Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

YESTERDAY

Have you talked to a 9 year old recently? How about one who's been hopped up on sugar? It's actually pretty crazy, and if you can keep up with the circular conversation, you might just learn something.

Tonight (which is now yesterday, that I am writing about today) I learned that Brick Oven has "sauce tanks", and they just refilled the Alfredo. There are weird words, like "psycho" since the "p" is silent. She knows the lyrics to Pink "Raise Your Glass", (as it is stuck in her head) and for the grand finale she did jazz hands. Which she also announced, while waving them wildly.

TODAY

Today I woke up with the intention of getting many things done. First being to clean up my house. All I can say is I wish I had a match! Maybe some lysol and DEFIANTLY multiple garbage bags! How is it we can collect so much crap? Seriously?!

To hell with the house! I'm going to the gym then to yoga then to Jo Banditos for chips and salsa and maybe the soup du jour if it is Tequila.

TOMORROW

Well, I can't predict what tomorrow will bring, but with any luck it will be a cleaner house.

What I do know tomorrow will bring is preparation of food, consumption of food, laundry, feeding the cat, driving children and silly antidotes from children.

Teaching High School

I have officially been teaching on my own for 6 weeks or so. I have another four to go.

I just finished up our unit on mental and emotional health. It went well....but there is so much that I forgot to say. Based on some student evaluation of me that is a good thing. "You talk to much...and class get's boring." said two students.

I was wondering what they had in mind if I didn't do the talking? Perhaps they want to talk, but the two of them NEVER talk. They just make snide remarks about class to each other in Spanish. So, what to do? My vote, which is the one that has veto power, says: I am going to continue to keep talking!!! And flinging my screeching monkey.

I truly love teaching. It is refreshing to be with people who are, mostly, full of hope for the future, have excellent humor, and with whom I really love being around. I have learned so much from watching them and listening to their points of view. One of the evaluation sheets also said, "You don't show it, but you are extremely biased. I feel it when you talk." So I guess I get to be more cautious of how I am presenting material and remind them and myself that while this is one option, and my opinion is another option, there is also a third option and a fourth. They just get to choose their own option.

I have a student who loves, and I do mean LOVES, Taylor. He told me he wants to be Taylor's best friend. This comment was made after I told them about the water down the pants with the funnel story, and the smashing of the chips story, and the cold mashed potatoes between my toes story, and the water over the shower story, etc.

See what I mean? I get paid, well sort off (just not in money yet) to be entertained and experience life through a different set of eyes as my job!

All the lesson planning and all the late nights, dirty house, dirty laundry, cat poop and dog poop and the things in life that have lost their realative importance, are now beginning to pay off.

I am grateful for the opportunity and the place in life I am right now! Thank you Divine Oneness, Universe and all the people whom I truly love.



Namaste

Austin Update

Taylor and I saw Austin today. This is the first meeting when we have all met together.

Austin is doing well. He has worked his way to a level 3, which means he has all kinds of privilege's now. He can wear his own clothes, he can play games and watch TV (he is really excited to see the Super Bowl this Sunday) and he even has some free-time. He has worked really hard to be where he is at.

He is understanding how when he focuses on something so hard that is what he will get in his life. He is understanding that he determines what his life is going to be and what it will look like.

His eyes are sparkly and he is dealing with emotions and feelings. He asked Taylor and I some pretty hard questions today about how we felt about him. He processed the feelings and the emotions and we made a small, tiny step toward being in a better place.

I love you Austin. I am so proud of you.

My Boy's

I went to luch with Taylor today. He sent me a text and said, "Lunchies?" that is how I know he is very hungry.


He wanted to go to the Training table, but decided against it because it would raise his blood sugar too high then he would feel really awful. We decided on Magelby's Fresh. They have delicious food.

Earlier in the day he sent me a text and told me he didn't feel good. He never feels good when he eats bad food. I reminded him of that. I also reminded him that he may want to put more live/fresh food in his diet. I think he gave me the stink eye.

His idea of live and fresh differ significanly from mine. Live and fresh to me means something that has high nutrient density and that hasn't been cooked to death. His idea is if you pass by the salad bar with your slab of meat you bick up the nutients by being in their proximity.

Taylor got the fish and chips with a side of cole slaw. I got (according to Taylor) gross soup (black bean tortilla) and an icky salad (Magelby's house salad with raspberry vinegrette).

Isn't life grand?


