Books and Movies

Over Christmas break we watched a lot of old movies with my parents. The kids love it and frankly I did too, it brings back good childhood memories.

Here's the list...

            

1. Mr. McGorium's Wonder Imporium
2. Rear Window
3. To Catch a Thief
4. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
5. The Great Race
6.  Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?

I also read two books and have started another. The first was Sarah Palin's new book called America By Heart.

I found this book to be a great motivator to stick to things even when they are hard, to have the love of country that our founding father's had and to stand up for the things I believe, to have faith in our God who will always be there for us. I wasn't a big Sarah Palin fan when I started this book, her voice annoys me and she's a little cheesy at times, but I think she's one tough cookie and I admire her for her dedication to America and her family values. I think this book gave me the boost I need to stop hiding my head under the covers and avoiding the difficult (and at times uncomfortable) discussions we should all be having if we are going to get this country moving forward again.

Do I hope she runs for president...no.

Enough about that, the next book was Decision Points by George W. Bush. Two words: LOVED IT! Like I told my facebook friends, if I didn't already have an awesome dad I'd want 'W'.

Though all the political jargon was new to me, I still stumbled my way through it and ended up really liking it. I've always liked Bush but now I have a new perspective of him. I think he's an incredible President who was foreordained to serve at that specific war time.

Thank goodness for politians who have stong morals and don't just change their views according to what's popular. He was a solid leader who meant what he said, stood firm in his beliefs, yet changed courses when necesarry. I love that he admits when he was wrong and even says what he (and we) can learn from those mistakes. George W. is highly compassionate, he truly mourned the loss of each American life lost, and it was evident to me throughout his presidency.

I can't imagine having the weight of the world on my shoulders the way President Bush did, yet he remained steadfast and never faultered in his duty to protect our country. In my eyes he is someone to look up to...a modern day hero indeed!

Now I'm reading a book called Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Breathnach. I love inspirational/motivational/do better books, so I'm enjoying it so far...I'll let you know what I decide once I'm finished. The basic idea is to find the things that make you happy, the small things like polka dot mugs :) and $1 Target socks. Getting cought up in the persuit of obtaining worldy possession to be happy is easy to do. I'd say as a blogger it's really easy to do. Looking at everyone's "perfect homes" or even if they don't come off as perfect, we get so many great (but sometimes costly) ideas or wants.

Finish my thoughts later...

xo,

The Glass Castle {book review}

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down. It had been on my 'to read' for a long time but I finally got around to it and I'm so glad I did. Although it was sad to read about someone having such a hard childhood, I just couldn't stop reading. Even still, there were many moments of love and happiness sprinkled throughout a life with a truly dysfunctional family.

It really got me thinking about what kind of parent I am, how my actions effect my children, that we shouldn't judge someone until we've walked in their shoes, to always remember not everyone had a good upbringing, there are reasons people have struggles such as alcoholism. To be more empathetic and most importantly to forgive your family. For those of you who had a tough childhood...this will blow yours out of the water.

Jeannette Walls later wrote a novel called Half Broke Horses, based on her grandmother who lived here in Phoenix. She claims her life was even more interesting (which seems hard to believe). The one thing that I couldn't help but wonder throughout the entire read of The Glass Castle, was how did the author remember things so vividly at age three? Also, how did she remember so many details of her childhood? Maybe she has an amazing memory, or maybe she filled in blank spots with a little fiction, but either way it's a GREAT read!

It does have some language because of her alcoholic father, but if you can look past that you'll love it.

Now I'm off to read The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest, and I'm really loving The Hiding Place but we go pretty slow since my silly boys think summer is for fun and not just reading. :)

*Added later...Well, since I posted this morning, I've decided to quit reding The Girl That Kicked The Hornet's Nest until I first read the two books that go before them. I forgot it's kind of a series. Oh well, now I'm onto Skinny Italian and Amusing Ourselves To Death.

View all my reviews

xoxo,

What's On Your Nightstand?

ISO 400  f 4.8  1/25  Nikon 16-85mm



First off, Happy Birthday to my sweet Sophia who turned four today!


