What have I never done?

Okay, so if you read yesterday's post you know that I took the opportunity to post about 22 things that I have done. So with my "haves" out of the way I was up late writing about my "have nots".

Oh, and I just have to add that with today (Friday) being my 39th birthday, I think it is perfect timing for these prompts. And I thank Mama Kat for giving me the slight shove in this direction so I would have something on my permanent record. Maybe I should do this again next year and see if I've added any of my have nots to my have list? Although honestly, I am pretty sure I won't want to do most of them. Or I won't be able to. Hmmn. So maybe my goal is to find a new list of 22 haves by October 28, 2012? My last year of my 30s. Okay, so this is turning into a totally different kind of post ...

Anyway, back to the point at hand. Check out my two lists. Do they compare? Which list is better? You tell me what you think:

I've never seen an episode of Desperate Housewives. (or Grey's Anatomy.)

I've never had any part of my body waxed.

I've never dyed my hair. Not yet, anyway.

I've never gone camping, not the true kind where you sleep in a tent... (someone's backyard does not count!)

I've never liked champagne.

I've never had a driver's license.

I've never had a one night stand.

I've never read any of the Twilight books.

Or seen the movies. (Or care to!) (Should that be one entry? Fine I've never read Harry Potter, either.)

I've never been to Israel. But plan to get there one day.

I've never been to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

I've never been to a strip club.

I've never eaten caviar or escargot. And never will.

I've never caught a fish. Or if I did I blocked it out! I am starting to think I might have, so I'll add a new one just in case ...

I've never had bangs as an adult (not since I had a horrible haircut in junior high that butchered the crown of my head!).

I've never finished the NY Times crossword puzzle. Though I honestly don't think I have ever tried.

I've never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.

I've never gone water skiing.

I've never mooned anyone.

I've never drank an entire beer.

I've never learned how to read/speak Hebrew. But I hope to some day.

I've never eaten real (non-veggie) sushi.

I've never seen Gone With The Wind in it's entirety. (A small thank you to Modern Family for that one!)

So there you have it. My 22 NEVERS. Did you write yours? Let me know. Do we have any in common? Any of mine you have done that I totally should?

Except Twilight. I mean it, people, I'm not going there.

Writer's Workshop: What Have I Done?

I didn't get to play last week, but I will eventually follow up with a What Have I Not Yet Done kind of post, but I decided to partake in this week's prompt #1:

Last week we wrote about what we have never done…this week write a list of 22 things you HAVE done. I'm linking up with Mama Kat and her weekly writer's workshop today with my list:

I've been parasailing.

I've taken a boat ride on the Rhine.

I've been held up at gunpoint.

I've been to the top of the World Trade Center.

I've been to the Cliffs of Moher and stood as close to the edge as was possibly permitted.

I've made my dad pull his car over to the side of the parkway so I could throw up. (Fabulous, no?)

I pledged a sorority. (Those two totally go together, if you haven't guessed.)

I've worn the same clothes to work two days in a row.

I dated some co-workers in my time, and ultimately married one.

I've seen Barry Manilow in concert - - MORE than once!

I've danced on top of a bar.

I've kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve.

I've smoked cigars.

I've donated my hair (many times).

I've tried skiing - - ONCE.

I've sledded down snowy hills on cafeteria trays.

I've been to the rain forest in Puerto Rico.

I've been on an airplane when people were smoking ON it -- as in IN flight!

I've been to the tree lighting in Rockerfeller Center in NYC.

I've had only one major surgery, my C-Section.

I've had my ears pierced 6 times.

I've eaten alligator.

And there you have it. 22 things I HAVE done.

Hope you enjoy and feel like you now know me better. And if you're up to the challenge of sharing yours, be sure to link up with Mama Kat if you do.

Everything We Ever Wanted ~ Book Review

I will start off this review by saying that I loved this book. This is the first thing by Sara Shepard I have read, and I am definitely a new fan.

The story, the characters, the secrets, the family ... it all added up to an incredible read. It was an easy read, enjoyable, not difficult to follow each character, and I loved the various perspectives we received throughout.

I'm not sure which character was my favorite, because they were all so wonderfully human. None were without flaws, which made them real, and the fact that they felt so real made them each easy to relate to in their own way.

