My mama's birthday and surgery
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
Spring and another good book
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
Mercy and the audition
SO this afternoon was day 3 of auditions for our local talent show at our high school. Phillip, my 16 year old, Joseph, my 13 year old and Joseph's friend, Matt, also 13 had their audition at 4:45 with two songs that Phillip wrote and they said it was COOL. The show is the end of March and from what I hear, there will be some great talent performing here in our community that night. The boys have two more weeks to practice their performance in our basement AND two more weeks to decide on a name for their band (they change band names as much as they change their ring-tones).
I'm now reading Jodi Picoult's novel Mercy. The hubby read it before me and warned me that I probably will not be a big fan of this book. HA! How could that be, I love all of Jodi's books so far. Well, he may be right. So far, there is one major male jerk-off in the story and I am not happy with him. I'm hoping he gets what he deserves in this story - that or drops dead. I bought Jodi's new novel Change of Heart and that is my next read, however, to date, My Sister's Keeper is at the top of my list.
Easter is quickly approaching...we are really looking forward to some R&R in Boston :)
Time for this mom to go to sleep. Nicholas, it was so good to have you home the past three days and have fun in Montreal the rest of the week with your friends - oh, and when you talk to Jen again, tell her we said "HI!" and Tony, have a good time in Florida next week and give Meghan a hug for us :)
~Paula
Welcome 2008
Wow, I have already screwed up two checks with 2007 (and I knew I would) but it's too hard to write 2008! 2008?! Seems like we were just celebrating 2000. Oh well, Happy New Year everybody!
It is so friggin cold here SHEESH. Tony and Nick (my two older guys) left last night and headed to Amherst, MA. Tony is back to working at the UMASS University Health Services and he is studying for his MCAT exam (Medical College Admission Test) that he is taking at the end of this month before he starts his spring semester January 28th. Congrats Tony on your five straight A's for fall semester :) Nick is heading to NYC for the weekend with a group of his college buddies (I'm SO jealous). I LOVE visiting NYC! Have fun Nicholas :)
Has anyone read Jodi Picoult's book entitled Plain Truth? I love Jodi's novels (such an incredible writer) and have read most of them and I just started reading this one...It's about the Amish...so far, so good Jodi :)
I'm off to basketball all day tomorrow - YAY. Seriously, the St J BB teams are doing great and it is a lot of fun so Colchester Vermont, here we come...then, on Sunday, it is time to take all the holiday decorations - and the tree - down. UGH. I think I'll sleep in on Sunday...
OK, time for this mama to think about dinner. Keep warm (snuggle by the fire) and Happy New Year!!!
Cheers,
Paula
Soccer season and celebs
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
Today Show excitement and Rock Star Momma
So I'm reading another outstanding novel by Jodi Picoult entitled Second Glance. It's one of her earlier books with ghosts and ghost hunters in the Vermont Green Mountains. :) Really good book, again. Thanks Jodi!
I'm so excited...as you may know my magazine Mom Writer's Lit Mag has gone to print and it launches on the 25th of June! Two of my local papers will be announcing the good news next week Monday and Thursday - check out The Burlington Free Press and The Herald with the big news!
Well I was suprised to get an email the other day from Skye Hoppus's publicity agent. Skye is married to Mark Hoppus, formerly with the band Blink 182, now +44. She wants to be interviewed - woo hoo!! How cool is that I ask you?! Her new book Rock Star Momma: The Hip Guide to Looking Gorgeous Through All Nine Months and Beyond (Atria) sounds so awesome-I can't wait to read the copy they are sending me. My guys LOVE +44 (and they also loved Blink 182). Can't wait to chat with Skye - you won't want to miss it :)
About the NBC Today Show thrill...How Fun!!! One of the Today Show producers and a camera crew came to my home in Vermont for the day on Wednesday the 13th and we had a great time! The segment is on "puntually challenged moms" (ME) and it is to air next week Thursday the 21st! The author of Never Be Late Again, 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged, Diana DeLonzor, will be talking about how to improve the lives of the punctually challenged (can't wait to read this book too!). So if you are a late mama, this is the book for you :)
Time for this mom to hit the sack-jack. That's all for now. Have a jazzy weekend!
