Friday, April 27, 2012

Just finished this book today, and I loved it! In the way that I loved reading Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. I found myself not wanting to go to work this morning because I only had 20 pages to go, and I wanted to finish it. Instead, I ran to Carl's Jr. at lunch to finish it with a Famous Star in hand. What would you look for in a second match? How  would your life change if your first marriage didn't work out? Would you get married again? These are all questions the main character wrestles with in this book. Very quick, enjoyable read.
I also finished the Journal of Best Practices. Funny memoir. Oh how I have empathy for that guy's wife. Phew! It has to be exhausting.
Only 19 days of school left! I can't wait for the summer to get caught up on my "To Be Read" pile. Hope you are blessed!
xo,
Mel

Monday, April 16, 2012

I lost my sense of humor...

So this year in class, I have a kid with Asperger "symptoms." That's code for "I am not a Dr., but I am diagnosing this." I love this kid like CRAZY, and sometimes that's what he makes me. Like, bat-shit crazy. You have got to love all the quirky little nuances about him though. For example, he had a scenario where he could quote me how much I would save on car insurance depending on which carrier I switched to. In case you're wondering, I would have saved the most with 21st Century insurance. Today we were doing a reader's theater, and he comes up to me (DURING the middle of a group's freakin' performance) to tell me he does not have a sense of humor. I responded by telling him to sit down, and explaining we were in the middle of a group's performance. Two second later (this is so like him), he comes back up to tell me the only thing he would find funny is if a mountain goat scratched its own butt with its horn, and pulled out a dingleberry. Yep folks, that's it, word for word. Immature as I am, I began laughing uncontrollably, and could not compose myself. I simply waved my hand in the general direction of his desk (his cue to park it). He smiled. Maybe he didn't lose his sense of humor after all.

What brings this on, is that I am half way through The Journal of Best Practices by David Finch. I was desperate to understand the behaviors of a growing number of kids with autism coming into our schools. This one is a good book, and it really does make me think, what will happen to these kids when they grow up? I may be reading the answer.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Book #8 of 2012-Done!

It's Hard Not to Hate You a memoir by Valerie Frankel. At least this author admits her failings openly (which, by the way, I could never do).

Here are the three things that resonated with me in the book:

1. "Brats are made, not born"-essentially you are neglecting your child by indulging them. Quite the spin on indulgence, eh? I couldn't agree more with the ideology. We give our kids a LOT, but we still make them do chores, be respectful, and mind their manners. It's the least you can for your kids right now. After all, do you really want your free-loading grown child blaming you, saying, "it's because you never made me do anything! I never learned how to _____________." ? I say nooooooo!!! Parents, do not fight all of the battles for your kids. Fight some, hell yes! Most of them, no!
2. Don't be a BFF parent- The author actually experienced a kid tell her mom, "Hello! Refill?". What? Parents, don't let your kids diss you. Ever. Not in public, or in private. Never. I find myself gushing over kids with polite manners. Why is this not the standard to be polite? My children are very polite, but only with CONSTANT reminders. It starts early, and you have to be consistent.
3. You only need three friends- really, research has been done, and once you get older this is more and more the truth. That, and I have little patience for any kind of BS. I thought I was bad ten years ago. World...you have not even tipped the iceberg on this beeotch.

It's hard not to hate a lot of things in life. But there are so many more things to love. I am so incredibly thankful for all I have been given.

Just switched my bracelet. Take that. (book joke)
xo, Melody

Monday, April 2, 2012

Slacking!

I have really been slacking in the reading department! It's been a busy two weeks with Open House, Spring Break, family get-together's and what not. I am reading It's Hard Not to Hate You by Valerie Frankel, and I am ALMOST done! It's a really light-hearted, hilarious read if you are into memoirs.

I saw the Hunger Games movie, and the cinematography left me feeling really nauseous. It panned this way and that, and I had to look away a couple times. Hopefully it won't be as bad when Catching Fire is released. Suzanne Collins is amazing! I am happy for her success.

Hope you are having a great week.