Kindle Fire Giveaway! Holey Moley!

Please click to take a look at my novel!
(You will not lose your place.)
And good luck with the giveaway!

Okay, so what's the deal, you ask? How is it possible that you're giving away a Kindle Fire AND a $50 Amazon gift card to go with it? "It must be a scam!" exclaims the cynical, logical side of you. "It's too good to be true!"

Really, it's not. Too good to be true, that is. It's actually quite simple: I've chipped in with 24 other authors to buy a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon Gift Card so that one of our fabulous, much-beloved readers can win it!

Of course, I'd love for you to take a look at my novel, "Momnesia," and buy it if you're interested. But even if you don't, I encourage you to enter the giveaway because, well, who in their right mind wouldn't want to win this? Good luck!
(Enter beginning May 15 at 12:01am)

Here is the Rafflecopter entry form. Please give it a minute to load!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules, Restrictions & Details: Giveaway is open to anyone 13 or older who can receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Card. If you live in the US you can choose to receive a $50 Amazon.com egift card and have us ship the Kindle Fire to you or you may choose to receive a $250 Amazon.com egift card and purchase the Kindle Fire yourself. If you live outside the US you will receive a $250 Amazon.com egift card. All funds are in US dollars. All entries must be done through the rafflecopter form. This giveaway is paid for and sponsored by the 25 participating blogs and is not associated with or sponsored by Facebook, Twitter or Amazon. Giveaway runs from 12:01 AM EST on May 15, 2012 until 11:59 PM on May 30, 2012.

You Know What They Say About "Assuming"

Just in case you're not familiar, what they say is that when you assume, you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me." (Catchy, eh?)

I don't know if I would go so far as to say that I, or anyone else has been made an "ass" of, but I do feel that I should clarify a bit: As my readers know, I am a big proponent of finding balance between "momminess" and "sexiness." This is evidenced by a multitude of articles, tweets, interviews, and features that all tend to lean the same way. My overall message is this:

We women tend to put so much effort into our families, that we often forget about ourselves. Thus, we need to direct some effort toward taking good care of our Selves, so that we can enjoy our children and our overall life in peace, happiness, and the absence of resentment.

However, I'm realizing that there is an assumed message in all this, the assumption being that (as I've found to be the case), most of us don't have any problem finding our "momminess." We don't need to be reminded to sing preschool songs, play bubble bath games, and talk to our teens in the car on the way to their activities. We already do these things. As well as cook, clean, work, attend school functions, volunteer our time, take care of the pets, and the multifarious other things we, as dedicated moms, do.

Now, I'm sure there are--somewhere out there--moms who have not found their "momminess." For their childrens' sake, I hope they find their mommy groove so they can provide nurturing lives for the children they've chosen to bring into this world. But they are not my "target audience." The vast majority of us moms have already found (and often have been overtaken by) our "momminess." It's our sexiness that needs encouragement, and that's what I try to do.

Since I don't want to leave anyone out, I'd like to provide this advice for any moms out there who need encouragement to find their "momminess:" Sing songs, play bubble bath games, and talk to your teens in the car. When you are at home, make sure their schoolwork is done, praise them lavishly for good work, and punish them when they need it. Try and eat as many meals together as possible. Tuck them in at night with hugs and kisses, and a story. Then go pour yourself a glass of wine, light some scented candles, and be "you." Just you. It makes it easier to do all this other stuff. Balance. We can be both.

Love you!
xoxoxoxo

Southern Women's Show Second Chance Giveaway!

I had a great time exhibiting at the Southern Women's Show April 27-29 and if you attended, I hope you had a wonderful time!

LoriTheAuthor at Southern Women's Show!

If you visited my booth, "Momnesia: by Lori The Author," you likely entered to win a Kindle... 749 people entered and the winner was Mary Pulley. Congratulations Mary!

I really appreciate everyone who stopped by to meet me and so I've decided to offer a Second Chance Giveaway for Southern Women's Show attendees! It's easy to enter, and you have the opportunity to receive multiple entries! You could win a free, signed copy of "Momnesia!"

If you didn't purchase "Momnesia" while you were at the show, here is where you can find it on Amazon. Its a perfect book around Mother's Day, is a hot summer beach read, and if you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it! Click to go to Momnesia on Amazon. Don't worry, you won't lose your place... it will open in a new window!

