Fed Up Friday!

Well, it's actually Saturday...wee hours of the morning but I had some writing to do for MomLogic.com - you can click and see all my articles! And then of course you can scroll down and read all the nasty comments people feel compelled to leave. Sad. Very sad. But those of you who have read My SoS for a while know darn well that my support of Kate Gosselin brought far worse...so, one could say I am hardened to trolls!

Anyway, I am starting a new regular Friday post called... I know, you can just look at the title and I don't need to re-type it but... I like to...

FED UP FRIDAY!

I am reserving Fridays as my day to go off on anything that is of particular bother that week and I invite you all to join in the fun and leave comments pertaining to my rant! Fun? I thought you'd like that! And if you find it especially insightful, I would love for you to shoot some of your readers this-a-way!

LYRICS, LYRICS, LYRICS are my gripe this week!

Many of you may remember my rant about Lady Gaga or my abhorrance of that Soulja Boy SUPERMAN song. Catch yourself up if you haven't had the pleasure...get your puke bucket ready!

As a mom of two tweens (and a 4 yr old, but he doesn't sing radio songs yet) I am always on high alert for the underlying meaning in the songs my kids want to listen to. MetroLyrics.com has become my best friend... and saved me a ton of money b/c after looking up a song I responded to their iTunes purchase request with a resounding, "NOFREAKINGWAY!"

My latest UNFAVORITE SONGS.... (click for lyrics)

CARRYOUT by Justin Timberlake and Timbaland

TIK TOK by Ke$ha

IMMA BE by Black Eyed Peas*

*I absolutely LOVED this song when it first came out... the beat ... Fergie... until my son said, "Mom, I just looked up those words...you aren't gonna believe what he says!"

My rant is done. You can do with this info what you wish... just my own version of a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Have a PEACELOVIN' weekend!

Sandra Bullock's adoption ... and ME!

I would love to tell you "Sandy" and I are BFFs... but the real story of how we are connected is through the beauty of domestic adoption! MomLogic.com asked me MY opinion of domestic adoption... CHECK IT OUT HERE!

And while you are brimming in feel good stories...

Here is OUR adoption story! Makes me tear up EVERYTIME I re-live it! :)

The attorney turned to me and said, “Please tell the judge why you want to adopt Izaiah.” How could I possibly sum up how the size of my heart had grown over the past two years to make room for one more set of first steps, one more first word and millions more hugs and kisses? We started our foster care journey almost four years ago. My husband couldn’t understand what made me think we needed to have another child. Matthew (8) and Emily (7) were finally at the age where we could take them anywhere and it was easy. No U-Haul of paraphernalia followed our minivan anymore. The only way I could put into words the ache in my heart for another child was a visual that had flashed through my head from time to time for over a year. I explained to him that when I thought of the proverbial “where do you see yourself in five years” question, I could clearly see Ken, myself, Matthew and Emily but there is one more joining. A small child on my lap; I just couldn’t see a face. God was saying, “I have one more.” When we were starting our journey with the Child Welfare system my friends would ask me, “How are you going to give the children back?” They knew that my love for all children is embedded in my fingerprints. It is a huge part of who I am. I had no answer. I didn’t want to think about it. I couldn’t explain it. But I had an unexplainable peace about it and I trusted God. During this time I had one of those dreams that stick with you for days. The ones you just can’t shake? There was a baby, a strawberry blonde, tiny little boy. The dream lasted only a few scenes before I awoke but for days I would get a jolt only a mother could get, “Gasp. Who’s got the baby?” It was almost as though I had been given a divine responsibility to that child. Recently I was looking through my journal when I came across an entry about that dream. I did the math. I had that dream right around the time Izaiah was conceived. April 25, 2006 our third child came into our lives as a scared, very tiny, strawberry blond 9 month old; a child that would nervously visit his birthparents at the courthouse weekly. A child who we were told would go back home soon. Because God works miracles, on April 9, 2008, twenty of his biggest fans filed into a courtroom and witnessed Izaiah’s adoption day. And then there were three. The past two years of first words, scraped knees and other childhood milestones was summed up in four words. The judge declared our adoption final and our five best friends held up an Izaiah-sized t-shirt with the words, “FINALLY A BROWNLOW.” Izaiah reached for the shirt and squealed, “ME!” And then there were five.

Peace. And love to all the children who will go to bed tonight without a Mommy and Daddy!

How well do you know your BLOGGER?

