Embarrassed

I’ve seen this video of spoken word artist Hollis McNish twice in the last 12 hours. I took a break from my work to share with you.

This is powerful, and like great poetry, brings up great points to an important issue. I’m from Ottawa, Canada, a place were breastfeeding is not only accepted, it’s encouraged. Women there are not expected to stay home when breastfeeding, they are not asked to go to a restroom to feed their child. No one bats an eye when a mother provides nourishment to her baby. I live in the US now, things are a little different here. I’ve been asked once to go somewhere more private to feed my daughter. I promptly ignored them. Not all women are like me. Some women would not have the confidence to hold their ground. Let me be clear: If a breastfeeding mother in a restaurant makes you uncomfortable, you are more than welcome to take your own meal in the bathroom.

I love this video, not only for the subject matter, but Hollis McNish has an impactful delivery.

Cheers

Unlikely place

I love social media. I really do. Although I’m not an avid user of the twatter, *cough* I mean Twitter, I do love me some Facebook and I won’t even mention Pinterest (I hear angels sing whenever I load the page). I’ll tell you why I like social media: I find inspiration from it. Although Pinterest was created for that very reason, I found inspiring words from the most unlikely place: Instagram

Here I am, mindlessly scrolling my feed page, when all of a sudden a captivating picture with enthralling words seizes my attention. I read the words, and I smiled. I wanted to share those words with you (I have the writer’s permission of course). Follow her @rubyfruitjungle and follow me @thefrenchjess

she sits on empty canvases

and waits for the new millennia that never comes

she’s not well.. but she doesn’t know.

who plays her harmonica while she is gone?

it could be me

it could be another one of me…

but I don’t feel it necessary to twist hair in circles

far too wide. far too far.

she wears a raincoat to bed

trying to save herself from the storm that never comes

she’s not well.. but she doesn’t know

tiger lily falters under her pressure

not well made- not well off

but who peels the skin off her lips when she is away?

it could be me

it could be another one of me

but I feel my own burns

no need for more wreckage

floating in a polluted ocean

she barricades her doors and windows

to save herself from the soldiers that never come

she’s not well…

but she doesn’t know

purple plush paint chips away

in her living room

but who itches her scar tissue while she is gone?

it could be me

it could be another one of me…

I am her escape.

far too far.

far too true.

truth I cannot escape.

for I am not well.. and she knows.

 

I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont

I personally believe that the best gift you can give a child is a book. I often buy them for other children on their birthdays or christmas (yes I’m that lame) and not coincidentally, it’s my favorite thing for my children to get, but that has more to do with me getting bored of their books more than anything else. I read to both my kids twice a day, and when the house is quiet, it’s usually because they are sitting in a corner somewhere reading… usually. Other times it means they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing which means you want to check to see why they are so quiet in the first place.

My oldest received I like Myself! by Karen Beaumont for her birthday. How can someone not like a book about self confidence??? It’s impossible, especially when it’s delivered with cooky-ness like purple polka dotted lips??? It’s funny and wacky for kids, and it reminds parents to take it easy on the self analyzing and remind your kids that they should like, nay LOVE, themselves, worts and all.

The illustrations are done by David Catrow and they compliment the book perfectly!

               

I give this book 500 000 frizzy hairs out of 500 000. Go buy the hardcover and watch your kids light up at the illustrations!

~Jessi

The Parasol Protectorate Series, Gail Carriger

Hiyo everyone! I’ve been offline the last few days as it would appear that sick children require parental attention. I know! I was as shocked as you are! Fret not, dear book lovers, I still had time to read. In fact, I finished, this very evening, a fantastical series involving werewolves (quite fury), vampires (the non twinkle variety) and handy dandy parasols with a touch of steampunk! BRILLIANT!!!

The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger is a 5 book series that absolutely appealed to me. As most things steampunk (for definition go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk), it is set in British Victorian Era in, you guessed it, London. Her take on the supernatural is unique and intriguing, which is very difficult to do these days. I find that most authors try very hard, and fail miserably at trying to reinvent the werewolf and vampire (Twilight anyone?), when simplicity will do.

The main character, Alexia, has no soul. Don’t worry, though, because if you were to ask her, I’m sure should would tell you that it isn’t a terrible affliction to have, and even having a soul very much complicate her life. The events in the 5 books revolve around her lack of soul, which is where the cool supernatural stuff come in. Sorry, I’m being vague, I know. It’s difficult to explain how AWESOMELY FANTASTIC this series is. I love Alexia, she’s smart, sarcastic, quick witted and nothing seems to ruffle her bonnet: The kind of woman I strive to be. Her love interest is much the same, which I believe is the reason why is it such a great relationship (much like the old couple from “Up”.

Gail’s writing style is great. She’s very descriptive without being annoying. The dialog is funny and entertaining. The characters are well developed but not over exposed as to not leaving any room for growth. And I love that you read from different characters’ perspective, giving you a “behind the scenes” feel.

The only negative thing that I have to say is that there is somewhat of a loose end at the end of the series. It’s not much really, and I’m sure other readers don’t care, but Alexia’s sister’s part of the story seems unfinished. Maybe there is another follow up series in the works? Who knows.

 

I give this book 4 top hats out of 5

Let me know what you think, I’m dying to hear from you.

~Jessi

Stocking Stuffer for the mommy in your life

Confessions of a scary mommy: An honest an irreverent look at motherhood–the good the bad and the scary, Jill Smokler

Mothers rejoice! You aren’t alone. We all know the road of parenthood involves ups and downs (although we might think there are more downs then ups). Let’s face it, kids are weird, stinky, sticky and, sometimes, infuriating, but dang it, they are worth it! My kids make me laugh ALL THE TIME, and they haven’t even started school yet. My oldest daughter is almost four and already has a deep appreciation for punk rock and studded boots (I’m so proud). I’m convinced that my second daughter will be the first female player to make it to the NFL, trust me, she can plow through anything (although, I think she should play rugby). As much as they make me laugh though, they often make me want to slam my face into a wall. I don’t remember the last time I’ve eaten my dinner while it was still hot, since I have to get up from the table a gazillion times to get juice, or another napkin, or some paper towels to pick up the spilt juice, oh and I forgot to get more juice to replace the spilt stuff and, well you get were I’m going with this.

 

Confessions of a Scary Mommy is a compilations of essays that paint the real life picture of being a mom, the good, the bad and the sticky. Chapters cover husbands to your friends kids, to the stupid crap they all do, and the sad realities that come with being a parent. This book will make you laugh, make you cry and it might even make you open up to yours friends, and be a little less judgmental towards other moms.

 

My scary mommy confession: my daughter has a skewed understanding of what 5 minutes is… that’s probably because I sometimes forget about something she asked me to get for her, and I tell her that I’ll be there in 5 minutes. Oops

 

Read the book, it’s very much worth it. It’s a quick read and you’ll be done in an afternoon. Great Sunday reading, plus appropriate for mothers of all generations.

Cheers!

 

Book Review: My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream, Jennifer Fosberry

Just to prove that I’m not all about porn, here is a change of pace…

 

This is a great children’s book. It is actually quite educational despite it being a quick read. Your daughter/son can learn about Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie and Elizabeth Blackwell. It teaches girls AND boys to dream big and that there are no limitations to who they can be and what they can do. It also has a sweet part where it shows being a mommy is a pretty amazing job too.  😀

 

The illustrations are by Mike Litwin and are stellar with great colors. I think every little girl or boy should read this book where they can learn that heroes have all kinds of job; from a scientist to a mother.