"Happy Other's Day!" (Wit age 2.5)

Well, I hope all you mommies out there feel honored and rewarded after Sunday! Actually I hope you feel that way everyday. I hope your family confirmed that the work you are doing to raise your children is hard work.

Valuable work.

Worthy of a calling work.

Blessed work.

But if they didn't, you have my permission to spend the better part of this year reminding them yourself.

Amen?

Sorry I am late in wishing each of you dear sisters "Happy Other's Day".

The reason I am late is because this is how my "Other's Day" went down.

The toilet.

Literally. 

Early Saturday afternoon I felt the gurgles, which quickly progressed into painful cramping. One thing led to another and I spent Sunday on the throne of mercy.

Is that TMI?

Anyway, watching my family leave for church and a special lunch (MY SPECIAL LUNCH) really made me an emotional basketcase.  I was depressed and sick and honestly, smelly.  No one hugged on me.  They looked at me from the doorway and then ran as fast as they could the other direction.

Sadness.

Loneliness.

I wished for a relaxing day, a "day off" if you will.  But this isn't what I hoped for.  It was torture.

Anyway, I did do something quasi-enjoyable with all my alone time.  I read a book.  I haven't read a book in FOREVER.  It was awesome.  Other than the fact that I felt like I was going to die, it turned out not-so-horrible.

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time.  It was perfect for a sick-stuck-in-bed day.  Lots of intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge and plot twists.  I would recommend it.  There are some questionable parts related to some, who am I kidding, most of the characters but it's nothing that you haven't seen if you own a TV.  And since this is 2011, pretty much everyone I know has a TV.  You have probably faced some of these storylines.

Honestly, it wasn't the worst day I have ever had.  And if you took out the severe cramping and all the whatnot it would probably rank right up there as the perfect way to spend "Other's Day".

How about you?  How did you spend your special day?

I promise I won't be jealous if it happened to include yummy food and sweet children who actually hugged you without plugging their noses.

I pinky swear.

Stuck in the 1500's

What day is this? Where am I?

I have been stuck in the 1500's spying on King Henry VIII and The Other Boleyn Girl.. I have one word for you.

FASCINATING!!

I have rediscovered my first love of reading. Real books with real pages. You know, the ones you have to turn. And I love it! I have neglected my pile of books for about a year. They have stacked up while I have spent HOURS UPON HOURS on the computer reading blogs. I have loved reading about you and your lives and your kids.

It was not time wasted, I will assure you.

But the books have been calling my name. Wooing me to them. If you know me then you know I love to read. My favorite genre is Historical Fiction. Somehow I missed all these incredible stories in high school and college. I was probably too busy worrying about my hair or prom or my increasingly bad driving record. You know, all the important stuff that 18 year olds think about.

Not once did King Henry VIII cross my mind. I had to Wikipedia him just to find the history behind his selfish desires and his six wives. Let me tell you that the political ring in Washington DC have nothing on these people. I guess all's fair in love and war.

So, that is where I have been lately. Considering my last 2 posts, I am sure you thought Skip finally checked me into the nut house. But I am here. I am sane. I am still smiling. Reading has calmed my frazzled nerves and given me another reason to be selfish.

I have even managed to feed my children once today. Even if it was with a book in hand.

Books Aplenty, a meme

I was tagged by Alana for this book meme. I love to read but like other hobbies in my life, it has fallen to the wayside. Blog reading has really replaced my book reading time. I hope to get back into a good book or two this winter. It really does relax me.

Just a word of advertisement for our local library. I just love this place. You order your books online and then drive thru the window to pick them up. You can also request that the library purchase a book for their collection. If they choose the book you recommended they will hold it for you to be the first. I love that!

OK. On to the business at hand. BOOKS!!

BOOK(s) THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER (edited from Books That Changed My Life)
--Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner. Excellent read!! Very touching.
--Night by Ellie Wiesel. Unforgettable
--The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. This will stay with you long after you read it.
--To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Classic read!
--My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. Absolutely the best book. Very heart wrenching.

BOOK(s) I'VE READ MORE THAN ONCE
--I tend to be a book snob on reading multiple times. I can't think of anything that I have re-read. Once I know the ending I just can't do it. Now that it not true for movies. I can watch my favorite movies again and again.

BOOK(s) I WANT ON A DESERTED ISLAND
--The Bible. Hands down. I could finally read it without distractions!

BOOK(s) THAT MADE ME LAUGH
--Anything by Jennifer Weiner

BOOK(s) THAT MADE ME CRY
--Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Story of great loss and heartbreak and survival.
--Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Edgy but sweet.
--The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

BOOK(s) I WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN
--The Secret to Understanding Skip
--The Secret to Understanding Z-man
--The Secret to Understanding Loulabelle
--The Secret to Understanding Lil'Poppy

BOOK(s) THAT YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN
I have books I didn't like, but I can't think of one that I wish hadn't been written. I just am careful about which books I choose to read. If they are too violent or graphic I don't read them. I also don't read romance novels. I just don't have time. But I am sure someone is grateful that they have been written.

BOOK(s) CURRENTLY READING
--The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd
--How to Make Your Kids Mind w/o Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Lehman
--Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel.
(Are you sensing a pattern?)

BOOK(S) I HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ
--Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
--Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
--Sisterhood of Traveling Pants (series) by Ann Brashears


If you are a reader, consider yourself tagged. I love book recommendations!

Thursday 13

13 Books I Want To Read:

1. A Girl Named Zippy--Haven Kimmel
2. Glass Castle--Jeannette Walls
3. Lovely Bones--Alice Sebold
4. Einstein, His Life and Universe--Walter Issacson
5. Night--Ellie Wiesel
6. Sisterhood of Travelling Pants; series--Ann Brashears
7. Serpent's Moon; trilogy--Ginger Garrett
8. Into Thin Air--Jon Krakauer
9. Peace Like A River--Lief Enger
10. Wish You Well--David Baldacci
11. Deadline; trilogy--Randy Alcorn
12. Grace In Low Tide--Beth Webb Hart
13. Making Your Children Mind w/o Losing Yours!! Dr. Kevin Leman

Please feel free to leave any book recommendations that you love! Always looking for a good read.