Something Inside of Me

Okay, all you dirty pervs who got here because of the title, please kindly exit.  No pervy stuff involved.

Something Inside of Me: How to Hang On To Heaven When You're Going Through Hell is a memoir by Chitoka Webb that I was kindly given an ARC copy to review by JKS Communications.  As always, all thoughts, opinions and what not are clearly my own and unpaid for.

Ms. Webb's memoir shares her struggle with not finishing high school on time, becoming a barber, opening her own barbershop, opening not one but two health care facilities, designing her own barbershop from the ground up, health problems and briefly mentions being molested as a child.

It is a very inspirational story, definitely written for those who are looking for inspiring quotes, life lessons and a positive outlook when life has you down.  This book is FULL of positive quotes and cliches.

However, it really disappointed me.  I strongly believe that you need to catch a reader at the beginning and this book failed to do that.  I honestly would have put it down if I hadn't felt obligated to finish it, since I was graciously given a copy.  There were a few chapters in the middle which described her time in Atlanta and her struggles in beginning her businesses that were really good and I thoroughly enjoyed them.  But I spent a lot of time, skimming and skipping over or not caring about what was being said because it didn't move me.

I enjoy hearing/reading about people overcoming obstacles as much as the next person, but Ms. Webb's remarkable struggle and positive outlook just didn't do it for me, but I am sure there are others out there who would love the inspirational tone of the book. 

Also, I am nit picky and I didn't quite understand how she didn't graduate high school until her mid-twenties and yet the date given in the book says she graduated a year after she was supposed to graduate high school.  I also think her family dynamic needed better explaining, because I find it hard to believe her mother never asked or allowed her obvious lie on why she didn't graduate on time to fly. She also mentioned that she was always 'dffierent' but I never really got a true sense of why she was different.  I think the book was a lot of rambling and needed more of a purpose.  There is a great story in her struggles but I don't think this memoir does it justice.

I will say that reading about a woman barber was fascinating.  I don't think I have actually ever heard of a woman barber nor seen one before.

Something Inside of Me: How to Hang on to Heaven When You're Going Through Hell comes out July 1st, 2011.

What is one of the biggest struggles you have overcome so far in your own life?

The Blue Orchard - Discussion # 2

Welcome back to our second discussion on The Blue Orchard by Jackson Taylor.  Any and all are welcome to participate.  This discussion covers from pg. 96 through pg. 192.

When we left off, Verna had just been booted back home but didn't stay there for long.  I am amazed at the amount of jobs she had.  It really seems like it was quite easy to get a job back then, even though it did get harder with the Depression.  I really enjoyed following along on her journey to become a nurse but found that sometimes I couldn't remember a name or place who someone was, when they were just referred to with their first name, and other times I got confused because they referred to someone (like Norm) by their full name and I didn't understand the need.  Oh, well.

"I stare away from him with blank eyes and a sudden dislike because I know that he cannot stop me no matter what ridicule passes his lips." pg. 120

Speaking of Norm, I was getting sooo frustrated with her relationship with him.  She knew he was awful and that she wasn't going to marry him, so WHY DID SHE TAKE FOREVER TO break up with him? Though, she was still young and naive and still had a lot of growing up to do.  The Verna by the end of this section would not have put up with him for long at all.  Yet, she puts up with Dewey who doesn't do anything for his children and appears to be an alcoholic.

It's also a little alarming, knowing what is coming that their business, even though illegal is apparently known to EVERYONE.  Yet, somehow it all remains kosher until it isn't anymore.  And that very angry patient Verna had at the end of this section makes me wonder, how many others wouldn't have turned on them in a New York Minute to save themselves from some kind of trouble.  Yet, Dr. Crampton (he he Cramp) does have friends in high places.

Questions from the Reading Guide (Simon & Schuster's site) and from myself..

1. "There is no substitute for character and you never know where you'll find it.  I weep at how many deaths we all endure before our own takes us." pg. 109 What does this quote mean to you?

2. Do you think Sam has an idea of what his mom's job is? If so, how do you think he feels about it, especially now that he is living with her?

