1. It’s been a full week since my daughter’s birthday extravaganza began, and I am STILL tired. Man. Up until this year, we’ve done one big party with family/friends at our house, which always was fun but stressful. So this year, I decided to outsource the party to a local tumbling place for the kid part of things, then do a lunch at my mother-in-law’s for the family. Simpler, right? Well….not so much. Because somehow we ended up with a Friday night dinner out, Saturday kid party, Sunday morning with my parents and THEN the family thing on Sunday afternoon. So much freaking birthday! This is a lesson I should have learned by now: the more I try to simplify, the more complicated I make things. Next year I think I’ll be back to one big thing, rather than a bunch of smaller ones that are even more stressful. Live and learn, I guess. The learning part is harder, though.
2. That said, my kid DID have a great birthday weekend. Lots of cake, cupcakes, toys, and princesses. We are currently drowning in both cardboard and plastic. I am, personally, the environment’s worst nightmare. Which is why all the cardboard is headed to recycling and, while my kid is away for a few hours this weekend, I will be doing another one of my Stealth Toy Culling Attacks. All I need is some time alone, a garbage bag, and determination. I go through ALL her stuff (and there is SO MUCH OF IT, although I can only blame myself, I know) picking out things she hasn’t played with in recent memory. Fill up a bag (or two), then stow it in the attic and hope she doesn’t notice what’s missing. Sad truth: she usually does. But at least in the attic it’s out of sight, if not exactly out of mind. That muffled sound you hear? It’s about a million stuffed animals, begging to be released from their dark storage. Sorry, guys!
3. Last night, I was so excited to sit down and watch the Video Music Awards. I am a VMA fan from way back, since I grew up (literally) with MTV. But the more I watched, the more I realized, yet again, that I Am Old. I found myself squinting at the TV, unable to tell the difference between rappers. I did recognize One Direction–props to me!—but my husband did not, so I found myself explaining who they were every time they popped up on screen. Me: “They’re like the New Kids on the Block, but British and current.” Which reminded me of when I was at GMA and Jennifer Lawrence was there promoting The Hunger Games. I was talking with one of the cameramen and a stagehand and neither one of them had read the books. “What are they about, anyway?” they asked me. I thought for a second, then said, “It’s like Gladiator, but with teenagers.” I wonder if I could get another career going handling these kind of explanations. There’s clearly a need, right?
4. One gift my kid got, from my mom, was one of those old-school make-your-own-potholder loom sets. If you’re Old, like me, you probably made these at camp or school at one time for another. Square loom, stretch little pieces of fabric across,weave them in and out. I am so not crafty, so I had my babysitter Erika, who can make castles out of beer cartons (true story), do one with my daughter. Hers was perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I gave it to my mom, who was thrilled. Then my daughter wanted another one, so I decided to take a shot. It was pretty much a disaster. I had to pull the whole thing out, start over. My kid got bored, wandered off. I kept at it, because I am so freaking stubborn once I set my mind to something. Kid went to bed. I’m still weaving and cursing. Husband said, “Can I just remind you that it is a POTHOLDER?” I glared at him. Kept weaving. Got it done, but then had to go to bed before tackling getting it OFF the loom and doing the edges. Which I promptly started on bright and early, around 6:15, the next morning. I was going to get that thing done and use it if it KILLED me. Which it almost did. But finally, it was done. It is not perfect, not by a long shot. But I claim victory anyway!
5. Finally, despite all my denial, I can feel it: summer is ending. This week was the first in recent memory when I was driving and saw leaves falling, blowing in the wind on the road ahead. I’m sick of all my summer clothes and back in my jeans, although I will wear my flip flops until it’s too cold to deny I have to put them away. My kid is back in school, we’re already thinking about Halloween, and May seems like a distant memory. It’s hard to see my favorite season go, but on the bright side, there’s lots of fun stuff ahead. Hopefully I’ll be able to reveal the cover for my new book, THE MOON AND MORE in the coming weeks. And there’s tour planning, and promotional stuff to work out, and, um, starting another book, somehow. It’s that back to school feeling, without actually going back to school. I guess it never leaves you. And I can’t help but feel a little excited, although it is bittersweet. This summer was crazy but a good one. Here’s hoping the next is even better. That thought will get me through all those falling leaves and grey days. But as Robin Roberts says: onward.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
That potholder definitely takes me right back. I think your mom would love the one from you even more than the perfect one. I know my mom loved all the ones we made her, imperfections and all. She did, right?
