MarytheKaytheBlog

Let's tell some truth, Tuesday!

My friend Carissa always has the best Tell the Truth Tuesdays.  Today, I thought it would be fun to copy her a little...

Here are some MarytheKay truths--free of charge! 

Skunks??  Why skunks?  Wait for it.... 
 
1.  I am such a nightowl, and have been since I was little.  I can remember being 10 or 11 and staying up extra late on Friday or Saturday nights--later than everyone in my family--reading a Nancy Drew mystery in my bed.  I remember always being creeped out when I got to the scary/suspenseful parts, and realizing I was the only one awake in the house...the creaky old house with about 115 hiding places!

2.  Speaking of hiding places...Well, it's NO WONDER that I was creeped out by the creaky  noises late at night--I had a family who just LOVED hiding out and scaring each other.  (Okay, myself included)  Yeah, my family just loves telling the story of how I had "drop seizures" when they used to jump out and scare me.  What's a drop seizure, you ask?  Well, when they would scare me (sometimes wearing a gorilla mask, might I add!), I basically just slumped to the floor.  Fully conscious--just scared, I guess.   Wouldn't YOU drop to the floor if a gorilla human was sitting on the floor of your closet when you reached in???

3.  I am training for a 5K, using the C25K program.  I am on Week 5, Day 2...However...I have now done Week 5, Day 2 three times now!  I am just too scared to jump from an 8-minute run to a 20-minute run.  That's a pretty BIG jump.  Has anyone out there done this program?  Can anyone offer me encouragement?  The one person I asked just told me she got STUCK on the same week/day. 

4.  I fell in love with my husband...while skunk hunting.  (Oh, the picture!)  Have you ever heard anything MORE REDNECK?  I promise it wasn't as redneck as it sounds, said the redneck gal from Arkansas!  I'll tell the story here sometime.  Maybe this summer--in honor of our 20th wedding anniversary!!  That could be fun! 

5.  I NEVER know the lyrics to any songs on the radio.  It's really pitiful.  Also, I hardly ever know who is singing the song.  I CAN, however, tell you if the song is in tune, or if it sounds good!  To me, a song is all about the music, not the words.  I do like when songs tell a story...I just usually miss out on the story--until my husband or daughters tell me about it.  I'm really NO FUN at parties when people start quoting lyrics or trying to think of what group used to play that song playing...  And my friends will be happy to confirm this statement, I am sure.

6.  Speaking of music...I play the flute and the piano.  I took piano for a lot of years--maybe 10?--but I didn't practice at all like I should have, and don't play AT ALL like a 10-year pianist.  (I promise I'm not just being modest!)  I took from a wonderful, very serious classical teacher.  In my last couple of years with him, my lesson was in-between my teacher's 2 very best students--a child prodigy pianist (truly), and a serious pianist my age--who now plays professionally.  There I was in the middle.  I called myself the comic relief!  I still can play the songs I memorized those last years--and one in particular drives my sister crazy.  Guess what I do every single time she visits?  Oh, you betcha--I play her my song!!!  It's a Chopin waltz, I believe.  It goes like this:  Duh duh, duh duh duh duh duh duhhhh, duh duhhhhh, duh duhhh duh duh duh duh duh duhhh, duh duhhh.  You know the one?

7.  Okay, just so I don't leave you thinking I am a total music flunkie...I was much better at the flute than piano.  You know why, kids?  Because I PRACTICED.  I worked really hard at it.  Plus, maybe it was easier.  *grin*

8.  Annnnd, so that you can picture me as the total band nerd that I was:  I also twirled the flag.  Oh yeah--flag corps, baby!  And, thankfully I never had to wear the spandex body suits you sometimes see those girls wear (and boys, *shiver*).  We wore skirts and white boots with tassels. 

 

Okay, let's stop there.  8 is enough, right?  (I am TICKLING myself right there!  Those of you old enough, will know exactly why!)  I don't want to bore you to death with more trivia and truth.  I already see one head in the back yawning and nodding off. 

