Sunday, November 30, 2008

Book Review


I wanted to just make a few observations about The Memory Keeper's Daughter, which I read almost a month ago. It's not the phenomenal writing that has kept this book on my mind, but some of the things it has made me think of. I wanted to enumerate a couple of the ideas that have really affected me.

1st - This book begins with the birth of twins, one of which has Down's Syndrome. The doctor who delivers the babies, and is also the father, makes a choice to institutionalize the baby girl with Down's. He makes this choice without his wife's consent. He tells his wife the baby died.

While his choice to institutionalize the child is probably a normal thing during that time period, the perpetuation of a lie is what strikes me the most. The lie becomes an element in their lives that tears things apart.

I value honesty and the truth. I believe that even though the path may seem difficult when telling the truth, it is still ten times easier than the path with the lie. I love this quote:

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of
what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every
time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger


2nd - The mother of the twins spends time grieving for the loss of her 'dead' baby girl. She feels the loss deeply without ever having touched her child. The loss of her baby girl makes her expect further loss and hurt at every turn. The mother becomes protective of her baby boy that has lived. She worries and becomes overprotective.

I really liked how this idea was conveyed in the book. I took a good long look at my personal paranoia's. I have them because I have experienced loss that I thought could never happen. I have survived the loss, but I recognize more fully that bad things happen to good people. Even me. And knowing that, makes me worry that it will happen again.

While there wasn't a solution for not worrying, at least I gained a better recognition for why I am the worry wart that I am.

3rd - The nurse in the story who is instructed to institutionalize the baby girl ends up keeping the baby. The nurse takes this opportunity to have her own baby and leaves the state to raise the baby, knowing that the mother thinks the child is dead.

My personal view is that of contempt for the nurse. Yes, better to raise the child in love than in a facility. But so wrong to deny the mother the knowledge of her child for the nurse's desire. The doctor/father's secret should have been rectified between the nurse and mother (which it is too many years later).

I know the desire to have children. I know the thought process that says "this child is better off with me." And I know how hard it is to give up what you want most to ensure that you are not taking advantage of another woman. It's complicated and difficult, but sleeping at night is so much easier.

That's just a few personal thoughts on this book. It was a little long, a little depressing - but valuable to me anyway. Let me know if you've read it and what you think.


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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Barbie is a SKANK!

Any woman who attracts encounters like these, with your spouse, is a SKANK!



Maybe the 'toy' designers should be taken out back and shot as well, for putting Barbie's batteries in her THIGHS, which need a screwdriver and awkward positioning to access. SICK!

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Justified Paranoia

You can only imagine the new heights of my paranoia after spending the morning watching some of these clips. I get that these people all turned out ok -- but there is still a HUGE Cringe and Worry factor.

Not for the faint of heart . . . .

Tots with Keys



Slipping Tot



Snorkeling Tot with really great picture at the end (seriously!)




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Monday, November 24, 2008

Day Book Entry



FOR TODAY, November 24, 2008 ...

Outside My Window... I refuse today to look out my windows. Emma has been doing blowfishes on them and they are finger streaked. I simply refuse to see it!

I Am Thinking... of how much stuff I'm simply not going to get done today. Thank goodness there is tomorrow. (Yeah, I'm going to not do stuff tomorrow too)

I Am Thankful For... Good friends! I appreciate all theose ladies who are indulging me with my social experiments lately. Since the passing of my friend, Kim, I've been trying to be more social - in a way that includes others and hopefully makes them feel they way I did when Kim included me and others. Going to the movies this weekend with everyone was great! (the movie was so-so, check back later for pictures)

From The Kitchen... Nothing. Who can think of cooking anything after eating a yummy breakfast with friends at Mimi's Cafe? (look who's being social YET again!)

I Am Wearing... A USU T-shirt and ball cap. I am unable to wear BYU today. I am sending positive thoughts to Max Hall today though. That poor boy is probably wearing USU gear today too!

I Am Creating... Recipe Cards! Those are due this Friday people -- so get working on them and bring/send them on over.

I Am Going... to Israel soon and I'm NOT ready!!! Aaaaaggghhhh ~

I Am Reading... North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I'm excited to read it and then watch the movies!! I'm also open to suggestions for books to read on the airplane .

I Am Hoping... to be done with Christmas shopping by Saturday. I'm also hoping that magically my holiday decorations will be put up on Saturday by someone other than me! (yeah, I'm still being a scrooge!)

I Am Hearing... my smooth jazz station at pandora.com. Great music!

Around the house... Emma is playing with her dolls. Remember Carly, Stitch and Rootbeer? I'm sorry to say that as of right now they've passed away. They went shopping with Emma in her room and I've just been informed that they don't feel good because they died.

One Of My Favorite Things... Live houseplants. I got a rough start learning how to grow things, but I think I'm doing pretty well. I've got nearly 20 houseplants all thriving (probably 3 additional ones that aren't). There's just something nice about having living houseplants in your home.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Guess a funeral service for Carly, Stitch and Rootbeer is in order. I'd hate to have dolls wasting away during the holidays. Other than that, I think I'll be at Little America again this year eating turkey for Thanksgiving.

