tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42434508836278996762024-03-14T01:50:28.626-04:00Thou Art JulesThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-65140499006306964992011-01-15T12:57:00.000-05:002011-01-15T12:57:26.164-05:00Reminder for readers!Just a reminder for those of you reading on a feed reader, we have moved. <a href="http://www.thouartjules.com/">http://www.thouartjules.com/</a> and we have a giveaway going on right now! Come join us!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-63573361245380640022010-12-27T14:42:00.002-05:002011-01-04T18:16:02.084-05:00News!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thouartjules">I've moved my blog permanently to my own host</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thouartjules">Click here to update your feed!</a><br />
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I will be running a contest over at the new blog just for you!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-42406772563012520422010-12-22T11:03:00.000-05:002010-12-22T11:03:09.670-05:00FOUL!OK, just for the record... it wasn't the chicken! The terrible sickness that brought me to my knees for 48 hours turns out to be a stomach bug. "How does she know this?" you may ask.<br />
<br />
Well, there are 5 of us in the household. 2 of us were initially sick. We were the two who ate the "dreaded" chicken wings. It was only logical to conclude that this was the source of our misery. Bright and early this morning however I was awoken with a cry "Mommy......" and soon found David and hubby and now Katelin all unwell!<br />
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So, I have gathered all of my "work" items into the dining room, prepared glasses of gingerale overflowing with ice and doled out Pepto like a pro.<br />
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Now we wait for the day to see what it will bring. Hopefully it doesn't re-circulate and we'll all be over it soon!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-71722728976882515612010-12-20T03:09:00.000-05:002010-12-20T03:09:36.230-05:00What's wrong with wings?It all started so innocently.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ8OarWZvfI/AAAAAAAAAlA/qdQ2O140PN8/s1600/chickenwings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ8OarWZvfI/AAAAAAAAAlA/qdQ2O140PN8/s320/chickenwings.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The boys and I visited my Mother in Law in the hospital. Because we were going to be close by, Kevin asked me to come have lunch with him at work.<br />
<br />
If you've been around long, you know that I battle with anxiety. However, I really don't like to say no EVERY time. So, we went! We ordered an appetizer sampler and had a nice lunch.<br />
<br />
Fast forward (it's 3am now...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ8O3b6c9eI/AAAAAAAAAlE/hpIw1Gr_RKU/s1600/toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ8O3b6c9eI/AAAAAAAAAlE/hpIw1Gr_RKU/s320/toilet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The toilet is not my friend! Brandon and I have been awful sick since about 9:00 tonight. For me it just got really bad around 1am. The only thing that we ate (and nobody else did) was the wings in the sampler. Therefore, the wings must be the culprit. The bad thing is... they were good! How was I to know?<br />
<br />
Yuck!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-112340248003399982010-12-18T20:35:00.000-05:002010-12-18T20:35:41.140-05:00Tis the Season to be Busy!Very busy indeed!<br />
<br />
My Mother in Law is in the hospital tonight. We went for coffee this morning just like usual but a little late and she couldn't breathe. She had been up all night coughing and apparently did not want to wake anyone up :-( <br />
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Luckily it doesn't look like pneumonia but they are keeping her tonight and possibly until Monday.<br />
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Prayers would be appreciated!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-75774020243787228542010-12-18T07:00:00.000-05:002010-12-19T02:30:48.486-05:00The Clouds Roll Away - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ2wnyFyAmI/AAAAAAAAAk0/oOESBu4yVYA/s1600/clouds+cover+hi-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ2wnyFyAmI/AAAAAAAAAk0/oOESBu4yVYA/s320/clouds+cover+hi-res.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<strong>The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello</strong> was a welcome read this holiday season. I found myself immersed in FBI Agent Raleigh Harmon's life from the very beginning. Because I am a recent convert to the Catholic Church, I loved the way Sibella describes the inner dialog that Raleigh has with herself throughout this riveting tale! I loved the imagery and I fell in love with Raleigh as a person.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what will strike other readers from this story but for me, the relationship that Raleigh has with her mother Nadine was the cornerstone of the book! Nadine is battling her own inner demons but Raleigh sticks by her side whether it is terrible creations in the kitchen or unexpected trips to church. Raleigh treats her Mother with respect, love and grace.<br />
<br />
Of course the main storyline is about Raleigh's career with the FBI, this book follows her through investigations into a hate crime commited in her own back yard. Raleigh finds herself in all sorts of dangerous and compromising positions. You will cheer for her and you will fear for her as you turn each page in this action packed novel.<br />
<br />
Many Christian Fiction books are very deliberate in their message (moral.) I found so many hidden in this book that I believe I will even have to read it again! Many times the best way to learn something is not always the most obvious. Sibella creats a masterpiece that will also leave you feeling closer than ever to your Savior.<br />
<br />
This is a definite MUST READ and will find a place on my bookshelf to be revisited! I will admit that I may be biased as Richmond is just a short drive from my home and I always love to read books that are based locally!<br />
<br />
<strong>Cover description:</strong><br />
Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the crosshairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes... until she's left wondering who the real victims might be.<br />
To make matters worse, Raleigh's personal life affers almost zero clarity. Her former confidant is suddenly remote whle her former boyfriend keeps popping up wherever she goes. And then there's her mother. Raleigh's move home was suppose to improve Nadine's fragile sanity, but instead seems to be making things worse.<br />