And now, here's the entry form. Please give it a minute to load. If you're on a mobile device, you "may" need to "open in browser," but usually not. Good luck!

Momnesia Trivia!

Have you already read "Momnesia?" (If so, thanks!)

I have something fun for you! I've created a trivia quiz and you can take it if you want! Can't wait to see your results!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE MOMNESIA TRIVIA QUIZ! IT'S FUN!

Have fun, and please feel free to spread the word to other friends who have read it!

Southern Show is Only a Week Away!

It's so very exciting to be having my very own booth at the Southern Women's Show in Raleigh!

This enormous annual event, which is geared toward all things women love, attracts an estimated 35,000 guests and takes up several hundred thousand square feet at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, utilizing the entire Jim Graham Building and Exposition Center!

I've been working on booth decor (loving my color palette... not telling!... you have to come and see it!), prize giveaways (um, jeweled stiletto earrings, anyone?), and putting together a fantastic presentation (see next paragraph).

 I will be hosting a Momnesia: Find Balance booth (#2232) April 27 - 29, and will be speaking at the Balance Your Life Stage, hosted by Lifetime Television, on Sunday, April 29 at 3:30! I've created a page on my website especially for this event which includes a video about the event overall, specifics about my booth and speaking presentation, a printable map of the event, a printable coupon, and more! I invite you to visit my special page by clicking here.

Other great news? I have some FREE TICKETS to give away and YOU CAN WIN SOME! All I ask is that you take a few small steps to help me spread the word about my book, "Momnesia." Use the entry form below to get UP TO 45 ENTRIES to WIN! Each prize is valued at $20!

Note: Give the entry form a minute to load. If you're on a mobile device, you "may" need to "open in browser," but usually not. Good luck, and have fun! See you at the show!

You Might Have Momnesia If...

MOMNESIA (mahm-nee-zhuh) -noun-

Loss of the memory of who you used to be. Caused by pregnancy, play dates, and trying to keep the house cleaner than the Joneses.

My novel, "Momnesia," is about an unconventional entrepreneur who, struggling between her "momminess" and her "sexiness," diagnoses herself with Momnesia and sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness!

This has led to lots of (sometimes serious, sometimes funny, but always commiserative) conversation about Finding Balance, identifying when you've "lost yourself," etc. Features have included The Boston Globe, WRAL, and more.

So, how do you know if you're "suffering from" Momnesia? You might have Momnesia if:

• Your mascara hasn't been used in so long, it's too crusty to open!
• Your Aerosoles far outnumber your stilettos!
• Your back gets sunburned every summer because you were too busy lotioning everyone else!
• You haven't seen a movie that wasn't animated in recent memory!
• There are no children around but you still say, "I need to go pee pee!"
• You and your husband are at The Great Wolf Lodge (or Disney, or some such venue), surrounded by screaming children and pretend characters, yet you feel like you're on a date because your kids are more than four inches away and you are drinking a beer!
• Showering feels like a special occasion!
• The thought of date night sounds more exhausting than exciting!
• There are no children around, yet you still call one another Mommy and Daddy!
• It feels farfetched to imagine that you would even have time to read "Momnesia!"

And the absolute, number one, most identifying symptom of Momnesia:

• You can hear "Buzz" and "Woody" and think only of "Toy Story!"

Do you have any good ones to add? Post them in the comments here! You can also join my discussions underway on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/LoriTheAuthor) and Goodreads (www.Goodreads.com/LoriTheAuthor).

MOMNESIA, by Lori Verni-Fogarsi, is available in both Paperback and Kindle! CLICK HERE to find it at your favorite store online or in your neighborhood!

Finding Balance Using Pinterest!

If you haven't started using Pinterest yet, chances are that you've at least heard of it. What is it? An online "pinboard" where you can keep track of things you like, or are "pinterested" in.

I admit, at first glance, my reaction was, "Who the heck has time for this? Just what I need... another Internet time-waster!" However, after being invited by many friends, I decided to at least check it out and since then, I've found some significant value in it!

If you're familiar with my upcoming novel, "Momnesia," you know that it's about an unconventional entrepreneur trying to find balance between her "momminess" & her "sexiness."

If you haven't read it yet, what you may not know is that in the story, the main character realizes that she has become so "invisible" in the process of taking care of her family, she can't think of what she'd like even if she did have some free time! She makes a list of things she used to like and things she might like now, and vows to try and work them into her schedule.

