What Are YOU Reading Friday

I am back on my self-help kick! I picked up this book at the library:

It was on the "new" bookshelf in my library so I decided to bring it home and see what it was all about. Turns out there is a lot of good information, and a lot of stuff that didn't really apply to me at all!! Basically, I just skimmed through until I got to each section that I was interested in and then read that in detail. Some of the interesting chapters of The 10 Commandments of Money by Liz Weston are: "Saving for Retirement Must Come First", "Reserve Insurance for the Big Losses", and "Defend Yourself in the War on Consumers". The last one is about credit cards and managing yourself while being a consumer (how to save, shop around, and complain, when necessary).

There were a lot of references to how this time now is not the same as your parents' time and why it's different (and why WE think the way that we do and how it differs from our parents' thinking - or even their parents' thinking). Which is a nice way to put it all in perspective...

I have been thinking about my time vs. my parents' time a lot. My parents seemed to have it all together, even though they got married really young, they are very financially well off. And, admittedly, sometimes I feel like (even though I was 10 years older than they were when they got married) I feel like I'm not where they were financially when they were my age. But, clearly, that is a fault of my way of thinking - - and my consumerist habits! At least now, I have some kind of reference point to start changing the way I think and the way that I spend and manage my money.

....okay....the sad violin is back in the closet.....lol.

In light of the book, and the subject matter, how are you saving / changing your spending in this "new" environment?

Thanks to all the comments to the last What Are YOU Reading post!!

I think that this is the first week since I have started doing this that I haven't heard of at least ONE book that you all have mentioned in your comments! So, I guess I have some new books to look up. ;) Here are the recommendations:

Angelology from Nicole
Jemima J from Delaney
A Discovery of Witches from the Momma at the Sammy Makes Six

Have a great weekend everyone! Happy reading!
More later! :)

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What Are YOU Reading?

I needed a break and decided to pick up a "fun" book at the library!!

This book, Mind Games: 31 Days to Rediscover Your Brain, is filled with fun, quick little things that you can do each day that teach you about your mind and WHY we think the way that we do!! It's pretty cool to realize how you think and the reasons behind it. (When I initially saw the book, I thought that it was a book that would help you rediscover how smart you were or how to be smarter or something like that, but that's not what its about at all.)

At first, I was telling myself that I would do one "exercise" a day while I was reading another book, but that only lasted about two days and then I was on a mission to devour the whole book!!! :)

There is even a section where you can learn about how your kids think the way that they do - - not why they DO the things that they do (lol), but how they rationalize things in their mind. Very interesting!

I also learned through one exercise that I value speed and agility and strength in people, that I want people to know that I am loyal, and that I think that people perceive me as being graceful! :)) That exercise was fun, but some of the others are more just about reading and understanding how the brain works.

Pretty cool stuff.

What are YOU reading?

Any great plans for the 4th of July holiday?

Thanks again to everyone who commented on my last book post. I really enjoy reading your comments and, of course, I'm happy for all those that choose to share!

My last question was about saving your sanity - what do you do to save your sanity. Of course, you are reading - and blogging! Jen commented that her biggest sanity saver is date night (!!!) with her hubby (awwww...of course we get romance from the writer of the Clean Romance Reviews blog!!). Rosann mentioned that running makes her feel more positive and Christina loves to get lost in audiobooks!! Mommy is Green has a Kindle that helps keep her sane!! :)

I haven't really gotten into Kindles yet (or audiobooks for that matter).... I think I would miss the "weight" of my actual books, but everyone who has one has told me how great they are!! Thanks for your comments!!!

Have a wonderful, safe, freedom-filled weekend!! I LOVE 4th of July - - it's one of my favorite holidays!!
More later! :)
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What Are YOU Reading?

I got this wonderful book at the library last week. I wasn't searching for it, it just happened to be on the "featured books" shelf at the library. It looked interesting, so I decided to check it out. It's a self-help book, but written by a doctor who used her visits with kids and their parents to see the real value of mothers (that we have a hard time seeing ourselves). It's really awesome and moving to see yourself in this way - - to see you how your KIDS see you - - as a provider, comforter, and confidant.

The book is 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity by Meg Meeker, MD.

Here is one of the moving things that I saw that has stayed with me while reading this book:

"How can we assume that we have little value when we give them life, shape thier lives, and ultimately change their lives? We mothers are indispensable to our kids because no one can teach them how to love, empathize, nurture, or value others like we can. No one."

