daily exhale

Amy Alkon Was Met By Rude People at Powell's

Greeted by the events calendar from Powell's the other morning, I set to work securing Katie Kepner, Amazing Sitter for the night of Amy Alkon, author of "I See Rude People."  We are SO glad we did.  As we walked through the doors of Powell's City of Books on Burnside, there she was in her tall, red-headed persona.  I knew this would be a fun night.  We had no idea that hecklers had decided to pounce upon the visiting author.

Building a Home with My Husband: A Journey Through the Renovation of Love

Building a Home with My Husband: A Journey Through the Renovation of Love (Hardcover)
by Rachel Simon

As the second book of Rachel Simon's I've read, I can say I'm now a fan.  Her style and ability to paint word pictures pulls me right into the room - or renovation - with her.  After reading her tales of the journey to a "new" old house and her insights into her life and those around her, I would hire her husband as my architect and his general contractor without seeing a single photo.  Her descriptions has me bundling up with them in the winter and enjoying the sunlight dancing in the rooms.

Having read, "Riding the Bus with My Sister" allowed me to feel that I somewhat know her story. I felt a little more like an insider without needing the same recaps others may need.  She references, "Riding the Bus..." throughout the book, but not enough to drag it out for those of us who read it, but enough to catch up a new reader so they didn't feel in the dark.

As the book drew to a close and the renovations were done - inside and out - I found myself a bit sad that it was over. I wanted to continue reading to see how some of the other sub stories ended.

This is a great read for trips, light days, before bed - any time. Don't miss this beautiful love story dusted with drywall.

------------------------
About Rachel Simon:
Rachel Simon is an award-winning author and nationally known public speaker. She is best known for her critically acclaimed, bestselling memoir Riding The Bus With My Sister, which was adapted for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie of the same name. The book has garnered numerous awards, and is a frequent and much beloved selection of many book clubs, school reading programs, and city-wide reads throughout the country.

Children's Books Obvious Copy-Cat Rip Offs - RANT

I have a new pet peeve. I know, my list is long, but this one is eeking its way up the list.  Scholastic Books seems to be the biggest promoter of this that I have seen so far.  The books that are such a direct rip off of classic children's stories.   Do you remember, "Caps for Sale" from the 40's?  Sure you do, minimal color, man has stacks of caps on his head, monkeys in trees take caps from sleeping peddler.  Then the monkeys copy the peddler until they throw their hats down to him and he goes back to town.  Try this, "Fifty Red Night Caps."  Here's the recap: When monkeys steal the nightcaps that he is carrying to market to sell for his nan, a little boy inadvertently finds a way to get the caps back.

Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow

What a wonderful thought.  It can be true.  I periodically give myself a test to make sure I'm doing what I love.  This was a book I read years ago and its message is still valid. I was reminded of this theory while speaking to my cousin last night. After an "incident" with the microwave she is now subject to hair extensions, eyelash extensions, eyebrow tattoos.  That brings me to a story she told me.

Unexpected Gift from a Kind Person

A box arrived last week for me, but it was actually for our daughter.  It was a box of approximately 15 new Nancy Drew paperbacks.  Our daughter lost her mind.  She asked where they came from. I answered from an old friend of mommy and daddy's.

Blue's Clues Hannuhak Book

 Our son told us today that, "Blue's Clues Hanukkah Book is my favorite Christmas book."  I think that says a lot about, well, a few things? It is a cute book and explains the Hanukkah traditions.  We only celebrate Christmas but we have several Jewish friends.  This really helped our children understand the differences quickly and with colorful, sweet pictures.  I'd recommend this book as a quick way to explain traditions that others celebrate. Now I have to go and cook some Latkes.  They are both nagging me to make them just like in the book.

Please pause the book

In our digital age new phrases make sense to our children, but make me laugh.  Tonight our son and I were reading a book. He had to go grab a sleep toy from his sister's room and asked, "Will you please pause the book, mommy?"

If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails: And Other Lessons I Learned from My Mom

My best friend mailed this book to me to borrow. I was trying to get our daughter to go to sleep and started to read it to her. It's a business book with humor and I figured it would be good for her to start learning these things now.