Now to Austin. This picture was taken at Christmas. When we walked in he had a hola-hoop around his waist. I noticed another young man with a similar hoop. I asked Austin what was up with the hoop and he replied, "I am learning boundries." Isn't that fantastic? I love that concrete idea that is so simple and so profound at the same time. I am going to use that in my class.

I had an appointment yesterday with Austin and his therapist and his caseworker and his doctor. I have to say, despite all the stupid political hoops that must be jumped through for kids to get help, Wasatch Mental Health has the best staff I have ever encountered.

Keep in mind please that I haven't seen Austin for about three weeks or so. Also, I did not flat iron my hair before I went to see him and so it was only round brushed and a tad poofy. The first thing Austin said to me after he said "Hi." was "Do you need to go back home and comb your hair?" I laughed and he laughed.

While we were waiting to see the doctor his therapist made this disclaimer, "Margret is not your usual doctor. She is really good and I have a lot of respect for her."

The therapist was right. Margret is not a usual doctor. She is more of a comedian. She has books like, "Bunnie Suicide, and Ways to tell small kids lies." She also has a magazine that has things in it like a bacon wallet, a chicken chucker, bacon jelly-bean etc. It was right up my ally, and likely Taylors. I was laughing so hard my face hurt.

She had the most amazing way to make Austin feel at home and relax so he could be honest and then open up. The hysteria went on for a good 30 minutes or more and finally she was able to ease in to a not so easy line of questioning. I was amazed at how well she could read Austin and how loving and gentle she was.

Today I am still thinking about her. I am thankful that my son has people like her at his side to assist him in his recovery.

The time Austin has been gone from us has been hard. We all miss him, and he really misses home. He has not behaved well at the treatment center and last week he had 17 poor behavior marks. That means he gets to wear a white shirt and tie everywhere AND the hoola-hoop.

He set a goal this week, knowing that if he doesn't change his course in life he is going to end up exactly where he does not want to be. Being true to his word and following through on his new behavior goal, he has only had 3 poors this week! That is an all time record for him.

I love you Austin. I miss you and I send my love and light to you everyday. The angels and Divine Oneness are with you always.

Do you remember when?

I was talking to a long time friend of mine last night of facebook and we got to laughing and talking about the good old days. Not the days of cowboys and horses, but of times that were easy and fun and carefree.

I realize I am approaching this next request much to early...I just don't care. I think it would be a wonderful gift to have a notebook that was called REMEMBER WHEN.

It would be memories of times past that have touched you, have made you a better person, caused you to laugh with such furor that you wet yourself a little. A "smile file" if you will. A book that is done in a collaborative effort to say, "Thank you, I love you, I needed that laugh, I appreciate the time...etc."

What say all of you heathens? I am in!

Remember when Hillary ran out of gas on 8th north in Orem?

Remember when Sharee put up Hillary's 5th grade picture all over work saying, "Have you seen me?" (I couldn't find a milk carton)

Remember when Taylor...good grief the list is just to long to even start...had excess personality?

Remember when Eliza asked Grandma why she had a tail without a cat?

Remember when Maddie couldn't make up her mind to go up-stays or down-stays and ended up peeing her pants?

That's what I'm talking about people. How about it?

This is what I want as gifts from now on. No more presents; I want your memories. I don't' even want it on artsy fartsy crafty cutesy paper. Plain old white paper will work.

Love and light to you all

Stop Sitting On Me...My Elbow Is Getting Tired

Bay likes to sprawl when he is watching the TV. His favorite place to lay is where I sit with my computer.

I can't sit anywhere else because the cords don't reach.

Tonight I asked him if he could sit up for just a second so I could get some information off my computer but he wouldn't so I just sat on him.

He laughed a little, complained a lot and then jabbed his bony little thirteen year old elbow into my back. He thought this would deter me, but he was wrong.I used it to my advantage.


As he dug deeper I moved around to get a dandy massage. All the while telling him, "A little to the right, left, up. Yea, right there."

Then he started to giggle and dig harder, so I sat harder (if that is possible). He giggled some more and said, "Stop sitting on me, my elbow is getting tired."

The strangest things are said at this house.

Christmas at our House

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, if you happen to celebrate it. Even if you don't I bet you go out and eat good Chineese food. That sounds good. Perhaps I am hungry.

This year was a tad different for us, but none-the-less, great. The kids had "the best Christmas EVER!!"

