Book Review: Orange is the New Black

Orange is the New Black is a hugely popular book that is all over the news.  Apparently, it has also been made into a mini-series.  I just finished it and honestly, I have mixed reviews. 
I love true stories, but I found this one a bit anti-climactic.  She obviously survives her year in prison because she gets out and writes a book.  I also found some of the characters confusing.  She talks about so many different people and then—chapters later, refers to them again.  By then, I have forgotten all about Pom Pom and Delicious. 

I did; however, really learn a lot about prison life.  I found that…while Piper and I are different in most ways…we are similar in one way.  We both have the type of personality that allows us to fit in and get along in almost any group or setting.  I did find her elitist attitude annoying and I hope I never come across that way. 

I liked that Piper really learned how her actions impacted others when she was faced to live with people who had been addicted to drugs.  I agree that maybe some sort of community service where the prisoner must work to help others- and learn about consequences is a great idea. 

I found it interesting to learn about the ins and outs of prison life—the food, the holiday celebration, and the treatment by the staff.  It was both heartwarming and sometimes disturbing. 

I found it upsetting to learn about the pre-release classes and the lack of helpful information that they provided to prisoners.  It’s almost as if they are set up to fail—especially those with no support system.  Before reading this, I can honestly say, I had little to no sympathy for prisoners.  I had the “you made your bed, now lie in it” attitude.  I had even less sympathy for repeat offenders.  While my opinion hasn’t entirely changed, I do understand now how and why someone would be a repeat offender.  When you have no support on the outside and you’ve been locked up for so long—it’s probably extremely difficult to reintegrate into society in a positive way.  We do need a better system for helping those people before their release. 

I did not like the abrupt ending.  Yes, she got released.  Awesome.   What I want to know—and still want to know is..did she keep in touch with Natalie and whoever else got released during that same time.  Are they still friends?  What happened to them?   It left me with a lot of unanswered questions. 

Anxiety

I wrote yesterday about my struggle with anxiety right now.  Recently, I found this and wanted to share it with you as well:

Phillipians 4 6-7:  "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I need a silver lining

I always try to see the glass half full, but I'm really struggling to see the silver lining right now.  Like  many other people, I worry and I struggle with anxiety.  I always try to find the good in everyone and everything and I choose to be happy but right now...it is hard. 
1.  I'm furloughed.  Yes...I may eventually be paid, but right now, things are up in the air.  I'm trying to use this time to unpack some stuff at home and go through the kids old toys, but I really dislike uncertainty.
2.  While my furlough is frustrating...my Dad is also furloughed.  This could NOT come at a worse time.  If you follow me, then you know my Dad has stage IV colon cancer.  He has frequent tests and appointments.  Thank God he has his retirement from his previous job--though that will not cover all of his bills.
3.  Saving the worst for last...my Dad went in for another CT scan on Sept 25th.  The results were not great. He had another appointment today with the Lung Specialist.  He had 3 nodules on his lungs.  There are now 9.  NINE.  I'm literally sick to my stomach.  I can't even think about it without losing it.  I just rebuilt my relationship with him and now....this.  Today, he refused the biopsy needed to determine the type of chemo he would need.  Thankfully...he hasn't totally ruled it out yet.  He wants to talk to his Oncologist about side effects first.

** before you comment that I should respect his wishes because it is his body...please note...that is my plan.  I would never guilt him into anything, but I WILL talk to him about success rate, statistics, and offer to sit through every chemo treatment with him if it would help.  He is my Dad.

If you have any positive success stories, please feel free to share them.  I need some hope to grab onto. 

Jacob's Dream: bible lesson for preschoolers

So, I've fallen behind on my weekly bible lesson plans, but...in my defense, I've had a lot going on with birthdays, surgeries, etc.  I'm trying to get back on track.  This week, we learned about Jacob.  Ok...we sort of learned about Jacob.  It's hard to get the kids to sit down and listen when the weather here is so beautiful.  I try to do it during dinner...when they are sitting anyway.  Here's how it went:
We read the story and talked a little about it.  Then we did a few "projects".

This is a worksheet I found online and it asks you to list ways (on the ladder) that you can grow closer to God.  We listed 5 including:  Pray, Sing, Help, Love, and Share. 

I found a coloring sheet of an Angel and we colored this and talked about the angel in Jacob's dream.

Lastly...and this one was a little hard...we had to find the differences in the pictures.  Mia did ok with it, but needed a little help.  It is a picture of Joseph asleep on a rock. 

I found all of these online.  Sorry, I keep forgetting to note the website, but I just googled Jacob's dream for preschoolers and I found them. 

Cups by Mia and Elaina

Mia's 1st Pre-K field Trip

So, it wasn't an exciting field trip...unless you think the grocery store is exciting, but the kids had a great time. 

Mia and Elaina were waiting patiently to leave...

The kids outside of Giant

Looking at the lobster

Mrs. Cindy is teaching them about bread

Pumpkin Patch- Trip 2- Greenstreet Gardens

Have I mentioned my love for pumpkin patches?  I just love taking the kids and watching them have fun.  Last week, we went to Greenstreet Gardens, in Lothian, MD.  It was a little expensive, but we stayed for 5 hours so I think I got my money's worth :).  The kids had a great time and we had a few friends meet us there.  Here's a recap in pictures: