-
Subscribe
Spread The Love
Feb
18
The Sky Isn’t Visible from Here
Filed Under books | 5 Comments
I agreed to review The Sky Isn’t Visible from Hereby Felicia C. Sullivan for PBN mostly because I expected to relate my own story of childhood abuse and neglect with that of Felicia’s. And relate I did.
Felicia shares her childhood memories of her mother’s drug addiction and narcissistic rages while telling her story of how she succumbed and overcame her own drug addiction.
I imagine most read her memoir with shock and disbelief that a mother could be so cruel and neglectful but I nodded my head in understanding. My mother was a cruel and neglectful parent due to her mental illness. She also suffered addictions to food, shopping and pills. Like Felicia I was my mother’s caretaker. How Felicia’s mother envied her successes and how she rewrote history resonated the hardest for me such as Felicia’s dream where her mother is wondering in her room and looking at Felicia’s beautiful and expensive possessions with envy and in another passage that could have been a conversation with my own mother:
“For once, can this not be about you?” my mother said.
“Because it’s never about you,” I said.
“He’s taking me to Disney World.” She was gushing now. “Soon I’ll be on a plane. Like you”.
My mother was leaving my father for mouse ears, cotton candy, and amusement park rides.
“Good for you.” I gathered my things. When I stood to leave, my mother grabbed my wrist tight. She was always stronger. “Let go,” I said.
“Don’t take this from me,” she said, pointing her cigarette at me. “It’s not fair, all that you have. Don’t be so fucking selfish.”
“Selfish? I guess that’s what you would think.”
I know first hand how damaging it can be to have a mother who can’t handle her child having the very things she wants and Felicia writes about its effect on her with such clarity.
In so many ways our stories are similar so I found myself embracing the child Felicia was and feeling angry at the drug addicted woman she became. I know what it’s like to vow to not be like your mother and I was so disappointed that she was repeating the cycle of addiction. I had a hard time sympathizing with Felicia when I read her explanation of how she succumbed to the drugs:
“In the bathroom, curled up in the tightest ball you can imagine, you wonder how it is you got to this point. Because you told yourself in your bathroom that first time in December when you threw the housewarming party, and people came who weren’t invited, people trickling in off the street, and you were alone with Merritt in the bathroom with the cracks in the ceiling, the chips hailing down, with two rolled bills and neatly cut lines that you’d never be an addict like your mother because you survived the war that was her, because you convinced yourself you were stronger than she was. And then, there go the lines.”
I was shocked that Felicia was very much becoming her mother especially since anything that I do that reminds me of my mother in the slightest makes me physically ill. But yet I understand the need to make the pain go away, dull the memories, and anything that gives you a sense of self worth is very addicting.
I had no right to feel smug or superior to Felicia considering I battled my own demons while trying to figure out where I fit in the world except my addiction was sex rather than drugs. It was my power and a way to feel loved and worthy. Besides this is Felicia’s story and not mine.
I triumphed with Felicia as she bravely conquered her addiction and told her story so bravely, beautifully, and honestly. Felicia writes in such a gifted and descriptive way that I found myself feeling like I was there.
Here is the paragraph that resonated with me the most because it could have been out of a chapter in my own life:
“A part of me longed to obey, to be the good daughter who cleans up a house, bears her family’s collective shame, but I was so tired.”
Felicia’s memoir deserves to be read and reread. She has endured and overcome so much and it deserves to be celebrated.
Nov
11
I had the opportunity to review Beauty Confidential by Nadine Haobsh for the Parent Bloggers Network. I was very excited to review this book since I’m a product junkie and always looking for what products will make me look my personal best.Beauty Confidential is a quick read. The illustrations are fun and Nadine’s beauty mishaps and humor about feeling embarrassed during a Brazilian wax made me chuckle. She gives great advice but some of it was a bit basic for me such as salon etiquette or how to dye hair at home. I’ve been dying my hair since I was teen and most of the information she gave can be found in the instructions that come inside the box so this book is a must read for all the Ugly Betties that are new to fashion and beauty.
Despite some of the basic information Beauty Confidential will be my Beauty Bible for now. Nadine debunks many beauty myths and has a lot of great beauty tips. What I liked most was her lists of products that do their job well and their price range. She shares which products are worth splurging on and which are best bought in a drugstore. I also learned a few things such as the difference between lengthening and volumizing mascaras. Turns out I’m using the wrong kind for my lashes. According to The Beauty Editor Commandments I’m breaking a few commandments. French manicures are not an option and I should never wash my hair two days in a row. They can just send me to Beauty Hell because I hate how my hair feels when I don’t wash it everyday. Once or twice a week I skip a shampoo because of time restraints but I just don’t feel my personal best. Nadine does give suggestions for hair powder products that I may be willing to try but I’m going to keep my French manicure. I can’t always get into the nail salon every two weeks and chipped nail polish is so tacky but with a French those chips aren’t so noticeable.