As my Gram used to say, "Good night, good people!"

The Bachelor Viewing Scorecard--Brad rocks his adverbs. Clearly.

   Disclaimer(s):

1.  Yes, I know.  I watch the Bachelor.

2.  I really like Brad, the current Bachelor.  He is one of my favorites in quite a while.  (See #1 above)   Brad seems respectful, and like he genuinely does his best to act with integrity.  (See #3 below)  

3.  I realize The Bachelor is a television show that is probably 91% make-believe.  And those producers--they do a great job.  Because I really like Brad.  (See #2 above)

 

What is an adverb anyway?  And why does Brad love them so much…I mean SO MUCH?

An adverb is a part of speech. It is any word that modifies any part of speech or other verbs other than a noun.  Adverbs typically answer questions such as how?, in what way?, when?, where?, and to what extent?  (from Wikipedia)

Why Brad is our Adverbs Bachelor Spokesperson.  (Or, ABS)  Everyone uses adverbs.  TRULY, they do.  But, I have noticed all season how much Brad loves his adverbs...dearly!  Please understand this is all in good fun.  I find it quite refreshing that Brad uses his adverbs so well.  But, let's just see HOW WELL he uses them!  I have created a little scorecard, to use as you watch.    Oh, how I would love it if you'd leave a comment with Brad's "ABS score" once you've watched!  You know--that would be AMAZING...like, more than you know!!

 (Download The Bachelor Viewing Scorecard)

The Bachelor Viewing Scorecard:  ABS Edition

+1        Adding an appropriate -ly to the adverb (You did amazingLY.  That is greatLY appreciated.)

+1        EMPHASIZING the adverb (That was REALLY fun.  Thank you SO much)

+1        Putting an adverb in its own sentence, so as to emphasize it (I think you're great.  Truly.) 

+2        Every time he uses his favorite adverb phrases:

Thank you SO much

That means...more than you know

I appreciate it...more than you know

_______          Date with Ashley H.  ABS Score!

_______          Date with Chantal ABS Score!

_______          Date with Emily ABS Score!

Want a sneak peek of the adverbs (and ABS) you'll be gleaning from tonight's episode?

Watch for the perfect ABS...  at around  :25 ,  :36 ,  :45 , and  :49

 

For MUCH FUNNIER commentary after tonight's episode, be sure to check out Lincee's I Hate Green Beans Bachelor Recaps!

Helping your Child Walk Through Disappointment

 photo credit: flickr

Wow, that title makes it seem like I have all the answers.  I sure wish I did, and could write a tidy little post with the Top 3 ways to help a child handle disappointment.

If you're here looking for answers, I'm sad to say I don't have them.  Rather, I am writing this as a means to start a discussion, and hopefully, learn some things by writing, and listening to what others have to say.

 

Just recently, our oldest, our tender-hearted daughter suffered a terrible disappointment.  Now, in the big life-long picture, it was not a terrible disappointment.  But, to a 10-year-old girl with a sensitive heart, it WAS heart-breaking and terrible.

And this disappointment is even more devestating because it is the same one she has experienced at least 4 times now.  But, this year, this time, she was convinced it was her time.

And, frankly?  As her parents, we were REALLY hoping and secretly PRAYING that it would be her time.  Looking back now, I wonder if we should have intervened, should have expressed something to the person in charge, or even spoken a small comment... 

But, in the end, we decided to trust.  Trust the system, trust in fairness, and ultimately--trust that God is in charge.

Man, oh man, is it ever hard as a parent simply to trust.  Dangit, sometimes I just want to take the reins and make good things happen for our daughters.  Especially for our sweet Rebecca, who was hoping with a twinkle in her eye, and excitement in her voice that it would be her turn.

We even prayed as a family--quickly in the car--before she walked in to find out the results.  Our prayer was a simple one, and one that later we would understand the real need to be prayed:  We told God we trusted Him, and no matter what the end result, that Rebecca would be able to trust that God has a special plan for her...

