Pinterest - the best church meeting ever.

You Mormon ladies know what I mean.

The rest of you need to understand that
Mormon women have been gathering
on daily, weekly, or monthly basis
to share good ideas
for almost 200 years.

If you've never shared ideas with a Mormon woman
or
you are not on Pinterest
you are really missing out.

Even my hubby was stuck on the site
for a couple of hours the other night.

His exact words were,
"I can see how this is addicting."

Here's some examples
of things you will find.

caption: the awkward moment when your friend's fat
arm makes you look naked.

shredded chicken in 30 seconds.

You can hook up with me here.
As long as you are o.k. when I laugh at you
sister.

Where to Find Me

My friends know that the best place to get a hold of me is
through e-mail, facebook, or leaving a comment on my blog.
I have gone through 4 phones in the past 4 months,
so getting a hold of me cellularly (I love it when I make up words)
doesn't have the best track record.

I thought today my friends might like to know how else they can get a hold of me.
Apparently I am all over the place on google.
Here are the search words that will bring you directly to me.

white trash. Lots of people find me this way. I am so flattered. My time in Tennessee agrees with me.

Thank you Steve

"Thank you Steve" has been trending all day.

Here is my thanks.

Thank you Steve for being such a visionary.
You believed in technology and its ability
and you also believed in something of even greater importance:
you believed in the contributions that only you could give
in unlocking technology's potential.

It doesn't take a genius to measure what you've done,
but anyone who was a child of the 80's or before
has a better grasp of what life would be like without you.

Your Klout on Social Media

Recently I found myself writing up a ditty for a blog service.
The question was how can your readers connect with you?

I answered
Comment on my blog at  imsofunny.blogspot
Find me on my facebook  page, imsofunnyblog.
They can get me on my pinterest, imsofunny.
On my neglected twitter, imsofunnyblog,
On my blogfrog community, funny.
Are you following the funny theme?

Or they can e-mail me at alice.w.gold@gmail.com.
I thought I really should get an e-mail with the word funny in the address.
Oh well. Maybe later.

I got thinking about how much I use social media.

Is google taking over?

Google Plus. Everyone wants to know about it. Here's what I think.

I am a bit nervous about technical writing. I am not techno-savvy, as evidenced by my Top 10 Commenter box to your left without any commenters in it. Every widget I found on the web just won't work right. Does anyone know if this pipe place is just a scam? All the code I have found uses pipes and not a single one of them actually work.

I'm a bit worried that I may look this stupid in the techno department. (O.k. I don't think I am that stupid thanks to my husband who just realized that I had the wrong link oops)

Let's Party

In the past year, as I've delved into the facebook world, I have been amazed at the achievements of my high school classmates. (BTW - if you haven't liked me on facebook yet, you can do it here, or on the sidebar.)

Joe Weirzbecki is a tea-party guru.

Alex and Chelsea are the founders of BreezyMama.

I already told you about Ted Johnson.

Jeff Keirns is a producer in the world of Reality TV.

Ty Gurney runs a successful surf school in Hawaii.

But some of the achievements that I have been the most impressed with are the ones I won't reveal. They are the few classmates who have confided in me about their sobriety. I am so proud of them for realizing that they had a problem, and doing something about it. I am so grateful for Alcoholics Anonymous that helps so many people realize their dreams. I  am such a huge believer in the 12 steps and have found great happiness in my life by following its principles with my codependency. Sometimes just living a normal healthy life is the best accomplishment of all. And really, we all have addictions to overcome. It takes a lot of courage to admit that.

Radio Turn On Buttons

I just want to share with you the conversation my husband and I shared the other day. I had been chatting with him while he was at work. I was asking him how to view the properties of a picture that I minimized. I couldn't figure out the pixel amount. He told me to make sure the pixel radio was selected.

Me: Pixel Radio. What's that? I see this pixel button, but where does a radio come in?

LG: Oh, they call that button a radio button.

Me: Why?

LG: Because it's like the old-school radio, you can only select one button at a time.

Me: huh?

LG: Don't you remember the old school radio?

Me: faintly.

I got the job done with the help of my personal on-line tech support team. We then got off chat.

I immediately received an e-mail with this photo.

Oh the joy of technology.

I chuckled.

And returned it with this short e-mail:

I am so glad you are finding the time to entertain yourself and enlighten me at the same time. It's a gadget thing.

He then replied back again:

I'm here to serve.

I then said

You make me horny.

