Flabbergasted

If you are looking for a book to read on your summer vacation, I would recommend Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston. This is a book that I have read already and plan to read again this summer. The story is about Jay Jarvis and he just moved to Greenville, South Carolina. He wants to make friends and in his attempt to do that starts going to church. Blackston does a great job writing the story. Parts of it made me laugh, and the characters are unique and likable. There are two more books after this one-A Delirious Summer and Lost in Rooville. I like the first book best, but they are all good.

The Five Love Languages for Singles

The Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman is a good book to read. It would be something to read and discuss with a friend or a group of people, but even if no one you know is reading it, I would still recommend it. The purpose is to help people understand more about relationships and loving people. Chapman's premise is that there are five ways that people feel loved-words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch-and if you know how the people around you feel loved, you can focus on those things to insure that they are getting the message you want them to. Parts of the book make me realize if I am more proactive in my relationships with family and friends, they can improve and become more live giving instead of frustrating.


I was telling my friend a little bit about the book and she asked if love languages are different for single people, but I said no, that the book and the examples in it are geared toward singles. Other books on the five love languages are The Five Love Languages (for married couples), The Five Love Languages of Children, The Five Love Languages of Teenagers, and The Love Languages of God, all by Gary Chapman. Click here to learn more about any of these books.

Simple Sewing

If you are interested in doing some sewing projects for around the house, Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter might be a book you should look at. If you have sewed much at all these would be projects that you probably would not have much trouble completing. Each project is given a rating as to the difficulty which can help you decide if it is something you want to tackle. There are different kinds of bags, including several kinds of totes and a simple backpack. There are also kitchen projects like aprons and potholders. A few other projects are a checkbook cover, a draft snake, and pillowcases. I think that I am going to try making a backpack for my niece Mariah's birthday and a tote bag or two for some friends that don't sew.

Fourth of July

I like the Fourth of July. It is great to celebrate the birth of our country. I like the American flag and fireworks. I like the Fourth of July because it is my birthday. It is also my sister's birthday. She was born when I was two. Other people that were born on July 4 include twins Ann Landers and Abby VanBuren (the columnists) and President Calvin Coolidge. There are also two other people that live in town that share my birthday-Harley and Connor. Do you know anyone else that was on July 4?