What I would have liked to have read in Beauty Confidential is some celebrity gossip and their tips and tricks. Maybe that could be Nadine’s next book.
Nov
10
Zaida Baby- My First Keepsake
Filed Under books, paper products | 1 Comment
I was recently sent this beautiful book that is really much more than just a pregnancy journal. Inside you will find captivating black and white portraits accompanied by inspiring words, as well as a pregnancy/baby’s first year journal with plenty of space to write in all the important details-all elegantly wrapped in a black linen cover. Browsing through the book, I couldn’t help but remember how special that time is when you are expecting a baby and Sandy Jamieson beautifully captures this in her photos and words. Sandy Jamieson, the talented owner of Zaida baby has created this unique book celebrating pregnancy.A little about Sandy- “From a young age I always enjoyed the chance to create something…from a pencil sketch to oil painting…and by the age of 14 I developed a love for photography that at the time was just another creative outlet. Traveling brought my attention back to photography and before I knew it, all of the pieces had fallen together and Zaida Maternity Photography was born! In Spring 2007 Zaida Maternity Photography evolved into ‘Zaida Baby’. Meaning ‘fortunate baby’ this new name represents not only the beauty of pregnancy, but the fortunate baby inside!The end result? Not only do I have a job that I love, but this is my dream come true. Capturing the miracle of pregnancy is so beautiful…and with a growing life inside of you, what’s not to celebrate?”
This multi-purpose book includes: a beautiful story for your blossoming belly, a pregnancy journal, baby’s first year, a time capsule…and it’s a classy coffee-table book too! Details: 144 pages, 8×10 black linen hardcover with silver foil stamping. This will a book you will be proud to showcase on your coffee table.
Nov
5
The Daring Book for Girls dared me
Filed Under books | 2 Comments
I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into when I agreed to review The Daring Book for GirlsThe book sat on my counter untouched for several weeks but the glittery text on the cover kept catching my eye. There was more to this book than a few history lessons and it was daring me to give it a chance.
I’m glad I did because I love this book. The old fashion look with a touch of glitter pretty much sums up it up. There’s plenty of old fashion values and relevant information that is as interesting to girls of today as it was to the girls of yesterday. It has a girl scout feel to it without the girl scout politics which is a very good thing for me since I’m a girl scout leader dropout.
The Daring Book for Girls covers just about everything a growing girl wants and should know. I wish I had this book when I was growing up. It covers so many things that I can remember wanting to know more about like building a fort, learning the rules of softball so I didn’t look like a stupid girl in gym class, and how to make a stink bomb or short sheet a bed. So much of this book sparked enough nostalgia in me to have great conversations with my daughters about the slumber party games I played when I was their age. The Daring Book for Girls gives the history and instructions for classic slumber party games like Bloody Mary, Truth or Dare, and Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.
My daughters especially liked the chapter on how to be a spy and the daring girls guide to danger that encourages girls to face their fears.
This is a book that my daughters will reference back to for many years. There are chapters on how to play games and sports, build a campfire and sing campfire songs, how to change a tire and tie a knot, how to negotiate a salary and public speaking and so much more.
It doesn’t matter if your daughter is a girly girl or a tom boy, this book has something for every kind of girl. Moms will love it also because there is bound be something she’ll learn that she has always wanted to know more about. The Finance: Interest, Stocks, and Bonds chapter was that chapter for me.
The Daring Book for Girls is the kind of book you want to hand down or give as a gift. It’s wholesome, a little old fashion, and a bit silly.
You can also visit The Daring Book for Girls website to learn more and download merit badges.
Oct
29
Deceptively Delicious
Filed Under books, snacks/meal planning | 2 Comments
My kids are the pickiest eaters so I have been hiding veggies in their food whenever I can. They seem to have inherited a gene that causes them to have a severe aversion to any green colored foods. And that gene was handed down from me. I’m not the biggest fan of vegetables but I do have my favorites that I try to eat several times a week.Since I’m a fan of deceiving my kids into eating their veggies I jumped at the chance to review Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious cookbook. She collaborated with nutritionist Joy Bauer who provides her expertise throughout the book.
