Book Review - Have a New Teenager By Friday By Dr Kevin Leman

Publisher's blurb:

Do you know this person?
He eats cereal out of a large mixing bowl.
Her bedroom looks like a garbage dump . . . on a good day.
If there were an Academy Award for eye-rolling, he'd win.
She changes outfits three times before breakfast.

 

Congratulations! You have a teenager in your home.

Life will never quite be the same again (of course, you already know that). But it can be better than you've ever dreamed. In fact, you're just five days away from your teenager asking, "What can I do to help?" Guaranteed!
With his signature wit and commonsense psychology, internationally recognized family expert and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman will help you

• gain respect--even admiration--from your teenager
• establish healthy boundaries and workable guidelines
• communicate with the "whatever" generation
• turn selfish behavior around
• navigate the critical years with confidence
• pack your teenager's bags with what he or she needs for life now and in the future
• become the major difference-maker in your teenager's life

With Dr. Leman's instinct and insight, plus an index with gutsy advice on 75 hot-button issues that keep parents up at night, Have a New Teenager by Friday will help you get real results--real fast.

My review: This is the 3rd book I have read by Dr. Leman. I previously purchased Have a New Kid By Friday & Have a New You by Friday. I have to say, I was disappointed by all three.

I decided to get this book since I currently have a teen and thought maybe I'd learn something useful.

The book did remind me of a few things that I tend to overlook with the busy lives we all lead, things like how what you are saying and what your teen is hearing, may be completely different. It gave me pause on a couple points - but that is it.

Otherwise, I found this book (and the other 2) extremely unrealistic, and overly simplistic. There are several instances in the book where the advice given is so obvious to the point of being ridiculous. Your teen comes home late with the car, well don't let him drive the car the next night. Well DUH NO KIDDING! Seriously? This is what this guy learned in school?

There is nothing new in this book and luckily, I don't have any huge issues with my son, because if I did, this book wouldn't be any help.

Your teen complains about what you cooked for dinner - ask them what they would prefer and tell them you will make it for them next week. Um no, not in my house! My son knows he can request any meal he likes, but once I have made dinner, THAT is what we are having. And I don't cook things I know he doesn't like, so there should be no call for complaints.

Dr Leman has a ton of followers and I simply don't get it because while he may be trying to help us all, in my opinion, he falls far short of the goal.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

My First Ever Art Canvas - Sewing Inspired

I saw Jo (JoL946 on Ustream) create a sewing themed canvas. The vintage sewing machine image is courtesy of MaryBeth, also on Ustream.

I liked Jo's version so much I decided to make one of my own.

Here it is in various stages. Started on cheap Dollarama canvas.

And yet another magazine collage - are you sick of these yet?

I am having a great time playing around with magazine photos and arting with them.

Here is one I did with just a bunch of eyes!

I used modge podge for the left page and all the magazine images wrinkled, so then I asked the gals on Ustream and while most suggested gel medium, I don't have that, so they suggested watered down white glue, which I used on the right page to the exact same results. Maybe it is just my technique - even still, I like the end result.

On the left page, I tried to blur the edges of the cut outs with gesso then paint over it - on the right I didn't bother to do that.

In case you cannot read it, the text says...Someone is always watching.

I think it is time to clean up my craft area

As mentioned before, I have been crafting and doing art a fair amount lately. That means I pull out all my supplies. Unfortunetly, my crafting space is also my cutting table - so if I want to sew something, I'm going to have to clean all this out of the way!

My mini art journal - in progress

I took a small book I had and glued every 2 pgs together then added various papers and paints to create a mini art journal. Some pages are done, some are not.

I tend to just doodle in this journal while watching others art on Ustream - so it will be an ongoing process.

Another Magazine Collage

I am having so much fun playing around with my art journal and trying out new techniques I learn from the arty gals on Ustream.

Here is a magazine collage I just finished.

I cut away the dress she was wearing and replaced it with a collage of tiny brightly coloured bits from magazines.

The Cyndi Lauper quote: On my darkest days, I wear my brightest colours. just seemed to fit.

Book Review - The Queen by Steven James

Publisher's blurb:
While investigating a mysterious double homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that ties together long-buried Cold War secrets with present-day tensions in the Middle East.
In his most explosive thriller yet, bestselling author Steven James delivers a pulse-pounding, multilayered storytelling tour de force that will keep you guessing.

My review: This is the second book in this series that I have reviewed, The Bishop was the first. While this is not the usual type of book I would read, I found it interesting and I think the author's writing is far better than in his previous book. There were several storylines to follow. This isn't the type of book that you can skim through, if you do, you will miss important clues and details. Speaking of details, there were some sections I thought the author went a little too in depth in detail, such as explaining the intricacies of profiling and I found these areas boring. Otherwise, it was an interesting and exciting read. I would recommend this book to others.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Book Review - Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer

Publisher's blurb:
Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promises adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry.
While she waits for the end of the Great War and Arthur's return, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, sure that her glamorous and exciting life is about to start.
But the Spanish flu epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's sickness, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebekah discovers she must choose between her desire to escape the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.

 My review: I liked this book. It was no overly predictable and I wasn't sure who Bekah was going to end up with. This book covered a period of great sadness yet highlighted the simple pleasures in life that we all take for granted. I would recommend this book to others.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

This and That

Not too much happening this week. It really cooled down a lot - yesterday we only had a high of 15C.
We went this morning to buy J 3 long sleeved tops and a hoodie to go with his uniform - there goes another $150!

And he is growing like a weed - we had bought him size small polo shirts the first round, but now we had to buy size medium for the long sleeved tops. I just hope he doesn't grow out of the smalls too fast - he has only worn them for a few weeks!

I have been doing more art this week too - playing around in my art journal and making ATCs. I did a swap with a friend from Ustream - Marie. I can show you the ATCs I made her now that she has received them.

 The tab pulls out to read 

"Strangers are friends waiting to happen!"

Since I have been watching Ustream (I watch others do art live and learn tons of new techniques), I have been burning up my Internet bandwidth. I got an email on Monday to say I had used 90% on my monthly usage and still had 8 days to the month! I phoned them up and added another 40G for $5, but it is prorated for the month, so it only increased my current month by 10G. I have now used 72G of my allowable 75G and have a little over 2 days to go. I need to stay away from Ustream and other high bandwidth sites for a few days - oh the withdrawal symptoms are already started!

I guess I will just do more of my own art instead of watching others do art :)

J's team won their first playoff soccer game on Tuesday. Their next game is this Tuesday, if they win that, they play in the finals on Thursday. They were in 5th place but could go on to win it all!

K was away on business in Milwaukee from Sunday til Thursday night. I asked him if he brought me back anything and he said there wasn't any stores nearby, well accept for a Michael's...ACK! The things I could have got him to buy! They are so much cheaper in the states than here. Oh well - maybe next time.