Book Club: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

I found this book to be slow in the beginning. It was hard to keep up with the 'when' of the writing as it kept flipping back and forth.

Ultimately I really enjoyed this book (besides the two previous objections to it). It is a great fiction novel that talks about some of the issues that can be involved in stem cell research. That's why I picked this book up...but it's so much more. It's about what makes or doesn't make a good parent, about making hard decisions and about being a si...more "As found on GoodReads.com, here is my initial review of the Book Club book:

I found this book to be slow in the beginning. It was hard to keep up with the 'when' of the writing as it kept flipping back and forth.

Ultimately I really enjoyed this book (besides the two previous objections to it). It is a great fiction novel that talks about some of the issues that can be involved in stem cell research. That's why I picked this book up...but it's so much more. It's about what makes or doesn't make a good parent, about making hard decisions and about being a sister or sibling in general. It's about dealing with life and death.

I highly recommend this book - you might have to give it some time to get into it - by the time you reach the end you will be so glad you read it! (and you might cry - I did)."

I'd like to add on to this review just a bit.

I couldn't understand the mother's actions throughout the book until the very end. I couldn't understand why a mother would put the needs of one child ahead of the others. How she could disregard her other 2 children and only focus on one. But in the end when she said that she did it because she wanted all of her children...I started to understand. It's easy to sit on the outside of this book and judge her for the decisions she made and the sacrifices she forced her children to make but I can't even begin to imagine being in that situation and faced with those decisions. Would I make the same mistakes? Would it seem that I loved one more than the others? I don't know.

I loved the surprise ending...I did not see it coming at all but I think it wrapped the book up nicely by making it even more heartbreaking.

So what do you think? Should we as a society accept the inevitability of designer children or is that just wrong? What are your thoughts on the mother? If you were Ana, would you have done the same thing? Do you think of your children any differently now or consider these questions as an eye-opener?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book...I hope you liked it.

(I don't know why it's underlining everything and I don't care so get over it! :)

Christmas Time!

Although I'm not yet house bound I feel like I am. Jackson got pink eye Friday and we took him into the ER yesterday for some meds (we just found out we have to get a new pediatrician due to our insurance change too). We stayed home from church again today because of this and because I can't tell if Abygail is getting it or not - her eyes look glassy - so rather than risking other children getting it we are home.

This week we gathered for book club at our house and discussed The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute. I didn't finish the book so I felt pretty left out of a lot of the discussion, I also was up and down most of the time rounding my kids back upstairs and opening the door for guests so even when I felt like I could contribute my chance was gone by the time I came back. O well, it was nice to have everyone here since I don't get out much anymore and the discussion went really well. I would recommend this book to pretty much everyone, it's a good book on showing us how to treat others and keeping our hearts at peace with the world around us. It's also an easy read (I was reading some other books and put off reading this one and wound up with no time to read it in the end with the sick kids so it's my own fault I didn't finish it).

Last night we missed the ward Christmas party due to pink eye as well. Instead we had our own party. We finally got our decorations out and the kids and Jason decorated the tree, I made cookies and then put out the rest of the decorations. There was only one ornament fatality (our Niagara Falls ornament - which we can replace) so I would say the kids did really well. They are currently in love with the "Choo Choo Train Movie" aka The Polar Express so it was on most of the day yesterday. Abygail is so into Christmas this year, she's already asking about Santa and she loves the Christmas lights. Whenever she sees anything Christmasy she says "Oh, mommy, it's Christmas time!!!" Last night we read "The real story of Santa Claus" as a family and explained that Santa lived a long time ago and now as part of Christmas we celebrate his giving spirit, among other things (Christ Birth). We've decided to be truthful about S.C. and let our kids decide if they believe in him or not. We've also decided that this will be part of our yearly tradition, reading the story. We still have lots of things to do before Christmas day: learning about the true meaning of Christmas, decorating their first Christmas ornaments, buying their yearly ornaments, doing a service project, etc. I'm sure this time will fly by faster than usual. Also, just in time for our festivities...We had our first REAL snow (enough that you have to shovel) last night!

As a side note...last year my stocking holder broke and so I went out and bought a new one. I love nut crackers and the only nut cracker stocking holder they had was a twin pair so I bought them...do you think I jinxed myself?

Book Club: The Last Lecture

Last week we had another book club meeting. I must say, I'm enjoying book club so very much. I encourage anyone with a love of books or a like of books to join a book club. Ours is an open book club, anyone can come, and our numbers are growing by word of mouth. It's so fun to meet and share one another's impressions and thoughts of a book and then be influenced by the thoughts of others.

This last book was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (you can see my review of the book here). The discussion was a great one. We talked about our impressions of the book, childhood dreams, satisfaction with life and how we can keep our dreams alive - even if they change.

