My Very Educated Reviews

Embracing Your Second Calling...I'm still listening to my first.

2011-01-29T20:14:00.000-08:00

Embracing Your Second Calling, Finding Passion and Purpose For the Rest of Your Life, A Women’s Guide by Dale Hanson Bourke may be touted as a book for women entering the second half of their lives but really it’s message applies to any woman at a crossroads in her life. Sometimes it doesn’t take years for us to realize we need to find a new focus and a new direction for our lives. This book serves as a workbook or study guide to women who find themselves in such a place. Through many comparisons to Naomi and Ruth, Bourke has presented an inspiring book that challenged me not to retreat into old patterns but to embrace the potential in ourselves. That said, I don’t think this book was really for me…maybe my mom. I’ve never had a hard time with finding passion (maybe I’m just a tad to selfish.) but I know MANY women who would find much truth in this book. I also think that just because the advice inside the pages didn’t apply to me it wasn’t well written to an extent that I could appreciate. I enjoyed the narrative the author spoke in as well as the exercises and reflections. If you’re a woman who has never really found your place and purpose this book may be just what you need.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hasbro HouseParty!

2010-06-17T20:13:00.001-07:00

View Full Album

Tonight was my Hasbro Houseparty! Unfortunately as a week night we couldn’t get as many people out for it…but we had a super great time! I think we need to make a habit of it.

The star of the night was the new Trivia Pursuit game where you get to bet whether or not your opponents will be able to answer their questions right or wrong! With six players we ran out of money fast, ‘cause we all know each other well enough to know what we can and cannot answer :)

Taboo was fun but much harder than Catchphrase, which Nate deemed a perfect drinking game! All in all we had a good time and good snacks I almost forgot to mention all the awesome wheat thins and triscuits! Oh, and the special dark CHOCOLATE bites! MMMMMM!

Read and Share: The Jesus Series, Life and Miracles

2010-05-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Read and Share Bible: The Jesus Series, Life and Miracles DVD is a children’s product that presents the life of Christ through a four volume DVD set. The Life and Miracles DVD is a half an hour depiction of Christ’s life in particular the miracles performed along Lake Galilee. What is so great about this series is that in conjunction with the Bibles from Read and Share a familiarity begins to grow inside kids and with it a clearer understanding of Jesus and his message. I just love this series of DVDs and Bibles as do my children. I would highly recommend it as an accompanying tool to help reinforce the messages found in the life of Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life edited by Bryan Curtis

2010-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life is a collection of quotes and words of wisdom from a wide range of historical and modern-day leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. Sometimes the day to day drudgery of going to the office can overshadow the satisfaction and happiness we’d otherwise find in a job well done. Other times we find ourselves in a place that disconnects us from ourselves and what we want to contribute to the world. These quick snippets serve as reminders filled with encouragement, insight, and simple classic wisdom that really held my attention and made me reevaluate where I choose to spend the majority of my day and the attitude I’ll bring there. While I was disappointed that the quotes were not separated out categorically I would still recommend this book to others. In particular I think it would make a great office gift.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Gospel According to Lost

2010-05-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Gospel according to Lost is one of those books centered on a phenomenon that almost makes you embarrassed to be reading it. But this isn’t a Spice Girl’s biography, this is the real deal. This is a commentary on a television program that reminds us all to think, feel, explore and most importantly love. Author Chris Seay hit one way out of the park with his remarkable observations and comparisons between the characters and dynamics of a show with the love of God.

The Gospel is a well written book that breaks down each character on the hit series Lost and points out the uncanny similarities between what they are going through and the struggle to accept God’s love. As Seay writes, “One of the most beautiful parts of Lost is the attention paid to the shaping of personalities and development of individual modi operandi.” Take for example Sawyer, the resident bad boy through and through, he’s convinced himself that he cannot change but as with God anything is possible if we believe. “The miracle is that his love extended to us in our angry, hateful, and shirtless state-not offered as a carrot on a stick for the person we each might become. Looking at Sawyer’s sly grin, I think he’s gotten a glimpse of this truth.”

