That's right. My mother, in Florida, had knee surgery a few days ago. A total knee replacement of her right knee. She should have had this done 10 years ago. I am happy she had it done. Her birthday is today - 65. She came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon - nice b-day gift - home again and a new right knee. Dad will help take care of you - Happy Birthday mama :)

I'm reading Mermaids in the Basement now - it's southern chick lit by Michael Lee West and so far, I think I'm going to like this writer. Love the cover.

So my guys are into the Beatles right now. Have been for the past month or so. It's nice. I dig the Beatles, always have. J had his friend Benny over again for the weekend and come midnight from our family room I had Paul McCartney and John Lennon in my home singing and playing a mean guitar and keyboard ;)

It's late and my eyes are tired. Lots of baseball coming up this week - oh, and Confirmation for my 16 year old...

Goodnight all,
Paula

and I forgot my damn camera! Yesterday officially kicked off my son Phillip's high school baseball season (well, sort of), it was a scrimmage game, but a game non the less and it was a beautiful, sunny day. We hauled the family an hour and a half north and after arriving at the field I noticed I didn't have my camera. Oh well, it felt good to plop my butt in a chair on a gorgeous day and relax and watch a ball game for two and a half hours - and do NOTHING else. Phillip was happy, he started at first base and then also played some left field. I felt so lazy the rest of the day that I decided to do NOTHING the rest of the day. Baseball season kinda does that to me. Hey, NOTHING wrong with that once in awhile, right?

Well another busy week of work and school for me coming up... Has anyone seen a good movie lately?

Got to run - today's a busy day, unlike yesterday :(

Have a wonderful week,
Paula

Spring is definitely on its way. It should be, it's the month of April already. My kids are so ready to get outside for some fresh air - and skateboarding, baseball and picking beautiful flowers. Today's forecast - sunny and 50. No doubt my youngest son will be out in shorts and a tee today. That's still a wee bit too cold for me but soon, yes soon, I'll be unpacking summer clothes and putting away the long underwear and winter boots until next October.

I started reading a new book this weekend - yes, another Jodi Picoult novel. It's her latest release Change of Heart. I'm not that far along yet, maybe page 50, but so far, I'm hooked. Check out Jodi's news at http://www.jodipicoult.com. She is one incredible woman, mom and writer.

Our spring issue of Mom Writer's Literary Magazine is out featuring Publisher Nancy Cleary - awesome issue. I learned some wonderful news the other day for MWLM. Our MWLM site was chosen for the third year in a row as one of the 101 Best Sites for Writers by Writer's Digest Magazine. Yippee! Thanks to everyone who voted for us - we appreciate your support for mom writers :)

Oh, check out this great site http://www.birthonlaborday.com/home.html. The founder of BOLD, Karen Brody (BirthOnLaborDay) and Playwright of Birth is an amazing woman. Lots of great things happening there...

OK, time for this mama to scoot. Have a super week and enjoy the sunshine!
~ Paula

OK, so I have another teenager around the house now and did I mention that I noticed a few more gray (well silver) hairs on the top of my head this week? Joseph turned 13 last Sunday and he wanted to know if he looked any taller. Right. It was nice that his older brother, Tony, surprised him from college and drove over for the night with his girlfriend, Meghan, to visit. We had his usual - Tacos and rice for lunch instead of dinner as we had the final games for the first tournament that his middle school team is playing in. And guess what? They won! Nice birthday gift :) Here are some pics from J's birthday (J gets Bongos) and the tournament...

Hey, spring is just around the corner and so is baseball season :)

Enjoy the rest of your week!

~Paula

I LOVE my MAC! It's set up and running and boy, I wish I had one three years ago. They are extremely user friendly and reliable. So that is one thing off my to do list. Thank you Apple.

I'm exhausted. The past week has been crazy busy with everything including my college classes...but, I love it. And, I'm reading another Jodi Picoult novel entitled Perfect Match. I guess you could say I'm losing sleep every night because I can't seem to stop reading and turn off the damn light - She is so good. And I am so tired. Such is life.

Well basketball season is over for my 10th grader, Phillip. I'm sad but he is ready to move on to baseball - his love. His team ended up at 17 and 5 and they won the trophy for the end of the season tournament so that was fun. My 7th grader, Joseph's season has ended but they are now playing their end of season tournament and they keep winning (and they did again today) so we continue playing next weekend over Joseph's 13th birthday :)

Damn, look at the time - got to run. My kids are on winter break this week...HELP!

