Sweet, Brave-Heart article

This was a good interview because it reminded me to keep going, even when things get difficult.  Here's a link so you can learn more about a fun Ann Arbor teen who acts, bakes and more, her way of coping with stress.

Summer Reads: Wacky Wednesday

I don’t know about you, but after three trips in three weeks, a weekend to catch up, in which we did not actually catch up, and an overflowing Inbox, I’m pooped. And it’s not even Friday.

In honor of all the things going on as I try to regain some floor-space (laundry piles be gone!), and some sanity (oh, what’s the use it's probably too late), here’s a list of assorted books for this Wacky Wednesday.

Why not try the Dr. Seuss book Wacky Wednesday? You might find new ways of looking at silly things, and figure out how to get shoes off your ceiling.

Quiet Loud by Leslie Petricelli. One of my favorite board book authors. We love reading this to our kids and really getting into it. "Sneezes are loud – Achooo!"

I have no idea what this is like, but I love the title. I CouldChew on This: And Other Poems by Dogs, by Francesco Marciuliano.      

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Mix of fun and outlandish poems and drawings from a guy posed with no socks and a guitar. Always great! 

Notorious Tuesday: Hoffa Hunting

Got up.

Got dressed.

Got the kids ready.

Had breakfast.

Contemplated the day’s activities.

Packed the kids in the van.

Went to find Hoffa.

Sounds like a typical day, except for the last line. Why Hoffa? Well, recent news is abuzz with the latest search for Jimmy Hoffa, the former Teamsters leader who disappeared nearly 40 years ago. I like a good mystery, but seriously, folks? I figured he escaped to a deserted island or met his mob maker long, long ago.

So, when the news teams started focusing on a field in the Southeast Michigan — for the umpteenth search in a couple years within driving distance — I wanted to try and see it. Of course, I did not plan to go into the field and volunteer, and I did not plan on getting close enough for the kids to have nightmares. I just told them we were going to investigate something. It got them in the car, and they only asked for Elmo once. 

The rest of the time we enjoyed the ride, and talked about things we saw.

I was searching for the site only knowing what road, and generally where in Southeast Michigan it’s located. I turned up one side of Buell, thought it was funny we found it north of Gunn Road. It piqued my interest, there was a cement crew “working” at someone’s house. Wasn’t it. I turned around on the dirt road and headed back the other way. When we crossed over the main road and hit dirt again, we saw another concrete crew in the area, seems pretty coincidental, and found our destination…

Only it was blocked. By this guy. 

Not wanting to make a scene with the kids in the car, I decided to peek as much as I could as I turned into a really nice sub before I turned to leave. No grid search. No FBI guys. But, it was a fun excursion and the mystery continues…

Here are a couple pix…maybe they’ll find the answers tomorrow. In any case, tomorrow I’ve got other things to do, like work, and grocery shopping and stuff. 

Summer Reads — Monday Mysteries

Happy Monday! It's another week of Summer Reads. Check out the Monday Mysteries I posted last week, or try one of these. Share your favorites in the comments below. 

The Hanging by Lotte and Soren Hammer, translated from the Danish version. Excerpt from Publishers Weekly: The Hammers, a sister and brother writing team, make their U.S. debut with this outstanding crime thriller, which introduces Danish Det. Insp. Konrad Simonsen. The title and full description tells me it may be an interesting new thriller, not for the faint of heart.

The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag. The New York Times bestselling author brings back fan-favorite Minneapolis investigators Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska in a new thriller.

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews. The author is a retired CIA officer. He shares stories about his long career, and each chapter includes a recipe for a dish the characters consume in the story.  

Summer Reads—Throwback Thursday

You might try one of these New York Times Bestsellers that charted in the late 80s/90s.

Clear and Present Danger, by Tom Clancy. The C.I.A.'s Jack Ryan takes on Colombian drug lords in this adventure.

Dave Barry Turns 40, by Dave Barry. Reflections on the crises of middle age by the syndicated humorist. (For all the peeps feeling old, Dave turned 40 in the 1900s, long time ago! :)

All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum. Inspirational essays. (This one is in honor of our K-garten grad.)

Summer Reads - Monday Mysteries (even though it's Tuesday already)

The Summer Reads Series is back. You can check out the first of this year's entries here. If you're in the mood for more, I plan to bring you plenty of suggestions, and maybe even a guest post or two. So, check back for updates.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - Overview excerpt from Barnes and Noble: An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo - Overview excerpt from Barnes and Noble: 

An extraordinarily beautiful Amish woman, a dangerous femme fatale, is the central figure in a story that reveals a dark side of Painters Mill and its seemingly perfect Amish world.

Parenting info. and articles

I figured it was time to share some info and articles for moms, dads, kids, and more. 

Family Fun Guide, Metro Parent 

High fashion photo shoots for kids, Ann Arbor Family (discount offered when you mention the article) 

Paying it forward, Ann Arbor Family