Book of the Month: ?

I am so sad to admit that I am behind on my book a month goal for this year. I was able to finish last year's book and another book in January but I have yet to finish February's book which was The Authentic Catholic Woman. I have been trying to finish Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey for our Financial Peace University class that we have been taking since January. Our class ends mid-April and I would like to finish reading it before then. If I do, then I may have to count this as my February book. I still hope to finish The Authentic Catholic Woman and count it toward March.

I have also added a couple other books to my list of interests. I received The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman from some friends as our paper first anniversary gift. I have heard so much about this book and have wanted to add it to my list of books. I have heard this book being talked about on Christian radio. Knowing and understanding our love language will help us understand each other in our marriage. I also heard Dr. Emerson Eggerichs on Dave Ramsey's radio program on Valentine's Day. He was talking about his book Love and Respect. I found so much of what he had to say about men and women and marriage to be true. I could see them happening in our marriage. Understanding some of these fundamental differences can help strengthen our marriage.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I have not had a chance to pick up my bonus book Heaven is for Real. I just could not picture myself picking up and finishing this book when I could not even finish the books I had planned on reading for this year. Perhaps when I am caught up I can go back and finish this book as my bonus book as well.

I am looking forward to some "me time" this Saturday where I hope to get much of this reading done. Perhaps I can get caught up in reading Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. Financial Peace Revisited reads pretty fast since we are also taking the class. The Authentic Catholic Woman is a relatively short book but the material is deep and takes much thought. I think with some focus and determination I can get caught up on Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. If not, then there is always next week during some of the terrible storms we have been having.

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Last Daybook for March 2011

Outside my window... it is raining VERY hard. We have had severe weather here for the last couple of days. Rain, thunder and lightning, tornadoes… We needed the rain but I do not like the severe weather conditions that come with it.

Severe weather images

Severe weather in Florida

I am thinking... it would be nice to spend all day sleeping. All Gracie ever does all day is try to find a better spot to nap. What a tough life!

It is so hard to find a place to nap

It is a tough life being a cat

Please!! Can a cat just nap in peace??

I am thankful for... a husband to keep me safe during severe weather. The other night the thunder and lightning was so bad. It scared me in my sleep. My dear husband just held me tighter and assured me I would be okay. I went back to sleep safe in his arms.

From the kitchen... I baked banana bread from scratch. Okay, so it was not made fresh today… but I have been busy watching the severe weather.

Banana bread from scratch

I am wearing... my pajamas and thinking it would be nice to crawl under the covers and hide from the thunder and lightning.

I am creating... a first anniversary paper gift. Oh the memories we have had…

I am going... with Terry and Julie to our seminar this week. I hate driving in severe weather and I am so glad that they are willing to give me a ride. The car rides with them are so much fun!
  
I am reading... Financial Peace Revisited (still) but Terry and Julie gave me The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I am going to have to add it to my reading list. Thanks Terry and Julie for a great first anniversary gift!

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

I am hoping praying... safety for everyone in this severe weather all over the central Florida area.

A truck overturned on I-75

A damaged plane

There was significant damage at Sun-n-Fun

I am hearing... heavy rain and thunder in the distance.

Around the house... I am all caught up on my cleaning. I finally was able to get the clutter cleared and organized. Next week it will all start again.

One of my favorite things... cuddling with my husband and Gracie. They make me feel safe and warm. I love it when our family is together. There is nothing like quality time with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Tonight: Seminar Week #6
Friday: Visit family
Saturday: Hubby working OT and some “Me time”

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

All aboard…

My 3-year-old niece Miranda was excited to ride the train around the mall

My 3-year-old niece Miranda

My younger sister Lauralee & 8-year-old nephew Dominic

My 11-year-old niece Lexy

All aboard! The train is leaving the station.

It was a safe trip around the mall.

The train is heading back to the station

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.

Book of the Month: Jodi Picoult

In 2010, I started and/or finished two books by author Jodi Picoult. My Sister's Keeper I started reading sometime ago in 2009 and finally finished a few months after we were married. House Rules I picked up in the middle of summer last year and finally finished it in mid-January this year. She has since become one of my favorite authors to read. I have two other books by her on my 2011 reading list -- Change of Heart and Handle with Care. I am not sure when I will get a chance to start reading either one but I cannot wait. Her books are always been great page turners.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Synopsis:

My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper is about a family who has a baby for the sole purpose of becoming a donor for their older daughter dying from leukemia. Anna, the younger daughter, for the past thirteen years has served as primary donor for her older sister, Kate. Anna has never challenged this role until at age thirteen when she decides to sue her parents for the rights to her body. This page turner allows the reader to witness the court case to find out Anna has the right to decide for herself to continue to be a donor for her sister Kate. The reader also sits at Kate's bedside as she continues to battle leukemia which can eventually kill her if Anna decides to stop being a donor. 


