Sunday Sound Out

I wasn't going to do a post tonight. I just wasn't into it. How can I post and make jokes when Mimi is making funeral arrangements for her little boy? :::sigh::: And then I remembered Mimi telling me awhile back, " Keep writing your blog because I have a feeling I'm going to need the laughter in the coming weeks and months." So, for anyone out there who has a need to see the lighter side of life...

I've had a busy week. It's official now. I signed the contract with Guideposts! Not only that, but I sent my manuscript to my editor on Friday! :::raise your glass for a toast::: I'm sure this is a common thing for writers, but I'm so nervous that she's going to hate it. I have visions of her falling asleep while reading it because it's so darn boring. Or worse - throwing up. Or even worse - her eyes bleeding as the words on the pages make her want to toss the whole thing into the fireplace. And for all of you waiting for my book to come out (like anyone's waiting for it after I just told you it's going to suck) you won't have too long to wait. I learned that my book is scheduled to hit the shelves the first week of August and not October like I originally thought! You know what I'm doing the first week of August? I'm going to my local book store, standing there next to my book, and announcing to every patron who walks by, "That's my book! MY book! I wrote it! Can you believe it? MY book is in an actual store! Don't you want to get a copy of MY book that I wrote?!" until security escorts me out.

It was Clayton's birthday this week. He's officially four. We had a little celebration for our immediate family. We're having a big joint party for Clay and Brooklyn in a couple weeks though.

He's requesting a Lightning McQueen cake. And a duck. Help?

I had my first speaking engagement this week. I spoke to the women's group at my church on Wednesday. I didn't pass out or throw up, and I don't think I said anything too stupid so it's all good. Now what are the chances I'll be able to do the same when I speak at my high school for Writer's Week next month?

On Friday, I went to a read-thru of a play. I haven't decided if I'm going to be in the play yet. I know I probably shouldn't because I'm just a wee bit busy these days. On the other hand, being in a play isn't so much work as it is fun. It's a kind of escape from everything else going on. Besides this one has far fewer lines than the one I was in last year (I played Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace). Hmmm, I have to think about this another day.

This is what my son did today. This is the 13 year old I'm talking about here. If only he had a little common sense to go with his mad genius.

Mom, does this look like an orange tree?

Uhh yeah. An orange tree for elves. Why?

I walked into his room and was greeted by this scene.

Oh. my. God.

No, Mom. It's not God. It's Florida.

(No, all that fluff in the background is not snow. Austin stuffed it all down his jammie pants yesterday, walked into the family room and said, "Does this make my butt look big?" I'm guessing it's going to sit on his bedroom floor for the next two months.)

You're using MY SPATULA to paint?!!! Oh for the love of Florida, WHY?!

I'm blaming it on the people who sent cards and letters from Florida. Austin has decided that's where he wants to live. So naturally, he needed to empty all the containers of salt in the house to make up some goo so that he could make a topographical map of the state complete with 3D orange trees.

Speaking of cards and letters. He's received 96 now. I'll post the updated map tomorrow. Austin wants to move to Florida and Joe wants to move to Napa, CA (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the people who sent the card from Napa are car people and belong to a car club.)

And now for your questions...

Thank you for the address and the links. Are they in need of donations and if so, is there a special place or should we just mail them? - ma2jenna
Although they haven't requested donations at all, I'm sure, after almost a year of cancer treatment and everything that goes with it and now a funeral, that the Averys could use money. I know they could use prayers. This is their address...
The Averys
111 Aviator
Fort Worth, Tx 76179

Do you plan on sending the kids to college?

Yes! As soon as possible!

Are you saving for it now? We only have 0ne child and can't even save for him. I bet you will be able to send them after you sell a million books! Kristine in Michigan.
A million books, huh? LOL! I think college is important and I do want all my kids to attend. I plan on helping them financially and/or by researching and filling out scholarship and financial aid forms.