We then quickly hugged our grinning daughter as she skipped away ahead of us.

Seeing her face after, we instantly knew.  She held her composure until we could be alone, and then she just cried.  She cried and said the exact same things we were thinking, as her parents. 

I just held my sweet girl, whose beautiful blond head is now just below my chin.  I pulled her close to me and whispered the only words that came to me in that moment: "I'm sorry.  I am just so sorry.  You are the most talented girl I know, and I really don't understand, either."

 Mostly, I just listened.  And held.  And wiped the tears.

A little later, I lay down next to her in bed.  I stroked her back as she lay on her side facing me, and I tucked little stray hairs behind her ear.  In that quiet moment, she told me,

"Mom, sometimes I feel so small in the world.  Like I don't matter at all."

In that moment, God totally gave me the words to say.  I don't think I could have thought of these words on my own--especially after hearing my lovely daughter speak such heart-breaking words.

"Rebecca, did you know that EVERYONE feels that way?  Everyone feels small at least sometimes.  But, guess where you're NOT SMALL?  Guess where you're the best at everything, the most loved, the most talented, and most adored?   Your FAMILY."

And, of course, I got the "Mo-ommm" look from her in that moment.  

After just a moment, I kept talking.  Here are the words that God especially gave me to tell her.  I asked her, "Rebecca, what do you think Jesus would tell you right now, if he were sitting here with us?  Because, you know he totally sees you right now, and knows exactly how you're feeling right this minute.  I wonder what he would tell you?  Think about how much WE love you...you know Jesus loves you even MORE.  You know you're God's little girl..." 

Thankfully, Rebecca was able to answer honestly, so that our conversation didn't end there, all neat and tidy.

"Well, it doesn't feel like he loves me right now."

"I know, sweet girl, I know.  Times like this--really hard times where you don't feel God's love, you just have to trust in it.  Because of what he says in the Bible, and also because of how you've felt his love in the past."

We talked a little bit more.  And then we got out our new Mother Daughter Devo Book to read that day's message.  Because really--what else could I say to her hurting heart? 

When we started reading, I didn't even realize how amazing and perfect that day's message was.  It was talking about how John was the disciple "Whom Jesus loved."  How at the Lord's Supper, John was reclining against Jesus, and what that must have felt like for John.  How it must have felt to be loved by Jesus, God's son and Savior of the world.  After we read and talked about what John must have felt, we jumped over to the side column, the "Girl Gab" section that has mother-daughter activities related to the message.  That day's blew me away.  It said,

"Pray for each other that you would both have a greater sense of Jesus' love for you."

Wow.  I could not have planned that activity if I had tried.

I sure don't know how to help my girl walk through disappointment.  But, God does.

God loves his little girl even more than I do.  He made sure to take care of her hurting heart that night.  He made sure her mama knew the words to say, and especially the words to pray.

I don't know why God has Rebecca walking through disappointment once again.  I don't know if he is trying to teach her something, or someone else who did well--or even us, as her parents.   But, I DO know that I trust him.  I trust that there is a plan, and that if we walk through it, we will grow, and become stronger, and be blessed in ways we might not even see.

And that night, it was easy to trust a God who showed a hurting daughter and a hurting mama--that he just wanted his little girl to know how much he loves her.

Happy Weekend Linky Dinks

Whew!  Can you believe we made it?  We finally made it to the weekend--who hoooo!!!  I hope you have some FUN plans, some RELAXING plans, and some RELATIONAL plans with the people you love!!

Here are some links I've enjoyed this week... 

 

Be sure to hop over to Hollywood Housewife's Brag Book.  She is asking people to link up something they're proud of!  I really wanted to join in...but after a difficult (read "horrible") bedtime routine tonight with a certain sweet daughter, I just didn't have it in me to brag on anything.  (Do you ever have those motherhood moments where you just wonder if you'll survive?  Whew!)  Be sure to check out Hollywood Housewife's pristine fridge and pantry.  WOW.

