Helpless

Yesterday our son had a basketball tournament, so my sister decided to come and watch a game.  She drove an hour to come watch him which we really appreciated.  During the game it had really started snowing and we were starting to hear that the roads were getting slick.  So, my sister decided she better start heading back because she had to go to work that night and didn't want to have to rush.  I told her to be careful and she headed out.  About 45 minutes later she called me crying and saying "I didn't make it.  I didn't make it."  I realized she had been in an accident and I felt so helpless.  I tried to remain calm while I was asking if she was ok, if she was hurt, etc.  She thought she was ok, but her head hurt.  She just kept talking about her car and how it was all over the highway along with her things.  Then I lost my connection with her and really started panicking.  My sister isn't married, and I didn't know what to do or who to call.  I have never felt so helpless knowing that my sister was all alone, hurt, and panicking and I couldn't do anything to help her.  All I could do was pray.  Then I started making phone calls.  I called our parents, and texted her 3 children to please call me.    Then I waited to hear what was going on.  Long story short....she was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.  She was hit from behind by an Expedition in her little Chevy Malibu car after spinning a circle on the highway due to the slippery road conditions.  She was VERY lucky!  She could have been hit head-on or T-Boned, hit by a semi, or by multiple cars.  Her car didn't survive the crash, but cars can be replaced.  Her only injury was a big bump on the head.  She was released from the hospital and treated for a concussion.  As soon as our tournament was over, we headed up to see her.  The snow had stopped and the roads were slowly getting better by then.  I was able to stay with her while she was in the ER.  The other car that hit her had 7 women in it coming home from a weekend shopping trip and thankfully they were all ok.

I guess my point is that no matter how helpless I felt, really the only thing I could do was pray and ask God to provide and protect, which He did.  Today my sister is ok, sore and tired, but alive.   As I type this, the news is talking about a possible 15 inches of snow coming our way over the next 3 days.  Tonight I am praying for protection on the roads as we have a lot of appointments and things coming up this week.  All it takes it one split second and everything can change.  Please be careful out there and make sure your family knows how important they are to you and how much they are loved.

Things I Love - Fleece

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

Today's love is.............................Fleece

Or more specifically, my Heavenly Fleece Jackets from Lands End.  I wear one nearly every night around the house to keep warm.  I love to wear them as a lighter jacket when it isn't quite so cold out.  These jackets are so extremely soft and when I wash them, somehow they get even softer!  They are just the right degree of warmth and comfort and are just part of my favorite winter wardrobe.  This time of year they are pretty much sold out, but put one on your list for next year, and as soon as those fall catalogs come out, snag one.  They are worth it.  I am definately going to be adding another to my collection next fall!


Lands End only knows me by printing off lots of shipping labels to me due to frequent orders!  I get no benefit from telling you about their jackets except from knowing that I might make someone happy and warm! :)

Review: The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

The Recipe Club
A Tale of Food and Friendship
A Novel
By Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel
Fiction
358 Pages

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities.  Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproviing father.  Val, shy and idealistic - and surprisingly ambitious - struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true. 

In childhood, "LillyPad" and "ValPal" form an exclusive two-person club, writing intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets - and recipes.  The Recipe Club sustains Lilly and Val's bond through the decades, regardless of what different paths they take or what misunderstanding threaten to break them apart....until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgivable betrayal.

Now years later, while trying to recapture the trust they've lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more - only to discover a shocking secret.  Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them ever closer?

I received this book through Librarything, but haven't gotten a chance to review it until now.  I was intrigued by this book because of the friendship storyline intertwined with recipes.  What I was delighted to find was the story was told through an epistolary journey, first as adults, and then flashed back to their childhood and back through adulthood again.  Reading the story through letters to eachother made the story move quite quickly and kept you wanting to turn the page.  Plus all the recipes mixed throughout the book really added to the story.  Each recipe was specifically chosen for the situation that the girls were in.

I really enjoyed the drama both Val and Lilly had with their parents. But, I did tend to get frustrated with the selfishness of all characters involved.  Without giving away the ending, I was happy with the way Lilly and Val's lives came around and how the authors ended the book.