Some of my childhood dreams were: become an Astronaut for NASA, be a teacher, a conductor of a symphony, and a mother. Although some of my dreams haven't come true, lots of them have or have morphed into something attainable and suited more to my current situation.

So what are some of your childhood dreams, how have they changed and what do you do to keep the dream alive?

An Email To My Mother In Law

(The following is an email I sent to my MIL this morning. I've deleted a few parts that were personal but since I haven't posted anything in a week and this email contained the exact discription of our week I decided to post it as a post. I've added some extra thoughts in () and blue - Enjoy!)

I hope your day yesterday was in the moment and stress free. (excerpt from her email to me: I read yesterday that stress comes from resisting the present moment (what ever is happening in your world) And that joy and fullness of life comes from accepting and giving 100 % to the present moment. I am experimenting on that today.) The weather here has been gorgeous this week. We've been playing in the back yard, doing some yard clean up work and we went to the zoo on Monday. (The Polar Bear was so funny and active. He was splashing in his water and playing with his toys. Also one of the Sea Lions was sleeping and every once in awhile he would stick his full head up out of the water for a good 3 mins and then go back under and float while sleeping.) We are planing on going back to the zoo today. Jackson road on the carousel for the first time and he wasn't quite sure what to think of it until the end, he finally started smiling. (Another first for Jackson is that he has discovered how to stand up in his high chair. We have been putting the buckles on him now, silly boy!) Did you go to the zoo with us? I can't remember. The carousel is NOT as fast as the one at the mall but it is a long ride too. By the end I'm so ready to get off that I start to contemplate jumping (but the kids, I decide not to for the kids sake - who would hold them on if I jumped?)

Jason is gearing up for a service project with the elder's quorum this weekend. Hopefully he'll have enough time and energy afterward to do some work on cleaning up and cutting down all the dead trees in our yard, if not I guess it will wait until next weekend (if it doesn't rain).

Jason signed up to teach at Trocaire again this summer, for one session instead of 2, it's the same class as last year so there will be less prep work for him.

For me: I'm reading a book called Eat, Pray, Love right now. It's pretty good but it's not holding my interest as much as I'd like. I've been reading it, this SHORT book, for a few weeks now. I like a lot of the things she talks about in it but I just can't get entirely into it. Next up will be our book club book call Influencer. While working on the lawn Tuesday I discovered a huge grouping of bulbs coming up. There is one lone daffodil already up, I think daffodils are so pretty, like little sideways tea partys.

Abygail is in a 5 1/2 shoe size now (my little girl is no longer in the toddler sizes, "cry, cry"). It's a little big for her but she likes wearing her shoes that are 5 1/2 better than her 5's and they stay on so we just hope she will be able to use them for awhile.

Well, that's about all. I know I haven't posted anything on the blog lately. It occurs to me as I'm writing this that portions of it would be perfect for a blog posting. Hmmmm, maybe I'll just copy it, modify it and post it. I've got a few other posts in the works but haven't completed them or compiled my full thoughts on them yet so they are sitting in my un-posted file waiting for my attention. It seems as the weather has gotten nicer I am on the computer less because we are home less.

Have a great day and LIVE IN THE MOMENT. (I think I'll adapt that as my new motto).

New Book Review!

I just posted my book review on The Omnivore's Dilemma. (on the side bar) If you've read it I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you haven't read it...do you plan on reading it?

"By Self"

Abygail has become quite independent lately. She wants to do everything "by self". "I go potty by self" (but only randomly) or "No! By Self!!!" those are the two we hear most often.

Jackson has become a mountain climber and climbs up the slide and stands on the platform all by himself. It amazes me how strong this little guy is. He also says "Uh-oh" when prompted and likes to babble "dadadadada" and "mamamamamama"

Here are a few pics from the week. I love my little sleeping beauty and my mountain climber.

Abygail likes to fall asleep reading booksDo you like my new hairdo? Jackson likes to eat crayons.

I'm King of the Mountain!

Book Club

Last night book club met at our house. We discussed Life of Pi by Yann Martel (see book review on side bar). I tried to have refreshments that were some what Indian in theme (the book starts in India), it didn't turn out so Indian - except for the Nan bread and the mango chutney - but they were all yummy none the less. There was Nan bread, pita chips - original and cinnamon sugar, baba ghanoush (I bought it from Wegman's but if anyone is interested in a recipe or what it is here's the link - so goooooood!), assorted olives, roasted vegetable bruschetta, cookies, local wildflower honey, and mango chutney. Angela brought over some yummy cookies too (yum yum)!

We had fun chatting about the book, making messes (I tried to juggle my plate full of food - with no success) and sharing stories. It's always fun to get together for book club and it's so fun to have a group to talk to about books. Previous to Michelle starting book club I hadn't picked up a book for a long, Long, LONG time - I had simply fallen out of the habit of reading for pleasure.

