Glitter and Glue Video for Mothers - You Will Probably Cry

I am such a sappy, mom geek. I am a fan of author Kelly Corrigan and I was thrilled to see her new video posted to You Tube.  The video highlights her new book Glitter and Glue.  The book is being released Tuesday and I can't wait to read it.  All of her videos (which I have posted a few here over the years) pretty much sum up my whole being, it is as if she has spent days in my head.  She makes life and motherhood real.  She writes or says the things we are all thinking.... for example.  When I was so excited that Kelly Corrigan actually "liked" my facebook post:

   "Kelly Corrigan is my hero.  Seriously,  I know we would be friends if we lived closer.  Video is quick and so worth it"

I yelled upstairs to my thirteen year old daughter who is an avid reader and totally loves books and has several favorite authors (if anyone was to understand my joy, it would be her)  only to have her scroll through my facebook newsfeed  and announce, "Mom, she is liking everyone's posts about her new video. I don't think it was about you"
So naturally, I struggled with giving her the finger in silence as she pranced back upstairs.  Watch her quick video and you will totally get my finger struggle.....

My Fifty Shades

Ok, so I am reading it.
and I am loving it.  There I said it--- Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James has captivated me.  The World's Greatest Husband has commented that he has seen me read many books but not quite like this.
I've justified this quick read by clarifying I work in a library and should know what all the latest book rage is about. Right? Don't you think? Oh, Just agree with me.

So my thoughts on Fifty Shades..... I've tried to see past the whole dom/sub/sex thing and understand the complex relationship that seems to be intensifying as I zip through book two.  Not as easy as it sounds some of those chapters have made me feel like a college girl.  It's hot.  I've told myself over and over, I am an adult, I am an adult, I am an adult.  Which is really ridiculous, if you think that as a 41 year old woman I still have to tell myself it's ok to read this "smokin hot" read - I am a grown woman for crying out loud.  The whole controversy of
Should you read it?
Have you read it?
Do you have to load up a shopping cart full of stuff to find the courage to have the book hidden at the bottom of the cart?
Should libraries have it on the shelf?
.......It all truly speaks volume to where we are as a society.

Three  funny things about me and my Fifty Shades.

One.
Not every girl can say their dad bought them the book.  But I can.  Yes, when my Mom and Dad visited a few weeks ago, my father - standing by a rather large display of books waved my mother and I down asking, "Is the book we were just talking about?" he proceeded to proudly put two copies in our cart.  We both flashed him a look that said, "Really?"  I don't think he really knew what he was doing.

Two.
The World's Greatest Husband and I have had a few giggles since I've started reading.  The best was when I noticed he posted an appointment in our synced calendars..... 9 PM -  Book Club.   I keep reminding him this late night reading is all for his benefit.

Three.
Have you seen  the SNL Fifty Shades of Grey Mother's Day skit?
OMG it's hilarious.


Ladies, my vote is.... read it, love Christian, Ana and your husband too!
Laters, Baby

Two Scary Moms...

Yesterday I met her...
and she is not scary at all.
She's quite lovely, and pretty and sweet too-  Ms. Jill Smokler, you know her as Scary Mommy from scarymommy.com

Her new book is funny with a capital F.  Speaking of F, the F-bomb was flying high but all used in the correct context!  She did a reading, took questions and signed books!  It was a blogger's dream and plenty of bloggers were there to show support!

I've met lots of authors, (shall I name drop with NY Times best sellers Sebastian Junger and Wallly Lamb?) I've seen many readings (too many to list), I work in a library don't forget.... but this time I admit, I was giddy and star struck.  My face was hot, on fire hot, so much so that I was convinced I had blotches all over me.... My lips were sort of shaking in this picture.... I know it's ridiculous but seriously, it's scary mommy.

I'll be honest, the World's Greatest Husband, didn't quite get it but went along with me for the ride.  He's a keeper.

Vacation Reading....

I love to read but honestly in my life that luxury is limited.  Except for yesterday.  I started a book and finished a book, in one day!  Granted it was only 195 pages but it was an Easter day treat that is not the norm.  3 of our 5 are not here so it changes the pace of life for a few days.  Selfishly, I will say the break up of routine is just what I need.  Our springtime calendar moves at an incredible pace, shuttling five little butts from activity to activity makes my brain spin.  So I will welcome a week where the shuttling, the noise and the cooking and cleaning are all taken down a notch and I can read a book (in one day!)