Have a great week!
Paula

I'm getting a new computer - Yay! - and I can not wait.  My existing IBM is almost 3 1/2 years years old and has been slowly dying so this time around I am getting a MAC :)  I've heard such great things about Apple's MAC computers and I should have it this week.  I'm sure I will have lots of reading and learning to get it up and going but it will be worth it.  Anybody have a MAC and what are your thoughts on it versus a PC?  Please tell me good things :)

Anyway, we are having a full blown snow blizzard outside right now and with all the snow we have had dumped on us this winter, we may just get buried in the white stuff.  My sons keep asking me, "Mom, do you think we'll have a snow day tomorrow?"  God I hope not.  We just had two days with 2-hour school delays last week. My Anna banana does NOT want a snow day - she loves school and playing with her friends. 

So Joseph found out this past week that he was selected to go in March to the Northeast District Band Festival representing his middle school and playing the drums so that was nice.  Should be a fun night watching and listening to all the kids play their hearts out.  My guys are also entering their school's talent shows in March so that will be cool to see all the different acts put on by kids - and there are lots of them.  My hubby remembers his high school talent shows where he grew up in Michigan with Madonna singing and struting her stuff - Yes, Madonna.  And she was a brunette back then.  She was one grade up from him and in the same class with one of his sisters. 

Well, time for this mom to make some dinner....and maybe play outside in the snow ;)

Toodles, Paula   

Happy Birthday to my Anna Gracie (6), Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby (23), and Happy New Year to all (Welcome 2008)!

Here are some snaps of my Anna Banana girl from the 27th and we're celebrating 23 years tonight out for a nice dinner and The Water Horse flick.  Hard to believe 2008 is knockin' on our doors, but it is, and I'm ready.  Enjoy the rest of 2007 everyone and bring on the New Year  :)

~ Paula

Anna gets the Grinch

Anna with Little Mommy

Yum Yum, Anna loves cake!

So this morning my oldest, Tony, had his four wisdom teeth removed.  It went well.  He only has a little swelling and his lower lip is still totally numb, but he is determined to get through this quickly.  He was even up playing ping-pong with one of his brothers tonight.  I think it's going to hit him tomorrow morning when the rest of the novacaine wears off and the throbbing kicks in.  But we are thinking positive as Tony told me this afternoon :)

Did everyone have a Merry Little Christmas?  We did.  Here are some of my favorite snapshots from Christmas Eve and Xmas day of my Rugrats, oh, and me and the hubby  :)

Take care, Paula

Christmas Eve 2007

Nick with J looking on...

Phillip and Bob Marley 

Joseph with new skateboard

Nick with his shuffle      

Guitar picks and some much needed socks, Yay!

Anna excited about her new cup from big brother Tony

Anna Banana with Angela and Pita

Tony ready for the gym

  Tony and Rage...

Phillip with his new baby

Me with my new baby

J with his new baby :)

(Quarter Pipe)

Oh where oh where can it be...?  Seriously.

We have had sickness in our house since the end of November and by the time we are just getting over one thing, another sickness hits and spreads right through the house again.  It's enough to drive a mom batty.  Will the coughing ever end?  My damn hands are RAW from washing them so much and the lady at Rite Aid must think I own stock in Lysol, Dimetapp and Tylenol. 

So through all the illness I managed to get through my three finals for my college classes this past week - YIPPEEEE, I am done until January 22nd!!!!  Such a GOOD feeling.  My son Nicky Nacky finished up his finals at UCONN this week as well and Tony (at UMASS) will wrap his up by next Thursday (good luck Tone).  We are looking forward to having you guys home for the holidays :)

Everyone around me seems to be having a baby.  Really.  Suddenly, so many women I know are pregnant or having a baby, which is great, don't get me wrong, but I am starting to feel...OLD.  And I noticed that most of the bambinos have been - girls.  Two of my colleagues recently had little girls (Kate and Annie) and just today we got the news that our neice had her baby 4 weeks early-and wouldn't you know-a baby girl, Carly Jane.  Don't you just love these names - Kate, Annie and Carly - so adorable.  We need some boys!

Basketball season for my guys is going well.  Even through all the illness my butt's been planted in the gym three nights a week.  Phillip's JV team is 4-0 and J's team is 3-1.  Keep up the good work guys, you're doing great.

I've been listening to my Christmas music for the past couple weeks.  I just love Christmas tunes.  I think my favorites are Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells and Joy to the World.  I know the kids get sick of hearing Sleigh bells ring...are you listening....but it's only one month out of the year, come on.  Give up your Rage Against the Machine and Slightly Stoopid for just the month of December will ya.  The music helps get me in the holiday spirit, what can I say.  My Christmas shopping is done, cards are done, wrapping is almost done, we bought and trimmed our tree today (2 weeks late this year but oh well), and now all that is left is - the BAKING. Next week I hope to spend hours in the kitchen with some of my most treasured holiday recipes - and of course eating the stuff is THE best part (scale, what scale?)

Enjoy the holidays everyone - they pass so quickly. Oh, here is a dark and blurry picture of our Christmas tree that J took tonight - I think we need a new camera Santa.

