Illegals by Darrell Ankarlo

Before I give my review of this book, I want to make it clear that I normally do not read books like this but I wanted to see what this author’s thoughts were on this subject.  This is not a book I would recommend to anyone.  It is clear that the author believes in Armageddon but in his version, the United States is “overrun” by Mexican illegal immigrants who want to “take back“ the country.  The author often says he is not a racist.  However, given his condescending statements, it is not believable.  The author frequently makes it clear that he feels all Mexicans are just waiting for the opportunity to illegally sneak into the United States.  This clearly shows his racism.  The book is peppered with emotional scenes from both side of the “border”.  However, most scenes lack a true emotional connection and instead feel hollow, like the author is only trying to make you think he cares.  For instance, when the author describes the abject poverty that a family lives with, you cannot feel any true sympathy from the author.  The author also oversimplifies the immigration problem throughout the book.  He would like the reader to believe that the immigration problem is the cause of all of the United State’s problems.  I agree that the immigration issue is a problem but I do not believe the immigration issue is the cause of all of the country’s problems.  For instance, does the United State’s failure to control the Mexican border really have an impact on say, teenage pregnancies?  Or the collapsing economy?  Or the war in Afghanistan?  No.  I am sure immigration has an effect on this issues, but it is not the cause of these issues and it is naïve for the author to imply that if the United States controlled its southern border better, none of these problems would exist.  In short, I would not recommend this book to my friends who tend to think like I do on the subject.  But of course, if you want a differing opinion, feel free to take a look at it.    

To comply with regulations by the Federal Trade Commission, please note that the publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through Booksneeze.

Excited!!!

I am super excited.  I received my Naturally Savvy sample to try and review.  I can’t wait to use all my products. 

I also received more Carmex goodies.  This time it is the Moisture Plus tints.  And this one has another giveaway!  Woo hoo! 

I will post my review of the lip tints and open the giveaway on Monday, November 22, 2010 so be sure to check it out.

Thanksgiving Menu

I finally decided on our Thanksgiving menu.  I am making:

Classic Fresh Sage Stuffing
Turkey With Pan Gravy
Classic Whipped Potato Casserole (tweaked to remove the nutmeg and almonds)
Green Bean & Shallot Saute
Some kind of carrot dish for Princess Ivi

I am very excited to have Thanksgiving at my house this year.  I don't think I have ever done Thanksgiving.  I have done Christmas but not Thanksgiving.

I am working on a checklist and timeline so I am super organized. 

We Have a Winner!!!

Okay folks, we have a winner for the Carmex Lotion Giveaway and the winner is....

Mommy Minded

Congratulations Megan!  I have sent an email to you for your mailing address.


Upcoming giveaway, Carmex Tinted Lip Moisturizer!!!  Look for sign ups next week. 


(Random List Picker used to choose winner.)

Adding to My Wishlist

I have added these adorable bookends to my wishlist.  They are so cute and so me.   Check them out at Knitcellaneous. 

Need to Winterize, New Favorite Show, My Teenage Obsession with Donnie Wahlberg, Cheesecake Factory Review, and Harry Potter Excitement.

Weekend update:

Friday I went to Beall’s Outlet to find something for my niece’s birthday.  I was unsuccessful.  She is 16 and very hard to shop for.  Instead of getting her something that I didn’t think she would like, I am going to get her something when she comes to my house for Thanksgiving weekend.  

After our unsuccessful shopping trip, we went home and watched Blue Bloods.  This is my new favorite show.  

I love Donnie Wahlberg.  (I mean big pink puffy hearts kind of love.)  I have since his New Kids on the Block days.  I used to know everything about his life because I had all of those biography books that listed all the info about the group like birthdays, favorite food and color, astrological sign, etc.  I was an expert when it came to Donnie Wahlberg.  I used to fantasize that he would come to my neck of the woods from Boston (which was about 65 miles east of Boston) and rescue me from my dismal junior high life.  It never happened though. 

Anyway, I really like him in Blue Bloods.  He plays a smart-ass cop which I like but you get to see his tender side when it comes to his wife, kids and family.  

I do worry that this show will be like so many other new shows I get interested in (like Invasion) and they will cancel it after the first season.  

Well, while we were watching TV, it kept getting colder and colder in our house.  This was expected because we have no heat.  I was able to tell that every window we have has drafts too.  I made a pretty extensive list of ideas on how to make it a little better.  I am going to buy the plastic for the windows that essentially shrink wrap the windows.  Then I will fill any drafts around the window frames by caulking them.  I am also going to plastic the back door.  I figure that if we have an emergency and need to get out, we can break through the plastic easily.  I am also going to get two of those tall heaters because they tend to have a more powerful fan and they can be left on longer because the change of fire is decreased.    

