Guide To Pirate Parenting
Guide To Pirate Parenting
by Tim Bete
136 pages
Humor, Parenting, Non-Fiction
Cold Tree Press (April 1, 2007)
My personal rating: 70/100
There is no way you'd want your kids to end up like just a regular person, BORING!! Pirates are the way to go, rude obnoxious, and overbearing - just the perfect child, right? Have you ever considered that you only have exactly 18 years to instill piratey behavour and values into your child? You have from the moment your child is born, til the day he turns 18 to indoctrinate him to be the best pirate then after that it is all up to him. Guide to Pirate Parenting takes the reader on a journey of humor, wit and plenty of pirate nonsense so as to have you laughing so much your tummy hurts in no time. If raising a pirate has seemed daunting to you in the past, this tome will take you through the process in heart beat and describe step buy step with checklists and Q&A sessions with Cap'n Billy "The Butcher" MacDougall himself!
I enjoyed Guide to Pirate Parenting, and laughed most of the way through, it is just too silly to not! Some humor and pirate speak was a good break from my well-loved novel streak. It is funny, crazy and so nuts that it had me laughing since the first page. It isn't my usual read, but I enjoyed the break. This book would work well as a gift for dads, from the seasoned father, to the man who is waiting for his wife to birth their very first pirate baby. There is so much about starting your pirate kids out young that it would be perfect as a baby shower gift or for father's day.
Get started out right on your journey to become a pirate raising family! If pirates are your passion, this is your book. If you enjoy a good laugh, this is your book. Unless you can't stand the heat of a good belly wrentching giggle, you lily livered land lubbers!! ARRRRRRG. Enjoy.
My personal rating: 70/100
Guide To Pirate Parenting: Tim Bete's Website
Have no dobut, we are starting out the pirate love young, yes pirates we be.
I think the pirate parenting is right on track in our house.
Throw Out Fifty Things
Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life
by Gail Blanke
304 pages
Self Help, Cleaning
Springboard Press
Published 20th, March, 2009
Throw out fifty things? That sounds easy until you understand that your whole magazine collection counts as one, your dried up nail polish bottles that clutter up a whole shelf also count as one, your sock drawer filled with miss matched socks and single gloves, yep you guessed it, one. However room through room the articles add up as you go from bedroom, to bathroom, living room, dining room and finally to the horrors of your attic and garage.
This is a new approach in that it doesn't just stop there. Gail Blanke, a life coach and internationally known motivational speaker takes you through all four stages in which you release yourself from more and more stuff that really making you feel heavier. Her four parts are: Getting Rid of the Physical Stuff, Your office Pairing Down the Professional Clutter, Attacking Mental Mess, and Stepping into the Clearing. The first two are possessions, the second two stages are getting rid of unwanted mental mess or feelings, labels and poor self image.
Her main slogan throughout Throw Out Fifty Things is: if it doesn't make you feel good, get rid of it. I was a little shocked the first time that she mentioned that you don't need to go on value, worth or purpose, that even if you use it-and yet it makes you cringe, get rid of it! That is different than where I was thinking this all would go. I am very practical, and I have never thought that things that have no purpose should remain to collect dust while things that you use (even if you hate them) should be gotten rid of, but I see the logic in it after reading this book. That you should surround yourself with pleasing environments, places and rooms that you enjoy, that you want to be in, and clothes that you feel good when you wear.
After just looking at the title, I was nervous that she wanted people to actually 'throw out' all the stuff. But that is really not what Gail intends, she makes sure that you understand that you should only actually throw away things that are broken, useless, or something to which pieces or parts are missing. The rest of the stuff can go to someone else who will love it, to a secondhand store, or you could resell it to get some of your money back. I appreciated her practical take on that. And throughout the book Gail Blanke makes it a point to discuss green methods of discarding pait, batteries, an old AC, and other such toxic waste items.
What did I get out of it? Well, I got the crazy urge to clean my house and get rid of things that I had been holding on to for no reason other than that I didn't know what to do with them (or felt guilted into holding on to!!!). Gail mentions that if it is a very hard decision, that means you just need to get rid of it, and that most of the time we don't get rid of stuff, but we just move it around our homes and garages. That rang a bell with me, we have been shuffling junk for SO LONG! I am in the 'get it out of here' mode and now I know how to attack the problem thanks to Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke. It sure does make me feel a lot better inside when I get my junk out the door. This was a very helpful, and practical guide to getting rid of things. If you want to throw out your junk but can't seem to figure out the practical aspects of the process, or just aren't motivated to do it, read this!
If you want to jump on the bandwagon, it has its own website!:
Throw Out Fifty Things
What is the one thing that you would love to get rid of, but feel guilty about??? This may be horrible to say, but for me it is my wedding dress, it takes up so much room and I will never wear it again, I want to re purpose it, but it was my mother-in-laws wedding dress and I don't know if I should ask her first or just do it. All I want to do is make it shorter, and dye it so that I could wear it...is that horrible?