He then replied back again:

Easy, I have co-workers walking in and out of my office.

I am glad I can have that effect.

And then he got really risqué with:

Maybe since I sent you a picture to explain what I meant you need to do the same ;-)

I never responded back. And I am not just saying that because his boss may read this someday.

So, fast forward, the other day we were out working in the yard.

There are these metal things sticking up from the concrete patio and they make me nervous that the kids are going to hurt themselves. I finally took matter into my own hands.

"LG, where's the sledgehammer?"

He had no idea. I quickly searched the shed and fetched it.

He was working on some weeds close-by when I came back and took the sledgehammer to the metal.

With two swift swings I had solved the issue.

LG exclaims,

"I now get how that radio e-mail made you horny.

That was most definitely a turn on."

We are so silly.

I love his mind.

He loves my brute strength.

How bliss are we?

Pretty bliss.
We were especially bliss on the day this photo was taken. 
It marked the end of our marriage focusing on higher education for 11 years.
So, we could have more time for the turn on buttons.

Two-Fers

Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Tennessee?

Yes it was. I know it seems odd after all those Tennessee teeth jokes. 

"How do I know this", you ask?

If it was invented anywhere else it would have been named the teeth-brush.

For the past several years I have been having a reoccurring dream that all my teeth are falling out. Or sometimes I have a bunch of junk stuck in my teeth and I am trying to in·con·spic·u·ous-ly (yes, I had to look that one up in the dictionary) rid my mouth of the sticky gum-like substance without anyone noticing. Of course in my dreams everyone is always looking at me and I can't do anything inconspicuously. (Wow, I got the word all by myself the second time around.)

Well, my curiosity got the better of me. I finally googled the meaning of my dream. And, oh my goodness, it's spot on. 

My dreams have been trying to tell me that:

1- I have anxiety about my appearance.

2- I fear rejection, especially regarding my sex appeal and femininity.

3- I am worried about making a fool of myself.

4- I have a sense of powerlessness.

5- I have malnutrition and a poor diet.

6- I have a family member or close friend who is very sick or near death.

7- I am putting my faith and trust in what man thinks instead of God.

8- I am lying according to the Chinese.

For me, all of the above are true, except for the lying. Unless we count lying to myself, which I try not to do, but I believe we are all guilty of it.

I wonder if when I quit residing in this great state of Tennessee if my nightmare will finally go away. And I think the answer may be yes. Why, you ask?

Well, it's a simple answer really:

For the first time in 8 years I am going to have dental insurance.

I am so totally lucky that I have only lost one tooth while living here, and even for that one a permanent cap fixed me right up, but, oh how I felt old. I have worried ever since about having to get dentures. I think I have done well since only having one casualty while residing in the land of famous hillbilly teeth. I wonder if my new dentist will be able to do anything with this mouthful of plaque? I really don't want to look like this photo for the rest of my life. 

Oh yeah, that's not me. 

Tennessee may have some ugly teeth, but usually the women with the ugly teeth don't also have a 5 o'clock shadow. And I am really not lyin' when I say that it's true that there are a lot of people here with some jacked up teeth. You'd think that I would at least be able to overcome #1 and #2 for the simple fact that I still have a full set.

I think you all should google your reoccurring dream and blog about it. I will do a post linking to you all with your story and we will see if Freud knew what he was talking about. Whose in?

Facebook - February 2011

So you know you are a recluse when the only way you know you could possibly be under a tornado watch is because you got on facebook.
I only bowled a 99. Man, I am out of shape and practice. Anytime I have bowled in the past 5 years it has been with a bumper. Make a big difference.
listening to Madonna is putting me in the mood to go bowling with the girls...just like the 80s minus the short skirt
having a forgetful teenager + a crazy toddler equals frustration....been searching for a missing cell phone for 48 hours.
I am pretty sure I scratched my eyeball when I failed to avoid something that flew up into it while changing Bella's sheets today. red eye and pain all day. surely dead skin cells can't cause such damage. I think it must have been something left behind by our dog. No more doggies sleeping in the bed.
Oh, and we solved the case of the missing cell phone...it was in the bottom of Abigail's backpack. It only took 60 hours. If only I made her clean it out thoroughly the first two times I asked her to look in there.

I think an hour at the doctor was worth getting notes for Bella and Sophia to be home with me tomorrow. Excited. They feel fine, but they told me to keep them home tomorrow. I see some movie watching and cookie making in the future.

