It is Day 2 of our adventures with Mona. Today our girl continues on her trek through the blogosphere by visiting the following states:
Minnesota: The Extraordinary Ordinary
Nebraska: Newly Wed, Newly Bred
Iowa: Fighting Off Frumpy
Wisconsin: Ann Rant’s
Illinois: Look It’s Megryansmom
Kansas: Superdumb Supervillian
New Mexico: Color Me Untypical
Texas: Baby Makin(g) Machine, June Cleaver Nirvana, A Southern Fairytale, and Tree, Root, and Twig
Oklahoma: Decisionally Challenged
Arkansas: A Daily Dose of Toni
Such fun! We hope you take some time today to check out these bloggers. Rumor has it that Mona will be rocking out to some of her favorite tunes, as well as taking to the skies on a hot air balloon today.
Since Mona’s trip officially took place over the summer, we thought we would take a few moments today and pay tribute to one of the season’s most beloved past-times, the summer vacation. Starting today, the reigns for Tribute Tuesday have officially been handed over from Seven Clown Circus to Mayhem and Moxie. We thank Angie for the opportunity to carry on this wonderful writing carnival tradition.
For today’s topic, we have asked participants to write a tribute to that special aspect from their summer vacation. Options include: 1) the most outrageous person you met while traveling, 2) the best (or worst) hotel you ever stayed in, 3) someone on your trip who saved the day, 4) the weight you gained while on vacation, 5) the book that made your vacation endurable.
While I thought about many different ideas for this post, ultimately, I settled on option #5, a book that made our summer vacation bearable.
When I was a kid, I used to love to spend my summers reading. Getting lost in a book during the long, hot summer afternoons was pure heaven. My favorites? Anything that was a part of a “series.” It wasn’t enough to simply read one book. I wanted to read several and really get to know the characters. Series such as Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, and Choose Your Own Adventure made my heart happy. (And, if I am being really honest, Sweet Valley High was a continual secret delight.)
As I grew older, my love for books never faltered. However, the time that I could dedicate to reading did. This summer I vowed to change my ways. No longer would I spend aimless amounts of time on the computer or in front of the TV. If you needed me, I would be found reading a book. I was committed. My summer reading list included Heat, Julie and Julia, Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, and The Black Swan. I was going to be informed and well-rounded.
The fall season is now upon us and each night before bed, I look at the neatly stacked books next to my bed. Some nights I am able to read through a few pages before I crash completely, but my goal to actually read four novels is no where near being realized. I’d like to tell you that one of the four titles I mentioned made my summer endurable; that I can now relay insight into how French women stay thin or what it is like to cook in Thomas Keller’s French Laundry restaurant. Sadly, I cannot.
What I can tell you is that on top of my stack of four lies the one book that did make my summer bearable. This book most likely did not help me to accomplish my goal of becoming more well-rounded, but I would like to think that it could come in handy if I am ever looking for an ice breaker with a fellow mom. It is a riveting story of a mother’s experiences of love and loss with her children. A gripping tale that I have read enough times now that I have even been able to commit it to memory….
…and so have my kids. My daughter has a very limited vocabulary, but she sure can belt out the words, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, upon catching a glimpse of this book.
Now it’s your turn. How will you pay tribute to your summer vacation?
Join us again tomorrow to see which states Mona is traveling to. Angie from Seven Clown Circus will also be hosting her Wordless Wednesday carnival in which we’ll be asking everyone to show us a picture from a time when they took a trip like Mona. Hope to see you then!
I am going to have to check out that book – it looks really cute and I know my boys would love to quack along too!!
Liz @ Loving Mom 2 Boys´s last blog ..What I Did On My Summer Vacation TT
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oh…and I was never a Sweet Valley High fan, but give me a stack of Babysitters Club books and I was a happy girl.
Liz @ Loving Mom 2 Boys´s last blog ..What I Did On My Summer Vacation TT
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I’m glad I came by your blog to check it out!
I love to read and books were (and are) a very important part of me. (And I read Sweet Valley High too…I inherited a bunch the summer I turned 14.) I read a lot of fantasy, but if you’re looking for a good series, the Garrett P.I. novels by Glen Cook. 
