My name is Jami and I'm a book addict. Yes, that's right. It's been 2 seconds since I touched my last book. I'm not sorry that I enjoyed it. People will say to me, "Hi Jami", I will tear up and someone will give me a tissue. This is the scene of my future Book Addicts Anonymous group. Maybe you will even be there with me!
I have been reading since age 3, when my mom caught me reading the side of a milk carton. My teacher caught me under a desk in Kindergarten reading and sent me to the first grade class to read with them. I was showing signs of book addiction even as a tot! My kids are also addicted. Natalie started at 3 1/2, Serena at around 4. They didn't just read their own books. They read restaurant menus, billboards, park equipment (oh boy), catalogs, shopping lists, and even the sports page. I guess it's in the genes!
I am a regular at libraries, book stores, book fairs, garage sales (books, of course), and anywhere books can be found. You may want to lock your books up when I come to visit! Much to my parents dismay, I still have many antique books rotting in their rec room. I'll get them someday, Mom. (wink, wink)
So what do you find on a book lover's shelf? A little bit of everything, in my case. As a kid, I thought it was fun to read the encylopedia and the dictionary. I once read an entire medical dictionary. Explains the hypochondria, probably. I will read all the music lyrics on a CD insert, even though I won't remember all the words. I'm telling you, I am unstoppable! Ironically, I didn't have a ton of books as a young child, and my parents probably didn't read to me much. I believe my "addiction" truly started when I used reading as an escape from feeling fearful or upset. It sure worked in my favor.
Oh, yeah...what's on my shelves...let's see here...a Bill Bryson collection. He's the guy who chronicled his trip on the appalachian trail. Funny guy. What else...oh, I love Joyce Meyer! And that Calvin and Hobbes collection...can't get enough of that kid. I have biographies, Christian inspiration, books on wildlife and Alaska (my dream state), home decor, raising kids, marriage, diet (those books don't work, by the way!), books about tv shows, poetry, angels, gardening, cooking, and just about everything under the sun.
When I go to the local library, I keep them on their toes by checking out weird combinations of books. A book on turkey hunting, hormones, Michigan lakes, and People Magazine. Keep 'em guessing, I say. Oh, and when you're a book addict, plan on putting aside a little cash for those late fees at the library. They have my picture on the wall there now. You know, the Wall of Shame.
My friends recommended a book to me called Have a New Kid by Friday, by Dr. Kevin Leman. I'm still waiting to find out exactly which Friday he was referring to. My latest dieting book had me all excited. This is the one, I thought. This is it! Then the next time I baked brownies, I used the book to kill a spider.
I once read a book of Steve's called The Goal, which followed a factory manager, and explained all sorts of really cool sounding things called "the theory of constraint" and "bottlenecking", in relation to factory issues. I thought, hey, I can use this stuff to impress Steve. It worked,although he didn't read the book! He's not even sure why he had it! I actually thought it was pretty interesting. I also love children's picture books, especially Stranger in the Woods, and all the ones that followed. If it's well-written and illustrated, I must have it! And when the kids bring home book order forms....I just hand over the Visa.
So, books, as enlightening and entertaining as they are, are just not the cure-all for every issue. They didn't help me lose weight, travel to Alaska, or perform a surgery. What books do is wake up your mind, relax your senses, and inspire you. Did I mention I was trying to read, How to Talk to Your Child about Sex? There's no relaxing with that one, my friends, Christian version or not! It is what it is. That's all I can say.
Books connect people, too. When you're around a fellow book-lover, it's an easy conversation. I've been known to whip a book out of my purse and say, hey, wanna read this one? The guy at the stoplight was not impressed, by the way. Book stores are great places to people-watch too. Follow somebody around, discreetly, of course. Check out the books they are attracted to. Be careful of the sections you follow them into, of course. Eavesdrop on a parent reading "Everybody Poops" to a toddler, and you'll never be the same! And parents...please, please, please....read to your kids!! Use goofy voices, including accents. My kids have heard my special twist on russian, german, spanish, french, and even a little way down south in the bayou cajun. I've also mastered Dr. Seuss tongue twisters! I really don't know how I do it, but it could have something to do with the gallon of Coke I drink before I read those. Either way, my kids are awed and mystified.