Ciao,
~Paula
I'm back...
and what a wonderful time I had!!! I love visiting NYC! I have to mention that on Wednesday I chatted with Jodi Picoult and we had our picture taken together...what an awesome mom writer and person :)
I also got to meet Christina Katz, mom author of "Writer Mama" which is an excellent book to check out this summer. There were endless literary agents and editors that I was thrilled to meet and talk with AND Mom Writer's Literary Magazine was a huge hit! I brought along hundreds of our premier issues (June) and they were gone by 10:30am and the organizer for the conerence asked me if I had brought more :)
What are you reading lately? Anything good and juicy?! I just finished (during my trip) Alice Hoffman's new novel Skylight Confessions. Really good book. I enjoy her writing style so check this one out.
So now that I am back from the city it is back to work. Fun, fun! Summer is just around the corner...
Enjoy!
~Paula
Spring has sprung
That's right. Finally spring shows it's face here in Central Vermont and it's about damn time. It's sunny and 60 degrees today - beautiful. So why am I sitting here, inside, at my desk? I'm thinking about moving my laptop out on the front porch and get cozy in my rocking chair with my yellow lab at my feet and a fresh squeezed lemonade....sound good? Oh yea, cancel that. I just looked at the clock and remembered I need to pick up one of my sons in an hour for a doctor appointment and I have piles of laundry that need to be folded before that. Such is life.
So, I have lots going down. The magazine is coming along great - getting closer to sending it off to the printer (in about 2 weeks)! One would never even imagine how much work goes into putting together and launching a print magazine. I thought the online mag was a lot of work and time - it doesn't even come close to the work and time involved in getting out a print issue. BUT, I LOVE it! The launch date is June 25th, however, my printer will have them ready one month ahead for the premier issue as I will be in NYC the end of May at the Writer's Digest Conference with MWLM on display and complimentary copies for all guests...I know, I know, so cool! Then there is BEA the following few days - so much going on. We are also planning MWLM launch party! At this time plans are set for Boston at the end of June but I will announce more when the plans are finalized. This is a party you DON"T want to miss.
Anybody reading a GOOD book these days? I read The Mother-Daughter Project which was excellent. I highly recommend this book to mothers of daughters and to older daughters. Great info. I just started reading Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues who is in the hot seat at the moment and so far so good Lisa. Then I am looking SO forward to reading Jacquelyn Mitchard's upcoming novel STILL SUMMER. Jackie sent me the ARC (advanced reading copy) last week and along with it was this teeny tiny message in a bottle with shells and sand inside - so cool, I love it! (Oh, it kinda goes along with the fiction story) :)
Better run - the laundry and foot doctor are calling...
Ciao, Paula
Has it been two weeks?!
NO, this is not me responding to the hubby last night...
It's been two weeks, I just realized, since my last post! Well, here I am tired as hell, but I'm here. I've been a tad BUSY. Between all five kids winter breaks (staggered of course) and with WORK! I would kill to get five straight hours of shut eye (with BOTH eyes shut).
I do have exciting, BIG news that I'm just all bubbly about (but not supposed to say anything about just yet)...OK, it has to do with my online magazine for mom writers and authors. WE ARE GOING TO PRINT!!! Oh, did I say that? Oh well, hell yes, I said it! Here's the scoop.
MY online literary magazine for mom writers and authors (Mom Writer's Literary magazine) two year anniversary is coming up this summer in June. Our print issue will be launching on June 25th so please check out www.momwriterslitmag.com starting with our online spring launch (March 26th) to pre-order your subscription (and get a 25% savings!), or check out Amazon.com soon or your local Independent bookstores :) If you enjoy creative writing that's intelligent, complex, penetrating and raw - and sometimes a bit humorous, then MWLM is the mom magazine for you...or your bestest friend, your mother, your sister and so on and so on...