As the threads of the case begin crossing and double-crossing, Raleigh is forced to rely on her forensic skills, her faith, and the fervent hope that a breakthrough will come, bringing with it that singular moment when teh clouds roll away and everything finall makes sense.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ2wpV5fI7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/p11aEDb9Q2o/s1600/sibella-in-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQ2wpV5fI7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/p11aEDb9Q2o/s1600/sibella-in-blue.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span class="dropcap" style="letter-spacing: 1px;">S</span>ibella Giorello</strong> grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the <i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.</div><br />
<b>Sibella’s celebrating the release of <i>The Clouds Roll Away</i> by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/81783" target="_blank"><img alt="giorello_300x250" height="250" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/giorello_300x250.png" width="300" /></a></div><b>One Grand Prize winner will receive:</b><br />
<ul><li>Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi</li>
<li>$25 gift certificate to Amazon.com</li>
</ul><b>To enter simply click on one of the icons below! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella's blog: <a href="http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/">http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/</a></b><b>. </b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/81783" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" height="48" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/email_button.png" title="Enter via E-mail" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/81783" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" height="48" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/Facebook_button.png" title="Enter via Facebook" width="48" /> </a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/81783" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" height="48" src="http://litfusegroup.com/images/stories/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" width="48" /></a></div><br />
<b><em>About The Clouds Roll Away - "Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello's mystery also features well-developed characters..."</em><br />
—Booklist, starred review</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/sibella-giorellos-the-clouds-roll-away-blog-tour.html"><b>Find out more here! </b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher for review purposes</div>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-14890017113011823172010-12-16T14:50:00.000-05:002010-12-16T14:50:12.583-05:00The Lambs Supper Study Guide - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQptTthTZzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/fbqIiAOwpfU/s1600/The_Lamb%2527s_Supper_Study_Guide_Cover_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQptTthTZzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/fbqIiAOwpfU/s1600/The_Lamb%2527s_Supper_Study_Guide_Cover_Art.jpg" /></a></div>Please visit my<a href="http://betweenthepage.blogspot.com/2010/12/lambs-supper-study-guide-scott-hahn.html"> new book blog</a> to read more about The Lambs Supper Study Guide <a href="http://www.betweenthepage.com/">http://www.betweenthepage.com/</a>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-83727509449301045932010-12-16T10:42:00.000-05:002010-12-16T10:42:57.386-05:00The clouds that eat at my soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQozR7hf3jI/AAAAAAAAAks/Jibkqj7Nvzs/s1600/sadness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQozR7hf3jI/AAAAAAAAAks/Jibkqj7Nvzs/s320/sadness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paleontour/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paleontour</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sometimes it seems that depression affects most every day of my life. I know in my heart that this might not be the case. I may only feel this way when the weight is heaviest on me. On the sunny days I might tell you that there are more good days than bad.<br />
<br />
Depression for me is a heaviness in my heart. It is tears on my eyelashes. It is taking a long nap every single day. It is a life that sometimes revolves around these four walls.<br />
<br />
Everything gets to me. I brood. I hurt. I think too much.<br />
<br />
This is a glorious week! It is the kids last few days before "Winter break."<br />
It is the season of Advent!<br />
It is our first real snow accumulation.<br />
It is a time of visiting with favorite relatives from out of state.<br />
It is a time of making candies and wrapping presents.<br />
<br />
But..<br />
<br />
I make the candies<br />
I wrap the presents<br />
I shop online<br />
<br />
and I carry this cloud with me<br />
it hangs over my head<br />
it causes me to cry over everything<br />
it makes me hard to live with<br />
<br />
I am hard on myself<br />
yet I allow excuses for everything<br />
<br />
I mourn<br />
<br />
The good is not lost on me. I berate myself actually because I am so fortunate! I am so blessed! My family is happy and healthy! We have every need met that we could imagine. We have love. We have so many little things even that so many millions of people do not have. I am watching cable. I am on the internet. I own a laptop. We are able to worship openly. There are so many blessings. Some days this makes it even more difficult to deal with these emotions because I KNOW they DON'T MAKE SENSE!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-43155037266699422532010-12-14T21:47:00.000-05:002010-12-14T21:47:54.839-05:00The Topkapi Secret - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQgr-qix9UI/AAAAAAAAAko/JxK-DTMISm8/s1600/topkapi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQgr-qix9UI/AAAAAAAAAko/JxK-DTMISm8/s200/topkapi.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1038721774">The Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1038721774">GREAT READ!</a><br />