 

Oh, I just HAVE to tell you about this!  What I'm about to say reminds me of Truvy in Steel Magnolias..."I'm a CHAIN!!!"  I'm not a beauty shop chain, though...I'm a BLOG POST!!!  I got a sweet note from Tracey of Linus & Lulu today telling me she wrote a blog post in MY honor!!  She was writing in response to my I'm Still Not Fancy post.  While you're peeking around Tracey's adorable blog, be sure to check out her Lovely Things in the lower right-hand column.  Note that she loves ice cold Coke with crushed ice.  Yep, it's official:  We're long-lost sisters!!  Go on, now.  Have you clicked to read my blog post yet?  Clickity Click.

 

It really bothered me that some of my friends stopped popping up in my Facebook Newsfeed.  This tutorial by TidyMom showed me--with pictures!!--how to change the settings, so that everyone shows up in my Newsfeed!  I love a helpful tutorial!

 

This!  This makes me very excited for the future of my tater tots...  Chick-Fil-A already has them, oh yeah!  Leave it to Chick-Fil-A to be the leader of the pack!

 

One cannot speak of tater tots, without thinking of Sonic!!  Oh, and do I have BIG BIG BIG news from Sonic!!!  They now have my favorite hotdog EVER--the Chicago dog!!  Any other Chicago hotdog lovers out there?

 

See?  I am your source for late breaking news...specializing in fast food and its accouterments.  Stick with me, and you'll know everything...or at least the latest developments at Sonic and Chick-Fil-A.

 

That's all, folks!  I know it ain't much, but it's all I've got.  And I give it to you from the very bottom of my heart.

So, go on, now.  Prop up your feet and enjoy the weekend!!  Don't forget the bon bons!

Lesson Learned: I'm still not fancy

Last year, after I'd written a couple of posts on fancy bridal showers and Southern traditions I enjoyed as a young bride, I felt the need to confess how un-fancy I am in my everyday life.  I gave a small peek inside my very un-fancy life.

And here I go again.  Dispelling all the mystique and sophistication I try so hard to promote around here...  Oh, be quiet and just listen to my story.

 

 
 

 

Just today at the hair salon, I was reminded--again--that I lead a very non-fancy life.  There I was, minding my own business, reading the latest Wall Street Journal...Okay, okay, quit your laughing.  I can read the Wall Street Journal anytime I want.  But, unfortunately, my salon doesn't carry that one.  Therefore, I was forced to read People (or was it Star?) to find out whether or not Jennifer Anniston did or did not adopt a baby from Mexico.  (You know I'm telling the truth because YOU read the same article, didn't you??)

What am I talking about here?

Oh yeah--minding my own business...  And, all of a sudden, there she was.  Miss Fancy herself.  You want to know what fancy is?  Well, fancy is black skinny heel shoes, and on a Wednesday, no less!  Really really cute shoes.  The kind of shoes that would feel at home in New York City. 

And there I sat.  Thinking that Wednesdays at the salon meant black slip on tennis shoes with cheerful socks.  Socks that, up until that very moment felt very fun and cheerful!  Socks so cheerful that they give actual shy strangers courage to speak up, "Oh!  Well!  Your socks...are so...interesting!  And how cute that they are mismatched."

Yes, I'm serious.  Black slip on tennis shoes and Little Miss Matched socks.  Sitting next to Miss Fancy Pants in her svelte black skinny heels, and on a Wednesday.

My poor toes.  They wanted to hide.  Only, they already were--all snug inside the rainbow (yes, rainbow) socks inside the comfortable slip ons.  Nobody told us it was dress up day at the salon!

I guess I should have known.  I mean--the reciptionist's name is not Shirl or Dewanda.  And the stylists all wear black and skinny leg jeans.  There aren't any dog-eared copies of the latest Avon catalog laying around, at least that I can ever find.  And there is no Leave a Quarter jar on the counter if you take a bag of Tom's chips.

