Connect

Normally this is almost entirely a book review blog.  Once in a while I will review something else or tell about a vacation, but mostly, it's books.  I've been taking a Prepare for Summer Challenge and this week my challenge is to connect.  (I love those challenges!) Be it blogging or connecting on a board or whatever.  I am to blog to the universe.  I am to blog about a very personal thing.  My journey to recover my health.  In February, I felt the deep need to set the extra weight down.  Just set it on the side of the road and walk away.  My clothing was getting too small and I needed to go to a bigger size.  I was uncomfortable moving around.  It was breathless to climb the stairs.  Worst of all, I felt like a hand was placed on my heart.  I don't mean that in a spiritual way, I mean that in a fear for my life way.  No pain or real pressure, just a presence that didn't seem right.  My blood pressure was fine and provided I had not had caffeine in awhile, heart rate was fine too.  But the feeling was very unnerving.  I had several times put off doctor visits due to shame of having my weight taken in a hall way way by another person; to the point my doctor was worried I might die next time.  We are talking putting off treatment for pneumonia, strep throat and chronic ear infections.  I feared going to California to see my step-daughter for fear of being kicked off the plane.  I feared trips to Disney Land that I might be kicked off a ride.  It was time. 
Sooo, I did my research and on February 7 I joined Weight Watchers.  It has been 3 months and I have lost 22 pounds.  My original goal was: I signed up for 6 months and I was going to stick with the program for 6 months.  I now think I will need 9 to reach my goal.  But first lets think of the 6 months.  I am currently working on other aspects of my health as well.  I am working a de-stress program (anxiety runs in my family even before it became the illness of choice), I am working of my relationship with God, I am working on proper sleep, and other aspects of health.  On my 6 month date I will be going to a doctor for a well-woman check up.  Last one was 9 years ago.  Yeah, 9.  Don't do that.  I have a few things I'd like to address in the future such as salt intake and proper mental health check ups.  But baby steps.
Today I am supposed to compliment myself.  Self esteem is severely lacking if you couldn't figure that out already.  Here goes:  I am reasonably smart.  I have great boobs.  Yeah, they get me what I want mostly.  Not real "me too" at the moment, but I'm 45, I've adapted I guess.  I have value even to the people who do not admit it.  In the words of Agent Carter, "I know my value.  Anyone else's opinion is not important."

Raising them up right

"Raising Passionate Followers in Jesus" by Phil and Diane Comer is a book about raising kids to not just be Christians, but to also be full throttle, passionate, followers.  The Comers are a married couple with grown children who are, according to their parents, passionate followers.  They have written together instructions about how to make that happen. 
The book isn't real interesting reading, it reads like an instruction manual....which is what it is.  It has a lot of information in it and involves a lot of dedicated lifestyle changes that would need to be done.  I am sure there are other ways to do this; this is their way.  I would recommend this book as a starting method to try for someone who is looking for help with their children. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Handlebar. 

wedding mystery- reader mystery

"Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinlay is a novel of two women who solve murders that take place around their cupcake bakery.  In this book, Angie and Mel are going around and taking care of wedding business.  Angie's wedding business.  As they go to pay accounts and check on orders they come across a murder...and then another.  Someone appears to be taking out anyone working on this wedding.  The two women do see the irony that not only do people tend to get murdered around them, but now are trying to stop the wedding through murder too.  Stay away from these gals!  And that is where my nook reader bit the dust.  I tried to fix it and then wound up loosing this book.  And I can't reload it.  Sooo, it seems like a good book.  Started off well.  They probably solved the crime.  They seemed to have plenty experience.  You should check it out.  Tell  me how it ends.  I received this book from www.firsttoread.com. 

Spot of Tea

"Plum Tea Crazy" is the newest in the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs.  Theodosia and Dayton own and operate a tea shop in Charleston and in their spare time they solve mysteries.  When Theodosia and Dayton go to a friends party, one of the guests is shot by an arrow, falling off a balcony and landing on a fence spike.  There are suspects aplenty.  BTW, I have not read any previous books in the series and found it easy to follow.
The book reads much like a 'what if Nancy Drew opened a tea shop' way.  Riley, Theo's boyfriend and a detective, for some reason allows her to have confidential information and to go to witnesses to try and solve crimes.  Which I would think would get him fired and her to be tampering with a witness, but I guess in fiction when it comes to sleuthing you have to be flexible.  Theo goes from suspect to suspect rounding up clues to solve the murder.  Though the book doesn't always make much sense and I figured out the murderer quickly; it is well written and enjoyable to read.  It is a nice book to read when you have enough stress in your life and just want to enjoy reading.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read. 

the Napalm Girl's story

"Fire Road" by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, otherwise known as the Napalm Girl, tells her story in this book.  You surely have seen the picture be it in a history book, on a documentary, somewhere.  Kim was nine years old the day a South Vietnamese plane released napalm in the area her family was taking refuge.  Her cousin was killed.  After the clothes had been burned off of her and she was running for her life; a reporter snapped a picture.  He then tried to save her, but water is not a napalm victim's friend.  That Pulitzer Prize winning photo led to a life of both torment and later fame.  It also led Kim to the path of sharing the Gospel with the world. 
This is definitely a story that needs to be told.  I recommend it to both history buffs and anyone just looking for hope.  If there is one thing Kim has become a leader in, it is sharing hope.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Tyndale Publishing.

The story of Hannah

Hannah has always been one of my favorite women from the Bible.  We are kindred spirits and I love her story.  "A Passionate Hope," Jill Eileen Smith's 4th book in the Daughter's of the Promised Land series, gives a fictionalized telling of Hannah and her troubles with infertility and finally her sacrifice with Samuel.  But it is also a book about a family of women.  Hannah married Elkanah, a man she loved, only to discover that she was unable to have children.  Then Elkanah, who is a bit of a wimp when it comes to his mother, marries Pininnah, a spoiled brat that  is much younger and his mother's preferred.  Pininnah proceeds to give Elkanah many children, antagonize Hannah, as well as turn Elkanah into her whipping boy as well.  All of this turns poor Hannah's life into a living hell!  As time goes by Hannah makes a vow with God to receive a son in return of giving him back.  However the agony of dealing with Pininnah goes on and on. 
This novel is the type that keeps getting better as you read it.  The weird obsession Pinannah has with Hannah's uterus gets a little annoying, but the dynamic between the women in the family is very enticing and leads the reader to want to do nothing but read this book!  I give it 4.5 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author. 

Farthering Mystery

"Death at Thorburn Hall" is the 6th in the Farthering Mystery series by Julian Deering.  In Thorburn Hall, Drew and Madeline Farthering go to Scotland to the European Open.  They stay with a distant cousin of Drew's along with the Pike's, friends of the Rainsbys; and Nick and his girlfriend Carrie.  While at the Open, Lord Rainsby is murdered.  One by one, people connected to the Rainsbys turn up dead.  Drew and Madeline are on pursuit of the mystery to discover the killer.
I really like this series of books.  I've read them all.  They take place pre-world war II and in a much higher society than most people are used to.  I like how they are always saying things like "my good man" and "I'm not altogether certain," things that seem kinda classy.  This book worms two mysteries together which makes for a harder case.  Good book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.