Fortune Cookes: It's all in the interpretation

You may recall that I collect the messages from fortune cookies.

So, the other evening, we were eating take-out Chinese. At the end of the meal, Child #4 (11 year-old daughter) cracks open her fortune cookie and reads it to herself.

(The following conversation is paraphrased. My memory just isn't that good!)

Child #4: I got a horrible fortune.

Me: What does it say?

Child #4: "Never quit."

Child #2: That's not a horrible fortune. That's a good fortune. That just means you shouldn't give up. It's to encourage you.

Me: I agree with Child #2. It's really a very positive fortune.

Child #4: Oh, yeah? What if I'm a smoker?

COLLEGE COUNTDOWN: 8 DAYS UNTIL CHILD #2 LEAVES.

Child #4 and the Rancho Santa Fe Library Visit

The Rancho Santa Fe library visit went super well. This is a library that goes to a lot of trouble to put on a great event. I mean, just look at the sign. Too cute!

I took Child #4 (11 year old daughter) along with me. She took the photos. And helped me find the library (because she actually has a sense of direction!). And she helped with the technical junk (setting up the projector, speakers, etc.). Basically, the kid is indispensable. (Read the end of this post for her words of wisdom on the visit.)


The library put out a red carpet runway, decorated the room and tables, and provided glam sunglasses and other favors for the participants. Teen volunteers acted as servers and paparazzi. There was a raffle with lots of prizes.

You can see why I want every book I write to be celebrated at the RSF library!

I did a powerpoint and chatted about writing I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS. Since I visited Hollywood three times (my life is so hard!) to research this book, I have lots of photos and Hollywood/Beverly Hills stories.
This is a shot of one of the tables. I really enjoyed meeting readers and parents. It's quite the kick to meet in real life a tween who's been emailing about Sherry and gang. (Hello Maysen, Joy's granddaughters and Jim's wife and Clara). A special thank you to the people who drove from my town all the way to Rancho Santa Fe. And a huge thank you to Maddie for all the hard work she put into this event. Also, Librarian Debbie, you will be sorely missed (although we hope you enjoy your retirement)!

Conversation with Child #4 as I'm Tucking Her In That Night

Me: So, did I do okay today at the library?

Child #4: Yeah. You were good.

Me: Is it weird seeing me up there, talking in front of a crowd.

Child #4: It is weird.

Me: Weird embarrassing or weird cool?

Child #4: Definitely weird cool. (She pauses.) But I kind of wanted to say, "That's my mom. Why do you want her autograph?"

Tomorrow: brunch in La Jolla with the delightful Cindy Pon, YA author of SILVER PHOENIX and FURY OF THE PHOENIX.

Introducing Child #4....

See that angel dressed in white? That is my child #4!

I saw this poster for Joseph for the first time last night when I went to pick her up from rehearsal. There it was, taped to the window of the theatre. I totally choked up.

I don't usually show phots of my kids on the blog. But I couldn't resist...

Oh, I can't wait to see this production! And I'm missing opening weekend because I'll be in Hershey, PA at the Pennsylvania School Librarians' annual conference.

Brian Imoto (Joseph), you also look amazing on this poster. I saw Brian in Into the Woods last spring. He was great! And this guy can truly belt out a tune!

If you're in the San Diego area and you're looking for some first-class community theatre, come see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Moxie Theatre on El Cajon Boulevard and Montezuma. I'll be in the audience for at least two performances. Mr. Summy is helping with sound/lights/whatever he's told to do.

For more info, here's the Pickwick Players' website.

**There's a fun reception with the cast, directors, producer, etc with scruptious munchies following the opening-night performance this Friday, April 29. And tickets for this Saturday night and Sunday matinee (April 30, May 1) are at a reduced price of $13/ticket. Call the box office: 619-448-5673 and request the "Jacob and Sons Cast Special" for $13 tickets (Get it? Jacob and sons are 13 total?). You gotta phone to get this deal; don't order through the website. **

Oh, and if you order tickets, could you mention Child #4 Summy's name? It's the kids vs the adults for a friendly ticket sale contest. Child #4 and her cohorts would dearly love to win a pizza party. (I think that's the prize.)

She is adorable, isn't she? ;)

On Letters and Child #4

A couple of weeks ago, Child #4 (10 year old daughter) came up with the bright idea of making a homemade mailbox and affixing it to her bedroom door. Her goal? To receive lots of letters, primarily from her parents. But she didn't want just any kind of letter. Oh no. She wanted letters that extolled her many talents and skills!

So, I began leaving her short missives with messages about the joys of having her as a daughter, her exquisite piano playing, her thoughtfulness, her culinary capabilities, her mastery of the multiplication facts, etc.





Then, last week, I walked down the hall to discover mailboxes on my bedroom door. I couldn't wait to get a letter. A letter where Child #4 would write of my maternal love and kindness and thank me for quizzing her on her recent science test material, for staying up late to launder her favorite jeans, for inviting her friends over and feeding them treats and the list goes on and on.

The next morning, the corner of a piece of lined paper peeked up from the fold in my mailbox.

My first letter!

"Don't read it until you get back from taking me to school," instructed Child #4.

I rushed home, walking the dog a little more quickly than usual. I plugged in the kettle, then sat done to read my letter.

Here it is . . .





Apparently, Child #4 wants a cell phone for her upcoming birthday.

Happy Friday, everyone! If you're in San Diego, stay dry.

Hanging out at the Summy house

Congratulations to Child #3 who got his braces off! As a reward, the orthodontist's office gave him a gift bag filled with all the treats he couldn't have with a mouth full of metal: gum, tootsie rolls, popcorn, Mike 'n Ikes, chewy candies. Me thinks the orthodonist is in cahoots with the dentist!

Oh, and Child #3, please wear your pretty turquoise retainer so that your teeth don't drift back, thus marring your beautiful smile and wasting $2,000!!


Child #4 had some friends spend the night. Her mother, of course, hung out a little with them because a) these 10 year old girls crack me up and b) this is my target reading audience. Herein (I would've made a great lawyer!) is a verbatim report.

Friend A (pushing her hair off her face): Do I look vegan?

Child #4 (headed tilted to the side): Probably.

Friend B: You definitely look vegan. Remember that 8th grader at our school last year who was vegan? You look just like her.

Child #4 (nodding and staring at Friend A): Oh yeah, I can see it now.

Friend A: I know. I was looking at myself in the mirror yesterday. And I really do think I look vegan.

Me: I don't get it. What does a vegan look like?

Child #4 and Friend B point to Friend A: Her!

May something today bring a smile to your lips!

Shopping for the Father-Daughter Dance

How fun to be eight.

When you buy shoes based on their clicking sound...

(Yay for Child #4 and her personal fashion taste!)


And now for some linky love...

If you are in the mood for fun and laughs, hop over to Ello's blog where her ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS AND BRILLIANT daughter, Summer, who is almost ten years old, interviewed me. She did a great job! My children all read the interview!

And a huge shout-out and thank-you to Mary at Overnight at Thistletonthwaite Castle who posted a lovely lovely review of I So Don't Do Mysteries. She said it even cured her cold!

And another huge shout-out and thank-you to Charles Gramlich at Razored Zen who took a giant step outside his normal reading zone to read and review I So Don't Do Mysteries. Charles, it is much, much appreciated!