Only Time for a Quickie

You've heard me sing their praises, so I KNOW you know who they are. Two of my favorite YA authors,Susane Colasanti and Lauren Myracle, BOTH have new books out today. Woo hoo! I'm sure I'll have something to say about them soon. In the meantime, check them out!

AND I turn 40 on Saturday, so in case I don't talk to you until then (going on a field trip tomorrow), condolences may be sent HERE! xox

When I am weak, they are strong.

My kids have been fantastic with my little injury. They've brought me food, snacks, beer, books, the newspaper, you name it. They rush upstairs to tell me how they helped clean up the kitchen and bathe their sibs. Not only are they being helpful and encouraging, but they feel great about it. It totally reinforced my theories about chores. Remember when kids did farm chores? They HAD to milk the cow or the cow would be in pain AND they wouldn't have milk. That chore was a real, valid, need. How often to kids today really see the NEED in their chores? I mean, if my four-year-old doesn't make his bed, the world won't crash in and he knows it. No one goes hungry, no one's in pain. I'm sure in his mind, he's like, what's that all about? And if my eleven-year-old doesn't start her load of laundry, she KNOWS I'll do it eventually. And my six-year-old also knows I won't let the dog go hungry but so long although I think that chore might be the closest thing to a real, valid chore experience. My ten-year-old always does her chores (and always has the most cash in the house). That's why I didn't mention her chores. So what's the word I'm looking for: MEANINGFUL? Their chores must be MEANINGFUL to be valid, and only then will they feel real pride in them. Does that mean they don't have to make their beds? No, but I have to attach it to something MEANINGFUL. "Doesn't it feel good to come home to a neat room? Doesn't a made bed make your room look nice and inviting?" And so on. Sounds hokey, but kids actually respond very well to most hokey. Until they're eleven, and they don't respond to anything, but that's another blog for another day.

AND we had a MYRACLE in our house this morning. Our current favorite middle grade author Lauren Myracle e-mailed us back!!! My YD received her new book, THIRTEEN, last week after waiting, waiting and waiting for its release. IT did not disappoint. She and I both had it read in twenty-four hours and it was every bit as fabulous as TWELVE and ELEVEN. If you haven't read these darling books, you MUST. Definitely the new Judy Blume. Each book goes from birthday to birthday, chronicling a year in the life of Winnie. Parents are well-drawn, big sister is awesome (the best big sister in children's fiction, imho), and the little brother relationship is hilarious, of course, but also sweet and tender. In one scene, he duct tapes his pants to his ankles so the snakes can't get it. (of course there are no snakes) He said if he knew the snakes couldn't get in, he could be brave and strong for the girl he likes (who has sparkly jeans). Anyway, to receive an e-mail from her was so exciting for my YD, and I will forever adore Lauren Myracle for it. What an awesome thing. We printed out the e-mail, cut it out, and taped it inside her book for everyone at school to see.

In all this lying around with my ankle, I've caught up on my critiques for my writing group and OM paperwork (regional competition this week-end--woo hoo!), but I've done very little writing. I'm seriously considering a break from novels and going back to some other kinds of writing. But, of course, I'm not doing that either! Anyway, maybe I'll go do it now. Have a great week, everyone. Thanks for all the well-wishes on my ankle! xoxox
p.s. go get Lauren Myracle's books NOW if you haven't already!

Where's your sword?

Yes, I KNOW you're not supposed to ask your husband, "How does this look?" before you leave the house. In retrospect, I can think of a million reasons why I shouldn't have asked the least of which is the fact that he doesn't even look anyway. But I did it anyway. This morning I dressed to go to a new Beth Moore study (awesome, yes), and I had on a pair of skinny jeans (not the kind you wear when YOU're skinny, but the kind with the skinny legs). Anyway, I had to put my boots on OUTSIDE the pants because they just wouldn't fit underneath. I also had on a long sleeved white blouse with a pink sweater vest, nothing special or unusual or new or anything like that. So I asked, "HOw does this look?" Meaning, of course, the boots on the outside, etc. He glanced at me for a second and said, "Fine. But where's your sword?" Nice, huh? Just an example of the MANY, MANY ways men just don't get it! Do you think I glided out into the world confident and ready for the day? Do you think when I stood before my group to lead the music that I wasn't distracted by that comment? And why are men always thinking of things clearly phallic? ACtually, this is more about him than me! Where's my sword? Remember, I DON'T HAVE ONE! Duh. Just a mini-vent. Thanks for listening. Any good stories out there about your husband's feedback on your apparel?

Both of my daughters have become enthralled with reading. One has been a reader for years, and one began with the Clique books. Last week was so excited at our house because the new Clique book, Bratfest at Tiffany's, came out. (and let me just say here, I'm thrilled she's reading SOMETHING) My other daughter is a big fan of Lauren Myracle's books (Eleven and Twelve), which are FABULOUS if you haven't read them, today's answer to Judy Blume, and yesterday she received the new one from B&N where we'd preordered. We'd been counting down the days until the release of Thirteen, and by our count that morning, we had another week until the February 28th release day, so imagine how THRILLED she was when it came early. It was like Christmas. She danced around with the book, kissed it, and commenced reading. Thank you, Lauren Myracle, wherever you are, for sharing your talent. What a blessing you have been to our family and countless others, no doubt. And thanks to Lisi Harrison, as well, for getting my non-reader fired up. She said if Lisi Harrison stopped writing, she would stop reading. (yes, she's always a bit dramatic)

Have a wonderful week, all. I've only received one rejection so far of my editor queries, so I'm hopeful. I'm working on several new things, and I entered the Erma Bombeck contest last week, so we'll see.....xoxox