<a href="http://betweenthepage.blogspot.com/2010/12/topkapi-secret-terry-kelhawk.html">Read my review over at my new book blog</a> <a href="http://www.betweenthepage.com/">http://www.betweenthepage.com/</a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I will continue to post review links here until I have fulfilled all review requests up to the start of betweenthepage.com </span>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-28116393550472106422010-12-14T07:33:00.000-05:002010-12-14T07:33:14.618-05:00The 60 Minute Money Workout - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQdjmHfM_vI/AAAAAAAAAkc/NvIIcjeOwMo/s1600/60Min_Money_Workout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQdjmHfM_vI/AAAAAAAAAkc/NvIIcjeOwMo/s1600/60Min_Money_Workout.jpg" /></a></div>Please visit my new<a href="http://betweenthepage.blogspot.com/2010/12/60-minute-money-workout-ellie-kay.html"> Book Blog to read about this book</a>. <a href="http://www.betweenthepage.com/">http://www.betweenthepage.com/</a> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I do have several reviews that I'm working on that were originally scheduled to be posted on this blog. I will continue to place a post here to direct the authors/publishers to the new site.</span>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-51659717331620911572010-12-14T07:25:00.000-05:002010-12-14T07:25:15.468-05:00Do you cry?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/S93YXy0O1kI/AAAAAAAAARs/e88ZtWtrhRQ/s1600/alone" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/S93YXy0O1kI/AAAAAAAAARs/e88ZtWtrhRQ/s320/alone" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Have you cried in church? I know I have felt like crying. <br />
<br />
I visited the chapel last night for an hour of adoration and found myself in a much different situation than last week. This week there were 4 adorers at 10pm which surprised me so late at night! <br />
<br />
I found myself almost immediately drawn to conversation with the Lord. I found myself just pouring out my thoughts and feelings as though I could not hold them in. I have something personal weighing heavily on my heart. I shared it all with HIM last night.<br />
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Have you ever shared your most intimate secrets with your Savior? You would think that since He already knows.. it wouldn't be such a big deal huh? Not so!<br />
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I couldn't stop the emotions that followed. Now don't get me wrong. I did not just break down and start sobbing uncontrolably. But, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. <br />
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It was a cleansing hour and as I tried to follow my "schedule" from last week with prayers, I continually found myself drawn back into a deep confessional conversation. I find myself somewhat drained emotionally today. Perhaps that will keep me from living in my head so much today!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-69127704668295107112010-12-11T20:23:00.000-05:002010-12-11T20:23:10.749-05:00Are we too busy?<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQht3C_VaI/AAAAAAAAAkI/VwAV83Q99Rg/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQht3C_VaI/AAAAAAAAAkI/VwAV83Q99Rg/s200/011.JPG" width="143" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQhve9mgbI/AAAAAAAAAkM/zTK_Z6G1KY4/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQhve9mgbI/AAAAAAAAAkM/zTK_Z6G1KY4/s200/014.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQhymBAXCI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-s3AhFK-cQM/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQhymBAXCI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-s3AhFK-cQM/s200/019.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQiE58x4QI/AAAAAAAAAkU/kvlxeGfo1ws/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQiE58x4QI/AAAAAAAAAkU/kvlxeGfo1ws/s200/031.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQiS_0vmXI/AAAAAAAAAkY/pQ4I4dOEwaY/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQQiS_0vmXI/AAAAAAAAAkY/pQ4I4dOEwaY/s200/052.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The tree is trimmed (as good as it's gonna get this year!) and now we've moved on to children begging me to wrap presents! lol</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've been baking and making peppermint bark and chocolate covered pretzels. It's been yummy! Of course there is nothing left to share outside of the house because they are eating it as fast as I can make it! I'll have to make some for teachers and the mail lady while the kids are at school this week.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All of this hustle and bustle is costly though...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My husband informed me today that I interrupt him. A LOT...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and guess what...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I DO!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">::sigh::</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I interrupt him. A LOT!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I don't know why I do it. I mean sometimes it's because well.. he's rather long winded. But, it's rude and I have to stop. So, I've made a conscious effort to pay attention to each person as they talk to me. I tend to space out sometimes and I tend to multi-tast like I do on the computer. It doesn't work. It leaves the other person feeling as though you aren't paying attention.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Guess what...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'M NOT!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">yikes!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div align="left"></div>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-53176505654331422232010-12-10T10:26:00.000-05:002010-12-10T10:26:06.103-05:00Between the Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQJF8xMKz8I/AAAAAAAAAkE/MOl-_SJUhks/s1600/betweenthepage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQJF8xMKz8I/AAAAAAAAAkE/MOl-_SJUhks/s1600/betweenthepage.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Do you ever wonder where to place your priorities? I don't mean God, husband and family. I'm talking other things. I've been posting on this blog and going through this wonderful journey for quite a while now.<br />
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I'm sure some of you who've been here since the beginning have noticed the changes as I've posted less and reviewed books more. I'm always afraid that the people who want to read the posts might be sick of the book reviews and vice versa.<br />
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To combat this nagging feeling... I've opened a new blog specificially for my book reviews! If you are interested in following my book reviews, please visit <a href="http://www.betweenthepage.com/">http://www.betweenthepage.com/</a> and add me there! I'll be excited now to keep things separated :-)<br />
