Phonics or something like that for Sarah Palin....

I have just one thing to say to Ms. Palin...NU-CLE-AR...

Thank you!

I simply can't trust someone who can't put that simple word together. I cringed every time she said Nu-Kyu-Ler...dear lord, I thought, this woman is in control of a whole state and she can't speak appropriately. It really, really scares me...

Take a look at this...perhaps you'll find it funny even today...I'm sure you can just substitute the names for this year's election and the effect would be just as satisfying...

Hope you're having a great week!

Until next time...



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So much has happened...

Over the last couple of weeks, I haven't had time to blog. I haven't really had time to think about blogging, other than to worry that I'm not blogging enough. I never dreamed that working in an elementary school could take so much out of you. I have always had a great deal of respect for teachers, but now, I rank them right up there with the saints. It has been such an undertaking that I finally had to cut ties with my other job. There was no way I could keep up with working a full-time job and part-time hours at another job while also trying to keep up with my writing. For God's sake, I'm only one woman, Jim.

But enough of that. Let's get to the good stuff. I missed so much while I was away, playing librarian. For one thing, I missed the big earth-shattering news about Clay Aiken being gay. Who saw that coming? For those who don't know me, you may not know that I have always been extremely disgusted by Clay Aiken and all things associated with him. I truly hate to be so negative, but really, he's a turd.

One other big thing that happened over the last couple of weeks has been the big bailout failure. I'm not up on all of the details, but it sounds like a bunch of crap to me. At this point, I'm not sure if anything would help. Can we scrap it all and start over?

The other big news of the week was the passing of screen legend, Paul Newman. Although I haven't seen many of his films, I was always a fan of his. He was quite a talented man and I was sorry to hear that he is gone.

Last weekend marked the season premieres of two shows that we truly enjoy here at the Benston house. Dexter and iCarly. We are somewhat schizophrenic in our entertainment tastes. And lest you think I'm confused about my own personality, when I say we, I am really referring to my husband, my daughter and myself.

So, in between dealing with children who talk too much, tying up loose ends at my second job and watching episodes of teenage antics and serial killer angst, I simply needed a break. I'm hoping that I will be able to put together more complete thoughts in the next few weeks. I'm also hoping that I will hear back from the publisher I recently contacted about my third Rona Shively book, Keeping the Faith.

Until next time...

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What a week!

I've been extremely busy this week and although I'm certainly starting to feel it now, I'm also very motivated by what I've been doing. On Monday, I started a new job as a librarian for a local elementary school. In addition to my part-time schedule at my previous job and my writing and my promotional efforts, I'm just a wee bit tired. I haven't had time until today to put together a thought much less enter it here on the blog.

I didn't realize just what schools were up against until I was told by my principal that I have absolutely no budget for books. My first thought was, "No budget for books? How are you supposed to run any kind of library without a book budget?" After a few moments of panic, I started to think about ways that I could get what I need for the library. People are always willing to donate things for kids, so I think the logical place to start is by asking people what they can do to help me build up the library's collection. This would be easier, of course, if people weren't scraping to put together what they need for their own families to get through each day. It's a shame that our government is so focused on fighting this war and manipulating us with their political shenanigans that they can't take care of what is needed here at home.

I always enjoyed visiting the school library when I was a kid. I spent lots of time there, so I'm hoping that I can make this library a place where kids really want to be. I think that without the library, my life would have been missing a very important component. I'm motivated by the notion that what I put into this job can make a big difference to a kid who might not realize what they would miss by not reading. Books open up doors for kids and make them realize that there is more to life than what is right in front of them. Readers become productive members of society. They get it. Some of them might even take up writing. It makes me happy to think that some years down the road, one of my kids might even be the next R.L. Stine or Beverly Cleary or even James Patterson all because they had a librarian who taught them to appreciate a good book.

The challenges I am facing in this new position are welcome challenges. As a writer, I know that I will truly enjoy having yet another ongoing opportunity to encourage children to read. I'll keep you posted as to my progress with the new job.

Until next time...



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Anxiously awaiting November...

but not for the reasons you might think. Sure, all of the political crap will be over and we won't have to hear about how terrible Palin is or how inadequate Obama is. We'll have discovered our fate shortly after the first of the month, so we can enjoy the rest of it. What I'm referring to is the release of the new Madagascar movie! I just can't wait to see it. The truly funny thing is that my daughter, who will turn five in November, tells me that she doesn't want to see the movie. Hilarious. She would rather listen to my Lisa Scottoline audiobooks in the car while we're driving to daycare. Could it be that something is wrong with this picture?

It's been a stressful year for everyone. November will be great for lots of reasons. Aside from the election, it will bring the start of the holiday season. It's my favorite time of year. I get to have a birthday party on the 9th for my daughter and then plan for vacation around Thanksgiving, and then start shopping for Christmas. Obama and Palin will be the furthest things from my mind at that point.

We get so caught up in the politics, the economy and all of the crap, that sometimes it seems like there will never be any more fun. November is a time when I can get centered again and remember how much I enjoy seeing my daughter's face light up when she opens her birthday gifts and hearing her rattle off an endless list of things she wants for Christmas. I get to spend more time with family and see people I might not have seen in a while. They tend to come out of the woodwork during the holidays. And then there are the parties. It's just such a happy, festive time.

What are you looking forward to? When it's all said and done, what part of the year makes you the happiest?

Until next time...


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