So, I had this goal of reading 50 books by September 1... that's going a little bit rough, but I'm currently reading the Alchemist and LOVING it.  It's so beautiful and philosophical.  Anyways, that post is coming, don't you worry.  I am only at the part where the boy meets the alchemist.

Anyways, I always have these big dreams and big ideas.  I don't really like to do small... so, the new big thing is exercise.  I am looking into getting certified in Group Fitness.  It's super expensive, but I think once I'm teaching I'll appreciate a side gig kind of like that.

If you have any suggestions on how to make it less expensive or words of encouragement, please send them my way!

xoJLG

So... back from the Cherry Festival.  I had SO much fun with the kids I was staying with.  There was Tubby, Chunk, Jumbo and Lumpy.  None of us particularly large, but we all have fat names anyways.  I love it!  When I said earlier that Lori and Tom were husband and wife, what I meant was Lori is WAY too smart to marry Tom! :)  At least, that's what I hear. 

I just finished Lisa Whelchel's book on friendship last night.  I said I was going to walk everyone through the book, but as it turns out, the book is a little like a self journey.  Instead I'll just cover it in one post.

Cherry Fest pics to come REALLY soon!  I promise

xoJLG

So, we have done three days of the Cherry Festival.  Everything is going fairly well, and we are certainly having a lot of fun.  There are, of course, stresses that come with the job, but people are very pleased with the product.  We are serving the new Bacardi Torched Cherry with lemonade and Pepsi.  I really like the lemonade. 

I promise that I will have a ton of pictures to come, but until then you will have to settle for a story or two.  So, I don't know how well the people of Traverse City really like us!  I mean, we have been scolded by small children for things that we were actually doing correctly (i.e. using the service entrance to the beer tent), servers and bartenders have flat out ignored us or forgot about us, and some lady yelled (and, boy, do I mean YELLED) at us for something that was totally out of context and none of her business.  Then the woman had the nerve to ask me for a t-shirt.  I gave her one because I am a bit of a pushover, but I was not happy.

Anyways, other than that, we are making new friends all over the beer tent and the festival.  Some of the volunteers are really fantastic and friendly.  My favorite couple is Lori and Tom.  Lori is hilarious and has great stories to tell.  She is so kind and inviting to those that are stopping by our tent.  She should be getting paid for all the selling she is doing!  Her husband Tom has the system down.  He set it up the first night and then it hasn't changed since.  He knows what works the best for efficiency and appeal.  He's friendly and a big warm teddy bear type of person. 

Then, there is Beer Tent Shirl.  I love that woman.  She is all about making everyone that is working or volunteering in the tent happy, while still following the rules :)  She keeps me informed of what we should do or where we can find things.  She can always hook us up with the person who can drive us to our storage or get us some power for a light when it's dark outside.

These people are so much fun and really make the unwelcoming gestures seem out of the ordinary for the lovely people of Traverse City-- but I'm still concerned that we are not liked by many of those who have never even met us!

Later this week, I will upload the pictures to my computer and post a few of them here.  So, go out and get that Bacardi Torched Cherry rum for your next summer cocktail!

Tomorrow I am leaving for the Traverse City Cherry Festival.  I am going with Bacardi and helping on the street team.  I am really excited to see what the week has in store.  While I'm there, I will do my best to upload some pictures from the week and maybe even finish up those 50 ONIB Book blogs.  I know that I skipped over Book #6 or something (Valerie Bertinelli's) but I wanted to reread it and find some main points to discuss... we'll see when I get a chance.  Then there's Lisa Whelchel's book... and I just finished Alison Arngrim's "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch."  I am SO in love with that book.  I have tons of notes to cover from that book as well.  Then, of course, I need to keep reading!  It's already July.  I am feeling some pressure, but I think I can work it out.

Anyways, if you are by the Cherries, maybe I'll see you there!
xoJLG

Look at how cute I was!  Aww... so as I continue on the journey through Lisa Whelchel's book (I'm still working on the blogs for that, of course) I started searching back through my childhood to see how different events and people shaped me to be the person I am today.  I think about how I journeyed from the little girl on the pumpkin full of leaves to a college grad today.

I was talking with a friend at lunch who mentioned posting pictures to her blogs... then I was looking at Haven Cauble's blog (Lisa Whelchel's daughter) and all the pictures she includes.  So, I thought I would try that.  For right now, I wanted to share one of my favorite childhood pictures with you all.

Have a good weekend!
xoJLG

Sometime I feel like I was born in the wrong decade.  There are so many things I love that people my age have no clue about (i.e. 70s/80s television sitcoms).  One of those things that people my age don't always know enough about would be the work of Carol Burnett.  She is a comical genius.  I was really excited to pick up this book and read.  I might make this one of my shorter entries... I gave the book back to the library and this book wasn't as personally revolutionizing.