It's a very good book with ten "habits" that you can start that will get you on the road to happiness and joy while living in the role of motherhood.

I think sometimes we are tired, overwhelmed, and just frazzled. These habits help put those feelings in perspective and find the bigger, greater thing that this life is about right now - being our babies' momma.

What things do you do that help save your sanity???  ;)

Share your comments - your advice may just help someone else be less frazzled tonight!!

Thanks for all your comments in my last post about Dave Ramsey - - I really do like reading his books and listening to him on the radio. He also has a new book coming out this fall about being an entrepreneur. Do you know he started his "empire" on a fold out table in his living room? Wow. I want to read about that!!!

Seems like he is pretty much a household name - everyone who commented has either read about him or heard about him. Liz actually knows someone who teaches his classes at her church! And Nina commented about ways that she saves - including making sure that some of every paycheck goes to savings right away!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!
More later! :)



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What Are YOU Reading?

Well, What Are YOU Reading usually goes live on Friday...but, I had to work on Friday and wasn't able to post!!
So, here is a quick tribute to What Are YOU Reading -

I didn't actually check out this library book and I haven't actually READ it either. But, I did think it was funny. Probably all my dad's references to basket weaving classes that he thought that I was spending my time on while I was in college - lol.

Thanks for all your comments to my last book post (last week). I will highlight all the great answers next week!
We spent today at the Santa Barbara Zoo!! It was fun, but it was a L-O-N-G day!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
More later! :)

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What Are YOU Reading Friday?

I am still on my self-help kick with my books!!! :)

I have been listening to this financial expert, Dave Ramsey, on the radio lately when I am in the car and he is on. He seems really smart, he seems to have some sage advice for people, and he's really inspirational. I enjoy listening to him and the advice that he has to give to help people stay financial "fit" - - which is really cool.

So, I decided to check out some of his books. I was able to find all of these at the library!

One is a workbook, which, unfortunately, I won't be writing in since it's a library book! But I still get the idea of what he is saying.

He has one motto that he says over and over again which really resonates with me. He says, "Live today like no one else so that tomorrow you can live like no one else". Meaning: live on less today (even if people tease you or make fun of you) so that you can live like royalty on your savings / retirement once you are older. I love it and it makes a lot of sense.

Now I just have to convince Mr. No-No to be on the same plan - hahahhaa!

In these times, it seems like everyone is cutting back - or maybe considering cutting back.

Do you find yourself in the same position? or in the same boat?

What things do you find yourself doing for your family to make sure that your future is financial secure?

Thanks for all your comments on my last reading post, about Twitter Power 2.0. Seems like a lot of people were in the same boat as me - needing some help with Twitter and how to use it effectively! I hope (when you guys have time) you are able to at least grab that book and thumb through it to pick up some useful tips!

Have a great weekend!!!
More later! :)

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What are YOU reading Friday?

Hi everyone!!!!

Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!! We had so much fun and it was relaxing and easy going. We actually spent one whole morning sitting around the pool - which, unfortunately, is something that we rarely ever do!! Miss No-No is finally old enough to be in swimming lessons now, so hopefully, we will be swimming more soon!

We spent about an hour in the library last night looking at new books. There is sooooo much stuff I want to read right now. I don't know if they got a lot of new books in recently or if I am not really looking at all the new stuff lately!!! What are YOU reading this week?

I got this book called Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm. It is an awesome book with tons of tips about how to have a more commanding "voice" being on Twitter. I highly recommend it for anyone using Twitter who is unsure about it or about it's potential. There is a lot of stuff about marketing and using Twitter as a promotional tool for your products. Since I am not actually SELLING anything on the internet, I mostly skimmed over these sections, but I did find a lot of useful information about how to be a good tweeter and how to use some parts of Twitter that I didn't completely understand before. If YOU are selling something on the internet, this book makes you a fast study on the types and frequency of "ads" and special offers that you put out. One thing the book also mentions is to make sure that you realize that people are not "following" you or "liking" you, they are CONNECTING with you. Comm says that is what makes Twitter different than other forms of social media available to us now. (Clearly, that was a profound statement that stayed with me after I put the book down!!)

This is a great, quick, informative book on the finer aspects of Twitter.

I found out about this book from Rosann who actually recommended it during a previous What Are YOU Reading Friday!! Thanks Rosann!