Now for the book....
Once Upon a Secret - My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath by Mimi Alford.  It was a fast read and an intriguing read.  Since our visit to the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston a few months ago, I've wanted to read this book.  It's more a story of a woman's journey in finding herself, finding peace and moving forward with a lighter heart rather than gossip, scandal and infidelity.  Although it's all there if you want to read it that way.  Faithful readers know I love to learn about the journey us woman take and that was my focus as I read Mimi's account of her White House years and life.  She comments that she is a footnote to a footnote in history not exactly headline news but with hungry media attention anything and everything can become a headline.  I don't agree with the affair she writes of, I was put off by the casualness of sleeping with a married man and the power plays that seemed to be in the  bedroom with them.  I understand her struggle as a 19 year old girl, she was in over her head motivated by power and sex. Later in the book,  her pastor friend and boss Tom explains sex as a 12 letter word - Faithfulness.  A few things did stay with me as I read each page when you are somewhat of a society family, attend prep schools and are connected, opportunities present themselves.  I guess I always knew that but this book made me think about that.  It made me connect to Father Tom's homily  a few weeks ago, He said, "you become who you hang out with."   It also made me think about my girls.  How strong and smart I want them to be.  I don't want them to have to sift through so much of the craziness of life, to find their own peace - I want them to be smarter and brighter and more aware, than us.  I don't want them to have to maneuver the trials of life, hurt, secrets, or shame to somehow, someday get to contentment and happiness.  That's the journey of woman that I am intrigued by.  We all seem to have stories, rights of passage.  I am not sure it plays out that way for the men in our life.  As Women, even when we have a twinge of the trials that may lie ahead, even when our girlfriends and our mothers send subtle or in our face warnings we still take the journey.  I guess we can only hope that the journey and peace are all worth it in the end or at least make a good book.   Mimi Alford shares her footnote with the world in an effort to move forward.

Scary Mommy has a book or is it a mommy bible?

Paper Peeps - Listen Up. . . .
Scary mommy is you.... Scary mommy is me.... her book hits stores next week and we all owe it to ourselves to belly up to the bookstore and grab a copy.  Read the  first two chapters posted at her site and get a taste of what this mommy fun is all about.  She will make you laugh, cry and basically feel normal.  She is visiting an hour from my home on her scary tour and I am counting the days.  Check out the book trailer, have a giggle and know it's all okay. . .

The life of a Step-Mo

In an effort to be the best Step-Mo around I am reading Dr. Wednesday Martin's book Stepmonster.  I am enjoying it.  It is nice to share and learn from another Step-Mo and it's nice to know I am not crazy.  I'll blog more but for now, go get the book.  I am amazed at the assumptions we have as Step-Mo and ex-wife and biological mom.  We really do ourselves no favors as women.  Yesterday I shared a snippet of the book with the World's Greatest Husband and he gave me the sweetest compliments about my journey as Step-Mo. His words made me feel like a Step-Mo rock star.   Yes, there are many reasons why I married him and he is clearly one of the reasons why this family of seven works!  This path is not easy, glamorous or what I had ever imagined for myself - - -  but possible with him by my side.

Pioneer Woman Writes a Little Gem about Love

Ree Drumond is my hero.  I simply love the Pioneer Woman.  If you haven’t stopped by her blog click here now www.thepioneerwoman.com.  I recently finished her new book,  Black Heels to Tractor Wheels and loved it.  Simply stated, it made me love my “World’s Greatest Husband” even more!  I am a sucker for a good love story.  I am a romantic and what I love about this book is…. Ree is too!  She fell head over her black heels for her real life cowboy, Marlboro Man.  It wasn’t all hugs and kisses, well actually... there were a lot of hugs and kisses, but their love story is real and deep and inspiring.  The book made me reaffirm my belief in simple love and made me realize that love no matter how intense comes with serious threads of compromise.  Black Heels to Tractor Wheels… she is a brave, brave hero in many ways.  Being a Library girl I must admit there aren’t many books that I long to own, but this love story is one that needs to live on my bookshelf. 

If you need a happy heart, spring in your step, sparkle in your eye sort of read…. Pick up a copy.  It made me feel warm and content.  

Rick Springfield to release Late, Late at Night - Can't Wait!

I've loved Rick Springfield since I was in the 5th grade.  If you are a faithful Paper Mom reader, you probably know my obsession all too well.  If your my mom reading, you are probably giggling because you have lived through it all (including some of the concerts.)  On Tuesday, he will release his autobiography.  I can't wait, I am especially excited  because he reads his work on the audio version of the book. I am posting a teaser video just in case you want to line up at Borders, log on to Amazon or visit your local Library to learn about my guy Rick.  You know I post book reviews on this site, so look for the review of Late, Late at Night by Rick Springfield to be posted next week.  Until then, here is a video to satisfy your curiosity.

As you know, I met him a few years ago, I knew I would.  It was absolutely an amazing moment.  One of those moments I will never ever forget.  It was a dream come true. I remember praying... I hope the picture comes out (I didn't have a digital camera) I love the picture because in my eyes, I see the happiest woman alive.

Life's Little Lessons

I am reading God Never Blinks 50 Lesson’s for Life’s Little Detours by Regina Brett.  It is a collection of essays that makes one pause and take note or in my case, sob like a baby.  Peeps, I am emotional, I am a “feeler”, don’t hold it against me… love me. 