What is your one thing?
Get Positively Beautiful
Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous
by Carmindy Makeup Artist of TLC's What Not to Wear
227 pages
Beauty/ Cosmetics
A new approach to what all of us women have to work with every day, Carmindy's book is designed to focus on a persons strengths by enhancing them. Get Positively Beautiful is meant to be a makeup book with the bonus of a good mindset. The goal of this distinct makeup book is for each individual to discover her greatest assets, strongest features and to focus on her unique and natural beauty. Everyone is different so comparisons in this book are out! Carmindy gives step-by-step guidance on how to discover what you already have going for you. There is another section in the book with before and after photos of regular women, who when the importance is placed on their strengths and not covering up everything in tons of makeup, they end up looking natural and stunning in that confidence of possessed beauty.
I adore Carmindy, I used to have cable and watch her on TLC, she was my favourite part of the show as she is incredibly positive and reassuring to the women. She sheds a new light on makeup, and that is how to focus on what makes you beautiful already, which seriously is not common among all those famous rockstars in So Cal. She is a gem of a gal, who makes women realize their potential and see themselves as truly beautiful in their own unique way.
As much as I am not a true cosmetic enthusiast, his book works really well for me, even the list in the back of good producs (with a scale of price as well) to purchase that are recommended. I pretty much do the same thing every day, but after reading this book I am excited to try out some of the spiffy ideas she uses. There is just something amazing about Carmindy, and this book really does let that shine through, I see something different in her which comes through just as strongly in Get Positively Beautiful as it does on TV. And there are tons of amazing tips to use too!!
Personal cosmetic routine: my make up routine takes me a max of 2 minutes. I do a tad bit of dark brown eyeliner, mascara, under eye lightening and a little pink blush. After two kids, I have gotten down to the basics of cosmetics, I don't do all the foundations and stuff because they make me feel made up and strange. My sister-in-law was convinced that this was due to me using cheap makeup, so she powdered and buffed my face with her spendy stuff. Not any different, well it looked better, but still it was to much for me.
What is your routine? What are your must haves when it comes to makeup?
Carmindy:Less is more in Spring/Summer makeup. Watch this video:
Work In Progress
Work in Progress: An Unfinished Woman's Guide to Grace
by Kristin Armstrong
Published by Faith Words
144 Pages
Women's Self-Help
Because we should all be THAT WOMAN. Yes, the woman who walks into a room and exudes love, peace, joy and grace to everyone. However we are all on the road there, none has completely arrived, although some are much closer to the goal than others.In Work In Progress: An Unfinished Woman's Guide To Grace, Kristin Armstrong goes over what she believes to be the essential key traits in making the way toward that goal. She writes a chapter for each of the qualities: Beauty, Confidence, Softness, Trust, Truth, Generosity, Forgiveness, Courage, Wisdom, Authenticity, and Freedom.
There is nothing that helps a person want to jump in with two feet more than another who is doing it and cheering you on to do the same. I found in Kristin Armstrong a woman who is not proud or flaunting, she makes it a point to show her weakness, to be real and to walk in humility all of which are traits which attracted me to her. This is a great book with key points to which all women in this quest towards grace would certainly feel they can relate to. I enjoyed reading it.
My favourite chapters where those on Wisdom and Authenticity as those are two of the traits I admire the most and would most long to be recognized for. I know that it takes time and endurance and self control to walk the road to Grace, and yes I am definitely and unfinished woman. This book, Work in Progress is just another step in pursuit of that goal, and I really enjoyed this leg of that race.
I also must say that while Lance Armstrong was in his winning streak (what was it 7 years in a row, even with battling cancer!?!) I watched him while I lived in Spain with admiration, as he was the kindred spirit of an American that I could route for. My family LIVED the Tour de France, we loved Motorola and then U.S Postal and yes, Lance was our hero. After reading this book, I got a chance to see into Kristin Armstrong's life and perspective.No matter the pain they have gone though, they are both heroes, in different ways, but yet they are. Lance as far as an athlete goes, is an extraordinary man, Krisitn well, she is an athlete too but I admire her most for her courage and devotion to God throughout the divorce and raising up of their children. I loved getting the perspective on her that I now have, as well as learning from her how to grow and mature in grace.
Which traits do you value the most in someone?
Giveaway!
I have a copy to giveaway! Write a comment on this post by the 18th of March and you'll be included. Sorry no PO Boxes, and only US and Canada addresses please.
Author Website: Kristin Armstrong
Funny Commercial with Kristin Armstrong:
(and I must say that when I was training, it is true I know it sounds weird, but I would get home and chug milk. It sounds gross, but it must have been that calcium that my body craved)
My Little Red Book
by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff
240 Pages
Non-fiction, Self-Help, Women's Issues
My Little Red Book written by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff is a conglomerate memoir of that sacred experience, which is a woman's first period. This splendid little anthology begins with the story of the editor getting her first period while on water skis in a bright yellow bathing suit, and moves from there to woman after woman, mothers and daughters, grandmas and aunts sharing their horrors, their joys and their stories of shame.
