I've finished up two more books. Here is a quick review of each of them.
"Baby We Were Meant For Each Other" by Scott Simon (+4.0)
This book is a compilation of adoption stories. As a rule, I don't care that much for compilation books (not sure that is a true book category...but it is in my mind). But these stories were all about adoption. Not all about adoption from China or domestic adoptions, or even conventional adoptions. It was a really interesting selection of different situations that brought about adoption. And it focused on different things about adoption...like several adult adoptees take on their being adopted. The author makes some assertive statements about adoption that I totally agreed with. And he was honest about his own experience as an adoptive parent. It's a nice read, not just for people who have experienced adoption.
"The Personal History of Rachel Dupree" by Ann Weisgarber (+4.75)
This is a beautiful book. It takes on the unusual theme of a black frontier couple in the early 1900's and their struggle to survive and excel. It is written totally from Rachel Dupree's viewpoint, which is thoughtful, honest, and often times painful. I love black historical novels from this era, but had not ever read one written about this area (South Dakota). I really loved this book. I might have given it a 5.0 if the ending hadn't left me hanging! But, maybe that means there will be another Rachel Dupree book. I hope so!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Spring Break 2011
We did it! We drank the koolaid! We went to Disney World for spring break. My dad kindly let us use his timeshare. My brother gave us money for Christmas that paid for the Disney park passes. We had a couple of free airline tickets. And Grandpa Pierce surprised the kids with spending money for the week. What a blessing!!! It is a fast and furious week...not much sleep or reclining involved in a trip to Disney. I'll say this, I'm glad we went, but we all agree that it is checked off the list of vacation spots for us. Not because Disney isn't cool....it is amazing! So creative, every little detail thought of. But the crowds...oh my! We are just not people who love crowds or want to stand in line for over 2 hours for a 3 minute ride. But it was great to spend time together, away from everything else. And everyone enjoyed watching Clara as she met the characters, especially the princesses. The weather in Florida was perfect! 80 degrees everyday, beautiful sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, no hint of rain and definitely no wind sweeping down the plains.
While we were there, we learned something about our kids. Apparently they will sleep through a fire alarm. The alarm went off in our condo the second night. A central alarm system, blaring loudly like the ones in schools. The main "screamer" alarm was in the living room....where the kids were sleeping. Honestly, it rang for close to 20 minutes and neither of them even rolled over. SCARY!!! Glad we didn't have to try and carry Harrison out, he's a little big!
We had breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy and Donald in Animal Kingdom one morning. I think Harrison was as excited to see Goofy as Clara was. When he was little he had a little goofy that he carried everywhere with him. We still have it! Goofy seemed to like Harrison too, since he tickled him just as we took their picture together. : )
The highlight of the week was definitely our last morning at Disney. We had breakfast in Norway with the princesses. Oh my goodness, Clara was in heaven! First she had her picture made with Aurora. Then while we ate, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel all came to our table and met Clara. Clara was wearing her beautiful Ariel mermaid dress. She was so excited just watching the princesses in the room that she couldn't eat. She was very shy with each princess, just staring at them, but couldn't even answer their questions. It was very sweet.
We had a fun week, but THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!
Cinderella's Castle
Clara absolutely loved the teacups....belly laughed the whole time!
Nothing like the Dumbo ride with your daddy!
The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom.
The guys rode most of the "manly rides"....this one they rode 3 times.
EPCOT....definitely our favorite park!
Beautiful during sunset.
Hollywood Studios
Goofy thought it was funny to goose Harrison a bit!
Clara told me "you know Pooh is really a yellow rabbit"....HUH?!
And the teacups spin even faster if you take your teenage brother with you! More belly laughs ensued!
Ahhhh! Cinderella....that was a special treat!!!
Clara and Mulan, two China beauties!
It ain't over til you eat the mouse's ears.....it's over!!!
While we were there, we learned something about our kids. Apparently they will sleep through a fire alarm. The alarm went off in our condo the second night. A central alarm system, blaring loudly like the ones in schools. The main "screamer" alarm was in the living room....where the kids were sleeping. Honestly, it rang for close to 20 minutes and neither of them even rolled over. SCARY!!! Glad we didn't have to try and carry Harrison out, he's a little big!