If you like novels about friendship and cooking, this one is a must read for you.  Many of the recipes are ones I want to try.  Luckily I have the book to keep and do just that.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

ENERGIZER Keep Going Hall of Fame and a Giveaway

Do you or does someone you know have unstoppable energy?  Do you know someone with endless energy who is helping to change your school, your community, or even the world by making a positive impact?  If so, ENERGIZER KEEP GOING HALL OF FAME wants to hear about them!

From now through February 4, 2011, you are invited to enter your own personal stories or to nominate someone at www.energizer.com/halloffame.  Just like America's non-stop icon, the ENERGIZER BUNNY, nominees should embody the KEEP GOING spirit by making a positive impact on the world through extraordinary determination and couage.  Cal Ripken, Jr, who became the first memeber of the ENERGIZER KEEP GOING Hall of Fame six years ago, is once again helping lead the search for the next inductee.  Cal and the ENERGIZER BUNNY are looking for stories of not only those with endless energy, but also those who have helped change the world for the better.  This is part of ENERGIZERS NOW THAT'S POSITIVENERGY campaign to help everyday citizens channel their power to make a positive impact, whether in their local community or around the world.

To watch the video of last years inductee, check out this You Tube video:

Once the nomination period ends, a panel of independent judges will narrow the field to 100 Semifinalists who will be honored in their hometowns. The judges will then select nine Finalists, and Energizer Bunny® Facebook fans will have the opportunity to vote for the 10th Finalist at facebook.com/EnergizerBunny beginning March 17, 2011 and ending March 25, 2011. Each Finalist will receive a $1,000 donation to his or her charity of choice.

All 10 Finalists’ names and stories will be posted online at www.energizer.com/halloffame, at which point the public will be given the chance to select the 2011 Inductee through an online vote. Voting on the Finalists will begin April 4, 2011, and continue through May 13, 2011. Each Finalist vote will trigger a $1.00 donation from Energizer to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, up to $10,000. Each donation will help connect kids in distressed communities with mentors, giving them the opportunity to learn life's critical lessons while having fun on the fields and off the streets. Now That’s Positivenergy™

So, be thinking about that person in your community who has unstoppable energy and nominate them today at www.energizer.com/halloffame. 

Now for the giveaway!   ENERGIZER also wants to reward a reader with 2-four packs of Energizer Max AA Batteries.  Now that you can make sure you electronics can Keep Going and Going!  Leave me a comment with an email address so I can contact you if you win.  Sign up by 11:59 PM on February 6th.  I will chose a winner with random.org on Monday, February 7th. 

Things I Love - Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Things I Love...


This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!
Today's love is................................Spinach and Artichoke Dip
 

I first tried Spinach and Artichoke Dip at a TGIFridays and LOVED it.  Then I saw you could purchase it in little freezer trays to have right in your own home.  This is my favorite snack and I have no problem eating the WHOLE TRAY!  Now, I know that it isn't intended for 1 serving, but we won't talk about that! 
 
My Sister-in-law makes an AWESOME Spinach and Artichoke Dip that is even better than the Friday's version.  Whenever we have a family function, I am thrilled when she makes it.  My waist may not be, but I forget all that when she pulls that dip out of the oven. 
 
I believe that we need to treat ourselves once in a while and enjoy the decadent things or life just isn't any fun!  It isn't like I am eating this once a week or anything, even though I am sure I could!  You can find the TGIFriday's version at your local Target, Walmart, and grocery stores.  TGIFridays also sells their mozzarella sticks, potato skins, and other appetizers, in a frozen option, all of them delicious!

Strolling Through the Target Bookshelves

Yesterday, I treated myself to a 20 minutes stroll through the Target book aisles.  I found some of my favorites that I have read, some that I have been wanting to read, and a few that I hadn't heard of that I would now like to read.  Some of the ones that stood out to me were:

THE ELEGENCE OF THE HEDGEHOG By Muriel Barbery
New to my list.  The book states it is an enthralling international bestseller!

THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL By Asne Seierstad

This one has been on my to-read list for 3 years was a reminder to me how much I wanted to read it.

HOW TO BAKE A PERFECT LIFE By Barbara O'Neal  This one has been getting a lot of press through blogs and book websites.  It has as sweet storyline and since I love to bake it peaked my interest.

UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand  This book has been recommended to me by several readers and I have been seeing great reviews for it.  Plus it is historical fiction which is my favorite genre!

LEFT NEGLECTED By Lisa Genova  Ever since I read her first novel, STILL ALICE, I have been waiting for this release.  The reviews have been fabulous and I may just have to download this one to my iPod!

CAKE POPS By Angie Dudley (aka Bakerella)  I am a huge fan of Bakerella's blog and her super cute cake pops.  I don't pretend to think that I can create these mini masterpieces, but it is defiantely fun to look through!

PIONEER WOMAN COOKS By Ree Drummond  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her blog and am also looking forward to the release of her first book, THE PIONEER WOMAN: BLACK HEELS TO TRACTOR WHEELS - A LOVE STORY.  The way she describes how to cook her dishes can make anyone feel like they can cook.  The photos are fabulous too!

A SOFT PLACE TO LAND By Susan Rebecca White  This was one I hadn't heard of before and it really peaked my interest.  In the story, the parents of two girls are killed and leave behind a will that shocks them.  It is also the story of two girls, now adult sisters who seem to have grown apart and something brings them back together.  This was the one book I actually purchased.  It was one of the books that were 20% off and plus with the Target card 5% discount, I made it a pretty good deal for a book.  At least that is how I justified it!

So, if you are looking for something new to read, I think any of these books would be a great start!  Someday, I will get to all of them.  Oh, if only I could just sit and read all day!

The Goodbye and The Good Job

THE GOODBYE
Today I had to let something that I love doing go.  It was a tough decision, but for my own sanity I decided I had to drop it.  I am not someone to quit things, especially things that I have committed to.  But, then I committ to other things, and then something else comes up, and then someone else needs me, etc.  So, unfortunately, because it was the one that needed me the least, the one that was the most time consuming, and the one that I was going to have to stop doing in March anyway, I ended it today.  It was sad to say goodbye to my friends there today, but as I left, I also felt a little relieved.  I am hoping next year I can get it back into my routine, but at this point, I had to make the decision for me.

How do you handle committments and yet maintain a balanced personal and family life?  I know that I need to learn to say "No" more, but when you live in a small town, go to a small church, and feel like you have God-Given talents to put towards something, it is hard to say "No". 

I saw a brief piece on OPRAH a few weeks ago and Wynonna Judd was on the show.  They were discussing Wynonna's life and she said she had started telling people, "That doesn't work for me right now." It was a light-bulb moment for Oprah and it actually was for me too.  It isn't a "No", and not a maybe or an I'll get back to you.  I may have to try that line next time I feel a bit over-committed. 

THE GOOD JOB
Tonight we found out our oldest son made the honor band.  Only two 5th graders from our whole school district were chosen and he was one of them.  He plays percussion and apparently does it quite well.  He will spend an entire Saturday with kids from all over the area and then put on a concert that evening.  He is pretty excited and we, of course, are very proud parents!  He has always been musically gifted, remembering lyrics to songs after hearing them one time, always being on beat, and picking up the piano very quickly.  He amazes us daily by going over to the piano after hearing a song on a commercial or on the radio and sitting down and playing it.  I have played the piano since I was five, but I can't do that.  I can read any music, but can't play a song by sound.  I have no idea where God is going to use his musical abilities, but I know that there can only be good to come!

Book Review: Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

MR ROSENBLUM DREAMS IN ENGLISH
By Natasha Solomons

At the start of World War II, Jack and Sadie Rosenblum flee Berlin for London with their baby daughter, Elizabeth. Upon arrival, Jack receives a pamphlet from the German Jewish Aid Committee on how to act like a proper Englishman. He follows it to the letter—Saville Row suits, the BBC, trips to Covent Garden, a Jaguar—and it works like a charm. The Rosenblums settle into a prosperous new life.

Just one item on the list eludes him: “An Englishman must be a member of a golf course.” No golf course in England at the time will admit a Jew. But the list is now the guiding document in Jack’s life, and he must check off the final item. So he decides to build his own golf club in the Dorset countryside. For the second time, Sadie leaves a home she loves. And despite ancient customs, British snobbery, mythical beasts, and a shrinking bank account, they triumph once again.