Cheers!
Aw, your daughter’s birthday sounds like it was a lot of fun, although it was stressful lol. Like you, this is a very busy year for me too. This September, I started college. I’m actually writing to you from college’s library. While college can be a bit hard for freshman, so far I’m fully enjoying it. At the end of my school year, I can’t wait to read your new book! It’s like some kind of reward. Best of luck, Sarah!
I’m SUPER excited it is fall just because it is one more season closer to the SUMMER OF 2013! Which is when you say your newest book will be released.
I cannot wait to see the cover reveal, or hear about your book tour! Please, PLEASE come to Los Angeles. I would be the first in line to meet you. 
Funny coincidence: right when i read the first sentence of #3 my mom turned on a re-run of the VMA’s…and half the time I have no idea which rapper is which unless it’s SUPER noticeable. And i’m 16 now but I still remember making the potholders all the time. And in the summer I still make bracelets. Glad your daughter’s birthday sounded like an overall good time amd can’t wait for more:)
Dear Sarah,
I cannot wait for your new book! I have all of your books and you were the first author I ever considered “my favorite.” One question, what is your new books about?
I am so sad summer is over. I am so excited for your new book! And also, the VMA’s were great!
Dear,Sarah
Yesterday night I finish reading one of your books is called “DREAMLAND” and i love it. I was so into it that everytime someone ask me to do something i got mad because i didn’t want to stop reading it. The book was introduce to me by my friend, she is good at judging books. I love this book because my life can be a little related it to it. My mom experience something like these. What i wanted to ask is how a person like you can writte a book like “DREAMLAND” that is something we hear every day?And how can you finish a book and know that these might be someone story? Those are the only questions i had in my mine when I finish reading your book. You can also say that i didn’y sleep thinking of it. If you ever get the chance of reading these please answer my questions. THANKS
Sincerely,
Yaet Martinez
Happy belated birthday to your daughter! I’m sure everyone had a great time.
I can’t wait to see the cover of your new book. (: Happy writing!
I love you books!
Specially The Thue about forever.
You are one of my favorit author.
Please look in to my blog, but it in swedish.
Sarah,
You are my favourite author hands down!
Your books are so amazing!
I have not read all of your (truly) fantastic books, but I absolutely LOVE “The Truth About Forever”!!!!
You have inspired me, so that I would like to write my own books. I have already started one, but I’m still wondering if I’ll ever finish it????
I can’t wait to read the rest of your books…
Sincerely;
Anne
I just also wanted to say that you are better at making Pot Holders then me. Mine turned out much worse, the one time I attempted to make one at school last year!
Bye
Hey Sarah! As usual I loved your blog post. I agree with you about the school/fall thing. Even though I love summer, its good to move on to a new season complete with school, falling leaves, and warmer sweaters. I agree with you about the VMAs. The VMAs were incredibly boring this year, I wish there weren’t so many rappers. Oh well. Thanks for being your amazing self!
Wow, I feel a bit guilty for having such a lazy week now! Haha, well at least you can make a good potholder…well better than me, but that’s not really saying much. ANYWAY, I want to say I am VERY excited for your new book. Once I started reading your books(introduced to me by my older sister) I started telling about them to my friends. Now, the whole grade is hooked!! I hope you’ll have a lazy day sometime soon! Lovexoxoxoxoxox
Hi!
My name is Stephanie
I am in absolute love with your books I wish I could go to one of your book signings!
You honestly are one of the best authors of ALLTIME! I am a teenager and I started a book club reserved for only books written by you I’ve read 3 of them in one day I never put them down!! …along for the ride really spoke to me because I too have insomnia……. hope you’ll write alot more books
-with respect Stephanie Bentley
Your biggest fan
PS … ur my hero
Ohh and u should do a signing in Caldwell county nc
I have been having the worst week, compounded by the fact that my birthday is Friday and all this bad stuff is happening. But reading your blog always cheers me up!
So thank you for being awesome.
Also, that potholder is nifty and now I want to make one (=
Your explanations for One Direction and The Hunger Games are both hilarious and accurate, and made me laugh out loud!
Hey Sarah!
Just wanted to say I love your books, and the potholder doesn’t look at all bad! I love your books, so please try write more of them!!!!