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection by Carol Burnett
This is a much different type of biography than those that I have been reading this summer.  This was more a collection of short stories that mark some of the highlights of Carol Burnett's life.  I think that the way Carol writes versus the celebrity authors of later generations, you can see a gap.  Not a bad gap, but a huge differences.  Burnett's book really feels like she's revealing those stories that people would want to hear and probably lots of people do ask to hear.  For me, there were some fabulous stories involving meeting Cary Grant and the perfect Lucille Ball.  These were wonderful and a perfect light summer reading.

There are a few lessons to be learned and many laughs to be laughed in these anecdotes.  I don't know if I know who Carol Burnett is as a person outside of the business, and that is likely on purpose.  I would absolutely recommend this to any Carol Burnett fan.  It's a beautiful and funny light read for the summer.  Plus, all the chapters or stories are relatively short, so it's nice to be able to take five minutes and read and be able to put the book back down if you need to!

Hmm... yeah, that's all I got. Sorry!
xoJLG

So... since reading Melissa Gilbert's book, I have purchased one of her movies on iTunes and actually been OBSESSED with Little House on the Prairie the television show.  I am in love with Michael Landon and Victor French.  I think Karen Grassle is a godsend and Alison Arngrim is utterly witty.  Crazy how quickly a girl can change, huh?  Here is the continuation on my review or response to her book!

Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert
So, I have more quotes that I want to share with you.  After each quote, you can catch my response and what it means to me.

"'Well, don't be scared,' he said.  'Don't be afraid.  It's not the end for you.' He enveloped me in his arms like a proud daddy, like someone who had genuinely watched me grow up.  'For you, this is just the beginning.'"

This totally makes me think of a father-daughter relationship.  It can be the father sending their child off to college or into the "real world" (whatever that is).  Sometimes it really does feel like an end when you are in the moment.  But someone who is older and had more experience knows, this isn't really the end.  It's just time for a change.  The part that makes me a little sad is it sounds like Michael Landon (the "he" in the quote) felt that this was the end for him.  The end of what, I don't know.  But he didn't lose his drive.  He went on and worked on another great show.  Maybe that is just me reading into the words incorrectly... or it could be Melissa's word choice.

"'In some victories, you don't always get everything you want,' he said.  'But this is a victory.  It's over. Walk away.  Michael is fine.'"

In this quote, Bruce Boxleitner, Melissa's husband, is speaking.  Melissa was fighting a story that the National Enquirer had published.  The reason that I really appreciate this quote is because I can be pretty competitive and sometime I can be an "all or nothing" kind of person.  If I'm going to win, I want to win it all.  But this quote is more true and common than winning it all.  I think that the notion of compromise and acceptance is beautiful.  Sometimes it's also about those who want to keep fighting.  The battle was over, but Melissa wanted to stay and fight more until she got the rest of her wishes.  It doesn't really work like that.  When the two parties make an agreement, you don't get to continue pressing the issue.

"I was also desperately trying to prove myself to be lovable.  My need to be loved and cherished was driving me to go out of my way to show people how 'special' I was.  I was the first to arrive during a crisis and the last to leave."

This is actually a quote that comes up in Lisa Whelchel's book on adult friendship.  I'm not sure if that blog is posted yet or not.  Sometimes it's interested... you think that people will like you better if you don't really need.  Instead, if you are constantly giving of yourself and not much of a bother you will be loved.  The more you give the better friend you are, right?  Well, I suppose it's partially right.  But let's me honest, how hard is it to relate to someone that has a perfect life?  Someone who portrays that perfection may make others feel inferior and less than worthy.  It's hard, but sometimes you may actually need to let people find out what's special about you over time.  Instead of being shiny and made of porcelain, try being open and vulnerable.  People will find what is special and cherish that.  They will remember the times that you have listened to them and were caring in spirit. 

"But in hindsight, two or three Guinnesses, half a bottle of wine, and a couple of whiskeys over the course of an evening, that's a lot, right?"

I won't mention this too much, but Melissa discusses her struggles as an alcoholic in the book.  It's very personal and detailed enough.  I think that this is where Melissa can really become more than the girl from Hollywood.  She has the problems that the rest of the world experiences too.  Although, I am very impressed at the amount of alcohol she could ingest.  I don't know that any of the people I have ever met could do that much in a single night!  But anyways, she should be proud that she has come so far--I'm guessing about six years sober as of now.

"Once you begin being naughty, it's easier to go on and on and on, and sooner or later something dreadful happens."