Lauren´s last blog ..Thanks for That
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Oh I was hoping that you were going to review those books…lol…maybe another time! I’m doing the same thing that you did at the start of your summer…I am participating in a book challenge! I am looking forward to it as my whole family is participating and we are starting tomorrow!! Going to spend the fall reading my Bum off!! Have a great week!
mellisa rock´s last blog ..Tribute Tuesday
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Also, some of my favorite books growing up were the Boxcar Children and Little House on the Prairie. I even went as Laura Ingals Wilder for Halloween one year!
Lauren´s last blog ..Thanks for That
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SWEET VALLEY HIGH! Was totally thinking about trying to read the whole series the other day. Oh and the Babysitter’s Club!!!
Sevi´s last blog ..on your marks, get set, GO!
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Oooh – I can hardly wait to see all the great places that Mona has been on today’s list…
Choose your own adventure books were so much fun! Are those still around? I was also really into the Babysitters club books.
I didn’t actually post about an experience from this summer, but rather an experience that has effected each summer since it happened (including this one).
Tranquility´s last blog ..My WORST Hotel Experience Ever!
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Oh man! I totally read all the soft porn….I mean Sweet Valley High books last week….I mean, when I was younger.
By the way, back in the day, I had a kick ass red swatch watch with an even kick assier red swatch watch protector that didn’t protect sh!&
tattooedminivanmom´s last blog ..Meet Stanley
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I was always an Anne Of Green Gables fan myself.
*Cough* read the entire series *Cough Cough*
The babysitters clubs and boxcar children were a little…how shall I say…”beneath me”.
But good for you.
And let me also add that we have the same bed time routine.
Ahem.
And yes I just referred two grown women as having “bed time routines”…that’s normal.
Mama Kat´s last blog ..Around The Blogosphere: Tuesday’s Tribute: Manele Bay
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Before I was obsessed with the P3 sisters and Melinda, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield were my girls. We really are the same person.
Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. And Even When You’re Not
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I thought those Sweet Valley High girls were SO cool. I always wanted to be one of them. And then I looked in the mirror and realized I never could be! Man!
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..The Bolero in Wildwoods, New Jersey
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Wow! I had actually forgotten about Sweet Valley High! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I couldn’t wait for the next book to come out, and I’d have most of it read before I even got out of the store (back then it was safe to leave your kids in the book section, which is exactly what my grandmother did to get her shopping done.)
I still love my books, but most the time they are a little less highschoolish, although I can’t wait for the next House of Night book! :0)
Amethyst Moon´s last blog ..Paralyzer
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I read (no, devoured) every single Sweet Valley High book that was out. And then I turned to the Sweet Valley Twin series. I’m right there with you. One book was never enough. Right now, my eyes are definitely bigger than my time. I always want to read more than I am able to.
Lolli´s last blog ..Dear Acapulcan Bus Driver,
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Oh how I remember sweet vally high books…what a walk down memory lane…
I got up extra early so i could visit all the states mona visited today…I will catch up on yesterdays states tonight when i get home
Georgie@Decisionally Challenged´s last blog ..I Got Moxie How ’bout You
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I use to love Nancy Drew also. I have to get that book for my little one. We sing “Six little Ducks” Have a great Tuesday.
Amy´s last blog ..Summer Days……..
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we love books here too
sweet valley high was good, but babysitters’ club was my all time favorite!
April´s last blog ..So Many BABIES!!!
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Books have and still do make my heart sing. When I was growing up one of my “punishments” was to get grounded from reading. I used to ride my bike to the library about every other day. I LOVE the library and I read every series you mentioned.
angie´s last blog ..Day 2: Tuesday’s Tribute
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PS. Love your new Tuesday’s tribute button.
angie´s last blog ..Day 2: Tuesday’s Tribute
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Oh I ’bout died when I saw those Sweet Valley High books because I too fell under their trance. I didn’t care what people thought of me, I’d read them every where and when I was home I’d read 4 books at a time, taking turns reading a chapter in one before moving on to the next one.
Don’t be ashamed of your love for SVH, embrace it! Shout it from the roof tops!
Or not.
So now I’ve got mayhem and moxie added to my blog roll and I of course am a faithful follower but I can’t seem to let go of the three baby chicks! I think I’ll just let it hang out on my blog roll for awhile, I hate good byes.
Now, I am so happy you figured out how to comment as your new blog but there is something else that must be done. When I went to hit reply to your comment on my post, I see this:
noreply-comment@blogger.com
Wha??? You’re a noreply? I can’t handle that. Please, if just for my sake, don’t stay in the noreply club. As one SVH reader to another please take my advise, I only want the best for MAM!