We had family matriarch, Sylvie Bates-McAllister, and her recent loss of her husband James. We have her two sons, Charles - still pining for the one that got away - and Scott - still holding resentment to his mother and father, who adopted him before he turned two. Then there is Joanna, Charles' wife, who harbors angst, love, fear and more as her relationship seems to be slipping out of her grasp. She also has an interesting character of a mother, which brings a whole new dynamic to the story.

I also have to add that I absolutely loved the cover of this novel. As you can see above, it is so warm, colorful, and appealing. Especially as I read it as the fall weather has started drifting into my neck of the "woods" - so to speak.

So, if you can't tell by now, I really enjoyed this book and recommend you add it to your reading lists. It would also be an excellent read for your book club, should you be looking for something fresh and new. I think Ms. Shepard did a great job. And though I see that she is well known for both, Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game (both novels and TV shows, if I'm not mistaken), I think this might be the first book of hers you want to pick up. Take yourself out of the mainstream and enjoy this before everyone else does! You'll totally be ahead of the game, as I'm sure this is going to explode once it hits your neighborhood book stores.

p.s. I will add a slight note here to say that I thought it was pretty cool that the author got her Masters at Brooklyn College, which is where my brother went to school, where my graduations were held, and about 5 minutes from where I worked as a social worker before I relocated to NC. Reading that made me smile a little bit since I felt like I knew where the author *was* at some point in her life!

** I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours to facilitate my review. All expressed thoughts and opinions are strictly my own. **

Godiva Coffee #Giveaway!!!

I rarely host giveaways, and I certainly don't often have more than one going at a time, but with the holidays coming up, and Friends You Love winding down, what better time to have lots of fun and free stuff for all my friends?

Today I'm giving away a Godiva Coffee gift-pack for one of my friendly readers.

This gift pack will include a bag of both of their wonderful fall flavors. You'll get to try their flavorful Pumpkin spice and yummy Caramel Pecan Bark.



Now, if you know me, you know I'm not a huge coffee drinker. I can't be - - or I become totally addicted to the stuff. I can drink iced coffee like it's out of style. And when it comes to warm coffees, flavors are what draws me in. So when I got my hands on these I had to try them. And try them I have.

And they're really quite good. Really good. I love most anything pumpkin, so this coffee was a nice treat, but I was more surprised and pleased with the caramel pecan bark. Ahh. Yum. Add a splash of milk and a squirt of whipped cream (from the can) and it's a true treat!

And if you're one of those new coffee kids, like me, who has a Keurig or a 1-cup coffee maker at home, don't fret! You can enjoy Godiva coffees, too. I recently purchased a reusable filter, and that's how I made my taste testing cups of these delicious blends. It worked really well and the coffee tasted just as good as any other kind, actually - better. Mmmn. Yum.


So, in order to win yourself this pack, your mandatory entry asks you to head on back over to Godiva's coffee site and pick which flavor you'd love to try.

Extra Entries (please leave separate comments for each!):
* If you could create your own Godiva coffee flavor, what would it be?
* Follow me on twitter @goodgirlgonered.
* Tweet about this giveaway! Share the URL of your tweet with me, and feel free to use this sample tweet example for yours":

Thanks to @GodivaChoc I entered to win a #Godiva #Coffee gift pack @goodgirlgonered and @FriendsYouLove! Enter here: http://bit.ly/nXhNiX

Winner will be chosen through Random.org on Friday, October 28th!

And if you just can't wait for me to pick a winner, head on over here and grab your $2 coffee coupon so you can pick up a bag for yourself.

Please be sure to stop by Friends You Love to RSVP for our upcoming Twitter gala, where you can win loads of great prizes and have lots of fun!

** I was not compensated to post this giveaway. I was given two bags of Godiva coffee to try and include as my review. All opinions expressed are truly my own.**

Shutterfly Holiday Card #Giveaway

If you don't remember me saying so last year, I am a huge fan of Shutterfly.

And quite possibly an even bigger fan of their holiday cards!

If you've never seen one I actually have one I can show you that is my own personal card from last year. I'm not kidding, I saved the image so I could have it for future reference.

Here ... take a look:

Isn't it too cute? I love that I can do a ton of pictures to reflect fun moments throughout the year. It just makes me so happy (I'm corny that way, I know) to look back at them. So happy that I actually make sure that every year I keep a copy for myself!