One of the most enduring chapters to me dealt with the character Eko Patron Saint of Warlord Priests. I’m not going to go through the Eko’s history, if you’re considering purchasing this book you’re a Lost fan and already know it. I will point out that like many Lost characters Eko’s life-changing moment came when he was a child and forced to kill a man to save the life of his little brother. Seay writes, “Children are a sacred trust, a blessing from God to be nurtured with love,…The world is filled with stories of not only neglect but also the abuse and exploitation of those we regard as the leaders, the innovators, the mothers, the fathers-the caretakers-of tomorrow.” Pure Wisdom.

In discussing the crazed Benjamin Linus the Patron Saint of Dutiful Tyrants Seay writes, “But Ben is relying on karma (you reap what you sow)-if he’s been ruthlessly faithful to Jacob, Jacob should reward him faithfully.” However, as Seay goes on to write, life in Lost is like life in the real world and karma just doesn’t pan out. This was probably the one part that I disagreed with; I do believe that you get what you give. But let me point out, just because you give in this life doesn’t mean you’ll get in this life, your reward may be on the other side.

Regardless of everything this is a book a read within a day…yep it was that good. Just like Lost it made me think, it made me feel in touch with myself, my world and my God.

Today’s Mail: House Party!

2009-12-19T13:00:00.001-08:00

I was so excited to be a host for the upcoming Fun, Fit and Guilt-Free House Party! Today I got the package in the mail and I couldn’t wait to show it off! I think this one is going to be a lot of fun. I plan on sending out invites next week!

Notes on Democracy by H.L. Menken

2009-12-12T21:54:00.001-08:00

Who is H.L. Mencken and why am I just now reading him!? This book is genius! I started highlighting passages I liked but then realized nearly every page was marked in florescent pink.

I'm not going to say this book is for everyone but it is definitely for those of us out there that watch the news and listen to certain groups or leaders thinking, "Seriously are there people out there buying this?" Then we come into contact with those who are in fact subscribing whole-heartily to an idiotic brainless existence. Left dumbfounded we trudge along wondering if there are any 'real' people left in the world.

The world was a completely different place in 1926 when Mencken originally wrote this but it doesn't' take long to realize despite our innovations and advancements nearly 100 years later we've made no real progress in terms of democracy. Mencken's insights serve as a reminder to that fact and while the organizations may have changed and the leaders all have new names they are in essence the same.

"Public policies are determined and laws are made by small minorities playing upon the fears and imbecilities of the mob-sometimes minorities of intelligent and honest men, but usually minorities of rogues." Hmmmm, rogues you say? Remind you of anyone?

If you are of a thinking mind I highly recommend this book but be warned it reads like a philosophy book so if you think you can just pick it up and read a few chapters you're wrong. It will have you thinking and a buzz with every paragraph so make sure you have a good sounding board to bounce ideas off of after reading.

(I received this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads.com I was not in anyway encouraged to give a review that didn't reflect my genuine feelings towards the book.)

Has it really been a month?

2009-12-04T11:58:00.001-08:00

Wow, with changes at work I spent most of November in the office and fell behind on my savings hunting. However I continue to keep up with my coupons. On average I’ve been saving $35 when I go grocery shopping but this time I did sooo good I gotta brag! $54 saved by using coupons. This is the most I’ve ever saved and I’m so excited. Much to the cashier’s chagrin the lady in line behind me asked how I find all these good coupons and I told her about coupons.com and Frugal Friend.

I’d try to give a rundown of my exact savings but well my to do list is still too long. I don’t know how those other ladies do it, but I’m so grateful they do!

Everything is the picture had a minimum of a $1 off, which made the panko .16 a box and nothing went over a $1…except for the chocolates.

Butterball Turkey broth .41 a can, no coupons, just great deal!

Money Maker! $1.00 off Kotex product that were only .84 each, that’s .32 (–paid for the panko)

Free Alouette Brie wheel $5.99 savings!

Free Alouette crumbles feta cheese $1.79 savings!

$3.00 total on Pantene shampoo and conditions!

$3.00 total on Glad candles!

9.00 on Kashi GoLean Crunch cereals ( unfortunately the commissary bumped these up from $2 a box to $3.23 but I still got them all for $3.96 if my math is right.)

Commissaries are great about coupons and they actually had some that make the Nestle hot chocolate .41 a box!

Sierra Mist ended up being .98 for 2 with a B1G1 free coupon!

Now that' I’m back to my usually schedule I’ll hopefully find time to hunt out some deals of my own to share!