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Blessings!<br />
JulesThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-45535488007080392802010-12-08T21:56:00.000-05:002010-12-09T22:32:59.539-05:00Radical - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQBFIckvWcI/AAAAAAAAAjs/hKrjCkNo990/s1600/radical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TQBFIckvWcI/AAAAAAAAAjs/hKrjCkNo990/s200/radical.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><br />
Have you ever questioned your faith? I mean really questioned it? This book is all about questioning the LEVEL of your faith. David Platt shares biblical stories, real life stories and hypothetical situations in a way that will have you doing some deep thinking before you finish the very first chapter.<br />
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There is almost too much to say about this book to put into one book review! I feel like I should really do a book report on it. <br />
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From secret churches in Asia to the homeless in America, David challenges each of us to truly live biblically. This book will really get your gears turning as the author gently reminds you of the problems that all of Gods children are facing on this planet. The global crisis of lack of information and lack of basic necessities is a real problem that we are all aware of.<br />
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Could you leave your suburban home to minister to the poor in an inner city? How about hopping on a jet plane to teach the gospel at the risk of your own life? I mistakenly thought this would be another book on limited “radical living.” Things like volunteering in your community and providing help for your neighbors but boy was I wrong! Of course we need to be doing these things as well but we have to stop turning a blind eye to the suffering that is taking place everywhere!<br />
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I literally found myself carrying this book around in my pocketbook and reading it while waiting to pick up my children, waiting in the doctors office and in various places around the house. It’s a page turner with a conscience! You will not look at the world around you the same again.<br />
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My son started our evening meal prayer tonight by praying for the entire world because I had read a few paragraphs of the last chapter to him while sitting in the doctors office today.<br />
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*This book was provided by the Blogging for Books program for review purposesThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-13909082718800593962010-12-08T06:00:00.004-05:002010-12-09T22:32:59.540-05:00Interview with Kandy Siahaya [author of Making Light of Being Heavy]<div style="text-align: left;">Today I would like to welcome Kandy Siahaya [author of Making Light of Being Heavy] to Thouartjules! In case you missed it, <a href="http://www.thouartjules.com/2010/12/making-light-of-being-heavy-book-review.html"><span style="color: blue;">read my review before you continue.</span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TP8HBFKgM-I/AAAAAAAAAjo/qESiHeIK-T0/s1600/kandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TP8HBFKgM-I/AAAAAAAAAjo/qESiHeIK-T0/s1600/kandy.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kandy Siahaya was raised in a small town in Maine where she graduated from high school in 1984. She worked her way up from her first job as CSW to Manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken and ended up in Brunswick, Maine. When she decided to leave the fried chicken business at age 22, she packed up her little Chevy Chevette and moved to Florida, where she worked as a waitress and had a great time as a single girl in her 20’s. Reality hit when she was 25 years old and she went back to Maine and received her Associate’s Degree at Beal College and promptly moved back to Florida and started a career in medical transcription. In 1995 at age 29, she moved to Miami, Florida, and continued with transcription starting her own business. In 2002, Kandy left Florida and moved back to Maine with her 5-year-old son and continued medical transcription but had an unexpected decline in work which left her with a lot of time on her hands. This is when she decided to write the book, something she had been thinking about for a few years but never had the time because she was always so busy with her business. It was meant to be a quick and funny read, something to brighten the outlook of many that really do not see the light through their own tunnel vision. It was also intended to be insightful for those that could never possibly relate to this specific subject. Kandy has succeeded in doing just that with Making Light of Being Heavy.</span><br />
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Kandy, thank you for taking the time to share more about yourself!Tell us about your book Making Light of Being Heavy.<br />
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<strong>1. What inspired you to write this book?</strong> <br />
Making Light of Being Heavy was inspired by my daily life as a fat chick. Specifically, one summer day a friend and I were in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with our kids just walking along the sidewalk when this real cute guy driving a pedicab (a ride that is driven by a person on a bike) pulls along side us waiting for a light. I looked over at him and asked him what the weight limit was on that ride. Now both my friend and I topped out at over 300 pounds each so you can imagine what this 160 pound guy must be thinking! He looked at us as though he was trying to come up with a "safe" figure and said "500 pounds." I jokingly laughed with my friend and said that we wouldn't be getting a ride on that anytime soon! As we were walking away, my friend joked and said how cool it would be to write a book about the funny side of being fat...Making Light of Being Heavy. <br />
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<strong>2. Is there any significance to your cover art?</strong> <br />
My goal with the cover was to show that the book was going to be lighthearted and off the cuff; hence the hippo with the tutu on the light end of the scale and the feather on the heavy end. <br />
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<strong>3. What advice would you give to the aspiring writers out there?</strong><br />
Stick with it even though you will get many, many rejections. Perseverance is the key. <br />
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<strong>4. Are you still running your medical transcription business and selling real estate?</strong> <br />