Everyone got what they wanted!! (see previous post for more details)
Austin got candy and sweat pants. I'm sure he'll sit around with his hoola-hoop eating candy and playing Monopoly City eating his Christmas goodies.

Bay got superman undies. I sure hope he wears them to school in gym!

Liza got a bottle of her own mustard, which is sitting in our fridge with her name on it. She loooooves mustard; what can I say?

Kate got her own roll of tin foil. She wrapped one present for me and four for Taylorat!

Most importantly we all got love. It was a good day spent with easy times and no stress.

I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life whom I love and who love me and mine back.

MERRY CHRISTMAS....YA FILTHY ANIMAL!

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I was standing in line today at BYU to get gifts wrapped (You're welcome). A women came and stood in line behind me and started chatting. Not just chatting, but having a full blown conversation with anyone and everyone who would listen/participate.

She was a nice enough lady, for a perfectly good stranger. Anyway we started talking about Christmas and she told me that her mom gave out "black" marks one year for Christmas. If they got 10 she was cancelling Christmas. They got to 9 1/2. She said it was hard to only have brothers. She had to defend herself.

I have told my kids the same thing. However, we don't do black marks. I just tell them they are "losing presents" and if they don't stop fighting they can walk home (if we are in the car).

I do love Christmas and I do love short people.

Merry Christams, Happy Haunika, Kuanza and Happy Holiday's to you all.

CHEERS!!

Then there were TWO

I know I am a tad on the, shall we say, "Interesting side", but without people on that side, the world would be lopsided. It takes all kinds right?

What I would like to address is something I got out of a book called "Mutant Message from Forever".



Our experience here on earth is really all about remembering who we are as spirit beings.

We forget for whatever reason, but there are clues and cues that make us aware and cause us to remember again.

This book is written by a doctor from America who was invited to Australia to implement a preventative medical program. While she was there she encountered the Aborigine's. They are more of an outcast people than other races are in our culture. However, she did not buy into the myths of them and set out on a journey to assist them despite what other people had told her.

On her journey to get to know these people, who call themselves the "Real People", she learned ten things.


1. Express your individual creativity: this means that everyone has a significant roll to contribute to society. There is not one thing that is more or less than another.It is all based on life experience.

2. Realize you are accountable: We are guests on this planet and we get to treat it as such. We get to leave it as good or better than we found it. We get to care for the plants, animals and children who may not have a voice. We get to be accountable for the promises we make, agreements we enter into and the results of our actions.

3. Before birth you agreed to help others: what does this look like to you? Are you keeping your word? Are you being accountable? Are you doing what is in the "highest good for all those involved"?

4. Mature Emotionally: The goal of being human is to grow and to discipline our emotions. We are as happy as we allow ourselves to be. Being truthful with ourselves and others is the key.

5. Entertain: Show off that side of yourself that is childlike, easy going, happy. On the other side show off the side that can receive entertainment as well. Life is about giving and taking.

6. Be a steward of your energy: For me this is the most significant of all things. We were born of energy and everything we do is some form of energy. Energy can not be destroyed or created. It just is. However, energy can be expounded, or grow larger. Everything in our world, seen and unseen, is made up of energy. Therefore, our words, our action and our thoughts are energy. What we focus on grows. If we focus on scarcity or fear, that is what grows. If we focus on love and abundance that is what grows. We are the creators of our lives.

7. Indulge in music: We love music...every nation on earth has their "brand" of music. Music touches our very souls, it makes us move, it makes us think, it makes us real. Music is our soul speaking. It is the voice of our planet communicating to the universe.

8. Strive to achieve wisdom: wisdom is how a person uses knowledge. It is the deliberate, selective decision to act in a certain way or not to act at all, considering the welfare of everyone concerned.

9. Learn self-discipline: Self-discipline can help keep your body healthy. The state of human health is a barometer showing us the state of the earth's health. It is necessary to develop self-discipline to experience any inner connectedness of body and soul.

10. Observe without judging: This gets thrown in our faces on a regular basis. We know the term, "Thou shalt not judge" yet we ALL do it anyway. Why do we do it? The "Real People" say, "Observing without judging is sometimes called "unconditional love". All humans are spiritual souls. All were created in the same instant. No one is older, smarter or better off than anyone else. Each was given the save one gift, the gift of free will, freedom of choice. The Source is perfect, and everything created by the Source is perfect. We were created spiritually perfect and have remained so, but our gift lets us believe and act otherwise. We allow ourselves to see ourselves and others as less than perfect and have the adventure of acting less than our potential peaceful selves.