So how does this tie in with Pinterest? It has recently occurred to me that it can be a valuable tool in keeping track of things we like, want to try, or simply get some pleasure from looking at! For example, I have boards that include music I like, home decor, favorite books, beautiful lamps, funny quotes, and amazing libraries. There are things I've come across that have made me realize I really like such-and-such thing, but hadn't thought about it before (like the beautiful lamps).

I've also decided that the answer to the question, "Who the heck has time for this?" is... just about everyone! Any mom with a smartphone who spends time in carpool line, waiting at karate, dancing school, etc, is likely to have three minutes to scroll through Pinterest and find a little pleasure in something. Don't have a smartphone? A few minutes on your computer may be just the thing to treat yourself, and find ideas of things you enjoy.

As an aside, I've also found that it's a great replacement for bookmarking items I'd like to buy but aren't ready to purchase just yet. Instead of having tons of separately bookmarked web pages, I have a board of "Things I'd Like to Buy," with pictures of the items, all in one place!

I invite you to check out Pinterest and see if you can find ways to use it to "Find Balance" between your "momminess" & "sexiness," work and life, etc.

Here are some links:

• To follow me on Pinterest, click here!
• To create a "Momnesia" pin on Pinterest, click here!
• If you're reading this post before March 17, 2012, click here to enter my PIN IT to WIN IT "Momnesia" Book Giveaway!
• If you're not on Pinterest and need an invite, e-mail me to request one and I'll send it to you. (Please do not add me to any mailing lists!) loriverni "at" gmail "dot" com.

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, I invite you to follow my blog and/or peruse past articles if you want! You can also learn more about my novel, "Momnesia" and find sneak previews, free stuff, events, & more at www.LoriTheAuthor.com, and by following my page on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting!

Pin It to Win It Giveaway!

Pin It To Win It Giveaway! March 9 - March 17! I'm giving away a signed paperback of "Momnesia!"

Let me introduce myself: I'm the author of the novel, "Momnesia," to be released 3/16/12 by Brickstone Publishing in both Paperback and Kindle.

It's about an unconventional entrepreneur who, struggling between her "momminess" and her "sexiness," diagnoses herself with Momnesia and sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness!

Early readers have said, "Fun & feisty!" and "A wonderful journey laced with humor and reality. A recommended read!" I invite you to take a look at my full website, where you can preview the first two chapters free and enjoy all sorts of other goodies! www.LoriTheAuthor.com.

And now, back to the Pin It to Win It Giveaway info!

Note: If you're using a mobile device, you may need to "Open in Browser" for entry form to load. 

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop!

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop! Feb 29 - March 5! I'm giving away a Pre-release Signed Copy of "Momnesia"  and there is the opportunity to win prizes from HUNDREDS of participating bloggers! Woot woot! (I love to say woot woot!)

Let me introduce myself: I'm the author of the novel, "Momnesia," to be released 3/16/12 by Brickstone Publishing in both Paperback and Kindle.

It's about an unconventional entrepreneur who, struggling between her "momminess" and her "sexiness," diagnoses herself with Momnesia and sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness!

Early readers have said, "Fun & feisty!" and "A wonderful journey laced with humor and reality. A recommended read!" I invite you to take a look at my full website, where you can preview the first two chapters free and enjoy all sorts of other goodies! www.LoriTheAuthor.com.

And now, back to the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop info! 

Special thanks to:
Kathy of I Am a Reader Not a Writer and Jinky Is Reading, for coordinating! After you enter mine, scroll down for the links to the HUNDREDS of participants in the hop!

Note: If you're using a mobile device, you may need to "Open in Browser" for entry form to load.

Winter is Cold and So Am I

Winter. It's cold, right? In many places, yes, but not so much where I live, which is in North Carolina. I mean, I do have to wear a light jacket here and there, but compared to New York, where I lived for the first 34 years of my life, winter here is like a balmy breeze. No shoveling, no window scraping, maybe a couple of inches of snow for the entire season--and it's all gone within a day.

So why the title, "Winter is Cold and So Am I"? The truth is, sometimes I feel downright cold. Not cold temperature-wise, but cold-hearted.  There are days when it seems that I hate just about everything. Even things I sometimes love!