Alright, I thought this would be fun! Because I have been away so long working my fingers to the bone creating some really fun artwork for a couple picture books I will soon be shoppig around. So, I decided to RE-introduce myself to you - my faithful readers! The first person* to answer ALL of the following questions correctly will win an original illustration! * if you have known me since high school, you cannot play this game! LOL! Get ready...get set...GO! 1. What 3 states have I lived in? (a.) PA, LA, NY (b.) PA, CA, VA (c.) PA, MD, TX 2. What college did I attend? (a.) Virginia Tech (b.) Penn State (c.) didn't go to college 3. How many children do I have? (a.) 5 (b.) 4 (c.) 3 4. I have been blogging since... (a.) 2007 (b.) 2006 (c.) 2005 5. I met my husband how? (a.) he was my college boyfriend's roommate (b.) he worked at the local gas station (c.) he is my cousin 6. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a(n)... (a.) customer service rep (b.) sausage casing inspector (c.) art teacher 7. What is my only sibling's name? (a.) Tiffany (b.) Carlos (c.) Booger 8. What is the main character's name in my latest children's book? (a.) Tracy Poo (b.) Casey Shrew (c.) Macy Sue 9. My favorite color, without a doubt, is... (a.) purple (b.) blue (c.) puce 10. I have done all of the following, except: (a.) pierced my own bellybutton (b.) stole a road sign (c.) birthed both children with NO epidurals (d.) completed my Master's Degree with a 4.0 (e.) embarrassed my husband with the things that I blog about (f.) talked a cop out of citing my friends for public urination (g.) recently adopted (h.) got a tattoo on the nape of my neck (i.) watched FOOTLOOSE over 30 times (j.) met John Stamos, Kirk Cameron and Alan Thicke (k.) gave up soda 2 1/2 years ago (l.) was/am a vegetarian (m.) was a telemarketer (n.) pledged a sorority (0.) had a panic attack while driving thru a tunnel (p.) got detention for being late to school 3 x (q.) made a Michael Jackson scrapbook (r.) failed my drivers test the 1st time (s.) cut the tip of my thumb off (t.) owned my own craft shop (u.) had my own bath & body product business (v.) was a direct sales consultant for a company called HENN (w.) was a hot dog preparation specialist (x.) fake-cleaned for a party (y.) over-ate until I was dizzy (z.) wrote 24 truths that could incriminate me in front of the whole world! Have fun! Leave your answers in the comments section! REMEMBER, the FIRST one to get all the answers right wins a really cool illustration!

JUST JEN LOVES CHEERLEADERS! Custom T-shirts for Cheerleaders!

JUST JEN HAS EVERYTHING RHINESTONE YOU COULD EVER WISH FOR!

Well, when I was contacted by JustJen.com to do a product review for them, I thought... hmmmm what in the world could I get on a T-shirt for ME? I never get myself fun, blingy stuff so it's about time!

My daughter had a different idea when she read my email over my shoulder...the words CUSTOM CHEERLEADING SHIRTS jumped right off the page and within moments she was babbling off what she wanted on HER shirt and how HER shirt would be designed!

If you head over to JustJen.com you will see a vast array of choices for women and girls; from baseball caps to lingerie! NO KIDDING! Rhinestone personalized lingerie!

JustJen took our school's logo and my daughter's name and sent us THIS:

Our team logo was PERFECT! Exactly like the one on the team jerseys!

When she went to school the next day donning her new bling and her competition hair scrunchy she was MOWED DOWN by her cheermates, "Where did you get that shirt?" "OMG! I love your shirt!" "You are so lucky! That is the coolest SHIRT!"

JustJen.com offers a 15% group discount so if you know of some cheerleaders (you know, the ones looking over your should right now. LOL!) send the link to JustJen to your coach and let ALL the girls look THIS cute!

Thanks JustJen! She loves it! And I have a brand new baby niece, so I will be shopping with you again soon!

Peace.

The POWER of Mom Bloggers...

Well, just incase you thought you weren't making an impact...(insert game show buzzer here) you're WRONG! Check out what was on BetterPhilly Channel 17 this morning! :) Kudos to the Mamas!!

Me? A middle grade author?

"There was no one around. No one would know. If I cut, maybe it would release the pain he has caused me. Maybe it would heal my broken heart."

"His eyes were pale, pained hopeless and his Manson t shirt was torn down the center and stitched back together with dozens of safety pins. Was this the state of his soul? Held together by something sharp and painful? His eyebrow twitched, he spit at my feet and turned and walked away. This was the boy I loved."

"My ten biggest fears are not unlike most teens. They're pretty normal, I guess. But most girls my age don't walk down a dark, narrow path toward each one and stare it in the face and say ---. Sigh. But, neither do I. And that will be my downfall. My certain death."

