My review of:
What Do You Do All Day
by Amy Scheibe

It is funny that, when I am starting a new book, the first thing I read is the acknowledgements page. I want to know if the author has thanked God as this tells me a lot about what I might find deep into the pages of the book. I am disappointed when I don’t see that thanks given to Him – because the talent for writing is a gift from Him.
When I don’t see that thanks I know I must prepare myself for anything.
A book about a stay at home mom who has given up her career to be the ‘good mama’ would be less likely to have swear words, one would think.
Not so true with this book – but, like I said, I was prepared for anything.

I admit to liking What Do You Do All Day. Not so much for her struggles with her decision to remain at home, as I could have given Jennifer plenty of tips to help her lead a not-so-hectic, and more enjoyable life with her kidlets, but for the affirmation it gave me that I was doing the right thing by staying at home, homeschooling, and being a wife first.
Jennifer’s story was really a tale of ‘what not to-do’ and less a tale of Jennifer finding her harmony in motherhood. It was funny and witty and, to be honest, Jennifer feels the way a lot of us moms feel on really bad days – though most of us have developed the power to keep ourselves in check even during our worst moments.

The positive -
Jennifer really wants to do what is best. The struggles she faces in this book are because she wants what is best for her kids. She is a good friend who is willing to help even when she doesn’t feel like it. She is a loved daughter and is still close with her parents, who have stuck together even when it seems impossible – divorce isn’t a word in her parent’s vocabulary though their relationship is an odd one. Jennifer respects her intrusive mother-in-law, biting her tongue (most of the time). Religion and Christianity are brought up, though not discussed at length.

The negative -
Although there was a bit of talk about God and salvation in this book, Jennifer never latches onto it. She has a foul mouth, as do her friends, and she is full of spite about everything that doesn’t go her way – which is most everything in her life. One of her closest friends isn’t straight although his presence in the book is minor and his personal life isn’t discussed with any detail. Jennifer’s extremely intelligent 4 year old isn’t disciplined at all for her lack of respect. She is a rude child but it is portrayed as a cuteness.
Jennifer comes way too close to being unfaithful to her marriage. This is on the heels of being faced with not so pleasant rumors about her husband. There were a few romantic moments which threatened to become too graphic for my taste but the book stayed tame for the most part.

To sum it up -
Although What Do You Do All Day isn’t a book I would necessarily recommend, I did enjoy it. Some of the ideas were way off base but the consequences for Jennifer’s actions were totally spot-on, whether good or bad. There were a number of humorous situations and I found myself laughing out loud at a few of them. Amy Scheibe is a talented writer whose books are entertaining enough, though not as clean as this Christian mom would like.

LL Bean has these toddler’s Treads Snow Boots on sale for $6.50 with many colors to choose from – If you hurry, that is.

If you use the code, 2373230, you will get FREE shipping, making this deal that much better!

You best hurry! I know these won’t last for long at this price!

Take a look at this groovy Ebates deal - only good through March 31st.

Step 1: Go to Ebates.com. Sign up and receive $10′s in sign up bonuses (no personal information is needed to sign up).
Step 2: Do a search for ‘entertainment book’ on the Ebates website.
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How cool is that?!?! The 2008 Entertainment Book is packed with great coupons for just about everything!!!

I have been overwhelmed once again with couponing. I have started couponing many times only to give up after just a week without any real savings. This time, when I started to feel overwhelmed, instead of giving up I decided to just go smaller. I may miss a few good deals doing it this way but at least I won’t frustrate myself to the point of quitting. I really want to learn to use coupons and shop wisely.

I love books and I read as much as I can. I enjoy them all – fiction and non-fiction, self help, mystery, fantasy, thrillers, sci-fi, etc…

Although the main plot is quite realistic and believable, the lack of consequence for the numerous indiscretions on the part of Claudia and her friends is completely improbable.
And even though this story is about Claudia’s lessons in life, love and sacrifice, it was her friends’ unwholesome habits and dirty language that stuck out in the story, dulling the true positive aspect of the book – that love, in its truest form, is blind, unselfish, and all forgiving.

Claudia learned a lot about selfless love, and to avoid spoiling it I won’t say any more. If you want a clear look at the thoughts behind those who want to remain childless this book seems to genuinly portray that lifestyle; that is if you can get past all the unecessary junk surrounding the seemingly intended issue of the book – which is love and sacrifice.

This weeks giveaway is a package full of Cloth diapering supplies! Because of I hurt my back and I am on medicine I am not going into great detail on these items. You can see them in our store here if you want more info.
Included in this package are:

The winner of last weeks Squeaky Shoes giveaway is…
LESHA!

Congratulations Lesha. I have already emailed you!

Our next giveaway is a Cloth Diaper Package! Be sure to enter!

Rite Aid has Excedrin on sale 2 for $4. Go here and print out this $2 off Excedrin coupon and get your pain relieved for FREE! I believe the coupons are on page 5 and you can print up to 2 of them. Just go back through after the first one prints to get your second one.

I hurt my back last weekend. I don’t know how but this happens every so often. I usually just bite back the pain and rest for a couple of days until I am feeling better but this time is different. I have been down and out, not being able to accomplish much of anything the past few days, even sleep (which is why prizes have not shipped yet).

As I say all the time – There is never a dull moment in the Cubby household.

So, now I am on pain medicine that has successfully caused my head to fuzz up but hasn’t touched the pain. I have a muscle relaxer, too, which I was cautioned would make me very relaxed. Yeah, like I am gonna take that. I have six kids who would love to have a very relaxed mama. I won’t be taking it until bed time.

Anyway, my mind is not clear enough to post anything of significance. Prayfully, with some rest and a good night sleep tonight I will be feeling better in no time.

The past 5 months have been really weird around here.

Little Sammy(9mo) has been sporting this mohawk quite a bit lately. His hair has always stood up on its own but now it is actually starting to take on an 80′s shape.

This morning when I got him out of bed I noticed that he had the most perfect mohawk going on. To be sure I don’t have a moonlighting stylist on my hands I ran my hand over it and it was soft and popped right back up. No posing here, mohawk man is who he really is – all natural and born into the wrong decade.