A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

My Grandma always was an avid reader.  When I was a girl she belong to the Reader's Digest Book Club.  She used to get two or three novels, classics, in the mail at a time and once she was done reading them I was free to borrow them.  Many times she let me keep them.

Some of the books were abridged, condensed versions of the complete Sherlock Holmes works for instance, but many of the books were in their original complete state.  All of the books were hardbound, with  fancy wanna-be-leather covers and gold or silver embossed titles.  Often times the books contained a few illustrations to go along with the story.  

I remember the excitement and anticipation of going to Grandma's and getting a new book.  It was one of the treasures her house held, along with steno-pads and very sharp pencils. Grandma would let me look over the book collection and I would go hide in one of the empty bedrooms that had once belong to my mother and read away.  Other times she would pop in for a visit and drop books off.  

I don't recall how old I was when I first read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (by Betty Smith), probably a little older than the heroine of the story Francie on "book 1".  The book was bound in green pleather and had gold embossed lettering; and it was love at first glance.  

At first I was just so proud of myself for being able to read such a long book.  I even boosted about the number of pages in it when I did a book report on it for school.  But there was something else too the book, aside from the 500 plus pages.  

What that something is, I cannot fully say.  I do not have the correct word for what it is that makes this book so special to me.

I have read this book a dozen or so times since I first read it.  I get a craving to read this book.  It's similar to the craving that Francie gets for a good Jewish pickle at the end of a long winter when nothing else tastes good.  After eating the pickle she can go back to eating her everyday meals.  I get that way about pickles myself and this book is the same way.  After reading it, I feel renewed.

I hadn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in about four years and my craving for the book was getting to be an all time high, but I wasn't able to locate my copy (the same green bound edition Grandma gave me) since we moved.  And then I found it this summer.  It was in a box in the basement that had seen too much moisture and the book had molded.  The cover was curling over, the fake leather was peeling off the stiff thick cardboard that made the cover, it smelt dark and dank and mold grew on the edges.  Into the dumpster it went.  

I looked into buying another copy, but never hit the order button.  I checked to see if it was at my library, but it wasn't.  I thought about getting the movie, since I've never seen it; but didn't.

And then on Christmas morning I opened a gift from Husband and there it was.  The book I had been longing for.  

I read it in three days.  And as with every other time I read it, I understood more of the story.  I related deeper to the characters.  As with every other time reading it, it was like the first time reading it.   I knew the story line, yet I still laughed and cried like the first time.  I was moved.  I felt complete and relaxed when I was done.  Since then I have re-read certain chapters and pages; and I am sure if I started back on page 1 tomorrow I could re-read the book through and through again.  

If you have never read this book I highly recommend reading this book.  It was named one of the top 100 books from the last century; and there is good reason for that.

Pictures

Did you notice the new look around here?

Like that fancy new heading?

What about my last page header?

All of these wonderful pictures were taken by the ever talented Karen Geaghan.

We met Karen back in 2008/2009 while we were looking for a wedding photographer.  I don't recall where I originally came across Karen's information - wedding magazine, her web-page, or what; but I do recall the first night we met.  We sat in her living room and looked through samples of her work, we talked wedding logistics and connected.  It was that connection that lead us to decide she was "the one".  She has been our family photographer and friend since then.

It started with engagement photos.

And then on to wedding photos....

Next up where maternity photos, and then baby and RR pictures.  

Last year we started the tradition of doing family photos in October - which is where the photos in both of my page headers came from.  

Karen is an amazing photographer with a great eye for lighting - and she seems to know all of the hidden spots for taking amazing photos.  She does studio and on-site work and is great with kids (read - she is quick and can get just the right shot of a fast moving toddler).

But it's more than that.  It's the connection she has with the people she works with.  Karen has this ability to really read people, to know understand what they are about - and she is able to show that individuality in her work.  She really brings out her subjects personalities.

So really... if you are (local) and are getting married soon or are thinking about getting some really quality family photos done I highly recommend calling Karen.  Really... you should call her like, right now.  OK, ok, maybe not right at this second... but you know what I mean.

You can check out her work and blog at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Geaghan-Photography
http://www.karengeaghanphotos.com/index.html
http://karengeaghanphotos.wordpress.com/


Disclosure: I was not asked to provide this endorsement; but rather I felt compelled to give credit where credit is due - as her professional photos are used in this blog.  

Book Review: The Book of Tomorrow

The Book of Tomorrow By Cecelia Ahern.

This is the second book I've read by Cecelia Ahern, The Gift being the first book by her that I read.

This book is a quick read, a little slow to start but by the end you will not be able to put it down.  The book center around a teenage girl, Tamara, whose life is turned upside down with the death of her father and the uprooting of her family - and really that's all I can tell you without giving away the story.

Really... you should read this book; just so you can see how it all turns out.

Really Cool

Since I have been "on call" for Federal Jury Duty all summer long, we really weren't able to plan a vacation as we didn't know what my jury duty status was going to be week to week.  So when I got the message last week that my term of service had come to and end a week early we jumped at the chance to take a long weekend before RR went back to school.

As part of our long weekend on Monday we went to the Connecticut Science Center.  I had heard good reviews from a co-worker (who enjoyed it so much he got his family a season pass) and the "Dinosaur's Unearthed" exhibit was scheduled to depart on Sept 2nd.