So, what are you waiting for? Quit reading my mindless drivel and get yourself a book to read! Get into your comfies, hanker down with a good cup of java, big ole slippers, and grandma's aphgan. I will expect your book report in the morning!
Happy reading.....
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Some "Be" Attitudes
I love children's books. Children are so simple, and we adults are always complicating things. It's no wonder they are carefree!!
Here are a few little bits of wisdom from one of our books, God's Little Instruction Book for kids...
1. Beauty shines through in the good that you do.
Your beauty should come from within you-the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear, and it is worth very much to God. 1 Peter 3:4
2. Those who are tardy may miss the party.
The "right time" is now. 2 Corinthians 6:2
3. Obey now, Play later. Disobey now, Pay later.
If they obey and serve him, the rest of their lives will be successful. And the rest of their years will be happy. But if they do not listen, they will die....without knowing better. Job 36:11-12
4. Make the one who's been left out your special friend.
Do for other people what you want them to do for you. Luke 6:31
5. When you get a lemon, make lemonade!
You meant to hurt me, But God turned your evil into good. Genesis 50:20
6. Problems are opportunities in disguise.
Those who are sad now are happy. God will comfort them. Matthew 5:4
7. The thoughts that you think are up to you. What you think is what you do.
Those who are pure in their thinking are happy. They will be with God. Matthew 5:8
8. When brother's a bother and sister's sassy, pay them with patience.
Love is patient and kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
9. Give miles of smiles in great big piles!
Happiness makes a person smile. Proverbs 15:13
10. Manners matter.
Love is not rude. 1 Corinthians 13:5
11. God loves you.
The Father has loved us so much! He loved us so much that we are called children of God.
1 John 3:1
What great wisdom for kids, but as adults,we need to believe it too!
Here are a few little bits of wisdom from one of our books, God's Little Instruction Book for kids...
1. Beauty shines through in the good that you do.
Your beauty should come from within you-the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear, and it is worth very much to God. 1 Peter 3:4
2. Those who are tardy may miss the party.
The "right time" is now. 2 Corinthians 6:2
3. Obey now, Play later. Disobey now, Pay later.
If they obey and serve him, the rest of their lives will be successful. And the rest of their years will be happy. But if they do not listen, they will die....without knowing better. Job 36:11-12
4. Make the one who's been left out your special friend.
Do for other people what you want them to do for you. Luke 6:31
5. When you get a lemon, make lemonade!
You meant to hurt me, But God turned your evil into good. Genesis 50:20
6. Problems are opportunities in disguise.
Those who are sad now are happy. God will comfort them. Matthew 5:4
7. The thoughts that you think are up to you. What you think is what you do.
Those who are pure in their thinking are happy. They will be with God. Matthew 5:8
8. When brother's a bother and sister's sassy, pay them with patience.
Love is patient and kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
9. Give miles of smiles in great big piles!
Happiness makes a person smile. Proverbs 15:13
10. Manners matter.
Love is not rude. 1 Corinthians 13:5
11. God loves you.
The Father has loved us so much! He loved us so much that we are called children of God.
1 John 3:1
What great wisdom for kids, but as adults,we need to believe it too!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Bracing Ourselves
We took Natalie to see an orthopedic surgeon today. She has developed scoliosis, which has progressively gotten worse. Her degree is 33. At 50 or above, they do surgery. Because she is still growing, this is a time it needs to be addressed.