Oh the wise words of the actual Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Once Melissa started drinking more often and more of it, she started to snowball.  Isn't that always how it goes?  As you begin down a path, sometimes you are going to quickly to control yourself... hmm... this reminds me of the first time I went snowboarding.  Whew! That was hard times.  I went with someone, but she also had never been.  After a really long time, we were finally all suited up and strapped in.  We followed the sign to the beginner hills... it led us to a chairlift.  We got on and went up the hill.  That should have been the first sign of disaster--chairlift.  Chairlift=big hill.  Anyways, we finally got started going down.  It was crazy going down.  Once I got started going, I was ok.  However... the farther down the hill I went the faster I went.  The faster I went the more scared and out of control I felt! The only way out of this mess was to take a pretty big fall so I could tumble down the hill more slowly.  That's a little like poor behavior decisions.  Once you start, you can get out of control until you finally have to take a dive off the path.  For Melissa, drinking was that thing that got out of control.

"Today is a gift, have fun."

Those are the words of a young man, Dustin that was suffering from cancer.  These words ring so simple, and yet so true.  Each day needs to be seen as a gift, and even on the worst days, do your best to find a little fun.  The bracelet Melissa is wearing on the cover has those exact words engraved on it.  I think it is beautiful, and I totally appreciate the work that Melissa does with children in the pediatric oncology wards of various hospitals.  It's a great way to give back.

"I was better off when I experienced everything life dealt me and then moved on to the next thing--whatever that turned out to be."

Wow... I love this.  I think so often people feel like they need to be happy or content all the time.  They need to act in such a way where they don't appear needy.  They don't need another person to help them in life.  Really, life is about all the experiences and how they add up in the end.  You won't remember all those times where you sat around and were just peaceful like you will remember specific experiences of extreme happiness or sadness.  Although I wouldn't want to always be in an extreme state, I do think that they are completely necessary.  How boring would life be if we set things aside that life brought us in order to remain content and peaceful?

That was my last quote that I will write about... I think there are many many more I could include, but I think you should go an get the book.  Everything I have written about is how the book touched me.  I didn't cover the stories as much as the lessons.  But the stories are fantastic and riveting.  I loved it--if you are clueless and couldn't tell! :)

xoJLG

If you are the praying type... please pray for my Grandma.  She's already weak and they discovered that she has stage four of some type of cancer.  Pray for comfort and peace in this situation.

xoJLG

Let's be real... I don't/didn't watch Little House on the Prairie, and I refused to read the books.  I don't know why I couldn't do it... but somewhere along my journey as a young girl I decided that I didn't want to watch or read things that could possibly make me cry.  Not sure why, but that still has somewhat of an impact on the television I watch and books I read.  It's not so intense anymore... but anyways.  I didn't really know Melissa Gilbert.  I saw her picture on the book in Barnes and Noble near Valerie Bertinelli's books.  After reading the back cover, I was hooked.  Although I didn't purchase the book right away --I was low on cash, I had this feeling inside that I had to go back and get the book.  So, after a few days of working, I headed back to the bookshelf and bought her book.  I'm not completely sure what I was drawn to, but I was fascinated by the Brat Pack, Rob Lowe and the story of a young woman who dealt with addiction.  Either way, I loved it.  And she seems to be the end of celebrity autobiography kick I had going.  I was almost disappointed that I had finished her book because there weren't a lot of other autobiographies I was interested in at the moment.  But this was definitely the way to go out!

Prairie Tales: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert:
No one told me that Melissa Gilbert's younger sister was the fantastic Sara Gilbert.  That was a nice and fairly irrelevant revelation on my behalf.  Let me first comment on the woman's writing style.  I loved it.  It easy to read with a nice feeling that I was reading the words of a very intelligent woman.  There were hints of sarcasm and wit within the book.

Some people mentioned that they didn't feel like they could relate to this woman.  I could see where some of that might be true--if you are simply focusing on Melissa growing up on the television set among some of the greatest of Hollywood as her relatives.  I think that is part of the beauty.  Once you look beyond the most obvious differences, Melissa really has lived a beautiful life that is not completely dissimilar to those living outside of the Hollywood bubble.  Melissa has family issues, relationship issues, problems with alcohol, a child born prematurely and a time when she needed dig within herself and discover and embrace her own strengths and weaknesses.  If none of this is relatable, you must be pretty perfect--or you're just ridiculous. (I still am frustrated having read that.)

So, since reading this book, I read it again.  The second time I made some notes with post-its on the pages.  I decided that because there was SOOOOOO much that I wanted to cover, I would do a similar response to the quotes as I did with Valerie Bertinelli's book.

"That was the emergence of the porcelain doll, the little girl who did and said everything she was told, didn't complain, and would learn to tell others that everyone in her life, whether at home or on a TV set, loved one another even when there were serious problems.  The porcelain doll would wear outfits made of wool even though they gave her a rash.  She would always smile, always have a perfect hairdo, and always say the right things no matter what else was going on in her life."