"Do it," she said as she shoved the pipe in my face. Everything I was prepared to say in this situation, everything that was right dispersed like the fingers of smoke burning my eyes. I took it. I sucked in its poison. It felt ugly inside my lungs. I could feel it clawing to get out. But right now this was the only thing in my life I had control of so I held it."

This is me now. Michelle.

My entire life has been spent reaching out to others. Growing up, I was the Dear Abby of my graduating class. My parents invited friends of mine and my sister's to live with us when they had no where to turn. I was a high school art teacher right out of college who took one special student (a foster child) under her wing and helped her through what we both thought would be the most harrowing experience of violence and disappointment she would have to go through. Only to find out years later, it was a good thing we kept in touch because even as an adult she needed me again. And again. Even though there are only 10 years that separate us, she remains my unofficial first child.

And my years as a foster mom will be burned in my brain forever. Especially the words I once heard from a case worker, "Well, that's the group home for those kids no one wants. You know, the ones between 10 and 13." (insert stabbing pain)

Currently, I teach a 5th and 6th grade program at our church, preparing kids to make wise choices to give them the best shot at life and I also teach an after school art club at our local middle school.

So, why do I write these ideas and chapters down for Young Adult and Middle Grade books but continue to pursue the picture book market?

When editors tell me that my voice is unique and real but my manuscripts are too deep, why does that light bulb not click on?

I just read a post on Molly O'Neill's blog. Molly is an editor at HarperCollins and apparently she and I share the same life's mission, the same burning desire to make a difference in the lives of the lost.

Thank you, Molly. Now, excuse me while I head to that MG Word Doc that is now calling my name.

(So, my faithful readers...you may have just witnessed a turning point... a big one)

Those of you who have children in the 'tween/teen range, please speak your piece. Tell me what you are thinking right now.

Peace.

The FRESH AIR FUND needs YOU!

I grew up having a fresh air "sister" who came to my house every summer and before our 3rd child was born, we invited a Fresh Air "son" into our home for two summers in a row. These memories are ones I will never forget! And my children still refer to Shamare as their Fresh Air brother! That was 4 years ago and every now and then he calls to let us know how he is doing. "We made s'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before!" Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends. The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes. Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program. What do Fresh Air children enjoy? Playing in the backyard Laughing in the sunshine Catching fireflies Riding bicycles Learning to swim Running barefoot through the grass Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights Building sandcastles Making new friends Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city For more information CLICK HERE or call (800) 367-0003.

Just me and my macchiato...

