Before You Bash a Book...
You know, it drives me absolutely batty when people will start bashing a book -or books- (like the "Harry Potter" series) without even having read it/them! A certain acquaintance of mine (who shall remain unnamed) does this quite often, and it just makes me so mad!
I mean, if you want to put down a book, that's fine. But, at least read it first! You can't make a solid argument if you don't even know exactly what you're talking about! And, you can't tell me that you *know* about it unless you've discovered these things for yourself, firsthand, without just hearing about them from someone else.
I was guilty of this, regarding the Harry Potter series, a couple of years ago, admittedly. But, then a friend led me to a book called, "LOOKING FOR GOD IN HARRY POTTER" by John Granger, and it really opened my eyes to the possibility that there is a lot of symbolism -- Christian symbolism -- hidden in the Potter books! I read this and I thought, "Whoa! That's crazy!" (but in a good way). ;o)
Sure, I'd previously let my kids watch the movies -- albeit, with a little bit of uncertainty & skepticism -- but they weren't even old enough for the books, yet, so the movies were "tame". Now, I'll gladly let my kids read the series when they're ready, and if they want to! But, I'm gonna stand by with my copy of "Looking for God in Harry Potter", and we're gonna have a chat about the symbolism!
:-P LOL
No, I don't want my kids involved in witchcraft or the occult, but I honestly don't think they'll end up there. Not just from reading these books.
I read an article online, today, that was also putting down C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series, stating that it was full of misleadings, and that it was going to put doubts in their minds about Jesus Christ. Personally, I just read the first book in the series last month, and I could see the Christian symbolism all through it! (Maybe it's just all in how you approach the book in the first place?)
I think that, if parents are going to let their children read "controversial" books (like the Harry Potter series or Narnia series), then the parents should read the books themselves first, and then - when their kids have finished reading - they should discuss the books in depth! Help them see the good or bad points. Guide them. Isn't that, technically, our job as parents in the first place?
Karen Kingsbury!
I was sooooo excited today! Karen Kingsbury -- popular Christian Inspirational Author -- was in my area this week, and I got to meet her today!!! She's a real sweetheart, and so is her mom, who was with her! :-D
I got my favorite book of hers signed ("ON EVERY SIDE"), and she gave me a couple of pens and bookmarks! We also got our photo taken together, so I'll post that here when it's available!
:-D
This was the first time I'd ever met an actual author, so it was great! Very cool to go to an actual book-signing event! (Can you tell how excited I am with all of my exclamation marks today?!!!) LOL
I am just thrilled to pieces! :-D
Spanish - I'm Learning!
I am SO excited! Today, when my friend and I went shopping uptown, there was a sign -- written in Spanish -- posted on the door of one of the stores. My friend said to me, "Can you read that?" ... and I did! The whole thing!!! Yippeee!!!
And, a few weeks ago, driving to my doctor's appointment, there was a sign posted out front of a building, and it was written in Spanish: "Sabado, musica latina con D.J." ... and I knew exactly what it said!
:-D
My Spanish-class "maestra" (teacher) said that, if people want to continue after these specific classes are over, she's considering doing one-on-one lessons ... tutoring, in a sense, and helping people to become more fluent, and more proficient in reading (right now our class is just basic conversation). :o)
I'll totally keep taking the classes as long as I can because I want to speak Spanish as fluently as I do English! Same with reading & writing it. :-D I can't wait for the day when I can state that I'm bilingual! :-D
WWW... (03/25)
What are you reading now?I've got a bookmark in INTUITIVE EATING by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch, but I'm focussing more on THE HADASSAH COVENANT by Tommy Tenney. ¡Muy interesante!What did you just finish reading?WHO NEEDS DECAF? by Tanya Michaels. Rated it an "A" -- excellent!What will you be reading next?Probably a library book ("UNSPOKEN" by Angela Hunt), or another Bethany House review book. :o)
Anxiety / Books / Night Out
Well, I've been trying to assess, lately, whether or not I've seen a change in myself because of the anti-anxiety herb & vitamin supplement I've been taking for almost a month now. And, I'm not sure. I *think* I'm a bit more relaxed, and I've not noticed any HUGE anxiety attacks of late, so perhaps they're working! That'd be nice.