Not that I speak from experience.  Right?

Evidently, I haven't been paying attention.   Seems that things like velour and tracksuits are about as welcome at a salon nowdays...as the Rachel haircut.  (No offense, Rachel, your haircut changed my life...and released me from the clutches of my glorious 1980s mullet.)

But, somehow, in my last 10 sleep-deprived years of raising children, a morning at the salon meant two hours of blessed and uninterrupted quiet--where I could read, have my hair washed and dried, and have fancy products put in my hair so that it smells fruity the whole day.  I guess haven't been paying attention as I've stumbled into the salon dressed in the least-dirty velour track suit, or the jeans with the least worn-too-many-times creases.  I've just been so grateful for those glorious 2 hours, that I haven't really noticed the people around me.  I've been so grateful to have my hair fluffed and fancied up, that I haven't noticed...

Noticed that, nowadays, fluffy hair that smells fruity (and expensive) is not enough anymore.

Evidently, I need some skinny heel shoes.

Preferably, not with velour.

Lesson learned:

I'm still not fancy.

 

Linked up with:

Writer's Workshop at Mama Kat's Losin' It

Heaven is For Real - Book Review

 

I'm a little embarrassed to say Heaven is For Real is not a book I would have picked up in the bookstore.   Oh wait--I DID pick this up in the bookstore.  But, only because my hair stylist had just told me all about it.  I decided that day in the salon's black vinyl chair, that I was heading straight for Books A Million as soon as my hair was beautiful.  As my stylist told me a little about this book, I actually got tears in my eyes.  Okay, I cried a little bit.  (But, don't tell anybody)  I figured any book that can make me cry when hearing about it, is worth reading.  

Now, don't worry--I promise not to give any major secrets away, in case you want to read it!

 

If you look closely at the cover of the book, you get an idea of the premise of the book, "A little boy's astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back." 

That statement is why I probably wouldn't have picked up this book in a bookstore.  Maybe I'm a little jaded.  But, I've never wanted to read any of the "I died and went to Heaven, but then came back to life to tell you all about it" kind of books.  This book seems different than those other books appear to me.  Granted, I have not read those other books--so feel free to contradict me!  But, those books seem to focus on the experience of the author, including just a few details about Heaven.  Little Colton Burpo's experiences in Heaven is for Real seem to focus on Heaven, Jesus, God, and even John the Baptist.  At least, that was my main impression as I was reading--I started thinking specifically about Jesus and how wonderful Heaven will be someday.

I also loved that Colton's Heavenly experiences weren't the flashy climax of his story.  His story, which his dad writes for him, is about how Colton's entire family was strengthened and encouraged.  Over time, Colten reveals to his mom and dad life-changing details (for them) about two specific people he met in Heaven.  This is the same way Colten tells about all of his experiences in Heaven--slowly, and over time.  (Isn't that the way we always get information out of little children?)  "Seeing" these details through the eyes of a 4-year-old is exactly how my jaded brain needs to see them--with the simple faith of a child.

The reason I cried in the salon's black vinyl chair that day, and the reason I wanted to read this little 150-page book in the first place, was that it made me consider Heaven in a concrete terms.  I pictured how much Jesus must love me, as I read about Jesus holding little Colton in his lap in Heaven.  And when I got to the part where Colton tells his dad about  Jesus' eyes, I just lost it, "And his eyes...oh, Dad, his eyes are so pretty!" 

Never before have I thought about Jesus' eyes.  But, I do now.  Reading this book made me realize that I will LOOK INTO HIS EYES someday, and He will look into mine. 

Wow.

Now, I am not guaranteeing that Colton Burpo's story is true.  That's not for me to judge.  But, I will tell you this:  Reading his story made me think about Jesus and Heaven, and my own spiritual journey in a tangible way. 

And anything that makes me think about Heavenly things is not bad at all!