OH, and one more thing -- our summer cover story is the one and only...Janet Evanovich :) You DON'T want to miss this! And our author profiles...let's just say that the BITCHES are in the house!
I'll be in NYC the very end of May, early June with more news to come on the magazine so stay tuned...
Wanna hear what I'm reading? I just bought Jodi Picoult's latest novel - Nineteen Minutes Though this story will rip you apart inside and leave you feeling for all the characters involved, Nineteen Minutes is a brilliantly told thriller, compelling and a winner for Picoult, once again - Thanks Jodi :)
Gotta run for now ~ be good!
Chow Mamas, Paula
Happy Happy, Joy Joy
That is how I feel right about now.
It is late afternoon-I have finished working for the day, I've walked on the treadmill for my exercise today while reading Jodi Picoult's novel My Sister's Keeper (great read), and I am in the mood for a good movie tonight with a good friend. Has anybody seen Freedom Writers? I'm looking forward to it - with some popcorn and a sprite, of course. So ready to relax and unwind......Yes!
As for basketball season - well, for my one son in high school the season is winding down. He has one more regular season home game and then his tournaments begin. This mom is sad to see basketball end :( I LOVE the game. As for my youngest son, the season goes through February so that is cool - GO Hilltoppers and Red Devils!!
So, we head to Boston - again - this Sunday (Logan airport) to pick up our oldest Rugrat who is returning from his trip to Florida - then we return him to his home at UMASS Amherst. I'm sure he is looking forward to hanging with his college friends again - and getting back to the books...NOT!
OK, I'm outta here. Time to feed the family, grab the car keys and disappear - Freedom Writers here we come!!!
Ewww, one more thing...Here is an adorable pic of my son Phillip and his sweet friend Becky :)
15 more days and counting...
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...........
Basketball season here we come
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
Soccer Mom and The Fair
So, I just finished a fabulous read the other night, one I'm sure you've heard of - may have even seen the movie some years ago...Bridges of Madison County. Yes, I am turning into a helpless romantic in my older age. You remember the movie - where Meryl Streep plays Francesca, the lonely housewife married to a conservative (boring) farmer in Iowa. Then an out-of-state stranger (photographer) comes to town and she decides to get jiggy with him...yea, that's the story, you remember now. All kidding aside, it is really a beautiful story and so well written. I saw the movie years ago and decided to read the book last week ( I was in a mood). It is a quick read and very well worth the time. My next novel...The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud.
Well, it's soccer season and it shows. I have been away from my home and desk constantly playing the role of soccermom. It's fun. I am starting to enjoy soccer more and more over the years. Only two of my four boys are playing as the older two are in college and are more interested in hoops right now. My younger guys - Phillip 14 and Joseph 11 are the soccer players this year. Joseph's first game is coming up next week - GO J! and Phillip's freshman high school team has played three games so far against other school's JV teams. Phillip is doing well. He has scored in every game so far and runs his butt off out there on the field. He looks good in green. The kids on the team call him Dr. Phil...go figure :)
The Tunbridge World Fair has come to town. Where I live in Vermont, there is a huge world fair every September that plops into a town near mine for four days and nights. My youngest son, Joseph, looks forward to this big event all year long. He could pitch a tent and just sleepover for the weekend and that would be all good with him.
Kids. They really enjoy the simple things in life which is so nice.
An INTENSE Book and the Sound of Silence
Has anyone read the book Intensity by Dean Koontz? I will tell you, this is one intense read - a real page turner. This is the second book I have read by Koontz and he is definitely into action. As an author myself I wonder how he thinks this stuff up? How does his mind work? You'd have to read the book to know what I'm talking about - really creepy, but good if you are into that sort of stuff...
