Serials and Scenarios - Family Squeeze

Though I'm not quite sandwiched between teens and ailing parents, I laughed and cried my way through this book.

One reviewer recommended it to anyone between the ages of forty and sixty. I think I'd extend it another half a decade on each end. (Click on the book cover if you want to find out more about Family Squeeze and here for Phil Callaway.)

Book Blurb:

You’re in the “Middle Ages”–sandwiched between the “greatest generation” and the “gimme” generations, busily juggling both with no relief in sight. Children are driving, and parents are not. Money is tight and so are your favorite jeans. And things that never ached before are beginning to give you trouble! For every baby boomer who wonders if it’s possible to navigate the Middle Ages with grace and style, Phil Callaway offers plenty of hope and a little hilarity, too. Because there’s nothing like a smile to make wrinkles less noticeable.

My Review:

Phil Callaway has been called "the Dave Barry with a message." The label fits.

Humor, some tongue-in-cheek, some outright roll-your-eyes corny, some hysterical, blended with self-depreciation, or sadness, or loss fills chapter after chapter of a poignant read. Chicken soup flavored short segments with more humor and more hope, even for those not facing the exact situation of teens and adult parent squeeze that hits many mid-lifers.

Callaway met my expectations. Each story works as a stand alone and together paint a picture of a loving, nutty, respectful family. As a whole I'd describe Family Squeeze as less side-splitting hilarity and more humor that stops the reader and causes self-inspection, a flood of memories or a tiny fragment of hope.

Callaway honestly paints his life, not sparing himself from the harsh light of truth where his own flaws are concerned. The he whips around to a lesson that penetrates reader thoughts and attitudes.

Entertaining and uplifting words that stick. Family Squeeze is a book for caregivers, or those who need to laugh, or those who care to live a life that makes a difference.

Scribble and Scrambles - Short Term uh, um Memory Issues...

It's not like my brain holds huge life altering information.

Definitely not worldwide altering.

I suppose forgetting things could make a difference on a local level. When I instruct my patients..."Take a normal breath in and out. Now a deep breath in and hold it." I suppose I could neglect to say "Okay." and really impact one poor person's life. They'd notice I forgot a detail as they turn blue, purple, and then pass out onto my cold linoleum floor.

But I'm talking about the information that flies in one eye, ear, nostril and out the other. I often have fleeting thoughts..."I should"...but by the time I get past the I should, I've already forgotten what goes with it.

Yikes. I even use my little purse notebooks. I have two now. What's next, wearing one around my neck on a chain like those cute little reading glass holders? That's bound to get a little crowded.

Okay. So now onto my post. Uh. Hmmm. Uhhh. Yeah. Have a great day.

Serials and Scenarios- Camy, Trish and Only Uni

Hi! I’m Trish Sakai. Kelly asked me to guest blog today because she knows my friend Camy Tang. Camy says I’m only a fictional character, but don’t listen to her, she’s nuts.

Anyway, I love memes and thought I’d do a meme for my guest blog post today!

3 things that scare me:

1. Not fitting into my $500 Bebe dress
2. Making Grandma mad
3. Making my cousin Venus mad (I’m not sure which is worse, Grandma or Venus. I think Grandma.)

3 (groups of) people who make me laugh:

1. My cousins, Lex, Venus, and Jenn.
2. The old ladies at Katsu Towers—they’re hilarious when you can get them away from the K-dramas on TV
3. My coworker Spenser (sometimes. Other times, he’s a royal pain in the butt)

3 things I love:

1. Reading historical romance novels
2. Shopping
3. Taking classes at the local community college

3 things I hate:

1. Cleaning
2. Exercise (it’s a love/hate thing)
3. My roommate Marnie (she’s gone completely whacko! I don’t know what to do)

3 things I do not understand:

1. My roommate Marnie
2. My coworker Spenser
3. Grandma (why can’t she just leave my love life alone?!)

3 absolute favorite foods:

1. Coffee! And lots of it.
2. Cherries Garcia ice cream
3. My cousin Jenn’s homemade chocolate truffles

3 things I am doing right now:

1. Blogging
2. Trying to motivate myself to go running sometime today
3. Needing to go to the bathroom (darn all that coffee)

3 things I want to do before I die:

1. Travel to Japan! I know Japanese pretty well.
2. Regain my chastity and become completely focused on God (I’m pretty sure my three Corinthian Rules are going to work, despite what Jenn says)
3. Go on a shopping spree in New York (yeah, when I win a million dollars ...)

