1. I was so glad to hear from so many other Chris Cuomo Crushers after I wrote my entry all about him on Wednesday. I knew I wasn’t alone, but it’s nice to have peeps. Anyway, I’d kind of forgotten about the whole thing until yesterday morning, when at 5:55 am my phone beeped to tell me I had a text. I immediately panicked, thinking someone was in the hospital or jail. And, because the only people who ever text me are my babysitters, I was convinced it was one of them. (Although they are sweet girls and would not get arrested. I don’t think so, anyway.) I picked up my phone, looked at the text and…it was from Chris Cuomo. He was thanking me for my nice entry. OH MY GOD! Apparently my Twitter settings were such that if someone I follow sends me a direct message, I get a text. My husband, groggy with sleep, said, “Who’s texting you?” and I just giggled and said, “Chris Cuomo.” He TOTALLY did not believe me. I think he still doesn’t. But seriously, it made my day.
2. In other news, a week from tomorrow I’ll be heading off to my first conference in AGES, NCTE in Philadelphia. I always love NCTE, because the teachers and librarians are so cool, and there’s the ALAN conference, and when you come home it’s time for Thanksgiving. Anyway, here’s my schedule while I’m there, so if you’re attending, come say hello:
11/21, Saturday
1:15 Author Strand presentation
with Michelle Kwansey
Convention Center room 103A
3pm Signing at Penguin Booth, #318
11/22 Sunday
9:00 am Chester County Book & Music Company Author Breakfast
Chester County Books, West Chester PA (I don’t know much about this event, so call the bookstore to get details)
1:00 “A Novel Idea” Teen Event for Philadelphia Free Library at Children’s Book World
Children’s Book World
Haverford, PA
(Ditto for this one, call the bookstore to find out more)
11/23 Monday
8:50 am ALAN panel with Deb Caletti, Todd Strasser and Adrian Fogelin
Then I come home and commence eating turkey and mashed potatoes for the next week. YUM!
3. I have been hesitant to write much about Friday Night Lights and the new season here, as I have so many friends without DirecTV who are angry they have to wait to see it. But can I just say that again and again, in these first three episodes, I’ve been SO inspired by some of the writing on this show. They might be talking about keeping at football, and trying hard on the field, and all that, but it can apply to just about anything you want to do, and do well. I am always up for more motivation, but especially when I’m writing. Thank you, Coach Taylor. I’m listening, I promise.
4. My daughter, as I write this, is trying to negotiate with me. It’s time for her to go upstairs and read books and have some quiet time, and she’s pulling out every stop to avoid it. She needs more cereal. She needs more time to play down here. She’s eating her grapes. Her new favorite thing to say to me: “Just ONE more minute.” It’s like dealing with a used car salesman, but constantly, day in and day out. On the flip side, it is helping me with my assertiveness skills. She’s good at her no, but I’m getting better at mine at the same time. Parenting is ALL about looking for the bright side, isn’t it?
5. Finally, it’s been raining her for two full days now, and I’m starting to go a bit nuts. We’ve had this storm just sitting over us, dumping rain and wind, and all I want to do is sleep and eat, and repeat. A few weeks back, my husband bought some microwave popcorn from a bunch of boy scouts outside of Lowe’s. (He’s that kind of person: he will ALWAYS buy what someone is peddling for charity, especially if it’s kids. He’s also the guy who always gets roped in by those people who work in the kiosks in the middle of the mall, approaching you aggressively with hair extensions or manicure sticks or facial creams. I can’t tell you how many of those things I have gotten for gift giving occasions. But I guess it’s better to be married to someone so nice than not, right?) Anyway, he bought this popcorn, for a good cause, and we started eating some in the evenings. A bad habit to get into, because it’s REALLY hard to break. Luckily, the popcorn was not that good, so we could kind of control ourselves. But then, my friend Dana was over, and said, “Oh, you should buy some Pop Secret Homestyle. It’s the best.” I am totally suggestible, especially when it comes to grocery shopping. So I bought a box, and OH MY GOD. She was not kidding. This popcorn is like NIRVANA. I wish I had never tried it, because I can see it becoming a nightly habit. Or maybe just eating it for meals, instead of cooking. Perhaps if it stops raining and the sun comes out, I’ll give up my popcorn habit. Until then, no promises. Mother Nature, it’s your call.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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Do you know the address for the NCTE conference in Philly? I want to go, but I can’t find exactly where it’s located.
Ughhh, I would definitely come out if I didn’t have class! Come to Ohio next time, Cleveland is great! :]
Your daughter seems so cute! My little brother is three years old, and he does the same thing. He also says, “I don’t want to go to bed right now,” or if my mom says for example, five more minutes, he’ll say something ridiculous like “no, sixteen more minutes!” Haha!
Lots of your tweets about your daughter remind me of my mom talking about my brother. I hope that doesn’t sound weird. You’re cooler than my mom, though. She doesn’t really like Glee.
But what I mean to say is that I think you’re really incredible, and your daughter seems so precious, and thank you for sharing this kind of thing with us, it’s really cool. (:
Popcorn
Hi Sarah,
I don’t want to be a buzzkill, but you know what helped me get over that homestyle popcorn? It actually has transfat! It may be the only product I’ve ever seen that still has it listed, but there it is. But yes, that stuff is amazing… and I know why.