There is an account of a mother telling her daughter how amazing and symbolic this event is in their lives as African American women, she tells of how in the days of their great-grandmothers the beginning of menstruation marked a change from a girl to a woman. That day was feared as it meant that her slave value went up and therefore many times she would be sold away from her family to benefit the slave owner. I just couldn't shake that account, still can't.
Even now so many girls look upon the day of their first period with apprehension, fear, guilt, and shame however I find that this book is pioneer to change that. It is no Judy Blume and I thank God that it isn't as women are tired of learning about belted pads, which are so not happening anymore. The author wants this book to be more than just a collection of women telling their stories, but a breakthrough, a change in the way first periods (and periods in general) are perceived, and everyone's attitudes towards them.
On of my favourite stories in My Little Red Book is an essay by Gloria Steinem called "If Men Could Menstruate" (p. 114) it is over-the-top-funny and I just had to agree (not to her extreme, but still) if men did menstruate it would be a test of manhood, a time of the month filled with pride and glorification. What is wrong with us women!?! Not that periods are great, they really aren't that fun but we should see them as what they are, an amazing ability that we have to monthly remember our common bonds of womanhood, and well, that we have the god-given ability to pro-create!
I really enjoyed this book, it is a great resource to share with your daughter, I can't say that I would let her read every story (if she were my 12 year-old) as there is mature content in a couple of the stories, but it would be great to read through it together. My Little Red Book gets my full recommendation, it is spectacular in that it captures all the angles of a girl becoming a woman.
Personally though reading through this I feel slighted . No, it isn't anything wrong with the book, it is that I cannot remember really anything about my first period. I don't think it was that monumental, I wasn't apprehensive and I wasn't scared that I was dying. I don't remember it at all. I kept thinking throughout the book (and still) that there would be something to trigger my memory in one of the stories, I didn't find it. I can't even remember how old I was. I know I was around 12 or so, maybe almost 13 but that is a guess. My friends have told me of amazing dinners they go out to with their mothers, get their hair and nails done, get all fancied up and have a celebration of womanhood where they learn the importance of what is happening and how to handle it, and how to not be ashamed of who they are as women. That didn't happen for me, I bit my nails so getting them done was out, and I didn't like anyone messing with my hair or wearing fancy dresses, still I would have liked some sort of adapted version of that. If I have daughters, I will figure out what they would enjoy and we will have that celebration!
Because the point of the book is to open women up to talk about their experiences, let's do it. If you are a women, what do you remember about this grand event which was your first period? Would you have wished your mom to make a bigger deal about it? Did she even know when you started?
The Survivors Club
Title: The Survivors Club
Author: Ben Sherwood
Pages: 400
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self Help
We all face difficult situations, but some people are resilient and some are not. Who is able to come out of tragedy or overcome a circumstance and survive? Survivors. Ben Sherwood describes survivors as those making the best of their remaining days no matter if it is 50 years after the situation or 3 days. They are overcomers, people who move on, walk forward with head held high. Sherwood interviews people who have overcome all different types of struggles, and obstacles and whom he considers to be survivors. At the end of the book the reader has the opportunity to see if he/she is a survivor and what are the strengths that she/he relies on to make it through tough times.
I LOVED this book. There is so much about The Survivors Club that appealed to me. It resolves mystery, gives explanations of ways the mind works, and brings psychology to the forefront of the study. I have always (well since Highschool) been interested why people survive when others don't. Some people go through hard times over and over and they aren't any worse for the ware, then other people seem to hit a slight speed bump and their whole world goes out the window. What is the difference between the two? How can someone survive the holocaust and then another person cannot cope with the death of a pet? The Survivors Club argues that it depends on resiliency, and if you are a survivor and good at coping or if you aren't. The most effective survivors reach deep within themselves and find the strength to live through it, whatever the 'it' may be.
I was captivated by each section and chapter of this book, I listened to it on audiobook (thanks to hatchette audio) and found myself looking forward to the next time I would have a chance to listen to the next chapter. At the end there is a survivor IQ test which is available for the reader to take online, I took it and it was an incredible portrayal of who I am. I had my husband look at it and he agreed that it was very accurate. If you reach the end and take the test and the results come back that you are not a survivor, there are things that you can do to learn how to start becoming one.
This wasn't my typical book, I am a fiction fanatic...but this was really worth my time. I think I may even have to grab a hard copy so that I can underline and re-read it- It is worth it for sure!
Giveaway:
I have 3 copies to give away. After you win you can let me know which format you'd be interested in (audio book or hardcover book). Sorry no PO boxes and only US and Canada residents please.
To enter the giveaway post a comment below through the 7th of March telling me who you have most admired for their survival mentality, or their ability to be positive no matter the circumstance.