I actually think this is one of THE most telling and relatable situations.  It amazes me that these feelings that she had were not really related to her experiences on growing up in the industry that she did.  These feelings seem to come from a place that is familiar to many people.  Especially when your parents are from that earlier generation.  These repressed feelings clearly come back to haunt her once they have been bottled up for too long.  I think that this is a lesson that is important to all people.  We need to find a healthy way to "play with our toys" and let out or emotions.  We need to learn how to be open and honest with at least one other person in this world because fragile dolls and children don't really mix that well.

"'this only means something better is going to come along.' ... bad things happen in order to open the door for something good to happen.  In other words, bad things were kind of like the reverse side of the karmic tapestry, one half of the yin and yang, of fate--where there's good, there's also going to be bad; where there's a kiss, there's also going to be a tear."

I really love this idea.  I know, I know... it is totally just saying that "When one door closes another one opens," but this explanation and alternate view actually made more sense to me.  I love to think of this as I am job searching.  Looking for a teaching job in Michigan is quite difficult and I haven't been getting any interviews.  But I know, that those who are not interested in me aren't the right fit.  I wouldn't be happy, my students wouldn't be happy and my peers wouldn't be happy.  I'm not sure why we would all be so unhappy, but I know that all these rejections are going to lead up to what could be the job of my dreams.

"'Or you can call me Moisha."  He looked down at me with a scrunched-up face.
'What?'
'I don't know,' I said, backpedaling slightly.  'I said you could also call me Moisha if you wanted.'
'Moisha?' he said.
'I Heard it somewhere,' I said. 'It seemed cool.'

'I think we'll stick with Half Pint.'"

This quote has little to do with life lessons and more with me giggling.  I loved this portion of the book.  It is about Melissa starting on the back-door pilot for Little House and then the actual beginning of production.  It's a hilarious remembrance of Melissa first getting the nickname "Half Pint" from Michael Landon.  Her suggestion is hysterical! (At least to me!)

So... there are at least four or five more quotes I want to include... I think I will make this a two-parter! Or three!

Follow Melissa Gilbert on twitter @MelissaEGilbert
xoJLG

In attempt to be active and really enjoy my summer, I've decided to take up a few new hobbies.  Today I got a chance to try my hand at water skiing for the very first time.  It was way different than I ever expected.  I didn't get up today, but I think this will be a journey well worth the weight and effort.  I am excited to try again another day.  When I get up, I will try and post a picture or two.  Hopefully I'll find a friend to take me out again soon. 

Then there's that darn 5k in late September.  I am trying so hard, but I think I have asthma.  Whenever I run, I feel like a giant man is sitting on my chest.  It's tough, but I'm going to restart training this week.  If I can't run this week I will still make sure and do some high heart rate activities. 

Wish me luck on this new happy and HEALTHY lifestyle.

So the local library had a book sale this weekend.  It was phenomenal.  I went to the latter part of the sale which was deemed the "Bag Sale."  This meant that I could fill my bag full of books and pay only $5.  it was awesome!  As a future English teacher, the one thing I am lacking is a classroom library.  I got a whole bag full of books for just that reason.  I chose lots of books that I wouldn't read.  I currently own a great number of books that I would read, but my classroom will have so many kids that want to read other books.  I can't wait to find more of these... or a classroom!

So, one of my all time favorite shows? The Facts of Life.  They started before I was born and ended a year or two after... but I LOVE it.  I love Lisa Whelchel (Blair) a lot.  She is such an inspiration and a person that I really look up to.  She wrote a book that I read years ago, The Facts of Life and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me.  I read it over and over.  Later she wrote lots of books for moms.  I was not and still am not prepared for that genre of books, so I was very excited for her to come out with another books for people like me.  This one is on adult friendships.  As soon as I get this, I am hoping to journey through this book on ONIB.  I, of course, still need to catch up on a few of the posts, but when the time comes, I will let you follow me on my journey through the book.
xoJLG

So, I have two more books finished... now I just have to write about them.  With the holiday weekend and a few other things going on, I haven't had a chance to finish.  But, I think those will be done this week.  I'm having a hard time motivating myself to start book #9.  I wish there was another book I was just soooo excited for.  If you have any suggestions send me titles and give me a reason or two why!
Thanks!
xoJLG

For the record, I've been enthralled by the great Rachael Ray for years.  I loved the woman before the talkshow and at the start of 30 Minute Meals.  Anyways, that's really not that relevant to this story...  I chose to read/purchase one of Valerie Bertinelli's books because I have seen her on Rachael Ray's talk show and loved her.  She was such a great guest on Rachael's show, and I was now totally inspired by her fitness goals.  It only seemed right to get her book.