If you recommend a book to me, I just may pick that up to and discuss it here!! :)

So....

Do you use Twitter as a marketing tool? What are you selling? Do you think it's helped your business?

And...

what are YOU reading this week?

English Rose stopped by last week to say that she just finished reading Her Love Next Door. If I know ER, I KNOW this is probably a romance novel! ;)

Have a great week!

More later! :)

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What are YOU Reading Friday

Yay! The sun is back and the weather is warm again!!! I can't wait for the long weekend!!! We are going to a Strawberry Festival tomorrow and on Monday afternoon, we are BBQ-ing! It's GardenBurgers and vegan hot dogs with Grilled Veggie Kabobs, but I still love the idea of firing up the grill for the first time in months!!!

What are YOU Reading today?

I got this book called Coloring Outside the Lines: Raising a Brighter Kid by Breaking All the Rules by Roger Schank. I thought it would be great because the title is so catchy. Unfortunately, it's really geared towards parents who have teens (or maybe pre-teens so you can prep ahead of time?). But wasn't really suitable to our family right now. However, I still thumbed through the book to see if maybe some parts could help me right now with anything, or give me ideas to help me raise a smarter kid!! I didn't see much. BUT - if you have teens, this would be a great book. There are LOTS of sections on listening and communicating effectively with teenagers and things that you can do to modify your behavior to show your teen that you are actually listening and caring about what they have to say.

I may be checking this out again (or something like it) in about 10 years!!

I also got this book that it is on the LA Times Bestseller list. It's called The Four Hour Body. ...I guess I should have known by the title that it was just too good to be true (lol)! It's about maintaining and maximizing your eating and workouts so that you don't have to spend a lot of unnecessary time doing extra work that is stressing your body - as opposed to helping you lose weight and keep it off. I was thinking that the food part of the diet or program is so restrictive (no fruit except one day a week!) that you would have to be extremely disciplined to even be able to follow it.....but, if you were that disciplined, would you need to read the book??? Hmmm.... Guess I will be sticking with my little workouts that I sneak in every night after Miss No-No is in bed...  :)

Are you working out?

What methods are working best for you right now?

Any new books on your To-Read List?

Last week, JR911 stopped by to say that she is reading The Losing Role on her Kindle {{jealous of the Kindle}}.  :)  She does book reviews all the time on her site so she has lots of good suggestions and ideas about books to read!!

Please check in with me tomorrow afternoon when I post a sample menu plan for the following week (that is affordable, healthy, and easy to cook!). Also, take a minute to enter my giveaway - it ends Wednesday and the entries are SUPER low!

More later!! :)

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What are YOU Reading Friday

Hey everyone! This post is from last week - remember when Blogger was down?? I couldn't write this then, but since I still have this book, I am "submitting" it here as what I am reading.

I'm not sure where I saw or heard about this book, but it is beautiful and uplifting. It's not a novel as much as it a self-help (or self-discovery?) book. But, really, it's great and it's a fast read. So fast in fact that this is not the first time I've read it! I checked it out from the library about 6 months ago, but wanted to re-visit and read it again.

The book is called you are here by Thich Nhat Hanh. It's billed as being a book about "discovering the magic in the present moment". What I remember most about this book is it being about enhancing the present moment to make it richer, thus making your LIFE richer and more rewarding. How awesome is that?? ..and all in less than 140 pages!

This is great for me because I feel like I never want to miss out on anything that's going on in my daily life. I just try to grab hold with both hands because I don't want to forget the little everyday moments that make my life (and life with my little family) so beautiful and precious. I think a re-read of this book will put me right in that spot that I am looking to be in - - and make me feel more gratitude for the simple pleasures.

What little things happen in your life that you want to remember?

How do you save or catalogue those special memories?

It's been two weeks since I posted What are You Reading, but we had some great comments to the post last time. Jodi from Magical Mouse Schoolhouse is reading Boundaries by H. Cloud and J. Townsend (which is NOT a "for pleasure" book, as she mentioned) - I will be checking this one out to see WHAT it is about; Patricia is reading Land of the Painted Caves  by J. Auel which is chronicles how people lived and what they lived off of - sounds interesting, I like reading about lifestyles of different people in different times; and English Rose (who contributes to this series regularly, thanks ER) is reading The Wicked Ways of a True Hero and getting ready to read Illuminations of the Heart.

