Sunday, May 30, 2010

Lots and Lots of Readin' Goin' On

It's been awhile since I've done a book review, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I just haven't done any reviews. So I decided to just lump them into one looooooooong post. If you're not a reader then you can just come back tomorrow...I'm hoping to have my SWIMSUIT post ready by tomorrow. But for today, here's the last four books I've read...

Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon
This is one of the strangest books I've read, it has this weird story line about a little girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a rabbit--a person dressed as rabbit (i.e. like what people dress up at Easter). Then there's this whole cast of trashy characters that are intermingled without much explanation, so you're always getting confused about who goes with who and how each character belongs in the story. It's supposed to be a mystery, which I guess it is, because you're trying to figure out who took this little girl, but I didn't think of it as a mystery. I thought of it as a story of a bunch of dysfunctional people. In the end, of course, the person who ends up being the kidnapper/killer is never who'd you expect. It was quite ridiculous. Don't waste your time on this book. The characters are yucky, the story is a little unbelievable and my biggest thing was the story was mainly about this group of kids who would just go off in the woods to play all day long and the parents never wondered where they were. The parents were just awful. But...I guess I shouldn't judge other people (but theses people aren't real). You definitely could read a worse book, but...

I give Island of Lost Girls 1 out of 5 stars.


Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
I'm not going to even give this book any justice by giving it much space. This is one of the worst books I've ever read. I checked it out because the story takes place in a small town in Kansas and I thought it would be fun to read a book that takes place where I grew up. The town the book takes place in is a fictional town, but all the other places they were talking about was real. I'll just say there isn't one character in this book that you'll like, they are all awful mean, people. The story is hideous--a family is basically butchered in the night--and the family's oldest son is convicted of the murders. There's one survivor, the youngest sister. The book is about her. It's just awful. Don't read it, it's terrible, dark, ugly, mean.

I give Dark Places a rare 0 out of 5 stars.


Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon
This is the second book by this author that I read in about a month's time (the other is that one at the top of this post). Now, I should've learned after reading Island of Lost Girls that I wouldn't like this book, but I thought I'd give this author another chance, reading the synopsis of the book I thought it looked different. Nope. Yucky characters who you are supposed to sympathize with but really you just want to grab them by the shoulders and shake the poo out of them. This book has a little girl being murdered (again, same as with the other book) and a whole slew of characters that the author tries to get you to like or dislike or think that they were the ones who did it. And just like the other book, at the very end, the person who did is the one person you don't expect and don't really read much about. So, if I read another of this author's books (which I won't), I'll probably guess the child killer by page 2. There's a lot of meanness and bullying in this book. It's just one of those books that makes you feel uck--dirty. It's not the worst book I've ever read, so I won't give it one star, but...

I give Promise Not to Tell 1 out of 5 stars.


Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
I don't even like to put this book in the same company as those other three yuck books. This one actually deserves it's own post. It's so drastically different that you'd wonder how the same person would end up reading such different kinds of books. Anyway, here it is. This book has a very sad, dark story line...it's about the round up of French Jews in Paris on July 16, 1942 and what happened to them. (Google that and you can read more about the history). But it's about a young Jewish girl, Sarah, who is 10 years old when her family is taken away by the French police and what happens to them. The story weaves it's way through decades and families. I'm not going to tell you much about it because I want you to read this and I don't want to ruin it for you. It's a touching story not just about Sarah, but about those who are part of her life long after she's gone. I really liked this book.

I give Sarah's Key 5 out of 5 stars.

What are you reading this summer...I always love to know what other's are reading!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday-Florida or No?

Today, instead of doing a What Would You Rather Do Wednesday, I'm just doing a What Would You Do...or basically...what are your thoughts. Please, I really need some advice on this. Here it is, let me give you a little background...

We are planning a trip to Florida (Destin/Seaside) this summer. But, unless you live in the crawl space of a 1930's home, you've heard of a little thing called the BP Oil Spill out in the gulf. The mess is showing up on the shores and marshes. I'm not super thrilled about playing in a slimy ocean...if it is. So my question today is...