MWLM winter mags have shipped out with our cover feature on Rock Star Momma Skye Hoppus so watch for those in your mailbox - and online starting Monday, the 17th!  Have a super week!

Toodles, Paula

It's almost here.  The Boston Music Awards.  So cool!  I have been looking forward to this weekend all month.  I hope to get some good pictures and we really lucked out to get front row seats.  The kids are super psyched.  Should be fun...anyone else going?

So I had my butt planted in the basketball gym tonight for a scrimmage game.  The official season starts in a couple days for my 10th grader and we are hiking 2 hours (each way) for that one.  Oh well, what else do I have to do...?

Here is a b-day pic of Nick (19 years young) from last week - my how he has grown...

Have a fab weekend!

Ciao,

Paula

So I got my cholesterol results back last Friday. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be :) but still a little high.  Actually, it's my Triglycerides that need to come down and of course the doc is reminding me to exercise more and stick to my low fat diet - easier said than done.  So I have that to work on for the next six months before seeing the doc again for my next check.  No more bacon and eggs...and cheese, shellfish, burgers, fries.......

Basketball tryouts are finally over this week for my 1oth grader, thank god.  Poor kid has broken out from the stress, sheesh.  That's really tough on a young kid when there are so many kids wanting to play a sport at their school and the coaches watch their every move like a hawk -and then cut by weeks end to get to the number they need. Oiy!  So his games begin December 1st and from there on out this mom will be in a basketball gym for 2 1/2 months straight.  My 7th grader who is in middle school has tryouts as well for basketball and that starts tomorrow - wonder if he's going to break out too?

Happy Birthday Nicholas!  My second oldest son's 19 today!  He'll be home tonight from college for the week and it'll be so good to see him since he hasn't been home since he left for college this year at the end of August. God where is the time going?!  See you soon Nacky!

Here's a couple pics of Nick...

Nicholas, 11, snuggles up with our new pup, Charlie.

MusicMan Nick, 17, performing on his guitar.

I'd like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!  We'll be in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for a couple days and I am so looking forward to no cooking, cleaning, work or college classes.  Yes!

Enjoy!

~Paula

So have you heard of the Bloggers Choice Awards?  I just recently heard about this great site http://www.bloggerchoiceawards.com as two of my blogs, MWLM blog and What Did You Do All Day? blog were both nominated in four categories each.  Fun!  They offer tons of cool categories for bloggers - even an animal blog.  Check it out and if you are a blogger, all you need to do is register (takes a minute) and you can vote to your hearts content - and maybe YOUR blog will even get nominated :)  I have a few favorite blogs I enjoy perusing when time allows.  How about this mama blog - BECAUSE I SAID SO!  Ouch. Now this is a mom you'd better listen too.  And this one - Wiping Up Snot  Love that title.  How about this one - Dooce  OK.  And finally... Don't Get Me Started which is written by my pal Linda Sharp.  There are endless other great blogs I have bookmarked.  So many great blogs, so little time! 

I was reminiscing the other day, looking through old family pics and came across our family Thanksgiving pic from 2006.  Here's my gang last turkey day.  Note the big smiles as we are about to STUFF! 

Count down to Turkey Day 2007 - 9 DAYS!  :)

Have a good one,

~ Paula

and I am so excited!!!  Last week I purchased tickets for our gang to go to the Orpheum Theater in Boston for the Boston Music Awards 20th anniversary.  How cool is that?  It's on December 1st and there are many groups and singer/songwriters up for several awards in different categories.  Out tickets are in the orchestra section - front row baby!  And guess who will be there and is nominated for four awards?  (Act of The Year, Album of The Year (Major), National Female Vocalist of The Year, and Song of The Year).  Lori McKenna.  Lori will be our three year anniversary summer 2008 feature story and cover for Mom Writer's Literary Magazine.  Lori was wonderful to interview and talk to (we conducted the interview in late September as Lori's traveling schedule was to hit right after her debut at the Grand Ole Opry late September). I can't wait to see and possibly meet Lori at the music awards in Boston - I already cast my votes for you Lori ;)  Any John Mayer fans?  Little tidbit...John's going to be there too :)

It's raining today...yay!  I love rainy days once in awhile, don't you?  So we've had a normal week of craziness between work, life, school, life, yada, yada, yada. My 12 year old, J, had his best friend, Benny, over this weekend and I thought the music would never end.  My basement could have exploded with the jams that were played - oh, and the new name for my gang's band...ready...Sauce.  Yep, that's it - Sauce. Where do they come up with these names for music groups?  I kind of like it though. Sauce.

Anybody started their holiday shopping?  The weeks are counting down.  I started in, like, September as I like to spread it out over a few months.  I don't know how holiday shoppers can head to the mall (or online) and get their shopping done two weeks before Christmas?  I would be a basket case.  Between the shopping, wrapping, decorating and baking - enough said.

Gotta run!  School books are calling me...