3. Compare Verna's opinion of Dr. Crampton before she meets him to her view of him during their first encounter. How does their relationship change over the years, both on a professional and a personal level?

4. Verna admits to Dewey, "I don't think the world of men. They've always made me suffer" (page 158). Discuss Verna's encounters and relationships with the various men in her life—Mr. Wertz, Murphy, Charles Dennis, Norm, and Dewey. Why does she continue to see Charles Dennis throughout the years despite his deception?

5. What motivates Verna to succeed? Why is she able to rise above her circumstances in a way that her mother was never able to do? How much is Verna impacted by her mother's attitude toward Buckley versus her daughters?

Thanks for participating! I can't wait to hear what you all have to say in the comments! Next week, the discussion will be led by Kelly from She Wears a Red Sox Cap . Our discussion will cover pgs. 193- pg. 290.  Can't wait!

Suggestions for June Group Read!

It's that time of month again! Share your picks for next month's group read! Try to make it something that is easy accessible (ie... library or cheap somewhere!)

Here are books we have already read....
The Blue Orchard
Sammy's Hill
 In the Woods
 Shanghai Girls
The Weight of Water
Water for Elephants
The Color Purple
The One That I Want
The Secret Garden
House Rules
 American Wife
Firefly Lane
Middlesex
The Reader The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Awakening
Pride & Prejudice
 I See You Everywhere

June is the beginning of summer and it makes me think of fun with friends and sun and basically books based by the ocean or that are about trips to the beach.. Perhaps, you might have a book like this you've been dying to read... Suggest it! Or anything for that matter! Expand our minds.. ;)

Suggestions will be open until May 17th when I add the poll to the side bar!

39 weeks!

39 weeks! that is a normal shirt with a pregnancy tank underneath.. and a stretchy skirt from Old Navy

How far along? 39 weeks
Weight gain/loss: up 13 pounds
Stretch marks? yeahhhhh
Sleep? I go to bed around 10:30 or 11 and get up for good anywhere from 6:30 and 8... I wake up about 4-6 times to pee...
Best moment this week? realizing that we are readdddddddy!
Food cravings: sweet things
Gender: Girl
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? it has definitely slowed down but she gets real active for the spurts when she is moving around.
What I miss? the ease of just peeing when i need to pee and not have to re-adjust because she is pushing on the bladder and making me feel like i have to pee soooo bad but i cant go.. ugh.
What I'm looking forward to: meeting my baby girl!

I am so glad that I have had such an easy pregnancy and still feel fabulous! It's been awesome but I am ready to meet my baby girl, but I know that is going to be bigggggggggggggg change to our lifestyle! But I cannot wait to see her!

And she might have a name.. maybe...

Traveling with Kids

Kelly wrote this post back in March about traveling with kids and the different places in the U.S. that CNN Budget Travel deemed Must See's by Age 15. It got me thinking about how I have only been to 2 of those spots in my 27 years (Disney World at age 16 and Niagara Falls on the Canadian side ate age 20). We love traveling, mostly to warm locations that include a beach and fruity drinks and some Jimmy Buffett, but I also am a history nerd and would love to travel and take our kids to Washington D.C., Philadelphia and other historical landmarks/cities.

As a child, I did most of my traveling within the mid-west. We spent many summers in Northern Michigan staying at Burt Lake, Lake Ann, Spider Lake, Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula. We also visited places in Ohio near my grandparents, Neil Armstrong Museum, Toledo Zoo, Sea World and a really cool re-enactment in Chillicothe about Tecumseh (history nerd, remember?).

Anyhoo, I want our kids to experience different things and go on vacations as a family. And I still want to enjoy vacations with just the hubby. Here are a list of places that I want my kids to experience before they are 15.

Traverse City, MI - I LOOOOOVEEEEEEEEE Traverse City in the summer. There are wineries, beautiful lakes & beaches and tons of houses/resorts/camp grounds to check out.

