School-Dayz - Bring it on!

Who's REALLY excited about school starting? ME!  I'm so excited for Dakota to finally get to go to kindergarten today. He wanted to go so bad last year but missed the age cut off by three weeks.  Although, I was a little sad when he informed me I must stay in the house when the bus comes! I negotiated that I may go on the porch.

But I'm really  excited to go to college today.

Just walking across the college campus was so peaceful. It was filled with promise and quiet! In the hour that I walked to the advisor's meeting and back I actually THOUGHT without interruption. I observed everything about the campus - the yellow geometric sculpture, the grassy area under the trees, the sweet scent of petunias,chrysanthemums, grass and trees, caught a glimpse of the football team resting after practice, the mixture of old and new architecture and the stale smell of  the 1970's in Reid Hall. I can't wait to get in touch with my "thinker" again even if it will only be a few hours twice a week. The online class I took this past season was just enough to burn off the cobwebs. Now I'm going to be put to the test with a horde of shiny-new freshman!

The most exciting opportunity was one of my class requirements I'll be saving for next semester - Children's Literature. Hello? I'm being told to read a bunch of kids' books  from the late 1800's and write reports?  Right up my alley! 

And, yes, I did get a new backpack! No more running around with my son's old one from 5th grade! (although, I'm sure I'm still giving off the "nerd-vibe" in one way or another)

This Weeks "Mom-Monday" post Hey Kool-Aid

To my surprise this summer, two different 8 year old neighbor boys were home alone. I'm not certain how many days- maybe only a week or maybe off and on.  My son got mixed up (emotionally) when two of them were house-hopping and he felt ditched when they'd run to one house or another and he had to stay home, hoping they'd come back. They were going between their empty houses looking for something to do and I don't allow my 7 year old into homes that have no parents. So, I suggested they hang out here but they really just played video games, then ran off to one empty house or another then turn up again. Apparently I'm not the only parent that faces this  - worrying about all those kids riding bikes in the middle of the street when no one is watching them. I recently heard from a friend that runs a daycare in an adjoining neighborhood and all the "latchkey" kids gravitate towards her house during the day. It reminded me of the label we would give the house where all the kids wanted to hang out - "The Kool-Aid House".

Do you remember the old commercials with the happy mom serving Kool Aid to a zillion kids in her yard? At least she knew where HERS were and what they were up to.  Are you a Kool Aid mom?  If so, what do you do when you need a little break from the troops running in and out? I work nights, get up early to get kiddos off to school and sometimes I need a short nap before dinner, but my sons will be buzzing in and out with their friends. I stop and think, "Do I really want to send those kids home to their parentless homes?" I imagine 10 years into the future when they are all teens, trying to figure out where to hang out.  I usually tell my teen and pre-teen sons to keep an eye on the younger ones for 20 minutes while I sneak-rest. I dread having my kids announce to the whole neighborhood, "You can't come in 'cause my mom's takin' a NAP!" while my own kids are running in and out! I've attempted to sneak into my room and leave the door open (I listen while I rest - just in case), however,  my kids and their friends tend to end up in my room to ask me some "important" question - awkward.  
I noticed Sunday, my husband was taking a short post-church nap when the doorbell rang and the dog started barking right next to our bedroom door. It was the neighbor kids and their sister. I thought they were here to pick one of the other boys up so I called the boy to the door  as I  went back to my work in the kitchen. I quickly realized they had planted in front of the tv and were playing Playstation with my son and all four were shouting at the screen. I want them to know they are welcome and safe at our house, but sometimes I wonder if I need an "temporarily out of service" sign for my front door! While school starting will lessen these instances,  I'm wondering if any of you have this going on and do you just kick them out or find a happy-medium? Should I point at the neighbors house and say, "Hey look-she's got Kool Aid!"?

If you would like to join Mom-Monday just copy the badge onto your post from mycup2yours and leave a link.  (she's having a little technical difficulty with the linky so you may need to check back)

Adversary Review - ***** Loved it!

Kate Kaynak's sequel to Minder, Adversary detailed the battle of the Ganzfield superpowers against their most evil, powerful and relentless adversary - Isaiah Lerner.  The battles in the book were so intense and fascinating with all the superpowers it literally made me grip the book and fear for the characters. Kate Kaynak's imagery is so strong I felt like I was in the room and at the same time seeing things happening with other characters.  Once again, she managed to mix an intense action/paranormal story with the elements of quirkiness, romance, and effects of superpowers in romantic situations, like the swimming pool scene. So refreshing and fun!


Being the second book in the series I feared that Trevor, Maddies soulmate, might be removed from the story somehow to create motivation or angst in Maddie, but was so pleased that he remains in this story and together they develop an new and intense ability that amazes even Dr. Williamson. I cannot wait to see what they will do with it in Legacy,the third Ganzfield novel. Other characters were developed more fully in this sequel that made me really care about them like Rachel and Sean, and Maddies mother! I can't wait to see her in Legacy - Go Mom!