I put my real estate license inactive for right now but transcription is my full-time business. <br />
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<strong>5. Of course I have to ask... How is your weight now? Have you reached your goal?</strong><br />
I have lost over 50 pounds this year and I am going for another 50, doing it 10 pounds at a time :) <br />
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<strong>6. What is next for you? Do you have another book planned? What are you currently working on?</strong> With any extra time I am focusing mostly on promoting this book to really get it out there because I honestly believe it could benefit a lot of people. <br />
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<strong>7. What one piece of advice would you give a fellow fat person who is thinking of picking up your book?</strong> <br />
Don't let all the negativity surrounding your weight get to you - read Making Light of Being Heavy and it may help to redirect your way of thinking by giving you a new perspective...and a good laugh :) <br />
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<strong>8. What one piece of advice would you give a skinny person who is thinking of picking up your book?</strong><br />
This book is not just for fat chicks, it can also be very insightful for all you skinny chicks and it may just help to clarify a few misconceptions about us fat chicks, plus it is a downright funny read! <br />
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<strong>9. Where can readers find your book?</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.makinglightofbeingheavy.com/">http://www.makinglightofbeingheavy.com/</a><br />
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<strong>10. Random fact about you that nobody would guess...</strong><br />
I love to enter cooking contests. <br />
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<strong>11. Final words?</strong> <br />
Thank you for the interview and taking the time to review Making Light of Being Heavy. It is good to hear you enjoyed and appreciated my perspective.Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-56920134490416568042010-12-07T09:43:00.000-05:002010-12-07T09:43:09.000-05:00Adoration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TKm7zyrs8DI/AAAAAAAAAec/mqWJEE_OoM0/s1600/grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TKm7zyrs8DI/AAAAAAAAAec/mqWJEE_OoM0/s1600/grace.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I wrapped my scarf over my ears to block the biting wind as I headed out in the dark on my now weekly journey downtown.<br />
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The roads were empty as though it were midnight<br />
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The parking lot was virtually empty and the usually vibrant and crowded sidewalks of our parish were deserted<br />
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I knocked lightly on the door of the chapel unsure what else to do with the locked door<br />
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I suppose it makes sense to lock the door so late at night<br />
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I was greeted by three smiling faces<br />
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One was joining me<br />
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Two were leaving<br />
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I found a kneeler and began to pray<br />
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The Our Father seemed like a good place to start<br />
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Over and over I repeated this prayer in my head<br />
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All of my planning and note taking slipped away and I was unsure<br />
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I followed with a plea<br />
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Show me what to do Lord, I'm new, I'm a baby, I am unsure<br />
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I knelt with folded hands for a long time<br />
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My black book of prayers sat close beside me like a best friend<br />
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I flipped through the book pausing when something caught my eye<br />
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I wanted to look at the clock but shamed myself for wanting to do so<br />
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I practiced self restraint and averted my eyes<br />
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To see only a few minutes gone would be so discouraging<br />
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I knelt again speaking from my heart<br />
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I spilled out every thing that I was doing wrong<br />
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Another plea for help! Show me your way Lord, show me what you will have me do. Not just today but all days. Help me hear you, help me see your way clearly.<br />
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A knock sounded on the door<br />
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It was light but shattered the silence<br />
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Again four people exchanged smiles and goodnights<br />
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An hour flew by and I am left with a peace and a longing unlike beforeThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-12596767474358552652010-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:002010-12-09T22:32:59.541-05:00Making Light of Being Heavy - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TP0pPA0KrzI/AAAAAAAAAjg/mpXddJ4c6Dg/s1600/making+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TP0pPA0KrzI/AAAAAAAAAjg/mpXddJ4c6Dg/s320/making+light.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br />
Making Light of Being Heavy<br />
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By Kandy Siahaya<br />
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Making Light of Being Heavy is exactly that. It is a lighthearted look at being “fat!” Kandy grew up in a small town in Maine and according to her recollection has been overweight for most of her life. Through these years she has learned a lot about what that means.<br />
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Kandy speaks openly and frankly about her weight and covers topics like insults and the problems overweight people face with basic public situations such as restrooms, seatbelts and even restaurant booths. <br />