Finding It: And Finally Satisfying My Hunger for Life by Valerie Bertinelli
Wow is Valerie right... So many people think that weight loss is the journey.  But really, maintaining a lifestyle is the journey.  It would seem to me, that weight loss is then end of one chapter -- not the beginning of a new one.  Val discusses in her book how she thought losing the excess weight was going to be the hard part.  After than, what could she possibly need to do?  It turns out, that this is the true journey.  It's the journey to finding out the parts of yourself that you have been hiding over the years, and it's the journey to molding your new self.

At the start of every chapter, Valerie includes a few "Notes to Myself."  I thought that instead of chronicling everything that she said, I would pick out a few of those notes and explain how they make me feel.

I can already feel the holiday stress.  Remember it takes two to make an argument.  So bite your tongue and work on patience and compromise.  It's easier than waiting for everyone else to realize they were wrong and need to apologize -- ha!

I love this quote.  I think that this is something so relevant to me.  I get frustrated at holidays because somehow most of my family believes pretty similarly.  They are generally pretty conservative.  I'm not sure what happened to me along the way (high school, college, friends etc...) but I believe more liberally than most of my family.  I actually would rather think that I like to be fair.  I live my life somewhat conservatively, but I believe pretty liberally.  I want to have some sort of understanding that everyone deserves an opinion and a choice.  This can sometimes frustrate a girl living with a family of conservatives.  I'm sure they sometimes think I'm out of my mind too!  But it takes two to argue and we all need to step back and enjoy the time with my family.

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." --Theodore Suess Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

What a beautiful statement.  One thing that I've started to really appreciate, is Valerie's intentions to speak out.  She first wanted to share her journey to weight loss, but it became so much more.  Valerie was sharing about the emotions that caused weight gain.  As she continues to maintain her new lifestyle, I can only imagine how difficult it is.  I'm only speculating, but I would assume that there are people who criticize her for telling the world so much about her life and her struggles.  I think that although she was overweight, and probably considered obese at her heaviest, some people would suggest that there are people worse off than her.  Plus she has that "Star Tells All" stigma attached--unfairly, I might add.  I'm glad that those people didn't stop her from sharing her journey.  Because I don't mind... so I must matter :)

Remember, you are not trying to lose weight or maintain the weight you've lost so much as you're trying to continue to improve the way you think about your body and therefore yourself, since you are your body.  Make that connection.

I think that this sums up the journey that Valerie is talking about throughout the entire book.  Improve the person that you are, the rest will come consequently.  All I really have to say, "AMEN!"  I love this book.

It's inspirational, funny, anecdotal and honest.  There's nothing more I need to say!

There are people in the world that others wish they could emulate. There are the big ones like Mother Teresa and Gandhi, but then there are also the little ones. For instance, when I was 10, I really wanted to be Marie Osmond. The woman had eight siblings, she was an actress and she could sing very well. When most kids were sleeping in until their parents insisted that they be awake for at least half of the natural daylight hours, I would set my alarm for 7:50 in the morning to watch the Donny and Marie Show every day in the summer. It may have been 1995 or 1996, but I dusted off my dad's old turntable and pulled out my mother's old vinyl records so that I could listen to "Paper Roses" over and over again until my parents threatened to use the record as a Frisbee for our dog.

The above is an excerpt from a nonfiction piece that I wrote on people that helped me sculpt myself into the person I wanted to be.  Marie was an influence in my life that helped me mold my life for a number of reasons.  Having this book in my hands was a long time coming.  I love Marie Osmond A LOT.  And after my thought provoking and deep experience reading Maureen McCormick's book, I needed a pick me up.  My number four pick in this journey was a no brainer!


Might As Well Laugh About It Now:
Marie Osmond has that squeaky Osmond image.  I think that although this book exposes some of those imperfect moments that Marie has experienced in her life, Marie still lives up to the "good-girl" image.  She is still a good and Godly person.  She maintains her faith and grounded in family throughout all of the crazy Osmond family fame.  All the other biographies are about the recovery from the character that the person is known for and the mistakes that they made.  I feel like Marie's book is different because she didn't totally play a character.  Her actual name was attached to the characters and work that she did. 

Her trademark sense of humor and light tone is evident in her writing.  She can take a serious situation and change the mood in a heartbeat.  This is clearly something that she does in her every day life.  Everyone who watches tv may remember that little moment on Dancing with the Stars when Marie fainted on live television--after which she recovered with a slight bow to the crowd!  It is this kind of action that makes Marie who she is.  If you want a nice story that ends with a good laugh, read the chapter titled "I'd rather play the toilet."  Haha... still make me laugh every time!