Each essay’s title really says it all.  I guess the book started with one of those email chains that lists lessons in life.  Visit her website for the 45 plus five to grow on list(http://www.reginabrett.com/life_lessons.php)   The response encouraged the author to dig deeper and share essays for each one.  I think I did receive this email some time ago.  Some of my faves are…

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

When I was a single mom, that was how I got through each day. 

Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

Hello? Divorce? Need I say more?… taking the time to work on oneself is always worthwhile.

Don’t compare your life to others’ you have no idea what their journey is all about.In my professional life I am a Fundraiser.  It is my job to connect passion and donor dollars to the organization I work for.   It is a worthwhile organization and most people are happy to support if able.  I can’t tell you how often a committee member will judge the financial picture of a potential donor.  Only to learn it is a completely different situation.  Sometimes we judge and really have no idea of what people are up against or capable of. 

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.  Don’t save it for a special occasion.  Today is special. 

There are some advantages to finding a second chance at love.  Finding love   with a bit more life   experience helps too.  I am so grateful that I met the World’s Greatest Husband as a confident woman rather than a twenty-something kiddo.  I like celebrating our love affair.  He is special, today is special.

Frame every disaster with these words… “In five years will this matter?” 

Sometimes I re-frame this with “will this matter tomorrow, next week, next month?”

Take a deep breath it calms the mind.

I remember my mom coaching me through some breathing exercises and I have now coached my own children through breathing exercises.  Ahhh, circle of life.

Lobster at home...

I am closing in on the home stretch of my “summer-to-do list” posted in early June.  Tonight we checked off – make lobster….

The World’s Greatest Husband and I have never ever cooked lobster! Until tonight.  I admit we cheated, did you know the grocery store will steam those suckers up for you….

A little lobster, a baked potato, and some asparagus from the “Daisy Morning Noon and Night” cookbook and we had a big summer-to-do check mark in the making.  
Yippee!
The lobster was yummy but lazy man is the way to go.  It felt odd to crack, dig and pick to get at our food.  It just didn’t feel right…

Guess where I went...

The Library!  I love going to the library for materials.  I encourage you to visit yours.  It’s free!  Free, free, free… it amazes me with each and every visit.  I love that I can take out a trillion books and thumb through, dive in or skim…. and then I bring them back and get more!  Here is my latest visit but I think I have 15 or so up in my bedroom.  I am not shy about checking out books.

 

Our children have been out of the house since Tuesday and two nights of pillow talk with the World’s Greatest Husband is wonderful treat.  We’ve stayed up late, late, late and that cracks me up… we usually fall into bed tired as can be at 10:30pm.  The kids leave and we are like two teenagers with their parents out of the house.  Of course we have been to practices, games and carpooling but our 9pm dinners for two with wine and yummies makes my summer sweet.

Shout out to my Paperly peeps!  Did you get your Summer of Stationery Mailing?  Well Guess what? Paperly just announced additional hostesss benefits for JULY!  It doesn’t get any better than that!  I hope you will consider hosting a party.  It is as much about gathering with family and friends as it is about quality, stylish papers. 

Happy Thursday!

Favorite books

A gal pal asked me to type up my favorite reads, this is what I came up with.

There is one thing that never changes for our family of seven, our bedtime reading routine. Reading before snoring has become a joy that has been a part of my daily routine since I was a child and now is habit for my family too. It can often be a challenge with so many different reading levels and attention spans; it is a special way to end our day with warmth and love that can’t be described.

One for all ages: Our family favorite, hands down is “The Gulps” by Rosemary Wells and Marc Brown. This silly story is about a family slimming down after eating too many Winky-Twinks and Jiffy Chips. It makes us laugh every time, so much so that we have adopted the silly family name, "The Gulps" whenever we “pig out” at the dinner table.

I’ve read "The Enormous Egg" by Oliver Butterworth several times throughout my life. I remember Mrs. Baigert, my third grade teacher reading it the first time.

Once the kids are asleep, I end my day with a good book too. I have always described my favorite books as those “sappy, mushy, gushy lovey, dovey romantic reads.” My life is busy and demanding, I love losing myself in a love story. Here are my favorites:

"Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks (this author always makes me sob, the I can’t control myself, sucking air to breath kind of crying, I am always afraid I’ll wake my husband with the tears!)
"How to talk to a Widower" by Johnathan Tropper (You will laugh out loud!)
"The Pilots Wife" by Anita Shreve

My non-fiction selections: I love, love, love, craft books, anything to do with paper crafts makes me especially smile. I enjoy home improvement and decorating books, self improvement books, cook books, and professional/career books. I often use interlibrary loans to find what I am looking for. Have you read?

"The Girlfriends’ Guide to getting your Groove Back Loving your family without Losing your Mind" by Vicki Iovine
"The Girls Guide to the Big Bold Moves for Career Success" by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio
"Paper Bouquet: Using Paper Punches" by Susann Tierney Cockburn
"Everyday Food: Great Food Fast" by Martha Stewart
"Organizing your Craft Space" by Jo Packham

Run, don't walk to your local library

 and check them out!