What do YOU think about "I died and went to Heaven, and then came back" stories? 

Linked up with:

The one where my daughter follows my instructions...

 

Looking up from the sink full of dirty dishes, "Honey, you cannot go outside to get the mail in your pajamas.  You must put on some clothes."

 

 

 

 
 Well...it's not quite what I had in mind...  But...thanks?...for getting the mail!

 

Motherhood = Staying on your toes at all times

Staying on your toes at all times = I'm tired.

 

How about you?  Do your children follow your instructions all the time as well as mine???

Honoring our Greatest Presidents

 Photo credit: nps.gov

Happy President's Day!  In honor of some of our greatest presidents, and my own personal favorites, I thought it would be fun to celebrate with some TRIVIA and VIDEOS!!

How much do you know about our presidents?  We always refer to them as our country's "Forefathers," but what do we really know about them?  The more I learn about our early presidents, the more they become my heroes!  I want to teach our children about the character qualities of great men like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.  I want our children to be inspired by their stories of perseverence, bravery, ingenuity, faith. 

Start some great conversations about our presidents with your kids at breakfast or dinner today--see how many of these answers they know!

 1.  Who was the tallest American president?

2.  Who was the shortest American president?

3.  Which 2 presidents died on the very same day--same year?  (You HAVE to read this explanation!  I get chills every time I read about these great men who loved our country so much!)

4.  Which president had wooden teeth? (Trick question!!)

5.  Which president served the shortest term?

6.  Who was the first president with a beard?

 7.  Why did he grow a beard?

8.  Who was the only unanimously elected president?

9.  Whose inauguration speech was the shortest--only 133 words? (and took him only 90 seconds to deliver!)

10.  Which president was related to 11 other presidents (by blood or marriage)?

 

 This is a really FUN way to see all the presidents from Washington to  Obama in less than 4 minutes!

 

Resources to Share With Your Family 

1)  Hands-down, the very best storyteller I have ever heard (besides my dad, of course!) is Jim Weiss.  I have had the pleasure of hearing him at a denim jumper convention tell stories about the first 5 presidents, and it was one of the best lessons in history I have EVER heard.   He made early American history come ALIVE for me that day!  I highly recommend any of his Greathall Productions, which are audiobooks he has recorded on cd.  We don't own his Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America, but I'm sure it is as amazing as his other titles.

2)  I cannot recommend this enough:  Take your kids on a family vacation to see Mount Rushmore!  Not only will your kids learn so much about our country's history, but they will have a BLAST!  I've outlined our family's trip to Mount Rushmore, and have given lots of helpful tips!

3) Animated Hero Classics, Nest Family Entertainment - We have collected some of these faith-based videos/dvds for our daughters through the years, and they are wonderful!  Why not WATCH some of these cartoons with your family today--to celebrate President's Day!  It looks like the George Washington ones and Abraham Lincoln ones are posted on YouTube.  You can watch 1 part at a time.  Here they are, to get you started!  Enjoy!

  

 

 And now, some resources for YOU!  Two historical fiction books about these great men and their wives that I read and enjoyed!  They both are considered well-researched, which is important to me.

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark

and The Emancipator's Wife by Barbara Hambly

   

In closing, I leave you with one of the greatest speeches in our nation's history--the Gettysburg Address....delivered by perhaps the youngest in our nation's history!!

 

How will YOU celebrate our greatest presidents today?

This is What it's All About: Linky Dinks

 Wow.  This is what life is all about.  Thank you, Carissa, for sharing this story of a football coach who wanted to make a difference in the lives of boys most everyone had given up on.  Life can get all busy and self-involved, but in the end, it's the giving and the sharing that counts.  That's what I want my life to be about.

 

A friend of mine recently started a wonderful new blog My Message to You.  I have found myself thinking about Loralea's words days and weeks after I first read some of them.  With titles like "The Voice of God Sounds Just Like Bob Marley" - how can you resist?  I had to go to YouTube to hear the song Three Little Birds to hear what God sounds like!  *grin*

Be sure you read The Hungry Woman, too.  How many times do I pass up important opportunities to share and give?