I truly love you all. I am perfect in all the ways I was created. I am not perfect in my physical body. I still make choices that are not in the highest interest of all those involved. Nevertheless, it is my experience. My experience leads to my reality.

Love and light to you all.....FOREVER!!!

I'm BAAAACK

It has been far to long since I have made a post...Far to long. I will blame it on school. However, I am done with the really hard part of school and I am doing my student teaching in January.

How exciting, right? The correct answer is RIGHT!

What a roller-coaster the last few months have been. I honestly don't know how I made it though. We had some family issues, but who doesn't, then Taylor went off and infected his appendix, aka...kitten pouch, which had to be removed during finals!!!!

I suppose I still love the man, but seriously...

Let me inform you what kind of wife I really am. He woke up Wednesday morning and said, "My stomach hurts. Do I have a fever?" I felt his head, pushed on his stomach and said, "You aren't sick. You don't need to go to the doctor."

Then I left for "my" day. I had a job interview, therapy and two finals...and it was our anniversary! I really wanted to do something exciting for being married for 15 years. Being married to Taylor for 15 years is the equivalent of being married in dog years. That means in human years I have been married for 105 years and I still look good. HA!

On my way home from my job interview, which I didn't get, I had the feeling, "Call him and see if he wants to go with you." So I did and he did. His appointment was at two.

At one-thirty, after I had been to American Fork four times that day, I drove the man to the doctor's office in Springville. As Taylor is telling the doctor his symptoms I am madly studying and cramming for the final from hell....nutrition 100. The doctor runs some blood work and as he comes back in with the results he says, "Can you take that final another time?"

I'm thinking, "Yea, right pal. Are you serious?"

Taylor's white blood count was elevated and the doctor set up an appointment for him to have some kind of scan done at the hospital. I can't remember if it was an MRI or a CT. Whatever it was/is is going to cost a pretty penny.

To make a long story, a tad shorter, by 6:30 pm he was in surgery having his "kitten pouch" removed.

The moral of this story is this...be careful what you wish for. My wish was to have a spectacular anniversary.

No one will EVER convince me that God does not have a sense of humor!!!

I am still laughing. Har...Har.!

Sites You Should Know About, But Might Make You Ill

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

AND



www.thisiswhyyourefat.com

These sites are courtesy of Taylorat and his bizarre, um, something.

And then there was ONE

I like the short people, I really do, they just seem to be so synergistic when combined with each other. They have magical powers that can destroy or stink up a room in a matter of seconds, and I am the haz-mat person that comes through after they are done and cleans up all the debris and lights matches and sprays fabreez.(I was informed that it's not healthy to hold it in; it could make you sick).

However, starting yesterday, I am slowly but systematically, farming them out. Marry Poppins has gone to St. George with a friend until Tuesday, and tomorrow, Hose A and Hose B are going to scout camp for a WEEK!!! Only Katydid will be at home.

That being said, I am sure I will be fully educated in sprinkler running, the fastest way to the Creamery, how many treats have not been consumed at any given moment, but this child never says, "I'm bored". Bless her heart.

I am looking forward to not finding grapevine parts, shredded paper, candy wrappers and an assortment of shoes under my couch and between the cushions. I am looking forward to regrouping my sanity and taking back the house even if it is only for a day. I have hope. Furthermore, the end is near, as school will be starting in 24 days, but who is really counting? Certainly not me.

The Four Agreements

I love to read. This week I have read a plethora of books, OK 3 or 4, but I love the word plethora. At any rate, for anyone who has not read The Four Agreements, I would highly recommend it.

It is a practical and, oh, so simply way to live. For anyone who wants to be, and do better this is a launching pad.

I will include the link to the amazon site so you can read a bit about the book by the author.

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319#


Other books I have read this week that are equally as intriguing are:

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. A story based on true events. Dan came across an old man who acted as his tutor and whom he called Socrates. This is his story of how he transformed from regular to extraordinary.

The River Why by Robert Duncan (perhaps the funniest book I've ever read...again)
A story of a fisherman who discovers that life is more than just fish and water and beer. The vernacular is hysterical as are the characters; Gus, Bill Bob, Ma and H2O (aka Dad) will jump into your heart and you will laugh right out loud. Try it, you might like it.

How to See and Read the Aura by Ted Andrews. OK, perhaps not entertaining, but at the very least interesting. I'll keep you posted.

