Sunday Salon - November 7th

Another week into 2010, less than (3) weeks to Thanksgiving and we ALL know how close those December holidays are don't we? Am I stressing you yet?

I was up bright an early this morning, thanks to that extra hour we gained. I am not looking forward to it getting dark out an hour earlier though. As I've gotten older, I'm not a fan of night time driving. I don't think I see as well at night and am always nervous about walkers in dark colored clothing, and animals running out in front of the car.

How was your week?

This week we had our book sale at the library, and although it was fun, a college book sale is just NOT as much fun as a public library book sale. Very few fiction books, plenty of non fiction, and lots and lots of computer, psych, history, health sciences, and business books.  Thank goodness, we have lots of public library sales in the area to feed that addiction.

Yesterday we went to see the  movie Hereafter, with Matt Damon. I saw the previews on television, and it sounded good, but I did not read any reviews or plot overview.  I am not sure what I was expecting, but both my husband and I came out of the theater a little disappointed.  I think I was expecting something like Sixth Sense, and instead it was almost like (3) separate stories, converging at the end. There were also some subtitles for the conversations that took place in France. Here is a brief overview:

Synopsis: "Hereafter" tells the story of three people who are touched by death in different ways. George (Matt Damon) is a blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world, Marie (Cecile De France), a French journalist, has a near-death experience that shakes her reality. And when Marcus, a London schoolboy, loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. Each on a path in search of the truth, their lives will intersect, forever changed by what they believe might--or must--exist in the hereafter. 

I joined the Giving Thanks Challenge for the month of November, and am enjoying the daily reflection on the many things I have to feel thankful for. I know I tend to take a lot for granted, and I'm finding this challenge just makes me appreciate things so much more. Todays thankful item is:

• I am thankful for our pets. (being able to give a nice home, and food to (4) cats that could have remained homeless, makes my heart glad.)

 (Libby is the oldest; she's 13, we got her as a kitten)

My Week in Books

I posted reviews for Strangers at the Feast (finished in October) but reviewed in November - loved it! Then I read Clinton Kelly's , Oh No She Didn't - liked the a lot as well, and I also finished Anita Shreve's, November 30th release, called Rescue (not very impressed by this one).  I am also working my way through an amazing book called Shantaram; Gregory David Roberts (almost 936 pages). The writing is fabulous and the story has my interest as well. (It is for my Books to Read Before I Die Challenge). I have the book (my copy), plus the audio book from the library --part 1 is (18) discs alone, and I think I'm on disc 10. so this one will take a lot more time.

No big plans for today - whatever you do enjoy and "be thankful" for the day.

140 - Oh No She Didn't; Clinton Kelly

I've always been a people watcher, and a bit of a clothes lover (yep that and books), and it always amazes me what some women wear out in public.  Clothes that are way too tight and revealing, especially off-putting when the person is extremely overweight. PJ bottoms (maybe tops too) when shopping, reinforced toe nylons with open toed shoes......and the list goes on.

I don't watch much television, but I have enjoyed the fashion transformation magic performed by Clinton and Stacy on TLC's What Not to Wear.  So  I was excited to learn Clinton had a new book out: Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How To Avoid Them.

In Clinton's new book, some of you will like it, but some of you may find it offensive, and overly critical. We will all find a few style no nos that we are guilty of, and some will find more than just a few.  In this book, the style mistakes, and his way of pointing them out at times can sound harsh at times, but they are meant to help those who of us who are serious about creating a better self image --regardless of  age or size.  While he points out what NOT to do, he provides insightful alternatives to help you to look your best.

A few No Nos (according to Clinton) were:

• Low Boobies (women should get a professional bra fitting every two years; regardless of your size - many women wear the wrong bra size)
• Black Addiction - (black is not always flattering, in fact, after a certain age women should consider softer colors around the face - navy, grays, browns work well on most)
• Scuffed Up Heals - (worn heals on our shoes, no matter how great the rest of your outfit, indicates you don't care too much about your overall look)
• Cropped pants, frosted hair, visible panty lines, red lipstick, muffin tops, fancy fingernails, horizontal stripes, and too much cleavage at work, were some other no nos.

The book has some great color photos of fashion blunders on every other page. Some were humorous, and certainly got the point across.  A few of my personal favorites were these:

Mom Jeans

High-waisted, light-wash, tapered legged jeans are not stylish or flattering. Clinton recommends that those guilty of being seen in public with these, go buy a pair of dark-wash, trouser jeans that come 1/4" off the floor.

Holiday Sweaters

Clinton says holiday sweaters are a fashion no no. They make you look twenty years older that you are. At a holiday party, if you want to be stylish, he recommends trying a cashmere sweater or a sweater with just a little embellishment around the neckline.