I think I have ADD... Yesterday I had a babysitter for the whole day - 6 hours alone! WOW! That rarely happens but I decided it was time, so I called 1-800-watch-my-4-year-old! Any guesses where I went? Anyone? Anyone? Beuler? BARNES & NOBLE, BABY! I took my notebooks, writing assignments, pens and pencils, no laptop...too many distractions. I had grandiose ideas, I would research the children's book market, check out and make note of the publishers of children's books that are similar in style to mine and finish a 600 word story to submit to a writing course I am taking. Simple enough in 6 hours. Right? That's where my suspected ADD comes in... It all started when a skinny woman sat alone at the table to my left. Apparently, she had molten lava in her cup. She used every face muscle to slurp the 4,000 degree matter through her lips at the speed of light AND louder than a jet engine. It may have been easier on her now disfigured tongue to have the hot espresso pumped into her veins. Certainly would have been more enjoyable for me! Good Lord! Can you NOT hear yourself?! O.K. Focus, Shel. Highlights Magazine. Fiction stories. Now, I am hungry. And if I eat, I will be thirsty. I head to the counter. "One cranberry orange scone and a Venti Non-fat Iced Carmel Macchiato, please." Of course, it is 5 degrees outside and I am drinking icy espresso but my oral fixation causes me to crave a straw when I need to concentrate. I set out my little picnic on the cafe table that is smaller than my lap and open my notebook to get to work. "Yeah, the cop said he should be OK. He blew a 1.5 on the breathalizer but it was his first D.U.I." I look up at the barista with a piercing in her lip and wonder if her mom has met this boy. How could a mother not get a drunken vibe from the probably-pierced boy who shows up on her doorstep each and every day? I have nothing against piercings...I am an artist, remember? I have had my share of them. But, driving drunk? NO TOLERANCE! "Get a handle on yourself. Has it been this long since you tried to concentrate? Um. Yep." Cripes, now I am holding a conversation in my head...with myself. As I flipped through my notebook looking for the page I had started my assignment on I found the list of Good Will donations that my husband needed last night to finish our taxes. Crap. It's not itemized. I should get this out of the way before I dive head-long into this project. "Wooo hooo, weeee hoooo..." my cell phone ring is The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani and now everyone for a 3 mile radius knows. One of my best friends is unexpectedly free for lunch and she is just minutes away, headed for Panera...do I wanna join her? Um. Yep. An hour and a 1/2 of a turkey/artichoke panini later, I cop a squat back at B&N but this time in the children's section at one of those teeny picnic tables. Time to really work on my story. It is a quiet day in the back of the store - no story time. I gaze around at the big "coolest books" wall... Pinkalicious - have it. Purplelicious - got it. The Kissing Hand - yep. The Mitten - have it. You Are Special - got it. Guess How Much I Love You - yep. The new Fancy Nancy - ooooo not yet...maybe today. Gotta read it. Now. JEEPERS, girl...FOCUS! I would be bonkers if I were the mom of me right now. If I were the kid and was having THIS much trouble staying on task...I would beat me! I get a page or two written and I am on a roll...totally INTO my work...almost forgot where I was. Yeah. Notice I said, "almost." Enter little-freckled-demon. This sweet little boy was probably cute but I couldn't see past his raspy voice. And it was LOUD LOUD LOUD. This little man called to his mom every 1.5 seconds in a voice only a trucker could love. It was not only scratchy but he had apparently swallowed a bag of marshmallows and every single one of them was stuck mid-way down his esophagus. He had a word, too. You know how little kids get attached to certain words and they find a way to use it in every sentence. Yeah. His word was "busted." Everything in the Barnes & Noble children's department was evidently "BUSTED!" (I wish I could have a sound byte right here so you could hear my impression of this cherub) "MOMMA! THESE TRAINS ARE BUSTED! THOMAS IS BUSTED!" "HEY, MA. LOOK, A BUSTED WEASLE!" (I kid you not!) "BUSTED SPIDERMAN! MOM! BUSTED SPIDERMAN!! BUSTED SPIDERMAAAAAN!" "LOOKA MOMMA, LOOK! WHY THESE COAL CARS BUSTED?!" "A BUSTED SCOOBY-DOO BOOK, MOMMA! SCOOBY IS BUSTED, MOMMA!" "HEY MOMMA, EVERYTHING IN THE $%^&*# STORE IS BUSTED!!!!" (ok, just kidding on that one! But that would have been hysterical!) He left with a full blown tantrum just minutes after he "busted" everything at the train table. I looked at my phone and I had about 10 minutes before I had to go... Where did those 6 hours go?? BUSTED! Dang. So, here I sit blogging instead of completing my assignment. Once again, I am distracted. Peace.

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Meet Sarah.

You may find her on a BOOKSHELF NEAR YOU in the near future!

I have a lot of exciting info to share over the next few months so STAY TUNED!

Check out JUST JEN....

Hey Moms! I was just contacted by JustJen.com to do a review of one of their products! My daughter is anxiously awaiting her CHEER T! So, coming soon is that review - complete with pics so keep checking back!

And, as luck would have it JustJen was featured on the TODAY SHOW this week!

CLICK HERE to watch the Valentine's Day ideas from JustJen on the TODAY SHOW! Valentine's shipping is still guaranteed so get your orders out there!

Keep checking back (subscribe if you never wanna miss a beat) to see the fun CHEER GEAR from JustJen! The winter cheer season is here and the fall one is coming before you know it!

Peace.

Virtual Art Classes for Kids Offered NOW!!

Alright!

So, I have had so many people ask me about giving art lessons to their kids or to supply creative ideas for their family, their scout troop or organization and I LOVE the idea...I just don't have the space in my house to make a mess.

So, I am instituting an online version of my art instruction. Something you will not get ANYWHERE else!

I introduce.....

The KIC2K Program

The KIC2K Program is a program that has Kids Impacting their Community through Creativity and Kindness.

In this program children will learn about various styles of art while using their creativity to bless others. Students will complete projects that could be donated to local hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. Your child will love the feeling of blessing someone with something hand made and from the heart. Instructions for coordinating a group project are included and can be requested as well. So, those of you who have a scout troop who would like to paint a mural at a playground, don't fret, I can help you pull it together.

Have an event your group of kids is throwing? A fundraiser your PTA needs to organize? Two special events planning options are included in the package.

I have a huge number of infamous children's book illustrators at my fingertips to have special programs and events virtually with your child. There is NO end to the possibilities of this program and how far it can reach!

You child can take as long as he/she likes to complete each project or put their nose to the grindstone and complete them in a timely fashion. Children can re-enroll as many times as they like to experience the same conscientious teaching with more projects that will inspire their hearts and encourage artistic growth.

All projects and correspondence will be done via the internet and much of the program can be tweaked specifically to your needs. This is the first time I am offering this in virtual form so those who opt to join me in this endeavor will have the benefit of helping to design the program to suit your needs.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education, a Master's in Elementary Education, 12+ years of teaching experience and a love for children that surpasses what I can put into words. Your child will learn, grow, give and bless! How awesome is that!

If you are interested in this program, please leave your email address in the comments and I will send you a more detailed list of projects and program pricing.

HOW FUN!

Middle School Confidential Book 3 What's Up with My Family?

Once again, Annie Fox has nailed it!

What's Up With My Family is an amazing addition to your home library. With chapters like, I'm Not a Little Kid Anymore, Fuel-ish Thinking, Things are Changing Around Here, That's So Unfair, Moods and Attitudes, When Someone is Gone, Struggling with Siblings and Let's Call a Truce, Annie leaves no stone unturned while giving tips and ideas for how to not only keep the peace but enjoy and appreciate the family you have been given.

The folks at FreeSpirit Publishing knew what they were doing when they signed this woman. Annie is single-handedly saving our youth. Yes, that sounds dramatic...but she is doing it! All you have to do is pick up Book 3 in her Middle School Confidential Series!

If you don't know Annie Fox, you need to go meet her HERE! She has a triptych-style website for teens, parents and educators...whichever you are you can click and start your head spinning with all she has to say. As a parent, there is NO better site to get informed and take action toward keeping your teen safe, well-informed and by your side in this journey that is not always as simple as The Beaver and Mrs. Cleaver made it out to be.

Want a quick peek into Annie's style and HOW she grabs teens where they are? Check this out!

Annie has a passion for middle school kids that parents wish EVERY adult who impacts their child's life would have. Annie is the teacher, the counsellor, the mentor I pray my kids find. But if your child is thrashing and reaching for straws and no teacher/counsellor stands out to you the way you had hoped they would, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL SERIES is a God send!

Check out BOOK ONE: Be Confident in Who You Are! Voted BEST TEEN BOOK by Radical Parenting.com

BOOK TWO: Real Friends vs. The Other Kind!

And BOOK THREE: What's Up With My Family?

My favorite part of Annie's books are the quotes from REAL kids that she has gathered over the years. These quotes aren't the sugar-coated, "Look at me, I made the best choice and it impacted my life for the better" quotes you read in some teen self-help books. She includes, real, raw quote from kids smack dab in the middle of the angst that plagues most teens.

"I speak my mind and don't like it when my family treats me unfairly. I get A's and help around the house. I have friends and I'm in two music programs. What do they want? I know running away is hard, but I'm afraid I will crack from this pressure." ~ C.J., 11

Well, I guess I have WAY more than ONE favorite thing about BOOK THREE in this series! There were so many "a ha" moments for me as a parent. The book is written FOR the kids but as I read it with my 12 year old, things like, "It's natural for the people who raise you to have some trouble getting out of the habit of treating you the way they did when you were younger."

WOOPS! That is where I am RIGHT NOW! My 11 and 12 year old are trying to spread their wings a little and until I read that sentence, I was looking at their requests as trying to keep up with their friends. You know the old blanket response, "Well, then, I guess just because Amy can have a cell phone/a facebook page/a web show, etc then I should just let you follow Amy's mom's rules? NOT HAPPENING!"

I have three amazing kids who follow rules, are respectful and "get it" when it comes to the things I say "no" about. But we were all teens, we know from OUR past experiences that that can change in a heartbeat! I LOVE that I have Annie's books on my books shelf for when that midnight conversation starts and I need some back up!

Head over to Annie's website and grab up these books! You WON'T BE SORRY! I promise!

Follow her on Twitter! @Annie_Fox

Friend her on FACEBOOK!

Peace.

