So, it’s been a while since I’ve written on this blog. Not for any real reason other than…life. Things are crazy over here with school, kids, sports, holidays, illnesses, and just trying to clear out unnecessary stuff from our home.

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I have come to the conclusion that my husband wants me to get a job (I’ve been a stay at home mom for nearly 10 years). He drops some pretty good hints and never really says, “You need to go to work.” Do I want to work? Not really. But I suppose it is time. I have applied at some local schools and am excited about it, but anxiety from the first school I taught at is really keeping me from being 100% excited. Thing is, it was a very toxic place…very toxic. I pray that the school I’m interviewing for is the right place for me. If I can send my daughter there for her education, then I’m pretty sure my anxiety needs to quiet down.

I do like the idea of earning money to help around here. As our daughters get older, things get more expensive. They can no longer sit on our laps for flights, stay for free anywhere, eat for free at restaurants that offer it, or even order from the kids menu (even though they do because they are tiny people, LOL). I think any income I make will allow us to continue the life we picture and it would alleviate any stress my husband has.

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I’m also excited to start designing a program for self-published authors. When I first started it was impossible to find anything that was available for me to print. A “How To” guide so-to-speak. Everything was a webinar or conference. While I find those VERY beneficial, I like the idea of having a printout of the information so I can refer back to it and find what I need. I’m currently writing the long form of the program and jotting down information for a smaller, more affordable, file. I’m not sure how all of this is going to work, but I’m really excited to be writing and helping other writers.

There is another business venture that I often think about. I feel rather silly about it, so I’ll keep it to myself for the time being. I do believe that it would help working adults in a big way. I’ll share more about it when I’m more confident with the idea.

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As for my books, I do have another one written. I am in the process of making it sound more like me…my voice. I think, when I wrote it, I was just getting the ideas out. It’s sort of…what’s the word…MEH. I look forward to really studying the main character…a curious bumblebee. BUZZ BUZZ

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Life is amazing. I really have zero complaints (other than the clutter in my house that I’m struggling through). All four of us are healthy and active. The sun is starting to shine more and I cannot wait to get outside this spring and summer. I’m going to open our pool early this year so we can enjoy it on those odd days of warmth. I’m in Missouri and our weather is a complete anomaly…it literally changes every hour when the springtime hits. We have a lot to do this time of year…school, softball, camps, tickets to shows, trips…you name it and we’re probably doing it!

Until next time…

Things are changing here. I’m not going to be posting reviews. I am proud of this work, but I’ve been unable to keep up with it.

Please join me for news about my books and other work I do.

I am a writer, mom, wife, handyman, and also a graphic designer. Hopefully you can find something helpful there!

I can’t wait to share my life with you! ❤️ Cori Luigs

I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day about our kids and the things they have ruined in our houses. My 7 year old daughter got hot pink marker on the brand new carpet in her room when she was 5. There are still pink spots as a reminder of her artistic risk. My youngest got blue and yellow crayon on the vinyl tile in the kitchen when she was making her art. Both girls have written their names on the basement walls as well. In retrospect, they are small…. um…. mistakes.

My friend on the other hand, had some pretty major redecorating happen in her home. Her 3 year old found a blue sharpie…. PERMANENT MARKER… and had a few unsupervised minutes. In the time it took my friend to take a quick shower, her lovely son escaped her bedroom, found the sharpie and redesigned the upholstery and walls in her family room.

Nothing removed the blue permanent marker completely. Now, there are obvious blue rub marks. ( ^ not my friend’s kid)

These things were no accident. The kids are young, yes, but can we honestly say they didn’t know any better? We might not have taught them NOT to do those things specifically, but I’m pretty sure we’ve mentioned only on drawing paper in a designated area. Were they accidents? Yeah, most were probably just overzealous coloring that went awry.

This all leads me to the book Never Let A Unicorn Scribble by Diane Alber. It’s about a messy, artistic unicorn and a sweet little girl with A HUGE imagination.