Florida - A beach vacation is needed. I love Ft. Myers and my parents adore Anna Maria Island. I am not picky. We just need to go at least once to a beach in Florida, preferably on the Gulf Side. ;)

Upper Peninsula of Michigan - I think this is a must for any Michigander in their childhood. There is so much to see and it is so pretty! I would love to take a random camping trip through the U.P. and see as much as we can, including the Beautiful Tahquamenon Falls. I haven't been there since I was 14 and it was gorgeous!

Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn MI - I also think this is a must-see for Michiganders. It has sooo much history and helps explain about our beautiful state.

Washington D.C. - A part of me doesn't really want to take my kids there until middle school or high school. I think that would be the ideal age to appreciate everything. However, if they are as nerdy as us, they will definitely enjoy it!

Comerica Park - They have to experience professional baseball at least once. And what better way than visiting the D and seeing the Tigers. ;)

Ohio Stadium - MOST DEFINITELY. Because of course all our children will pick the correct team and be cheering for the Buckeyes!!! I am so excited to share in my kids first experience at The Shoe. I just hope that I can be in attendance to see their face when the Bucks take the field! Going to have to utilize Grandpa's season tickets. ;)

Local Theatre Productions - This is something that is important to me. Exposing my kids to theater and musicals and plays. We live near two very very good local groups that put on fabulous productions.

So, my list is a bit unconventional and a tad short, but I am trying to be realistic here! There are also other locations that get semi-included under the broad topics I listed. Like the U.P. trip? Totally going to include Mackinaw Island, Soo Locks, ghost towns and more. Traverse City? I also encompass that as in my kids will enjoy time on the Lake Michigan side of Michigan and see some darn good sunsets. ;) Also, we plan on camping a lot and seeing things that way. But I think this list is an achievable/reasonable look at what I hope to accomplish with my kids in the next 15 years!

What do you want to share with your children? Any favorite childhood vacation memories?

All 4 Alabama

As everyone knows, the South was hit pretty hard by tornadoes a few weeks ago on April 27th.  Particularly the state of Alabama.  Some wonderful ladies have organized All 4 Alabama whose goal is to raise money for those affected by these storms. 

They have chosen two areas Phil Campbell and Hackleburg, AL that are small middle of nowhere places whose residents have been devastated by the tornadoes.  These places aren't close to the bigger cities but need just as much, if not more help.  All money raised will go directly to these two towns to give help to those who no longer have homes, jobs, or familiar surroundings.  ENTIRE neighborhoods have been destroyed.  The morning coffee you grab at your local gas station? Their gas station is GONE. NO MORE.

All 4 Alabama will be holding auctions starting tomorrow, May 10th, to raise money.  Or you can donate directly on their site http://all4alabamarelief.blogspot.com/ .  A link to the rules is here http://all4alabamarelief.blogspot.com/p/so-how-will-this-work.html .

 If you are a reader like me, I know that you will be interested to know that they have had contributions from Megan McCafferty, Beth Revis, Kelley Armstrong, Bree Despain, Lindsey Leavitt, Rachel Hawkins, Jennifer Echols, and Irene Latham.  Make sure you check it out!

And, if you could do them a huge favor, would you mind spreading the word? Twitter, facebook, word of mouth, all would be fabulous ways to help raise money for areas in Alabama who are truly hurting.

Another way to help?

Thanks to author Lindsey Leavitt, if you make a purchase at ANY Barnes & Noble or on their website between May 7th - May 14th and use bookfair # 1048605 10 percent of the sales using this code go to United Way's West Alabama Tornado Relief. 

I know I did not do this great idea justice, so for more information check out these awesome blog posts about the All 4 Alabama Auction!

Crystal one of the organizer's of All 4 Alabama

Jessica Writes..

And don't forget to check out the All 4 Alabama site!

Thank you for reading, spreading the word and helping those people who have lost everything.  I cannot even imagine.

The Blue Orchard - Discussion #1

Welcome to the first discussion of Jackson Taylor's The Blue Orchard! The Blue Orchard is our May Group Read and any and all are welcome to participate.  Every Friday and May we talk about a different section.  This first discussion covers the Prologue through page 96 or the end of chapter 24.

First off, I am loving it so far! I really wish I could focus more, not be distracted by the Internet because in theory I should already be done with this book, but I keep just grabbing bits of time to read, but every time I read I get sucked in!