Clogs and socks are a No No!

According to Clinton, the only people who should be wearing socks with their clogs are Nurses.

Tattoos and Evening Wear are a No No!

Well, tattoos, according to Clinton, should not be visible for formal occasions, nor are they appropriate in a professional office environment.

MY THOUGHTS - I thought this book was great, but some women may disagree with what fashion experts like Clinton say are definite fashion NO NOs.  Is this book for all women? Probably not! However, if you want to look good, and have the financial means to update your wardrobe, this book should be helpful - I LIKED it a lot! RECOMMENDED

RATING - 5/5 stars

Library Book

Giving Thanks Challenge

I have so much to be thankful for, but my life has certainly had its share of sadness and difficult times.  However, when I look at the big picture, the wonderful things, have way outweighed the bad. I know that I said no more new challenges in 2010, BUT this one does not involve reading books. 

The challenge just involves some introspective reflection, and what a perfect time of year, to reflect on the year, and on our life in general. Leah from South Breeze Farm is hosting this challenge, but I actually learned of this one from Hello, My Name is Alice.

The challenge is simple.....(30) days in November, (30) reasons to feel thankful -- (1) each day of the month. If you decide to join, a few days into the month like me, just catch up.

November Thankful List

1. I'm thankful for everyday new day. (Life is just so short and unpredictable).
2. I'm thankful for good health.  (I lost one brother to heart disease and the other one to cancer. My mother died of cancer as well)
3. I am thankful that I was blessed with (2) healthy babies. (Both are now healthy adults who make me incredibly proud)
4. I am thankful for my loving husband. (3 times is a charm; he adores me and I feel totally loved)
5. I am thankful to have a job that I like. (bibliophile and library job makes for a good fit)
6. I am thankful for a nice home in a safe area.
7. I am thankful for our pets. (being able to give a nice home, and food to (4) cats that could have remained homeless, makes my heart glad.)
8. I am thankful for having more than enough food. (it's a good feeling to give extra to the less fortunate at this time of year) 
9. I am thankful for my freedom. (Thanks to all the brave men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe) 
10. I am thankful for the change of seasons. (looking forward to the first snowstorm.....weekend preferred)
11. I am thankful to America's Veterans. 
12. I am thankful for free access to some wonderful public libraries.
13. I am thankful for technology advancements (when I was 10 year's old, a transistor radio and a calculator were huge --now, I think, how would I live without my computer and iPhone --what's next?) 
14. I am thankful for 60 degree weather in New England in November (this weekend was gorgeous)
15. I'm thankful for hot baths and fine wine.
16. I am thankful I have had a chance to visit (27) states, and (6) countries
17. I am thankful for my sense of humor. (it's helped so much in work and rough times)
18. I am thankful for having more than enough.
19. I am thankful for a warm fire on a cold night.
20. I am thankful that our cat Buddy's vet visit today cost us $250, instead of $1,100 like last year.
21. I am thankful for individuals who help with animal rescue. 
22. I am thankful for having an introspective nature.
23. I am thankful for living my life without any regrets.
24. I am thankful to have lost another 1.5 lbs this week (14 lbs in 9 weeks). 
25. On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for family, friends and you.
26. I am thankful for (3) more days off from work. 
27. I am thankful for being here today to celebrate my son's 33rd birthday. 
28. I am thankful for not having any stress in my life recently.
29. I am thankful for having all the desserts gone from our house. 
30. I am thankful for wildlife (critters big and small).

139 - Strangers at the Feast; Jennifer Vanderbes

Strangers at the Feast tells the story of the dysfunctional Olson family as they gather for Thanksgiving dinner, 2007.  Little does the family have reason to suspect that their day will end in tragedy. The three generations of family members consists of Gavin, quiet, aloof, Vietnam Vet; his wife Eleanor ; their two children Douglas, (married to Denise with three children).  Gavin and Eleanor's single daughter Ginger, an intellectual working in academia, is hosting the dinner in her newly acquired, but run down home in Westchester County, New York.  She is also introducing her newly adopted, seven year old daughter, Priya, from India, to her family.  Her daughter does not speak.

To get a feel for how dysfunctional the family is, I selected a few passages:

When Eleanor learns that her newly adopted granddaughter does not speak, her response is:

" She's mute? A single mother raising a MUTE seven year old from India?"

(Oh, Eleanor loved her daughter, but what a dung heap of liberation her generation had inherited. Ginny cared so much about her right to do things, she ignored the difficulties.)

