Author: stacybuckeye

Shakespeare’s Landlord, by Charlaine Harris

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Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard Series #1)Finished audio 11-19-11, rating 3.5/5 , mystery, pub. 1996

Unabridged audio. 6.75 hours. Read by Julia Gibson.

Book 1 in the Lily Bard mystery series

Lily has cleaned houses for four years in Shakespeare, Arkansas.  She knows things no one else does, but is careful to guard her own scarred past.  She has no friends, but is somewhat obsessed with her self-defense classes.  When she sees someone dumping a body in the middle of the night she investigates, only to find her ex-landlord dead in a plastic bag.  Not wanting to get involved she makes an anonymous tip to the police chief.

Lily was distant at first, not wanting the reader to know her own past secrets, but as she opened herself up to a few people in Shakespeare we saw a Lily that could have friends and could have a normal life.  She remained feisty and no-nonsense and easy to like.  A few months after Gage was born, after I realized that I might never have time to really clean the house again, we hired someone to come twice a month and give the floors, bathrooms and kitchen a good cleaning.  I’ve always wondered what she thinks of us based on our dirt.  Reading about Lily gave me some idea!

There were a lot of characters and that means many potential suspects.  The mystery was good and it was told nicely with Lily’s personal life and back story.  I thought Harris did an excellent job of creating a unique character and a plausible murder mystery.

That being said I am not sure it was memorable enough for me to continue on with the series.  I’m already so behind in so many series that I love that one book with Lily will probably be enough.

I checked this audio book out of the library.

Sundays with Gage- Age

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I grew up thinking I’d have lots of kids.  As an only child I thought the grass was greener in the big, noisy home, I guess.  Then I went off to college and after moved on to Washington DC with a serious relationship or two under my belt, but nothing that stuck and babies seemed as far away as Brad Pitt. So, when I married Jason at the perfect age of 27, I kinda figured kids would happen a few years later.  Every time we had the discussion kids were always a few years away until 36 hit and I suddenly felt my eggs drying up at an alarming rate.  Yes, I could feel them 😉

Anyhoo, we had a miscarriage a month after we started trying to have a baby and it took us over a year to try again.  We considered our life together and whether children had to be a part of it.  Honestly, I was scared to try again.  We both decided our lives would be great either way.  And over a year later Gage was cooking.

All of this is just to show that I didn’t set out to become an older mom.  Sometimes the years get away from you and it happens.  But, there are a few distinct differences between older and younger moms.  For me (certainly not all), I was in so much better shape when I was younger and now that Gage is starting to walk I realize that even when I lose some weight there will be aches and pains that wouldn’t have been there 15 years ago.

Also, I know so much more than I did in my 20’s.  This is both a good and bad thing.  From watching news (something I didn’t do much of back then) I am more aware of the dangers of pregnancy, childbirth, what to feed them, organic vs. not, etc. but there is something to be said for going into motherhood blind and full of naive excitement.  Let’s be honest, we’re all a little naive until we are trying to comfort a screaming baby at 4 am when there’s been no sleep for days.

I do know myself and am happy and content with life, which is a good thing for Gage to see.  At 27, I was still trying to figure out how to make that happen.  I spent my late 20’s and early 30’s moving a few times, traveling quite a bit, trying a few different jobs and having lots of very cool experiences.  But I know lots of friends that were happy and content to be having kids at that age and their kids will also benefit from personally fulfilled mothers.  A few of my friends are grandmothers already, something I will have to wait a while to experience, if ever.

So, for every child rearing experience there are two sides and one is not necessarily better, they are just different.  I do feel my age with Gage, but when I take him to storytime or to the gym, the younger  moms are surprised that I’m 40, so I must be wearing it well 🙂  (Of course, they only say they are surprised if my gray hairs  have recently been returned to their rightful dark brown)

What was the best thing about the age that you (or your mother) became a parent.  For me, being an older mom, the best thing is being exactly where I want to be in life and having some great experiences and wisdom to pass on to Gage.

Foxfire Light, by Janet Dailey

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Foxfire LightFinished 11-14-11, rating 2.5/5, romance, 250 pages, pub. 1982

Joanna is a rich girl from California.  Linc is a ridge runner from the Kentucky Ozarks.  When they meet sparks fly and not in a good way, but then Joanna surprises Linc by her kindness, and a different kind of spark ignites.

This is another 1980’s romance I found in an old box from my parents house and I needed a quick read for Kentucky.  I liked the little bit of history about the Ozarks and some of the popular superstitions there.  I’d never heard of foxfire before.  (see the Wikipedia definition and photos here)  I would like to see nature’s foxfire magic someday.

The actual story is fairly typical, although there was a secondary romance that was enjoyable.  The problems with some of these older romances, especially by certain authors (Dailey included) is that they really seem dated.  And the characters always seem to fall in love in what seems like the blink of an eye. Not much depth here, but a quick read.

This is from my personal library.