Suzanne Woods Fisher BOOK TOUR

When Amy from litFUSE Agency contacted me and asked if I would do a review of a new book written by Suzanne Wood Fisher, I had literally just finished My Sister's Keeper. I thought, sure I will read the book you send me, but there's no way it will draw me in like MSK did. A couple days later, I received The Choice and started to read... ...and I read, ...and I read! Well, I have been wrong before, I know hard to believe, but WOW! Suzanne Woods Fisher hits this one out of the park! As a writer with ancestry that reaches into the mysteries of the Anabaptist culture, Fisher took details of Amish culture and an AMAZING plot and took me on a roller coaster of heart break and love....and back dooooown the other side when I least expected it! The story of Carrie Weaver takes place where the Amish culture is rooted the deepest, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Oddly enough, I doubt anyone at litFUSE knew that I LIVE IN LANCASTER COUNTY! I grew up with Amish buggies holding up traffic, watching barefooted grade-schoolers cracking the whips on the back end of the workhorses as they learned to plow the fields and being VERY curious about those wild teen ones that were testing the waters with the Amish ritual of Rumspringa. Pennsylvania Dutch-speak is sprinkled throughout the text as Carrie Weaver plans to leave the Amish Culture and run away with Solomon Reihl, the newest Lancaster Barnstormer's pitcher. Her father has other plans. Plans of Carrie marrying Daniel Miller, an Amishman who recently relocated to Pennsylvania...but no one will tell her why he needed to leave Ohio. Through many unexpected twists and turns, Carrie stays true to her heart ...almost... but then finds herself faced with a choice she never thought she'd have to make. How will she know if she has made the right one. The descriptions of the characters is so well done, they continue to live in my brain...and on a side note, the way she describes the character of Daniel...he can live in my mind as long as he wishes! This book unlocks the sweet simplicity of the Amish Culture with an underlying message that it is never too late to find your way back to God. It is a testimony to turning your weaknesses into strengths, loving until it hurts and living your life to the fullest. So, my recommendation? As Carrie Weaver would say, "Alles hat seine Zeit!" (There is a time for everything) And THIS IS THE TIME for you to snag up this book and dive right in! You won't regret it. Suzanne Woods Fisher's 2nd book in the Lancaster County Secrets Series, THE WAITING, is coming out October 2010! I CAN'T WAIT!

If you want to read other blogger's take on this amazing book, CLICK HERE for the blog tour.

If you would like to win a signed copy of The Choice, tweet this:

Psst... pass it on! Join @suzannewfisher for a Book Bomb & Author Talk! Details here http://ow.ly/W84r #thechoice

Peace.

A day in the Life...an Ode to Mommies

I was peeking through my photo files instead of writing or going to bed at a decent time and I compiled an "Ode to Mommies!" Can't you just hear your response to the following photos? Leave your OWN comments/responses and add to the fun!

"This is your NEW time out area - stay put in the positions I have assigned you- don't move! I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE SLIDING, CRAMPING OR YOUR BUTT HURTS!! I SAID DON'T MOVE!"

"Replace the roll? Oh no, don't bother...it's way easier to find the end from a mass of cavorting toilet paper rolls strewn on the floor!"

"You can't have the hairy lollipop until you finish your vegetables!"

"Non-toxic? Please be non-toxic! Please let green poop be the biggest side effect of this art project!"

"Where do you get this dramatic behavior? Knock it off!"

"Oh."

"Of course you can play with the phone, swim goggles, Daddy's favorite hat and a spoon ON the counter! Would you like to make a playdate of it? I bet little Johnny would like to swing from the ceiling fan!"

"Honey, can you bring all the RAW VEGGIES into the living room? I want to make a salad for dinner!"

"Non-toxic? Please be non-toxic! Please let purple poop be the biggest side effect of this art project!"

"And how is this cleaning up? And where are your pants? WHY IS THE BIKE IN THE HOUSE?!"

"You need to get out of your sister's clothing right now! NOW! NO MORE PINK FOR YOU!"

*sigh*

Have you ever had one of those days? Post some pics and let us see!

The more the merrier! Misery loves company!

Peace.

Valentine's Day Coloring Page...

When I get the time, I like to provide you all with things to help make your life as "Mom" easier! So, here you are with a coloring page for the Valentine's Day party you may be planning with the other homeroom mom! Have fun!

(I have some fun stuff to tell you all but not the time to do it right now - super news coming soon!)

Peace.

My new pet!

Wii and Coffee...I thought it was a good mix!

So, I kept myself up later than I should have last night...I was a drawing and painting fool! It was awesome! My iPod, my watercolors and ME! The whole rest of the house was sleeping! Ahhhhh...perfection! Oh yeah...and I watched a few FRIENDS episodes on YouTube...which is why I said "perfection"! LOL!

So, this morning a little person, one just tall enough for his chin to hit the top edge of my mattress runs into my room and says, "Ma! Ma! Dare is sumbuddy sweepin' on da table. Come on, yook! Sumbuddy sweepin' dare!"

OK, so if you are in a deep sleep and someone squeals that in your ear...are you a little freaked out? Well, as I follow his skipping body down the hall and to the steps, I am wiping sleep out of my eyes and thinking...What the heck am I going to do if he is serious? What if 'sumbuddy' broke in and (for some ridiculous reason) fell asleep on our kitchen table? Even as I was thinking it, I knew what a FREAK that made me...to even entertain the thought...but I did.

"DARE! DARE him is! Yook!"

I squint. I 'yook.' I try to look muscular, in case this sleeping intruder is bigger than me. You know, I go into protective Mama Bear mode.

"My shwoggie! Him is on da table!"

