Review: Gone Girl

I decided last month that I'd link up with Bon for her monthly blogger book club.  Book numero uno?  None other than the infamous "Gone Girl."  The easy answer: I loved it.  It was a complete mind fuck.  

**** Disclaimer: If you haven't read this book, consider this your spoiler alert ****

Via

My first impression left me intimidated.  The book was large and it began with big words.  However, she quickly simplified her writing and it ran much faster.  I started the book reading very slowly and feared that I wouldn't get through it before the month was up.  Little did I know that I'd end up hooked, breeze through it and only end up late because I forgot we were linking up on the last Wednesday of the month.  Dang it! 

To begin with, I was impressed with her writing style.  The excessive use of the word fuck didn't bother me since my personal feeling is that if you're going to use a four-lettered word, you should go all out and use the mother of all words.  Ironically, I didn't feel the same about the word cunt.  You and Gillian Flynn can psychoanalyze me.  

I hated every single one of her characters for as much as I loved the book.  Amy was pathetic and psychotic-- she was as twisted as any human being could be.  I never would have imagined the things she came up with.  Nick was pathetic.  How hard is it to pay attention to your wife-- right, honey?  Are you reading this?  Sorry... back on track.  Amy's parents were fickle and immature.  Amy impressed me by how nuts she was and Nick impressed me by his ability to figure all of this out and maybe that's why they were so obviously made for each other.  He did initially confuse the hell out of me.  I had no idea why there were hints that he lied 5 times in a short conversation with the police.  What did he lie about?  Not that I cared enough later to go back and read it to figure out what the lies were.  

Bottom line, I loved it, recommended it to my mom (and many others) and think you should join us for our book club!

ABC's of Me!

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: King. I hate it-- it's too big.  I'd be happy with a queen.

C. Chore you dislike: Floors!  That's why my honey does those.

D. Dogs: No thanks.  Terrified.

E. Essential start to your day: Shower is an essential as is a vat of coffee
  
F. Favorite color: green

G. Gold or silver:  sliver

H. Height:  5’ 3”

I. Instruments you play(ed):  Fiddle. Don't know if I still could.

J. Job title: Accounts Receivable Specialist

K. Kids: TWO!

L. Live:  Chicagoland

M. Mom’s name:  Mom and Mommy

N. Nicknames:  Aunt Katie, Mama, Katie Bug

O. Overnight hospital stays:  Well, a C-section will do that to ya...

P. Pet peeves:  I don't like being hung up on, I hate when people drop their laundry right next to the laundry basket (hint hint, Felipe), and I really can't stand liars.

Q. Quote from a movie: 
"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out. " {2 points if you know what movie}

R. Righty or lefty:  Lefty

S. Siblings:  One of each variety and both older

T. Time you wake up:  6 or later depending when Jack decides I should be up

U. Underwear:  Yes

V. Vegetables you don't like:  Brussel sprouts

W. What makes you run late: Children and my honey

X. X-rays you’ve had:  Dental

Y. Yummy food you make:  Everything!

Z. Zoo animal favorites:  The polar bear at Brookfield

Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology

Via

In case you don't actually know me, my kids are important to me.  Everything I do every day is about them (or Felipe, of course!).  I get up, get them ready, drop them in their respective places, go to work so that they can continue in the lifestyle they have become accustomed to, pick them up, feed them dinner and put them to bed.  After the little darlings are in bed, I clean their messes, pack lunches and mentally prepare myself to start all over again the next day.  And, I do this by choice.  I'm a mom-- that's how I roll.  The food they eat, the clothes on their backs, the places they go, these things matter to me.  Also important is where they spend their day.  I cannot afford to home school them in my 100% green home (until someone pays for that!) and so, I work all day in corporate America while my daughter goes to public school and my son goes to daycare.  

Lately, everyone is jumping on the green bandwagon and I sincerely hope that my daughter's school continues on that same road.  I have noticed that they have already made strides to teach my children environmental responsibility in the example they set.  There are recycling bins in every classroom, they make copies using both sides of the paper, and last year, they have been taken to a local farm to plant seeds and learn about how things grow.  

I want my children to see that sustainability is a way of life.  Seeing changes in the places they spend the most time is the best way to show them.  Pureology wants to help schools improve student performance, invest more money in their students and reduce carbon foot prints as part of their Green School Makeover Competition, with information found here.  What's not to love right?

