Pat & Me

I'm always so happy when Fall for the Book rolls around. I had too much fun this past week. The best part: I got to meet Pat Conroy, author of The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides, before he accepted the Fall for the Book award on Wednesday night. He was so nice and a great storyteller. I believe the "talk" (he mainly told stories for an hour on stage) will be shown on C-SPAN at some future time. Stay tuned.

Garrett's Big Fishing Day

Garrett went fishing with his friend William this weekend and caught a bass. It was a little bass, which we threw back, but he reeled it in all by himself. William's mom has been fishing since she was 5 so she really helped Garrett get his technique down. They were fishing with night crawlers at Lake Royal.

Exciting Times

This weekend was quite hectic and scary. We started the weekend in the emergency room of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital after Claudia fell off of a swing after school and got a wood chip stuck in her cheek. The hole is pretty small and she still looks beautiful. It took several hours to get her checked out though. And of course, it was pizza and movie night. I don't think Art has ordered a pizza since the late 1990s so he was a little at a loss. We finally got it resolved (can you believe he doesn't know Domino's number by heart?!) and pizza was delivered to Garrett's great relief.

On Saturday we went to a friend's 40th birthday party--with a 1940s theme. After much stressing out about what to wear and how to fix your hair (that was me, not Art), then we got to stress about the jitterbug class they had a the start of the party. The birthday girl made no secret of the fact that she expected to dance the night away--and not alone. To ply us she brought a case of champagne and other goodies. We actually had a very good time although my feet were starting to hurt from all the dancing. Art has concluded that it is best to not have too many Irish girls in one room (he called them 'eens), especially when the bartender wanders away from his post. And for the record, that was Kathleen with the champagne bottles, not me.
--Colleen

I Survived the First Week of School

The first week of school has ended and everyone survived. We never missed the bus; Claudia even began going to bed early. We have some forms to still fill out but it isn't a bad as we were expecting. Claudia has already asked if she can wear her boots on Monday. We will have to wait and see.

All Colleen, All the Time

Since you can't read my novel, you can read my nonfiction almost daily on the Mason homepage at www.gmu.edu. The main feature there doesn't carry my byline, but it does if you click through. I just finished my story on Fall for the Book and I am working on one about Hurrican Katrina.

Yes, Let's!

My team gave me this this morning. I think it is perfect.

Another Year Passes

So is anyone upset that they are another year older and still haven't won a Pulitzer Prize. Nah. At least not today.

Methinks It Is a Dragon

Garrett survived his first day in the Kingdom of Kindergarten. There are Jesters, Knights, and Dragons. Garrett is a dragon.

In his own words: "I didn't talk much. I was too tired."

Breaking News

September, 6, 2005, Fairfax, VA, 10:12 a.m.---Reports that Claudia Rich made it safely off the bus and into Room 105 have been confirmed. A unnamed source close to the Rich camp has said that she "looked lovely." Paparazzi were also on hand so photos of the breaking news will be posted as they become available. Additional sources report that first-grade teacher Mrs. Monas began class promptly at 8:20 despite the hoard of onlookers. "She didn't give us a shove, but we got the message," said one bystander and the group began to disperse.

Last Day at the Pool

We went to the pool every day this weekend. One of those days was for Garrett's best friend's birthday party. We also went to see the Nationals on Saturday night. The kids were less than thrilled.

Garrett's take: We sat on our butts for a really really long time. It was boring.

The Nationals finally beat the Phillies at the bottom of the 12th inning. We were on 66 by then.

These Boots Are Made for Walking

Back to School Fashion Show

Claudia in her new outfit

Enough of that Meowing

Garrett has begun a plea for a dog. This morning he told me:

"I'm really tired of all the meowing around here. What we need is some woofing.

Alas, Alice/Muffin/Kitty is old news. She did kiss him today, which is kind of dog like and made him happy.

Claudia is concentrating on Back to School shopping. She won't take off her new boots. Photo is coming...

Watching That Mailbox

Andrew took his state EMT exam right before he left for Virginia Tech. He is anxiously waiting for the results. He IMs/calls me about it at least once a day.

Thought for the Day

I got this in an email today.

"Art is not, by definition, a sure thing. Buying real estate in certain neighborhoods is a sure thing. Being a certain kind of lawyer is a sure thing. Making art is making a conscious commitment to uncertainty, to risk, to unpredictability."
From “The Uses of Doubt” by Stacey D'Erasmo

Time to Face the Music

As another birthday looms, people keep telling me I am not middle aged. According to Terri Hatcher, 40 is the new 30. Maybe for her. I think everyone just can't face it that they are old.

Are They Having Fun Yet?

Hmmmm. Hard to say. Art took this picture one of our last days at the Banks.

The Gang

Here is our little gang at the pool. This was Friday night. The only one missing was Ethan. It is pretty stinkin' hot here. We went again on Saturday. This time we took some of the Salinskys with us. We will probably go again today.

We started our back to school shopping with the purchase of back packs. Garrett got a Spiderman back pack. Claudia's features Lil Bratz. No surprises there. Now we have to concentrate on school supplies and clothes.

Claudia's open house is on Sept. 1. We are still waiting to hear who her teacher is.

See This Movie

For me the greatest compliment for a book or film is "I wish it was mine." I wish I was this good of a writer. I wish I had this woman's vision. Shona Auerbach is a first-time director. Watch this movie tonight. You won't be sorry.

If I only had a maid...

I've discovered from polling my peers that I am the only working mom without a cleaning lady. Why should I clean my own toilets? One wm said, "I think that might be grounds for divorce."