I am confessing to having a chocolate stash in my nightstand.

I really wish I had enough energy to enjoy American Idol tonight. Night yall.

We will be moving to Utah in the next few months. Are looking for some good lease options in Utah County. Need a 3 bed 2 bath (would love 4 bedrooms) where we can bring our dog and cat. Plan to rent for a few years. If anyone knows of anything I will be much obliged. Thanks.

I just had an awesome revelation...when we move to Utah, I will never have to wake up for early morning seminary!!! God knows what I need. LOL

Caroline just grabbed the bag of cool ranch doritos out from the top of the garbage can and said HEY...I guess she didn't want those last 6 chips to go to waste...just like her daddy.

Oh man, I am gonna hear it from my CA liberal friends, but I really respect Chick fil A for sticking to their moral high ground. They stay closed on Sundays and they don't believe in gay marriage. What this means to me = Eat more chikn.

Chick-fil-A controversy shines light on restaurant's Christian DNA

I am typically anti-BYU and being a fan of a school just because it is Mormon-owned, but this story is funny

College Basketball Nation

My husband is the most kind and tender man. I love him a lot today. He loves me best when I am the most vulnerable. I am so blessed.
Who takes the garbage out at your house?
I booked the moving truck today. Can't believe this is happening.
I'm helping out a friend today and have three children in diapers + a 4 year old all day. You know their momma rocks when they are easy enough to give me FB time.
Mom tip1: If they don't want tylenol @ home; they were faking
What happens when your Sunday School teacher meets your hubby's buddy from law school. A pretty cool news story about new technology. Small small world.

New technology causing large companies to go under

Philosophers usually baffle me, but this guy seems to know what he is talking about.

On Faith Panelists Blog: The Christian case for Mormon values - John Mark Reynolds

red hot chili peppers on the radio bringing back some good memories...I don't evr wanna feel like I did that day

is sick of staring at the formatting on the blog. I've been making too many changes and I am not staying up until 3 am again tonight.

Pecans in sweet potato casserole and salad are awesome, but I believe they may be best in ice-cream.

Between the chocolate @Taylor Michelle Waters smuggled to me at church and the chocolate in my nightstand my Sunday nap didn't work out. :( Tonight Rx drugs r gonna be my chosen remedy 4 sleep.

Calories only exist if u count them - Dove chocolate

I've been late to get my kids 5 times in the last 10 days. I've got issues. I owe some teachers and staff some serious Little Debbies. At least it's never usually more than 5 minutes. It's a good thing we are moving soon.

Give me one moment in time when I'm more than I thought I could be.

Did I seriously just google Justin Beiber's new haircut?

Not so glee

I have this problem.
I can hardly admit it.
It's an addiction that a Mormon doesn't like to talk about.
We try to keep it in the closet as much as possible.

Once in a while it just comes bursting out though.
I need to rid myself of the guilt.
The Glee induced guilt.
It doesn't feel glee.

Yesterday I was sitting watching the show after school.
Hulu is my best friend, ever since Caroline lost our digital converter remote.
The girls gathered around.
I always get nervous about this.
I know I shouldn't let them watch such trash.
This episode was particularly trashy.
I try to justify saying it gives us an open communication
about the evils of today's world.

Well the show was all about under-aged drinking.
Just as the girls gathered around,
the main characters were gathering at a party.
Before I knew it, they were all drinking heavily
and doing stupid things associated with intoxication.

I said, "See kids, this is why Dad and I won't allow you to go to parties where there is drinking."

Later, Bella wandered off for an after school snack.
As she came walking back towards our TV viewing via PC,
she immediately noticed that the characters
had advanced to drinking at school.
Without missing a breathe, she hollars,
"See Mom, this is why you shouldn't allow us to go to school."

I like Books.

A person who won't read

has no advantage

over one who can't.

~Mark Twain

Facebook - January 2011

My friend Kathy had an excellent idea.

None of you will probably read this, but I thought this would be a great way of recording my state of mind on a monthly basis.

1/1 Graffiti - Welcome to Knoxville TN. Our roads suck and so do our red traffic lights.

1/2 My year in Status - It was a hard year, but even hard years are worth living.

1/3 14 books in 2 months...not bad at all...I'm almost feeling proud of myself.

1/4 Ahhhh...peace and quiet. And the kids haven't even gone back to school. I love 2011.