Have a fun week and enjoy the cooler weather!

Paula 

So, what's new?  Ummm, oh, yeah, my son's school had homecoming this past weekend - town parade, bonfire and pizza party on Friday night and then the football game Saturday (in the cold, pouring rain), and then, the homecoming dance.  About the dance.  My 10th grade son decides, at the last minute, to go to the dance with a group of friends - and his 7th grade brother.  We told J (7th grade son) to call us from his cell phone to let us know what he was doing (if he couldn't get in the dance as he is a middle schooler we would come pick him up - we live walking distance from the school).  Ends up one of the school's directors is chaperoning the dance, and he says sure J could go in - and he lets him in.  So J is the only middle schooler at the homecoming dance, hanging out with his brother and all his brother's friends - and dancing. The dance is a super nice, well chaperoned event and all in all, the kids had a really nice evening.

I'm just going to say two really gross words, OK.  FLAT WARTS.  There.  I said it.  I went for my yearly dermatology check the other day, you know, skin/mole check since skin cancer runs in my family, and the doc says all is good except...looks like you have FLAT WARTS on your left hand...Huh?  What the hell are flat warts and why are they on my left hand?!  So, the nurse goes out and comes back with the LIQUID NITROGEN - ouch, just the name scares the hell out of me. I hold out my hand and zap, zap, zap, the doc burns the suckers.  Now I have six lovely scabs just waiting to fall off. FLAT WARTS - ugh.

Happy Halloween to everyone!  We had a fun night tonight.  The boys handed out candy with Gage (one of Phillip's friends) while we took Anna Banana (aka - the white bunny) out for trick-or-treating and then J (Cartman) went out for candy with his friends while Gage (Grim Reaper) and Phillip(George Bush) continued handing out the goodies until we ran out (7 bags of candy).  Here's the gang - and it's so weird to be trick-or-treating in daylight because of daylight savings time - it should be dark and scary for Halloween.  The weather was terrific however, 59 degrees in Vermont.  Perfect.

Phillip,Gage, Joseph and Anna

Phillip, Anna and Joseph

And here is my UMASS college son Tony - aka Captain Condom ;)

My other college son was a UCONN leaf blower - don't ask!  No pictures available yet.

And here is a pic from Halloween of Tony, Joe and Driscoll, a couple of Tony's college pals ;)

Anyhoo, enjoy your week!

Paula

and I have SO much to do when all I want to do is NOTHING!  Do you ever have those kind of weekends? (Please say yes).

Well soccer season is finally coming to an end.  The big end of season tournament is tomorrow (all day!) and that should do it for soccer.  Basketball is right around the corner...

My brain is fried.  I took a big exam just a few hours ago for one of my three college classes and I'm done for the day (and night).  I did work on my magazine today as we are getting the winter issue ready - wait till you see our feature story - Rock Star Momma Skye Hoppus (Mark Hoppus from former band Blink 182, now +44 - his wife)!  She is awesome and it was so cool to chat with her for MWLM.  So be sure to check her (and us) out come December :)

Has anyone visited The Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts?  I am so excited - that is where our family will be celebrating Turkey Day this year!!  Gobble Gobble...The menu looked SO incredibly good and the village ( 3 hours away) has so much to do, so we are looking forward to that come November 21st and 22nd.  What are your plans for Thanksgiving 2007?

This mom needs to run - time to pick up one of the kids.....

Toodles, Paula

What is with this weather in Vermont?  It is September 28th for god sakes and it feels like mid July!  Sticky and hot when it should be cool and crisp.  The leaves are falling and they haven't even changed their color!  We are going to go straight from summer to winter again I just know it.  I'm ready to unpack my sweatshirts already - it is football season, right?  Totally gyped this fall...

Soccer season is a go however and such fun.  The two younger boys (Phillip and Joseph) are doing great this season - I just love soccer.  Why the hell we have to drive all over the state is beyond me.  Like tomorrows game for instance...We'll be driving over 4 hours to watch an hour and a half game.  Gotta love it.  I guess that's our Saturday...my rear in the chair on the sidelines while my son is running his rear off on the field.  At least somebody is getting a workout.

Phillip is the one in white and green:

Joseph in red

I am SO excited!  My guys are teaching me how to play guitar!!!  Well, it's not the first time for me. About 5 years ago I started to take piano and guitar lessons which lasted a couple months but just couldn't keep up with the schedule and I stopped - stupid of me, I know. So, I've recently decided to add more to my overflowing plate of work, 3 school classes and my family responsibilities and will be learning to play the acoustic guitar. Yay!!  I also have started back to writing song lyrics which I did years and years ago and then never did anything with, so that has been exciting - now to make music to go with those lyrics is my next trick...and did I mention that I sing too ;)  I'm just excited to be doing all of this with my kids - such fun!

OK, time to get back to the school books - I can sing and play guitar later...

