Saving Cee Cee Honeycut

Twelve year old Cee Cee Honeycutt has been her mother Camille's caretaker and with the lipstick smeared 1951 Vivaldi Onion Queen as your mother, life can be a little frustrating and embarrassing.  However, when her mother is hit by a truck her and her father decides he can't raise her, Cee Cee finds herself on the road to Savannah with her unknown great aunt Tootie Caldwell.

Tootie helps CeeCee begin her life with a cast of women who will forever change her life and bring her a summer she will never forget.  From Thelma Rae Goodpepper, the neighbor who bathes in her backyard bathtub, to Oletta Jones, the housekeeper who grows to love CeeCee and teach her what it is to live in a home filled with love, to Violene Hobbs, the town gossip. The Story is a southern novel with female friendship and charm that makes you laugh out loud and have to grab a box of Kleenex on the next page.

Not since the Secret Life of Bees have I smiled so much and my heart was actually singing when I read this book with the feelings of happiness.  I have bought this book for so many of my friends knowing they would love it.  I thought the characters were so likable and of course the wisdom and kindness of Ms.Gertrude Odell was my favorite.  I loved each one of these women and wished I could have them in my life.  I hope it becomes a movie!
 
On a scale of 1 to 5 this was a 5 for me!!!!!!!

Water For Elephants the Movie!!!

I try hard not to ever judge a movie by the book.  Mainly, because I try to think of it as two separate forms of entertainment and I don't want to combine or compare the two.  I have read books and thought they were okay then saw the movie and loved it, and of course loved the book and saw the movie and hated it.  In this case I LOVED both.  I thought the movie was wonderful!!!!

After sitting through the torture of the Twilight movie, I was not sure what to make of Robert Pattinson playing the part of Emile.  He was perfect for the role of the shy veterinarian who, after losing his parents, ends up working with the circus as a vet and falling in love with Marlena. I have to say he can act. I think this movie will allow him more serious roles and get out of the "teen heartthrob" role.

Reese Witherspoon was beautiful in the part of Marlena.  Although I didn't think this was her best acting, she played the part  well and believably. Actually, she seemed comfortable on an elephant which I can't imagine is easy. Although she was the headliner in the movie I don't believe this will be her most remembered role.

By the far, the best actor of the movie was Christoph Waltz, who was Marlena's husband August and the owner of the circus. You want to hate him and you want to like him and at one point you even start to feel a little sorry for him.  I thought he defined what the movie was about and really played August as he was portrayed in the book to a "T." 

Whether you have read the book or not, this movie is amazing - from the animals to the costumes and the storyline, I loved it and can't wait to buy the DVD (which, if you don't know me, I don't watch DVDs so that is saying something).  AWESOME!!!!!!

Every Last One

Mary Beth Latham is a mother of three teenage children: Ruby, 17, and twin boys Alex and Max,14. She has a career as a landscaper and her husband is a doctor. Taking care of her family is what her life is about and when her children have trials or wins in life she experiences those along with them. An act of violence shakes Mary Beth to her very soul and her sense of who she is and what her life will be is truly tested.

The very details of the everyday life hit very close to home and allowed me to feel as though I was in the kitchen or at the doctor's office as I read the thoughts that were going through Mary Beth's mind. I found myself feeling the tension between the characters in the story and as the violence happened I was shocked and mesmerized  by what happened next. I liked the characters and I love how they evoked emotion as they developed; some I grew to like and some even let me down. A worthwhile read with masterful storytelling that stays with you.

I found this book a great read and definitely a book to pass along. I give it a 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

Kara

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

As I was looking through my things for something to post for Mother's Day I found a copy of a poem that I had given my mom for Mother's Day a long time ago and decided to share it again.  Even after all this time this still fits and I still adore my mom! She is beautiful and graceful, gracious, smart and kind,loving, funny and truly one of  the best people I know.  I live each day hoping to be more like her.  I love you mom!

My mom and I

To Mom....
You've meant a million things to me,
You've stirred emotions in my heart .

When I was sick you cared for me
when I was sad you cried,
although some things are hard to get
you did your best and tried.

There have been days of sadness
and days of joy and glee,
In this whole world, I can't express
the things you've meant to me.

Sometimes I have forgotten you
and all your deeds so true,
but in my heart, there will always be
a place dear Mom, for you.

I could never repay you for
all the things you've done,
for all the happiness you've
brought the things for me you've won.

I could never forget you
forget your heart so true,
and always my ambition
is to be Mom, more like you.

Although your trials are many
and mine are very few,
there are three words,
Mom,please don't forget
and those are "I love you".
                               -Min Newbury



Another special mom and person in my life is my sister, Kris who is AMAZING!!!!! She has taught me so much about what it is to be a parent and to be a woman of grace. I love to share,cry, laugh,and talk with her and most of all we have the BEST adventures that are so unforgettable and always bringing us closer! She is an inspiration to me on so many levels and a key factor in me starting my blog! Love you!

Kris and I after our OWN Network debut