Maddie grows stronger and braver personally and with her abilities through each chapter, but at the same time aware of her  own weaknesses, helping her to cover the faults of others around her with kindness. Anyone would be blessed to have friends like Maddie and Trevor - even if they had to ask for some "space" once in a while!  If you haven't read Minder yet, I recommend you take a weekend to read it and have a copy of Adversary handy because you are going to want to jump right into it. You've done it again Kate! How do you know what readers are thinking?

I rate this ***** (5stars)

Get your copy at Amazon or take a peek inside! - click here
Also visit the Ganzfield fan page for info on the Ganzfield series, Minder book trailer and other goodies.
You can get to know Kate Kaynak and maybe enter one of her contests to win a copy at The Disgruntled Bear.
Thanks again for the cameo of Aunt Leah and the Adversary ARC, Kate!

Have you ever forgotten...

...your age?  I spent the first half of the day Wed telling my family I was turning 38.  My one sister was giving me the "almost 40 pep-talk" and I was telling her, "Well, I'm only 38 - I have two years before I can start brooding over being 40."  Then I got my yearly birthday phone call from my dad.

"Hello?", "Hey, I caught you - I just wanted to wish you a Happy 39th Birthday!"  "Hey, thanks! But I'm only 38." "No, I was there - you are 39."

 Because of my muddled night-shift working, insomniac, mommy-brain I trust people who say I calculate things wrong. I did the math in my head - 39 - no way! I get out the calculator 2010-1971=39 Oh Man! He's right!  How does someone who gets a A+ on a mid-term not know their own age?  I mentioned this to my younger friend and she was astounded that I could mess that up. She swears her parents have NEVER forgotten their own ages. However, an intelligent business man friend of mine spent his entire 39th birthday telling everyone he was 40!  Have you ever forgotten something about yourself like that? Is it because it's about myself that I can't remember? It's not on the school calendar, not blinking on  my e-mail reminders - it's just about me. How about it - anyone else?

discrimination - the "short" version

I tell ya' I can't win!  Being just under 5ft2in I suffer a barrage of discriminating comments. I went to the boys' school at the end of the school year to have lunch with them and watch them run track. I felt a hand on my shoulder and was told by the principal, "remember we take off our hats!" I turned and faced Mr. Smith and we both started laughing when he saw me face to face!  The next day I was looking for my 4th grader, wearing my "visitor" badge and a teacher asked me to get out to recess with that stern, "do you know where you need to be?!" comment we give kids who are trying to bend the rules while everyone else is occupied.

So last week, of all days (my 39th birthday) I took my 5 year old, Dakota, to stand in line with me to sign in for registration at MSU. We waited in the line with our last name initial and all I needed was to show up, sign in and prove I was there. It was a formality I had to cover since I withdrew last year and re-enrolled as a transfer student. After a 10 minute wait in the student line, wearing my new black and orange backpack, I got up to the table and announced my name. The twiggy sophomore helpers looked at me and said, "The parents line is over there." I gave her a raised eyebrow look and said loudly, "I'm a STUDENT!"

I decided I'm going to embellish a reversable hat. When I wear it to the middle school, I'll wear the "NOT A STUDENT" facing out. When I go to the college I'll wear the "NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT" side facing out. Then maybe people will get a clue!

I got my birthday wish!

Snickers Cake

My birthday is this week and since we'll be super busy, Chris wanted to celebrate on Sunday. So, after church he sent me to my room for a minute and when I came out there was a Snickers Cake with candles lit and a gift bag that I was hoping contained some awesome jewelry I'd hinted for (it did). The cake read, "Happy 29th Birthday, Leah!" and the candles were 3 and 0! They also gave me a hilarous card about little kids thinking I'm old. It said, "What do they know - they eat paste!" Too funny! It was fun to have them all sing to me this year.  When I was blowing out the candles, Josh (who knows me too well) remarked, "I bet I know what she's wishing for - to catch a fish!" Yep, he got me - that's exactly what I was wishing.

Gallatin River

I packed a zillion pb&j's, two bags of chips and 7 cans of pop and off we went to the Gallatin forest to the most beautiful fishing access. I caught one!  How often do we ever get our birthday wish?

My Fish-Wish!

Join the Adversary Virtual Launch Party!

Hey everyone - it's here! The sequel to Minder, Adversary is being launched over at The Disgruntled Bear.  Join me in sharing the excitement for the release of Adversary.  She's having an awesome giveaway at her site to celebrate the release!  Here's a quote from Goodreads:

The second book of the Ganzfield series. Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes?See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.

 I haven't read my copy yet as it just came today, but I'll post a detailed review when I'm done. I loved Minder so much, I just know Adversary will be thrilling! As a reader, she knows what you are thinking! You can get your copy at: Amazon.  Also, check out the Ganzfield Fan site to watch the Minder trailer,enjoy all her fantastic links, learn about the Ganzfield series. She will not be leaving us hanging - I hear she may have as many as 7 books in this series!

And before I go - a little shameless self-promotion! I'm on pages 70 &71 as Aunt Leah and wrote the prayer that she's thinking. I can't wait to find out what it was really about. I only had a little "hint" from Kate Kaynak as to the situation. Thanks Kate for including me in your work!