I think that this year I might try to do two versions, and opt for one Christmas card and one Chanukah card. This one is my favorite from the 2011 collection - as it's very similar to the style I have shown you above, along with what I have used in previous years:

image from shutterfly.com

They not only have an incredible variety of card designs for the upcoming holidays, but they have some great photo gifts that you'll want to look into, as well. A favorite of mine as we start a new year is a special and personalized calendar that works really well for the grandparents! The wall version is my favorite style. I love how large and clear the pictures are.

And if you are a blogger this might just be your lucky day! You can register here to win a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season.

Shutterfly has also given me three codes for my readers, so I can give THREE of you a promo code for 25 cards for FREE! All you have to do is head on over to Shutterfly.com and tell me what your favorite design is. Which do you think you'll choose if you win?

And for an extra entry you can tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet and provide your link in a separate comment below:

I entered to win 25 holiday cards from @Shutterfly @goodgirlgonered and so can you. THREE winners! #Giveaway ends 10/28 http://bit.ly/nv3ivX

I was not paid to express these opinions regarding Shutterfly. They have always been my holiday card vendor of choice and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to provide three codes to my readers for free holidays cards of their own. I was given a code for myself to create some of my own holiday greetings, but this has had no impact on my opinion of their quality products.

The Rest of the Year ...

And the things I want to do ...

Call it a fall/winter bucket list. Or my 'rounding off 2011 Bucket List. Or something like that.

* Dye my hair. Maybe. I keep thinking I will. For the first time. Ever. But we'll see.

* Get my learner's permit. What? Shut up. You didn't know?

* Get a massage. For me. Soon. Or acupuncture. That would work, too.

* Get the kiddo a big girl bike. Because looking at her today on her tiny trike-type-bike was just kind of sad. She's way too big for it. Santa may bring it. Or Chanukah Harry. Whatever works. We just need to get her one. And soon.

* And speaking of ... Go see Santa. Somewhere. Anywhere. My Jewish Southern Princess isn't afraid of the big man anymore. Or so we think!

* Get to an ENT. Yep. For me. I need to. I have to. I'm too congested to explain further at this time.

* Get to IKEA. I'm in unorganized hell over here. I need to get there before 2012 hits.

* Read at least 20 more books.

* Get some good bras. TMI? Sorry. I had to say it.

* Build a snowman (assuming it snows in December).

* Make at least 4 things off of Pinterest (2 recipes and 2 crafts).

Then there are the few things I am going to add because I know [hope!] we're going to be doing them and I am totally the kind of person who likes crossing things off my lists.

* Go to Disney. Yep. Family trip. Planned. ILs and all. Looking forward to it and a little nervous at the same time. Yikes.

* Disney on Ice. Don't detect a theme. It's all good. It's just two things. I promise.

* Get our inflatable turkey up for T-Day this year.

This is a pretty mellow post, (fine, it's lame - I get it) but I'm out of ideas. I should have created a must do list for my daughter, but kind of got wrapped up in my inability to breathe and horrible shoulder pain all at once. So I stuck with me and my needs. With a few things thrown in for her. I'm still a somewhat good mom, right? Cause if Mama ain't happy - - ain't nobody happy. Isn't that how the saying goes?

And if not, well, I tried. Sorry, kiddo. Mama needs to go to bed now.

(Hmmn, I could totally cross that off my list after I add it ... trying to get to bed before midnight at least twice a week ...)

Wordless Wednesday: Think Pink (hair, that is!)

Don't Sing At The Table ~ Book Review

Don't Sing at the Table, by Adriana Trigiani was a touching and motivational read.

This is the first of her work that I have read, though I have hard incredible things about Lucia, Lucia and Big Stone Gap. I am kind of glad I started off with a non-fiction work in that I feel as though I actually got to know her as she introduced me to her grandmothers.

Lucy and Viola will likely feel like many a grandmother you have met over the course of your life. Whether you relate them to your own, one or two, regardless of religious or cultural backgrounds, or that of a friend. Or even a great aunt or two. She'll bring you into their worlds, long before she entered them.

This makes me a little bit jealous. I didn't have my grandmothers for long enough to be old enough or smart enough, or perhaps just not well prepared to ask them for their history. And I am sad about that. I read through these pages envious of all that Adriana got to know about these important role models and what she carries with her daily that they passed on. Along with that I know she is doing the same with her own daughter, and teaching her the ways of the women who lived before.

