Ginger Garrett

While away at an out of state book signing last weekend, I ruined my life.

My son, James, is nine and owns a bearded dragon lizard. He loves it and does a great job caring for it in the aquarium that sits on his dresser.

Friday I was shopping online in the local classifieds for a gadget I needed when I saw an ad for a lizard. A couple of guys who own a sword shop had a baby iguana on display there, and they wanted to sell it.

Here’s my mistake, which is so profoundly stupid that even I am dazzled: his picture looked small on my monitor. I emailed them, bought it, and told James he was getting an early Christmas present. I had to leave town the next morning, so I gave my husband the address of the shop and said to pick it up. James was really happy to get another pet.

During the signing, I got several calls from hubby, but I didn’t answer them. I couldn’t. Besides, he’s smarter than me. He knows what to do. What I didn’t know was that back at home, my husband was panicking, but then he decided: hey, she’s smarter than me. She knows what she’s doing. And so he backed his pickup truck up to the shop and loaded in.

When I arrived home a few hours later, I opened my front door, and there in my two story foyer was a huge zoo-quality reptile enclosure, with a “baby” iguana, who is three feet long. He is roughly the size of a basset hound. At maturity, they say, he’ll be six feet. That’s the size of a healthy alligator.

And my son owns him now. It was my Christmas gift to him, and a mother cannot take back Christmas gifts.

Apparently, I never thought to ask questions like, what species of iguana is this? How big does this species get? What type of “display” in your sword shop do you have? Is this animal suitable for a child? Would I see this animal in a zoo?

All I know is, he was only about two inches long in that picture on my computer monitor….

Now that summer is over, and we’re off the beach and back indoors, women all over the country will start getting glycolic acid peels from their dermatologists.  Glycolic acid is naturally derived sugar acid. When applied to the skin, it dissolves the top layer of skin cells, causing a mild burn. As the skin regenerates, tiny wrinkles become less noticeable and new collagen is formed. Your pores will look smaller, and your face will have a baby-fresh glow. It’s a natural, safe alternative to more invasive treatments.

At your doctor, glycolic acid peels can cost around $250 or more each, and several are required. Usually a package of peels, done over a series of weeks, will run you around $1,500 or more.

But thanks to companies like AB Skincare, you can now purchase glycolic acid to use at home. These home treatments are less intense than a doctor-office peel, but they deliver great results when used consistently. You can find AB skincare at the link below, and you can find other brands at any beauty supply store near you.

But here are a few insider tips that you need to know before starting:

1. Don’t do a peel before heading outdoors for a long time. New skin is vunerable to sun damage. You’ve got to wear sunscreen, and a good mineral makeup for extra protection.

2. DO NOT use a glycolic acid peel if you have a cold sore. A doctor from Dr. 90210 shared this tip with me. The cold sore virus can spread all over your face when the skin is raw and vunerable. He says it is a real nightmare, so don’t try it. Get the sore healed completely first.

3. If using a full-strength peel, you must use a neutralizing solution afterwards. Glycolic acid will remain active until it is neutralized, and you can get a stronger, harsher burn if you don’t neutralize it properly.

4. Take it in stages. You will notice a healthier complexion right away, but the real results will build up over time. Give yourself time to see how your skin reacts over the next 3-5 days before using another peel.

5. Glycolic acid is best for fighting the signs of premature aging, and reversing sun damage. If acne is a problem, you may want to consider using salicylic acid instead, or a peel that has both combined. Salicylic acid is better at getting down into the pores and clearing them out.

AB Skincare can be found at:

WWW.ABSKINCARE.COM

If you want to read In The Shadow of Lions but are short on cash (and who isn’t these days?) there are two ways you can get a free copy:

1. Start a book club. Book  clubs get one free copy of the book plus a guide to hosting a bookclub event, “An Evening With The Tudors.” Then, email me your address and a few details about the club (how many are in, when you meet) and we’ll send one out.

2. Ask your library to order it. They will! Just give them this info:

In the Shadow of Lions

By Ginger Garrett

ISBN 978-0-7814-4887-1

David C Cook Publishers

It’s that easy! Librarians love to bring in books that the patrons ask for. Enjoy!

There is a new website now up and running that is dedicated to the new series Chronicles of the Scribe:

www.chroniclesofthescribe.com

I’ll be adding to it, but if you have ideas or suggestions, let me know!

The “Three for Tea” Book Tour continues its whistle-stop tour across the country, but we’ve moved the Des Moines date to accomodate media.

Here’s a reminder of our two remaining appearances for 2008:

Nashville, LifeWay Bookstore, November 22

Des Moines, Connexions Bookstore, December 13

Also, check your listings for the cable show The Harvest Show. I’ll be a live guest (as opposed to a dead one, I suppose) on November 19.  I love the Harvest Show and if you’ve never watched, please tune in. They always have interesting guests and the hosts feel like family.

I have one last major scene to write for the next installment of In The Arms of Immortals, book two of the Chronicles of the Scribe series. This book has beaten me over the head for a year now and I am surprised to see how it wraps up. Although I outline the plot before I begin, people always surprise me, even if they’re only imaginary. This novel deals with the Black Death and its profound impact on Christianity. There is SO much we’re not taught in schools…

The reader letters from book one have been GREAT to read. Most have been positive, but when I get an angry letter, whoa boy, is it angry. I treasure those. Not as much as I treasure the encouraging ones, but still, knowing someone with a pulse is reading the books is always a good sign.

A few were angry that I ended the book the way I did. So, to answer those questions: yes, Mariskka shows up in book two. And no, she’s not exactly a nice person. You’ll learn why in book two.

I’ve got new products coming in for review from health & beauty publicists, so I’ll keep you posted on those!