Mailbox Monday

2009-11-01T16:51:00.001-08:00

It’s been slow at our house this week but what we did get were awesome samples!

Au Gratin Potatoes

Fiber One

Sensodyne

Mailbox Monday

2009-10-26T12:03:00.001-07:00

This Monday was all about the coupons. I finally got my Pop Tarts “Sprinkling” package along with an Alouette mailing, through SheSpeaks with a coupon for a free crumbled cheese and more coupons to pass around, and the Fructis shampoo and conditioner samples.

For some reason I also got a Bed, Bath and Beyond mailing. The nearest store is over an hour away but hey it did have a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $15 or more, so they next time I go I’m prepared and Christmas is right around the corner!

Feeling Tall!

2009-10-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

After reading Max Lucado’s Fearless I was jumping at the chance to review his newest children’s book, The Tallest of the smalls. On the first page Lucado asks parents, “What do you do when your child feels small and insignificant? What do you say to smooth hurt feelings? What does your child need from you?” The answer to those questions is on the pages of this book.

In Stiltsville there are those that are low and those that aren’t. Every day at the exact same time the lows are reminded of their position when ‘they’ come out and parade around on their stilts. In a show of superiority they choose one person from the lowly crowd to “…move up the ladder.” Of course we all know that when you try to be something you’re not or hold yourself to someone else’s standards and judgments you are bound to fall. And when you fall in Stiltsville ‘they’ will be there to laugh and take away their good judgments. But their judgments don’t matter, or God loves us and wants us to keep our feet on the ground.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Maria Monescillo. I liked the simple, non-descript faces on the characters, the rich colors and seemingly textured clothing. Still the images didn’t overpower the text and instead created a nice balance.

I highly recommend this book. While reading it to my little ones they felt sorry for the main character Ollie before he got his stilts and they felt even worse when he fell back to the ground. By relating to Ollie I think it helped them to understand that Jesus is there for us and doesn’t want us to make ourselves into someone else’s image. We were made in his image and he loves us!

Mailbox Monday

2009-10-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

So this time is was a stack of magazines! I wanted to point out to anyone looking for a free body and soul subscription that I actually used my coke rewards to get that. There is also a free sample from philosoph y and a nice package of stuff from Beingirl.

On a different note the houseparties went well this weekend. I think everyone had a good time and enjoyed the Green Works samples. We didn’t have a chance to ‘play’ with Windows 7 so I think I’m going to have another smaller get together to go through it.

In regards to tips about being selected for houseparty I can only say be honest. My first party was a Splenda party and the second was the Green Works and I was honest in the survey process that I didn’t know that much about either products and what I did know wasn’t positive. (Being Splenda always tasted bad to me and Green Works was a Clorox company jumping on the green bandwagon.) That being said, I have NO IDEA why or how I got to be a Windows 7 host other than my self proclaimed lack of computer knowledge. Maybe they select people who ‘know’ about a product but don’t have extensive knowledge of it. Which would explain why my admission to being an avid crafter DIDN’T get me selected as a Martha party host, bummer!

A Stupid Moment

2009-10-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to thank everyone for the mailbox monday comments...okay now the stupid moment. When I set up this blog I didn't realize I needed to change the setting so that I KNEW when people had commented. So talking to my sister she mentions all the comments about Windows 7 and I think she's crazy or looking at someone else's page. OOPS :)

What Difference Do It Make?

2009-10-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

What Difference Do It Make? By Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent is one of those books filled with so much information and inspirations you won’t want to loan it out but rather buy copies for your friends and family.

It’s hard to read both Ron and Denver’s writings and not feel instantly moved by the honestly and brevity of their words. I didn’t have the pleasure of reading their first book, Same Kind of Different as Me, but I can assure you it is on my to-read list. I never felt like I came in halfway through a story both authors do a great job of keeping the reader up to speed and referencing the previous book. Their stories are real and never feel staged which too often happens in books aimed at “Hope and Healing.” I mean these aren’t a bunch of sappy stories that will make you reach for the soup if you catch my drift. These are the kind of spoken memories that make you say, “Oh, no he did not just say that out loud did he?”