The memories and the stories are beautiful. The page by page history of each woman and each "side of the family" are intriguing, but a bit slow for me during the earlier chapters. It was when she changed her tune and started to overlap the women that I sped on. The history, the single meeting between the two. How one paid respects to the other at her funeral. How one visited family in Italy that belonged to the other woman. It doesn't even matter - as I tell you this - which woman I mean when I make each point. Because at this part of the story it's their connections and how they live on within the author that matter the most.

I'm glad I had a chance to get to know not just these two incredible women through this book, but a third, in the author herself.

I will, however, go against one piece of advice given by Viola and her side of the family. It's quite possibly one that matters most to our author, as it is shared in the title of this book. I'm sorry - but singing at the table ... and pretty much anywhere in our house ... is something that is totally okay by me.

** I was given a copy of this book to read and review by TLC book tours. All expressed opinions are strictly my own. **

Friends You Love: Guest Posts Everywhere!

Hey, everybody - - I'm not here today. I'm actually posting over at Jackie's place so I hope you'll go by and say hi to her and check out the yummy fall recipe I've shared for her Menu Monday post this week.

But first, stick around and check out this cool craft my friend Jamie has in store for you all today. Seriously. Don't think you're in the wrong 'hood. You're not. I promise!

And when you get a chance follow up with Friends You Love so you can see what we have in store for y'all, as well.

==================

Hello to all the Good Girl readers out there! My name is Jamie and I am the sometimes inspired, occasionally creative, and almost never still voice over at Mama.Mommy.Mom. I live my life totally stressed out and in-over-her-head, as a wife, mom and professional nothing who cooks, takes pictures and blabs about the adventures of raising my kids.

My two cuties are Cullen, my 2 year old boy, and Addison, my almost 5 year old girl. Addison is very into crafts and art, so she always has some grand project on her mind. She's been proficient at using my iPhone for a while, but recently developed an affinity for YouTube. She discovered that she can find projects there, and that's where the idea for today's project came from.

Trick or Treat Halloween Soaps




These soaps are so easy to make, it's a bit scary! There are parts that need adult assistance, but for the most part, this is a very kid friendly craft too!

The Supplies (all available at your local craft store):
Clear Glycerin Soap
Silicone Cupcake Pan
Skin Safe Soap Color
Small surprises to go inside the soap

We totally lucked out and found a silicone cupcake pan that had a pumpkin shape, but any shape you want to use will work fine.



First things first, pop out the soap block onto a cutting board. The soap is already pre-scored into cubes. Using a knife, cut the soap into individual cubes along the score lines. The soap is dense, but the knife cuts in fairly easy.



For each soap, you'll using the equivalent of 3 cubes of the glycerin. Because of the shape of our pan, we decided to chop the blocks down a bit smaller so they'd pile up a little better, but each cup still only contained the 3 cubes allotted per soap. The pan goes straight into the microwave to melt the soap. There's no messing pouring with this project! Depending on your microwave, it'll take between 1 and 1-1/2 minutes for the cubes to melt down completely. We only did three at a time, just so getting it in and out of the microwave wouldn't be so tricky. Once melted, carefully remove the pan from the microwave and move it to the counter.


This is the point where you'll want to color your soap. There are many, many soap colors available but we chose to buy a pack of primary colors and do a little mixing. It made for a great opportunity to practice color concepts. Once you drop in your coloring, you'll want to give each soap a careful stir. Since this is soap, it'll wash right off! You can use a spoon to stir or do like we did and grab a disposable drinking straw.



Once you've mixed in the color, it's time to drop in you surprises. We chose a bag of assorted Halloween rings. Just drop one into each soap and give it a little push into the melted soap with the spoon/straw. It'll float back up a little, and that's fine. Once the surprises are inside, simply leave the pan sitting on the counter for the soaps to cool. Once the pan is completely cool to the touch, you can flip it over and pop your soaps right out.



The pan can be washed when you finish with the soaps and used over and over again for anything from crafts to cooking.You could even use the pan to make shaped ice cubes with water and food coloring!

I hope you enjoyed this craft and will stop by and visit me at Mama.Mommy.Mom.

Thanks for sharing such a fun craft with us, Jamie. I'm so glad to have you come spend some time in my neck of the woods! If anyone has any questions about the craft feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll drag Jamie back here to help answer them.

Simply Charmed Review + #Giveaway!

The fabulous Friends You Love ladies have been lucky enough to not just receive some Simply Charmed wine glass charms for our own use, but we also have the opportunity to give a set away!