Fave Movie #5- Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles1987

Cast- Steve Martin, John Candy

Written & Directed by John Hughes

Ad exec Neal is anxious to get home to his family for Thanksgiving, but luck is not his side.  He loses his cab to get him to the airport on time and then his flight is delayed and he is stuck in coach next to annoyingly cheerful shower ring salesman, Del.  Once the plane is diverted the unlikely pair is thrown together on a quest to get Del home for the holidays.

Why I Love It- Steve Martin and John Candy are at their finest in this comedy.  Steve Martin’s formal and snobby Neal and John Candy’s loveable buffoon, Del, played off each other perfectly and I wish they’d done more movies together. They can both make me laugh with just a look and in this one there was lots of laughing.

I loved all of the bad stuff that happened to them.  Is that wrong?  Watching them foiled at every turn provided fun for all.  If not for the hysterical f’n car rental scene this would be a great family film.  For me it was this scene and everything after that was laugh out loud funny.  Seriously, this burned out car is my favorite car ever.  There are more one-liners from this movie than I can list, but IMBD has listed a few.  One of my favorites from the car…

Del (Candy) to Neal: “Was that seat hot or what? I feel like a  Whopper. Turn me over, I’m done on this side! I’m afraid to look at my  ass—there’ll be grill marks.

While this film was laugh out loud funny it was also heartwarming a perfect movie to watch at Thanksgiving.  It will remind you to be thankful and to appreciate all that you have, especially if you have a friend like Del.  Why not invite him over for dinner?

John Hughes is responsible for some of my favorite films and this one at the top of the list.

The most swearing in two minutes of film, maybe?  Turn your volume down 🙂

The rest of my 100 favorite movies here.

Happy Haulidays

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I’m entering and so can you!  Chronicle Books is giving away $500 in books for one blogger, one commenter AND one charity.  How awesome is that?!

If I win, one lucky commenter will win all of these books too. So, don’t forget to leave a comment.  Increase your odds by entering yourself.  Here are the rules.

The rules:

  • If you’re a blogger, write a blog post listing the Chronicle books you would love to win. $500 is the max that your stack could total.
  • Include in your post, what charity you would love to win their own Chronicle haul.
  • If you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Just comment on a Haul-iday post. If a post you comment on wins the contest, you have a chance to win that same stack of books.
  • Contest ends December 2nd.

My charity: First Book

My Books: One LoveOne Love-Adapted by Cedella Marley.  Snow BabySnow Baby: Finger Puppet Book. One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory BookOne Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book. Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent CalendarEric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar. Peek-A-Who?Peek-a-Who.  Follow the StarFollow the Star. A Dog Is a DogA Dog is a Dog.  Leading MenLeading Men: The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era. The Doorbells of FlorenceThe Doorbells of Florence: Fictional Stories and  Photographs.  Skinny DipsSkinny Dips:60 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Chips, and Salsas on the Lighter Side of Delicious. TCM Classic Movie TriviaTMC Classic Movie Trivia. Mom's One Line a DayMom’s One Line a Day.Love in SpoonfulsLove in Spoonfuls. Love ListographyLove Listography:Your Life in Lists. Audrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn: International Cover Girl. Brain Boot CampBrain Boot Camp. Why Did I Buy This Book?Why Did I Buy this Book?:Over 500 Puzzler, Teasers, and Challenges to Boost Your Brain Power. At Home with Michael Chiarello At Home with Michael Chiarello:Easy Entertaining:REcipes, Ideas, Inspiration. Happy Birthday! 8 Notecards & EnvelopesHappy Birthday! 8 Notecards & Envelopes. Jeffrey Fisher Literary NotecardsJeffrey Fisher Literary Notecards. Eric Carle Wall DecalsEric Carle Wall Decals.Bon Appétit Recipe BinderBon Appetit Recipe Binder. Blind TrustBlind Trust. Between the Bridge and the RiverBetween the Bridge and the River. Smart on CrimeSmart on Crime.

Hope we win 🙂

Initial Quiz – guessing closed

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There are a number of authors who use initials as first names.  Do you know if they are male or female?  Do you know what the initials stand for? Take your best shot at these authors.

Please play along with us.  For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize.  Just leave a comment with your guesses before noon on Saturday and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here. Last week’s Jack Nicholson was in that? Quiz here.

First tell me if they are Male (M) or Female (F) (2.25 pts.) and then what the initials stand for (4 pts.)

I’ll give an extra 10 points for my favorite incorrect name, so have fun guessing 🙂

1. PD James Female Phyllis Dorothy

2. JRR Tolkien  Male John Ronald Reuel

3. SE Hinton  Female Susan Eloise

4. PG Wodehouse  Male Pelham Grenville

5. EB White  Male Elwyn Brooks

6. E Nesbit  Female Edith

7. EM Forster  Male Edward Morgan

8. JK Rowling  Female  Joanne

9. PJ O’Rourke  Male Patrick Jane

10. AS Byatt  Female  Antonia Susan

11. LM Montgomery  Female Lucy Maud

12. DH Lawrence  Male  David Herbert

13. CJ Cherryh  Female Carolyn Janice Cherry

14. AA Milne  Male  Alan Alexander

15. HG Wells  Male Herbert George

16. JA Jance  Female  Judith Ann

The Witches of Eastwick, by John Updike

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The Witches of EastwickFinished audio 11-8-11, rating 3/5, fiction, pub. 1984

Unabridged audio 12 hours.  Read by Kate Reading.

