We arrived at Powell's Bookstore in Beaverton (Oregon) at around 10 am. Nervous and excited, the big kid and I gathered our worldly possessions. After reading about the Seattle book signing (and how late into the night it went) I was certain that there would already be a line formed as the store opened at 9 am. We had no idea what to expect or where we would have to wait, but we didn't care. We were ready! But there was nobody but us. The store clerks had no idea what we were doing there so early or where to put us. One person said that the line would form at the information desk and to watch it and wait. But that was not going to work for us. After a little bit of discussion, we quickly sat at the desk assuring that we would be first in line.
People walked past us and stared. One woman came by and asked me if I knew anything about the Pioneer Woman book signing. I told her all the information that I had at the time (which wasn't much) and she gave me her phone number and asked me if I could call her when there were 10-15 people in line. I assured her that I would. We were waiting on MK to come and join us. But that wouldn't be for awhile, so the Big Kid and I stayed as occupied as we could for two people sitting on the floor unable to go anywhere.
The Big Kid decided that she wanted to draw a picture of Ree for Ree. The Big Kid likes things to be perfect. She took her time and made a masterpiece!
While we waited, and waited, we talked about which recipes were our favorites and what we thought it would be like to meet Ree. My Big Kid was so excited. So unfazed by the wait time. So patient and amazing and ready! She even missed school to go on this adventure with her mommy. Weeks before, when she heard that Pioneer Woman was coming to Portland she shrieked and squealed in delight. There was no way that she was going to miss that! We declared it a holiday!
Around 1 pm Miles came in. And he started putting up signs and making arrangements for the day. He moved our line, and started putting down tape to direct other people where to line up. He didn't use near enough tape! We also learned much more about the book signing at that point. The tickets would be handed out at 4:30. At which point we would be moved to the seating area. If you have the first tickets, you would get the first seats. (Lucky us! As we were first in line!) After a brief Q&A by Ree, ticket numbers would be called in groups of 10 to get their books signed. Seemed easy enough to me!
My Big Kid and I were lucky when MK arrived and gave us a little break, and a chance to go get something to eat. You can only last on muffins, crackers, dry cereal, and fruit for so long before you need real food! By the time we got back from eating our lunch the line was really starting to take shape. And another friend had arrived to wait with us! That Big Kid was more excited than ever!
Many people thought we were so looney for arriving at 10 am and waiting all day. But the way that I put it was, we could wait all day, 10 am to 6 pm was nothing. But 4 pm to 11 pm wasn't going to work for us. And I knew that the turn out was going to be a very, very large one!
To Be Continued...
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