We had breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy and Donald in Animal Kingdom one morning. I think Harrison was as excited to see Goofy as Clara was. When he was little he had a little goofy that he carried everywhere with him. We still have it! Goofy seemed to like Harrison too, since he tickled him just as we took their picture together. : )
The highlight of the week was definitely our last morning at Disney. We had breakfast in Norway with the princesses. Oh my goodness, Clara was in heaven! First she had her picture made with Aurora. Then while we ate, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel all came to our table and met Clara. Clara was wearing her beautiful Ariel mermaid dress. She was so excited just watching the princesses in the room that she couldn't eat. She was very shy with each princess, just staring at them, but couldn't even answer their questions. It was very sweet.
We had a fun week, but THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
More books...
Finished a couple more books, so it's time for a quick review.
"Extraordinary Ordinary People" by Condoleeza Rice (+4.5)
I hadn't read any reviews of this book, so I kind of expected it to be a bit of a political memoir. (I obviously hadn't seen the cover either, since it has pictures of her and her parents on the front.) This is actually a touching tribute to Rice's parents and the sacrifices they made so she could excel. Her parents were both highly motivated about education and made many sacrifices for Rice to have academic opportunities. She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950's, so there were lots of hurdles to overcome. I didn't necessarily 100% agree with her parents philosophy that they would go into debt so that she could have every opportunity. But I also haven't had all the hurdles to get over that they did in a racially charged south during the height of the equal rights movement. Rice was blessed with incredibly loving parents who were totally intune to her gifts and talents. And they raised a talented, brilliant and accomplished daughter. It was a great book!
"The Pioneer Woman, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" by Ree Drummond (+4.0)
I love the Pioneer Woman, I enjoy her blog (http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/). This is her love story with her husband, Marlboro Man (as she lovingly calls him). It was a full 319 pages of PW's one-liners and romance style writing. Honestly, it was a bit much at times. But it is clean and cute and sweet. I started to rate it lower than a 4.0 because it was a bit sappy...but I read it in a few days, so it obviously kept my interest. So, if you're looking for a no-brainer, easy read that will make you smile, I'd highly recommend it.
"Extraordinary Ordinary People" by Condoleeza Rice (+4.5)
I hadn't read any reviews of this book, so I kind of expected it to be a bit of a political memoir. (I obviously hadn't seen the cover either, since it has pictures of her and her parents on the front.) This is actually a touching tribute to Rice's parents and the sacrifices they made so she could excel. Her parents were both highly motivated about education and made many sacrifices for Rice to have academic opportunities. She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950's, so there were lots of hurdles to overcome. I didn't necessarily 100% agree with her parents philosophy that they would go into debt so that she could have every opportunity. But I also haven't had all the hurdles to get over that they did in a racially charged south during the height of the equal rights movement. Rice was blessed with incredibly loving parents who were totally intune to her gifts and talents. And they raised a talented, brilliant and accomplished daughter. It was a great book!
"The Pioneer Woman, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" by Ree Drummond (+4.0)
I love the Pioneer Woman, I enjoy her blog (http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/). This is her love story with her husband, Marlboro Man (as she lovingly calls him). It was a full 319 pages of PW's one-liners and romance style writing. Honestly, it was a bit much at times. But it is clean and cute and sweet. I started to rate it lower than a 4.0 because it was a bit sappy...but I read it in a few days, so it obviously kept my interest. So, if you're looking for a no-brainer, easy read that will make you smile, I'd highly recommend it.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Being your parent's child
Sometimes it's hard being your parent's child. I'm speaking for myself...I'm sure it's a total delight for my children. I guess just being the age I am, I hear a lot of friends talking about things going on with their parents. And it gets a person thinking about growing up as their parents child.
Looking back, the seasons are really different. When I was little, I just loved being with my parents....well, most of the time. I was painfully shy...painful like "please don't speak to me, please don't speak to me" kind of shy. My parents, on the other hand....not so much! My dad was a pastor when I was growing up. He is outgoing, has never really met a stranger, and is comfortable asking the most bizarre questions. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. If someone came to the church and they were hungry, needed gas in their car, needed clothes...he would bring them to our house. We didn't have a food pantry at our church, or a benevolence fund. He was just the hands and feet of Jesus. I can't tell you how many times we had total strangers at our table for lunch or dinner. And then my mom would pack them a bag full of sandwiches and whatever else we had to take with them. If their kids didn't have shoes, she'd scour our closets to find something that would work. My dad would drive the car to the gas station and fill it up for them . One time while we had a transient gentleman at our house for dinner, my dad left and took my brother to his baseball game. My mom was teaching piano lessons in the next room, and I was assigned to clean up the dishes (I was going into the 3rd grade). While I was unplugging the electric skillet (which apparently had a loose wire) I was electrocuted....the kind where the current runs in your body and you can't let go of it. And just fyi...you do kind of feel like the cartoons where they fly up in the air. Anyway...so we have a homeless gentlemen in the next room. I'm screaming and attached to the electrical cord, my mom runs in and knocks me loose from the current, and I have burns on my arm and neck as well as an entrance wound on my hand. I'm just guessing we either drove that poor man to drink or sobered him up...not sure which one. I spent a night in the hospital and a few weeks getting burn dressings changed daily at the doctor's office. But if you ever wonder if I've had a short in my brain, now you know it's entirely possible.