Interesting points in her story were recounts of some of the struggles.  Although a grounded Osmond, Marie was not immune to hardship.  Feeling less than perfect in the beauty department is something most girls experience at one time or another.  Being on a television show and hearing that you should lose some weight is one thing, but to overhear someone calling you the fat sister when you are quite young must be even more devastating.  Bouts with anorexia, bulimia and emotional eating are some of the most serious matters that Marie covers in her book.  It saddens me that beautiful young girls like Marie must face societies imperfections, but it is even worse that these young women only know dangerous ways to take matters into their own hands. 

One last thing, the way that Marie listens to the voice within her is truly gorgeous.  She may not always understand what the voice is asking her to do, but over and over again she sees that it pays off to listen.  Her children are safe from a fire and her integrity has not been compromised.  I would hope that more people would be able to do the same... but then again Marie has had a lifetime of learning how to hear the proper voice.  Others might need some "training" in what the voice within them sounds like.

Osmond and Marie Osmond fans will love this book... but I think that so many others will enjoy a somewhat light-hearted story of a beautful woman.  She has learned so much along the way and can now share that journey.  Plus the stories involving her mom, Olive Osmond, truly show the goodness that humans can share with one another.

Ok... I have a definite confession to make... this part two blog is going to be a little hard to write.  I lent my copy of Maureen's book out to my aunt.  She grew up with the Brady's and was interested based on some of my review.  Anyways, I thought I was just going to write this post in a snap.  It would be simple... but then I'm at Barnes and Noble getting ONIB books #6 and #7.  Maureen McCormick's lovely face is staring up at me from the table in the front... luckily, I was able to muster up a touch of self-control and refrain from buying a second copy of the book.  However, not having the book makes it hard for me to write exactly what I want to say, but here goes!


Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice:
Maureen's struggle with drugs is a little bit shocking.  I'm not shocked so much that she used drugs or drank, but I was really surprised that she was such a heavy user.  The nickname "the hoover" is probably not one of her most proud.  I think that I gained respect for Maureen as a person and an actor when I learned of this.  I was under the impression that Maureen was a goody-goody.  Her intense use of cocaine reminded me that she is just a person trying to live her life.  She was coping with the situation at hand.  Clearly, her life spun out of control when she felt that loved the coke more than she loved any person.

In part two of her book, Maureen recounts some of those experiences she had working while high and the desperate situations she put herself in to remain high.  This part of her journey culminates in one quote that I love:

I was teetering on the edge, totally crazed--and about to crash.

I think that in some form, most people have this feeling at one time or another.  I don't suggest that all people have this experience as literally as Maureen, but it should be familiar to most.  As this is something that is pretty universal, I think the story is more about how Maureen handled and recovered from this feeling of being at rock bottom.  The idea that people hit the lowest of lows is interesting to me and this quote helps explain why.  It's as though you finally feel like you have hit the bottom, but it turns out that there is still room for you to fall further down the edge of a cliff.  The story of a saving yourself right before you crash is always really beautiful.  Generally, most people who pull themselves out of a pit talk about someone who helped them.  But in the end, I believe that they helped themselves.  They wanted to be saved; they wanted the help to conquer their demons. 

Most people would think that since Maureen conquered the six year battle with cocaine that her life has been much better since.  Although that is not entirely untrue, Maureen's admission to living with adult depression is also something that I see as courageous and  brave.  She continued to struggle even as her life was put back together.  There were other older demons that she needed to battle before she could be in a much better place.  Getting her depression under control and sharing her life's story with her daughter Natalie is one of the last pieces.  I commend her on sharing this with more than just her daughter. 

I loved this book (obviously) and am so glad that Maureen felt the desire to share it with the world.  She is inspirational on so many different levels and has conquered so much.  The words on the page provide a quick read with great feeling beneath.  I can't wait to get my copy back!

I'll admit it... I used to watch Maureen on that show with the country music.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, the show was SO awesome that I can't remember what that show was called.  On that show Maureen McCormick did spark my interest because there Marcia Brady sat chain smoking with Bobby Brown.  I loved it!  The good girl breaking out of her entertainment-made-mold to live in reality.  Then I saw her on the Rachael Ray Show.  She was a little annoying, but I was still interested.  Her book was on the really cheap table at Barnes & Noble when I went and picked up some other books; I had a gift card with enough money to add that book to the pile.  Thus, the story of how I chose to read Maureen's book.

**The following is part one of my thoughts on Maureen's book... it is definitely going to take more than one post...

Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice:
So I read the book in just over a 24 hour period.  I've been reading Wicked for a year, and I finish this book in a snap.  Let me just say, I am far more surprised than any of you.  I can't believe how riveting the woman's life really is.  Just as a quick note, as I was reading, I recalled a piece from Tracey Gold's autobiography.  She struggled with eating disorders and said that any girl who struggles with an eating disorder should refrain from reading books about the subject because it may play a role in a relapse.  That should be a note with Maureen's book.  She is really open and honest.  It's truly beautiful -- but addicts beware: she recounts many experiences with cocaine.  She doesn't sugar-coat by any means, but be prepared.