I won a set of 8 of these books and 8 boxes of Shortbread for our bookclub thanks to Bermudia Onion's Blog and Amanda at Little, Brown and Company Publishers of Hachette Book Group.
 
I was intrigued by this book 1) because I love historical fiction. 2) because my heritage is both German and Welsh. 3) the story of someone trying so hard to be accepted.
 
I will have to admit, this book started off a little slow for me and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  But once I got past the half-way mark, I was completely interested and was looking forward to seeing how the story played out.  Many times I wanted to strangle Mr Rosenblum and then a few pages later I was feeling sorry for him.  He was so focused on becoming an Englishman that he lost sight of other important things in the process.  This story plays out in our lives now and I see this with others trying so hard to prove themselves in their careers that they lose sight of their family in the process. 
 
I just adored Mrs Rosenblum (Sadie) and would have loved to be with her in her kitchen baking all day long.  She remained faithful to her husband's dream even if she wasn't happy about it and found her way in the new world.  And in that process found her way back to her husband.  And when he fell, surprisingly, she was the one to pick him back up.  I admired her for that and for not carrying the bitterness that I am sure she felt. 
 
This story is a lovely, quiet read, perfect for those cold winter evenings.  You don't have to be a lover of golf to enjoy this story, but if you are, it would add another level of appreciation.  I give this 3 out 5 stars.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Our book club discussed this book last night.  Everybody pretty much felt the same way about it as I did. They said it took until Sadie had her incident at the pond before they got really into the story.  Many of them were frustrated with Mr. Rosenblum but could understand his desire to feel included.  We also were intrigued with the baking of the baumtorte.  The relationship between Sadie and Jack was also a point of discussion and how it resembled many of today's relationships. 

Thanks to Kathy, and to Amanda for sending us these books.  Our library has been given our copies to lend out to other book clubs through our lending library.  We were also treated with 8 boxes of shortbread to have during our book club discussion!

Return of the Junco

Every winter I eagerly await the arrival of the Junco to my bird feeder.  Thursday, as I was sitting on the couch, I noticed something move in the corner of my eye.  I looked out the living room window and noticed a junco happily eating from our feeder and then hopping over to the suet feeder beside it. 

It is such a simple thing, but it makes me happy to see my Junco friends coming back each winter to enjoy the food we provide for them. 

I'm a Motivated Mom

I just recently heard about this new way to organize your tasks on a daily/weekly basis and I had to share it with you.  I am a list maker and like to write everything down that I need to get done.  I think I found the perfect Chore Planning System to keep me on track.

You can get this system for you too.  Check out http://www.motivatedmoms.com/ and for only $8 you can have the whole year planned out for you.  It automatically downloads right to your computer.

I am super-excited to start this new plan out this week and get things more in order.  Thanks to http://www.theconfidentmom.com/ for telling me about this great new planner!

Motivated Moms has absolutely no idea who I am.  I paid for my own planner and just wanted to share this great idea with you.

Things I Love - Baby Blues, Pickles, and Zits

 Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

Today's love is.................................Baby Blues, Pickles, and Zits Comics!
 
I know you were probably thinking, "What the heck is she talking about? Who loves zits and baby blues?"  Well, piggy-backing on my love from last week, I am talking about my love of 3 comic strips featured in the daily newspaper:  Baby Blues, Zits, and Pickles.  It is interesting because each one covers a different stage of life, but on any given day, they pertain to my life and make me laugh out loud.

Baby Blues features parents raising their 3 children and all the mishaps that occur while raising them.  There are so many days when it relates to our parenting and put such a funny twist on it.  I purchased a Baby Blues page-a-day calendar to make sure I always get my daily laugh from them.  To find out more about them, go to http://www.babyblues.com/

The Zits comic covers parents raising a teenager.  Even though I don't have a teenager, I have teenage nieces and nephews and since I am regularly substitute teaching at the MS/HS, I am able to relate to this comic strip as well.  It is always good for exaggerating the teenage mindset and giving me a good laugh.

 Pickles features a "Grandma and Grandpa" who are retired and frequently caring for their grandson.  This strip appeals to me because it reminds me of my parents, who also frequently watch their great-grandson.  The strip also features the couple's daughter who reminds me of things that I do and say with my parents.