The doctor's appointment went very well, and we were advised that she would need to be fitted for a brace. She will have to wear this brace pretty much all the time, even at night. Even though we were somewhat prepared to hear this, we still worried how Natalie would take it. She's starting 5th grade, entering pre-womanhood, and many changes are happening at once. We quickly made an appointment for later in the afternoon to have her fitted. Boy, that was something. Nat had to wear a stocking thing, then lay on a 3 inch strip of tightened canvas, while putting her knees up over a bar. Then they put a chin strap on her head, a tight belt around her waist, and wrapped her in wet casting. The orthotist then climbed over her, pressing his hands where the brace would need to support her spine. This is my child who panics over getting a shot, fears vomit or vomit sounds, hates pain, and worries terribly when anyone is sick.
That tough little cookie was hilarious!! She used her God-given sense of humor to get her through it. She had us all laughing, especially when she asked Ed (the orthotist) if this was his idea of a torture device. Of course, Steve, Serena, and I were all in the room with her, and we were all cracking jokes. The ortho had to stop cutting the cast away, telling me, you need to stop making me laugh or I may cut your daughter!! It sure helped that we made this a fun experience. It could be so much worse, we know. Natalie then chose the color of her brace, and you guessed it, she chose the brightest color.....lime green!! One of my favorites, of course, but we warned her it will show under white. She said proudly, well, I just won't wear white, will I?
I am so proud of her for being so accepting of this change in her life. She said maybe she will be able to tell others about having to wear a brace so they won't feel so bad. Just like her, to already be thinking about someone else.
This is just another chance for our family to bond and grow closer. We know it's just a brace. It's not a life-threatening thing, and for that we are grateful. Every day with healthy children is cause to celebrate, so we will celebrate! We are already planning to name the brace and have our loved ones sign it for her. We'll be praying too, that this will work in stopping the curvature. It won't straighten the spine. They predict she will have to wear it for 3-4 years or until she stops growing. I pray we'll be able to find clothes to fit over it so she can feel "normal". We just got her all new clothes, and some may not work now. Oh well. So we brace ourselves for yet another part of parenting that isn't easy and hurts inside. There will be many more, I'm sure.
The doctor's appointment went very well, and we were advised that she would need to be fitted for a brace. She will have to wear this brace pretty much all the time, even at night. Even though we were somewhat prepared to hear this, we still worried how Natalie would take it. She's starting 5th grade, entering pre-womanhood, and many changes are happening at once. We quickly made an appointment for later in the afternoon to have her fitted. Boy, that was something. Nat had to wear a stocking thing, then lay on a 3 inch strip of tightened canvas, while putting her knees up over a bar. Then they put a chin strap on her head, a tight belt around her waist, and wrapped her in wet casting. The orthotist then climbed over her, pressing his hands where the brace would need to support her spine. This is my child who panics over getting a shot, fears vomit or vomit sounds, hates pain, and worries terribly when anyone is sick.
That tough little cookie was hilarious!! She used her God-given sense of humor to get her through it. She had us all laughing, especially when she asked Ed (the orthotist) if this was his idea of a torture device. Of course, Steve, Serena, and I were all in the room with her, and we were all cracking jokes. The ortho had to stop cutting the cast away, telling me, you need to stop making me laugh or I may cut your daughter!! It sure helped that we made this a fun experience. It could be so much worse, we know. Natalie then chose the color of her brace, and you guessed it, she chose the brightest color.....lime green!! One of my favorites, of course, but we warned her it will show under white. She said proudly, well, I just won't wear white, will I?
I am so proud of her for being so accepting of this change in her life. She said maybe she will be able to tell others about having to wear a brace so they won't feel so bad. Just like her, to already be thinking about someone else.
This is just another chance for our family to bond and grow closer. We know it's just a brace. It's not a life-threatening thing, and for that we are grateful. Every day with healthy children is cause to celebrate, so we will celebrate! We are already planning to name the brace and have our loved ones sign it for her. We'll be praying too, that this will work in stopping the curvature. It won't straighten the spine. They predict she will have to wear it for 3-4 years or until she stops growing. I pray we'll be able to find clothes to fit over it so she can feel "normal". We just got her all new clothes, and some may not work now. Oh well. So we brace ourselves for yet another part of parenting that isn't easy and hurts inside. There will be many more, I'm sure.