House Rules

House Rules is about a young man with Asperger's syndrome. Eighteen year old Jacob has Asperger's and a fascination for forensic science. Their family life evolves around his very strict routine. His Mom gives his brother and him a set of house rules that Jacob can never break. When his tutor is found dead, Jacob is charged with her murder. The reader sits with Jacob and each of his family through the trial. The reader even has a chance to sit next to the attorney hired to prove that Jacob did not commit murder. Is a kid with Asperger's capable of murder?
 
Review:

I love her style of writing. Each chapter is written in the perspective of a person in the story. Not only can you get into their mind through her writing but the font of the text even changes with each person. The font selected even fits their personality. Her books challenge not only your moral and ethical thinking but your personal beliefs. The book is thought provoking from the very start until the very end.

My Sister's Keeper

I started to read My Sister's Keeper right around the time that the movie version was released. My plan was not to see the movie until I had finished the book. I knew there were chances that I would be disappointed by one or both endings. I am an avid reader and most of the time find the movie an acceptable adaptation of book although I always think the book is better. While I was reading the book, I had heard from others that the ending of the book and movie were different (which I was not surprised to hear) I was even more determined to finish reading the book so that I could finally see the movie. So after nearly a year after I initially started reading the book (I had a busy year that year), I finally finished it last summer. I had already purchased the movie to watch when I finished the book and had been looking forward to finally watching it. Now that I have finished the book, I just do NOT want to see the movie. Knowing how the book ends, I can already predict how the movie ends. I am not upset by the end of the book but it certainly poses a greater challenge to your moral and ethical thinking. I am not saying that the movie is bad. I have not even seen it. But this is truly the case where the book is far better than the movie. It gives you more to think about and keeps you wondering even long after you have finished it. 

House Rules

I found House Rules at the Goodwill bookstore and was drawn to it because of my family's close connection to autism. I have a cousin, Diana, and nephew, Chas, who both have a diagnosis in autism spectrum. I even have friends who are diagnosed with autism as well. I have seen some of the same Jacob's behaviors in my own nephew. Even as the aunt of an autistic nephew, I could relate to Emma, Jacob's mother. I have seen other children make fun of Chas and I hurt for him. I hurt for Jacob and his struggles to belong throughout the book. Although throughout most of the book I knew of Jacob's innocence to the crime, I was still surprised as to the reasons behind why he did what he did. I understood but I somehow was hoping that Jacob had really overcome his limitations created by the Asperger's. As I realized that he (and other children who have autism) may never overcome these limitations, I thought of my nephew Chas and the milestones he has made in his life. He may always have limitations due to his diagnosis but he is still our Chas. He is still my hero. Someday when I grow up I want to be just like Chas.

I would highly recommend both books by Jodi Picoult. They both keep you actively thinking as you read the book and even after you are finished. Sometime has passed since I have finished both books but I still think about moral and ethical values that are challenged by each book. A good book is not only a good read but gives you something to think about and even changes how you see things. Both of these books have managed to do so. I look forward to reading other books by Jodi and sharing how they have changed my thinking.

Book of the Month: Total Money Makeover

We set a goal this year to read a book of the month. I picked 12 books in advance that I wanted to read this year. I did not assign them a month but I chose 6 books for learning and inspiration and 6 books for leisure and fun. I later decided to read the books of learning first so that I could enjoy the rest of the year. I have also picked up a bonus book to read simultaneously as the book for the month to break things up a bit. I am in no rush to finish the bonus books before the end of the month. I hope to read 18 books total this year including bonus books. After finishing a book (whether it is the book for the month or a bonus book) I will write a review of the book and share my thoughts and what I learned from each book.

For the month of January, I chose Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I originally chose Financial Peace Revisited but later decided to read Total Money Makeover. It is a much shorter book than Financial Peace and is not as cut and dry. He includes some humor as well as personal stories from other couples who are working on their Total Money Makeover. I ended up having to read Financial Peace Revisited when Kris and I signed up to take Financial Peace University through our Church. I am glad that I got to read Total Money Makeover first to inspire us to get on track with our finances.