I think that it is important to laugh everyday.  If I am having a bad day, reading one of these comics can bring me out of the funk that I am in.  It is a great way to start the day and sometimes, help me realize I am not the only one dealing with a crazy child, technologically behind parents, or a teenager who only communicates through texting.  Check them out today and give yourself a chuckle!

Movie Review: Babies

BABIES
2010
PG (cultural and maternal nudity)
78 Minutes

Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures everything from first screaming breaths to first steps.

Even though this movie has been out for awhile, since it is a documentary and didn't get as much media attention, I don't think everyone has heard about it.  If you have a Netflix account, you can watch this on Netflix instant right now, which is how I watched it.

The documentary features babies from Africa, Mongolia, Tokyo, and the USA.  It was absolutely fascinating to me from the very first clip.  The babies from Africa were the first to be featured and as the two were playing next to eachother, the younger of the two immediately was trying to copy the older one and wanted to grab the rock that he was using.  Of course, then a squabble ensued and one hit the other and then he bit him back.  This scenario played out in my household on a daily basis when our boys were little.  The point this documentary was trying to make was that no matter where babies are raised and how they are raised, they are just as happy and fulfilled as babies exposed to more industrial/technological advances.  The babies in Africa and Mongolia live in such stark contrast to how babies in Tokyo and the US live.  Their lifestyles were fascinating to watch.

There was no narration or talking during this movie except for small background conversations.  I really wished I could understand what the 2 moms from Africa were saying to eachother.  I was wishing the translations were scrolling across the bottom.  But, that is the only negative from the movie.  The babies were adorable and the featured lifestyles were eye-opening.  Do babies really need the hundreds of toys we smother them with here in America or will they be just as happy with their cat or dog and a rock to play with?  I had many questions after watching the movie including, where where the fathers/husbands in the African feature? 

If you are looking for a relaxing movie to help you wind down at the end of the day, this is it.  It is definately a "feel good" kind of movie, but watch out....it may just make you want to have another baby!  This movie is appropriate for all ages, but there is many instances of breast feeding and the African mothers are not clothed at all during the movie.  This would be a great opportunity to discuss different cultures with your children.  I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars!

Celebrating Six

Yesterday, our sweet little pumpkin, schmoopsie poo, pickle, petunia of a girl turned SIX!  Every day she makes us smile and laugh and is just a delight to have in our family!  She absolutely loves to put on makeup, would wear a dress everyday if she could, loves her Barbies, and playing games on the computer.  But one of her absolute favorite things to do is to read.  She has been reading since she was 4, and we can often find her snuggled on the couch with a book.  That makes me happy!   For her birthday, we celebrated with family on Sunday and then went out to dinner as a family on Monday.  Then Tuesday, on her birthday, we had a Mommy/Daughter date since the boys had basketball practice that night.  We went to Build-A-Bear where she picked out a bed and new clothes for her bear, Olivia.  We also got some new clothes at The Children's Place and Crazy Eight and a new book at Barnes and Noble.  Then we had supper at Subway and ended the night we a couple rides on the merry-go-round.  I love getting the chance to have one-on-one time with the kids. 

Today was a scheduled no-school day, so we had a Jammie day and the kids spent the day playing video games, trying out the new Dance 2 Wii game that Reagan got and baking her first dessert in her new Easy Bake Oven.  I love lazy days like this!

Happy 6th Birthday, Reagan!

Things I Love - Reading the Newspaper

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

Today's love is.................................Reading the Newspaper!
 
I love to read the newspaper.  I read every section...the local news, the national news, the obituaries, the lifestyle section, and of course the comics!  I like to be knowledgable about what is going on around us and in the world.  I like that I can get more of the story than I may get in a 30 second TV news segment.  Yes, I know that I can go online and read news articles.  I know that on TV or online I am getting the most up-to-date news, but I like having our daily newspaper delivered to our door step each morning.  I like opening the paper and feeling it between my fingers.  And if I ever need that up-to-the minute news item, I know where to find it!