The story starts out with a little girl and her pet unicorn. She was told to NEVER let a unicorn scribble. Like most young children, she didn’t understand why… so of course she gave the unicorn a crayon. Her pet acted like a regular horse with a carrot and ATE THE CRAYON! Eventually, the little girl figured out how to get the unicorn to scribble… not with ONE, but with multiple crayons. The room they are in fills up with imaginary rainbow scribbles.

The two friends are amazed at the colorful explosion. However, the little girl immediately felt a sense of overwhelming anxiety. What was mom going to say???

Well, she would say, “DON’T SPOIL THE ENDING!!”

This book is wonderfully written and lets the reader enter or re- enter the world of imagination! It is a must read for the kids with imaginary friends and for the adults who have lost the ability to use their imagination. Young artists will get the feeling that their works of art are just that…. ART! And that no matter what they create, within reason, their moms will LOVE it!!!

LC

When I was growing up, I remember reading nursery rhymes. Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Hickory Dickory Dock, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Little Jack Horner, Jack Sprat and many, many others. I remember my mom reading my big book of rhymes and acting them out nearly every night before bed. It was a special time.

Nowadays, nursery rhymes seem to be falling by the wayside. Kids have tablets and iPads in their hands more than books these days. These devices have a lot of great benefits. They teach the kids a lot. Books have different benefits. One’s that carry on into many subjects in school and many after school is completed. Having the book in your hand and creating an image of the story in your mind allows you to enter a world of your own. One that is yours and yours alone. Because no image is the same.

On Kids YouTube, readers experience nursery rhymes through the eyes of the video creators. Their minds take on the vision of the video instead of their own imagination. It’s sad to think that technology might possibly generate a world of less imaginative and creative people.

With all that said (steps off soapbox), I have encountered some pretty fabulous books over the years. As a previous teacher, I collected many children’s books. My favorites are the clever and exciting book. One that makes you think, “I don’t want this story to end!”

I present you with a special book that made me smile from ear to ear. A book that is so clever that it’ll leave you wondering what happens next. The book is Ricky the Rock that Couldn’t Roll by Jay Miletsky. What a special book with an extraordinary ending leaving you wanting more.

As you guessed, Ricky the Rock that Couldn’t Roll is a rhyming book. Since I love nursery rhymes and rhyming books in general, I decided to try to write my review in rhyme.

Here goes:

Poor Ricky the Rock he just couldn’t roll.

Watching his friends play was taking its toll.

His friends cheered him on and looked for a way,

so Ricky could join them when they went out to play.

They carried him up hill then he slid right back down.

He just couldn’t roll and this made him frown.

Poor Ricky and his friends gathered to chat.

But nothing could fix a rock that was flat.

The story is wonderful and so fun to read.

I can’t share the end with you even if you plead.

You’ll have to buy this fabulous book.

It is one that you simply can’t overlook.

If you like to read in rhythm and rhyme,

you’ll want to read Ricky all of the time.

Ricky is great, I can’t say anymore!

Buy it online or go to the store.

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You will truly enjoy reading Ricky the Rock that Couldn’t Roll. It is a wonderful story about friends helping each other. You will be left wanting more

LC

Ok… my sickness was gone for like a minute. Then I had the sneezes and faucet nose for a day and now….. I’m sick with the same bologna as before!

This time, I broke out the nose spray and sudafed. I sort of feel like a junkie because I’m jittery and very alert. Lol. Let’s talk about lowering my caffeine intake as well. ☕🙄😬

Anyways, I’m fighting this sickness and have a road trip to see my 2nd oldest niece graduate high school. It seems like yesterday that she was twirling around in her flower girl dress at my wedding when she was 2. Ugh…. time.

Anyways, my plan is to get some reviews written so you can find some fun new books for your kids’ summer reading.

There are 2 in particular that I am super excited to share with you. One is geared more towards girls and the other towards boys, but they are so much fun that either gender would like them.

Here’s a picture from both of them, but I’m not sharing the title until I’m able to get the reviews up.

How cute are these illustrations???? I’m telling you, your kids are going to love the stories that go with these illustrations.

Until then…. ROAD TRIP!!!

LC