Have a great weekend everyone!

~Paula

 

Happy Sunday!  I had a nice week, crazy busy, but nice.  How about you?

Is everyone enjoying the end of summer/early fall?  I know I am.  As I sit here eating my butternut squash soup I am reminded that fall is right around the corner by the fresh, crisp air that is blowing in my office window.  It's chilly here in Vermont today - sunny and 58 - gorgeous!  Can't wait for the leaves to turn their beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange.  The kids love that too, however, they don't care much for raking up those leaves after they have fallen-who does?

My oldest son, Tony, turns 20 in a few days - YIKES!  How can he be 20 when I am only 29...?  :)  Seems like only yesterday I delivered that 9 pound bundle of cuteness.  If you're reading Tony, Happy Birthday and behave yourself!  :)

Has anyone heard Lori McKenna's new CD?  For those of you who don't know Lori you can read about her here http://www.lorimckenna.com.  Lori is going to be featured in our Mom Writer's Literary magazine summer 2008 issue and I am honored.  Lori's PR people sent me copies of her new CD and I finally got a chance to listen this weekend and I will tell you that this singer, songwriter, wife and mother of five from Stoughton, Massachusetts has a beautiful voice (and can play guitar!) and what I really loved about her songs was that I could totally relate to the words she wrote - "No frills, no fuss/Perfectly us, unglamorous."  As a mother of five myself, I felt drawn to Lori and her music instantly and I am very excited to have her as a part of our literary magazine for moms.  I wish you all the best Lori McKenna and I look forward to working with you.  Your talented musical "discovery" couldn't have happened to a nicer mama :)

OK, that's it for me today.  I've got a list of things to do and need to get to it!

Have a wonderful week and drop me a line in my comments box if you have the time :)

Cheers!

Paula

...and what a crazy busy week it's been!  I am EXHAUSTED and need a nap.

So, the kids are all back to school - except the oldest, Tony, who is here with us and leaving tonight to head back to UMASS.  Nick started classes Monday at UCONN and of course called to say he needed more money for books and what not, Phillip started on Tuesday and his big news was that he has a new girlfriend and she is a junior (one year ahead of him), Joseph started Wednesday, and again, his news, he has a girlfriend AND two others who want to be his girlfriend - wonderful.  And Anna started Kindergarten today and did super :)  Her teacher is a doll and I just know she is going to have a great year - which makes mom rest easier.  Hope all the moms out there who got there kids off to school recently got off to a great start :)  I know one thing for sure - I am sleeping in this weekend!  Here's the rugrats this morning all ready to go...

Got to go for now - Tony and I have lots of running around to do today before he leaves for school...

Have a fab Labor Day weekend!

~Paula

It's finally here. SOCCER MOM season and this mom has been on the go constantly (and it is actually pre-season right now with just practices - twice a day for a total of 4 hours of soccer!).  Quite honestly I feel that two hours a day is just peachy for the boys, but no, they are doing four.  If nothing else it will get my son in shape this fall.  He is already complaining about how sore he is, but hey, he loves the game and is looking forward to playing on the JV team this year, so button up the complaining and get out there and sweat.  I'm actually looking forward to the season starting which is September 4th, so come that time, this mom will be screaming from the sidelines...

Has anybody else had enough of Brittany Spears and Nicole Richie?  That is all I hear about in the celebrity news - oh, no, I am wrong - let's not forget Lindsay Lohan.  GOD!  These girls are such a disgrace.  How can they live the way they do?  Such an embarrassment to their families...

Off that subject and on to books - again :)  I just started reading Jenn Kaufman and Karen Mack's novel Literacy and Longing in L.A. So far, so good.  And you'll never guess where these two ladies are from...right, L.A., busy working on their second novel together entitled, A Version of the Truth.  All the best to Jenn and Karen!

Anybody go on a FUN summer trip this year (with or without the kiddos)?  Or better yet, how about a disastrous summer trip?  I'd love to hear about it with all the details ladies :)

Here's to a great week!

Paula   

So J is back from camp - that would be my youngest son who is 12 years old.  He has been playing the drums since he was 10 and he also plays piano and most recently, the electric guitar.  He loves music.  He also sings (and not just in the shower), however, he doesn't really like to admit to it because of how young he is and he's afraid that at any given moment his voice will CRACK while belting out a tune *sigh*   Anyhoo, we totally enjoyed his drummer camp performance, along with all the other campers - they were all awesome!  Here is a movie link to J's first song by Weezer.  He got to play with a former member of the group 8084 (who was excellent I must say) - warning: this download takes quite a bit of time but it is so worth it ;)   http://www.paulaschmitt.com/images/M2U00469.MPG

Hey, I thought I was a busy mom - have you met the Duggar family from Tontitown, Arkansas?  The whole story is all sweet and wonderful, but how can one woman give birth to 17 children, let alone raise them?  I mean, the grocery bills and how many rolls of toilet paper must they go through, really?!  I know with a family of seven I feel like I'm putting on a fresh roll everyday. Good God.  And the LAUNDRY...how do they manage that task?!  I don't even want to think about it - I've read all about their lifestyle and quite frankly, I'm tired.  If you haven't already checked them out, here they are www.duggarfamily.com  They plan to keep adding to their beautiful family and i wish them all the best...