Have a magnificent day!

The Case of the Elusive Pee Badger

The Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays. We almost always hike the "Y" and BBQ and eat lots of Otter-pops and to wrap up the end of a perfect day we watch firework from our front lawn. This year we were also privileged to have Elasta-girl at our house.

The Y trail is a steep hike. It only takes about an hour to get to the top if you aren't lugging short people. However, what goes up must come down, and it is ultra steep on the way down as well.

The girls wanted to know why someone hadn't thought to install a slide? I couldn't come up with a good reason either, but I am pretty sure that is on their to do list now.

Three of the cutest girls alive

Stink eye to Thee

You might be a Red Neck if....

Our view

There is always one

His usual self

The Cheeser



This year, in addition to the above mentioned, we made a discover of a new species. The Pee Badger. Please click on the video link below to see this magnificent creature.

Christmas in July

For some reason I thought I wouldn't have to start thinking about Christmas until, um, December. However, my children have different ideas about when to start thinking about things... like Birthdays, for instance, they start talking about their next birthday the day after their currant birthday and for a whole year I get to listen to their grandiose ideas for parties, presents etc.

They have now added Christmas to the list of "Things to talk about a year in advance". Do they not realize my brain can only hold so much information?

However, I am really excited about Christmas this year because the kids are simplifying. I have only gotten a list from 3 of the 4 thus far but I am anticipating the request from the fourth child to be just as unique as the other three.

So far the lists of must have go something like this:


Bailey: wants a unicycle with a really long chain (maybe he's going to join the circus)



Eliza: wants her own jar of mustard (I don't even know what to think about this)


Kate: wants her own roll of aluminum foil (for boat making or contacting aliens I am guessing)




Austin: undecided as of yet, but I will let you know

They have asked for nothing else. Isn't this great? I will only need to go to two stores to get everything I need. The bike shop, how convenient since I work there, and the picnic isle at Macey's. Perhaps I'll get Taylor pickles and Red Hot while I'm there and call it good.

Who says life has to be hard?

Huzzah!!

Subing

Since I am working on becoming a teacher in secondary education I thought it would be a good idea to give myself some real life experience. So I applied to be a substitute teacher.

I got my first assignment, a High School in our area, and I was really excited, but a little nervous as well. The class was a special needs class and I wasn't sure what to expect.

I had a hard time finding a parking space and so I was a tad late getting to the office to get the key to the room. After the secretary explained how to get to the room I took off hunting for this room that had students standing outside waiting for me.

I had been warned that sometimes students take a liking to their teachers and to always conduct yourself in a professional manner. However, I didn't think they really were all that serious about the situation.

I found the class room and I as I was walking down the hall I heard, "Ooooh, la, la." And the first thing that went through my mind was, "Don't react to that." And "Seriously?".

I let them into the room and explain them who I am and begin passing out their assignment.

One young man, let's call him Juan, asked, "Are you married?" to which I replied yes. (Say this next part out loud with your best Hispanic accent) Juan then yelled across the room to his "oooh, la, la-ing" friend and says, "To bad for you Omar!"

Seriously?

Stop the Rocking...Stop the Rocking

The noise is killing me smalls! There is no where to go because they always find me. I have not had a complete thought for 14 years. I could have graduated from college six times as fast, but because they all keep asking me questions....well, I am still in college. Some of the more interesting questions that have recently been asked are, "What would happen if a child was born with only their middle fingers?" That would indeed be a shock to a teacher when the child raised their hand to ask a question for the first time. Other question include, "Have you seen my shoes?", "Do you know where my belt is?", "Is there anything you need besides apples and grapefruits?", "Do we have any food to eat?", "Want to see what else I bought?"

I dont' know...how come no one ever tells you that the game of 20 questions takes on a whole new meaning after you have children? Perhaps they did tell , but I probablly didn't listen because I was asking a question.

The other day I took Kate to lunch at cheap chinease; she had the veal. For the last while she has been telling me how much she would like a cell phone. Again with the questions, "Can I get a cell phone mom?" I never really give her a straight answer, I just smile and giggle and walk away. Remember Kate is 5. So, I park the car, or in her words, the beast, and being the interesting child she is, Kate brought along her pink camo purse, which is actually Liza's. I have just picked her up from school and she has her school bag and inside of the school bag is her (Liza's) purse, her baby and a bottle of water. There are probably other things but those are the only things I can see.