Brief recap/ My Random Thoughts: Verna is forced to leave school at 14 to take care of her family, even though she has an older brother who is a big waste of space.  (LAME!) She works for a family on a farm, where the man of the farm is scum and treats her badly.. Again, LAME.  Then she works for a roadside restaurant out of town, moves and works in Reading, works in Harrisburg and then Philadelphia before she is sent home again.  This is all before she is in her mid-twenties! That is crazy.  And that is just talking about her working life. 

She definitely has been unlucky in the male department with not being 19 and having had an abortion because of a married man and a child with a married man.  I feel bad for her, but you'd think with as smart as she is, she'd be a little smarter with men.  But she is very very young and it is a different time.

Quotes that resonated...

"Her dress is spotted with milk and porridge and I know she feels ashamed at not looking washed in front of a schoolteacher." pg. 11 

-Huh. How far our level of respect towards teachers has fallen, no?? I mean have you seen how parents show up for parent teacher conferences or to pick their kids up from school? Or how they TALK to teachers? LAME.

"I could barely believe it when your ma told me that you were in trouble.  You always seemed like a leader in your family.  I guess you discovered the hard way that a girl who's sneaky finds consequences.  One sin leads to another." - Aunt Varnie pgs. 45&46

- WTF dude? I really find it hard to believe that even women (especially in her FAMILY) were naive enough to think that SHE asked for the trouble or was OKAY with her trouble.  Riiiight.  Yeah, let's send a 14 year old girl to work on a farm with a perverted man and see how it turns out. 

Taken from conversations with Jackson Taylor (also from the Simon & Shuster site..)

The Blue Orchard is based on your grandmother's life. Why was it important for you to share Verna's story?
The lives of people we come from are filled with exquisite, concrete clues that can be examined to understand childhood, the world, and ourselves, and to recognize how many ways we resemble the rest of our species. The study of the real record adds perspective to the ways anyone might look at the youth of their parents or grandparents.

During the years of research, the historian's voice in me kept questioning: How? Why? My grandmother wasn't easily impressed by people, so I wanted to know the nature of this man who'd earned so much respect.

How did you make certain to present an honest portrait of Verna, both her good qualities and her flaws? Was there ever a tendency to gloss over certain aspects or incidents?
Verna could be deeply reflective about herself. I tried to weigh out and imagine those personal ruminations. It is also important for any writer to recognize that it is never going to be possible to tell "the" truth. The best we can aspire to is "a" truth, or a version of the truth as we might happen to see it.

How would you describe The Blue Orchard—and Verna—to people who have not yet read it?
It's a novel about a woman who wrestles with adversity amid a particular time and history that is difficult for our country to come to terms with.

Questions (some taken and adapted from Simon&Shuster's Reading Group Guide)

1. In the Prologue, Verna candidly describes herself and the circumstances of her arrest, even admitting some of her flaws. What was your impression of her after reading the Prologue? In what ways did this initial introduction of Verna influence how you viewed her through this first section?

2. Do you think John and Delia will come back into the picture? How do you suppose Verna is going to get into nursing?

3. What do you think is going to happen to Verna now that she has left Philadelphia?

Thanks for participating! Next Friday we will discuss from Chapter 25 (pg.96) through Book Two's Chapter 18 (pg. 192). 

Can't wait to hear from you!

Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad!

Last week I was looking around for quick and easy light summer pasta recipes to start a collection to be able to grab from and I came across the Ranch Turkey Pasta Salad and it looked amazing! So I adapted and came up with the Ranch Turkey Pasta Salad!

Ingredients

- 8 ounces of pasta

- onion (1/2 of a small about)

- 1 carrot

- 1 green pepper

- 1 chicken breast

- cheese (as much as you want)

- bacon bits (as much as you want)

- between 1/2 cup to 1 cup ranch

First, I cooked my pasta and then ran it under cold water.  In the mean time I cooked up chicken breast and cut my veggies/cheese.

