2 points – Book

Laura – Matchmaking for Beginners: A Novel by Maddie DAWSON

This book is totally charming and just the escape I needed. It was a welcome change from heavy themes or dark passages. Instead, it was easy and fun to read. Predictable, yes. But that’s okay when you are “visiting” with interesting, yet eccentric, characters. The author created a magical story with mystical overtones about two women from different generations (a 20+ and an 80 year old) who have matchmaking skills – one who knows it and the other who doesn’t. An unlikely duo but a very likable pair! Lucky for me, Maddie Dawson has written several other books, which I will definitely check out when the mood strikes. Discovering new authors is just one of many reasons I’m loving the ABC Life.

Barbara – Ireland by Frank DELANEY

I’ve been to Ireland and loved it so when I saw this book I was eager to read it. One thing I found in my travels to other countries is that people overseas seem to be much more familiar with their country’s history than we are. If someone came to visit me, I could show them around my city but I couldn’t tell them the background or history of Dallas. Yet every B&B host/hostess or even people we’ve met casually can talk about theirs or the significance of a monument, etc. That is why the theme of Mr. Delaney’s book was appealing. It is the story of Ireland from the voice of an old Storyteller who travels from town to town and gathers the townspeople around to tell them the tales of how their particular town came to be. What a wonderful thing that would be! While some parts were hard for me to get through since I’ve never been good reading historical books, just visualizing a wizened old man – almost unearthly – coming to Plano to tell the story of how it was settled makes me wistful. Anyone want to volunteer for the position?

1 point – LEARNING CENTER – Laura: DECISIONS

As a true procrastinator, I have a bit of difficulty making decisions. I waste too much time on the small ones and on the big ones – well, I just procrastinate. So I decided (wow, a decision made) to check out how others do it and learn something in the process. Decisions fall into three categories: small (they account for roughly 150 decisions a day), medium and big! Small decisions have a small impact, usually affecting only one day: what to wear that day, what to eat for breakfast. So make them quickly and move on. Some people turn small decisions into routines, such as Steve Jobs who wore black turtlenecks every day and my Aunt Jo who ate oatmeal and bananas every morning. Medium decisions can impact your life for a year or so, such as deciding which apartment to rent, whether to go back to school, etc. whereas big decisions are even more important since they can have lasting consequences. Think of big decisions as forks in the road – and take an active role by choosing the road you take. Don’t be random: align your big decisions with the goals you have in life for better success. Research the facts, check out the alternatives, list pros and cons and think about whether the decision fits in with the way your want to live your life.

Barbara: 

In my favorite quest for learning the origin of phrases, I came upon Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bathwater. The explanation was the following:

Meaning: Don’t get rid of valuable things along with the unnecessary ones.

Origin: In the early 1500s, people only bathed once a year. (Yuck). Not only that, but they also bathed in the same water without changing it! The adult males would bathe first, then the females, leaving the children and babies to go last. By the time the babies got in, the water was clouded with filth. The poor mothers had to take extra care that their babies were not thrown out with the bathwater. So I guess next time I think “what is this world coming to” when I read an article about a mom who mistakenly leaves her child in the car I’ll realize it’s the modern form of a 1500’s mistake. History does repeat itself.