Last night, I had a big date.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
I looked at the guy. His pants were two inches too short, his suit coat was buttoned wrong, and his tie was sticking out the bottom. "Bubba," I said. "We can't go to the red carpet ball with you looking like that!"
(Yes, my date was none other than my eight-year-old son, Bubba. He was taking me to the Mother-Son dance at the school.)
"But Mama," he said. "I don't have another suit."
"You don't?" I couldn't believe it. "What happened to the suit you wore a few months ago?"
"This is it!"
I sighed. Apparently the kid has done some growing.
I fixed his button job and told him to forget about the tie (which he greatly appreciated), and we headed off to the ball.
I needn't have worried about the suit, because after all of the break dancing on the floor, the running around, and the chocolate from the chocolate fountain, the suit was toast! But we had an absolutely marvelous time!
Before I go, I want to let you all know that Schultz, our enormous German Shepherd, is a guest over at Tracy Campbell's blog. (I think he's getting more popular than me!) If you'd like to see pictures and learn more about him, please stop by!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Abe on the Bus
Okay. I'm back. I was at a music educators conference for a couple of days, which meant my husband had to babysit the kids and creatures. (I think he did a good job, because everybody and everything is still alive.)
He told me a funny story though, that I have to share. Today was the day that my son presented his Abe Lincoln report to parents. (Yes, I'm bummed because I had to miss it!) My husband said Bubba got out of bed right away, dressed in his tight black suit, put on his Abe Lincoln beard, and donned a black top hat.
"You sent him to school like that?" I asked.
"Yeah, why not?" my husband said.
"Well, he was supposed to change at school, not run around all day dressed as Abraham Lincoln!"
"Oh," my husband said. "But he looked so cute, I didn't have the heart to tell him to change. You should've seen him on the bus. He was a mini-Abe grinning from ear to ear, looking out the window."
I'm sure it was quite a sight - a boy with a beard! Let's just hope that Bubba's not going to want to go to school in his Luigi Halloween costume!
He told me a funny story though, that I have to share. Today was the day that my son presented his Abe Lincoln report to parents. (Yes, I'm bummed because I had to miss it!) My husband said Bubba got out of bed right away, dressed in his tight black suit, put on his Abe Lincoln beard, and donned a black top hat.
"You sent him to school like that?" I asked.
"Yeah, why not?" my husband said.
"Well, he was supposed to change at school, not run around all day dressed as Abraham Lincoln!"
"Oh," my husband said. "But he looked so cute, I didn't have the heart to tell him to change. You should've seen him on the bus. He was a mini-Abe grinning from ear to ear, looking out the window."
I'm sure it was quite a sight - a boy with a beard! Let's just hope that Bubba's not going to want to go to school in his Luigi Halloween costume!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Preserved by Ice Cream
Last night after dinner, I scooped some ice cream into a bowl and sat down to eat it.
"Mom," my eleven-year-old daughter said. "You're the only person on the planet who can eat ice cream every day and not get fat."
My husband added his two cents. "Yeah, and she could probably eat a whole pie and cake everyday and not gain a single pound."
I shook my head and laughed. "No. If I ate cookies, cake, and pie every day, I'd be a five hundred pound blimp. I can only do it with ice cream."
"How come, Mama?" my eight-year-old son asked.
"Because I'm an ice cream vampire."
His eyes got real big. "You are?"
"Yep. Don't I look like a vampire?"
"Yeah, Mom," my daughter said. "With your pale skin and dark hair you totally look like a vampire!"
"Do you drink blood?" asked my son, totally believing it.
"No. I eat ice cream. It keeps me cold and preserves my youthful appearance."
So now you know the secret to staying young: Eat ice cream every day!
Before I go, several of you have asked me to post a recording of myself playing the viola. A few days ago, I recorded the Preludio from Bach's Partita No. 3 for solo viola. I'm teaching it to a couple of my students, so I did it for them. Anyway, if you'd like to listen, go here.
"Mom," my eleven-year-old daughter said. "You're the only person on the planet who can eat ice cream every day and not get fat."
My husband added his two cents. "Yeah, and she could probably eat a whole pie and cake everyday and not gain a single pound."
I shook my head and laughed. "No. If I ate cookies, cake, and pie every day, I'd be a five hundred pound blimp. I can only do it with ice cream."
