Is is still burning? Seriously, get that checked.

Alllllllllllrighty, then...continuing with answers to your burning questions (like in yesterday's post where I explained Kristina P.'s blog dominance), I got this question from LisAway: What do you think would happen to you if you were forced into a situation where you could not make your heavenly mint fudge ever again? And my second question is: Assuming we can meet each other in June when I'm in your neighborhood (figuratively speaking) are you going to bring the mint fudge for me or the chocolate covered cinnamon bears? Or both? Because I'm trying to figure out what I can bring for you. Pickled herring? Pig's feet jelly?

She gave me the option of answering this in a two part post, but I think I can wrap it up in one. First, if I couldn't make my mint fudge, I would just make my pecan praline fudge because it's even BETTER, and no, Lisa, that one doesn't require marshmallow creme either. As to what I shall bring you...well, if you're a woman worth your salt, you will have no problem being able to handle both the fudge and the bears. You know, unless living in Poland has thinned your blood. And as for me, um...I grew up in Louisiana. Pig's feet jelly is just the tip of the pork iceberg. Every 7-11 has a jar of pickled pigs feet right next to the US Weekly and People magazines at the check out. So I vote for pickled herring. I bet I can make Kenny eat it.

Miss Heidi (author of the fabulous Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind) asked: how many books have you written and are any of them out at a publishers for consideration? Or is that too personal?

Okay, last question first. That's not too personal at all. I'm very open about my writing and I am probably the least sensitive person in the world about discussing it or hearing critiques of it, etc. So now I'll answer the rest of the question. I have completed one manuscript and I'm about 80% done with the first draft of my next one. I think I should be finished in the next 3-4 weeks. The first manuscript went to three publishers. One offered me a contract, which was super exciting because there are a lot of things I like about that company. However, another company asked me if I would consider revising a couple of things (i.e. they wanted my character to have a couple of embarrassing situations and to quote the evaluation I received, "no one is that witty all the time) and I decided to do that. They have a much larger market share for what I write. It's been nine weeks since I resubmited (not that I'm counting the days or anything) and I haven't heard back from them yet, so I'm nervous.

But...I'm really in love with my new manuscript. I can tell how much I've learned and grown already from writing the first one and I know this one is stronger, so I think if I came close the first time but I miss, what I'm working on now might be good enough to hit the mark. It's tough, by all accounts, to catch a break as a first time author in this economy but I'm choosing relentless optimism, so we'll see. Believe me, if it gets picked up, you guys will be the first to know!

Heather of the EO asked: Do you rig your giveaways so that I'll always win because I'm your favorite or because you feel sorry for me? (wink wink)

I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but...my son may have a crush on you because he's the one who always picks the winning number out of the diaper basket (the CLEAN diaper basket), and he keeps picking you. Having said that, it truly is a random thing. That's how Kimberly won the MAC lipstick and gloss and I'm glad to clear that up because based on a couple of comments, I think there was some confusion about that. That's the science behind the drawing. A bunch of numbers on little pieces of paper, and James plucks one out. And no, I can't use random.org because he feels drawing the winner falls under his purview.

And I should soooo get bonus points for using that $2 word. My husband kisses me when I use one. Today I got a smooch for using garrulous in a sentence. But anyway, you guys can just slap me virtual high fives.

Kazzy asked: Where would you love to visit?

I am very, very lucky that I've gotten to go to the top places on my list (Italy and France). But I have been thoroughly bitten by the travel bug now and so some of the other places on my list include going back to London (I was only there for a day and spent most of it in Hyde Park so there's LOTS to see, still), I want to go to Kenya, Costa Rica, Germany (spent a really fun night in Dusseldorf on a layover and it whet my appetite), Ireland, Vancouver, and back to New York. Plus I'd like to take in some of the history in Boston and Philapdelphia.

Kristina P asked: If you won the lottery, and money was no object, how would you spend it?

Um, I'm almost afraid to answer this question because the truth is very, very boring. But I'll tell it. First, I'd buy a house, but I'm prejudiced against rich people so we'd absolutely max out at 2500 square feet with a decent yard, no pool, in a neighborhood with great schools but one that's solidly middle class. Oh, but I'd have a KILLER kitchen. Then I'd set up college trusts for my kids. Currently, they can afford any state school of their choice. I'd like to expand that to ANY school of their choice, even if it's some ridiculously expensive liberal arts college in Guam or something. Then, I'd travel but go totally five star and fly first class. Oh, and I'm buy some ridiculous shoes like Jimmy Choos or Laboutins, or something. Then I'd probably set up several scholarship funds for students majoring in secondary education. But I'd probably do that before I bought the shoes. And I'd start a rare books collection. And I'd donate some to our church's perpetual education fund. And maybe get a vacation house on a mountain lake. And...I'd better stop.

Wendy asked: if you could go BACK IN TIME...what era would you like to visit/have lived in and why?

I think this might have been the toughest question for me so far. There are a lot of interesting eras in history that I'd enjoy learning about, but very few I would want to live in. I missed the Civil Rights era by a couple of decades, so that's enticing. I think I might like to have been a frontier woman in Kentucky or something when the territories were first opening up. All that rugged individualism. I think living in the colonies during the days of the Revolution would have been pretty exciting. But the truth is, I think most periods in history were not accommodating to women and it's hard to imagine living in at time where I wasn't free to be a vocal part of change. I know...that's overly earnest, right? But that's how I feel. I guess I'm most attracted to periods of epic change, those huge turning points we read about now. I think it would be so great to have a front row seat to that.

Eowyn asked: If you are in a store at the clearance rack and there are two of the same super cute shirt on the rack, do you go for the red one or the blue one? (That's a really fancy way of asking what your favorite color is to wear. However, I could ask that question and then ask if your favorite color to wear and your favorite color are the same thing?)

To answer the first question, right now I'd pick blue but I own more red. And my favorite color to wear is a bright, cheerful spring green or maybe chocolate brown. The green makes me happy but the brown looks good on me, so I guess it would depend on the mood. And sometimes I get in pink moods which kinda makes me laugh.

If I've raised more questions in your mind, feel free to drop them off in the comment box. Otherwise, I'll be answering Josi's question on Monday. You'll find out everything you never wanted to know about growing up with deaf parents.