January book of the month: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey

Summary:

Total Money Makeover is a proven plan to help you gain control of your finances. Dave uses "baby steps" in order to help you organize your money (and life) so that you can have control. I know that this plan works because scattered throughout the book are personal testimonies from couples as well as singles who have used or are currently using Dave's plan to get control of their life and their future. The stories are an inspiration to get on a plan and stay on it. One of Dave's most important keys to financial success is the need for a written budget. He shows you how to create a budget and stay on it. Dave dispels myths about debt and money in order to help the reader understand more about the process. Dave uses his humor and wit to explain his plan and move through each of the baby steps.

Review:

This book was one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books I have ever read. The wit and humor made the book a faster read. There were some nights I just could not put the book down. The personal stories were encouraging. They reminded us why we started this whole process in the first place. I am glad that I read this early on in our marriage. It has helped us get on the same page in regards to our finances and helped us start our marriage on the right foot. His reference to passages from the Bible help us to stay focused mentally and spiritually on the same plan. My favorite part of the book was his reference to my favorite Bible verse -- Jeremiah 29:11. It is not only my personal mantra but the verse in which the title of this blog is derived. Reading this as we started Financial Peace University was the extra push we needed to get and stay motivated to make a plan that works. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulty or just wants to learn a "new" way to get financially fit.

Daybook

FOR TODAY


Outside my window... Right now it is 56 degrees with winds from the NNE at 5mph. The low tonight is going to be 42 degrees. The highs are in the 50s for the next 12 hours. Why does it FEEL so much colder????

I am thinking... Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  Please Santa do not bring me a lump of coal. I have been a very good girl.

I am thankful for... friends who are prayer warriors and are always there to offer prayers when you need it. Thank you so much to Sharon, Kathy, Pat, Laura, and Maria for praying over me last night when I really needed it. Prayers have helped tremendously and I am on the road to a clear mind.

From the learning rooms... Although we do not have children yet, there is always learning going on. I am learning every day how to be a better wife and someday a Mom.

From the kitchen... the sink is full of dirty dishes, the dishwasher needs to be unloaded, the stove needs to be cleaned… There is so much to be done!

I am wearing... my pajamas. I love pajamas. They are so comfortable.

I am creating... a home with my husband. A home that will someday be suitable for children to laugh and play. A safe home full of love. A home they can always come to and find a warm hug and gentle kisses from Mom and Dad.

I am going went... to buy the last cards we needed for this year including one for my darling's birthday. I love to send and give cards. They make someone feel they are loved.

I am reading... Currently, House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I do not have the time or sometimes the motivation (it comes and goes) I only have ¼ left and I do not want to put it down when I get the chance and motivation to read.

Reading list for 2011:

Six books for learning and growing

1. Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

2. Graced and Gifted : Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker’s Heart by Kimberly Hahn

3. Life-Giving Love: Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage by Kimberly Hahn

4. The Body Reveals God : A Guided Study of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body by Katrina J. Zeno

5. The Authentic Catholic Woman by Genevieve Kineke

6. Good News about Sex & Marriage : Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching by Christopher West

Six books for leisure and pleasure

1. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

2. Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

3. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

4. The Shack by William Paul Young

5. Fireproof : Never Leave your Partner by Eric Wilson

6. The Equation that Couldn’t be Solved : How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry by Mario Livio

My original intention was to alternate between book of learning and leisure but I have decided that these are the 12 books I would like to read next year. They can be read in any order but all 12 must be read by the end of the year.

I hope also to do more Bible reading and praying on a daily basis to keep myself spiritually connected.

I am hoping praying... May everyone have joy, peace, and love that the Christ Child brings this Christmas season. May everyone always have happiness, good health, and prosperity throughout the coming year.

I am hearing... the sound of the washing machine and dryer. There is ALWAYS laundry to be done!

Around the house... there is much to be cleaned and organized. There is so much to do for our house to become a home. We have papers to be filed and organized and a whole room that needs to be cleared. We are in no rush as we know it takes a lifetime of love to make a home complete.

One of my favorite things... is warm fresh, crisp laundry. I love warm soft clothes as they come out of the dryer. Sometimes I just want to put it on right there. I do not mind washing it because the washing machine and dryer do all the work. I dread folding it and putting it away.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Clean and organize the house
Saturday: Christmas day with the in-laws
Sunday: Hubby’s 35th birthday and the Feast of the Holy Family

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged. Then have my lips the sin that they have took. Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.