English Rose also had the greatest comment about her favorite cookbook saying that it was one that her mom put together - it is all recipes from her family!! Wow! That was so touching to read - and what a special memento to have from everyone in her family.

What are YOU reading today? Join the discussion in the comments section below.
Thanks!
More later! :)

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What are YOU Reading? Friday

Hey everyone! Happy Friday!!! :)
What are you reading today?

I picked up this new book called Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman, MD. The claim is that you can "lose up to 20 pounds (or more!) in six weeks". Dr. Fuhrman is a ...nutritional researcher who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional and natural methods (from the back cover).

I don't know about losing 20 pounds (although I wouldn't mind! ahhahaha!), but there are some good recipes in here and nearly all the daily plans include some kind of dessert (mmmm). And the desserts look awesome, but I haven't had one yet.
I have already done a couple of days of the plan and I love the lunches, they are good and filling. Most of the dinners can be made in 30 to 40 minutes! And the breakfasts are all easy and fast although some require pomegranate juice (which I don't have and have been substituting for freshly made carrot juice). Additionally, I don't feel full, full, full, but I also don't feel hungry either (except in the mornings, when I first get up, and then I am starving!). Overall, this book is good and seems to focus on the fact that everyone needs lots of whole grains, fruits and (both) raw and cooked veggies.
I spent some time a couple of years ago reading about "nutritionally-deficient" caused diseases and how they can be nearly (or completely) reversed using good, wholesome, whole foods. I was impressed with the studies I read and the information that I learned. This book boils a lot of that down into an easy to read format (without being overly scientific) with testimonials here and there to break it all up.

This book is good informational reading and good for wholesome recipes.
What are YOU reading today?

Thanks to all the comments on my What are YOU Reading post last Friday. I really enjoy hearing about what you are all reading and what your intrests are. Share it all with me in the comments.

What is YOUR favorite cookbook? Or good food / recipe book?

More later! :)

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What are YOU Reading Friday

A couple of weeks ago I picked up the Peter Walsh book about clearing your mental clutter. I thought that it was such a good idea to read something like that (positive, uplifting, and motivational). However, after reading through the first section, I realized that book was actually the THIRD in a series. And the introduction said something about how if you haven't read the first two books, you couldn't get really get going on this third one! :( I still looked through the book and saw a lot of stuff that I liked, but I really just skimmed through because I knew that when I went back to the library this week, I was going to have to check out one of the other two books.

So, you know when I went to the library today, I grabbed one of the two that came before it!

It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh is a "plan for living a richer life with less stuff". That's not only what I need, but what I try to advocate here... Living more, or living richer, with the basics in life!! Perfect!!

I have only read the first 20 pages but it looks like it's a plan to clear out the clutter from your home - and clear out how emotionally (!) everyone deals with their own clutter. I know that this applies to me because I have boxes (small boxes, but still boxes) of things that I am saving - - stuff that my mom gave me from when I was little, stuff from my wedding day, stuff from when my Miss No-No was born - - and it's all stuff that I never look at, but I just NEED to keep. I'm not sure that this book will help me clear those things away, but I am willing to read through it and see what advice is there.

But, every time I see these kinds of things I just think - do you really get rid of everything??? everything??? My wedding dress? What about the shoes I wore on my wedding day? (I haven't worn them since, but I do love them so much!) And what about year books from high school? (Yes, I still have them all.) And what about things that I have that were passed down to me? (I have lots of baby blankets and old hand-crochet blankets for doll cribs <- I did pass those down to my little one already... and old handkerchiefs that my great grandmother embroidered...I don't use them, but they are so precious and special) So, I guess we are going to see exactly what I learn! If it's spectacular, I will keep you all posted. However, if it's a huge bust, I doubt you will be reading about it all here - hehehehe! I guess...stay tuned! If I find some great tips, or things that work out, I will be sure to pass them on.

What are you reading?

What kinds of things do you hang on to but never use?

Thanks to all of you who left comments last week! I appreciate you sharing - - and I love learning about new books that I haven't heard of, or wouldn't have thought to look into before. EnglishRose is a literary goddess, just look at her site, it's all about books!, and she is reading New Year, New Life by Sherry Lewis. Kelli dropped by to say that she is reading The Yearling (and that it's as sad as she remembers). I don't know what that book is about, but I will keep it in my list of things to "check out later". And, Rosann, who I love and who stops by so so often to comment (thanks! Rosann) is an avid reader, too! She is reading Unlimited by Jillian Michaels - I didn't even know that she had a book out, Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm - which I will be sure to check out, amongst others.

