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
A musical weekend
and that it was.
My 16 year old son's school held a talent show this weekend. Phillip and my 13 year old, J and J's friend, Matt were one of the performers playing a song that Phillip wrote last month. This talent show was put together by a senior at my son's school for her Capstone Project. The talent show was to be just that - a talent show. There wasn't any judging or winners, just performers entertaining their peers and a large audience of very supportive friends and family. It was a lot of fun and there was some great talent that evening for sure. Even though my guys have entertained in the past, they were a bit nervous at first, being they were playing for such a large crowd this time around. They loved it and we thank Jordan for putting together this awesome show and for my guys to have the opportunity to play along with many other talented young students :)
My guys are ready for more!
Hope you have a sunny Sunday,
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
Lori McKenna and a pierced ear
Last night Tom and I saw Lori McKenna and her band perform in Northampton, Massachusetts at the Iron Horse Music Hall. Mark Erelli opened for her (he is sensational) and Lori and her band put on quite a show. We had a fun night. Here is a picture of Lori (we were up in the balcony) but damnit it, it was dark in there and this turned out dark...but we had a great time! Be sure to check out Lori McKenna in Mom Writers Literary Magazine this summer June 2008! She is a doll. Lori is touring in January so check out her site, she just may be in your hometown.
So my youngest son says to my husband and I the other night at bedtime something about his ear...
ME: "What's that J? What about your ear?"
J: "I pierced my ear today, uh, with Chris."
ME: "You WHAT? Where?"
J: "Right here" (pointing to his ear lobe)
ME: "I know that I mean when and how?!"
J: "At school in the bathroom with Chris. We used a thumb tack..."
I leaned against the door to hold myself up trying to imagine this scene...
ME: "A thumb tack J?!!! What the hell where you thinking?...Was there any blood?"
J: "Nah. It was pretty quick...can I borrow some of your stud earrings Mom?"
ME: "NO. No earrings. A thumb tack J...?"
J: "Yea, it worked good, see."
It was off centered, but there it was just the same - a pierced ear on my 7th grade son.
The joys of parenting :)
Have a super week!
~Paula
Look Ma, a swollen finger
So yesterday we make the drive all the way to Colchester (close to a 2 hour trek) to watch our sophmore son's basketball game. It was our first time there and we were told it would take an hour and 45 minutes tops to get there. We arrive almost 2 hours later to a game that is just about to start the second quarter - CRAP. We hike up the bleachers and find seats and scan the court and benches for Phillip. No Phillip. I look all around the gym and across the way I see a man talking to him and wrapping his right fingers and handing him an ice pack. Ends up he was in at the start of the game and 4 minutes later jammed his right index finger and was out the entire game with an ice pack. He was not happy. Oh well, they won so that was nice. Still going strong with only one lose this season :)
Better scoot - time to take the Christmas decorations and tree down :( I'd rather be sipping hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire and reading a good book.
Toodles, Paula
Basketball and Boston
So we traveled to Brattleboro, Vermont Saturday morning (2 hour trek) for Phillip's first official basketball game of the season. Coach told the boys that this would be one of the toughest teams they play this season and guess what? We won! The boys did a super job on the court and it was a nail biter, but final score 37-34 - great defense. Congrats St J :) Next game, Friday in Mt Mansfield - Go Green!