This is the set you'll be receiving if you win (honestly, how cute is that corkscrew one? I love it!): I tested mine out on my current set of wine glasses and they work really well. At first I thought it might be weird or that they'd fall off, but the magnet is crazy strong!

And right now they're sitting on my fridge as an excellent holder for some essentials like business cards and random notes to myself.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

To enter just tell me your favorite kind of wine (brand, type, whatever!). And if you don't drink wine, or alcohol, tell me what would be in your glass with your brand new charm on it.

And for extra entries you can do any or all of the following (separate comments, please):

- Tell me what set of charms you'd purchase for yourself over at Simply Charmed!

- Go check out Simply Charmed facebook page and give them some *like* love!

- Follow @goodgirlgonered on Twitter (that's me!)

- Follow @friendsyoulove on Twitter!

- Follow @wineswithcharm on Twitter!

- Tweet about this giveaway with the following info included: @wineswithcharm #giveaway @goodgirlgonered celebrating @friendsyoulove

Now I know there are loads of you out there who enjoy a good wine party and all ... so what better giveaway for you peeps to enter? You can also use these with your friends or your kids on sweet tea and/or cider glasses, or whatever they prefer. It's a great way to entertain and spice up your *look* a little!

Winner will be picked via Random.org and chosen one week from today.

** I received a free set of two wine charms to review for this giveaway. One of my readers will receive the set shown in the image included in this post. All opinions expressed are completely my own.**

Inked ...

I stand in front of the mirror.

Bare flesh.

Standing and staring.

I can hear her crying in the other room.

Softly, though. Not loud. Not screaming. Not wailing.

Just enough time for me to take things in. Zone out the sound.

Briefly.

I stare some more.

I turn sideways. Looking. Never breaking contact.

My eyes follow my body as I turn. And turn again.

********

Over four years later I turn to my daughter and explain.

She hasn't noticed it before, but she is going to see her daddy.

He'll have marks of his own now.

Appendectomy. She knows something was taken out.

I explain that there will be marks on his skin.

Will there be Band Aids?

Do children care about much else? Band Aids heal all.

I don't know.

I show her. I share.

This is where you came out of my belly.

She is fascinated.

I did?

Yes.

And how big was I?

I motion with my hands ...

About this big, I tell her.

How big were my feet?

I tickle her feet. Motion to chop them a bit. She laughs.

We talk. We look at various parts of her body and I reflect as best I can.

Can I see again?

I tug at my waistband. Lift up the pouch a bit.

There?

She points. I nod. Yes.

Did you have Band Aids?

We laugh.

We move forward. Onto something else.

But me ... I am forever inked with the memory.

A Wordful Wednesday

My baby cousin got engaged this past weekend. And yes, I am completely allowed to call her my baby cousin because I was 16 years old when she was born. The first time I met her was at my Sweet 16 party. She was totally tiny and full of hope. She was beautiful. She is beautiful.

Sadly, I don't see my cousins quite as often as I used to, but a lot has changed over time. The photo below is probably the last picture I have with her (she is in the middle, with her oldest sister to the opposite side) and it was taken at my brother/SILs baby shower for my niece. I was pregnant, and my aunt insisted it was going to be a girl. She was one of the few.

That was the last time I saw my aunt and sadly I have no pictures of us together from that day. I probably rushed through my time with her, and somehow didn't get a shot of us together as we normally would. But as I say, time goes on, changes things, and so on and so forth. If you're a regular here you have read a lot about my aunt here in my 'hood. In March it will be three years since she left us. I remember ... and I do it quite often.

But today is for good things. Happy things. Happy thoughts.

I actually had a whole other post in my head and heart for today. A whole bunch of thoughts about being a mother and a wife. And yet - somehow - I drifted to another role in my life. That of cousin, niece. That which was so important to me.

I caught up with a family member's blog today, one I didn't know enough about until her mom told me. This is my husband's cousin's daughter's blog. Did you follow that? I know it's hard. But I saw some of her posts about family. And I want that for my child. I want the memories. I want the songs at random moments. The dancing in the living room. And above all else I want her to know and feel love. And I know that she will. But it also makes me think back to my own. And to what has been lost. And to what I miss. And to why.

And so I think how wonderful for my baby cousin. And I hope that my daughter and I will dance together at the wedding. My husband, too, of course. But I think of the light in my child's eyes as she watches a cousin she has barely gotten to know walk down the aisle in a pretty white dress. And I imagine her dancing with my niece and laughing. Loving. Living.