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing...

This picture is what Thanksgiving is all about.

No, not just family.

It's more about the success and happiness after the struggle.

The purpose, the joy and reward for effort and work.

Truly I am Thankful!



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Friday, November 21, 2008

Twilight

Yeah, it's 1:15pm on Friday and I STILL haven't seen this movie yet. Can you believe it? OME! (Oh My, Edward!)

Instead I'm surfing around the internet looking at all the media hype about Twilight. I just have to share a few of my favorites with you.

1. A Beginner's Guide to Twilight. Hysterical article to get you up to speed.

2. Cleolinda's Blog. All things Twilight (some mature content I've heard) from young adult Cleolinda.

3. Twilight Moms. Mom's obsessing over the Twilight books. My favorite quote from their website: DO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE whose life turned upside down when you read Twilight?

I'm definitely not a Twilighter (unlike the obsessed KSL call-in lady who has read each book 15 times).

I clearly am above this kind of obsession and devotion to a book.

I think it's all rather funny, frankly.

So funny that I'm waiting until tomorrow to go to the movie with 20 of my closest friends! (high pitched squeal)







Thursday, November 20, 2008

Things I Found Interesting Today

1. World's Biggest Liar Competition. It was reported that most entrants are men, interesting.

2. Milwaukee's Christmas Tree Lost Its Top. I was recently in Milwaukee when this 'terrible' accident happened, interesting. (Actually I wasn't - that was a lie, interesting)

3. Team Root Beer. Emma has asked us all to wear these shirts, interesting. The model choice for these shirts is . . . interesting.

4. Latter-Day Saints Have An Image Problem. "Those who know one Mormon have a worse opinion of us than those who don't know any Mormons." I'm a Mormon, interesting.

What have you found interesting today?


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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Scrooge

I saw three Christmas trees in people's houses today.

All decorated and lit up.

I just don't understand putting your tree up before Thanksgiving.

And taking it down just before Valentine's Day.

Or listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween.

I feel like I'm choking on Christmas

And it's not even Thanksgiving.



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Monday, November 17, 2008

What's In A Name?

Emma has never really been interested in naming her dolls
. . . until now

I'd like you to meet some of her current favorite 'friends':

Stitch, Carly and RootBeer


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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Tolerance

* * Warning: Serious post ahead! * *

You all know how much I love to read and watch the news. I find a morbid fascination with the facts presented through this medium.

But recently I can't stop thinking about what is on the news and how often I find myself thinking of the word tolerance. Tolerance has come to mean acceptance, not just respect and kindness.

I enjoy this quote which reflects my feelings:

Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination. (Dallin H. Oaks)

Tolerance seems to be a one-way street -- everyone wants to receive it, not give it.

I'm frustrated by the twisting of the meaning of the word tolerance.

I need to put myself in 'Time Out' away from the media for awhile.



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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Why I Hate Christmas

Dear Toys R Us:

I wanted to take a minute to explain why I exited your store so quickly today. My hasty retreat must have left you wondering if your store was on fire. I regret to inform you that it was due to how ANGRY I was and that quickly leaving your store was better than me smacking your employees and going to jail.

I was in your store today to purchase a much 'wished' for item on my children's Christmas List. It's the item that the toy manufacturer has made too few of, in an attempt to generate 'excitement' this holiday season.

After phoning your store repeatedly this last week I was happy that you had received a shipment of the item I was wanting. In fact, you received 4 of these accursed wonderful items!

When I arrived at your store, however, there was but one left. I felt no alarm as it was only myself and one other group in your 'electronics' area. I spoke to one of your 'helpful' employees who informed me that I couldn't purchase the item without a slip of paper she needed to print out first.

Swell, no problems, I was fine to wait. Especially as the other group was checking out with a similar item, but not the one I was waiting for. This left the prized toy all to ME! Or so I thought . . . .

Until 'helpful' little cashier upsold the item I had come for to this other couple. Without a necessary slip of paper. When they DIDN'T EVEN WANT THE THING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! And I was there FIRST~

Needless to say, after informing your cashiers of the situation, I beat a hasty retreat from your store before I BLEW UP!

I am looking forward to many more weeks of finding and tracking down this wanted item for my darling children who occassionally listen to me and do their chores. I want it so that I can have a freakin' Merry Christmas!~

May Your Holidays Be "Bright",

Wendy
"Holiday Lover"



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Monday, November 10, 2008

Let's Talk Turkey

I'm on a one-woman crusade to persuade you all into thinking about Thanksgiving turkey in a new way!

Who wants to go through this hassle each Thanksgiving morning:





Instead you can drive yourself down to Moroni, Utah and purchase a delicious, juicy turkey roast at the Norbest outlet. This wonderful roast is incredible!


It cooks much quicker than those ginormous turkeys you buy at the grocery store.


It tastes so much better.


You don't have to stuff this thing. (Just put the stuffing in a crock pot - it's 'safer' that way anyhow!)