Hi Dawn, I noticed you mentioned starting back on the Feingold Diet and I was wondering what you are "treating" with this diet? Our 3.5 yo is autistic and we are about to start down the "fun" road of alternative treatments. Anonymous
We'll be using this diet to help treat ADHD, but I don't think this diet would hurt anyone. It's really just cutting out artificial flavors, colors, additives, and preservatives. Think back a couple generations when store shelves weren't inundated with all this highly processed food. Today everything contains neon colors, artificial flavors, and man made preservatives. Cereal with artificial preservatives, crazy colors and fake flavors, yogurt with artificial flavors, colors, and sprinkles, bread made from flour that has had all the nutrition bleached out of it are in everyone's home. Now think about how many kids get diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and autism (just to name a couple) now as opposed to a couple generations ago. Now, I'm not saying that artificial ingredients in food is solely to blame for this, but it does make one think, doesn't it? It just seems to me that there could be a correlation between the two and if you can afford it, it may help to eliminate some of these artificial ingredients in favor of more natural, organic ones. And taking the junk out of your diet won't do any harm, so it doesn't hurt to try. (Although I admit, if it weren't for my son with ADHD, I probably wouldn't give it a second thought and I'd feed my kids Fruit Loops, waffles with fake maple-flavored syrup, and Kool-Aid for breakfast.)

Oh and one question for your next Sunday sound-out - DO you really read all the comments or do you just approve all? :) - Lucille
No, I don't read any of them.

Glad you girls had fun. But get out - that's the first autograph you've given? - Karla Well, I've autographed a few permission slips, checks, and medical forms. Does that count?

So I jumped over to Mamas Like this morning, then hopped over to the Tribune article that you mentioned, (can I count all of that jumping and hopping as exercise?)
Absolutely!
and was struck by this line: "Her literary agent is chatting with a movie producer." Have you ever thought about which actors should portray you, hubby, and/or kids in this film of epic proportion? - Tina in Ohio
One of the ladies at my church asked me this and I answered, "I'll play myself, of course!" to which she replied, "And Brad Pitt will play Joe?" LOL!!! (He's not quite who I had in mind.)

Tell me Dawn, do your kids have stories like this from school? - Jennifer
I really don't. My kids are good in school. It's just in my presence that they lack the ability to behave.

So, technically, do chickens really have butts? - Jill

Apparently so.

I must have missed your children's ages since I'm a new reader. How old is Clay and Brooklyn and all the other kids? - Twilight
Austin - 13
Savannah - 11
Jackson - 9
Lexington - 6
Clayton - 4
Brooklyn - 1

Another question....Would you ever think about having Super Nanny come? - Kristine in Michigan.
No way! Forget Super Nanny. I'm just sending them to military school.

A question for your Sunday sound off: What is the most crazy thing that your kids have done (so far)? I know... it's so hard to choose... but give us your top 10.
The top ten things this month? Or today? Or in the last hour?

What instruments do your children play? - Rick

Austin plays the saxophone

Savannah plays the clarinet.

Jackson plays the tin whistle.

Ha.....for me it's always someone REALLY tall or with BIG POOFY hair manages to sit right in front of me at my daughter's chorus concerts and musicals...it never fails ..no matter where I sit....they find me...LOL - Maggii

Sorry about that.

Hi Dawn...I was just wondering if a lot of people in your hometown, or your children's schools, know that you are a "World Famous Blogger". For instance, the secretary at the school and the pencil incident, the booger boy's father from last night, etc. Do you hear feedback from these people who personally see you everyday? - Donna :)

I don't think too many acquaintances read my blog. If they do, they don't really say anything about it to me. (trying to remember if I've said anything really bad about anyone else over the last 6 months)

Thank you for your questions and tune in tomorrow for answers to pressing questions like this...

"Mom, do you have a screwdriver?" ~ Clay
"Whyyyyy???"
Wait a minute.... a screwdriver? Hmmm vodka and orange juice? Vitamin C? Sounds nutritious.