To Read Shelf:
David 90 Days With A Heart Like His

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Unmarketing

The Gifts of Imperfection

One Thousand Gifts

*I've heard great things about each of these books. One Thousand Gifts is part of an online book club, Unmarketing and The Gifts of Imperfection were both written by the fabulous keynote speakers at Blissdom.

I can hardly wait to dig in!

Current Reads Shelf:

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

Your Best Life

*I'm almost finished with Your Best Life, love it! Pretty much the whole book is highlighted and dog eared. Simple Abundance is good but it's one of those 'one page a day' for a year reads, so I'm trying not to rush ahead.

Recent Reads Shelf:

America By Heart

Decision Points 

* I loved both of these. To read my reviews click on the book cover below in my Goodreads section.

*To check any of these book out on Amazon, simply click on the title.

So let me know what you've got your nose in this week, OK?

-Happy Reading-

{linking up with finding serendipity for her new 'manual mode' series}

Blissdom Remembered {Wrap-Up}

{The Hotel}

The Opryland Hotel was enormous and so beautiful!!

{My Roommate}

I couldn't have hand picked a better roommate. Patty from Finding Serendipty is not only beautiful, she's  "hate me" in shape, warm, so kind hearted, patient, friendly, fun, smart, humble, makes you feel at ease and has more talent than she realizes. She's a licensed physical therapist turned stay at home mom/fitness instructor/photographer & writer...in other words, she's not an axe-murderer. :) We had so many great tickle fights ha! I mean talks...I'm going through withdrawls!!

{Our Room}

The rooms were nice, and the view from our balcony was serene.

{The Perks}

To my surprise, at every turn there was some sort of fabulous giveaway. The lovelies on the right are adorable handouts from other bloggers such as necklaces, flower pins, book thongs, handmade rose earrings and homemade fudge. 

Fabulous keynote speakers: Scott Stratten and Brene Brown

Authors of: Unmarketing & The Gifts of Imperfection

{Long Time Favorites Bloggers}

Center : Edie from Life In Grace

I've been following the blogs of these talented ladies since 2008. You all know how much I love Edie, so I'll start with her...thank you so much for your friendship! Surprising me at the airport because you knew how nervous I was (in true Edie fashion). You are smart, gracious, classy, selfless, unique, brave, gifted with words and so beautiful inside and out. Thanks for incouraging me to stretch myself and step out
of my comfort zone.

 The Nester and Emily (if you don't already know), are sisters. The Nester inspires me to make my home beautiful and cozy by 'shopping the house' first as to not break the family budget.

 I relate with Emily in that she's an introvert but has her extrovert moments. She writes beautifully and incourages women to find their inner beauty and God given talents. Thank you both for being so sweet and friendly!!

{Forever Friends}

Ruthanne, Ruth, Brooke, Melissa S., Patty, Polly, Melissa M , Deanna, Shannan and Edie.



If I haven't convinced you to go to Blissdom 2012...

that's because I saved the best for last.

I had such anxiety about going, "What the heck were you thinking!?!?" went through my head more times than I can tell you. Having never met any of these bloggers in real life, I had all sorts of worries and insecurities. Besides that, I prefer to be in small groups not rooms full of five hundred plus women.

The night before I even cried out to my mommy on facebook, (which did me no good)

...she was half-way around the world!

When I got to the airport, rather than going through security, I found myself eating, shopping & wandering, 

in other words...

stalling!!

 My heart was beating out of my chest, my nose was sweating (as it does when I'm nervous), but I soon  realized, the stress eating, sleepless nights and self doubt were all for nothing!!

Most of the women there felt the exact same way,
and if they didn't,

they remembered those feelings and reached out with their motherly souls;

 calming my fears, boosting my confidence and making my
Blissdom experience unforgettable!

What I learned from Blissdom?

• Vulnerability is the key to loving with your whole heart
• When we exercise vulnerability we are courageous and brave
• Never let anybody steal your voice
• I am enough
• I can do hard things

Thank you friends for a fabulous weekend.

xoxo,

On Faith {or lack thereof}

My week has been filled with many 'life lessons' that I know were put in my path for a reason.