And I'll miss my aunt terribly. But I'll hope that somewhere - up there - she is laughing and loving us, too.

Congrats, little Foofalah. For that you will always be to me. xox



** I am planning to link up with Pour Your Heart Out today over at Shell's Place. Come by and say hi.**

Friends You Love: Meet one of mine! #FYL

I'd like to introduce you to Lisa from Two Bears Farm as we celebrate friendships this month with Friends You Love!

I had the pleasure of finally meeting Lisa IRL this summer when we attended TypeAParent Conference. She was my roomie for the weekend, and she made me some delicious sweet treats (seriously, go check out her recipes. She's amazing with natural foods. I do not lie!).

Here's a picture of the two of us together from that fun weekend in Asheville:

Isn't she just too cute? Anyway, please go on and read a story from Lisa in only the way she can write one. You'll find yourself touched and moved. And please let her know that!

I am so honored that Andrea invited me back a second year to post during Friends You Love week. I’ve been following Good Girl Gone Redneck for at least a year and a half now, and always look forward to Andrea’s warm and heartfelt posts. I got the chance to meet her in real life this summer during Type A Con, and had so much fun chatting about life as a mom, books, and PPD. She’s just as easy to talk to in real life as she is online. Thanks, Andrea, for inviting me back, and for being a great friend to me!

Since this month is all about friendship, I started thinking about the first time a friendship of mine hit an adult note. Do you remember the first time your friendships left the carefree days of youth and reached a different, more mature level? It happened at the tender age of 14 for me. My best friend, K.D., had spent long, leisurely summer days with me. We’d ridden horses, had sleepovers, gone shopping, and eaten our fill from the brand new fast food chain, Taco Bell. It was a summer of innocence, but then K.D. and I went to separate schools, and only saw each other for riding lessons. K.D. fell into a bad crowd. I still don’t know all the details of what happened, but one day my mom pulled me into the room and told me to sit down. Then, she gingerly broke the news that K.D. was in a mental hospital. A mental hospital? My summer best friend -- my larger than life, bubbly, beautiful and creative friend -- K.D.? Yes. K.D.’s mom had called mine, and said that she was asking for me to call her and to write to her.

The letters I got broke my heart and shocked me. K.D. had changed. She wrote about her 19 year old boyfriend, who was in jail, and how she wanted to have his baby (this, during a time when having babies was definitely not something you saw in high school). She wrote long, heartfelt letters about how her best friend in the hospital went crazy one night, about how she had to watch her tackled by nurses, and held down while they doped her, and eventually put her into a straightjacket. I wanted to fix things for K.D. I wanted to take away her pain, to get her out of that dark place and offer her hugs and somehow magically erase time until we went back to our warm summer days.

But I learned that sometimes, in friendship, the way you can help most is to listen. You can’t always change and fix. And you can never erase time. But you can support by calling and writing, by standing by someone when they fall. K.D. did get out of the hospital, and they placed her in a different school. It took her a while to get her life back on track, but eventually she did, and she was able to go to college and enter a successful field in the medical profession. And all these years I never forgot that sometimes, to hold your friends up, you just need to open your ears.

Little Goblins Ten ~ Book Review for Kids!

I was lucky enough to be selected to read and review Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane for TLC Book Tours this month. I love the chance to read a book with my daughter for review purposes, as I can add her feedback, as well.

So what a surprise this book had in store. Not just a fun story perfectly timed for Halloween for us, but a counting/math related twist to it, as well. Throw in some rhyming and we were good to go.

As I made my way through the pages with my daughter, I found it to be fun and educational. And in case I'm not expressing the educational part well enough - this book helped reinforce both, mathematical skills and the ability to *get* poetry and rhyming mechanisms throughout.

Well, that's a mouthful or two for a kids' book, isn't it?

A fun example from the pages so you can better relate:

Over in the forest
By the graveyard gate
Lived a bony father skeleton
And his skellies _____.

I left the last word off, so she answered me correctly with "eight" and knew that the next pages would be nine. So, math AND rhyming!

Overall I really liked the book, and even better, my daughter loved it. The artwork might have been her favorite part, as the creatures on every page were fun, and scary, and sometimes laugh-worthy. Her favorite ones were the monsters, the "big mommy monster and her little monster one," to be exact. She laughed at their expressions and maybe it just reminded her of her own mommy monster.

