who are you?

I love mysteries – there’s something about trying to figure out the ending before you get to read it that keeps me guessing. A Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante is written in the voice of a woman with Alzheimer’s, who is suspected of murdering her neighbor and best friend. The voice of this novel is all the reason to read it, told from days that are good and bad for Jennifer, so you do truly feel what it must be like not to remember your family or what day it is. The book has it’s sad moments as well as it’s happy points. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for an interesting viewpoint for any book, its not very often the voice of someone with a declining memory is the narrator of a story. I also think you'll enjoy trying to figure out if Jennifer is truly capable of murder.

love and marriage

I am no expert on marriage, but I did find this article from Parade on how to make marriage last full of good advice on how to make any relationship work better. Just like anything, hard work makes something go well - and you have to take responsibility for yourself and your relationship in the end. Hope you enjoy reading this.

swing swing swing

When I was a little girl, my mother couldn't get me into pants, I was the one in the dress all the time, until second grade and my first pair of jeans. I still love dresses and skirts and wearing pants usually means I had to plan that outfit very carefully. This cotton dress from The Gap is ideal for these hot summer days- the skirt is flowy and the cap sleeves a nice length.

breaking up is hard to do

No, this is not a post bashing a previous relationship – lately my dating life involves a bad date here and there, maybe someone that is worth a second date, usually ending with me thinking that I don’t mind so much the fact that I get to decide what I want to do without factoring someone else in. It’s not ideal, but hey I guess it’s better than feeling like I am missing out for now.  I’ve watched a few friends go through some recent bad break ups – and watching them and remembering your own painful experiences just sucks, particularly when you thought things were going well.  I’ve definitely had the blindsided break up, you think this is going pretty well, maybe there’s something here – the two of you are making plans, hanging out, staying at each other’s places, and then he comes over and tells you he doesn’t feel that way about you. It’s a complete bummer in life, because honestly most singles would like to meet someone who will be in it for the long haul.  To find out someone doesn’t have the feelings you are hoping/expecting hurts, hurts a lot. I’ve also experienced the fade out, the slow progression of talking less, hanging less, fewer text messages (anyone else hate what smart phones did to dating? Remember when you had to call someone to make plans?), and then nothing. I mean I’ve done it myself to guys too, and it’s really not a grown up approach to anything – but then again neither one of you is pushing too hard to try this or force a conversation. The only thing worse is prolonging a break up, because as long as you hold on, the longer it takes to move forward, and potentially meet that special person. I think the important to remember is to be kind to people, even when you are going to end the relationship- after all we all are a little fragile some times.

(photo from life in quotations)