It started out on Sunday with a great lesson in Relief Society. I was reminded that we all have insecurities at times but by caving into these doubts, we only digress. We need to stretch ourselves and practice faith in all things...even the little things like knowing Jaxon will be OK as he enters junior high next year or when he leaves on scout campouts.

As my week progressed, I came in contact with three different people who happened to confide in me some of their trials and insecurities. It was a real eye opener to me, I learned I need to seek out those who I can help in any small way, to be compassionate; you never know what someone's circumstances are or when you'll be in their shoes, and then there was that same old reminder of how important it is to be frugal...times are so uncertain!!

I don't know why it is we need to be reminded of these same lessons, but we do. I guess as humans we constantly have to check ourselves to keep us from veering off the beaten path.

Then I read a tragic story about a woman named Immaculee Ilibagiza. The book is called Left To Tell, in it she speaks of her horrific experience in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide. I am in awe of her strength, her courage, her ability to forgive, and most of all her faith in God. Her parents were also amazing examples of charity and how we should give until it hurts.

”I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare…If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,… they are too small.  There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.” -C.S. Lewis in  Mere Christianity

This always reminds me of my parents, who are so generous that they've always  lived a lot more frugally than they needed to because they're always helping family, friends and even strangers who are hurting financially. I love this about them, they don't even think twice, they just do it; it's what makes them happy.

Since I was a kid I've been the type who worries a lot, I still am. As an adult my anxiety has gotten even worse. Earlier this year I decided rather than getting on some 'I don't give a crap pills', or paying $85 out of pocket to sit on some guy's couch every week, I'd use natural ways to control my anxiety like deep breathing, daily exercise, meditation, healthy eating, turning off the news or violent shows, read books before bed etc.  It's all been very helpful, but even more than that, I've come to realize something...worrying is just a lack of faith. If we let fear and self-doubt rent space in our head  satan wins. Yes, we do need to be concerned about certain things however, if we prepare, pray, and then leave it in God's hands He will carry us.

St. Matthew 21:21
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have ^afaith, and ^bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

Joining up with Tuesday's Unwrapped

In Our Darkest Hour...

Who knew I'd love reading Robinson Crusoe so much!?! Kade and I have been reading this fabulous classic by Daniel Defoe. Most of you probably read it in high school or college, but I didn't. I had a one track mind back then and it wasn't studying. I'm so grateful as an adult I learned the joy and satisfaction that comes by reading good books.

Robinson Crusoe has such rich language and  invaluable lessons on faith, our relationship with God, our desperate need for Him, gratitude, and making the best of whatever our circumstance. Its caused me to reflect back on the trials I've had in my life, and how I reacted to them; what struggles may lie ahead; and do I have the faith to endure all things in my darkest hour? 

As humans we become so busy and independent, wrapped up in our lives that we become slow to ask for God's help, waiting until our situation is dire, only to then plead and bargain if only He will deliver us from this trial. The storm clears, our 'resolutions' slowly fade away...a distant memory; we return to our old ways. 

Hopefully it doesn't take being stranded on an island all alone before we find ourselves on our knees, however for Robinson Crusoe, it did but once he let God in, great things happened and he was transformed.
I loved that the more he read his Bible and prayed, the more he realized the need for gratitude in all things, including the very lonely place that became his home for twenty-four years.

We so often think of the things we don't have, rather than basking in the blessings that surround us. Here is a passage that struck me:

      "I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition and less upon the dark side; and to

       consider what I enjoyed rather than what I wanted; and this gave me sometimes such secret

       comforts that I cannot express them; and which I take notice of here, to put those discontented

       people in my mind of it who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them because they

       see and covet something that He has not given them. All our discontents about what we want

       appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have."

We're not finished with the book yet, but obviously I'm a big fan.