"How come, Mama?" my eight-year-old son asked.
"Because I'm an ice cream vampire."
His eyes got real big. "You are?"
"Yep. Don't I look like a vampire?"
"Yeah, Mom," my daughter said. "With your pale skin and dark hair you totally look like a vampire!"
"Do you drink blood?" asked my son, totally believing it.
"No. I eat ice cream. It keeps me cold and preserves my youthful appearance."
So now you know the secret to staying young: Eat ice cream every day!
Before I go, several of you have asked me to post a recording of myself playing the viola. A few days ago, I recorded the Preludio from Bach's Partita No. 3 for solo viola. I'm teaching it to a couple of my students, so I did it for them. Anyway, if you'd like to listen, go here.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How to Publish and Promote Your Book
One of my blogger buddies, L. Diane Wolfe, AKA Spunk on a Stick, has a new book that has just been released, today. I'm helping her get the word out. How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! is a perfect book for writers! Here's all the info on it. Please check it out!
HOW TO
PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!
By L.
Diane Wolfe
Publishing
and promoting made simple!
Have you always dreamed of
publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through
the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and
generating publicity. Get the whole story on:
·
Traditional publishing
·
Self-publishing
·
Print and e-book setup, formatting, and
distribution
·
Finding your target audience
·
Generating reviews and media interest
·
Networking and developing an online presence
·
Promotional materials and appearances
Uncover your ideal publishing
path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream.
Give it the best chance for success!
Available February 5, 2012
Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages,
Dancing Lemur Press LLC
$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN
978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN
978-0-9827139-9-0
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-publish-and-promote-your-book-now-l-diane-wolfe/1113516811
Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Publish-Promote-Your-Book-ebook/dp/B00B8X5WEM/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359715649&sr=1-8
“She gives an
unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and
self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It's the perfect
book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.”
- Carolyn Howard-Johnson,
author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/
“A must-read for writers planning on
self-publishing or any writer who wants the ultimate how-to on promoting. Tons
of links, advice, and how-to, whether you're going for print or e-publication.”
L. Diane Wolfe's sites:
Blog - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips - http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/
Website - Spunk On A Stick - http://www.spunkonastick.net/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SpunkOnAStick
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/l.diane.wolfe
Short Bio-
Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the
National Speakers Association and a motivational speaker. She’s conducted
seminars on book publishing and promoting for five years and assisted writers
through several author services. Her other titles include “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK!”
which ties her goal-setting and leadership seminar’s information together, and
a YA series, “The Circle of Friends.”
Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements,
maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and contributes to several other sites
and newsletters.
Best of luck with your new book, Spunk On A Stick!
Best of luck with your new book, Spunk On A Stick!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sticks
Last night, when the power went out at the Superbowl, my kids got a little ansty waiting for the game to resume. Bubba put a sleeping bag over his head and bounced around the room.
"Bubba," I said. "Take that thing off of your head, or you're going to bump into something and hurt yourself."
"I'll take it off, only if you play a game of sticks with me."
I had no idea what that was, but I agreed to do it.
"Stick out your fingers like this," he said. He pointed two index fingers at me.
I did as he demonstrated.
"Now tap my two fingers."
Huh? I was confused, but I tapped his fingers.
"Now put up three fingers."
"Why do I have to put up three fingers?" I asked.
"Because you're supposed to."
"You're out!" he announced.
"Wait a minute," I said. "I have no idea what just happened, but this game makes no sense!"
My daughter jumped into the scene. "Watch, Mom."
She and my son played a game of sticks. I watched as they stuck their fingers out and tapped each others hands. "Do you get it?" she asked when they were done.
"Um, no." I said.
"Mom, you're so slow!"
Great. Not only am I old (see previous post), but now I'm stupid. Oy!
"Bubba," I said. "Take that thing off of your head, or you're going to bump into something and hurt yourself."
"I'll take it off, only if you play a game of sticks with me."
I had no idea what that was, but I agreed to do it.
"Stick out your fingers like this," he said. He pointed two index fingers at me.
I did as he demonstrated.
"Now tap my two fingers."
Huh? I was confused, but I tapped his fingers.
"Now put up three fingers."
"Why do I have to put up three fingers?" I asked.
"Because you're supposed to."
"You're out!" he announced.
"Wait a minute," I said. "I have no idea what just happened, but this game makes no sense!"