ANYWAY....that was a taste of my childhood. Then the teen years came. And I'd just like to say, that if my children ever think I'm embarrassing, they should have lived with Marybelle and Leslie back in the 70's. My mom...let's just say she had her own sense of style. It can best be described as LOUD. And that description suits just about everything about my mom. She was a loud talker, a loud laugher (which is not a bad thing....rather endearing actually), a loud dresser, and a loud yeller (should you ever make her mad, which my brother did a lot). Now, anyone who knew my mom knows she was a large woman, but it never kept her from wearing gold lame pants or anything else she took a fancy to. She was a "light flipper". Some of you know what I mean. When you come home from a date, and you are parked in the car in the driveway...she would flip the porch light to let you know it was time to come in. I can hear you..."how embarrassing". Well, not so much, when you consider her new approach to light flipping when we moved to Oklahoma. We had a one-story house then...so she would step onto the front porch...in her nightgown...with nothing else on...into the bright light of the front porch....and point her finger at us in the car to let me know it was time to come in. Honestly, she only had to do it once (per boyfriend) and then after that, they slowed down at the cul-de-sac and gave me a gentle shove. I liked to refer to that as "Marybelle birth control".
And my dad, God love him! He grew up on a farm in Nebraska during the depression. They didn't move into a house with indoor plumbing until after my dad graduated college...in 1956. So...he has a little bit different mindset about somethings. He's always been a recycler, since before it was cool. He picks up cans, but don't think for a minute he puts them in a recycle bin on the curb each week. He still takes them to sell. After we moved to Oklahoma, the end of my junior year in high school, no one really knew my dad. I decided to keep it that way for as long as possible. BECAUSE...I might be with a friend in a car and pass my dad on the street. He would be the guy riding the woman's bike...from like the 1930's...that weighed approximately 50 pounds and had a HUGE basket on the handlebars. AND he would be wearing his favorite coat, the old brown corduroy coat with most of the buttons missing and the pockets hanging off. He'd top that with his favorite pair of Nebraska sweat pants...bright red with NEBRASKA down each leg (did I mention we were in Oklahoma). If that weren't enough, he'd wear his favorite warm hat....the one that kids made as a fundraiser many years before. It was alternating pieces of blue and gold fake fur with a big tassle on top. And he'd fill the basket of the bike with pop and beer cans that he would find along the roadside. He looked like a homeless person. So, if my friends were driving me home, we'd get to the house and I'd jump out, say goodbye and pray that they drove off before my dad pulled into the driveway and introduced himself. As years go by, I have found his little oddities a lot more loveable. But as a teenager, Leslie and Marybelle were quite a pair!
Now, all these years later, my mom is gone. She passed away 2 1/2 years ago. And my sweet dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Joe's mom passed away less than 5 weeks after my mom. And his dad is very sharp, despite lots of heart problems. Among my closest friends, a few have lost a parent, several have parents battling cancer, and a few are getting to enjoy this season with parents who are relatively healthy. I can look back and appreciate many of the things my parents taught me by example when I was a child. Because of them, our door is always open. We love to have people in our home, share a meal, laugh, pray, fellowship. I love having a driveway full of kids and a garage with bikes, scooters, easels and balls strung all over the place. It blesses me to share our blessings with others. I love to pass along the kids clothes, take a meal to a friend, send a note of encouragement...all things my parents did. It's funny what you learn being your parent's child.