Through our history studies the past three years, I'm so fascinated and humbled as I learn about the struggles of those who have come before us and I'm grateful for the many blessings, luxuries and conveniences we have in this modern day beause of them. The courageous people who lost their lives exploring, fighting, inventing and risking all they had to make this land what it is today. One can't help but see God's hand in all things.


Visit Tuesday's Unwrapped for more posts on gratitude.

Book Review & A Hike

 

A few days ago we took the boys on a 3.2 mile hike at Usery Park.

It was a gorgeous day, we had a fabulous time.

The desert landscape was breath taking,

I couldn't help but stop often to catch my breath take it all in.

I almost broke my neck a few times trying to hike and take pictures at the same time.

Jaxon was the navigator,

Kimball was of course the jester,

I was the 'friendly hiker'

 and Kade was quite the trooper; he did awesome!

Looks like I've found another hobby...

can't wait to go again.

Arizona is the place to be for spring break!

I finished reading Anna Karenina.

I'm still not sure what I thought of it...

I liked it and couldn't put it down

and yet got so annoyed with it at times

 I had to.

I'm not convinced it's the "best love story of all time" (as many call it),

but I am convinced if I ever thought of cheating

I won't now!

It was a little agonizing to read,

kind of made me want to pull my hair out.

I love a good romance novel but this felt like a Kevin Costner movie...

about 400 pages an hour too long!

I'd love to hear what you thought of the book. Anyone?

I'm now reading Uncle Tom's Cabin,

a classic I've been putting off because I knew it would be a downer.

So far it's gripping but definitely sad.

Tabloids, Hair Removal, Cash Budgets And Science Projects

Oh, I've been a bad, bad, girl. It went something like this....

I pull into Walgreen's and get out of my car, walking toward the building I try to remember the purpose of my mission. I get side-tracked when the thought pops in my head "I'm so glad I'm no longer addicted to tabloids...there will be no temptation whatsoever." (BTW, I use the term 'addicted' loosely.)

I'm now about 15 steps through the front doors and something catches my eye. It's the cover of this weeks OK magazine. Without any hesitation at all (or recollection of my last thought) I stop dead in my tracks. I start flipping through the pages. A good 5 minutes go by and I realize what's just happened. I shamefully scurry away.

Once again, I begin racking my brain for what it is I'm supposed to get, when this little lady grabs my attention.

The Smooth Away.

Now all my fellow hairy, insomniacs know exactly what I'm talking about. The infomercial claims to remove hair instantly and pain free. It also claims to be safe for the upper lip, sensitive areas...anywhere! I say aloud, "That's it I'm sold!"

Behind me are the office supplies. I'm smitten yet again, this time with a 8x10 dry erase board. Ironically the purpose of said board is to keep a running shopping list on my refrigerator.

Do you see where this is going?

Smooth Away $9.99
dry erase board $4.19
eye liner $3.79
lip gloss x 2 $9.00
eye shadow $7.49
The Office calendar $5.00
mascara $8.49
nail polish $1.99
gum $1.29
Mentos x2 $.80

Total damage with tax, - $56.73

Luckily, after 20 minutes or so of wandering around aimlessly, I notice my teeth feel a little gunky. I head over to the gum aisle and as I'm taking my good, sweet, time trying to decide what flavor I'm in the mood for... VIOLA!! As Oprah would say, I have a 'lightbulb moment'.

What is so significant about Mentos? Well you see, they are the reason for my trip...tomorrow's science project.

Moral of the story: When you're a graduate of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, you should never ever, under any circumstances walk into a store without a list OR with plastic!

Lesson learned. It won't happen again. I think. I hope. I mean I'll try my best. Seriously though, if you haven't read his book you should. I promise you won't regret it. I believe it's a must read and should be a high school requirement. Mindless spending is easy to do, I'm glad to say we've been on a cash envelope type budget for the last 2 1/2 years and I know it's helped us keep our masonry business afloat during a super slow economy.

Sure I still give into the urge now and then but when I start getting out of line, I reread Total Money Makeover and get back on track.

Side-note: When I got home, Jaxon had the nerve to say "Mom, I also need a pack of balloons."

Seriously???

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