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You will take a journey from Abs Diet to Weight Watchers as Kandy walks through common diet plans and dissects each of them according to their assets and defects. Of course everyone is different so what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.<br />
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Next comes the fun part! Just who’s fault is it anyway? Is it heredity that causes some people to be overweight? Is it society? Honestly, as someone who has been overweight most of my adult life.. I’ve often wondered the same thing! Who is to blame!? I know I am to blame but something has shifted that has brought our society to a majority of overweight people compared to other countries.<br />
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Then Kandy discusses the dreaded “You have such a pretty face!” compliment! Well meaning friends/family/strangers are often at a loss as to what to say. They know that you are more than your weight but for some reason they feel the need to verbalize it. Kandy talks about some common misconceptions towards overweight people in Chapter 4 that are a must read for anyone!<br />
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I found this book very refreshing in a society that is so focused on weight loss. Of course I know that many of us do need to lose weight but sometimes it’s nice to just be comfortable in your own skin for a while. Beating yourself up doesn’t help you lose weight! You cannot be kind to yourself if you are constantly beating yourself up for who you currently are. At some point you have to at least partially accept yourself before you can truly muster the strength to commit.<br />
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I’m happy to have had the chance to review Kandy’s book and am looking forward to her interview tomorrow!! Check back and see what she has to say!<br />
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<a href="http://makinglightofbeingheavy.com/blog/?p=37">Visit Kandy's blog</a><br />
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<a href="http://makinglightofbeingheavy.com/blog/?p=37">Buy the Book!</a><br />
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*material provided by the author for review purposesThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-63758223337473122632010-12-06T15:39:00.000-05:002010-12-06T15:39:19.258-05:00Where to buy an apron!I know I've seen numerous blogs review beautiful aprons and now I actually need to buy one as a gift. Can you ladies refresh my memory and tell me where to go! :-)Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-44793375516826907112010-12-05T23:38:00.000-05:002010-12-06T07:51:47.366-05:00Virtus and RadicalSaturday morning I attended Virtus training for our parish. Those of you who aren't familiar, Virtus is a class that the Catholic Church mandates for anyone who might even possibly work with youth. It is a training that teaches you a bit about what <span style="font-size: large;">child predators</span> are capable of and some of the early signs that you can watch out for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPxn0enBF0I/AAAAAAAAAjc/gbFsw1cu2kM/s1600/food+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPxn0enBF0I/AAAAAAAAAjc/gbFsw1cu2kM/s320/food+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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It was two of the most distrubing videos I've ever watched as we listened to two convicted offenders describe their methods for developing relationships with these children. It was <span style="font-size: large;">sickening!</span> However, I learned alot of things that I did not know. I thought I had figured out a profile for them and it turns out my theory was <span style="font-size: large;">flawed!</span><br />
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Now we wait for our background checks to come back and I'll be able to help with youth ministries at the church. I love working with children so I am looking forward to this!<br />
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I've also been reading (very little) of the book <span style="font-size: large;">Radical</span> by David Platt. What an amazing book so far!! It's all about Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream. Definitely not light reading!<br />
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I'm off to the play again and then looking forward to Monday for a break :-)<br />
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I start my first <span style="font-size: large;">Adoration</span> hour tomorrow night as well!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-90857774582406721182010-12-05T23:32:00.000-05:002010-12-06T07:51:54.482-05:00Think Positive!<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e-CbEHUUJSg?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />I wanted to share with you a peek at Willy Wonka Jr. My son is Charlie!<br />I've spent the last three days doing makeup and putting one long haired Oompa Loompa's hair into pin curls so she could wear a wig. I've gotten my time down from 45 mins the first night to 20 mins just in time for the last day! I'm a Pin Curl Master!<br /><br />I've been running a taxi service since our Jeep is temporarily out of service. I've been driving hubby to work, picking up people for the play and running them home and then picking up hubby.<br /><br />We had our first snow last night and I didn't even get a picture! Egads!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-44714419298877497162010-12-03T07:49:00.000-05:002010-12-03T07:49:16.661-05:00Is it really Friday!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPjmgal0rWI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ezdQ40jn0yA/s1600/wonka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPjmgal0rWI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ezdQ40jn0yA/s320/wonka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am actually surprised that it's Friday! This week has flown by. I'm not sure if it's the after Thanksgiving rush or the fact that I painted for 3 out of the 4 days this week... Perhaps most notably however is that ...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight is Opening Night for Willy Wonka at my sons school!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Why is this notable? My son has the lead in the play :-) He is Charlie! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It seems that we have been practicing for months (actually I believe we have...) Now, all of the sudden, it's almost over! Three shows and come Monday it will be over. Sad but true.