Copy-Edits, High School, Contest Winner

How's this for fun synchronicity?

I sent back the copy-edits for I So Don't Do Spooky (book #2). They arrived at Random House yesterday, Sept. 9, which is exactly three months before the release of I So Don't Do Mysteries (book #1)!!!

Okay, fine, it looked more interesting before I typed it.

In other news--tonight I attended Open House at Child #2's high school. Can I just say that I LOVE Open House at the high school. LOVE it. I don't know why. I didn't particularly enjoy high school the first time around. But there's something about English reading lists and those little desks with the chairs attached and overhead projectors. It takes me back to a time when the future stretched out for miles.

I went from class to class, listening to the teachers, reading the class requirements, chatting with other parents. And I thought to myself, I'd be so so good at high school now. Then I went to Algebra II. Yikes. I am so glad to be done with high school.

In yet other news-- DH, not Child #4 (who is exhausted with her return to school), chose the winner for the exotic Canadian foods contest.

And the winner is (drum roll)... Linda of Flights a Fancy!!

Linda, please have your people email my people at barrie.summy@gmail.com.

Above is the front of bookmark
Above is the back of bookmark

AND I'll toss a few of the cutest most adorable bookmarks in your package.

Back to School

All my kids are now in school.

Gone are Child #1's thumping footsteps as he clomps around the house, a guitar slung over a shoulder.

Gone are the tip-tapping of Child #2's texting fingers and the tinkling cell phone bell that signals an incoming message.

Gone are Child #3's wild shrieks as he jumps out from behind doors and chairs to frighten me.

Gone is the lilting musical voice of Child #4 who sings for everything these days from snack requests to tattling on Child #3 to calling for Dorothy the Dog.


I've walked back down the hill to my quiet house. Well, except for the chug-chug of the washing machine. And the clicking of the Kreepy Krawler as it slurps up eucalyptus leaves from the bottom of the pool. And the whistling of the kettle.

I make a second cup of tea, sink into my large comfortable chair, sighing the sigh of mothers everywhere on that first day back to school.

I drag the heavy envelope from Random House across my coffee table and pull out the copy-edits for I So Don't Do Spooky. For a second, I close my eyes and just breathe.

Realizing how very very ready for this I was.