The book is quite pleasing to the eye. I love the retro fifties illustrations and my kids loved the colorful photos and illustrations. I let them in on my veggie hiding secret after they ate and fell in love with the sweet potato pancakes. They were pleasantly surprised that veggies could taste so good. After that they enjoyed picking out recipes for us to try.
Another one of their favorites is the Tortilla “Cigars” that are made with yellow squash and carrots. I pack these in their lunches which gives me one less thing to feel guilty about.
Jessica also offers great tips on how to make veggie purees and stocking the kitchen to make her recipes easy peasy. There is a whole section from Joy Bauer devoted to what every parent should know about nutrition. These two didn’t miss a detail in crafting a beautiful and informative cookbook.
This review was brought to you in conjunction with The Parent Bloggers Network**************************************************
Christine from Watch me! No watch me! won our Back To Beauty Suave product pack contest/giveaway.
There is still time to enter our Kodak Cameras Giveaway.Aug
22
Fathering Your School Age Child
Filed Under books, family life, for dad | Leave a Comment
I signed up with the Parents Blogger Network to review Fathering Your School-Age Child: A Dad’s Guide to the Wonder Years
because I thought it would be a good read for my husband. Three of our four children are between the ages of five and nine but we are far from experts on parenting.
I gave the book and a deadline to my husband. The book sat untouched on the counter for a week. Not surprising. He doesn’t read much beyond the daily newspaper, business journal, or People magazine so I read it for him. If I came across something that I thought would be of interest to him then I bookmarked the page and put in place of the People magazine on the bathroom counter.
We both tend to be cynics when it comes to parenting books. Most of the ones that we have read preach more of a perfect parenting type of approach. They left us feeling inadequate especially since we have children with ADHD, learning disabilities, and sensory issues. Most parenting books don’t address these issues unless the book is specifically written for one of these issues. This book scored big points with us on this matter. Armin A. Brott addresses how to be a dad to a child with ADHD or LD throughout the book. We like that he didn’t single these kids out. He also sends a clear message that it’s okay to be a good enough dad.
The book is easy to read and will be great for referring back to as our children grow. He breaks the book down into chapters for each age between three and nine. Then he breaks down each chapter into the physical, emotional, and intellectual milestones of each age.
The book is current and up to date on technology. He gives recommendations for toys and video games in addition to instant message acronyms. The back of the book is chock full of resources for parents which could be a book its self. Brott definitely did his homework.
Overall the book is a fun and informative read for dads AND moms.
Jul
30
I am a tell-it-like-it-is kind of person. I’ve often complained about how some moms like to sugar coat motherhood. I wish I had been better prepared for pregnancy, breastfeeding, parenting, and how having children would change my marriage. I certainly would have felt less alone in my difficulties. I wish back then that I had a book like Blindsided By A Diaper. It’s a collection of thought-provoking and bravely honest essays that will provide wisdom for readers at any stage of their parenting journeys.I love this book. I found myself laughing, crying, and nodding my head. There were so many stories that I could identify with such as how I relate differently to my husband now that we have children and the need to make time for intimacy. I also liked that the essays are from men and women. Getting a man’s perspective on life after children helps me understand my husband a little better.
The essays are grouped into six parts- The Roles We Play, Seeing Each Other Differently, The Communication Challenge, Making Time for Intimacy, Learning on the Job, and Not What We Were Expecting so there is a little bit of something for everyone at any stage of their parenting.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has children or is thinking about having children. You may laugh or cry but most of all you will feel validated.Jul
21
Jane Green’s Second Chance
Filed Under books | Leave a Comment
Second Chance by Jane Green is about four childhood friends reuniting after the loss of their good friend, Tom in a terrorist attack.Holly is in a loveless marriage. Paul is happily married but unable to have children. Saffron is an actress hoping for one big break and having a secret love affair with a famous actor. And Olivia is single after her longtime lover leaves her.
I did not love this book but I did like it. The first half moves slow. I tend to like a little more spice in my books. It picked up halfway through and I found the last half much more exciting than the first.
I could relate with some of the struggles of the central character, Holly. Her life as a mother and wife had become mundane and predictable. She’s unable to find happiness in her loveless marriage. I know women like her so it was interesting to get in her head and understand how she found herself trapped in an unhappy marriage.
The plot of how Tom’s death changed their lives was interesting and I liked Jane Green’s message of love and friendship. What I didn’t like was the too serious tone and I wish she had focused more on Tom’s death and the effect it had on his wife and children.
Overall it was good read and I’m glad I gave the last half a second chance.
