If you’ve noticed that I’ve been a bit AWOL from the internet this weekend, this is the reason:
Actually, the reason is the bolt of lightning that HIT our phone line, knocking the phone box off the house and this DSL filter off our main phone. YIKES! It struck a tree right outside our house, shaking everything (my nerves included). Also hit: my friend’s car, parked right near the tree, and our electric chicken fence. My modem, router, and all the phones: totally fried. Satellite receivers: most likely gone too, although we’re not sure because the main switch got blown and has yet to be replaced. Surge protectors were on everything (thank goodness) but if it was connected to a phone line, it went anyway. Now we’re just waiting for the phone company to come out and get things running again. When I initially called, they said because it was an inside issue (??) and I wasn’t paying a monthly fee for inside maintenance, it would be next weekend before they could get to me. Now they are saying they’ll do it when they can. All I can say is that clearly, the universe was not going to trust me to unplug on my own, so Mother Nature did it for me. Thank you?
Luckily, I know folks who are generous with their internet, which is why I’m able to at least do this. And it could have been SO much worse. The tree that got hit is huge: if it had fallen on the house, we’d really have a problem. Also my husband had just come in from grilling before the strike. One place you do NOT want to be standing at a time like that is next to a big metal structure. For these and lots of other reasons, I am counting my blessings. Although I have to say, if the receiver that had all my episodes of the Real Housewives is shot, I may shed a tear. I am only human, after all.
In other news, I think I’ve mentioned this already, but is this not the buggiest summer EVER? Granted, I do live in the country. We know from bugs here. But even with that, I feel like it’s like an 24/7 buffet for the insects these days. I have so many bites and some of them are HUGE. They strike at night, I swear, and you wake up scratching. The other morning I had a big bite on my neck that was itching all day like crazy. It was sort of vampire-like, but not in a sexy, Twilight kind of way, unfortunately. If Robert Pattinson was biting me, I’d feel differently, but as it is, I am getting serious with my flyswatter and bug spray. Predators, you have been warned.
The upside to having to replace a lot of stuff is that I am REQUIRED to go to Target and Best Buy, places where I love to go. (Although I’d rather go for fun, but you know, you take what you can get.) Anyway, at Target yesterday I was walking through the book section and saw I was in VERY good company. That’s what I love about YA and being an author. I can always see my friends!
Okay, so Judy Blume is not EXACTLY my friend. But she has tweeted me before. No, really! I swear!!
Now, I’m off to get my internet fix for as long as my kid is distracted by the toys here at my mom’s house. She’s already looking a bit bored. Uh-oh….
Have a good day, everyone!
I bet its cool to go to the store and see yours and your friends books on the shelf. I hope your power and phone get fixed soon.
Do you live in NC? Cause I do, and there were some storms around here last week too. I live in the northern part of NC,though.
yeah she does.
I’m writing a story right now, when I grow up I hope I can be like you. It would be sooo cool to go to a store, and see all my books. BTW, do people reconigize you when you go out in public?
i luz u sarah i also want to be a writter when i grow up and everytime i read ur book i fell so new my mom even had to take my books away cause thats all i did read all day every day . well im out of that now but i hold along for the ride as a type . please turn all ur books into movies sarah and just to say i think im in love with owen so plz im begging u and i begging u to make more books to ive read every one and im only 11 i that doesnt mean i done reading them i mean i dont read any other book srry if this is long but this message is long over due bye
Hey
I also like the way you mention different characters from your other books; it’s like you’ve created a whole new world, which is quite clever, really! I liked the idea of the tattoos Dave and Riley had, the reason why they had them was also clever of you to think of- it seriously was not what I was expecting, but I love it when that happens- it just gives the book that extra twist. 
xxx
I’m from the UK and I’ve just finished reading “What Happened to Goodbye”…. and I think it’s amazing! I love your writing style, it really makes you want to read on!
Wow, that sounds like a pretty big storm. I’m sorry to hear about your telephone lines and such, but, like you said, you’re very lucky no one got hurt.