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The whole family is attending Opening Night with camcorder and new digital camera so pictures are sure to follow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am so proud of him!</div>Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-74207727785938531912010-12-02T08:03:00.000-05:002010-12-02T08:03:56.464-05:00Week in review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPeXJrdsZKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/VWkOXuXrgt0/s1600/Christmas+Parade+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPeXJrdsZKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/VWkOXuXrgt0/s320/Christmas+Parade+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We have a few traditions for the entire holiday season. Each year I realize that we have more traditions than I thought we had! One such tradition is the annual Christmas Parade that is held downtown. We are blessed to have a bizillion churches in our town so our parade always has a Christian theme. This year was a stretch though because the theme was Rock 'n Roll Christmas lol<br />
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OK, this is by far one of the worst pictures I think we've ever taken! We are just learning how to use this new camera and some photos turn out fabulous and others leave alot to be desired! This is the gang minus hubby since he was operating the camera. You can see here that David did not want to participate in the parade this year and has obviously been forced to attend :-) He did end up having fun and scored tons of candy!<br />
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We finished up his in-home counseling this week. Yesterday evening was our last session and it was bittersweet. I'm so happy that we wont have to schedule life around 3 counseling sessions each week but I will really miss the ladies we were working with! We had pizza and took pictures and got lots of hugs! <br />
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I'm off to paint for a fellow today and get some more Christmas cash coming in :-)Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-85323225451161622882010-12-02T00:17:00.002-05:002010-12-02T22:33:06.325-05:00The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook - Book Review<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TA3PbPpKjHI/AAAAAAAAEFE/e9Dq6nSnpCA/s1600/FIRSTWildCardTours2.jpg"></a><a href="http://firstwildcardtours.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480264388542368882" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TA3PbPpKjHI/AAAAAAAAEFE/e9Dq6nSnpCA/s200/FIRSTWildCardTours2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 145px;" /></a></a>It is time for a <span style="color: #990000;"><strong><a href="http://firstwildcardtours.blogspot.com/">FIRST Wild Card Tour</a></strong> book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Enjoy your free peek into the book!</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>You never know when I might play a wild card on you!</em></span><br />
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<div align="center"><strong>Today's Wild Card author is: </strong></div><br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><a href="http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=106749&source=search&bookstore=0">Robin Currie</a></span></strong></div><br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 100%;">and the book:</span> </span></strong></div><br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781403685">Baby Bible Christmas Storybook </a></span></strong></div><div align="center">David C. Cook; Brdbk edition (October 1, 2010)</div><br />
***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***<br />
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<div align="left"><strong><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span> </span></strong></div><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRn0E9u7xI/AAAAAAAAEnU/y344DZmj2tY/s1600/Rev.%2BDr.%2BRobin%2BCurrie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545171185583451922" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRn0E9u7xI/AAAAAAAAEnU/y344DZmj2tY/s200/Rev.%2BDr.%2BRobin%2BCurrie.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 133px;" /></a>Rev. Dr. Robin Currie is the Early Childhood Librarian/Preschool Liaison for the Glen Ellyn Public Library and serves on the staff of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. She is also the retired pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn. Before and during seminary she was a children’s librarian for public libraries in Illinois and Iowa. She holds master’s degrees in Library Science from the University of Iowa and in Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, as well as a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from LSTC. Her published books include seven resource collections for librarians and over a dozen children’s Bible story collections.<br />
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Visit the author's <a href="http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=rc2147">blog</a>.<br />
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Product Details:<br />
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List Price: $9.99<br />
Reading level: Ages 4-8<br />
Board book: 36 pages <br />
Publisher: David C. Cook; Brdbk edition (October 1, 2010) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0781403685 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0781403689 <br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER (Click on pictures to see them larger):</span> </strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRlEnGtLII/AAAAAAAAEnM/4qz8u1P8MiI/s1600/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2Bbk%2Bcover.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168171090914434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRlEnGtLII/AAAAAAAAEnM/4qz8u1P8MiI/s200/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2Bbk%2Bcover.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><br />