My daughter jumped into the scene. "Watch, Mom."
She and my son played a game of sticks. I watched as they stuck their fingers out and tapped each others hands. "Do you get it?" she asked when they were done.
"Um, no." I said.
"Mom, you're so slow!"
Great. Not only am I old (see previous post), but now I'm stupid. Oy!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Officially Old
My eleven year old daughter has been growing a lot. (She's only one inch shorter than me now, which means she'll soon pass me.) With growth spurts, comes the need to buy new clothes. I've been going nuts trying to keep up. Believe me, with a girl, it's hard to find things that both fit and are fashionable. (Boys are much easier!)
My mother-in-law decided to help. Unfortunately, she lives quite a distance away, so she couldn't bring my daughter to find the clothes. The only option was to choose some she thought would work, and then mail them.
Today the box arrived at the doorstep. My daughter opened it. Immediately she stuck her nose up at everything that was inside. "Mom, these are old people clothes."
"What?" I said. I pulled out several sweaters and tops. "These are really nice!"
"They're things old people would wear to orchestra concerts."
I looked at that girl. "Hey, I think they're quite fashionable. I'd wear them."
"Yeah, Mom. That's because you're old!"
My mother-in-law decided to help. Unfortunately, she lives quite a distance away, so she couldn't bring my daughter to find the clothes. The only option was to choose some she thought would work, and then mail them.
Today the box arrived at the doorstep. My daughter opened it. Immediately she stuck her nose up at everything that was inside. "Mom, these are old people clothes."
"What?" I said. I pulled out several sweaters and tops. "These are really nice!"
"They're things old people would wear to orchestra concerts."
I looked at that girl. "Hey, I think they're quite fashionable. I'd wear them."
"Yeah, Mom. That's because you're old!"
Friday, February 1, 2013
What Conference?
I believe I am developing a severe case of Alzheimers. Either that or my brain has tripped out to some tropical location and left me here alone, floundering in the cold.
At approximately 4:15 yesterday, my son snuck up behind me while I was brushing my teeth. He tapped me on the shoulder. "Mama," he said. "Aren't we supposed to go to parent teacher conferences today?"
I nearly gagged on my toothpaste. Oh, shoot. Another mama messup! Yes, we did indeed have a conference to attend - at 3:30. I missed that on my calendar because I had already flipped to February. Silly me!
"Sorry, buddy," I said. "I'll have to call your teacher and see if we can reschedule. I have to teach in fifteen minutes."
"But Mama, we have to go!"
"But..."
The kid wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. He dragged me to the school, where the teacher was in conference with another parent. I stood there, waiting, watching the clock, praying she'd finish in time for me to talk to her and get back home to teach.
Finally, she came out. She was surprised to see me, but very understanding. (It's good when a teacher is a parent, too!) We rescheduled and I rushed home, where my violin student was standing at my front door, probably wondering where the heck I was.
Yeah, I know. I'm a seriously messed up Mama. Maybe I should start tying strings around my fingers. But then I'd probably forget why I had strings on my fingers. And then they'd probably get tangled playing the violin and piano. I'm guess I'm doomed!
At approximately 4:15 yesterday, my son snuck up behind me while I was brushing my teeth. He tapped me on the shoulder. "Mama," he said. "Aren't we supposed to go to parent teacher conferences today?"
I nearly gagged on my toothpaste. Oh, shoot. Another mama messup! Yes, we did indeed have a conference to attend - at 3:30. I missed that on my calendar because I had already flipped to February. Silly me!
"Sorry, buddy," I said. "I'll have to call your teacher and see if we can reschedule. I have to teach in fifteen minutes."
"But Mama, we have to go!"
"But..."
The kid wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. He dragged me to the school, where the teacher was in conference with another parent. I stood there, waiting, watching the clock, praying she'd finish in time for me to talk to her and get back home to teach.
Finally, she came out. She was surprised to see me, but very understanding. (It's good when a teacher is a parent, too!) We rescheduled and I rushed home, where my violin student was standing at my front door, probably wondering where the heck I was.
Yeah, I know. I'm a seriously messed up Mama. Maybe I should start tying strings around my fingers. But then I'd probably forget why I had strings on my fingers. And then they'd probably get tangled playing the violin and piano. I'm guess I'm doomed!
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