3 things I can do:

1. Speak Japanese almost fluently
2. Sing (sort of—I like to sing, but I’m not that great at it)
3. Play with kids

3 ways to describe my personality.

1. Fun
2. Positive
3. Fearless

3 things I can't do:

1. Stand up to Grandma the way Lex and Venus do
2. Stop looking at guys! No, I should be more positive—my three Corinthian Rules are GOING TO WORK!
3. Pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time

3 beverages I drink regularly:

1. Coffee
2. Coffee
3. Coffee

3 things I really want to do:

1. Be a better Christian
2. Prove myself to my cousins
3. Get Grandma off my back

Thanks for letting me be here, Kelly!

Love,

Trish

Despite what Trish says, she really is a fictional character in the head of Camy Tang, the loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick lit. She (Camy, not Trish) used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at Camy for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away five boxes of books and 25 copies of her latest release, ONLY UNI.

Kelly's Review of Only Uni:

Camy Tang has risen to a challenge and conquered.

Trish is one of the quad of "oldest single cousins" in a family run by an iron fisted/velvet gloved grandma. Camy's challenge? To make Trish a lovable character.

I'll admit, the first couple of chapters didn't win me over. The poor girl is her own worst enemy. I struggled with her faith walk that sure didn't include a whole lot of walking the talk. Trish is a lot like a huge crowd of Christians, the ones who feast on cheap grace and anything the world serves up as long as it looks really tasty.

But, by the end of the book I quit wanting to slap Trish and started wanting to hug her. I even teared up.

Now I can't wait for book three. The first chapter is included at the end of Only Uni and the focus will be "tell it like it is" Venus. I love this crazy family. Don't forget to read the glossary, Camy even makes a cultural study fun. A blast for chick-lit lovers. Also a good one for those who have messed up on Christianity so many times they don't even know if they want to keep trying. Full of grace, forgiveness, sweetness and laughs.

Warning to parents: this book, though Christian, covers some heavy duty themes. Read it first or at least read more reviews before letting your daughters loose with it. There are consequences to actions, but some of the actions are pretty edgy if you are used to "gentler" Christian fiction.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Crushed Chocolate Bunny?

Christianity seems as fragile as a hollow Easter Bunny sometimes.

Why would an intelligent human being base their life on a religion started 2,000 years ago? A religion focused on the life and death of a man...a man who claimed to be God. And resurrection? Really?

Who can actually believe the stories in the Bible? A God who promises a horrifying eternity for those who won't accept His Son? A God who allowed Satan to ruin Job's life, just because Job was faithful and God had confidence that Job would remain that way.

What are those of us who believe in the Bible and in Jesus thinking? Are we thinking at all? Maybe we're the post-Easter clearance bunnies that finally sell at 90% off because we are missing two eyes, an ear and have a hole where our body should be.

Maybe.

Or maybe we know something non-believers don't.

I can only speak for myself. My experiences with Jesus are as personal and unique as my relationship with my husband.

Several years ago I was a nominal Christian, if that's possible, like being a little pregnant, I suppose. I believed, but only because I hoped...if that makes sense. I hoped it was true like a child hopes the Easter Bunny and friends are the real deal. An immature, lingering hunger for the slim chance of the reality of magic and miracles. Mostly because the reality that I saw and experienced every day wasn't at all magical or miraculous.

I wanted to believe that the chocolate bunnies were solid. And that money grew on trees and good people came out on top and bad people got theirs.

Finally, after life had left me (and by life I mean my choices and consequences as much as random acts of yuck) crushed I finally held my hands up in surrender. I had to make a choice, either blaming others and embracing cynicism, or giving God one last chance to give me reason to hope. I came to Him, just a pile of jagged chocolate slivers with two crooked googly eyes, and begged Him to help me.

The bizarre way He helped reminds me of His response to a broken Job. He asked me a question. No cynical ones, He didn't manifest in a cloud of smoke. A question that would never have come out of my thoughts swirled around in my head, and I knew. I knew that He would help me find the answer. Simple as that.

