Returning to Life as Normal

We have moved. The old house still isn't on the market and the new house is still boxed up, but we are moved. So life is beginning to return to normal, at least as normal as things ever are around here.

I have been able to start reading again. I LOVED Being Nikki by Meg Cabot. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson was good, but heavy. Then, I read The Noah Confessions by Barbra Hall. I haven't decided how I feel about it yet. Maybe I didn't get it or maybe the main character's attitude toward the south elicited an unconscious negative response. Now, I have moved to Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

As far as homeschooling goes, my son is on a field trip with a home school group and my mother in NY, NY. He is getting to see sites I only dream of. One day I'd like to take the whole family and visit Broadway, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Grand Central Station, The Natural History Museum and some of the other places he is now.

I have several ideas for my writing, but nothing is hopping onto the paper yet. I want to write a sequel to my chapter book, but hate to start when the first one hasn't been accepted yet. I need to get something done soon. My critique group meets Tuesday.

The rest of my day is full of laundry, dishes, meals, and unpacking. Now who packed these boxes? I grab one full of books and put them on the shelf. There is a box of sweaters and one of dishes. Then, I find a box with two dirty shirts, a couple of magazines, the missing telephone, a shoe (note, one not two), and bag of skittles. I can only guess what happened there.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend. What books have you found recently? Are you writing? If you home school, what are your summer plans?

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson isn't a "fun" read, but it is a well written book examining a hard issue. Anderson is known for her talent tackling the tough issues.


Lia captures the reader's heart from the first chapter. Anderson also starts her story with a bang. Lia's best friend is dead and Lia thinks it is her fault. We struggle through Lia's pain right there with her. Each chapter brings us farther into her mind and exposes a little more of the complexity of her life.


Teenagers are faced with societal norms they have no way of living up to. Those standards paired with the normal changes that go on in a teen's/preteen's body cause confusion and often self-doubt. Many girls turn to eating disorders as a way to stay in control of their lives and feel better about themselves. Anderson tries to follow Lia through this pain and help other girls see that there is a way out.


I enjoyed this book. It was a little difficult to stay with the present tense, but the first person was perfect. Anderson researched eating disorders, and it is obvious in the story. This is a good book for people in search of hope, but as with Speak, it is anything but a light read.


View all my reviews.

The Move is Over

Hooray! We have just completed, more or less, the longest across town move in history. Perhaps I should call The Guinness Book of World Records and see if we can get in. Our furniture and "stuff" is now in our new house, somewhere. I suppose after another week or so it won't take an hour to find my clothes, and I hope the book my son is supposed to be reading for school turns up soon. I wonder if it was misplaced intentionally.

But, more importantly, it is time to return to life. Back to reading, writing, submitting, home schooling, blogging, and maybe even sleeping if I am lucky.

The only book I took the time to read during our move was Meg Cabot's Being Nikki. It was incredible. I highly recommend anyone who hasn't read it yet running out to the store and getting Airhead and Being Nikki. In Airhead, Em's(normal, smart high school student) brain is transplanted into Nikki's(supermodel, high school dropout) body, and Em is forced to live Nikki's life. As more and more complications arise from work to school to boys, this novel deepens and takes on issues beyond the imagination. Cabot explores the evils of huge corporations while capturing readers hearts through Em. Teenagers (and sometimes adults) dream of living some else's life. We never realize the issues other people face. The only complaint I have about this book is the next one won't be out for a whole year!

I have also picked back up with my submissions. Right now, I have several chapter books out and I am starting on a YA. I haven't heard yet, but I will let you know when I do.

As far home schooling, my son is almost finished for the year. I picked up a copy of the Summer Bridge workbook so he won't slip back while we take a break. As soon as I find the missing history book, we are going to finish up this year. It is time to turn in the end-of-year paper work and get ready for next year.

I have made a few necklaces amidst the wreckage of our move. I used them for mother's day gifts. I have learned so much since I started. Just this week I learned about wire protectors and crimp covers.

So, has anyone else had a productive week? What are you reading? What have you been writing? Let me know.

Moving is Bad for Your Nails

And you legs, feet, arms, back, and sanity. It even causes writer's block especially when you can't find a pen. We are in the new house now, and I have my Internet back, but the old house is still not empty. This weekend, we are taking a break. The kids are about to kill me.

I hope everyone is healthy and well. The swine flu outbreak is causing much concern. If you want the facts from the CDC, check them out here:




On a happier note, the second book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series is coming out very soon. I'll be heading to the book store in a few days :)