Would you go to the Gulf Coast of Florida for vacation or do you think the ocean will just be gross.

Yogi--I really want your opinion on this...I kind of have the feeling you might know a little about it!

Thanks, friends!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A New Direction

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I've decided that I'm not going to quit blogging. I've decided that today is not the day I'm going to jump up onto my Golden Soapbox and start preaching about how toxic the blog world has gotten with everyone and their perfect lives and stories filled with half truths. No, today is not that day. That day is coming. Just not today.

What I have decided is that for awhile I'm going to focus my blog on something else I enjoy...fashion. Hopefully I'll be able to help someone out there look fabu for a big event or just while staying at home. I will do some posts for MEN, too. So, dudes, stay with me...

Today won't be a long post on denim or accessories or swimsuits (Lord, help us with that one). Today is about finding your individuality. It's that easy. Find something that works for you, find your style, make it YOU. We'll expand on this later. But today I want to show you an example of some celebs who did not, and now look at them...all bunched up, looking like a flock of peacocks.
You know these gals all have stylists and we all know that standing to the side with your hand on your hip is a slimming pose for a photo (if you didn't know that, let that be lesson #1, standing to the side with your hand on your hip is slimming), but honestly, someone needs to break out of the mold and do something a little different. I do appreciate that Amanda Seyfried didn't do the hip thing...you go girl.

So, LESSON #1 be: Find what works for you and your body type and work with it. It doesn't matter what size you are...size 0 or size 20...you're beautiful and you've got the assets to make it work.

Be beautiful today, girls (and dudes),

Up next...the dreaded...swimsuit.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Josie's New Love

Here's a can of worms I wished I hadn't opened.
She requests one daily.

The Starbucks bill keeps going up.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Some Things

Some things...
...just taste better...
...all when it gets all over your face.

Friday, May 14, 2010

ACHOO!

Apparently this week is "Blog About Patrick" week. He is supplying me with a lot of content this week. He's good that way.

The other day, about 15 minutes after we had arrived home from picking up Katie at school I looked at him (no, I didn't go 15 minutes without looking at him, he had been sitting at the kitchen table having a snack with his back to me) and wondered what in the world is on his face?? Yes, the kids had just had their after-school snack--but that wasn't it. Was that blood, was he hurt? No, it's not red. What the heck?

But then I knew. On the way into the house he had picked me one of our star gazer lilies that are in bloom right now (they are beautiful this year, I might add) and he'd been smelling it.

What was all over his face...pollen from the flower.

Not one sneeze out of the little guy and the stuff was practically in his nose.

We Lams are tough that way.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Battle On...Battle Off

As a mother there are many, many times I've said "pick your battles."

Today, I chose not to battle...

It's okay to wear a red shirt with pink short and blue soccer socks. Really...is that something to get worked up over? It's not like we were going anywhere.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday-Musically Speaking

Here we go with today's What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday...

Would you rather:

Not be able to hear music again

or

Never like any song you ever hear again.

La la la la la la la--what do you think?

Last week's answer: I'd take the nap--I've basically been sleep deprived for the past 6 1/2 years (since the arrival of Little Lam #1).

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

In Good Company

Today is my **ahem** something-or-other-BIG-birthday. I have been less than thrilled about it until I realized I'm in the presence of good company.

Elizabeth Hurley
Tea Leoni
Ashley Judd
Michelle Pfeiffer (I'm thinking about doing this with my hair, what do you think?)
Kristin Davis
Salma Hayek
Diane Lane
Of course I'm leaving out photos of four of the big guns...Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock. But let's just say that looking at these fabulous ladies makes me feel better about my "age." If only I had a stylist, personal trainer, personal chef....

Monday, May 10, 2010

McLinky Monday--Getting to Know Me, A to Z

The RHOK

I know I've been slacking in the blogging world lately. I'll let you know why...I'm seriously considering either a). quitting blogging all together or b). taking a hiatus from blogging (I'll explain why when I make the decision). While I continue to roll these thoughts around in my head, I'll go ahead and do a McLinky with the RHOK (even though I don't really like today's topic--I don't really like talking about me on the blog--it's not about me, it's about my world), but I need to post something, so here we go.