There were so many places in this book that I gained respect for the actress.  Seeing her on talkshows and hearing about the feuds and other tabloid stories paint her in an interesting light.  She really is haunted by Marcia Brady--which is understandable on some level.  People related to her character as children and grew up with her.  This forms a special and strange bond between their reality and her fantasy.  The stories that the tabloids tell don't look at her as the person she is today but as the real life Marcia Brady.

As a child, I never really appreciated the Brady Bunch.  I didn't care for the show because it was old and had that weird color that scared me (yeah, I was a weird kid...).  But knowing a little bit more about Maureen, the Brady kids and the adults on the show, I am curious and want the DVDs.  I love that in this real-life-story the actual Brady's don't emulate their characters.  Underage drinking, drugs and homosexuality... hard to believe that these issues plagued the Brady's and 30 years later we still struggle with them.

When discussing Kristin Chenoweth's book, I mentioned that Kristin had a unique take on her story because she wasn't trying to teach me a lesson.  I definitely had the feeling that Maureen did not set out to teach a lesson about not starting cocaine and how to turn your life around after hitting rock bottom.  It felt more genuine.  She was sharing this journey of how it took her decades to come in to her own person.  She struggled through so many things because she had been Marcia or seen as someone else.  She needed to come to terms with what it meant for her to be Maureen.

This is where my reflection ends today... but in the next day or two I will post another entry on this same book.  I loved it so much and learned so much that it only seemed fair to give it two posts.  The next post will be more specific to some of the themes in the book.

xoJLG

This book took me a LONG time to read.  I started it sometime in the summer of 2009 when I learned the movie was coming out.  I really like to read the book before I see the movie even though I am always sorely disappointed by the film versions.  I finally finished the novel; well, sort of.  I definitely cheated because I could not bring myself to actually finish.  With the last 100-150 pages I skipped a huge chunk, checked the internet for a basic idea and then skimmed for some good dialogue.  Some of you might think that this doesn't count towards one of my 50, but I am going to count it.  I read over half of it legitimately and should get some points for actually finishing the torturous thing.

The Time Traveler's Wife:
If you hadn't guessed... I didn't like this book.  I was extremely disappointed.  Normally, if I struggle through a book when I finish I have this great sense of accomplishment and appreciation for the beauty of the literature.  This book left me feeling like I had wasted my time.  I didn't end up watching the movie, which was my ultimate goal.  I just felt that the beautiful themes that were represented in the book didn't meet my expectations.  The idea that there most couples or soul-mates share a spectacular attraction and often have many common interests that suffer from some sort of disjointedness is a really beautiful subject to explore.

Similar to that topic, there are many amazing aspects of life that are explored in this story.  The concept of freewill has always been complicated and often rooted in a religious context.  By taking away some of the freewill of the characters it's interesting to think about what ways people experience the lack of freewill in their own lives.  I think about how expectations from family, friends and my peers lead me to pursue particular paths.  Although they don't literally tell me which road to take, my surrounding community does expect me to act in a particular way.  The idea that a child can be anything they want when they grow up isn't totally true.  I wanted to do lots of theater when I was younger and try my hand as a professional actor.  I never acted on these passions because of what others would say.  In some way, the community I was a part of was holding my freewill captive.

There are these fabulous themes to the story, but I didn't feel that these were represented that well in the story.  I don't recommend this to readers unless they really liked the movie.  I think you of all people might have a chance to love it.

For my first book, I decided to read a biography by one of my all time favorite entertainers.  Before this book, I have followed Kristin Chenoweth through You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Wicked.  I listened to the soundtracks and her other music religiously for years.  I watched and bookmarked pretty much every interview that Kristin did on YouTube.  So, when I saw her book in paperback, I knew that I had to read it.  This is my first of the many book reviews to come in my personal 50 ONIB Books Challenge.

A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages:
I've loved Kristin for a long time, and I was really interested in learning about Kristin's writing style and her her life in general.  As a future English teacher, let's touch on Kristin's writing first...
When you start reading this, be aware that her writing style is truly unique.  There are periodic interjections in the present by some of her friends and some crazy jumps from subject to subject.  This writing style has truly impressed me.  I not only respect that Kristin has written down her thoughts in a very beautiful way, but she didn't take the easy route.  Some people's lives are best told in chronological order, and some people do it chronologically because it is easier.  Kristin flows from one topic to another like we are in a general conversation with her.  I have to say, after I understood her personal craft, I loved this aspect of her writing.

