I Loved this book!

 I know you are not suppose to judge a book by its cover but when I saw this book on my local book store’s counter it jumped right out at me. Then I read this quote on the cover.


“My grandmother said she prays for me every day. Which is funny, because I’d only ever heard Mamie pray, “Dear Lord, give me strength.” That sure sounded like a prayer for herself - and Mrs. Knopp in Sunday school always said our prayers should only ask for things for others. Once I made a mistake of saying that out loud to Mamie and got slapped into next Tuesday for my sassy mouth. My mouth always worked a whole lot faster than my good sense.”

It had me. I asked about it but they had just received it and it wasn't being released yet. Bummer! My friend then gave me her advanced copy to read, Yeah!
If you liked The Secret Life of Bee’s or The Help you will love this book. This has got to become a movie!

The story is about Starla, a feisty, nine year old who is being raised by her Grandmother while her Father is working on an oil rig and her Mother, who left when Starla was 3 is in Nashville trying to become a famous singer. Life with Mamie gets hard and Starla decides she is going to go live with her Mom in Nashville and is sure her Daddy will come live with them too and they will be a happy family. The adventures start when Starla runs a way and is picked up by Eula and as another reviewer says “ The inseparable bonds and relationship that develops between Eula and Starla is the stuff compelling novels, that leave a hole in your heart are made of.”

I love the story being told from a 9 year old child’s perspective. The southern slang and phrases she uses makes me laugh. Her innocence about how she sees the world is so real. When the Bible says we should be as the little children, I think this is what it’s talking about!

Miss Crandall has many words of wisdom to share with us throughout the story but the one that sums up most of what this story said to me says. “My daddy always said being brave wasn’t not being scared. Being brave was keeping going when you were.”

I gave this book 5 stars because the messages throughout the book are thought provoking and heartwarming. The relationship between Starla and Eula makes me want to cry and cheer. I loved several of the characters and they will stay with me for a long time.  If you need a good book for discussion this one is it! 
Don't wait, read it this weekend!

Our Collage Graduate

After 3 full years of classes our oldest Daughter Liz graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a bachelors in Fashion Design!

She has had quite a lot of moves through the last year but she finally got her own studio apartment in North Chicago.

The ceremony was very nice.

Luckily it wasn't a huge school so they only had around 200 graduates. Everyone was extremely glad to receive their degrees.

The guest speaker reminded the students of the difficult times they are graduating in but encouraged them to press forward and not loose hope. I thought that was a good approach and he was very wise in his other advice.

It's a hard thing to have to do, speaking to college graduates when 9% of Americans are unemployed.

He should be commended for taking that job on!

He did say "if women shop for clothes like my wife the fashion students should be OK. No woman is going to go around out of style."

Family

Liz with her sister who leaves to start her freshman year at Johnson and Whales in 2 weeks in Miami Fl. and Mom and Dad who are looking forward to being alone again for the 1st time in 21 years!

My Awesome girls! I am so proud of both of them

Aunt, cousins and grandparents who all took the trip to Chicago to witness this great day.

My baby graduated!

Wednesday evening was my youngest daughters graduation!

I'd like to say it was bitter sweet, I cried, had a hard time but...

I'd be lying

We are so excited to put this chapter behind us.

We are very proud of all she has accomplished but lets be honest, High School is so full of drama.

We are looking forward to her fulfilling her dreams of becoming a chef, enjoying her years at Johnson and Whales.

Proud Parents!

Aunt and cousins

Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents

What a poser

No her Mother wasn't a photographer or anything.

This is one of her best friends. They graduated preschool together and I did the portraits so we have been planning on recreating this image for several years.

Love it!

Jen, Emma and Miranda. BFF's since 5 years old!

Jen giving Valedictorian speech

Emma giving her valedictorian speach too.

Miranda keeps good company!

They had a graduation to remember.

Only Xenia students would experience this around here.

Wed. evening the same strong super cell storms that came through OK came through during the ceremony. The tornado sirens began to sound and the students were evacuated to a safer area.

Considering our little towns experience with the deadliest tornado on record in 74 and then 3 more over the past 25 years this was a little ironic.

Here are the students filing out of the arena. Everyone remained calm and after a 1/2 hour delay the ceremony went on. We did not have the rough weather there at the arena but many families arrived home to serious hail damage to homes, cars and landscaping.

We are thankful though we did not have another tornado.

Our kids are resilient and strong. They will face their futures with courage that many other kids do not possess. I am proud of Miranda and all of her friends. I wish them all the success they deserve!

Thanksgiving Blessings

It was our turn to host Thanksgiving for my side of the family. We were missing a couple of people but we still had a nice dinner and enjoyed time together. In the last several years I have not been all that into decorating like I used to but because my Wonderful Daughter and my Husband were taking care of the food I spent a little time putting the table together. I think it came out nice considering I threw it together with stuff I had around the house in about 15 minutes.

My daughter made the yeast rolls, and a pumpkin pie and helped her dad with the turkey. My sister's family brought the vegitables and stuffing. That is why the table is a bit empty for this shot. After they arrived things got crazy and I forgot to take more photos.

After my family left for home we went to my husbands family to visit and take part in their 2nd round of Thanksgiving dinner. We skyped my daughter in Chicago, played games and checked out the ad's for tomorrows shopping. (I will not be participating in the madness but my young nieces are getting psyched up for the big day.) So all in all a very good day spent with family.

I am Thankful for...

a daughter who loves to cook!

technology that lets us talk to our loved ones far away.

that my daughter in Chicago had a friend invite her to their family dinner so she wouldn't be alone.

for the guy in her apartment building who baked her a pumpkin pie since she didn't get a piece of the one she helped make while here last week.

that I do not have any desire to join the madness at 4 A.M. to get deals that really are not deals anymore.

And on a really serious note, I am thankful that my husband is still with us, that I have a loving close family I am so proud of and that God has truly Bless our home!

Hope you all had a great day and enjoy the weekend.