1/4 Ritalin is a miracle drug. I wonder if they make something like if for people without ADD...oh yeah, it's called speed...where can I get some? I want to be as productive as (to remain anonymous) has been in the last week.

1/4 We enjoyed downtown Knoxville withy my kids and in-laws today. Movie at the TN Theater, dinner at Market Square, and ended if off with the Sunsphere. I guess we won't have any regrets if we end up having to move when LG gets his dream job...I do want to go to some Civil War sites. Anyone have any favorites?

1/5 the whole family is reading b4 bed tonight...from classic scarlett letter 2 robert jordan all the way dwn to 39 clues, the tales of beatle bard and roald dahl...back to schl tomorrow...sometimes I wish we all could just read at home.

1/7 picture of Sonic smoothie - mama's treat for doing daddy's morning duty.

1/7 picture of local newspaper foreclosures. Sign of bad economy: 6 pages of foreclosures in KnoxNews.

1/7 Would anyone like a free dog? We got her from the shelter last year and she is house trained and great with kids. She is about 2 years old, 12 lbs. and part chihuahua. She loves to walk/jog (she runs FAST), and is great with other dogs (she prefers dogs bigger than her). We will give you her kennel also.

1/7 Just saw True Grit....wondering how it got such good reviews...I can't hande such graphics...yuck

1/8 We are not defined by what happens to us, but prepared. (not sure who said it but it's true)

1/9 I am grateful for a yankee superintendent who doesn't call off school for snow until the snow is actually falling...I am hoping that my kids get to go to school tomorrow because this mom needs some quiet time. LOL

1/10 I haven't shoveled that much lovely powder since the Winter of '02 when we still lived in Utah. Man, I wish I could go skiing.

1/11 NNNNNOOooooo, not ANOTHER snowday!!! At least when my kids r home 4 a month at a time in the summer, we can leave the house.

1/13 its mamas night to be alone but of course I'm going to hang w my sisters at church

1/14 toasted whole wheat bread with peanut butter, bananas and marshmallow fluff washed down with a glass of 1% milk and I don't even have any healthy food resolutions.

1/14 one of my friends just wrote "sick" as their status update and I almost hit the "like" button until I realized that could be construed as mean.

1/14 is anyone up for a girls night out tonight?

1/14 Call me old school, but I will always be a Scorpio and Pluto is still a planet.

1/15 I am writing a searchless and moral inventory...good stuff.

1/16 So so interesting. I can't stand reading the perfect Mormon Mommy blogs nor can I stand reading the ones written by completely negative haters, but it seems that these are the kind of blogs that get read the most.

1/17 is calculating cost of living in different parts of the country...wish I could somehow get back to sunny California, but I am not sure there is room there for a conservative like me.

1/18 I must read The Scarlett Letter.

1/19 I am LOVING Steven Tyler and JLO. After last season's fiasco with Ellen DeGeneras. I am so happy that I will be able to watch the whole American Idol season this year.

1/19 Best moment of the night on AI: the twin brother in tears. Everyone should have someone who loves that much.

1/21 I wonder if they got the idea for Diego's awesome backpack from the original batman. However, I don't wonder why LG likes watching the show with Caroline.

1/22 about to watch the social network. Lots of unnecessary sex scenes, and kind of documentarish..

1/23 LG's super excited about our new weekly couple planning meeting

1/24 My congregation would like to collaborate with other churches/support organizations to provide a free carnival for local families who care for children with special needs. Would any of you like to get involved, or do you have any connections with people who would?

1/24 My little cheerleader...how did this happen..she's the quietest one. LOL Sophia is gorgeous and I loved watching the joy on her face.

1/24 My Bella playing ball...somebody in this family was bound to do something that dad will enjoy eventually. Love you Bella. You are great on that court.

1/24 does anyone know about Spring Softball signups in fountain city or powell? Bella wants to play.

1/25 Does anyone know of any great online resources where I can get weekly healthy menus with accompanying shopping lists?

1/27 I really think that Mitt Romney could be the next Ronald Regan for US economy. C'mon people if our citizens can elect a Catholic, an undeclared Muslim..isn't it about time we gave the Mormon a real chance?

1/27 Steven Tyler is a big old teddy bear. I just love him.

1/27 I had an epiphany yesterday. God doesn't love any of his children less than others. It's just that we children vary in our ability to receive his love. Whoa. This answered a philosophical question that has bothered me for years. Am I getting that wise or was I just really dumb?