 

These words really hit me.  Especially this sentence:  "We pretend there aren’t thousands and thousands and thousands of children dying everyday,
while we shop for an upgraded life." 

Ouch.  I really do shop for an upgraded life.  I want the upgrades, the comforts.  Those comforts aren't necessarily bad...but what if I am TRADING the upgrades for the lives of little children??  Because in the midst of my comfort, WHAT am I doing to help others?

 

So, what are we waiting on?  Let's DO something.  Anything. 

 

Even something as simple as gathering some Bandaids or some Tylenol for abused girls in Kenya.  All you have to do is drop them in the mail to Texas, and Mercy House Kenya will use them to bandage a cut knee, and heal a broken heart.

 

Or why not give a child across the ocean a chance?  Compassion International makes it EASY for your family to make a difference.   Get your kids involved.  Let them help you pick out the child you want to sponsor! 

 

That's all I've got for today.  Obviously, God is stirring up some things in my heart.  I guess you know what I'll be thinking about all weekend.  My WHAT.  What is it I'm to do?

I hope you spend some time thinking about your WHAT, too.  If you have any ideas--I'd love to hear!!

What I'm reading right now

 The other day, I got one of these happy, smiley boxes in the mail...

Do these boxes make you as happy as they make me? 

They make me smile even bigger when I know that the contents are birthday presents!!  (Thanks, Mom J!!)

 

And look!!  Look what I found inside... 
 

 

 

1.  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - If the rest of the book is anything like the first 2 pages, I am in big trouble!  I've already cried, and re-read several sentences, just to soak in the pure poetry of Ann's words.  Wow.  I have a feeling this might be one of those books I keep by my bedside, to pick up and re-read sections on those days when life feels a little gloomy.  Ann's blog affects me the same way.  So many days, the quiet music and quiet words wash over my dinged up heart, and help me find a better perspective to face the day.

 

2.   The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown - I am such a sucker for 2 things:  Amazon recommendations, and books about sisters.  Usually, neither disappoint me.  Here is Amazon's description that grabbed me.  (They had me with 3 simple words:  sisters, books, and home.)

A major new talent tackles the complicated terrain of sisters, the power of books, and the places we decide to call home.

There is no problem that a library card can't solve.

The Andreas family is one of readers. Their father, a renowned Shakespeare professor who speaks almost entirely in verse, has named his three daughters after famous Shakespearean women. When the sisters return to their childhood home, ostensibly to care for their ailing mother, but really to lick their wounds and bury their secrets, they are horrified to find the others there. See, we love each other. We just don't happen to like each other very much. But the sisters soon discover that everything they've been running from-one another, their small hometown, and themselves-might offer more than they ever expected.

 

3.  The Pioneer Woman's Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond - Well, this one is a given.  I've read every word of The Pioneer Woman's Black Heels story on her blog.  Heck, I'm pretty sure I entered the contest several years ago where she asked for name suggestions for the (at the time) serial love story.  I'm also pretty sure of another thing:  I will need to read this on a weekend.  I bet I won't be able to put it down once I start!

 

4.  Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only by Beth Moore - And here's where I go super spiritual on ya.  This is a personal devotional book that I have wanted for a while.  I just never would buy it for myself.  It is a beautiful hardbound book, divided into daily Bible readings and questions for me to consider about the life of Jesus.  I am so happy I asked for it for my birthday!!  The fact that it has a silk ribbon to keep my place just makes me giddy.  My friend Dawn has a couple of these 90 Days books by Beth Moore, and has loved them for personal devotions.  I hate to admit this--but I am really looking forward to using my indelible ink pen on its pristine pages!  Aaaannd marking the page with my silk ribbon, of course!  It's the little things...

 

What are YOU reading right now?

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