All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin - ESSENTIAL

Zevin, Gabrielle  All These Things I’ve Done  354 pages  Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011.  $16.99  Content:  Language: PG-13 (14 swears, no “F”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  Anya is the daughter of the former mob boss, living in a time where chocolate and coffee are illegal and water is rationed, e-mails charge postage and violence is rampant.   She has an older brother who has learning disabilities and a younger sister who depends on Anya for everything.  With a family situation where she is the unrecognized guardian she pulls a lot of weight for a teenager.  While caring for her family, she has to deal with the extended family members who are part of the mob and she also falls in love with the DA’s son.  I enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down.  I thought it was a fresh take on dystopian society and the characters where engaging.  HS-ESSENTIAL.  Reveiwer, C. Peterson.

The Cab Ride

This was not the blog post I had planned to write today but, when I read this email I knew it was somethintg I needed to share.  You see, Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and it is a time of giving up...sacrificing in preparation for Easter.  I actually did two things....I gave up french fries....and believe me I love the things.....and I decided to write 40 days of letters to people who have touched my life in some way.  The story is called the cab ride and it goes something like this:

"I arrived at the   address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked..   'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for   years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.  'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the  woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have verylong.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.  For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were   newlyweds.  She had me pull up in front of a

furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.  As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a   living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I   bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a   door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more   passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?  On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life."  You know we are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what   others may consider a small one. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might  as well dance.  Have a blessed Sunday!

A Scentsy Review

“Are you making cookies?” Tom asked, coming down the stairs.

“Are you making cookies?” Tommy asked, poking his head from the bathroom. He’s been obsessed with brushing his hair. I know. My kid has turned into the Fonz or something.

“Cookies?” Natalie exclaimed, rushing from her room hopefully.

Now I felt a little guilty. “Um. No. It’s Scentsy,” I explained.

Yup.

I got this from a fabulous Scentsy consultant named Jennifer Rice:

She asked what sort of flavors I liked and I said I enjoyed the bakery type scents. She sent Black Raspberry Vanilla (love!), Sticky Cinnamon Bun (makes me want to buy some Pillsbury ones!), and Sugar Cookies (made my entire family think that I baked!)

I also loved how the warmers came in different colors to go with your furniture. I asked for a brown color and it looks great on the stand in the living room:

Some other styles I liked? This Flutterby one:

And naturally, I liked the Air Force one:

I love the warmer because there is no flame so I don’t have to worry about Natalie playing with it. Knowing her, she would.

I actually had been living under a rock and never tried Scentsy before even though I kept hearing wonderful things about it. I thought I was a Yankee Candle girl but after this warmer, I think I’ve turned into a Scentsy lover.
And good news? You can save 10% on any Scentsy order for the month of Feburary!

Want to buy some? Go to Jennifer Rice’s page here!

If you want to learn more about Scentsy and how to become a consultant, like her Facebook Scentsy page.

I’ve definitely become a Scentsy fan. I’d say my family has become a Scentsy fan. Heck, my neighbor is a fan because she stopped by and I had the Black Raspberry Vanilla scent going and she said it smelled wonderful.

Hi, I’m Amber, and I think Scentsy rocks.

(And I saw they have a Happy Birthday Scentsy Bar so I MUST try that someday…)

So hurry to Jennifer’s page and put in your order so you can save 10%!

What are your favorite scents?

Project 365 - Week 8

We have just completed our eighth week of Project 365.  This week I was at an Emmaus Walk so my pictures are all woodsy.  Hope you enjoy them.  Hop over to Sara's blog and check out the other pictures.

Sunday, February 19th

The Peppermint Camelia was a gift at church this morning from Mr. Laurice.  He is the cutest little guy.  I just love his sense of humor and his smile.    The baby booties were made by Mary Beth, also one of our church members....and yes...we are going to be grandparents.  Our daughter, Amy is having a baby in July.  They are naming her Amelia Maeve.  I am so in love with the name and the fact that they are going to have a baby.  I could just bust.