1/28 If LG gets a job out of state he is gonna have to drag me away and brave some serious kicking and screaming.

1/30 hopes LG will survive church today; I'm staying home

1/30 the sounds of my man, 4 daughters and our dog outside together are music to my really stuffed up ears

Better Blogs and Christmas Cheer

I am not in a blogging mood.

I am more occupied with negotiating Christmas with my husband,

who apparently doesn't want to buy our kids any sort of magical Christmas gift.

Can I say the man is imagination challenged

without spurring on my haters

to call me to repentance?

Do you know that the father of my children

let Santa's cat out of the bag

three years ago?

Oh, Yes he did!!!

Our kids were 8,5, and 4.

And they now think the world of their daddy.

Because he is Santa and the tooth fairy.

But I am still struggling to forgive.

Because I believe in magic.

And Harry Potter.

But because of all the things I have been learning lately,

I will not Christmas shop until LG and I are on the same page.

Because that is what Dave Ramsey says.

And that is what the Bible says.

And who can argue with the Bible or Dave Ramsey?

And I have to say after reading the Bible just now

and hearing God's admonition to reverence my husband,

I am feeling guilty about this whole post.

I guess I will have to repent.

Once I do I am sure that

our marriage will prevail.

One challenge at a time.

Even if everything seems to be a challenge lately.

I think Christmas should not be a challenge.

Who knew two people could be married

for 13 years

and never be on the same page?

This year if anything,

we will be on the same page.

And both of us will be happy with what is under the tree.

Even if it is only due to the generosity of others.

And hours of negotiation.

I've said it a million times before

but

2011

is gonna be our year.

Next Christmas will bring no negotiation.

And that will be LG's best gift to me.

The fact that he cared enough to negotiate this one.

If that makes any sense.

From now on,

we will hopefully be on the same Christmas page.

Is that just wishful thinking?

The older I get, the more I think

that life is really just one negotiation after another.

T'was the night before Christmas

and all through our house,

no raised voice was heard,

because we're espoused.

We negotiated until our hearts

were content.

And now the wife will not overspend

and have need to repent.

But, I will have to repent about the reverencing the man.

How can I reverence Santa Claus?

Huh? Huh?

He's fictional.

I hope your kids don't read this blog.

Or maybe they should.

Because then my husband will have some more

little people to reverence him.

He needs that.

Since he isn't getting it from me.

Well anyhow.

I wanted to share some better blogs.

For my loyal readers

who I have just left totally confused.

But before I do.

Really, how do you married people

agree about Christmas?

Just curious.

Did you negotiate year 1

and never argue again?

Or do you still fight about it?

I love my husband.

A lot.

I want to be on the same page.

Even if his page is to pay the bills

and give the kids as little as possible.

And mine is to make Santa magical.

There has to be a good medium.

Do you ever even think about these things?

Are all other married couples like us.

I can remember my parents always fighting over Christmas.

Mom wanted to make it magical

and dad didn't want to go into debt.

I wonder if this is the same story in every household?

So, on with the real fun.

My friends all have it figured out.

They don't blog about their private business,

leaving their blogs actually entertaining.

Unlike mine.

There is good reason why I am not blogging right now.

Check out Cally's homemade gift tags.

And Lori's movie making skills.

And Erika's honesty.

Jeremy's love for an awesome father, who just passed on,

and made me have a greater desire not to fight over stupid stuff.

Gina's photography.

Jennifer's yummy food.

Rachel's consistent gratitude, maturity, and resilience in the midst of battling childhood cancer.

There are definitely a lot better blogs out there.

But at least many of them belong to my friends.

I am off to make a spreadsheet for my husband.

Maybe it will help if I speak his language.

The Little Red Hen

When she was younger,

Sophia's favorite book was

The Little Red Hen.

I think I have it memorized.

"Not I, said the pig.

Not I, said the fox.

Not I, said ....the other animal that I can't think of."

It's a good thing that I work so hard.

Because my memory stinks.

Duck, was it duck?

Man, I read that story at least a thousand times.

Book Review: Behind Every Good Man

Behind Every Good Man by John Bytheway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Short and sweet book. Really, it will take you all of 20 minutes to read the whole thing.

What did I learn?
Besides the fact that I am not as good of a wife as I thought I was?

#1 And most important (which is really hard for wives to hear) You can't change your husband.

#2 Love your husband. Just the way he is, and you might inspire him to be better.

#3 Be grateful that your husband puts up with you.