For example, coupons. They're so much work! You have to remember to bring them, figure out which is the best deal, remember to use them at the register, make sure you have the coordinating rewards card with you. My question is, why don't they just make all the prices cheaper and save us all this work? Stores would be saving work and money for themselves, too, not having to utilize expensive equipment and take up employees' time.

And French toast. That's another thing. Here in NC there's a phenomenon where if there's even the slightest mention of a possible snow flurry, everyone runs to the store to buy bread, milk, and eggs. Because surely if it were to snow, we'd all have to make French toast. It would be a French toast emergency! The problem? These French-toast-supply-stocker-uppers are in the way of we normal people who simply need to buy bread so we'll have it for sandwiches!

Come to think of it, a lot of the things I feel "cold" about have to do with shopping. An activity I normally love! The other day, the heel broke off my favorite pair of sexy boots. Sad but semi-okay, because now I have an excuse to go shoe shopping! (Surely I would not be expected to live without sexy boots, right?) Yet I'm not looking forward to shopping because I know that I have a $10 off thing for my favorite shoe store and since I can't find it, I'll feel ripped off paying full price.

Other things I have a love/hate relationship with include: house flags (which one am I supposed to put up now that Valentine's is over and Easter is so far away?), the Internet (so convenient yet inconvenient), my cats (so adorable, but not when they puke), and many, many other things.

It's become obvious that I need a break from the normal world. A trip to the lake, where I can literally spend an entire weekend and not have to interact with anyone.

Oh, and there's good news, too! My publisher is running a coupon code (gasp!) for 10% off "Momnesia" books. Use code BOOKCLUB10 to get 10% off already reduced wholesale pricing.

See, I told you... there are things I both love and hate!


I am an author whose novel, "Momnesia," will be released 3/16/12 in Paperback and Kindle. I've been a freelance writer, journalist, columnist, and seminar speaker for 15+ years, and also have a nonfiction book, "Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs," published in 2005. I'm a happily married mom of two, step mom of two more, and have two cats, both rotten. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy my blog!

I Refuse to Buy Groceries For My Family

I refuse to buy groceries for my family. It's true. I do this several times a year and while my family hates it, I love it.

You see, I get tired of working around the giant cases of Carnation Instant Breakfast/Goldfish/Granola Bars in my pantry. You know the ones... the ones they beg you to buy after eating the item every single day for a month. They convince you that they really are going to continue to eat them, so (silly moms), we stock up on these things thinking, "I'm going to save by buying them in bulk!"

No sooner do you finish unloading them from your car (giant, heavy things bought at a warehouse store that doesn't provide bags, but should), than your children decide, "We're not in the mood for those anymore!"

Well, they're in the mood for them now. Why? Because I won't buy any new food of any kind until all the food in the house has been finished. And I do mean everything. Every snack, every strange flavor of jelly, every packet of single-serving macaroni and cheese that they begged for.

Likewise, I also use up all the things I myself have accumulated. It's fun! Pretty soon I'll be figuring out how to make dinner out of six frozen shrimp, one lamb chop, a can of beets, and a package of Jiffy corn muffin mix.

It's actually a great way to save money and reorganize the pantry, all at the same time. When I finally do go shopping, I'll have all my coupons clipped and none of the food in the house will be past its expiration date.

This, of course, speaks to my "momminess" side. My "sexiness" side? Keep an eye out for a different blog post!


I am the author of "Momnesia," a hot new release in contemporary women's fiction, coming 3/16/2012. It's about a suburban mom who, struggling between her "momminess" and her "sexiness," diagnoses herself with "Momnesia" and sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness! To learn more, including previewing the first two chapters free, I invite you to visit: www.LoriVerniFogarsi.com.

The Library is Now For Running and Screaming

Times have changed so that it is now acceptable to run and scream in the library. Also, make and receive phone calls, shout across to others, and utilize the public computers to chat on Facebook for hours while people who need to do actual research wait in line.

Either that, or I’m getting old and crochety. Probably both.

I do love my library, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t enjoy actually being inside it as much as I used to.

For example, when my kids were babies (they are only 10 and 13 now), I used to take them to Story Time at the library. All of the mommies and toddlers would respectfully walk to the children’s area, where we would use our quiet voices. Even after the story, when we would sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider, it was done in hushed tones.

Of course, there were plenty of times when my kids or others started crying, screaming, or trying to run around. However, we mommies did our best to stop them and I can recall more than one occasion when I carried them out… with them kicking and screaming, and me apologizing.