Pamela Jane also has another book out that's perfect for this time of the year. While I haven't yet read it, I'd like to share the cover shot with you all in case you're interested. Check out A Vampire is Coming to Dinner today!



** I was provided with a copy of this book for review by TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own [or my daughter's!]. **

Oops! An off-track me totally forgot that I am able to give away a copy of this book to one of my readers, so please leave me a comment if you are interested in winning a copy and let me know who it is for!

And for one extra entry, feel free to tweet about this giveaway and post the URL back here so I know where to find it if you should win. Thanks!

What it's all about ... #StrongStart

I'm a day late, but not a dollar short.

I woke up after a rough night of sleep and non-sleep with my daughter yesterday morning to a whole load of tweets about an incredible initiative. My daughter battled some sort of need to sleep brought on by fever? Broken sleep? I don't know exactly. But she fell in and out of focus for a few hours.

And during that time, I read.

I had already checked my email and found out about the initiative underway by Katherine to raise money to support Postpartum Progress. I made a note to myself. You will donate. This website and many more have helped you, and helped you help others. I clicked through to paypal, but it was an iffy connection upstairs, so I held off so as not to screw anything up.

Then I hit twitter. Holy Hashtag, mommas! #Strongstart (I hope that link worked!) was happening, and the challenge was ON! There was talk of bacon and abstaining (a non-issue for me, I don't eat it anyway) and supporting fellow #PPDChat mommas, and so much more. I was completely oblivious, having just returned from New York and fallen straight into the Friends You Love extravaganza I'm participating in this month.

The stories continued throughout the day and I knew I had to link up and share some of my own. Just a few snippets from the details I've told in the past. Notes to myself to remind me that I'm not alone. And why do I know that?

Because of people like Katherine and sites (or communities, if you will) like Postpartum Progress.

A few of my own words on my PPA experience can be found scattered throughout my blog. You can read them here, here, and here. And below I've quoted a bit of myself from one of those posts, in case my going link crazy was too much for you to bear. I don't blame you. Sometimes I'm too much for myself to bear, too!

**Obviously I made it through those early days. I found a way to hang in there, to survive. There was so much going on, but having people to talk to - to count on - to listen, that's what made it pass so smoothly. And to remind myself of how strong I was, that helped make it all okay. But the interesting thing to me about postpartum anxiety is that it never really, truly seems to go away. Because - after all - you are ALWAYS postpartum after your child is born. At least that is my perspective, four years+ into motherhood. And so the story continues ... stay tuned. **

So you know that I most definitely am thankful for these incredible women I have met in the blogo/twitter-sphere. And I so DO love these people I am proud to refer to as my friends. My blogging and twitter friends are a tremendous part of my life. And because of that I need to remind you all that you taking a moment to donate just a few dollars to Katherine's cause, my cause, OUR CAUSE, can help in ways beyond words.

Help me help a friend. Because she helps so many friends. And the next person she helps might be you or one of yours. Donate today. Every little bit counts.

Testing Limits and How I Respond

So we've been home from NY for like two days now, and my daughter knows exactly how to test limits with me in a way that not only makes me miss my family just because I DO miss my family - - but in a way that makes me wish being there with my family because they're a great buffer for the windows of time we have together.

Is that horrible of me?

I love spending time with my child. I do. I truly do.

But some days -- like today most especially (as I write this it is Tuesday. I will post it on Wednesday).

But she pushes my buttons like nobody else. She tests limits that she knows I have set for her. For us. For our family and our home.

And yes. I know that she is four years old. And really, what can one expect from a four-year-old, exactly?

Oh, I don't know. Maybe the sense to leave me alone for a minute when I ask her to STOP BLOWING BUBBLES AT MY HEAD. ESPECIALLY WHILE I AM ON THE COMPUTER.

Any guesses as to when that happened? *If you said right this second you'd be a winner. But I have no prize. Honestly, the caplock was a dead giveaway, right?*

So I'm tired. And I'm twitchy. And I just want a few minutes alone.

And yeah, sometimes I think to myself it would make sense to pop her into preschool right about now. And I'd love to, but spending that money while I sit home on my behind just doesn't make that much sense. For me. For us. But I should look into something. There has to be something that can give us that perfect balance of time together and time apart.

That perfect frame of our day where I don't find myself saying something like, SERIOUSLY? Again with the scissors and random paper pilings all over the living room floor?

