The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

This was a pretty good book. It makes you think of what kind of legacy you want to leave behind. It also shows that what you may think of a person, is not actually who they are. I would like to think that when I die, that I will be known for my love of Jesus, being a great mom, and the encouragement I was to those around me. In no way, do I want my "social status" to define me. My goal in life these days is to live for the Lord and please him. Take responsibility for myself and do what God wants me to. All the people in this book are selfish and only think about themselves. They think about what they can get at the moment to be happy. It is all proven in the end that none of it brought them true happiness. There were devastating consequences to their actions. I have mixed emotions on whether this should be read in high school. On one hand it teaches a great lesson as I mentioned above and on the other hand there is a lot of adult subject matter that I am not sure I want my high schooler reading about. This could be because many children are not that age and it is hard for me to picture them at that age. There are already things going on with my oldest that make me a little sad she is growing up. Of course, she is excited but I am so not ready for her to grow up. That is a whole other blog in itself.

I have one more book to read before I start the the big reading challenge. I also got from my sister, some books that tend to be very controversial within my "circle of existence". The Harry Potter books. Oh yes, I plan to read them. I used to be very against them and then decided I am forming an opinion on something I really don't know what I am talking about. So, I will read them and then form my opinion as to whether my children will read them. Besides, they are not ready to read them anytime soon...Some of those books are 800 pages. I will not ask if they want to read them. When it comes to that, they can ask me. I also have The Series of Unfortunate Events. I saw the movie and was very leery but I will form my opinion when I read the books.

Skin

Skin Synopsis
This is just a great book for fun reading. Just some plain good brain candy, which one needs every once in awhile. I love Ted Dekker. If you want good suspense novels, than He is a good author to read. I can't really go into details more than the synopsis because it will give the story away. It always kept me on the edge wondering what would happen next, Who "Red" is, and Why each next thing is happening. I was a little disappointed how it ended. When you read it, you may agree or disagree. There is a lot of imagery on sin and how evil and dirty it is. It also gives a good depiction of who we are without Christ. Once again, I can't go into details because it will give to much away. It also is not good for before bedtime reading, due to it may scare the crap out of you and give you bad dreams.

I am also excited Janessa has found a book she loves to read. She needs to read it all the time and will actually forgo T.V. to read it. (Yes, I am jumping up and down in excitement. I want my children to love to read as much as me!!!!) It is 'Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein.

I will start my big reading challenge, see below, come Feb 1st. So, for now I will still be doing some other readings until then. Will post updates on us soon. ;)

1984

1984 synopsis I love this book. I read it high school, but apparently I don't remember all the details. Then again, I was a teenager and did not really care about important things like government control. It is very thought provoking and actually could happen. Heck, we already have the newspapers and news stations give their view on it and not the 100% truth. You have to actually research every story you hear to know what the whole truth is. There are even countries that tell their people they are winning wars, when that simply is not true. We need not be naive and realize that things are going to go only get worse with "Big Brother" unless we all stand up and use our right to vote to get these people that are for big government , out. I am not happy about these bailouts that have happened. I am not happy that I have to have a social security # to be able to work and have insurance, I do not like laws that are made just to give another excuse for the government to have their hands and be in control of something else. The latest thing is wanting a ban on cell phones while driving. Not just a law, but actually making it impossible to be able to talk while driving. Do I think that I should be talking on the phone while driving, no. However, I don't want the government telling me when and where I can talk on the phone. There are already laws that are in place if I cause an accident due to my stupidity of not paying attention while driving. We have too many laws as it is, we do not need more. I even think of laws when it comes to hate crimes. We do not need laws on hate crimes. We already have laws that make it illegal to kill somebody or assaulting a person, we don't need to add to it. And don't get me started on the tax laws...Even the people that made those laws don't understand them all. Heck there is probably a law that says it is illegal to blog on a Thursday afternoon at 3:45 while wearing a blue t shirt and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (I am not eating one ,so I think I am OK)I am so thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to be able to think for myself, say what I want, be able to open my bible and pray where I want..However, there are becoming more and more restrictions on things. Especially on us as Christians. There are less and less freedoms for us. The 10 commandments are taken out schools and public buildings. Kids are not allowed to pray at graduations. It is ridiculous. All in the name of religious tolerance....Why does religious tolerance apply to everybody but born again Christians. That is a big oxymoron...Everybody must be tolerant of everybody Else's religion...except Christianity. Can somebody please explain how that makes sense?

I will very soon be moving in to my new challenge...but I have a couple reads to read first. They are quick reads so I should get through them by the end of January. YAY Books!!!

The chunkster challenge

http://feelinchunky.blogspot.com
So I am a sucker for a challenge...blame it on my type A, very competitive personality. I do not back down from a challenge when one is offered and if one challenges me in a competition than I set out to win and usually do. So of course, I needed to pick the most challenging one.

Mor-book-ly obese: I am commited to six or more chunksters. The great thing is, is that it can tie over to my original challenge.

Angels and Demons by Dan Browne

Vanity Fair William Makepeace Thackeray

Sophie's Choice by William Styre

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreisel

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

I can't wait to get started!!! YAY!! care to join me?

The Cricket on the Hearth

The Cricket on The Hearth Click for a synopsis. Now that I have read three stories from Charles Dickens I have decided he is one of my favorite authors. I will probably read every book ever written by him. This was just a fun read. All three of these books pretty much have the same theme where one of the characters completely changes for the good in the end. There is one thing in the synopsis that I disagree with. It says that the book suggests that Bertha regains her sight at the end. In my opinion, I don't think it was literal. I believe it was more spiritual and mental. It is like all of us before we know Christ. We are blind to our need for him and then when it is revealed to us our eyes are opened. That is pretty much my deep thought for today.

Now for updates on the life changes:

Doug is within his range of weight so he talks to the recruiter on Monday as to the options and such. WE are packing and getting ready to move into the in laws. The house is up for sale. Just trusting and having the faith to believe that we will sell it for what we are asking so we will get a little money back from the sale and not owe the mortgage company anything. This is complete faith that nothing is impossible with God, despite the market and economy. I believe there is somebody out there that will buy this house for $133,000.

Doug has also been sick with what I believe is bronchitis and I have pretty much quarantined my self from him the past week. He is a lot better. He has also quit smoking and is back to his happy self after three days of crankiness. Of course, Hannah might be getting it now...I am praying it is just a cold. I also am allergic to dust and of course moving just makes me miserable due to that. The only thing that cures it is Benadryl and that makes me pretty unfunctionable. It is never dull in "The Kennedy household" We really should charge admission.