Not so today. Nowadays (see, I told you I’m getting old) the Story Time songs are sung at top volume, regardless of the fact that the other 4/5 of the library contains adults trying to concentrate. Afterward, the kids are literally running everywhere, while their parents either ignore them altogether, chatting as if in a coffee clatch, or roll their eyes and shrug as if there’s not a thing they could do about it.

This phenomenon carries through to other times of the day too. Loud conversations on cell phones, toddlers having screaming tantrums while the mom decides this would be the perfect time to chat with the librarian for twenty minutes, etc.

While the library is an extreme example, I have also noticed this in other places, such as restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Which makes me wonder, Was I too strict when my kids were babies? Or are people just letting them run haywire now?

Do you notice this too? I’d be curious to know what you think!

Tiny Businesses Really Matter

Small businesses. Big businesses. We know that they all make an impact on the economy, jobs, and ultimately, our communities.

However, it's one thing to say that and it's another to experience it firsthand. This being an election year, there's a lot of talk about whether to tax corporations less (or more), the regulations that apply to (and often impede) small businesses, etc. But I'm not here to talk about any of that because--let's face it--I want us to stay friends and it's best not to talk politics.

What I would like to share is this: As the mom of two daughters, 10 & 13, I spend a lot of time at their dancing school. And when I say a lot, I don't mean a quick jaunt for one hour here and there. I mean that I've considered selling my house and simply living in my car in the parking lot of Studio Five Dance Company, because I might as well.

It's a great dancing school and I love my kids participating in their classes and events, but that's not the point. The point is, this very small business makes a pretty decent impact on the local economy!

Since I am, by far, not the only parent who spends so much time there, we see one another throughout the hours while we're waiting for our kids: At the local gas station, pharmacy, Wendy's, BoJangles, nail place, etc. We're everywhere! And not only do I see the people I know, but I also notice the cars of additional families (because of course we all have a S5DC magnet proudly displayed on our vehicles).

Now, it is true that we would all still food shop even if our kids weren't at the dancing school. But the fact is, we wouldn't food shop there... we'd shop near our homes! Instead, the surrounding community benefits from the purchases we all make because we're there, waiting anyhow, and might as well get some errands done.

Thankfully, most towns have many of these small businesses, so it all works out in the end. But the thought process I have--especially in this election year, and also because I've always owned by own business--is this: If small businesses make such a great impact, why is everything made so difficult for them? They're not allowed to have significant signage, they have to get a permit to put up a banner during registration season, they have to pay extra for everything, and the red tape involved with seemingly every small task is nearly insurmountable!

All I have to say is, Thank goodness they and all the other small businesses are willing to go through all that. Because we all benefit in big ways.

Oh yeah, I guess I do have more to say... don't forget to vote!

Christmas is Here! (Gasp, gasp, pant, pant!)

Holiday hoopla... so very joyous. No, seriously!

Of course, before now there were all of the Christmas preparation setbacks along the way: One of my cats becoming terribly ill, thus requiring numerous expensive and traumatic vet visits and needing to be watched 24/7; One and a half "snow" days of the kids being off from school (involving not a flake of snow, of course, as is the custom here in Raleigh, NC); all of the chorus, gingerbread craft events and other school things being rescheduled so I can attend them even closer to Christmas. Etc.

I've ordered a roast. A big-girl roast. I've never made one of these before and although I'm a little nervous about cooking a piece of meat that is more expensive than the jewelry I'll be wearing while making it, I am going to cross my fingers and do my best.

My gifts are wrapped, my food shopping coupons clipped, alcoholic beverages have been stocked up on. I've accepted my husband's offer for us to dine out for dinner tonight (Christmas Eve) so I can conserve my energy for Christmas day--a significant indulgence in my book.

The tree is lit, the cat is no longer vomiting, the carpets have been cleaned, and the kids are off school. Cookies have been baked, cards have been sent, and the multitude of other tasks have been accomplished. Once again, I've somehow made it through the commercialized, expensive, ridiculous hoopla that epitomizes the holiday season, especially for us moms.

Now it's time to enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

Five Things I Learned This Week

1. Clubbing, which begins no earlier than 11 pm, was a lot more fun when I didn’t get up at 6 am every day because my kids’ school days start so early. And when I had friends who wanted to do it with me.