Again?

Sigh.

Small things set me off. But alas, I am only human. I am a mother. A good one. But I'm also entitled to moments of bad mommy mode. When I just want to lock myself in the bathroom with a good book or a trashy magazine filled with celebrity gossip, or hide out in the kitchen with a piece or two or ten of chocolate. Which reminds me, my husband picked up some Dove bars on his way home last night. I hid them in the fridge. How could I forget?

Hang on chocolate treats, Mama's coming!

p.s. Please remind me to find a place to hide that awful baby doll stroller that used to live in the garage until she saw it. Because not only does the sound of the thing on the hardwoods drive me to want to drink but Dexter, our dog? Hates that friggin thing with a passion only puppies in their mid-60s could have.

I remember ...

Fading in and out.

There. And then not.

A hand. A grasp. Tightly held. Tighter now.

The pain.

Searing.

The tears.

Streaming.

Words ... jumbled.

Senseless.

Muttered.

Eyes.

Deep. Focused. Holding mine.

Breath.

Strong and powerful.

Motivating.

Darkness.

Silence.

And then the pain.

Again.

Reaching out.

Again.

A hand.

A grasp.

There for me.

There with me.

Not alone.

Never alone.

And soon ... it happens again.

Hand in hand.

Together.

In and out of silence.

In and out of pain.

Waiting together.

Hand in hand.

Friends You Love: BFF Contest!

Have you stopped by to visit Friends You Love yet?

No? What are you waiting for! Head on over to read up on our goal to spotlight women's friendships this month, and find out how to link up your post about YOUR best friend!

You AND she could win incredible gifts from Earth To Alice!

All you have to do to participate is:

* Write a post about your best friend!
Tell us how you know her, how she has been there for you, why she is the World's Greatest Possible BFF and more! If you're not sure what to say, take a look at my post from last year here!

* Head back and link your post up at Friends You Love!

* Entries will be accepted starting this weekend and running through October 22nd!

* On October 25th we will post our Top 5 favorite BFF posts. And the public can come back and
vote for their favorites!

* Voting will close at 5 p.m. CST on October 30th.

* The winner will be announced at Friends You Love on October 31st!

<center><a href="http://www.friendsyoulove.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Friends You Love"<br>src="http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad202/That_One_Mom/Friends%20You%20Love%20-%20TFC/BBFContest-FriendsYouLove.png"/></a></center>

Far to Go ~ Book Review

Alison Pick wrote an absolutely beautiful novel in Far to Go. It's exceptionally touching, powerful, strong and raw.

Set in Czechoslovakia in the home of a Jewish family struggling to make way under Hitler's early regime, we watch as the nanny, Marta, takes care of a young boy named Pepik while his mother, Anneleise, seems to care little, except when under a watchful eye. We watch the father, Pavel, and his efforts to protect his family, most especially the young son.

Marta is our primary character. At first we start off with a story that is told from her perspective, and it seems to be that way for the most part. We learn more as we get into the details, and we get more characters as we move on through the pages. Marta is so torn between loving and protecting the family she has come to look at as her own, and the changes happening in the world around her. She is inspired and motivated by her love for the young lad under her supervision, and his father, and even, to some extent, the love she has for Anneleise, with whom she shares a history and protects secrets for. Yet she also finds herself pushed to various points when considering and remembering that these people, this family she holds so dear, are Jews.

Jews deserve disrespect. Jews deserve betrayal. Jews deserve pretty much anything negative that can be lashed upon them in this story. And although this is a fictional novel, it breaks your heart because the portrayal of the way Jews were treated is accurate ... so true.

As someone of Jewish ancestry, I ache a little bit each time I read a book about this time. This time in our world when Jews were persecuted merely for being Jews. My heart breaks. I think back to my grandfather, one I never got the chance to meet, and his first family, the one he lost in the war. It makes me so sad, and I hope that generations to come never forget the history and tragedy that occurred.

I think that this book was a beautifully written one, and there are many pleasantly woven surprises that occur throughout. They don't spring out at you, but take you through the appropriate path to get to the points of reveal. Points at which they are most relevant. Take some time and read Far to Go. Be prepared to be emotional, angry, agitated and more. But feel love while you read it just the same. Take your time and enjoy every word. You won't be sorry you did.

** I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours for review, but all opinions expressed are truly my own. **