His froggy. The %$#%**&%* plastic frog I bought him at Michael's last night! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

"Yes, bud, there is your froggy. Is he awake?"

(mumble, mumble)

"Maa, you pway Wii wit me?"

"Baby, just let mommy fill her veins with something that will make me happy to be playing Wii with you get some coffee first.

I galumph over to the coffee maker as the sound of a way-too-awake Mario and Luigi race around my living room.

Finally, I sit on the couch and we start a two player race. He likes to do the battles, which means there are like 429 games in a row. I blink my eyes, sip my drug, and prepare to KICK HIS BUTT!

In between races we high-five and giggle. This is sweet. We do it every morning. And by the second race (thanks to my coffee), I am totally into it - we have a blast!

This morning we were 3 games in and I couldn't tell you who was winning because every time I get ahead of him, we pauses the game and we trade steering wheels...ha...so technically HE is kicking MY butt!

In between the 37th and 38th race (I am exaggerating) I lay my steering wheel in my lap and reach down for my coffee that was sitting at my feet. He peeps over at me as I put my cup to my lips and start to sip....

...some crazed lunatic entered his body (maybe it was that growling spiky turtle thing that he chooses as his character to drive his race car) and he, with all the force capable of being in a 4-year old body, he punches me. Not in my arm but IN MY COFFEE CUP! And it's a KO!

The angle in which his little fist struck the mug sends scalding coffee UP MY NOSE, all over my face, on my PJs (that I was hoping to keep clean so I could justify wearing them to the bus stop in 28 seconds when his bus rounds the bend), all over the leather couch, the off-white rug....you get the picture.

I have to tell you...12 seconds later I was giggling.

Not because I had finally lost my mind. Not because I was dreaming of the glorious free time I would have while he is duck taped to the wall (DO NOT EMAIL ME! I AM JUST KIDDING!).

I giggled, with coffee dripping from my nose and my chin, because the look in his eyes as he realized what his body had done, apparently without the approval of his brain, was priceless!

He did the 'eyeballs put of the head' gawk and then took off like a shot! His little body zipped in a mini-human blur out of the living room, in and out of the kitchen, through the baby gate that he broke (busted a rung off of so he could fit through) a couple months ago, up the stairs, into his room and slammed the door! SLAM!

The coffee cleaned up without a problem. And I found out that SNORTING coffee isn't all that bad and actually wakes you up more than drinking it.

He bravely walked down the steps and sulked into the kitchen, tail between his legs, and said, "Sowwy, Mommy. You pway Wii wit me?"

We had 4.6 seconds to get to the bus stop...no Wii...but time for

a big snuggle for saying "Sorry"

a "Please don't do that again."

and a smile as he waved from the bus window.

Lesson learned? DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

Peace.

My firsts...

Found this on someone's blog but they didn't tag anyone so I took it...thought it would be fun. I didn't read all of the things FIRST that are supposed to be firsts so this could be interesting. We'll see if I hit "Publish" at the end...haha.

Here goes..... 1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Scott Risbon, my best friend's brother - I know, I know, that crosses the line in that "don't date the brother" rule but we weren't dating, just good friends without dates to our Junior Prom.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Um, no. That's a weird thought.

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Some kind of whiskey, I think. I was pretty naive and in high school went to my 1st upperclassman's party. When I walked in, one of his friends handed me a cup. I was 16 and still thinking they served punch at parties so I said, "thanks" and took a huge gulp. Never had punch light my lungs on fire! I played it cool and handed the cup back. Blech.

4. What was your FIRST job? Technically, babysitting. First job I had outside of other people's homes was at our local mall in the food court. The place was called Coney Island - we served hot dogs and cheeseburgers. I even had to scrub the white slime off of the hot dogs before putting them on the grill. NO LIE! Maybe that's why I refuse to feed my kids the foul tubular meat. Double Blech!

5. What was your FIRST car? Sniffle, sniffle. Her name was "Betty" (as in Boop)...she was a beauty. My beloved Rangoon Red '65 Mustang. My sweet daddy pimped my ride and turned a banged up white 'Stang into a very sweet ride! Happy 16th to me!! But, sadly, she got old and unreliable so for safety's sake we sold her down the river. So sad. It was kind of funny though, at one point there was a crossed wire or something and when I made left hand turns the headlights turned off or she stalled. So, for months, I drove way out of my way to get to my destinations by only turning right. I tried to deal with it as long as I could before telling my dad. But after almost getting T-boned a couple times, I had to give in and tell him...I still have pictures of her. I think I loved her more than my first boyfriend!

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? That would be "Goose," one of the 3 Michel(l)e's in my BFF Bunch! Love ya, friend!