Anybody reading a good book?  I am close to finishing In the Woods by Tana French - really good mystery set in Ireland. 

Days left until school begins - 17!!!!!!

~Paula  

Oh, how about rainy days all week!  It has rained every day this week and we are at Friday - where is the sun?  Sheesh.

So my son Tony has a girlfriend...he has dated on and off the past two years at college but for the past month he has been dating a girl (Kindra) from Colorado.  She came over this summer and will be attending UMASS Amherst for her sophmore year (Tony is a junior) and then is supposed to return to Colorado.  I wonder how that will go over.  I'm waiting for a picture...

My little gal Anna Banana lost another tooth yesterday and it's a good thing as the new tooth was growing in behind it.  Of course she had a zillion questions about the tooth fairy and my favorite question was "Mama, is the tooth fairy bigger than my tooth?" :)

Guess I'd better get running.  Errands and then I am off to my sons' all day basketball camp which has invited the parents in the afternoon to watch scrimmages and free throw contests, etc...should be fun and this is their last day of bb camp.  My son, J, heads off to drummer camp in a couple weeks which he is pysched about again this year.  I can't imagine the noise level at that camp...

Enjoy your week!

Toodles, Paula

has been grand.  This mom can't complain.  Kids are totally enjoying the summer and time off from school and all the craziness of constantly running here and there - moms enjoying some down time as well :)

My two older sons are doing very well.  They're living in Amherst, Massachsusetts this summer and taking a college class and working to save up some extra money for college next year.  My two younger boys are attending some sport camps (baseball and basketball) this summer and playing their guitars and drums together and just hanging out with friends. My litle gal is full of questions about kindergarten which she starts this fall. So cute.  She also wants to play the piano so guess that's on the list of things for mommy to set up.

A big thanks again to those who have supported Mom Writer's Lit Mag - we could not do it without you so THANK YOU!  Please keep all the great emails and phone calls coming in - we love to hear from you :)  Oh, and a huge thanks to the Caledonian-Record for their wonderful write up in their July 4th paper for Mom Writer's Productions, LLC and MWLM - Thank you Thank you!  Also, thanks to BoxCar & Caboose bookshop in St Johnsbury, VT for your support and for selling our magazine in your shop :)  Please check us out at momwriterslitmag.com   

Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July holiday - did you eat lots of watermelon too?

I'm off to walk on the treadmill and then think about what's for dinner...

Ciao,

Paula   

Well that third and final Pirates movie was quite interesting...and LONG.  (However Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom are easy on the eyes :)).  I took the boys to see the Pirates movie the other day and throughout the entire show I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on - as were the boys.  It was confusing as we had heard from many others, however, we were happy that Elizabeth ended up with Will and that Jack Sparrow was alive and well.  Overall, we enjoyed it along with the popcorn.  Disney has done it again.

Again for those who have asked, here is a link to the Today Show.  It was great fun and I have heard from many friends and family on how they enjoyed it - thanks again to the NBC producers and camera crew who were such fun to work with - you're the best!

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=3aada3ce-2355-4ac1-a7cd-04a819e673d0&f=05&fg=rss

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Watch for the launch of Mom Writer's Lit Mag out Monday, June 25th with the one and only Janet Evanovich!

~Paula :)

It's time to blab - I have nothing better to do at the moment so I will get it in now. 

It's been a nice, relaxing weekend, with all my kids home.  We've eaten some yummy meals, had ice cream desserts, shot hoops, played baseball, watched movies, and been entertained with some music (my boys in their band played) while the hubby and I kicked back, watched and listened.  Nothing better...

Last week we made a huge purchase - we finally broke down and bought our two college sons a car as they will need it this summer where they are living in Amherst, MA.  Here is a pic of the two with their Audi...

Tony and Nick

I head off to NYC in a couple of days - Yay!!!  I'm really excited to be attending the Writer's Digest Book BEA Conference, should be great and I will fill you in when I return...

Until next time...Have a groovy weekend!

~Paula

Yes siree.  Not lazy days of summer, lazy days of spring.  I have so much on my to do list, however, I don't feel like doing a damn thing today.  Ever have that feeling?