I was reading a couple of very interesting blogs, yesterday, about a lady who's about the same age as me, and she has suffered from anxiety attacks, but she's overcome them! See them here: Panic Attacks and Recover From Panic.
I'm getting books in the mail! :D First, I rejoined Doubleday Book Club, so I got my introductory package of 7 books. I decided, though, that I didn't want two of those, after all, so I sent them back in exchange for two I *really* want!... "INKHEART" and "INKSPELL", both by Cornelia Funke. I read INKHEART last year, and it ended up on my Top 10 list for 2005! Excellent, especially if you're a book-lover like me! INKSPELL is the sequel, and I'm dying to read it! :-D
Also, I entered a draw, and was number 9 of 15, so I "won" a copy of Susan May Warren's "EXPECT THE SUNRISE"! It's the 3rd book in her "Team Hope" series! I've only read book 1 so far, but it was great, so I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
And, lastly, I got a surprise Email a couple of days ago! I'd applied, waaaay back when, to be a Freelance Reviewer for RT BOOKclub (Romantic Times), and never heard back from them, so I assumed that I wasn't chosen, and I forgot about it. Then, this week, I got an Email saying that, if I was still interested, they'd like to add me to their list of reviewers! :-D I said, "Sure!", and have already been asked to review "RACHEL'S PRAYER" by Leisha Kelly! I'm thrilled, especially since I've always wanted to try this author! :-D
DH and I will be going out to celebrate our anniversary this Saturday. Our plans are to go to BASKIN ROBBINS for ice cream (DH promised that to me for my birthday, but we ran out of time, so didn't get to go then), and to see a matinée (probably "ULTRAVIOLET"), and to go to RED LOBSTER for dinner! Yum! I'm really looking forward to the whole day!(03/26) UPDATE: Well, we got out yesterday, but we didn't go to Baskin Robbins, after all, due to our daughter being sick. We didn't leave until later in the afternoon, which meant no time ~~ again ~~ for Baskin Robbins. Oh well.
We did a quick trip to Costco (didn't realize they closed at 6 p.m. so we had all of 10 minutes!), and then we went to Red Lobster, where we waited for about a half-hour to be seated. Dinner was good, as always.
Then we went to the theatre and saw "ULTRAVIOLET", which was not all that great ... should have waited to see that one on DVD. It felt really "fake". :-?
All in all, not a wonderful evening, but not awful either. :-?
Anniversary - 7 years!
My husband and I have now been married for 7 years! Yesterday was our anniversary, and it was a great day!
Why?
Because....
* my FREE Pampered Chef stuff came
* my Dad sent us money to go out for our anniversary
* it was the first day of Spring!
* the kids were back to school after a week of March Break
* DH got me a really pretty Black Onyx "cross" necklace. It goes really good with my new black cardigan. ;-P
Anyhoo. I just had a really good day. :o)
DH and I will be going out on Saturday to celebrate -- a matinee, and then dinner at Red Lobster! Yum! :o)
About Me - quiz
(My friend Heather is really good at giving me these quizzes to keep me from doing what I *should* be doing! LOL... Thanks, Heather! :-P)
About Me...
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18 and find line 4.
["The Hadassah Covenant" by Tommy Tenney"] "...bags. Once inside, he glanced briefly around the vestibule and, like a..."
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, what do you find?
Dead air!
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The Oscars, perhaps? It's been a while!
4. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The furnace, and my kids playing.
5. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Yesterday -- went to my great-aunt's funeral. :-?
6. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Heather's blog! :-)
7. What are you wearing?
The usual -- Jeans (Levi's), my pink B.U.M. Equipment sweatshirt, a tank top, unmentionables, socks, and slippers. :o)
8. Did you dream last night?
I think so, but can't remember about what!
9. When did you last laugh?
This afternoon, while reading "Who Needs Decaf?" by Tanya Michaels.
10. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
A calendar (from the Recycling company in the area), a laundry chart from the Sears catalogue, a heat-lamp for our Gecko...