Then He began to rebuild me, using the truth in His words, His ancient and current promises, His love and His sacrifices for me. As each piece of chocolate melded to the next in His hands, with His tenderness, I began to feel whole. I didn't want to be hollow and fragile anymore. I wanted to have the inner strength that only comes from Him. Do I believe in God, His Bible and His Son? With every sliver, with every breath, I do. He has proven Himself to me. He doesn't work for me. I don't rub His head for good luck or kiss His feet for blessings. I know His plans toward me are good. Even if my circumstances aren't.

I used to struggle with trusting Him. I know how often I let people down. I also bear the scars of being let down. I have too much experience with the inner dark blot in each of us. I know what I'm capable of doing and what I've done, therefore, I know that every other person on this planet has that same capability to destroy. I didn't realize I believed that to be true about God as well. Until I read James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

He's pure. He's honest. He doesn't play mind games. I don't always like what He says, but He's right.

So maybe my evidence and belief seems like shattered chocolate dregs to you. So ask Him to show you your tailor made evidence. As for me, His promises and blessings make me want to do the Bunny Hop...care to join me?

Serials and Scenarios - A Widget....Explained

The media likes to paint a pretty dismal picture of our future. Woe, woe, woe -- it is in the hands of today's teens. Sure. There are Brittanys and Lindsays...but haven't there always been young people who set out to self-destruct?

I've seen and heard some of the "other" kids who are growing into adults and will be voting, serving our country and parenting yet another generation.

At the Iowa caucus I attended I was shocked at the number of late teens and twenty-somethings who turned out in droves to support their candidates.

My children floor me almost daily with their mature choices and selfless behavior. Our son will teach high school in a few short months after putting himself through college, our daughter is in church leadership, our youngest volunteers at a hospital.

Iraq is full of young men and women are willing to give up their lives for a cause they believe in....freedom.

So I'm not willing to buy the hopeless message.

The Do the Hard Thing widget (panel left and above) will take you to a website that will introduce you to two other very impressive teens. A friend, Callie, and I will be back in a few weeks to talk about their book, but go check it out now...

Scribbles and Scrambles - Anyway

Here's another song. Apparently I haven't vented my music spleen enough yet. (Ooh, phrase origins...I love looking into the history of common phrases. I imagine that spleen venting has a horrid beginning. I'll let you know what I find.)

On one level this song carries the feel good lightweight "aw sweet" feeling of an e-mail forward. I hate it when forwards bring a tear to my eye... I feel worked over and make it a point to put on cynicism when reading one.

I'm not a big fan of country music either. But these words almost define the act of living. How many times have you struggled with doing the right thing especially when it seems no one cares? My thoughts and hopes can't be summed up in a simple song, but sometimes I need a simple reminder of the example I follow. Jesus, His attitude and heart laid out there in simple words set to music.

Difficult times? Hang on anyway. Faith, hope and love -- anyway.

Anyway

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing

One storm can come and blow it all away

Build it anyway

You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach and you know it might not ever come your way

Dream it anyway

Chorus:

God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good

And when I pray it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway, I do it anyway

This world’s gone crazy and it’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be better than today

Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons, and in a moment they can choose to walk away

Love ‘em anyway

You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in that tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang

Sing it anyway, sing it anyway

I sing, I dream, I love, anyway

Scribble and Scrambles - So I've Been Thinking....

Don't know why but I've really been aware of song lyrics lately.

It might be because I've seen one too many musicals in the past few weeks.

Now, if you are a musical fan, don't start booing and hissing. Even rabid fans have to admit that not all songs from musicals are "Dream the Impossible Dream." Right?

Some are just really lame dialogue set to music.

On the flip side, simplistic thoughts can become profound when set to the right music.

Example: Coldplay's The Scientist...as a poem it works, simple thoughts, some truth to chew on, but set to the music the words almost haunt. One of my favorites, Peter Gabriel's "The Book of Love" too true, and so simple.

Digging even deeper...I wonder about my own use of words. The more I say, the more I muddy the water. The more flowery and profound I try to be in my writing the more layers I add and the more basic truth I cover with fluff and smoke.

Good ending spot, eh what?