What else is new...?  Oh yea, on Thursday night my youngest son's school will have its spring concert and my guy will be performing in two of the middle school songs playing the bass guitar and the piano.  Should be fun and is always a treat.  Then on Friday night our hometown has its Battle of the Bands and my two younger guys (Phil 15 and J 12) will be performing with their band Vitamin Z.  I know, I know, where do they come up with these names?  I'm looking forward to that - should be nice and loud.  Then on Saturday my son Phil has a JV baseball game (let's hope for decent weather) and then on Sunday I am on the road all day as we trek to Connecticut (UCONN) to pick up our son Nick from college.  He has all his final exams this week, poor baby.  That is such a stressful time.  So, no relaxation in site for me this week unfortunately.  What's new?

Guess I'd better get back to work.  I'll try to post pics from the spring concert or the Battle of the Bands next week.  Rock on!

Toodles, pj

NO, not what you are thinking.

I only have a few minutes and then I am off to pick up my son Phillip who is coming home for the weekend.  Orthodontist on Saturday for Phildog to get the braces tightened and he is not too happy.  He looks great with braces, honest...what do you think???

I just want to mention again about the recent launch of my magazine's spring issue at www.momwriterslitmag.com Please visit us!  Our magazine for mom writers and authors is going to print starting with our June (summer) issue, and we will be celebrating our two year anniversary with Janet Evanovich!!!  SO COOL!  She just sent me a gorgeous headshot of herself for our cover and I am psyched :)  So please pass the good news on!

I think that is all from this mama writer today - be good, but not TOO good :)

C ya,

Paula

For the sad news first...

My son who is in high school and his girlfriend have broken up!  I am devastated. I know this may seem crazy, but I am so sad and feel for both of these kids.  I know I am just "a mom" and I should not get involved or have feelings (as the kids think), but I am TERRIBLY sad :(  They were such a cute couple and she was so sweet and good for Phillip.  I want to send her a card or sneak her a phone call but I know that is NOT this moms place to do something that far out, but Ohhhhhhh, I do hurt for them. 

OK, get a grip Paula.

For some happier news...I recently was approached by Real Savvy Mom and I have signed a contract to be a part of their team as a MOM BLOGGER - how cool is that?!!!  Watch for me and my Mom to Mom Blog coming soon :)

And...I can now get down my friggin' driveway! (which is like a mile long) After our BIG snow last Wednesday we could not go anywhere because our plow guy's plow was broken and we had no back up - of course.  So, we found another plow guy and we are in business!  It feels SO good to get out. YES.

Oh, I just have to show this - here is my son Phiilip's basketball team pic for this year. He is the handsome one next to the coach #12 - Congrats St J's!

 

Until we meet again!

Chow, Paula

Hi and welcome back to What Did You Do All Day? with me, mom author, Paula Schmitt J

So, did Phil the Ground Hog see his shadow recently?  Anybody know?  I think Ground Hog day was February 2^nd….Also, February 2^nd was Wear Red Day from the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women.  I proudly wore my red pin dress and I wore red to raise awareness and to empower women to take change of their health and live longer, stronger lives. 

I also wanted to let you know about another wonderful site to check out and it is called Save the Children and you can find it at www.savethechildren.com . 

Here’s a little bit about this wonderful organization.  Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real and lasting change for children in need in the

United States

and around the world. It is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being of children.

The history of Save the Children is a story of positive change and people — millions of people in thousands of communities around the globe — working together to create opportunities for the world's children to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. In January 1932 in a small room in

New York City

, a group of concerned citizens gathered to respond to the needs of the proud people of

Appalachia

hard hit by the Great Depression. 

The inspiration and vision for Save the Children came in part from the international children's rights movement begun in

England

in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb, founder of the British Save the Children Fund. From this early effort in the hills and hollows of Harlan County, Kentucky grew a self-help philosophy and practice still at work today in more than 45 countries — providing communities with a hand up, not a handout.

This approach — working with families to define and solve the problems their children and communities face and utilizing a broad array of strategies to ensure self-sufficiency is the cornerstone of all Save the Children's programs. Through the decades, we have evolved into a leading international relief and development organization. Countless events and achievements have shaped the development of our organization and helped change the lives of the children we serve.

If you would like to contact Save the Children –

Save the Children

U.S.

Headquarters:

54 Wilton Road

Westport

,

CT

06880

(203) 221-4030 (8:00AM - 5:00PM EDT)
(800) 728-3843 (8:00AM - 5:00PM EDT)
twebster@savechildren.org

Washington

D.C.

2000 M Street NW

Suite

500

Washington

D.C.

20036

(202) 293-4170 (8:00AM - 5:00PM EDT)

Well, that about does it for this mama for today.  Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy February to all!  Take care!

~ Paula

is my topic of discussion today.

First of all, Boo Hoo for the Chicago Bears!  Chicago, my birthplace, although I haven't stepped foot in that city for years. I was rooting for the Bears, our whole family was. Oh well. Another football season come and gone. 