A - Age: 39

B - Bed size: Queen

C - Chore you hate: Unloading the dishwasher

D - Dog(s') name: Lucy and Sally

E - Essential start your day item: Hugs from my kiddos

F - Favorite color: Pink

G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: Platinum

H - Height: 5'10"

I - Instruments you play(ed): piano, flute, piccalo, bassoon

J - Job title: Stay-at-home mommy

K - Kid(s): 3--Katie, 6; Patrick, 4; Josie, 2

L - Living arrangements: House with my husband and kids

M - Mom's name: Patricia

N - Nicknames: Mommy, Lyssie (Aunt Lyssie)

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none

P - Pet Peeve: when people throw cigarettes out of their car window--please keep your disgusting habit within your own environment.

Q - Quote from a movie/show: "I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life." --M'Lynn from Steel Magnolias (I know it's a depressing quote, but any mother in that situation would probably agree with what she's saying).

R - Right handed or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: One sister, two brothers

T - Time you wake up: Generally between 6:30-7:00.

U- Underwear: Yes, cotton, please.

V - Vegetable you dislike: Lima beans

W - Why you run late: Mainly the kids, but also because I tend to change my mind about what I'm wearing as I'm getting ready to walk out the door.

X - X-rays you've had: Maybe 2 or 3

Y - Yummy food you make: I'm actually a pretty good cook, but my homemade brownies really are quite delicious.

Z - Zoo favorite: the big cats--leopards in particular, but lions, tigers, cheetas, etc.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Twilight and Cheeseburgers...the Perfect Combination

I'm a big Twilight fan. Loved Twilight...New Moon was good, can't wait for #3 and #4 to come out (aren't we only a month away from Eclipse?). So when I saw this, I thought it was stinkin' hilarious. Leave it to brilliant mind of Will Ferrell and his crew of characters to do something as funny as this.

So...this is for you Baloney and Dawn! Enjoy! (oh, the very end is a little gross).

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday-1 Hour

Right now I have 1 hour before I have to go get Katie from school. I'm wondering what to do with that hour...laundry? clean the bathroom? change the beds? empty the dishwasher? With that in mind, here's today's What Would You Rather Do question...

If you had 1 hour with nothing on your schedule, would you rather:

Take a nap

or

Get a manicure

I know there are many of you out there that have other things that you would rather do, but those are your two options for today...nap or manicure. So, what'll it be? Time's a tickin'!

As for last week's question...toughie. I love my dogs like no one's business. LOVE THEM (except when they leave big piles of poo in the yard for me to clean up, or bark at night), but I have to say that I really do love to have a kitty cat curl up on my lap and purr. I remember when I was pregnant with Katie that I would lay on our bed and our kitty would curl up around my big belly and start purring and that purring would instantly calm down my wild little wiggly baby who was doing karate in my belly. Maybe that's why Katie loves kitties even now. Of course, there are some psycho cats out there...I don't like them at all. But a nice, calm, lovey kitty...I'll take that. Of course, there was that lab we had growing up that I loved so much....gosh. That's a tough question for me.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Old School

Lately my Katie (6 years old) has been coming home with or doing things that I thought were things of the past...like Hollie Hobby and playing 'London Bridge is Falling Down.' She and I recently finished reading Little House in the Big Woods (she'd read me a chapter, then I'd read her a chapter). What memories reading that brought back...can't wait to read the whole series with her. Here are a couple 'Old School' things she's done or brought home, remember these?

Clover rings-I didn't teach her how to do this, little girls just know how. Shoot, sometimes we'd make a whole crown out of them. Fun!

Dick & Jane books. This was way below her reading level, but I loved listening to her read it. And how awesome is it that the library still has these books! (This book even still had that library book smell I remember from childhood).
What are some things your kiddos do that remind you of your childhood?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Perfect Pairings--Romans 6:4

New are reminded of new life as spring flowers emerge from the ground and pop out from their branches. Let it serve as a reminder of our life in Christ. Our peonies have burst into full bloom with new life!

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.--Romans 6:4

Visit Baloney for more Perfect Pairings.