#4 Your husband is really a lot better than you give him credit for.

#5 Don't criticize EVER. Unless he asks for it, and even then you have to deliver it in a way that seems complimentary.

#6 Men talk for information, women talk for interaction. Define your roles, needs, and communication styles and then remember them when interacting.

#7 Affirm affirm affirm and let him know you love following his lead. And make a big deal about everything that he does that you like and/or appreciate. Thank him specifically.

#8 Talk about your admiration for each other, especially in front of other people.

#9 Speak each others' love languages.

#10 Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is, treat him as he is the man you want him to become and he will become that man.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Where Men Win Glory

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember hearing about Pat Tillman and his decision to join the army after September 11, 2001. I had no idea at the time that I was just another unassuming American being sold on a war by the US Government and the US media. I am glad that on a whim I picked this book off the new additions shelf a the library.

This book was absolutely fascinating in two ways. The first is obvious: Pat Tillman was a remarkable man. He was patriotic and tough. He was unmaterialistic, almost anti-materialistic, and that is why it wasn't a big deal for him to walk away from his NFL contract and sign up to be a soldier. He was loyal. He stayed with his same girlfriend through high school, college, and the rest of us his cut-short life. One of my favorite parts of Pat's story was how he gave up a 9 million dollar contract with another NFL team way before he went to war. He was loyal to the coaches and team that gave him his first chance at professional football in the 7th draft, and he wasn't even worried that he lost millions. But, I already told you that he wasn't materialistic. What a breathe of fresh air in today's stuff-saturated society.

Pat is a hero to me. He's an unlikely hero for me. He was agnostic and almost self centered. However he was smart and confident. In reading this book he wasn't portrayed as the selfless guy that I imagined him to be, but as a high risk junkie. I am not sure if I liked that. I know that just as this book made me non-trusting of the government and news networks, I am also now untrusting of the story teller. No one man can ever write enough to really let you know a man you never met. I will tell you this, after reading about Pat Tillman's life, I would have loved to be able to sit down with him and discuss ideas. He was a philosophy kind of guy...always testing ideas. This is why he is a hero to me. I like thinkers.

Interestingly, Pat never wanted to be paraded through the streets as the guy who believed in the war, and this is precisely the reason I chose to read his biography in the first place. In fact, Pat was disenchanted with the war. He joined to go and find Bin Laden and kill him, and Pat was pissed when his whole first tour turned into Bush's ulterior motives of defeating Sadam Hussein and Iraq. As a naive American, I never knew that warheads were made up by our government just to use the 9/11 opportunity to defeat a country we felt was a threat. But, Iraq was never a terrorist threat like the Taliban and Al Qaeda members harbored in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iraq just happened to be a convenient neighbor close enough to Bin Laden to rally Americans to attack. I finished this book, also pissed that I had been dooped into fighting the wrong war and upset that our government wasn't more successful at finding every last terrorist and wiping them into oblivion.

The second facet I loved about this book is that it was a living history lesson. It was a lesson to me about world events that I was never in touch with. I learned all kinds of stuff about the middle east and our foreign affairs with them; things I am ashamed I never took the time to know before. The way that the story was written as a go between of a fascinating soldier and a fact telling story was especially effective at keeping my attention. I would never just pick up a daunting tell all of middle eastern events, but mixed in with the story of Pat Tillman, made it all the more fascinating and relevant, for this ignorant US citizen who tries to keep US politics at bay.

Good read. It is recommended by me for all kinds of people: People who like world history, US Politics, the National Football League, the US Military, war histories, the Middle East, terrorist plots, or just plain old philosophy.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Defensive Tactics

Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You can buy the book for yourself HERE.

Lately in my life I have been learning about boundaries. How to set healthy ones because I am bad at it. Who knew I could read a work of fiction to help me figure out this concept of boundaries? I guess I've always known that fiction crosses over, but it's always completely awe- inspiring when a work of fiction can help me with decisions I must make in my own life.

I thought that this book was just going to be another action thriller about a couple of FBI agents, but it was so much more than that. It was a perfect example of what good boundaries can do for a person who desperately needs them. It was also a great lesson that boundaries alone are not enough; an adult, just like a child, has to have unconditional love to flourish.