I completely agree with you on the bugs. I swear, I cannot walk out of the house between 4:30 pm and 7:30 am without bug spray, fly swatters, and something sweet to put beside me and hope the bugs fly to it and not me.
Anyway, I’m glad all your friends are lending you their internet, because I and all your fans love to hear from you. Good luck with the phone line!
Sarah,
The bugs in Minnesota are horrible as well. Mosquitos the size of nickles, if not quarters. And they bite all day, not just at night. I haven’t solved how to get the bugs not to bite: we use Off and purchased a fogger. But I have solved the problem of not itching the bites without looking like an alien with dots of Calamine lotion: After I come in from the flesh feast, I take a Claritin. The antihistamine really cuts down on the swelling and itching of bug bites. Nothing else really works for me.
Good luck with your phone and cable. Lots of people in SW MN are dealing with downed trees and blown-off rooves from a storm right before July 4. The insurance companies are even putting ads on the radio to remind customers that there are a lot of people with damage and that they will get to eveyone they can when they can. It’s a crazy world!
super excited to read your book! i havent checked ur page recently so i had no idea (guilty on that one, sorry
)and when i walked into a book isle one day and saw it, you cannot imagine my excitment. my sisters’ the witness lol anyways i love you and your work! hope to hear from you!<3
I read something that reminded me so much of you that I just had to share. The new issue of Cosmo has an article in it about what your tv viewing says about you. Scientific study has suggested that people drawn to reality shows like The Real Housewives and Jersey Shore tend to place a very high value on honesty and believe in standing up for whats right. Now, go ahead and watch your shows without feeling bad!
I agree, that does sound like Sarah Dessen. Isn’t it nice to be able to have such a great role model?
Hey Sarah! You are my favorite author and I think your books have definitely taught me loads of great stuff. I am currently reading What Happened to Goodbye. My favorite of your books so far was probably This Lullaby, Though I also liked the one about Macy. I always feel as if I can find part of me in your characters. Some books I pick out at the library and go, “Well, maybe it’ll be good.” But I first read your book Lock and Key and I was addicted! I literally checked out all of the Sarah Dessen books from different local library’s. I have about three Just Listens on my shelf right now! Anyway, thanks so much for such great books. I hope you keep writing. I can stay up all night and all day just to finish your books.
So i just finished “what happened to goodbye” and im still crying. you get me everytime. seriously.
I was sooo excited when Mclean when to colby, reminded me of my favorite “keeping the moon” which really helped me get though from where i was as a person, to where i wanted to be.
anyway i just wanted to say that i am your biggest fan, i read you blog, ive read all of your books and i cannot wait for another one!!!!!!
please please keep writing!!!!!
It is kind of weird seeing your name at a store. But on the bright side, it IS pretty cool. And wow, Judy Blume!
Sarah,
)
I ADORE you and your books. And have you ever thought about sequels to your books? Because I’m a sucker for a good series, and I would love a sequel to some of your books. But anyway, I LOVE you and all of your books!
x3
Sarah,
I LOVE your books! I was the first of all my friends to read them, and now they’ve caught on at my school! I’ve read all but Dreamland and What Happened to Goodbye. I just finishes This Lullaby and fell in love with Dexter, just like I usually fall in love with fictional characters. Maybe that’s why I love to write, so I can make a guy up that’s entirely real in my head, and only I know how the story will end.
I live around the Raleigh area, and am so siked that you live only a little while away from me in Chapel Hill.
Keep on coming out with your amazing books (and maybe another movie???)
I am 20. Nevertheless, I love your books and am excited everytime I spot a new one at the bookshop.
Wow! Close call on your house! Here in Granby we had a HUGE wind storm recently! I was also raining and hailing and the wind was so strong! It actually knocked over a lot of peoples trees, even really big ones! Also some peoples shingles came off and part of the roof of our high school came off!! Yikes!
If I cmomunciaetd I could thank you enough for this, I’d be lying.
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