Ginny's brother Douglas, a real estate developer, struggling with career and family, is obnoxious to say the least His thoughts about his sister:

(A mute orphaned child, a house without a television, a living room full of plywood furniture. Ginny's obsession with deprivation was like a bizarre medical condition.)

When a problem in Ginny's kitchen causes the family to move the Thanksgiving dinner to another location, Douglas' only thoughts were:

(He'd counted on stuffing, vegetables, dessert. Was this her plan? Deprive them of football and food and teach them some kind of history lesson?)

The plan now is to move Thanksgiving to Douglas and Denise's home in an upscale neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut.  No one is prepared for what happens there.

MY THOUGHTS - I loved this novel.  The story is constructed in such a way that the suspense begins to build early on. You know, and the jacket indicates, that something bad is going to happen --but you do not know what.  The story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of each of the family members, as well as by (2) outsiders not related to the family.  The author, in my opinion is very talented, having created a story that draws you in from the beginning and never eases up.  Each of the characters is dysfunctional, and by the end of the novel, you will feel like you know each of them, as if they had been part of your own family (at least I felt that way).  It's one of those stories that sends a message, in this case:  for every action, there is a reaction.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - I'll be talking about this one at this year's Thanksgiving dinner.

RATING - 5/5 stars

Wordy Wednesday

I know it's really "Wordless Wednesday", where bloggers post a picture that needs no explanation, however, I think my photo needs a bit of background info.

 

About twice a month I visit this family run butcher shop, because the meats are wonderful and the prices are fantastic.  Well Saturday when I visited, this somewhat familiar fellow was strutting his stuff right at the front entrance. Doesn't he know that November, at least here in the US, is a bad month to be too visible for his kind?  Yep, my SIL even ordered a fresh turkey from this butcher shop last Thanksgiving (it could have been his family member)...how sad :(   As for me, I could never enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner if our bird was purchased from this shop.

Oh, yes, we will be having a bird, but not from the friendly neighborhood shop.

Let's Have a Giveaway ~ Waiting for Snow in Havana; Carlos Eire

It has been a while since I've had a giveaway, and since I received a new book this week which I have already read (and really enjoyed), I thought someone might enjoy it as well.  I actually read it (pre blogging days), but it apparently has been released once again.

Waiting for Snow in Havana; Carlos Eire

(DESCRIPTION)....A childhood in a privileged household in 1950s Havana was joyous and cruel, like any other - but with certain differences. The neighbour's monkey was liable to escape and run across your roof. Surfing was conducted by driving cars across the breakwater. Lizards and firecrackers made frequent contact. Carlos Eire's childhood was a little different from most. His father was convinced he had been Louis XVI in a past life. At school, classmates with fathers in the Batista government were attended by chauffeurs and bodyguards. At a home crammed with artifacts and paintings, portraits of Jesus spoke to him in dreams and nightmares. Then, in January 1959, the world changes: Batista is suddenly gone, a cigar-smoking guerrilla has taken his place, and Christmas is cancelled. The echo of firing squads is everywhere. And, one by one, the author's schoolmates begin to disappear -- spirited away to the United States. Carlos will end up there himself, without his parents, never to see his father again.

Narrated with the urgency of a confession, Waiting For Snow In Havana is both an ode to a paradise lost and an exorcism. More than that, it captures the terrible beauty of those times in our lives when we are certain we have died -- and then are somehow, miraculously, reborn.

SPECIFICS

(US and International)

1.  Just leave a comment with your email address.

                          ( how simple is that?)

2.  Winner will be selected on Sunday - November 14th, and notified by email.

(if winner does not respond with mailing info within 48 hours another winner will be selected) 

Good Luck to All

Mailbox Monday - November 1st - 2010

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by:  Julie @ Knitting and Sundries.

A fun weekly event when book bloggers share what book-loot arrived by mail the previous week. I didn't participate last Monday, so this is my loot for (2) weeks.

• Waiting for Snow in Havana; Carlos Eire (sent by Simon and Schuster). This must be a re-release as I read this NF title a few year's ago, and really liked it.
• The Gin Closet; Leslie Jamison (this was a win from Natalie @ Coffee and Book Chick. Thanks again!
• Father of the Rain; Lily King (paperback swap member)
• Winter Bloom; Tara Heavey (Simon and Schuster)
• Heliopolis; James Scudamore (Europa Edition)

I also treated myself to (2) Kindle Books: 

• The Finkler Question; Howard Jacobson
•  Little Stranger; Sarah Waters.

My review requests have pretty much stopped with the exception of Amazon Vine's monthly selections.  Beginning in 2011, I'll only be reading books that I really want to read. To me it makes no sense hoarding review copies unless you intend to read them. 

Hope last week was a great week in books for you.