Monday, February 20th

Down a country dirt road off Hwy 22 between Daviston and New Site.

Tuesday, February 21st

Next day there I found another one between Daviston and Wadley.  I had never realized there were so many dirt roads off Hwy 22.

Wednesday, February 22nd

I arrived at Camp Alimisco today to begin the Emmaus Walk I was working.  Camp Alimisco is a Seventh-Day Adventist Camp outside of Dadeville, AL.  I will be here for the next 72 hours.

Thursday, February 23rd

One of my favorite things about Camp Alimisco are the Burma Shave type signs along the road in.  There are about 15 of them so I picked two of my favorite to share with you.  Ok....maybe three!

Friday, February 24th

Inside the gate at Alimisco.  I thought the little bears and the well were too cute.

Saturday, February 25th

Today was my last day at camp and I will be headed home soon.  I figured that since I had spent most of my week on Alimisco photos I would share my favorite place in the world there.

The ampitheater chapel at Camp Alimisco

Leaving Camp and heading back to Rock Mills.  The sun was hitting the road so beautifully and I had to smile because it was like God was shining down on me.  I knew this was a good Emmaus walk.  God Bless You all and I will see you next week.

I Like New

Does anyone else have the urge to try foods with the word NEW across them?

No?

Hmm.

Maybe it’s just me then.

(Both were tasty. And for the dark chocolate cookies I read that dark chocolate was GOOD for you so I don’t feel bad eating them…)

(Granted, I don’t think 5 cookies are that great for you, dark chocolate or not..)

The Road To Emmaus

I am part of an Emmaus Walk this week. I arrived at Camp Alimisco Weds. Night and will go home late Saturday afternoon. I was so excited about this when Sharon called and asked me to be part of the music team.....and then the devil and life got in the way and the closer the time came....the more reasons I could think of not to be here. Mt first reason was because I was going to miss the Ash Wednesday service.(As an Easter person....it is an important part of the preparation for Easter). I was sick was my second attempt....didn't work either. I was exhausted...and you don't come to one of these to rest. I would not be able to blog....well here I am....IPad and all. Wednesday I was still wanting to go home......and then I watched the movie about the Road to Emmaus and I knew this was the devil and I wrestling and I was supposed to be here. Thursday I did get sick....yep that old devil is working hard....and this morning it is storming. Everywhere you go in the camp....you walk....Thanks devil....usually after a rain there is a rainbow. Bet he didn't think of that. I have so much more to tell you all and will when I get home. Have an awesome Friday....today is Friday right? God bless and pray this storm does not blow us away.

Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Blogger Word Verification

I rubbed my eyes. Crap. Was my Lasik breaking? Why couldn’t I see the letters properly?

“Tommy?” I called out to my son who has perfect vision. “Can you read that?”

He squinted. “Um…CHN…uh…X? It’s hard to see.”

“Aha! My Lasik isn’t breaking!” I shouted triumphantly.

Tommy looked at me as though I just admitted to making out with Spongebob Squarepants. (Which I would never. Too spongy. And I don’t like his pants.)

I was talking about the new word verification that Blogger has. Before it was annoying, but at least you could see the letters.

Now it’s TWO words that you have to write. TWO. And one always seems to be blurry. It makes you think that you’ve had one strawberry daiquiri too many. It’s like Gary Busey or something. You’re not quite sure what’s going on with it.

There are many times when I’ve typed the wrong thing and Blogger was like, “Sorry. Wrong word,” and I’m like, “F-you, Blogger! I only have ten minutes of free time and trying to figure out what word you have down is WASTING IT ALL!” And to top it off, it DELETES my comment so I have to write it all over again.

Before, if I couldn’t read the word, I could request a new one. But now if I try to get a new word, it won’t give me one. It tells me, “Are you sure you want to leave the page?” and I’m like, “No, I’d LOVE to leave this comment but I CAN’T!”

So people.

I’m begging you.

Turn off word verification.

It’s making me cry.

And curse.