The three main characters, Jimmy, Paul, and Emily were all AWESOME in their own way. I loved each of them and could relate to each of them, even though they were all completely different. Jimmy was a bright and amazing guy who was in a troubled time of life. He was floundering for good reason. I am against writing spoilers, but if what happened to him, happened to me, I don't know if I could get out of bed ever again. Paul was the perfectionist in me. He aimed to please and was a good rule keeper, but he was deep down completely insecure. Emily was every woman that we want to have depicted in a novel, smart, feminine, kind, gutsy, and more than anything, confident.

These three characters made a dynamic tale of love and friendship. My hat goes off to the author, Steve Westover, for his wonderful character development. Although the plot in the story was a bit predictable, I still really enjoyed the quick read.

Back to the boundaries. Jimmy was able to completely change his life around and tap into his under-appreciated strengths for two reasons: Paul's healthy boundaries and un-apologetic expectations combined with Emily's infinite and unconditional love.

This book was so much more than a private investigator story of mystery and action, it was a perfect love story. A love triangle that left everyone happy. Including this reader.

My hat is off to Steve Westover for his successful first novel.

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For inquiring minds or the FTC - I was given, for free, a copy of this book to review. But, to the best of my ability, I did not let this fact effect my honest evaluation and review. Even when my copy had the author's autograph. :)

Go here to see what the author of Defensive Tactics thought of my review. I loved what he had to say.

Thanks Cally.

Sometimes, I just love my friends even more.

Because I remember that I love them

because they are human.

And real.

And humble.

And they don't have to be perfect,

and when they don't act perfect all the time,

it gives me permission to be myself.

I wonder why sometimes

I waste time

building friendships

with non-real people.

You know,

they are made out of cheese.

I guess this is my guest post for the week.

Because Abigail came home with lice on Tuesday.

And I have been laundering,

and mayonaising,

and RIDing,

and laundering some more,

and spraying,

and vacuuming,

and crying,

and bagging everything,

and boiling hair things.

(We have so many hair things)

And my brother has been in town.

Thank goodness without his kids.

I would die to give them lice

and lucky for David, he is bald,

and had a hotel room.

Did you ever read my post

about my lice traumatization?

(Yeah, I just made that word up.)

Congrats to me.

Therapy has worked.

I'm o.k.

to tell the whole world

that my daughter has lice.

I have arrived.

I don't care.

Go ahead,

I dare you.

Call me

A-lice.

It won't hurt.

Have a wonderful Friday.

And know that this completely imperfect person

will never EVER claim to

be anything more or less than just that.

And, yeah,

sometimes my kids don't shower every day.

But, that's not how they got lice,

because they've been doing that

for 6 years.

And they didn't get lice

until Abigail went to middle school.

And I have my suspicions

of how she got it.

Book Review: The Seeker

Seeker, The: A Novel by Ann H. Gabhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Love is everything. From the love between the two romance seeking main characters. To the man who couldn't love a woman and found his escape in a Shaker colony. The love of a father, a brother, and a daughter. The love of strangers for soldiers on both sides of the Civil War was powerful enough to keep the meals coming, at the risk of starving a whole colony through the winter.

I loved the character Charlotte. When she ran away from her Southern Plantation to a Shaker colony, I thought she was a coward, but when she used the opportunity to better understand herself, my affections returned. Adam Wade was every girl's dream: good-looking, rugged, and a very talented artist. The author's descriptions of his art made the reader feel like she was looking right at each masterpiece. Who says a picture speaks more than the written word? You would have never guessed this when reading this book. Each fictional sketch took on a life of its own for me, just as each character did.

Learning about the Shakers' beliefs was secondary to a look into the state of the nation during the Civil War. Did those Confederate soldiers really chicken out like that in that first battle? How did that get past me all these years?

The Shakers ability to love was inspiring, as was Charlotte's love and devotion to a helpless little boy...even when his own mother was a horrendous example of motherhood. Perhaps the greatest love story of all was the freeing of beloved slaves. I get teary just thinking of the fictional characters as their faces glowed with liberty for the first time in their lives.

I can't wait to read some more of Gabhart's books.


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For Abigail...

...and anyone else who has an interest in make-up.

Even if you aren't 11 years old.

I wear make up 3 times a month. Max.

But I was mesmorized.

Michelle Phan knows what she is doing.

And her voice is soothing.

I wonder how much she spends on her make-up
or if it is all given to the cause.

.

Check out her other stuff.

Lady Gaga's Bad romance and Poker Face.

And Tim Burton.

Then you can watch this spoof.

It's funny, but you will be tempted to X it

from boredom.

But wait for the flour.

So funny.