11. Seen anything weird lately?
A teenage girl with mostly brown hair, but a patch of blonde in the back! Ew! What was she thinking?!
12. What do you think of this quiz?
Fun! I love these things!
13. What is the last film you saw?
I think the last one I saw was "Firewall" with Harrison Ford & Paul Bettany.
14. If you turned a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
My dream-house (a lot to put it on, too), a Lexus SUV, new appliances & furniture for the house, stuff for our sponsored girl (Gladys), and maybe I'd start up my own bookstore. I'd also set money aside for my kids' University/College tuition, and I'd probably go back to school myself, for my MLIS degree! (can you tell I've thought of this question before?!!! LOL)
15. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.
I used to play in the ditches on our farm 'cause it was fun to dig in the mud and catch tadpoles! :P
16. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt and politics, what would you do?
I'd stop all the fighting and make everyone be at peace with each other (how's that for cliche?!)
17. Do you like to Dance?
Absolutely LOVE to dance! Frequently can be caught dancing (alone) to my CDs! (recently: my new "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" soundtrack! ;-)
18. George Bush.
Huh?
19. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
My *second* child was a girl, and I named her Katie. :-)
20. Imagine your first child is a boy, what would you call him?
My first child *was*/*is* a boy, and his name is Matthew. :-)
21. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Maybe for a short while ... I've always thought it'd be cool to live in England for a while. But, I'd want to come back after a year or so. :-?
22. What would you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Hopefully He'll say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant! Come on in!" :o)
23. 4 people who must also do this theme in their journal.
Nah... no one *must* ... but they can if they want to! :-D
Recent Happenings (03/15)
This past weekend, we took a trip to visit my Dad. It was a nice, relaxing visit. We played games, and did some shopping, and just sat around talking.
Today I'll be going to my great-aunt's funeral. She passed away on Saturday. I'm more upset for my Grandma (it was her last sister, and my Gran's 80th birthday is next weekend) than I am for myself. I didn't see Aunt Mary all that much, so it hasn't really hit me. I know that I'll bawl my eyes out at the funeral today, though, because I'll be grieving for my cousins ... she was their Grandma. :-?
My current read is "WHO NEEDS DECAF?" by Tanya Michaels. Very cute, somewhat laugh-out-loud funny, and hard to put down! :o)
Next up will probably be a review book for Bethany House.
Speaking of review books, I've still not gotten any books from WestBow Press. I guess it's taking a while to get my name on the Reviewers list. :-?
And, lastly, my Pampered Chef orders should be here any day now! I got a notice, yesterday, saying that they'd been shipped out, so I'm guessing they'll get here today or tomorrow. I can't wait! :o)
I'm an Auntie -- Again!
I'm an Auntie again!
My new niece, Juliana Grace, was born at 1:41pm today, weighing in at 9lbs.1oz! :o) I can't wait to meet her!
Pampered Chef - FREE stuff!
Well, my Pampered Chef Kitchen Show went better than expected! I'm getting $120 in FREE STUFF, plus 2 half-price items, plus whatever I want at a 25% discount! :-D
Here's what I got:
(The first five items were my FREE things, the next 2 were 1/2 price, and the striped bowl was 25% off).
Isn't that just the greatest? Whoohoo! Can't wait 'til it all comes! :o)
WWW... (03/06)
What are you reading now?I've got a bookmark in WHO NEEDS DECAF? by Tanya Michaels, but I'm focussing more on OVERCOMING OVEREATING by Jane R. Hirschmann & Carol H. Munter. ¡Muy interesante!What did you just finish reading?REKINDLED by Tamera Alexander. Rated it an "A" -- excellent!What will you be reading next?Probably another Bethany House review book. :o)
Update: PChef Party!
Well, I was a bit worried, when I woke up yesterday, that my Pampered Chef Kitchen show was going to be cancelled due to the weather -- freezing rain, and snow-accumulation expected. The kids were even home from school because the buses had been cancelled.
:-?
But, the weather eventually lightened up, and the party was on!
Thirteen ladies showed up, and we enjoyed a great presentation and "Potstickers"! Yum!
I'm grateful that all these ladies showed up. I love these parties for the "girls' night out" factor. ;-)