Anyways - wow, it has been so quiet around my house. After the UCONN shuffle our little girl started her playschool and then our 9th grader started his classes and then our middle schooler started at his school and in a few days we take our oldest back to his college - the sound of silence is so nice :) I will admit, it is very quiet around here sometimes and I miss the kids coming to my office where I am working to ask if they can ride their bikes into town and get an ice cream or when my daughter comes to me crying because when she was outside playing she noticed that one of the piggies got loose from its pen and she was worried it was gong to run away and get lost...
But...I think I can handle the silence. Maybe now I can catch up on some of my work!
Happy Father's Day and a Really Good Novel
Today was Father's Day. My hubby requested a Taco dinner with apple crisp and ice cream for his dessert. No problem - I simply whipped it right up. His five rotten loving children made him a nice card and bought him some really spiffy clothes and a blower - to blow out and clean the garage. Now there's a nice gift for Dad's Day. Mom gets a treadmill for Mother's Day and Dad gets a blower...
My dad and my husband's dad both live in the buggy and muggy state of Florida, so we gave them a call. My hubby talked with his dad for all of 10 minutes, I with my dad for all of 10 minutes, then my dad hands the phone to chatterbox my mother and I am on the phone for another hour and a half talking to mom for Father's Day - go figure.
Overall, we had a very relaxing day.
About the really good novel...
Two nights ago I finished reading The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult and OMG....you have got to read this book. It is such a wonderful story and Jodi is such an incredible writer. And this book has illustrations to go along with the story as well. I just started reading another one of her books entitled, "Harvesting the Heart" and I can tell you right now it will be hard to put it down at night and turn out the lights - another fabulous story. Thank you Jodi :)
Happy Father's Day!
I Just Read A Fantastic Novel and Blah, Blah, Blah
First, about that fantastic novel...
Cage of Stars by Bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard is a winner. I was up at night reading until 1AM and the bags under my tired eyes are proof! I won't give anything away, but this book is an excellent read and I highly recommned it :) Soon to be another bestseller for Jackie I'm sure...If you would like to hear Jacquelyn and I chat it up about her books and juggling her writing career with mommyhood, go to http://www.momwriterstalkradio.com and click on her special Mother's Day show - Wonderful interview!
My next book -- The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult who happens to be my neighbor. Well, ok, not really my neighbor, neighbor, but she does live in the state next to me and I can't wait to start her book - I have heard it is fabulous!
Ok, now to the blah, blah, blah -
There is just so much going on tonight that my head is going to explode! I have one son who is expected at The Principal's Honor Dinner and at his band practice. One son at an away baseball game for his undefeated middle school team and one son (along with his dad the coach) to be at his baseball practice and I have a conference call with Podshow regarding PR for my radio show....which direction am I going? And the bad news is I looked at my planner and there is no end in sight for the busyness for the next few weeks. Hmmm, can you say ULCER?
So, we picked up my oldest rugrat from college last night - he is home for the next three months and has now completed his first year of college with a 3.75. Very nice. Now he needs to find a summer job and make some spending money for college next year - only seven more years to go...
This is Memorial weekend and it is supposed to be relaxing. Yea right. Time to open the pool, put out the grill and deck furniture and cut the grass again for the next four months. Won't my boys be excited to hear just how relaxing this weekend will be.
Hope everyone has a good one!
I Just Finished An Awesome Read
Entitled....Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir by Janice Erlbaum.
If you are interested in reading about young sex, drinking and drugs galore, this is the book to read. Not that I am into that sort of trash, however, I had heard many good things about this writer and I read her blog at http://girlbomb.typepad.com/ almost daily. I don't want to give the story away, but this chick went through hell and back for a good four years or so and look where she is today - I tip my hat to you Girlbomb - Congratulations and the best to you at BUST magazine as well.
I'll be adding my post for the Mom Writer's Talk Radio Blog Tour in a few days which my co-host Alana and I are putting together for our internet/podcast radio show with the first book ,The White Rose by mom author Jean Hanff Korelitz - lookin' good!
Ok, I need to check out for now. My four year daughter, Anna has a pre-op appointment today as she is having surgery next friday on her teeth - poor kid. So, I'll be back soon....have a good one y'all.