I got to pick the book for March and I'm so excited. I can't wait to reread and discuss A.M.V.

What's New?

I posted a new book review for anyone that is interested. Check out my side bar for the review of Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally.

Next up on the book list will be The Omnivore's Dilemma.

Stranded

Abygail is sick. She started running a fever last night and has continued to run one. She is losing her voice and is very congested. Since she is sick I canceled our plans for yesterday evening, an appointment this morning and decided we would not be going to playgroup. Also it's raining outside so I encouraged Jason to take the car to school today so...now we are stranded, in a good way. (Jason is enjoying riding the bus. He likes not having to drive, fight/look for a parking space, walk 1/2 mile or more just to get from parking space to the building. He also comes home with funny stories all the time of 'what happened on the bus today', and he reads while he's on the bus so his time is more productive. He's already half way through a book he just got last week and he's only reading it on bus time. I rarely use the car but it's nice to have it just in case. Currently it comes out of the garage on the weekends for grocery shopping, the library and going to church. It will be interesting to see how long our tank of gas lasts and how much we spend on gas this year vs. last year.)

Aby is very cuddly and just wants to sit in my lap or lay next to me. Jackson is pretty self sufficient when it comes to playing now so it's easy to let him just do his thing while I take care of Abygail. She has been enjoying lots of popcicles (which she loves) and lots of cuddle time with mom and dad.

As for me, I picked up a few new books at the library on Saturday so I'm reading while cuddling. As I finish them I'll update my book review posts. Books I'm reading:

Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally

by Alisa Smith & J.B. Mackinnon

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

by Michael Pollan

Preserving Nature's Bounty

by Frances Bissell

All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space

by Mel Bartholomew

A Jumble Of Thoughts

*Yesterday Abygail and I were in the living room reading and I could hear Jackson playing with the magnets on the fridge. I knew there was nothing that could harm him where he was so I finished reading with Abygail. Afterwards I decided to go in the kitchen and get Aby and myself a snack. Jackson was not in the kitchen! I checked the library - he wasn't there either. I knew he wasn't in the living room/dining room because I had just come from that direction. To my horror and astonishment I looked up and he was 7 STEPS UP THE STAIR WAY!!!!!

I was so panicked, I wanted to get a picture but I didn't want him to fall while I was scrambling for the camera. By this time he was twisting around to see me and Abygail (who by this time had climbed up beside him). Well, I got a picture and then quickly scooped him off the stairs. He had chased one of the magnetic letters from Abygail's Fridge Phonics game up the stairs. Time to put up some barriers :o(
*On another note, I was actually surprised by the 'bring your own bag?' survey. I was really excited to see that more than half of those that participated either already brought their own bags to the store or were going to. YOU GO PEOPLE!!!

We now own 4 bags. I've been buying them as I need them. If I don't have enough when I go shopping than I just buy however many more I need so that I don't have to use the plastic bags. (There is a plastic bag hanging in a tree across the street, it was blown up there yesterday during the high winds. I hope the neighbors will be able to get it down, it's pretty far up there.)

*The book club I attend met on Tuesday night. It was so much fun to get out and chit chat with the ladies. This month we read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. We met at Diana's house and she made pumpkin soup and some of us enjoyed fake 'bush' tea (I wasn't in the mood for herbal tea so I passed on that one but the soup was yummy) - they refered to pumpkin soup and bush tea in the book. (see my new book review on the side bar)

*We are glad that the city left us the stump of our tree. We are going to try and haul it to the back yard and make a bench out of it and then put it in a sitting area or something. I'll have to make a mental note to update the blog with whatever comes of it.

I guess that's all the updates for now. Happy Thursday!!!

Book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

I know I said I would not post anything more about book reviews here but I must share this one little thing. I just got a book in the mail that I ordered several weeks ago and I've been tapping my foot and drumming my fingers for it to arrive. Dutifully checking the mail as soon as I hear it drop, with a flutter in my stomach and a pitter patter in my heart just to have my hopes crushed by bills and no book. Well IT is finally here.

IT is called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. I haven't even finished the first chapter but I just want to yell and scream with joy:

"YES, YES, YES!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
MORE, MORE, MORE!"

IT is a true story about one family's adventure of eating only what they could either produce themselves or obtain locally. The author is a novelist, her husband is a biologist who contributed to the book with side bars of information and one of their daughters wrote essays on her experience which are included in the book as well.

I hope this book turns out to be just like the beginning of the first chapter because I can think of nothing more important, more compelling, more soulful than this.

{as she looks up towards the heavens she says} "Thank you so much, I will try my hardest and do my best to learn. THIS is my dream, what I am meant to do."