I think part of the reason why I love reading the newspaper so much is that my dad was a copy editor at our local weekly small town paper when I was growing up.  He worked there for 25 years and worked there long before computers. I remember as a child, going in to the paper office and seeing this HUGE machine and asking dad what it was and he said it was their new computer.  Seriously, it could have filled half my kitchen!  I loved watching him lay out the newspaper and going into the dark room with him.  Dark room, that is another thing we don't hear about anymore!  Geesh!  He made so many friends and contacts by working at the newspaper and saw and heard things that many don't get to see.  So, for my dad and for all the other reporters and small town newspapers.....I am going to continue to subscribe and read my local and my hometown weekly newspapers, and our city daily newspaper as long as I can read! 

My Favorite Reads from 2010

I wanted to share some books that I really enjoyed reading in 2010.  Not all of them were published in 2010, but just when I finally got around to reading them.  So, if you are looking for a good read, check these out!  They all come with high recommendations from me! (If that matters to you!)

NIGHT ROAD by Kristin Hannah - Doesn't actually come out until March 29, 2011, but I got an advanced copy and LOVED it!  Check out my review here.

THE GIRLS FROM AMES: A STORY OF WOMEN AND FRIENDSHIP by Jeffrey Zaslow - If you love your girlfriends as much as I do, this is a must read!

THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin Malarkey - A heartwarming story about faith, perserverence, and a little boy who has a story to tell!  Check out my review here.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee - I figure most of you have already read it and know this is a great book, but somehow I slipped through my high school and college years without reading this.  I read it, watched the movie, and loved every bit of it!  Check out my review here.

SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay - A story that stayed with me long after I read it.

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett - Just a wonderfully tremendous story.  I can't wait until the movie version comes out!

WINTER GARDEN by Kristin Hannah - Yes, I know another Kristin Hannah book.  This came out last year and really was different from her other books.  It came out in paperback today and you should go out and get it!  Check out my review here.

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS by John Boyne - I realize this book has been out awhile as well, but if you haven't read it, it is a story that needs to be told.  I also saw the movie and it was just as good.  Check out my review here.

NOT MY DAUGHTER by Barbara Delinsky - If you have a teenage daughter, or will someday, this will really get you thinking.  Delinsky doesn't disappoint with this one!  Check out my review here.

So, out of the 22 books that I read in 2010, these 9 books got 5 out of 5 stars from me.  There are all books I would read again (if my to-be-read pile wasn't so huge right now).  So, if you are looking for a good book to pass the winter doldrums, pick up one of these at your local library or bookstore, or download it to you ereader!  You won't regret it!  I am looking forward to many more awesome books in 2011!

Have You Ever.....

Today is back to reality!  "Back to life.....back to reality....."  You're singing it right?  Who sings that song?  Anyway, the kids are back in school, the hubby is back to work and I am trying to get our house back in order.  It has to look nice since we have our daughter's birthday party here next Sunday and of course, I have a hectic week ahead.  Today is my day at home and so as I have been doing laundry, answering emails, I have also been picking up.  So, have you ever had this happen....

As I go to put a movie away, I realize I wanted to clean out the VCR movie drawer and donate them to our library.  So, I start digging through the movies.  Then as I am digging out the movies, I realize how disgustingly dusty it is underneath the TV and all over the whole entertainment center.  So, then I start to dust the entertainment center.  I get all the movies picked up and put in bags ready to go....an hour later!

So, then I had this photo from our vacation that I bought a frame for.  I got it all put in the frame and then I went to the junk drawer to get a nail and hammer and yes, you guessed it....I got wrapped into sorting the junk drawer.  There were batteries all over and all sorts of items that we didn't need in there.  So, again, an hour later, I have cleaned out the junk drawer, arranged the batteries, and actually didn't even find a nail to hang the frame. Ugh!

Isn't this the life of a mom....you go into a room to put something away and something new takes your attention away from the task at hand!  That is what makes us pros at multi-tasking, right? That is why it really helps me out to keep a list.  I have a dry erase board in our kitchen where I keep track of what I need to do and it is kind of fun to check things off as I finish them.  But, since it is so easy to get distracted by other tasks, it helps me out to keep that list in front of me!

So, on my first "working" day of the new year, I was able to knock off 5/10 things on my To Do list, as well as kept laundry going, did those extra tasks I mentioned above, and even got on the treadmill for a half hour!  In 10 minutes I leave to pick up the kids and I can pick them up feeling good about my Monday!