What an unfortunate name!

I loved Dick Van Dyke before I even knew his name. When I was little, I watched Mary Poppins just like any kid I knew, and just like all my friends, I loved Burt. It was such a funny character and what a dancer! And then I saw Scrubs years later, and there he was. And it made my day. He just has such an amazing smile and timing and well presence.

So when I was at the library and saw My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business, I was enticed by the title. I didn't know who it was by but when I pulled it off the shelf and saw his face smiling back, I just knew I had to read it. And read it I did. Sure it did take a little longer then I thought, but over all, totally worth it.

My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business isn't the quickest read. It doesn't quite suck you in like I thought it would. I didn't read it in one sit, and I didn't hunger for it when I was away. But I felt compiled to finish the night before it was due. I stayed up till almost midnight finishing his memoir, because I felt like it was just right.

I would really recommend that you pick up Dick Van Dykes memoir at the library. Sure it might take a looming due date to finish reading it, but hey, many many great papers have been written that way. No don't take it on the plane, because I can tell you, the TV is going to draw you in. But still, it is really worth the read, even if it isn't the quickest book.

Oh E Oh AhAh

Today, my family and I went to volunteer at the Gorilla Challenge 2011 in our home city, New Orleans. Its non prophet partner this year was the New Orleans Woman's shelter where my mom volunteers. Well, about a week ago, we got an email from someone at the shelter saying they need some people to work at the Gorilla Challenge. It didn't really say what we were doing, but we just assumed it would be a booth talking about the shelter. Anyway, I had a sleepover the night before and so when my mom picked me up at 8, I went home and slept for a few hours. But at noon, my mom and baby sister and I went back up, and that is when the fun began. For the first bit it was pretty silent. We grabbed some food and things started picking up.

My dad got the first group to get back, and I sort of watched him do it half way through until the second group got back. And since I was the only one around, I nabbed them and pretty much figured my way through checking their photos. And as soon as people really started coming in, it didn't stop.

I can't tell you how many pictures I looked at. There was a horrible glare which made things quite interesting. Anyway my food got to me just about as people really started to get into the plaza we were set up in. And a poster people had to take a picture in front of had been taken off of the arena. Some people did find a picture of the basketball stars that were on the poster and take a picture of them in front of it. Those people, amaze me.

 Sometimes there would be a lag in the stations before me, and I would be able to gobble down a wing or two, which by the way were amazing, but for the most part everything was high paced and fun. The two hours I spent working flew by and I really wish it would have lasted longer.

Afterwards, my family and I took a picture in front of the Gorilla Challenge sign. My dad had been running around the area where the Gorilla Challenge had been going on and if anyone found him, they got a gift certificate to the restaurant that was letting us use their space.

No, my Dad isn't a Gorilla. 

But sometimes...

He acts like one

And so that is why he is wearing a mask in the picture. My mom suggested that we do the Gorilla Challenge next year, but really I loved volunteering during it instead of running around the city, so I might just do that.

Anyway, the Gorilla Challenge is going around to a lot of different cities and so go to www.gorillachallenge.com and see if its coming to your city. Because really, it was a whole lotta fun to participate in. Oh and did I mention that everyone was dressed up? And really, there is no better way to get to know a city then running around it with 11 clues and a camera. 

Of Course I'd Ask You Ms. White!

Although many of you don't know me, I love Betty White. I don't know what it is about her, but she is so amazing. I don't know what it is about her, but I just adore her. So when I went to the library this week and saw that she had written a book, I jumped at the chance to read it. If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) by Betty White is an amazing read. It is really her writing about what ever she wants, it doesn't have a story pattern. But its Betty White. She can write about what ever she wants, because it was still fantastic! 


Anyway, I loved If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't). Recently I took the PSATs, and since I qualify for extra time, I figured that I would bring what ever book I was reading. And that book just so happened to be If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't). And I managed to not only finish that book, but also go to the library and get a new one and start that with the extra time I had. 


And even though it took me little time to read If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) I still enjoyed it immensely. It would be perfect for a short plane ride, of about two hours, and that would make the time fly. Pun intended. Although short, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) is an amazing read, it I would recommend it to anyone. 

Save the Ta-Tas!

This weekend was the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Breast cancer and finding a cure for it is something near and dear to my heart. Not only is my Grandma Luna a Holocaust survivor but she also beat breast cancer. So bright and early I got up and got dressed and went to City Park to do a 5k. When I got there I met up with some friends then split up. Some of my friends had already done the one mile fun run, but myself and E had not and so we started off on the walk.

It has been cold recently, so I wore jeans for the walk. Remember the leeway in my dress like a Duggar year, if I am doing something athletic it is ok not to wear a skirt. Anyway by the time we had hit about a half mile, it was burning hot and I was parched. Luckily there was a water station close by, and all was well. It was a great way to kick off my charity walks.

So have any of y'all done any good charity walk/runs, comment and let me know all about em!

Your dreams unlock your true self

I had a really weird dream last night. We were driving home from a NFTY event and stopped at Chick-Fil-A. Not so weird yet, because NFTY and Chick-Fil-A are two of my favorite things. But not only did that Chick-Fil-A not have Chick-Fil-A food but Rallies, but also when I got back to the car there was a woman in labor. And I just hopped in the back seat and coached her through it until we got to some family or friends house. And you know what, it felt really natural. Like something I was meant to do. Which I guess is kind of a Captain Obvious statement, because I have known that I was meant to do this since I was 9. But at the same time, a little reassuring never hurt anyone. Right?

How did he get away with it?

Last time I went to the library I picked up A Stolen Life by Jaycee Lee Dugard. Its a small book, with large print, and it didn't take me long to finish it. But what filled those pages were heart breaking. For those who didn't go to a super market or turn on the TV last year, Jaycee Dugard was abducted by Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy at the tender age of 11. For the next 18 years she was kept in their back yard shed, sexually and emotionally abused, lost her name, and gave birth to two beautiful daughters with out medical attention or help. The first one A, was born when she was just 14. But then, she was found. And reunited with her family. A Stolen Life chronicles that journey in her own words. It is beautifully crafted and heart wrenching to read, but read I felt compelled to finish it. Once I had opened the cover I was drawn into a horrible world so different from my own. And if it hadn't been so publicized, I would have thought Jaycees story was forged. But I know its real, and it breaks my heart that something like that went on for 18 years unnoticed.

Trees for Gilad Shalit

I talked earlier about Gilad Shalit. And before I get on with the rest of the post, I would like to say yet again, welcome home. We are so happy you are home safe and sound now. Anyway I found this link on Facebook, and having nothing better to do, followed it. And what I saw was amazing. The JNF are planting free trees in Israel honoring Gilad Shalit. You can include a personal note and every time someone donates a tree in his name, the family gets a message telling them about it. The trees are free until the 23rd, so everyone who reads this should do that and then comment.

Only 99 trees left to plant y'all!