2. If you join a gym, you can drive by and say “That’s my gym.” You can wear the t-shirt, carry the membership card, and pay the money. But if you don’t go there and work out, you won’t actually become any more fit.

3. There are some friends with whom there is no choice but to phone at a time you know is inconvenient for them; the only other option being to call at 3 am to shoot the breeze because really, there is no time during normal waking hours when you’d both be available.

4. When applying a fake cat nose to one’s face, do not use "Outlast" lipstick because you are too lazy to search for normal lipstick that would have washed off without practically having to apply a chemical solvent.

5. When waking a teenager, begin by finding the wire peeking out of the blankets. Follow it along, and if you come across an iPod, reverse directions. Eventually you will arrive at the earbuds, which are in the head of the near-comatose teen. (More waking a teen tips in this humorous article: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/-/user-post-how-to-awaken-a-teenager-on-shine-2402224/)

Marble Notebook Mystery

Between preschool, elementary school, and now middle school, suffice it to say that I have plenty of experience with the need for marble notebooks.

More specifically, I am accustomed to the annual deficit of marble notebooks--right when you need them--at the beginning of the school year.

Oh sure, I see them throughout the rest of the year; I even see them the week before school supply lists are posted. But do I buy them? Nooo. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.

Instead, I wait for the school supply lists to come out. Which always (from preschool to high school) involve marble notebooks. At which point we do the school supply shopping and get every single thing on the lists with the exception of the elusive marble notebooks, which are undoubtedly sold out at every Wal-Mart, Target, Staples, etc.

I smack myself on the forehead, thinking, "Why, oh why didn't I just buy them when they were in stock?" (Not to mention on sale for 50 cents instead of $1.50.)

27 stores later when we finally find them, I tell my girls to each pick an extra notebook, to have just in case. I am so smart, I think to myself. I am outsmarting those rotten non-stocking marble notebook people once and for all!

Then the kids come home throughout the first week with additional supplies needed, which always exceed the one extra marble notebook we bought. Foiled!

Then there's the further dilemma that now, marble notebooks are not even marble anymore! Not only do they come in green, blue, red, and yellow in addition to the classic black, but they also come in peace signs, rainbows, kittens, Miley Cyrus, and ten thousand other designs. And I don't know about you, but to my girls, the picture on the outside of the notebook is perhaps more important than having the school supply itself.

School started here in NC two weeks ago and I meant to forewarn my friends who live in other states, all of whom surely forget this every year just as I do. But I was too busy running to stores looking for the notebooks.

Yesterday, I was in Staples and found "marble" notebooks on sale for $1. Not such a great price, I know. I bought six of them in various designs. They're the emergency backup marble notebooks (which of course we will not need until next year, at which point they'll be out of style).

Hey friends... if you get desperate, I can ship them to you! Sure, they'll end up being $5 marble notebooks, but... oh yeah, school has already started by you too. In fact, you're probably reading this blog on your mobile device in between running to stores looking for marble notebooks.

Sorry.

Let's vow to help one another remember to stock up on them at Easter time this year. Sure, they'll all have bunnies, but we will have marble notebooks before school starts next year! Who's in?

Dog Days of Summer

I wish I were a dog. No, really!

If I were a dog, I could lay around and sleep all day, have several meals served to me by doting people who love me, play when I'm in the mood, and... well, that's about it.

Instead, my days consist of getting up at the crack of dawn in order to get some work done before the kids get up, followed by dragging them out of bed and trying to get them to "do something." Anything. (Other than watch television, that is; if left to their own accord, they'd be like vegetables before the end of one week... vegetables who can quote George Lopez verbatim but can't remember how to spell their own names.)

After school being out for two months already, the pool (now mostly empty) is the temperature of a hot tub, we've seen several movies, they've gone roller skating, have had friends over, and have done all the rest of the things kids do during summer break. I, on the other hand, have done very little that adults like to do, as there is no money (or energy) left after paying for the aforementioned activities and more.

They're done. We're ALL done. Even the cats are bored; I swear they rolled their eyes at me this morning when I opened the door to the screened porch and suggested they go scare some birds. Sure, there's Girl Scout camp next week, several more parties and play dates, people coming from out of town to visit. But in the end, all of us are ready for back to school time.

But there's still a month to go.

Sigh. I think I'll go next door and hang out with the neighbor's dog.