Needless to say though, until we get it winterized better, it will be chilly.   

On Saturday, it was so cold when we woke up (it dropped to the thirties), I made cinnamon rolls to warm up the kitchen.  Then I did the dishes while Princess Ivi hung up my clothes.  We had made a deal that she would do the dishes if I bought her a shirt but we renegotiated when she said she would clean my room.  She also picked out what I was going to wear to my niece’s party.  The way she did it was funny too.  She set out eight different outfits, including shoes, and made me try them all on.  

After our chores, we showered, did our hair and makeup and put on our dressy clothes.  We headed to my mom’s house, helped her pick out an outfit and then went to Jacksonville to meet everyone at The Cheesecake Factory for my niece’s 16th birthday party.  It was great to see her all dressed up.  However, I thought the food was really overrated and not as good as I expected it to be.  The vanilla bean cheesecake that I got was alright but I won’t be taking any special trips to go back there.  Another thing that put us off too was the fact that there was a hair in Princess Ivi’s cheesecake.  Yuk!!!

It was after 10:30 p.m. before we left the party and after midnight before we got to my mom’s house.  By the time we got home, it was about 1.  We headed straight inside, let the dog out quickly, put our extra warm pj’s on and went straight to bed.  

Sunday was interesting.  I woke up and when I looked at my clock, I almost had a heart attack because it said it was 2:30 p.m.  What?  Apparently, I “sprung the clock ahead” instead of “falling back”.  Once we got up and had breakfast, we separated clothes and then headed to mom’s to do laundry.  It took us all afternoon to finish our laundry.  It was okay though because we worked on this craft project that I have wanted to make for a while.  Once I have enough of them made, Princess Ivi and mom are going to go to the Farmers Market on Fridays and I will go on Saturdays to sell them.  I may even open an Etsy shop.  I can’t tell you what “them” are yet but I will once they can be revealed to the public.  

Now, I am at work thinking about my yard sale this weekend.  I can’t wait to get rid of the huge pile of stuff in my house.  It will open things up so much when it is gone.  I will also be able to move the dog’s crate further down the hallway which will be further away from the drafty back door.  I am also thinking I will be able to put one of those tall heater things in the hallway which will warm up that end of the house where the bathroom and bedrooms are.  

On a totally separate subject, I am ridiculously excited about the new Harry Potter movie.  I can’t wait.  Of course, I am not crazy enough to go on opening night but I will see it on that weekend.  I am curious to see where they leave off on part one.

Well, have a happy Monday everyone!!! 

The Best Pick-up Line Ever

I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday so I missed 10 on Tuesday's 10 Ways to Simplify Your Life.  We were being monitored by the organization that we get our funding from.  I didn't think it would be a good idea to blog because, knowing my luck, he would have walked up behind me. 

A funny thing happened to me when I checked my email yesterday.  A few months ago, on some strange whim, I set up a profile on OK Cupid for a couple of reasons.  (1. It is free and 2. I was apparently feeling rather lonely.)  Needless to say, I have not yet met the man of my dreams on this site.  I have had several messages though.  I have the one guy who repeatedly contacts me with messages referring to the size of my breasts.  he also visits my profile several times a week.  Yesterday though, I received the best message.  (This is a sarcastic comment which is hard to portray in a blog posting).  

Anyway, the line was "if you can have more kids, you are perfect.  Would love to talk."  

Seriously?  I did visit this gentleman's profile to learn that he is "going through some serious changes in his life".  I also learned that he is 6'5" and just finished CNA school and is hoping to go to RN school soon.  So this man thought that using the pick up line about having more kids with a man who has a crappy paying job (if he is even working as a CNA), who admits to throwing his PlayStation across the room, would make me jump at the opportunity to be with me.  

My response - Tempting, but....no.

My new job is going well, I think.  I work with some really great people.  So far, I don't have any complaints.  Except to say that working for legal aid, working with the most needy of our society, can really put your life in perspective but that is not a complaint just an observation.

As for knitting, I haven't been doing much this week.  Princess Ivi and I had a bit of a blow up on Saturday and since then, haven't really felt like knitting.

I am thinking about my niece's 16th birthday party which is Saturday at the Cheesecake Factory.  I have no idea what I am going to get her though.  I guess I should probably decide soon though.