Thank you, Influenster for introducing me to this opportunity!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

Wonderful Weekend

As with most weekends, we were very busy.  I think a good time was had by all.  I even heard from Gabby on both Saturday and Sunday that this was "the best day ever!"  High praise from a seven year old.

Friday night wasn't overly eventful.  An appointment we had was cancelled  so we decided to go out to dinner at Smashburger. Quite honestly, I don't like their food.  I don't see the point of smashing a burger (or chicken!) and then piling it high with toppings.  By the time you're done, you can't even taste the meat.  What's the point?  Any way, the kids were great.  Jack got to eat a sweet potato fry or two (don't hate!) and Gabby ate everything in sight.

Saturday morning started as all of them do lately, up at the crack of dawn with Jack and then off to Zumba for an hour at 7:30.  Boy do I sweat but it feels so good!  Our teacher added 4 new dances this week and I was just getting used to the originals.  Then, we headed off to Ikea for amazing cheap breakfast-- a plate of eggs, potatoes and bacon with coffee for $0.99?  Yes, please!  We feed the whole family for less than $10.  Even Jack loves Ikea breakfast.  Before leaving, he had had pumpkin and apple puree and half of a graham cracker.  Then, when we got there, he ate scrambled eggs and almost 2 whole french toast sticks.  He is going to eat me out of house and home!  After breakfast, Felipe and Gabby head off to roller skating lessons.  Aunt Kelly bought her skates for Christmas and she really seems to enjoy them.  Jack and I took a glorious 2 hour nap.  After all the busy Saturday morning stuff, we took the kids sledding.  Yes, this was Jack's first time.  I think he kind of liked it.  Or, maybe, he just liked driving daddy's car later.  No need to call CPS, we were parked and the keys weren't even in the ignition.  Saturday night was quiet with a free Redbox rental and Little Ceasar's pizza.  As Gabby said, "best day ever!"

Sunday morning was rushed as we hurried to get everyone fed, dressed and off to Church.  Gabby goes to Religious Ed while we go to Mass in preparation for her First Communion in May.  She's getting so excited and I'm so proud of her for all the things she is learning.  After Mass, we rushed to do laundry and clean up the house because my in-laws were throwing a last minute birthday party for one of the kids.  So, the rest of Sunday was spent at their house until it was time to take the little ones home and get them to bed.

All in all, I love busy weekends but being able to curl up on the couch and read a book would be nice too!  I don't think it's in my future given that I have two active kids but a Mama can dream!  Today is back to the grind and the busyness that a week holds: daddy's fitness class, daddy/daughter date night, gymnastics, homework, and going to work for the grownups.  It's so hard to find time to enjoy the little moments that make my kids so happy but I think we need to spend more time enjoying them and the insanity that they bring because one day, they'll move out and our house will be quiet.  Then what?

Review: Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

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This weekend I was reunited with an old friend-- Chelsea Handler.  And, by reunited, I mean I blew right through "Are you there, Vodka? It's me, Chelsea."  I love this book.  I read it over the course of the long 4 day weekend and once again loved every moment.  This is definitely not a book that goes immediately into the Goodwill pile.  I will save this for future savoring on it's place on my bookshelf.  

This is yet another book of Chelsea's telling stories of her adventures with friends, family (including Bitch Tits a.k.a. her father) and lovers.  Most stories involve copious amounts of alcohol and/or drugs (both legal and otherwise).  I laughed out loud many times while reading this.

This highlight of reading this book?  I accidentally left it on the coffee table and my father picked it up and read the first chapter.  While the first chapter is innocent enough (it's about a time in her childhood), it's a gateway into a world of insane antics and relationships-- not something my innocent father should be introduced to.  Needless to say, he did not continue past the first chapter.

SILENCE

Silence and Support

On Friday, something completely devastating happened.  The scariest part for me, some of those children were Gabby's age.  It breaks my heart to imagine what those parents are going through.

When you have a platform of any kind, I feel it's your responsibility to use it for good. We knew we wanted to help and we came up with this:

On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

 We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services.

Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic 

and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their

highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support

groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

 We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way.

Thank you in advance for participating.

 Love,

The Blog World

p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and repost any part of this, please do. Share on.

(A special thank you to Neely, Michelle and Meg for putting this together for us)