(I’m so fricken glad you’re back! The hole in my heart has at last been filled!)
Pooba´s last blog ..Not The Mona Lisa
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Thank you for your lovely comment on my post! I had so much fun with Mona, and was thrilled to be invited to play along.
Sweet Valley High…hilarious.
Ann’s Rants´s last blog ..M-M-M-Moxie Mona!
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OMG! I had forgotten about these books… I’m going to see if I can find them and bust them out for the girls
This is such a fun event!!
KathyB!´s last blog ..Life lessons learned in the minivan
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French women don’t get fat because they dont eat as much as americans….there now you have learned something…summer not wasted!
Michelle´s last blog ..Gulf Shores, Alabama, what’s NOT to love?
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I’ve found you guys. I was wondering what happened to your other site. I’ve also seen Mona floating around in pictures and videos and had no clue who she was. Now I know. I’m jealous she’s not visiting me.
I’ve been reading alot about Moxie and thing what you guys are doing is fabulous. I actually do accounting for a web and mobile advertising company.
I’ll def be back to visit. I’m off to see where Mona is today and what she’s doing!!
I’m just in awe that she’s all over the united states. You guys rock!!
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That book is a house favorite at our house too.
Jen @buried with children´s last blog ..That Annoying Kid
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Actually, I feel much more well read after reading this post because even though I haven’t been able to get through a novel I have read many books cover to cover for my daughter. That counts, too.
Unknown Mami´s last blog ..What I Did this Summer
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I remember reading EVER SV and SVH book multiple times.
I actually won the entire SV series from our local library… sigh.. sunning by the pool with my swatch tan line, aviator sunglasses, neon bikini, baby oil and my SV books.
Those were the days
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I came across the trip around the blogosphere on Saturday .
on SITS, so right before it started, and I am LOVING Mona’s adventures! I plan to write a Tribute Tuesday piece about Travel later on today when I don’t have a 1 year old attacking my keyboard. I’m lucky I get to write this!
Chantel´s last blog ..The Popcorn Monster Strikes Daddy!
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You have no idea what you’ve just started. Have been online, trying to reorder the Sweet Valley High series all over again. Can’t believe I’m doing this…
Stacey´s last blog ..Reunited with MY Keith Urban
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I’m glad ya’ll are back!
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I used to read those Sweet Valley High books all the time!
Amber´s last blog ..The Cheese Shirt
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I absolutely loved the Choose Your Own Adventure series! I read as many of them as I could, although looking back on it now, I usually ended up either dying or ending the story very quickly. I’m not sure it it was from choosing the right things or the wrong…
As far as duckies go, my niece will be 2 in October and her name, as far as I and my husband are concerned, is Ducky. She’s precious in yellow, she loves the water… and duck was her first word, followed by something similar that her daddy yelled one afternoon! I might not be a mom yet, but I sure understand how that book saved your summer! Duckies do that
Helen’s last blog…I am so not ready for this.
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Omigosh! I (we!) have that same book except that it’s frogs! You know….ribbit ribbit! My two monkeys love it!
Swoozie´s last blog ..RTT
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i was trying, desperately, to remember the name of the sweet valley high series. oh, and nancy drew! yes. i actually mentioned nancy drew in my most, going with the worst hotel eva theme…
tara´s last blog ..why i don’t do motels
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I enjoyed this blog! Looking forward to reading more. Hi from SITS!
jennee´s last blog ..A Cluck-Cluck Here, and a Cluck-Cluck There…
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Ooh, I loved Sweet Valley High too. I’d so read those again if I could secretly get away with it.
Kathleen´s last blog ..Tech Tuesday: Button Magic
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Sweet Valley HIgh! One of my favorites! I had all the Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley College series. Yes, I was a sweet valley gal. Always jealous of Lila.
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I LOVED the Sweet Valley High books!!!
Anne´s last blog ..Book Review: Kabul24 by Ben Pearson
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New to your blog. Nice to meet you! I’m loving this Mona business and would be happy to host her for a visit. Let me know!
Casey ´s last blog ..More Love In The Air!
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Oh, I loved SVH as a young girl….and Little House on the Praire and Anne of Green Gables. What I wouldn’t do to have carefree summer days of reading, reading, reading!
Brooke´s last blog ..I ♥ Faces – Completely Candid
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