it’s lovely and inexpensive.
And I just love all you ladies, and recommend your blog to read to all my friends who are having babies and in the depths of small-children-everywhere.
Patty says
My iron also died as I was ironing while listening to last week’s podcast with Elizabeth. I ended up with a Shark Lightweight Professional. I haven’t opened it yet, so if someone knows it’s return-worthy, please let me know. I like an iron with heft too.
briana says
I have that iron (because MY mom had it, and I agree hefty!) and it’s amazing!
Sara says
I have this one, too. We really like it. It doesn’t leak water and has some weight. I’ve had it about five years, after going through 4-5 in the preceding five years.
Tori says
I listened to one of the radio programs you were on. Count me as another who thought you’d sound different. It is pretty funny that you hear that so much. I thought you were very pleasant to listen to.
Patty says
wanting to be notified of follow up comments, just passing through.
Mary Lou says
Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine what it must take to juggle everything you all are giving! And I’m guessing maybe, you can’t imagine how many a grateful mom there has been to have found your blog and fallen in love with it! I just want to say thank you to you and your family ~ I’m baking that Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Lemon too), my house underwent a little chore reconstruction and frugal creative work. I guess if we were born into these times, we Moms especially, have to be armed with inspiration, natural and supernatural … You have a way of teaching ~ (the real thing) ~ down to earth and ideas to put into our hands! Every morning as if I were to open the front door and pick up my paper (which I have never done in my life), I open my ‘window’ and if you aren’t there everyday (which is pure spoiling), I plunge into the archives. How good is that. Our family is sooo much the better for your having shared so much! We love you too!!
Julie says
Yes, What Mary Lou says. I couldn’t say it any better.
Caitlin says
Here is the Facebook event for Auntie Leila’s coming to Fort Collins. Please join if you think you can come! https://www.facebook.com/events/344408129044594/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=1
briana says
Agreeing on the alto. I thought you would sound more like Elizabeth, but you instead have a very soft, sweet voice. You totally surprised me on that one.
A. says
I also expected a different voice from Auntie Leila, but I have a theory as to why that is- when I read your posts, because they are so conversational in tone, I give you the voice that I expect you to have in my head (which is also what I do when I read fiction), and like many others, I expected it to be more alto or even contralto in tone. This phenomenon also works the other way when I only hear people and don’t see them; many’s the time I have heard someone on the radio, then later seen a photo or TV interview of them and said, “That’s not how I expected them to look based on their voice!” Funny how the brain fills these things in for us, isn’t it? And I love the P.G. Wodehouse reference! I am reading him for the first time this summer and finding the Jeeves and Wooster stories simply delightful 🙂
Mrs. B. says
I’ve suggested your name to the women’s council of our parish in NoVA- I hope we invite you!!!!
Kristi says
I hate to contribute to bloggy housekeeping & resulting paralysis, but you asked, perhaps rhetorically, if Speaking belongs (modestly tucked away) under Start Here. I say no.
It took me countless seconds to find Speaking under Start Here (I’d forgotten your instructions). It’s not an intuitive place for it.
Speaking deserves its very own heading, next to the Little Oratory heading at the top right. There is a space just waiting for it. Don’t be shy!
Leila says
Kristi, hmmm….
Kristi says
for some reason I’m still thinking about this — and it should say something like “Leila’s Speaking Schedule.”
Kristi says
I would love you to come here, Texas, but anticipate that won’t be soon, so I’ve been wondering if I could make some excuse on our upcoming trip to visit husband’s family in NY to make a side trip to visit you . . . but I guess you probably can’t let your readers just drop in on you . . . sigh.
Noel Miller says
I live near Wheaton! Are you saying that as of right now you’re just there for a book signing, but would do a talk if enough people are interested? Would we also need to figure out a location for you to speak, etc?
Leila says
Noel,
No, I am giving a talk there, with a booksigning. But I could do another talk — say, the following day — in a location near there, if someone wanted me to do that and could organize it. But of course, you could go to the one in Wheaton!
The idea is to maximize the travel time (and cost) by booking a couple of talks back to back.
Jenn says
I live in Wheaton and am a friend of Noelle’s, actually. I know we could find enough people to attend such a talk. When will you be here?! I’m so excited!!!
Sharla says
We are so excited you are coming to Ft. Collins! I’m Rosie’s friend – she was just telling me today about it (and that you have a higher voice than she expected :)).