We arrived and got excellent parking just before they opened.  It was $52 for the four of us for the day ($19 per adult, $14 for RR and TT was free) and it was so worth it.  We were there for a little over 5 hours, and started the exhibits (after visiting the Kid Space, right at the entrance) from top to bottom, pausing about mid way through for a light lunch (which was mediocre and over priced for what it was, but really we didn't go for the cuisine; in the future we'll probably bring our own).  The kids had a blast, we had a blast; and in my book any place that amuses, entertains and engages both boys (with their 7 year age gap) is a double thumbs up.

All suited up and ready to play in the water.

Oh yeah, TT heaven.  Water and balls.

RR, you can tell he's thinking - his tongue is sticking out.  

"I got this covered Mommy"

"Where are all the balls going?"

"Ohhhh... brother get me more."

Yup, it was wet.

It's a dirty trick, you can't get the balls out of the ramp (except at the bottom).

Building a rocket ship.

All built.

In the hurricane simulator.    The guys loved it.

Me... not so much.  Too claustrophobic   

It's a FROG!!

Trying to build a dam.

Snakes!!!

Checking our family's biological footprint.

Hanging out on the roof top garden.

Brothers!!

Playing mind-bend.  

Caught you!!!

Skiing is not going to be his sport.

Wheels!!  These are almost as exciting as balls.

Building with Legos.

Building a race car.  

Someone is getting sleepy.

Dinos!!!

They moved and made noises.  

Looking for bones.

Archaeologist - Ray's new profession of choice.  

Square wheel racers.

A new twist on basketball.

DJs RR and TT.

Play it RR!!

Dancing baby.

Light wall.

More dancing.

Collecting his brother - time to go.

"But I just want to play!!"

Butt Fluff Review: The Fluffy Elephant

As you know I love buying homemade cloth diapers.  They are like an addiction of mine.  So when I saw a friend's son sporting an embroidered Elmo diaper I just had to have one for my little Elmo fan.

I ordered TT's diaper from the same place as my friend, from Elizabeth at The Fluffy Elephant.  I opted for an AI2 (all in two) style with a single liner and a narrow fit between the legs.  My order was filled quickly and was at my house in the blink of an eye, and I couldn't be any happier.  The fit and absorbency is perfect.

However, I do have to say that I occasionally have an issue with some of the snaps.  Maybe it's something I do, because I've had this issue with other mom-made diapers before.

My order total was $21, plus shipping.  A total steal in my opinion for such a great diaper.  Seriously, I am not trying to fluff up The Fluffy Elephant, this is a really well made diaper.  Sorry about the pun, but I just had too.  The sewing is first class.  TT has already worn this diaper a dozen times and it is standing up very well to all the wear and wash.  

Would I buy from here again?  Totally.  Now to decide which way to cute creation to order next.  

Check out the goods yourself: 

http://hyenacart.com/stores/TheFluffyElephant/

https://www.facebook.com/TheFluffyElephant

Edited to add I understand the snap issue may be caused by how they are installed, when diapers are made at home.  There is another piece of equipment that can be used to apply them, but it's pretty pricey.  

Book Review: Certain Girls

I finished reading Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner last week, and the end of it left me speechless.  It hit a nerve for me, and while I am not going to give away any of the twists and turns I will admit I cried over this book (for several days).

When I Googled this book to find an image for this post I learned that this is a book is actually a sequel to Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (which for whatever reason I passed up at the library for this book - I saw the first book but was pulled to this one); thankfully this novel does not rely on you reading the first novel first. As was clear by my reaction when I learned of the first book.

Certain Girls follows the heroine Candace Shapiro and her daughter Joy as the navigate the mother-daughter relationship in the pre-teen years; while at the same time deal with the fall out from the book Candace wrote in the first novel.

One of the minor themes this book explores is having children via a surrogate.  I've often thought of this as something I would like to do.  I toyed with the thought for years before meeting Husband and lately it's something that has been on my mind quit a bit.  I love the idea of being able to give another human the gift of parenthood that they may not have been able to realize without my help.  I love being pregnant; but I wonder would I be able to walk away from the baby.  Knowing completely well that it was not mine, that I was "merely" caring for it for 9 months; like a long term babysitter if you would.  I think this doubt is what has stopped me from looking into doing this further; but the women that are able to do this are truly amazing.

This book is wonderfully written and though provoking.  It's one of those books you just can't stop reading.

Book Review: This Little Mommy Stayed Home

This Little Mommy Stayed Home by Samantha Wilde

I will be honest I picked this book up from the library simply because the cover and title caught my attention as I was browsing the non-fiction books by authors whose names started with W.  I like going to the library and randomly picking a letter and trying to find a book by an author in that area to read... I will admit I am a little eccentric sometimes.

In my opinion this book should be required reading for all mothers, not just new mothers.  In this novel we follow heroine new mom, Joy, as she navigates her first year of motherhood.  And despite that fact that she is  adapting to life as a stay at home mom, this book is something working moms, second time and third time, etc moms can relate to.  There is something in this book for nearly every mom and mom-to-be out there.  Topics ranging from no-sleep, the added stress to marriage, finding yourself again after having baby, and even breastfeeding (swoon... I LOVE how she was able to write about breastfeeding in such a realistic, yet positive light) - it's a down to earth, this is real-life type of novel.

Really I cannot recommend this book enough; they should had this book out at child-birth class or when you start your baby-shower-registry.  If more women read this book and were able to realize they were not alone on this journey they call motherhood, I think their would be less of the mommy-wars*.

As an added bonus for me - she's a local author, which means I can count this book toward my summer reading challenge at the library.  

* Mommy-war (for those not current living the mommy-dream) are the debates that women feel they need to have with each other of simply, practical, and personal parenting choices ranging from diapering, schooling choices, work versus stay at home, baby-weraing or not, etc.  Remember the Time magazine cover?