And if you go to Moroni to get it - it's a great price!


I'm headed there this week to pick me up a couple sweetheart roasts for our turkey dinner. I can taste it already!




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Friday, November 7, 2008

Blogging Safety

Posting this week has been virtually impossible!

I have been sitting in front of this computer screen for hours upon hours each day, and the posts I want to write just aren't appropriate.

For instance, is it appropriate to inflame my neighbors with stories of their kids or the quirky things they do that irritate me? I write a post about it, but then luckily see the value of deleting it before I make it public.

In addition, I'm a bit freaked out that you are all stalking me and are going to kidnap my kids. (Sidenote: yesterday was a fine day to kidnap E**a. I would've helped you buckle her in and waved goodbye) So, I had to rethink my post about how E*m* loves to quote Nacho Libre. Maybe a movie director who likes her rendition of "Nipple Sqquuuueeeezzzzeee" would kidnap her and take her to Hollywood. Anyway, another deleted post to keep my kids safe.


That leaves me with little to say this morning. I'll just bemoan the fact that the U of U beat out TCU last night. Yes, I know that it's a good win for the conference, but it's a slap in my BYU face. J**h and E*th*n were equally upset, but we are looking forward to tomorrow's game.


We're also looking forward to J**f coming home today. Not that he's been away! I'm just saying that if he'd been gone all week, we'd think it was great he was coming back so that I could finally have a few minutes without kids hanging off me. (Wild kids hanging off of you should normally deter anyone from breaking in!)

I think I posted correctly today -- no neighbor secrets leaked out, my kid's names are secure and hopefully people are afraid to come here.

I did want to leave you with a recent family photo though (I know, I know . . . it's not safe to post pictures of your family, but it's so cute I HAD to share!)


Obama family Pictures, Images and Photos




Here's to blogging safety!



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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Why I Love Elections

I love election year because SNL is funny!



Don't forget to vote!!


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Monday, November 3, 2008

Day Book Entry


It's Monday morning, and I'm tired as can be. Setting the clock back this weekend only encouraged me to stay up even later than usual.

So, I'm relying again on the Simple Woman's Daybook to help me with my blogging.



Outside My Window . . . . Is another beautiful fall day waiting for me. I anticipate the fresh smell of rain and sunny skies.

I Am Thinking . . . . of church. No, not deep religious thoughts of church. The thoughts are more along the lines of "Why can't every testimony meeting be THAT funny?"

From The Kitchen . . . . . Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner. With homemade noodles and everything! Yeah, I actually can cook this - but if I tried to make it for the neighbors It wouldn't turn out.

I Am Wearing . . . . Yup, you guessed it - Pajamas!

I Am Creating . . . . A deep and thoughtful analogy to use at the Arts Retreat on Friday. Do you think the Arts are more like a quilt or a white water rafting trip?

I Am Reading . . . Rebuilding the Front Porch of America

I Am Hearing . . . The new Tinker Bell movie that is babysitting Emma. Ah . . . my parenting skills at their finest!

Around The House . . . . . I see cleaning to do. Crap!

One of My Favorite Things . . . . Is watching a BYU game where they play well. Saturday's game was not one of my Favorite Things.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week. . . . . . Provide minimal effort to cleaning the house and cooking while Jeff is out of town. And then a few hours before he comes home I'll rush around making everything perfect so that he thinks I've been ever so busy while he was gone.

Here's A Picture Thought I'm Sharing With You . . . . . .





It's one of my first digital scrapbooking pages! I'm completely hooked to scrapbooking this way.

Hope your week is GREAT!

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Google Me

Have you ever wondered who visits my blog besides you and the one other friend that I have?

No?

Really? You haven't even been slightly curious about it?

Well, maybe you should've been curious about it, cuz it's interesting.

Oh, now you're interested?

Well, I don't want to tell you anymore who visits my blog besides you.

No, wait . . . . . come back! I'll tell you.

The other people who visit this blog find me by googling me. Yes! It's true!

The type in phrases like these and then Wa-La! they find my little ole' space on the internet.

"Is Your Dad A Terrorist?"

Clearly a lot of teenage boys wanting try out their pick up lines

"Neighbor Laundry Foto"

Damon, I think people are asking me to come over and take a photo of your laundry. . . .

"Have SpongeBob Call Me"

Hello? I don't deliver messages.

"How Often Are You Suppose To Get New Underwear"

Clearly you should change your underwear everyday. As for getting new underwear: "When In Doubt, Throw Them Out, and Buy a New Pair (or two)"

"Boy Swim Team Shave Party Blog"

The shave party is obviously not here on this blog. And I'm wondering if the parents are home on the blog they are looking for.

"Adam Charles Holbrook Kendall"

"Did Dr. Baker Have A Horse on Little House on the Prairie and What Was Its Name"

Sherry, I think someone is trying to find you -- the Queen of Little House trivia..



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Saturday, November 1, 2008

My Baby


A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.




I'm sending out a birthday wish
Wondering how long it takes for a heart to heal





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