Semantics aside I cannot describe to you the hope and warmth emanating from both these soulful outpourings. Besides Ron and Denver you are also treated to insights from others touched by their stories. Carolyn’s story, in particular, spoke to the gardener in me. I couldn’t agree more with the Garden School’s Philosophy, “…schools should be like parks, not prisons; the best way to learn about good food is to grow it and children have to know nature to love it.”

While I received this book free of charge I was not encouraged to provide a review other than my own. That being said, I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a bright spot on a cloudy day.

Mailbox Monday October 12th

2009-10-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

I was gone for a week for a work conference but what a nice surprise it was to find all this waiting for me! Really the magazines are for the hubby and while the Secret, Lever 2000, Nature Valley samples and coupons are wonderful they pale in comparison to what else was waiting for me! Windows 7!!!!!

The Windows 7 party will be my third through Houseparty and all I have to say is, "If you aren't on this site go there now!" As you can see from the pictures with this most recent party I received an awesome poster with streamers, balloons and napkins for the party, a puzzle, playing cards and super great reusable bags! Oh yeah I also got two versions of Windows 7 ( a 32 bit and 64 bit). I'm combining this party with another houseparty and my son's birthday party for a ton of fun all in one fell swoop! Saturday will be a very busy day at our house!

Mailbox Monday

2009-09-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, free stuff! I also got a Bear Naked granola bar but I had that for lunch :) I think I'm going to stash the EOS lip gloss...it'll make a great stocking stuffer!

Mailbox Monday

2009-09-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

This week's free loot! Most of which is courtesy of links and info provided by A Frugal Friend, STLMommy and My Coke Rewards.

Geography of Love by Glenda Burgess

2009-09-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Me, oh my! I did not want to like this book. The first quarter, maybe even the first half of it, I really disliked Burgess but by the end of the story I was bawling and I dare anyone who has every loved to read this book and not end up staining its pages with tears.

The problem with biographies are that they are peoples lives and who are we to judge and criticize? Then again, a person's gotta be honest. When I first received Geography of Love by Glenda Burgess I read the back cover and literally said, "Ugh, love." I'm of a cynical sort that just finds that blatant blabbering boring. I was, however, intrigued by the story of Ken Grunzwieg. The back of the book made it seem like Ken had all these 'demons from the past' or 'skeletons in his closet' that had to be dealt with; but don't be fooled this is an autobiography.

We meet Glenda and Ken at the beginning of their relationship and follow them through the years and through the issues. This is where I'm going to get snarky. Ken seemed like a truly lovable and all-around great person. Glenda however reminds me of one of those women who at 35 have never really lived outside their little bubble. They can't except that their loved ones can have pasts that include living, breathing people they will never stop loving. She exhibits no tolerance for anything or any living person connected to Ken's life before her. I don't want to give away too much of the story but take for example Ken's relationship with Abby and Jordan. Here were two women Ken loved dearly. Here were also two women that Glenda dubbed as stand-offish, yet admittedly made no attempt to get to know or love on her own until forced to by her husband's illness. "He was asking the impossible of me a second time...I knew this request came from a special place inside him." (page 215) You're right it was a special place, like a father talking to a child it was the 'please be a grown-up and stop being so petty I'm dying for goodness sake' place. I know a woman with this unfathomable selfishness...I don't get it, give the man a break.

Okay now that I've gotten that little gripe off my chest there is only one other tick I had about this book and that was the obscure mention of recipes, ingredients, traveling stories that went no where (i.e. didn't fit in with the title of the book) and just...well...a feeling of pretentiousness.

Now for the good part. What you didn't think I liked the book? I read this one in a day, a clear sign it's still a winner. The description of Ken's love and their family touched my heart. The chapters filled with only one highlight of a life together and a sentence that covered years. That is life. The years seem to meld together into a routine that becomes so second nature and comfortable simple words describe it. Moments that are lived in seconds but feel like eternities.

I don't want to go into details about the second half of the book, just know it gets good. In a Terms of Endearment but with a husband and wife kinda way. I leave you with this final thought, " In so many ways I had learned that the geography of human caring was far more complex than the simple topography of the family or love affair. And one gesture's reach, far greater than any of us could imagine." (page 236)

A New Place to Call My Own

2009-09-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

So after talking with Rach I decided to go ahead and create another blog here at blogger.com so that I can separate more 'business' related topics from the familial topics. Get ready to hear my opinion! Bwa, ha, ha!