Looking back, the seasons are really different. When I was little, I just loved being with my parents....well, most of the time. I was painfully shy...painful like "please don't speak to me, please don't speak to me" kind of shy. My parents, on the other hand....not so much! My dad was a pastor when I was growing up. He is outgoing, has never really met a stranger, and is comfortable asking the most bizarre questions. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. If someone came to the church and they were hungry, needed gas in their car, needed clothes...he would bring them to our house. We didn't have a food pantry at our church, or a benevolence fund. He was just the hands and feet of Jesus. I can't tell you how many times we had total strangers at our table for lunch or dinner. And then my mom would pack them a bag full of sandwiches and whatever else we had to take with them. If their kids didn't have shoes, she'd scour our closets to find something that would work. My dad would drive the car to the gas station and fill it up for them . One time while we had a transient gentleman at our house for dinner, my dad left and took my brother to his baseball game. My mom was teaching piano lessons in the next room, and I was assigned to clean up the dishes (I was going into the 3rd grade). While I was unplugging the electric skillet (which apparently had a loose wire) I was electrocuted....the kind where the current runs in your body and you can't let go of it. And just fyi...you do kind of feel like the cartoons where they fly up in the air. Anyway...so we have a homeless gentlemen in the next room. I'm screaming and attached to the electrical cord, my mom runs in and knocks me loose from the current, and I have burns on my arm and neck as well as an entrance wound on my hand. I'm just guessing we either drove that poor man to drink or sobered him up...not sure which one. I spent a night in the hospital and a few weeks getting burn dressings changed daily at the doctor's office. But if you ever wonder if I've had a short in my brain, now you know it's entirely possible.
ANYWAY....that was a taste of my childhood. Then the teen years came. And I'd just like to say, that if my children ever think I'm embarrassing, they should have lived with Marybelle and Leslie back in the 70's. My mom...let's just say she had her own sense of style. It can best be described as LOUD. And that description suits just about everything about my mom. She was a loud talker, a loud laugher (which is not a bad thing....rather endearing actually), a loud dresser, and a loud yeller (should you ever make her mad, which my brother did a lot). Now, anyone who knew my mom knows she was a large woman, but it never kept her from wearing gold lame pants or anything else she took a fancy to. She was a "light flipper". Some of you know what I mean. When you come home from a date, and you are parked in the car in the driveway...she would flip the porch light to let you know it was time to come in. I can hear you..."how embarrassing". Well, not so much, when you consider her new approach to light flipping when we moved to Oklahoma. We had a one-story house then...so she would step onto the front porch...in her nightgown...with nothing else on...into the bright light of the front porch....and point her finger at us in the car to let me know it was time to come in. Honestly, she only had to do it once (per boyfriend) and then after that, they slowed down at the cul-de-sac and gave me a gentle shove. I liked to refer to that as "Marybelle birth control".
And my dad, God love him! He grew up on a farm in Nebraska during the depression. They didn't move into a house with indoor plumbing until after my dad graduated college...in 1956. So...he has a little bit different mindset about somethings. He's always been a recycler, since before it was cool. He picks up cans, but don't think for a minute he puts them in a recycle bin on the curb each week. He still takes them to sell. After we moved to Oklahoma, the end of my junior year in high school, no one really knew my dad. I decided to keep it that way for as long as possible. BECAUSE...I might be with a friend in a car and pass my dad on the street. He would be the guy riding the woman's bike...from like the 1930's...that weighed approximately 50 pounds and had a HUGE basket on the handlebars. AND he would be wearing his favorite coat, the old brown corduroy coat with most of the buttons missing and the pockets hanging off. He'd top that with his favorite pair of Nebraska sweat pants...bright red with NEBRASKA down each leg (did I mention we were in Oklahoma). If that weren't enough, he'd wear his favorite warm hat....the one that kids made as a fundraiser many years before. It was alternating pieces of blue and gold fake fur with a big tassle on top. And he'd fill the basket of the bike with pop and beer cans that he would find along the roadside. He looked like a homeless person. So, if my friends were driving me home, we'd get to the house and I'd jump out, say goodbye and pray that they drove off before my dad pulled into the driveway and introduced himself. As years go by, I have found his little oddities a lot more loveable. But as a teenager, Leslie and Marybelle were quite a pair!
Now, all these years later, my mom is gone. She passed away 2 1/2 years ago. And my sweet dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Joe's mom passed away less than 5 weeks after my mom. And his dad is very sharp, despite lots of heart problems. Among my closest friends, a few have lost a parent, several have parents battling cancer, and a few are getting to enjoy this season with parents who are relatively healthy. I can look back and appreciate many of the things my parents taught me by example when I was a child. Because of them, our door is always open. We love to have people in our home, share a meal, laugh, pray, fellowship. I love having a driveway full of kids and a garage with bikes, scooters, easels and balls strung all over the place. It blesses me to share our blessings with others. I love to pass along the kids clothes, take a meal to a friend, send a note of encouragement...all things my parents did. It's funny what you learn being your parent's child.
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