I've decided to share just a few things that I really enjoyed about this story.  I loved that Kristin's sense of humor was very visible.  One of my favorite interjections by her best friend Denny would be the story of Kristin's summer-long costume malfunction.  It's a cute anecdote and funny to think that all summer she was so uncomfortable.  It only took one quick suggestion from her best friend to expose her... well "blonde" moment.   I love that she owns that moment.  I feel like people often leave out those moments where they are not necessarily proud of their mishaps, but Kristin dives right in and exposes her little imperfections.

Similarly, I loved her little sayings.  They were cute and hilarious at the same time.  I loved when she mentioned that her mom once looked at her as though she had asked her to take out the oven and reinstall it upside down.  This little saying is not only cute, but if you think about it literally it totally gets her point of ridiculousness across.  I love that about her sayings.

One last thing I want to share about Kristin's book is that this type of autobiography or memoir is seemingly unique in that I did not feel like she was trying to teach me a lesson based on her experiences and past.  This absolutely felt more like Kristin was being completely real and just sharing stories of her life.  I learned that following my intuition with faith and hope can lead to dreams come true, but this was not a lesson forced on me.  I greatly appreciated this aspect.

Overall, Broadway fans and Sesame Street lovers alike will find this to be a beautiful and humorous piece of literature that they must read and share.  But those who have never encountered Kristin's work before will also come to love and enjoy her life and work through her words.

By the way... follow Kristin on twitter @KChenoweth

xoJLG

Ok... as for my lack of creativity, I've named my next challenge 50 Old, New and In-Between Books. The idea is that I will read 50 books, some classic (old), some modern (new) and everything that doesn't fit into classic or modern literature (in-between). I will read all 50 by September 1, 2010. I can say that I am currently finishing up book #5 at the moment. I have started posts for each of the first four books, but I need a little more time. I am putting up one post per book in the order that I read them. I will try to include my inspiration for reading the book and then my thoughts and feelings on some of the books contents. If for some reason I find it necessary to disclose some important information from the plot of a book that I think would be classified as a spoiler, I will note as so. Read along with me, read on your own, set your own goals, whatever you like. Be sure to leave comments whenever possible.

xoJLG

Sometimes it's hard to believe what makes the national headlines.  Two women that go on television without their makeup is the story that follows the giant oil mess...  hmmm... where are our priorities?

Regardless of the publicity, I do commend Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb on the 86th hour of the Today Show.  I love to watch their first segments and sometimes even finish watching the show.  I really appreciated that they were willing to bare themselves to the world.  I was especially interested because when I look at my skin and some of the uneven coloring, I feel like I am a rare case.  This is because most people must cover up with foundation.  Looking at all of the ladies who participated in a makeup free day, it is clear that my problems are not uncommon.  It reminded me that when I compare myself to people on tv and other women that I know, I need to think about the ways in which myself and others choose to hide their insecurities.

Well, that's just a little food for thought I suppose... Two posts in the same night; do I get a prize?

Wow... a few years ago I said I would be back.  Not only did I totally lie about coming back to the world of blogging, but I also forgot about all those podcasts I once took part in.  Oops!

Well, I have no good excuse.  I was concentrating on college and didn't feel I had the time to keep up a good blog or podcast.  However, upon graduation, I think that maybe I will consider coming back to it all.  Instead of diving in to four or five podcasts and a blog, I think I'll start with the blog and consider podcasting again in the future.  For the record, I really miss the tvguide.com blogs and my podcasts.

As for what this blog is all about... if you were with me back in the  TV Guide days, I concentrated on writing about a lot of the different television shows I was watching.  I was truly an active participant in my entertainment.  This blog will likely continue to include some of that.  As the tv scene has changed, so will the shows I write about.  Instead of Gilmore Girls, I am all over Glee.  I have stopped watching Grey's Anatomy and moved to Private Practice.  Regardless, this blog will also cover more than television. 

The Old, The New and The In-Between (ONIB? Something to think about...) will also be covering the books that I'm reading.  I have recently been inspired by a friend's friend (complicated? yes.).  This summer, I am going to be an active reader.  In fact, I am thinking that by September 1, 2010 I will have read 50 books.  Yes, it does sound crazy.  It sounds like way too many, but as an aspiring middle school teacher, I will definitely be covering some of those middle school classics that I am unfamiliar with.  Plus, there will be many easy biographies intertwined with some classic literature.  In fact, there are two of those blogs that need to be written... more to come on that.

I'm sure there are other things that I will be covering in the future, but this is what I have so far.  If you have an idea for a name for my 50 book challenge, please send me some ideas.  So far, I'm thinking something with Lit, Summer, 50... I don't know.  I'll get back to you on that.