More later!! :)

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What are you Reading Friday

Sadly, I missed What are you Reading last week - but, it was because I was on vacation for Easter / Spring Break (more on that later!). I thought that I had internet access in my hotel room, but, alas.....that was not the case!

Now, let's delve into what's new! :)

Keeping with my non-fiction theme, I picked up this new book at the library this week:

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey

This book promises to "take you far beyond the clutter in your home...to tackle the clutter that fills your head and impedes so many areas of your life...the underlying feelings that create the clutter that blocks the path to who you want to be...This process will take you beyond thinking about what you need for your home or your life to understanding what you need from your life to make it truly and uniquely yours." {from the back cover}

Wow! What an inspiration. I can't wait to get started. However, I still need to tackle the Social Media Bible that I got two weeks ago (I will probably work through that one before I start on this one - since it's due first). I am hoping to get into this new book within the coming week.

I think that being (more?) fully present in my life would make the little moments more memorable and more meaningful. I really feel like I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING that's happening right now...especially since I have my little one and I know the time is passing really.really.really.quickly! Clearing the mental clutter out of my head, my life, and out of my days could be the path that I need to take to make that more of a reality and to feel more organized everyday so that my life seems to streamline itself.

What things are you working on not missing?

Where in your life could you use more organization?

Do you have any strategies for clearing mental clutter (that you are already using in your life)?

Thanks to all of you commented on what you were reading last time! Jade commented that she really loves biographies and non-fiction (she just finished reading a book about the musicians aboard the Titanic - I always wondered what were going through those guys' heads while they kept playing when the ship was going down).  The momma who writes for English Rose is in my corner about not buying new books - she borrows from the library and from friends. And Dena stopped by to say that she is reading a new book by Gregory Lane about three word ways to be like Jesus (Lead, Serve, Love).

What else are you reading now? Let's share and encourage each other to pick up new books...no matter what type they are.

More later! :)

What are you Reading Friday

 I have been taking Miss No-No to the library ever since she was born. We go every week! Even when we are on vacation, we usually make a stop at a local library (even if we don't check anything out). When she was little, we would go on Fridays because they had a baby and Mommy-play program in the mornings. Now, she is too old for that, and she would rather be at preschool on Friday mornings, so now we go Thursdays after school. She really loves it and it's something that she looks forward to. She always picks out books, she knows where her "section" is, and she usually spends some time doing puzzles, talking to other kids (or just watching them), and then helping me check out the books using the self-check machine.I think it is a great way to foster her love of books (and reading!) and to let her see that I also use the library regularly.
I used to always buy books, but after Mr. No-No and I got married, we quickly realized that ALL of our books were just too many for our little place. We downsized and now I go to the library. We still have some books (and I have my cookbooks), but going to the library means that we have a huge place to 'store' all of 'our' books when we aren't actively using them....which means more space for us at home!I have been reading a lot of fiction lately, but (very) recently have decided that maybe I should be spending my time more wisely (ah, yes, grasshopper!).Here is my take home from the library today:
 
 

• The Social Media Bible by Lon Safko and David K. Brake - Tactics, Tools & strategies for Business Success
• Enough Already by Peter Walsh - Cleaning Mental Clutter to Become the Best You
• the creative family by Amanda Blake Soule - simple project and activities for you and your children
• The Ice Cream Maker by Subir Chowdhury - An inspiring tale about making quality the key ingredient in everything you do

I got two of these suggestions from Katy Wolk-Stanley's blog, the Non-Consumer Advocate, which I love A LOT. But, since we go to the library every week and since I am working on more constructive endeavors, I have decided that I will try to post my weekly take-home from the library.

Maybe you will be inspired and, hopefully, you will give me some ideas about books that you have read (about anything). Maybe I will pick up something new courtesy of you!

In light of all that:

What are your favorite kinds of books to read?

What are you reading right now?

What is your all time favorite book?

Do you buy your books or do you borrow them from the library?

I am interested in what you have to say, so please don't be shy. Share with me and let's encourage each other to grab a new book and read a little bit more - - even if it's fun fiction!!! :)

More later!!  :)

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