Alexandra, Sukie, and Jane are witches who don’t have the best reputations around their small Rhode Island town.  Alexandra is the one who harnesses the most power but she is also the one who can’t get over the feeling that she has cancer growing in her.  When the rich Darryl Van Horne moves into a mansion, the three women become fixtures there, on his tennis court and in his hot tub.  The four of them enjoy a special physical relationship, each woman thinking that she holds Van Horne’s affection.  When another woman steps into the hot tub the witches decide a hex is needed.

The three women weren’t all that likeable.  They killed pets who annoyed them, were terrible, absent mothers, were fine with sleeping with married men, and they weren’t even great friends to each other, even though they had no one else.

As I listened to this in the car I felt like I needed to tell Gage to cover his ears in a few parts!  The women’s physical relationship felt icky to me and I do think it’s because I pictured Updike in his office typing the scenes and it felt like I was looking into his fantasy or something.  I know this is my own prejudice and maybe I wouldn’t have had the same reaction if I’d been reading it.

The writing was excellent, but I just didn’t like the story.  Having said that I am curious about the movie.  I can see it being campy fun, considering the cast, so I’ll have to check it out.

I borrowed the audio from the library.

Vaccines with Gage & my favorite photo ever

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What’s a mother to do in this age of so many vaccines?  Are they harmful?  Are the possible side effects worth it?  What exactly am I putting into my child’s body?  Do they cause autism? As a mother I am overwhelmed at times.

According to the suggested vaccine schedule, Gage should have 28 vaccines before he’s 2 years old, and 9 more before he’s 12.  That’s a lot.

I’ve been reading The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears and have found it very helpful and scary.  He does a very good job of telling you about each separate vaccine, the history, what’s in it, the benefits.  Dr. Sears also provides an alternate shot schedule which we’ve been loosely following.  It’s essentially spreading out or delaying vaccines, so Gage is never really more than a few months behind.

On Friday he got the big one, the MMRC.  It has a long list of serious side effects and is the one linked to the autism scare.  I’ll admit I’m nervous about it.

So, how do you feel about vaccinations?  Do they make you nervous or do you think it’s much ado about nothing?

Sometimes he gets cranky after his shots and I was hoping he’d be happy since the grandparents are visiting.  Well, here he is on Friday night, my favorite picture ever…

Veteran’s Day Movies

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Thanks to all of the veterans out there, including my husband, dad, and father-in-law, for serving and protecting your country.  In honor of Veteran’s Day here are some of the best movies about the veteran experience that I’ve seen.

Bar none my favorite is The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).  This film about three vets returning home from WWII won many Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Honorary Oscar. “Russell, an amateur actor who really did lose both of his hands in the war, earned an honorary Oscar for ”bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans,” then beat the competition to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, making him the only performer to win two Academy Awards for the same performance.”  Do yourself a favor and watch this one if you haven’t already.  It will stay with you.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989) is another film that stayed with me.  Based on the true story of Ron Kovic as he returned home after losing his legs in Vietnam, this one was hard to watch.  Tom Cruise turned in a great performance that earned him an Oscar nod.

Although I don’t necessarily think of Legends of the Fall (1994) as a post-war movie, it is.  Three brothers go off to war and only two come home.  How each handles it is the beauty and sadness of the story.

I wasn’t in love with The Manchurian Candidate (1962) about Korean War vets being brainwashed by Communists, when I saw it, but I would like to see the remake.

Do you have a favorite film featruring veterans?

Sloppy Firsts, by Megan McCafferty

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Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling Series #1)Finished 11- 8-11, rating 4/5, YA, 280 pages, pub. 2001

Book 1 Jessica Darling series

Jessica Darling is facing a crisis of major proportion.  Her best friend, Hope, has moved away and left her alone with the rest of their brainless clique.  Jessica herself is the top student in her junior class and is known as a goody-goody.  Jessica, can’t sleep or stop thinking of Marcus Flutie, the druggie she surprisingly kept from jail.  Jessica is a mess, but aren’t most teens at some point?

I don’t read many young adult books even though so many of them look good.  For the most part I usually feel removed from the teen experience and this book was no exception.  I liked Jessica and her snarky take on high school, but only to a point.  She captured the heartbreak of being a teen, but her obsession with losing Hope gave her an excuse to consider everyone else beneath her. I know feeling smarter than everyone else is a high school rite of passage, but Jessica put me off a little with her attitude.  The distance I felt from her character may be age related, but it may also be that I never hung around with a Jess in high school so I didn’t quite get her.

Anyway, I thought this book was good and I’d recommend it to older teens.  There was swearing, drugs, sex talk and masturbation so I can’t recommend it to younger teens or even older ones who are not mature, I don’t think Jessica is necessarily a good influence.

High school is a hard place to navigate and McCafferty does a great job if capturing that universal experience, which I appreciated even if I had some problems with Jessica.

This was from my personal library.  I picked it up (and way too many other books from my wish list) from Border’s for practically nothing.