"Good Day Atlanta would like you on the show Wednesday morning," said Lisa, my publicist.

Wednesday!  I was supposed to be in Charlotte that day.  Of course, I quickly shifted gear when I learned that this was the only date they had available.  Southern Girl beggers, as they say, definitely cannot be choosers.

So, after freaking out about what to wear and arranging for (more) childcare, I jumped in the car and took off for Atlanta, a day before schedule.  I checked into my hotel (no way was I going to ask a girlfriend to put up with me leaving so early the next morning) and set my alarm.  I also set the hotel alarm clock and requested a wake-up call.  Hey, you can't be too careful!  (And I am not exactly a morning person, especially on the kind of sleep I'm getting these days.)

Before I turned out the light, I read my book as if studying for a final exam.  After all, I had no idea what they wanted me to talk about -- and it's 252 pages.

I didn't sleep much, so when the alarm went off, I bolted out of bed and hopped in the shower.  And, despite having plenty of time, I still managed to leave late.  Then the security guard at the front gate of the television station did not have me on my list, which made me even later.

In case you haven't read my book yet, this is nothing new.  I was late to my birth, late to my wedding and I'm hoping I'll be late to my funeral as well.  It runs in the blood, much to my husband's dismay.

Fortunately, I had planned on arriving early at the studio, so I was actually right on time.  A rarity, to say the least.  Maybe I should try this more often.  (Sure.)

In the green room -- yes, it's really called 'the green room' and, at least in this case, was actually a very pleasant shade of green, I immediately polled everyone about my outfit, a retro, pink and green Lilly Pulitzer dress and coatdress.

"It's fantastic," said the makeup artist, before she touched up the makeup I had done.

"But don't you think it will look gray on camera?" I asked.

"Oh, no," she said.  "It will look great."

The producer came in to greet me and we chatted, then I walked around the empty set.  I finally settled back in the green room to watch the show, which was beginning, over a cup of coffee.

After awhile, Cheryl, the host who would be interviewing me, came in to say hello.  "I loved your book!" she said.  "It's hilarious!"

I told her about the award the book had just won (the 2006 USA Best Books Award, for the humor category) and we chatted about Mark's work at Grady Hospital, prior to leaving for the Middle East.  I also told Cheryl that I was a local, having lived in Atlanta for almost ten years, where I worked as a journalist.  I still write for a number of Atlanta publications.

"Oh, so you're one of us!" she joked.

Before long, it was time to go on the air.  I sat down across from Cheryl, who reminded me to speak to her, not the camera.  Someone clipped on a mic and we were off. 

Cheryl, lucky girl, got to read from the teleprompter.  Fortunately, however, I had studied up the night before.

"But you wrote the book," people say, when I tell them I need to review it, occasionally.  "Surely you know it backwards and forwards."

Surprisingly, I don't.  I always joke that I write because I like to 'run my mouth' (as my Daddy used to say).  And when you run your mouth, especially as fast as I tend to run mine, you don't always remember what you say.  This is not necessarily a good thing, by the way.

The show was over before I knew it.  About three minutes, I believe, although it felt like seconds.  And it was fun -- really fun.  I loved it, in fact.

So if anybody out there on The Today Show is looking for an extra host -- especially a sassy Southern Girl -- please note that I am available.  For a small fee, of course.

Until then, take a gander at my interview and tell me what you think.

Good Day Atlanta

And stay sweet, y'all!

With Southern love,

Annabelle
www.SouthernGirlsGuide.com