Here are the veggies.  I would totally add peas or celery or whatever you had at the time.  This is what we had.  I would also think of maybe cutting up tomato and putting it on the individual servings as a topper.

Cheese.. yunmmmm.. this is cheddar... and it reminds me I have more in my fridge to eat !!!

Here is the chicken that I cooked with EVOO, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  I would maybe think of marinating it ahead of time.  But I'm not sure what you would want to use.  Maybe even some EVOO and some chili pepper or cracked pepper for some kick?

After the pasta is cooked and cooled (rinsing under cold water).  Stir in ranch.  I used a full cup and I kind of think that might have been too much (the other recipe called for 2 cups and that would be RIDICULOUS!).  I would start at maybe 1/2 cup and adjust as you add.  Then I added in the chicken, and veggies and cheese and stirred it around really well.  Then topped with bacon bits! I put it in the in fridge for about a half an hour before we ate but even longer would make it better.  It was awesome as leftovers!



Yum!!!! Definitely recommend! It was a nice cold salad!

What is your favorite cold salad to eat in the summer?

38 weeks!

38 weeks!

How far along? 38 weeks
Weight gain/loss: up 13 pounds
Stretch marks? ::cries::: yes.. under my belly.. hoping they fade after awhile.. sad sad sad

Sleep? it is great when i am doing it.. i wake every 2 hours or 1.5 or 1 hour depending on how much water i drink in the later part of the day..
Best moment this week? hearing that my darling is around 5 or 5 1/2 pounds right now.. and will probably be 7 or 7 1/2 at birth.. i know this is totally a guess but it makes me feel good.. and that it is no where near my husbands 11 pounds 3 ounces.. phew!
Food cravings: Chocolate
Gender: Girl
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? it is definitely slowing down.. but she is pretty active around 9-10 in the morning and then for about 45 minutes or so in the afternoon and then in the evening for another 45 or so and then just before i go to bed she kicks a bit and then sometimes in the middle of the night when i am up she gives me a kick or so.  Oh and apparently she doesn't want to be named Merry.. or so I say because I was reading that name (in my head) and she gave me a really hard painful rib kick.. duly noted child.
What I miss? just normal eating/drinking patterns.
What I'm looking forward to:  meeting my girl!

April At A Glance

Books Read

14. The Keepsake – Tess Gerritsen (April 2^nd)

15. Sammy’s Hill – Kristin Gore (April 20^th)

16. Ice Cold – Tess Gerritsen (April 22^nd)

17. The Baby Name Wizard – Laura Wattenberg (April 23^rd)

18. The Penguin Classic Baby Name Book – Grace Hamlin (April 24^th)

I think Ice Cold was probably my favorite read this month and Sammy's Hill being the least favorite.  Out of the baby name books, I enjoyed both but probably liked The Penguin Classic Baby Name Book slightly more because of the literary references.  Though the set up of The Baby Name Wizard was good too.  I really like their website and it was like the website, just slightly out of date since I got those two from the library!

Currently Reading: The Blue Orchard by Jackson Taylor (AND LOVING IT!)

Movies Watched:  Informant, The Hangover, Blood Diamond and Wall Street Money Never Sleeps

I can't even remember watching Informant so I am going to guess it was just so-so.  The Hangover was our millionth time re-watching it and I still love it! Blood Diamond was a re-watch and I still like it.  Funny, I like Leo in like every movie but Titanic! And I fell asleep during Wall Street Money Never Sleeps sooo I will go with what my hubby said and just tell you that the original was better.  (He watched that when I went to bed early on Friday).

Favorite Photos:

this is me opening up a knitted hat from one of my husband's aunts at our shower.. not sure if I shared this one or not!

this is one of my favorite outfits from the shower.. cute lil pink and orange monkey outfit.. it comes with an orange top and a white top.. and i may have bought a bow/headband that matches this perfectly the other night!

this is the blanket that my husband's cousin made us on the glider in the nursery!

not a great picture but this is owl decals that we have over the crib!

Favorite Recipes:  I didn't share any recipes on the blog this month but I did make a fabulous Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad that I will share eventually with you all.  It was fabulous!!

What were your highlights of April?