<div style="height: 307px; overflow: auto;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRk6Apv-ZI/AAAAAAAAEnE/AMQi38JWbtY/s1600/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2B1-2%2Bpages.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545167988970224018" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRk6Apv-ZI/AAAAAAAAEnE/AMQi38JWbtY/s200/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2B1-2%2Bpages.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 127px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRky_Ps4xI/AAAAAAAAEm8/mHfnrK2hfPs/s1600/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2B3-4%2Bpages.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545167868333450002" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/TPRky_Ps4xI/AAAAAAAAEm8/mHfnrK2hfPs/s200/553%2BBaby%2BBible%2B3-4%2Bpages.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 133px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a></div><br />
<strong>My Thoughts:</strong><br />
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I love childrens books! My "baby" is 13 so I don't get the chance to read/look at them very often anymore but with two of my cousins recently having babies, I've got a great excuse again! Not only will this book make a GREAT gift for Christmas, it's FUN!<br />
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The illustrations are darling and easy to see, the words are clear enough that you could easily read this book upside down while showing children the pages.<br />
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I can see this book being packed away with Christmas ornaments each year and being passed on through generations. It is <span style="font-size: large;">sweet, interactive and educational</span> all in one!<br />
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*This book was provided by the publisher for review purposesThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-61336359427388217242010-11-29T12:38:00.001-05:002010-11-29T12:40:23.255-05:00Emily of Deep Valley - Book Review<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div><br />
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<center><span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></center><center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center><center><span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></center><center><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062003305">Emily of Deep Valley</a></span></center><center>Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (October 12, 2010)</center><center>by</center><center><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.mitaliperkins.com/">Mitali Perkins</a></span></center><br />
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<span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m32TlugOPkM/TPMeE0l1tjI/AAAAAAAADxg/aum_VRi3nOI/s1600/Mitali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m32TlugOPkM/TPMeE0l1tjI/AAAAAAAADxg/aum_VRi3nOI/s200/Mitali.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><b>A word from Mitali:</b> Who In The World Is Mitali Perkins?<br />
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That's a good question. I've been trying to figure it out myself, spending most of my life crossing borders.<br />
I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.<br />
By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.<br />
My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home. <br />
After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong female characters trying to bridge different cultures.<br />
Mitali Perkins is the author of several books for young people, including <i>SECRET KEEPER</i> (Random House), <i>MONSOON SUMMER</i> (Random House), <i>RICKSHAW GIRL</i> (Charlesbridge), and the <i>FIRST DAUGHTER</i> books (Dutton). <br />
<b><span style="color: #ffcc00; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m32TlugOPkM/TPMeSWohzyI/AAAAAAAADxk/-8qKVKJ05HQ/s1600/Emily+of+Deep+Valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m32TlugOPkM/TPMeSWohzyI/AAAAAAAADxk/-8qKVKJ05HQ/s1600/Emily+of+Deep+Valley.jpg" /></a></div>Often cited as Maud Hart Lovelace’s (of Betsy-Tacy fame) best novel, Emily of Deep Valley is now back in print, with a new foreword by acclaimed young adult author Mitali Perkins and new archival material about the characters’ real lives.<br />
Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can’t leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a “lost winter,” but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...<br />
In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: <i>Winona’s Pony Cart</i>, <i>Carney’s House Party</i> and <i>Emily of Deep Valley</i>. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years.<br />
If you would like to browse inside <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062003305">Emily of Deep Valley</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2010/11/emily-of-deep-valley-chapter-1.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<strong>My Thoughts:</strong><br />
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I was so excited about this book when I saw the chance to review it. I've been drawn to classics such as this one recently. Emily is a gal that I relate to completely! However, she handles her situation with much more class and grace than I ever could've! I loved following Emily's adventures and watching her mature throughout this book. I kept coming back for more and will likely read it again.<br />
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This book will inspire you to go back to some of the older ways when life was simpler and people were no doubt happier!Thou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243450883627899676.post-10114180778064066472010-11-27T20:38:00.000-05:002010-11-27T20:38:15.425-05:00Hey Jude!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPGx9tmN2yI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7ZbzZlbBt-M/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3CTCfUUU5-M/TPGx9tmN2yI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7ZbzZlbBt-M/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This picture is brought to you by our brand new Nikon digital camera that hubby picked up Black Friday shopping! I've wanted a new digital camera for a looong time! I love it but am just learning how to really use it.<br />
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We also picked up several presents for the kiddo's, MIL, SIL, BIL and more :-)<br />
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Brandon has been sick since Tuesday. I think he had the flu. The flu symptoms are gone now but after a 4 hour wait in the ER last night, he also tested positive for strep throat.<br />
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Now my head hurts and I feel flush.... Hopefully I'm just paranoid!<br />
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Happy (belated) ThanksgivingThou Art Juleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321222645312105314noreply@blogger.com0