They seat us and she is sitting accros from me. She bellies up to the table and plops her purse down and starts to empty it out. The first item out of her purse is our house phone. At first I couldn't believe it. Then it occured to me how creative she actually is. I asked her if she got any calls.

One-Two-Three, Lunge

Several years ago I bought a gag gift at Christmas time for Taylor. It was an orange speedo. Similar to this pair of orange underwear, but speedo style.



This gag gift has provided our family endless moments of entertainment. About the time I gave this gift to him the movie "Nacho Libre" came out. I feel that this movie contributed to Taylor taking the term "stretchy pants" to a whole new level.

Taylor does have a sombrero, but this is not him. I show this image only to help you conjure a visual image.

One afternoon Taylor called from the end of the hall, "Did Paul go home?" ,and the reply came, "Yes." He proceeded to leap down the hall, like the FTD flower delivery person, in his charming orange speedo, aka "stretchy pants". Stating, "Finally, I thought he would never go home." As if prancing in his "stretchy pants" around the house is a normal family activity that happens every night precisely at 6 pm.

If that wasn't funny enough, he then went to the entertainment center and stood in front of the TV with his buttocks facing all of us. He put his arms on the entertainment center to support his weight and stood in a lunge position with most of his weight on his front leg. He began to do buttock flexes and deep lunges with his hands on his hips. He lunged/walked across our whole front room making deliberate lunges right at eye level for the edification of each boy.(To Taylors credit, he never does this in front of the two little girls, only me and the boys. Perhaps that doesn't matter, but I feel that it is a generous gesture on his part as it could scar the girls for life).

I was laughing,and gagging all at the same time. The boys were laughing,(out of shock, I believe) calling out things like "Sick!", "Gross!", "Disgusting!" and rushing to find anything and everything to cover their eyes with, as if they would turn to stone if they were to actually look and see their father in his "stretchy pant".


I am half tempted to seek out a large cross such as the one in the above photo, however, I am not sure what that would lead to. I can just imagine the get up now...orange "stretchy pants", sombrero, giant gold cross, and his fake mustache or beard all the while running as fast as he can at a high school football game holding a sign saying,"Catch me if you can!" Then being called from police department with a request to post bail.

The Dog and The Dishwasher

In an attempt to become more envrionmentally friendly we are trying to reduce the amount of food we put down the drain, which in turn reduces the amount of dishsoap we consume. Plus dog food can get spendy, but that is really just an after thought.

We also feel that we get an rare vitamin by using this method; vitamin W as in "Walter". The vitamin improves sniffing, scratching , and burying skills. Not many humans realize they are difficient in this "w" vitamin.


Can't wait to have people over for dinner.

FrOm the MiXEd uP file of MY mAd Cow BraiN

Today I feel like my life is like this pre-menopausal weather. Hot, cold, snowing, freezing, anything goes, and then back to stable. This is classic Utah spring weather, but good grief...it is colder than a well digger's butt!

The real causes of my fluctuation in mood is going to a class I am taking at BYU. I regularly wish this professor a very itchy rash in very embarrassing places. That and I stayed up to late and my car doors were FROZEN shut this morning and I needed a polar suit with moon boots to just take the dog out to pee.

On the brighter side, one of my dogs had a bath and now he smell like shampoo and dog instead of rotten potato and dog. He is no longer a dirt neck either. He also loves me and crawls in my lap and loves me. This gives a new meaning to hot dog eh?


I recently read a book by Kelly Corrigan called "The Middle Place". It is her story of growing up with a father who never saw anything other than happiness and how she survived breast cancer and changed her perspective to live in his "land". If you can get past the four letter adjectives, and by get past them, I mean read the book, it will have you laughing and crying all at the same time. A tad bit like Steel Magnolias, only funnier.

Here is a little blurb from her in her own words:


Some things you wouldn’t know about me from reading The Middle Place:


I don’t exercise, not only because I have inertia issues but also because it cuts way down on the number of showers I need to take. Other things that most people I know do that I do not are cook, shop and properly moisturize. I also cut my own hair and my childrens’ and ever so occasionally, when he’s trying to make up for something, my husband’s. I would cut yours too if you would let me.

I am interested in faith and people who have it. I am writing about it (essays, outlines for a novel, character sketches, a screenplay?) and thinking about it most days of the week. Although I am skeptical, I do pray. I do not go to church. I will always be Catholic (like I will always have brown eyes) but may grow into something else as well.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.