-Kelsey
http://mdwestmom.blogspot.com
Popcorn – oops!
Sorry! I just tried to look it up online and it looks like the homestyle popcorn might not have transfat any more – there goes my reason not to eat it!
-Kelsey
http://mdwestmom.blogspot.com
I love reading your blog it’s like reading a mini-novel. It’s a great filler until your next book comes out.
how true is that?
This is exaclty what I was thinking while reading some of your blogs, Sarah. Exactly, “a mini-novel before your next book.” How great is that?
rainn
haha i live in london. try the rain here
I live like 5 minutes away from the Chester County Book Company. So happy to see you come local. I will definitely be there =)
I really, really appreciate your lack of FNL spoilers!
there are full episode of friday night lights on casttv.com! thank goodness!! i still get my tim riggins fix each week!
Your blogs are one of the highlights of my week. I crack up pretty much all the time reading them.
Aren’t kids so addictive? I’ve never really wanted kids until this summer when I had to spend it babysitting my 5-year-old niece. And she is like that homestyle popcorn. Now I can’t wait to have kids to spend all day arguing over how much ice cream she will eat or why she needs to wear a jacket or something else along those lines. She is so cute that I always end up losing b/c I can’t help but laugh at her and then we get into a tickle fight. HAHA. No lie. But luckily she isn’t my kid so I’m allowed to spoil her. 
This way I become the favorite aunt (which is an ongoing competition b/w my two sisters and I….she has started to learn that saying “all of us” will make everyone happy…hahaha). Anyway, LOVE YA and can’t wait to see what you are writing next! -Sarah
Young children are fabulous negotiators! Each one is a blossoming Atticus Finch.
http://starkravingbibliophile.blogspot.com/
wow, a panel with you & deb caletti is GENIUS
Popcorn is a whole grain, and as long as it’s not drenched in butter is actually a healthy snack. So don’t feel bad about it.
Haha your little story about the text message from Chris Cuomo was so cute!
You are an amazing woman.
I just want to tell you how much influence and inspiration you have layed upon me from reading your books. Your style of writing is so beautiful and discreet. Along For the Ride is my favorite, so far. I’ve only read Lock and Key, Just Listen, The Truth About Forever and Along For the Ride, but oh my goodness! You are just absolutely amazing. Your books just spark so much creativity with me and make me want to be like you so much! To be able to put a smile on a little girls face and tears in her eyes like you do to me, would be a dream come true. Your books are one of a kind little miracles that are absolutely 100% pure magic. I just wanted to praise you for your talents. You are an amazing writer. –Kali
MAGIC POPCORN
OH MY GOD i normally dont comment on these but i LOOOOVE that homestyle popcorn. i call it magic popcorn because you dont put salt OR butter on it but when you eat it you can taste the salt and butter anyway-its totally magical!! i swear!!
i live in south carolina so philly is FAR away but if i lived in philly i would deffently come…are you going to watch the New Moon movie? just curious!
you might need to add me into your list of people you’ve got interested in Friday Night Lights. i am soooo tempted to watch it now because of all your entry. After this semester, I am totally going to watch it!
NCTE
I, too, am attending NCTE; however, this is my first time attending. For the past eleven years, I have been an English teacher and a member of NCTE. A few years ago, One of my former students recommended I read your books, so I jumped into them over the summer. I could not put them down. I actually purchased a copy of all of your books for my classroom to share with my students. Needless to say, your books are never on the bookshelf! I check your blog a few times a week because I enjoy reading about your writing and television/movie watching adventures, as well as what you are currently reading. Can’t wait to meet you in person
Aw, it was nice of Chris Cuomo to text you!
I wish I could attend the panel in Haverford, because you and Deb Caletti have both written some of my favorite books. I also wouldn’t mind meeting Todd Strasser since I read a few of his books when I was a kid.
Your husband sounds like a sweetheart.
pop secret: homestyle
Sarah,
Pop Secret: Homestyle is the BEST! I’ve been a nearly-nightly eater for a couple of years now. One of my best friends introduced me to it, and I haven’t been able to quit.
Enjoy.
Oh wow
D: You can make your blog into a novel! That’d be so cool
friday night lights!
sarah!
for journalism class we have to write a review (we just started feature writing) and the teacher said we can pick a tv show if wanted.
so guess what I’m writing about – just guess! yep! FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!
while everyone else in my class is raving about Glee or the new Gossip Girl book, I am writing an amazing review about my favorite football team!
you have taught me right!
love, megan!
I already have you down on my schedule at NCTE! I will be coming by to say hi (and get some books)!
sandi
Chester County Book & Music Company signing/event
Hi Sarah,
We have you down at 9:00 am, NOT 9:30 on Sun, Nov 22nd. (LHA has it as 9 am on her blog.) We already have a lot of people signed up. Looking forward to meeting you.
Joanne Fritz
Chester County Book Co
hey
Hi,
you delt with the sisters issue beautifully and by the end i was crying buckets.
im probably one of your newest fans. Ive never been on your site before but so far so good. IM enjoying reading your blog so thankyou. I just have to say i recentley read you ‘just listen’ in 1 1/2 days and so far its one of the best books ive ever read. I looooooove your character owen and Clarke is really cool too (she sounds a bit like me
thanks again
ellie