While we are on the subject of sports...Yay for the Hilltoppers!!!  You are asking right now, who the hell are the Hilltoppers correct??  My 9th grade son's basketball team, that's who.  They played this past week in a tounament and beat Spaulding 53-30 to come in 1st place!!!  What a great way to end the season St J :)  Congratulations boys!!

Now on to more serious matters...

My Anna Banana took a serious spill on the stairwell this past Saturday night and ended up with a bloody mouth, swollen lip, bruised upper gums and a loose tooth.  And a very scared and sad mama.  After holding Anna and holding an ice pack to her mouth (and having her chew up some tylenol tabs) for an hour or so, she wanted to go to bed as she was tired in the first place.  My heart sank when while I was holding her, wiping her tears she looked up at me and said "Mama, I wish that wouldn't have happened to me..."  By Sunday she was feeling better and was able to eat soft foods just fine and today, well, she announced to me that her mouth feels good enough to eat a chewy granola bar -

That is great news to this mama's ears :) 

OH MY.  Am I even remotely close to being ready for the holidays...?  Hell NO! I am usually a fairly organized mother of five, but hey, I've slipped behind this year.  Oh, the holiday stress has taken over me and I have ANOTHER cold!  I was planning to post a podcast this weekend, however, I do NOT have a voice (I do have a violent cough though), just no voice.  So, here I am and I hope to post a What Did You Do All Day? podcast next week.

Since we are on the subject of holiday stress....here is a great site to check out for busy parents this season  http://www.momready.com/ - Also, be sure to check out the article on teacher holiday gifts (we can't forget our wonderful teachers!).

Did I mention that I'm reading Running with Scissors...?  Whoa now.  Augusten had some childhood.  I don't want to spoil his story (or the movie) but it is worth checking out for sure...

OK, I am off to do some online Christmas shopping...15 days and counting...........

Well, it's November 18th and basketball season is on its way - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sportsmom that I am, I am doing the HAPPY DANCE as I LOVEEEEE basketball.  Phillip, my freshman in high school made the freshman team as a starter and has begun practices 6 days a week.  Congrats Phildog :)  My son, Joseph, his practices start Thanksgiving weekend and he is a starter on the middle school team with his father coaching again this year.  Basketball is such a great game!  An awesome workout and FUN to watch - and play. 

Anyways, oh, yes, today is my son Nick's 18th birthday!!!  Happy Birthday Nacky!  He is at his brother, Tony's college this weekend and today they are hanging out at a UMASS home football game - GO MINUTEMAN!!  He is coming home on the bus this weekend and I am SO psyched as I have not seen Nick in almost 3 months!!!!!  Can you freekin' believe that?!  I do NOT like to be away from my children that long - no wonder I am cranky.

So, my oldest son, Tony, will be coming home on the bus on Wednesday (day before Turkey Day) - YAY!!!  I have not seen Tony for 2 1/2 months - wow, where the hell is the time going I ask you?

My little gal, Anna banana is doing great and we are all excited about Thanksgiving.....Mmmmm, I can taste all the yummy foods already.  We will have a fresh 15 pound turkey with stuffing, sweet potatoes, homemade mashed potatoes, squash, cornbread, cranberries, stuffed celery, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, apple pie....good lord, get the wheelbarrow to cart me away from the damn table!  Then it will be off to the treadmill...

Oh, I just finished Sue Miller's Lost in the Forest, which was an interesting story....I think I liked her novel While I was Gone better.  I have just started reading Lolly Winston's new one, Happiness Sold Seperately and I think I'm going to like this one - I read Lolly's first book and she has a bit of a humorous streak in her writing and stories where you would not expect it - so, hey, if I can laugh along at a time of sadness, then that is all good for me.

Anybody out there planning to read or have already read Running with Scissors?  This one is on my Christmas Wish List :)

Guess I'd better run and wrap Nacky's birthday gifts so he can open them tomorrow...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - Enjoy!

~ Paula

in October....again this year.  Yep, you heard right.  This is nothing new in Vermont. Just 2 weeks ago it was gorgeous here - bursting with beautiful autumn colors, and now - it is 30's and snowing.  Guess we will need to bundle up come Halloween night - again.

So it was homecoming weekend this week for my one son (9th grade) who goes to a boarding school here in Vermont.  He had a great weekend - there was a pep rally at school to help support the school's team spirit, a parade through the town (which he was a part of), then a big bonfire after the parade (and free pizzas).  Then Saturday was the big football game (in the pouring, freezing rain!).  Last, but not least, the homecoming dance on Saturday night :)  Oh, I remember the days...

Has anybody started their holiday shopping yet?  I have - in October - again.  Hard to think about holiday shopping already but it will be here before we know it.  Ho Ho.

Ahhh, I have some awesome news!!  We have been working on the upcoming launch for my magazine Mom Writer's Literary magazine (which launches December 18th) and you are NOT going to believe who wants to be a part of our magazine for mom writers and au