FYI

I have decided to not post any more book reviews on this site as it is becoming redundant for me to do so and they are not necessarily part of our family history.

If, however, you would like to see what I am reading, what I want to read and what I've read along with my reviews of the books I've read I will be posting them on GoodReads. If you want to read them you will have to let me know (leave a comment) and I will send you an invitation to sign up for this free website and you will then be able to see my reviews.

Just thought I would warn you in case these are posts you've been enjoying.

Book Review: For One More Day

For One More Day is by Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays With Morrie).

I saw this book while grocery shopping Saturday and decided to bring it home (purchased, of course).

I absolutely LOVED this book. It's a very short read but worth it. This is the kind of book you keep on your shelf forever and reread lots and lots of times.

I related to this story so much. This book is about what you would/could do if you had one more day with someone you have lost. My grandfather passed away unexpectedly and I would love to have another conversation with him and mend old wounds. I also relate to the divorce situation of the main character. My parents split when I was ten (Chick - main character - was 11). My Dad just kinda left out overnight like Chick's (there's way more to my story but that is what happened in the short and sweet version). I relate to the way he acted and treated his mom, I wish I could get those days back and make it right.

Anyhow, whether you are a child of a divorced family or not, this book is for you. It will make you want to cherish the time you have and love more deeply, be more open and it will also bring you to the verge of tears - maybe even cry

As a side note, I love Good Reads, and I love Gilmore Girls (except the last season). I just found a book club on Good Reads called The Rory Gilmore Book Club. FABULOUS! I totally joined! I also found this website with a list of books Rory read in the episodes. FABULOUS! I'm totally stoked - can you tell?!?!

Book Review: Into The Wild

I can't say that I was Wild about this book. Possibly it was my own expectations that ruined my experience. My expectation was to read a true story that was based on the journal of a man named Chris McCandless who walked into the bush of Alaska and spent over 100 days there. He died in the bush and his body was found approx. 2 weeks after he died.

I was hoping to read about his adventure and be inspired by his tale. Instead I was disappointed and left wanting. There are actually very few journal entries and so most of the book is based on what other people said about him and the authors own speculation. IF you read it don't expect to read a biography - this is more of a time-line with lots and lots of quotes from books. Perhaps if I go back and read it again I won't get so bogged down by the quotes and it will all come together more fully for me now that I know the story/speculated events of Chris' Great Adventure.

To sum it up, it was a decent book but left me unfulfilled.

Book Club

Yesterday I went to my first ever book club meeting. I am so glad that Michelle invited me. We ate, mingled and discussed books that we have read, are reading and want to read. I am really looking forward to the books that we'll be reading. The first book is INTO THE WILD by John Krakauer. It sounds really good and I can hardly wait until I get it and read it. Some of the other books that I remember were mentioned are: 'Me Talk Pretty One Day', 'Murder On The Orient Express', 'Anna Karenina', 'The Prestige', 'Twilight', 'Where The Red Fern Grows', and of course 'Water For Elephants'.

Most of all, I got to enjoy being around friends and talk about life. Jason came home a little earlier so that I could go and he took care of both the kids while I was gone. (brave soul! it was bedtime for both of them) Jackson did pretty well, although he still refuses to take a bottle (help! what am I going to do???) I also enjoyed getting to know many new people and getting better acquainted with others that I already knew.

In other news, we bought a used double stroller off Craig's List. We took our first walk in it yesterday and it was so nice to have both kids in it. It's not a GREAT stroller, but it works and that's what counts.

Book Review: Water For Elephants

OK, so one of my friends here in Buffalo invited me to this website called Goodreads. It has given me the wake up call that although I used to be an avid reader, I haven't read much in a few years - with the exception of children's books. Now don't get me wrong, I can't blame my kids, I'm the one that let this love slip by getting caught up in the everyday mumbo jumbo. Anyway, so I signed up and decided to pick a book so I didn't look like some silly girl that didn't read. (girl, because I still see myself as a young 20 year old) I picked Water for Elephants, currently the New York Times #1 Bestseller. I bought it Saturday night and just finished it. (So I didn't entertain my kids as much as I should have the last few days, moms are allowed breaks too, right? Right?)

Anyway, here is my book review of it. If I didn't send you an invite to be a "friend" on my goodreads list and you want to be, let me know and I'll send you one.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I bought this book 2 days ago and I'm already finished. It's not a really long book with just over 320ish pages but it was really hard to put down. The plot seems to build and build and build until the end.

I love the old and young version of the main character. He makes me want to go visit old men at the old folks home and hear their stories. He's crotchety but rightly so, everyone treats him like his decrepit and mean...so not the case. The young version is kind, naive and genuine.

I enjoyed the anecdotes from real circus history and the animal characters.

With the exception of 3 short intimate scenes this book is well worth the read.