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? The 4 year old screaming in my face that he wanted to play in the snow before breakfast! He didn't get my sarcasm when I said, "Then go ahead." I dashed out of bed when I heard the door open and just KNEW he was in boots and dinosaur jammies!

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Komez...she was very pregnant and she felt it necessary to discuss her discomforts with the class, usually at story time. The last thing a 6 year old wants to think about is that her fat teacher has tremendous gas due to her innards being shoved up to her neck.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? I was 3 months old and I flew from PA to LA where I lived for the next 2 years. My first words were said sweetly with a lo-o-o-ong southern drawl. Mama = "Mow-mah" Michelle = "Mee-shayl" To this day, if I meet a southerner, I have a hard time staving off the twang.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Melissa, Melissa, Melissa. We met when we were four, went K-12 together, then different universities, were in each other's weddings, lived in different states and now live a mile from one another. We talk sometimes daily and see each other a couple times a month. To this day (35 years later) she is one of my dearest friends. She even held an intervention for me once. Drove 3 hours to Penn State to discuss my choice of boyfriend. (Not my hubby. His roommate)

11. What was your FIRST sport played? Does kickball count? The swings at recess? Not much of an athlete. Really don't enjoy dodging, chasing, kicking, hitting or tackling things. Would much rather sit on the sidelines and yell. Cheerleading was my gig in high school.

12. Where was your FIRST sleep over? Probably the Drumeler's house. At about 3am I got up to secretly call my mom to come get me. But I didn't tell Mrs. Drumeler, or my friend for that matter, so they were all a little freaked out when someone was ringing the doorbell in the wee hours of the morning. I did this a couple more times before we took a sleep-over hiatus.

13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? The squealing dinosaur-boot kid.

14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My Aunt Cathy's in 1973. I was 3. I wore a long gauzy baby blue dress with a very floppy, wide brim hat...with flowers of course. Very 70's.

15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Answered the phone at 5:30 for an automated call that school was on a 2-hour delay!

16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Oh dear, I went to see The Jackson 5 with my dad. He rocks. He pretended to be security and snuck us down from the nosebleed seats to the floor - close to the front. No. I am not spoiled (chuckle - see #5)

17. FIRST tattoo or piercing? Ears pierced when I was 5. I got my 1st tattoo for myself for my 39th birthday so I have immortalized my 30's!

18. FIRST foreign country you went to? England and then France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria - all in the same trip. I was 14 and went with Melissa and the German Travel Club. What happens in Europe, stays in Europe! Right Meliss?!

19. What was your FIRST run in with the law? Following my boyfriend home from the SATs, he went a different way that I didn't know and "Betty" T-boned a BMW! My FORD lost an "R" and become a FOD. Sheesh. It was the first time I had to actually talk to a cop. He had no sympathy for me - he was more interested in the fact that I lived in the town where the woman shot the monkey. (long story - has nothing to do with the accident)

20. When was your FIRST detention? I only had one - for being late to school more than the acceptable 3x. I only lived 7 minutes from school but "Betty" wasn't always cooperative, nor was my snooze button.

21. What was the FIRST state you lived in? Pennsylvania. Just a small town girl from Pennsyl-tucky.

22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Greg Cooper. I got my first "Dear John" letter soon after he left for college.

23. Who was your FIRST roommate? Jen Chiari. She was a nursing student at Hahnemann University. We lived in Center City Philadelphia (my first time away from home and I didn't know her from Adam). She was very nice. She had a very memorable, snorty laugh.

24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? To my Nanny's funeral. It was white. I felt very important. I was 11.

Wanna try? Consider yourself tagged!! Link back to me and leave a comment here when you post so I can be nosey - that's all I ask!

I feel like...

C-R-A-P... ...lemme spell it out for ya... C is for the 14,000,000,000 calls I have had to make in the last two days regarding an insurance mix up! R is for the rejection I got this week from a children's literary agent that I really connected with! A is for the atypical cells that came back in a mole biopsy I had done last week. And for the new appointment I had to make for them to "dig deeper and wider"...nice! P is for the post-holiday mess that is taking over my house and making me feel like I am being buried alive! Y is for...well, there is no "Y" in my 'word of the day' but I am adding one to express my animosity toward the gynecological malady that starts with this letter and that could seriously send a woman to the LOONEY BIN! Ladies, you know what I am talking about...the treatment is almost as disgusting as the problem itself. Ya feelin' me? Ugh! Happy 2010! Peace.

The envelope please....

And the winner of the LeapFrog LEAPSTER 2 is ...

(drum roll)

ZACHSGRAN!

She was hoping to win this for her grandson and she DID!

Congratulations!