About last night...we had a blast! We love Boston to begin with-such a great city, but the Boston Music Awards 20th anniversary was so cool! And our seats were right up front at the stage. So much musical talent in that city let me tell you and so many awesome performers up for nominations...I won't be listing everyone here...Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith were there. The pop teen singer JoJo was there (loved the sparkly rhinestones on the eyelids thing, how do they do that?). Click Five - now there is a really good group of young guys who attended Berklee College of Music, got together and formed their band and BOOM, they are hot, singing JENNY...and do you remember Bobby Brown, you know, married to Whitney Houston years ago? He was there to be inducted into the Boston Music Hall of Fame. God, I remember dancing to his songs back when I first got married (long ago...) RONI...MY PEROGITIVE baby. He is so FUNKY and the diamonds on his fingers weren't too shabby either. Augustana was great (lead singer/keyboardist had an awesome voice), Matt Nathanson awesome, Martin Sexton-incredible voice...all this great talent I didn't even know about. So, as I mentioned the other day, Lori McKenna was going to be there performing and was up for awards....well....she won Album of the Year (major) for Unglamorous. Yay Lori!!!! It was great to see her performing Witness to Your Life with her band - they were super. Watch for Lori who will be featured in Mom Writer's Literary Magazine summer 2008 :) Congrats to all who were nominated and all the winners! It was certainly a night to remember.
OK, it's late and this mama is ready for bed. Here are some shots of the show last night (not in any particular order)...
Me and my guys waiting for the show to begin.
Augustana
Joey Kramer - drummer of Aerosmith
Lori McKenna
Lori accepting her award
Martin Sexton
Bang Camaro-OK big guy, stop showing off the lower tummy
The Click Five
Matt Nathanson accepting his award
Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith
JoJo
Mr Bobby Brown
Boston Music Awards here we come...
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
Playing soccer...and guitar
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
Autumn beauty and Lori McKenna
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
Drummer camp and the Duggars
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
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
My magazine proof arrived from the printer...
and it is awesome!!! I am so excited, and proud! Mom Writer's Literary Magazine is IN my hands today in print! You are all going to love it - honestly :) The 6,000 copies will be going out in June so order your subscription today! Janet Evanovich looks lovely on the cover :)
So, my son, Tony, at UMASS has one week left to go (finals week - yikes!). I have been thinking about him the past few days at 2 in the morning when I can't sleep - that is my worry time - 2am, 3am and sometimes even 5am. I don't just worry about Tony. I have 5 kids remember? It is constant, take your pick on what kid I am worrying about on what night. Anyways, good luck Tony with your finals - your mom is thinking about you :)
Well last week I mentioned the middle school spring concert and the Battle of the Bands for Phillip and Joseph right? I am one proud mama. Joseph did awesome in the spring concert (and he was sicker than a dog that night with some tummy thing). He was rockin' the crowd for sure. Then long story on the Battle of the Bands night - let's just say we all know who the real 1st place winners were :) My guys band came in 2nd place and that is only because the 4th grader who was one of the members of the other little kids band had both his parents as judges - GO FIGURE. Here is a pic from Battle of the Bands evening - Rock on boys! They were SO good!
Oh, and this I've just got to show off - here is my son Nick and his friend Jen (she's a doll) :)
Now if I could only get a pic of Tony with someone...:)
Until next week - enjoy!
~Paula
My Boys, the Rock Stars...
were AWESOME!
Ok, this mama is up on her soapbox, braggin' it up, but, WOW, it was SO cool!!
Last night my second oldest son, Nick, who is a senior in high school presented his senior project at our community town hall. He decided to learn how to play the electric guitar in November 05 and put together two bands (one with some friends and one with his two younger brothers). They have practiced for the past four months and I am SO happy that I remembered the freekin' video camera so grandma and papa Knighton and grandma and grandpa Schmitt can see and hear Nick singing - that's right - SINGING!
In this pic below Nick is on the acoustic guitar singing Green Day's "Good Riddance" (Time of your Life) for his closing song on his own.
They played and sang Green Day, The Ramones, Interpol, Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. I was one proud mama. They all did such a GREAT job.....
So, now my guys are talking about continuing on with their band and doing gigs all around -- for $$$. I say, HELL YEA, go for it. They are so into it and do so well together - why not?
My oldest son Tony who is in college was at the performance and now he says he thinks his brothers' band needs an electric keyboard player...*hint hint* :)
Oh, and I reminded them that their mom loves to sing.....
This can be a family thing, right?
