Butterviews

I recently read Here, Home, Hope, by Kaira Rouda.

I could really relate to this book. In my late 30′s, suffering from depression, kids not needing me as much. I, too, even started my own business. It’s rare I find a book that seems like my own life so much. That said, some of the story is a little out there, but Rouda really ties the varying oddities into the whole story, and brings the whole situation to a believable, if somewhat naive, place.

I liked the book, but it won’t make my “Must keep forever and ever” shelf. It was easy readying, without being dumbed down, which I like. If I’m escaping into fiction, I don’t want a novel to be too terribly cerebral, and this fits the bill. But it was intelligent at the same time.

All in all though, I did get annoyed by some of the characters. Kelly’s over-sentimentality of her children off to camp turned me off a bit. I was glad, however, that the book showed Kelly’s need for therapy and the help she got. I would have liked to have it fleshed out a bit more though. I think we, as readers, sit in on maybe two sessions, and suddenly she’s turned her entire life around. It doesn’t seem real – it’s NOT real. I’ve been there. Another unrealistic aspect was Kelly’s business becoming an overnight success. While it’s true, sometimes look that way, that’s because the business was under the radar during its building phase. In this case, you see the hard work after it’s already a success. Backwards. Again – I’ve been there. But you do get a chance to see the long hours and chaos that seems to surround new businesses. That’s something that’s not usually a topic of fiction, so it was fun to watch that unfold. Kelly’s husband, Patrick, seemed (and seems now – having finished the book) to be a little too perfect. I would have liked to see more of his faults. I think there was an attempt made, but frankly, his reactions were perfectly reasonable and not faulty in the least. He seemed to be more the caricature of a perfect husband, rather than delving into what made him Patrick.

Living in an affluent neighborhood, I can say that Rouda really nailed that one woman. You know the one – perfect, at all the school functions, rules the school, and seemingly genetically pre-disposed to passive aggression? Yeah, that one. I liked that even though some of the situations were far-fetched, you could still imagine them happening. And really, when you look back in life, you realize that things really sometimes happen this way. I was glad of that reminder.

Ultimately, this is a positive review. I was engaged by the book. After I was finished, I was left with the idea that it doesn’t matter your size or shape, age or gender, you can reinvent yourself. You can find your passion. You can love yourself. You can feel as though you matter. Reinvention can happen any time.

Kaira Rouda Events
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I was recently asked by the One2One Network to review Yanni’s latest release, Truth of Touch. This is Yanni’s first instrumental release of original compositions in over eight years and is a return to the genre Yanni helped create and advance.

“I work the rhythms in this album,” explains Yanni about the new material. “There is a beautiful complexity in these rhythms, a new sound design. I think the melodic content is very strong and very memorable. I was having fun with this album and that’s going to become apparent.”

Track Listing:

1. Truth Of Touch

2. Echo Of A Dream

3. Seasons

4. Voyage

5. Flash Of Color

6. Vertigo

7. Nine

8. Can’t Wait

9. Guilty Pleasure

10. O Luce Che Brilla Nell’ Oscurità

11. I’m So

12. Long Way Home

13. Yanni & Arturo

14. Mist Of A Kiss

15. Secret

I love Yanni because all his songs are a little different than the next one. They all have a different feel which keeps it interesting. In Truth of Touch (I keep typing Touch of Truth, gr), some have a “classic Yanni” feel, some are more contemporary, some have a latin flavor, and some have a jazz flavor.

I listened to the entire album with the exception of track 2. I couldn’t listen to that one as it had scales that went from one headphone speaker to the other and back again, and due to some inner ear issues, it made me dizzy. Usually, I’m really into straight instrumentals, but on this album, surprisingly, my two favorites were with female vocalists; tracks 8 and 15. My least favorite was track 3. I just felt it didn’t go anywhere.

All in all, it’s definitely a keeper, and I’ll be putting it into my regular music rotation.

Yanni just kicked off his North American tour on 3/22. Check out the dates that are near you!

Disclaimer: I was given a free download of the album in exchange for an honest review by the One2One Network. There was no other compensation.

EQUATION: I was recently contacted by the Old Barn Rescue Company to review a wall decal product of my choice.

From the company’s “About” page:

When Jan’s dad told her he needed to tear down their childhood barn she couldn’t stand the thought of all that beautiful weathered, 120-year-0ld wood going to waste. She and her good friend, Adonna, started creating and, voila, Old Barn Rescue Company was born. In the fall of 2008, due to the popularity of Adonna’s hand-lettering, we began Old Barn Rescue Company’s Wall Graphic Division. Now you can have Adonna’s gorgeous writing on your wall without the added cost of her visiting your home to do it herself!

As you can see, Old Barn Rescue is still creating one-of-a-kind wall decor from up-cycled doors, windows, furniture and molding. We love finding just the right door knob or hook, and getting our hands dirty digging for the perfect treasure to finish a piece. You’ll find all kinds of wonderful, eco friendly decor in our Old Barn Rescue section of this site. Check back often though as they fly off the shelves!

We also love the versatility and ease of the cut vinyl. Adonna is always coming up with new wall graphic designs, most of which are hand-drawn, making them unlike anything else out there. She is always being asked, “Where did you buy your fonts?” Her hand-lettering now graces the walls of many a nursery and bedroom, kitchen and bath, classroom and storefront. As two MWK’s (mom’s with kids) we enjoy being creative and are committed to making sure you, the customer, love what we create.

I chose the “Home Sweet Home” decal. The pictures, unfortunately, don’t do it justice. They were taken on my phone as I don’t have a camera right now. The colors I chose were black for “Home Sweet Home” and red for the background “Home.”

Farther Away

MINUS: It really took me a while to figure out how to attach it properly, with the words sticking to the paint, instead of trying to stick back to the backing. Because it’s over my piano – and no one can move that thing, it took 3 grown men when we installed the carpet – I was up on a stool bending over the top of the piano. My angle may have had something to do with it. Once I bended the decal all the way over on itself so it was it was flush against the wall, peeling the adhesive off was a breeze. It took me a while to realize that.

Up Close

EQUALS: A definite positive review. It just looks so “right” there. I will definitely be using them if I decide to do words on my walls again.

I was asked to preview CMT’s first scripted sitcom, Working Class by the One2One Network.

Working Class premieres next Friday, January 28th, at 8PM ET/PT. It stars Melissa Peterman and Ed Asner. Here’s a synopsis of the new show:

The new 12 episode, multi-camera series follows Carli Mitchell (Melissa Peterman), a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her three kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to “the good life” is harder than she thought. She’s unwittingly befriended by her cranky neighbor, Hank (Ed Asner), her only “career” prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for not only already has a girlfriend – but he’s also her boss, Rob (Patrick Fabian). With her ladies-man brother, Nick (Steve Kazee), to help her out (when he’s not acting like one of thekids himself), Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating, and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself and approaching each day with a touch of
working class.

The complete cast includes:
• Melissa Peterman – “Carli Mitchell”
• Ed Asner – “Hank Greziak,” Carli’s neighbor.
• Steve Kazee – “Nick Garrett,” Carli’s brother.
• Patrick Fabian – “Rob Parker,” Carli’s boss and love interest.
• Lachlan Buchahan – “Scott Mitchell,” Carli’s eldest son.
• Courtney Merritt – “Pam Mitchell,” Carli’s daughter.
• Cameron Castaneda – “Will Mitchell,” Carli’s youngest son.

The show will also feature multiple guest stars throughout the season, including recently-announced Reba, whose on-screen reunion with Melissa Peterman will air in February. Additional guest stars include David Faustino (“Married with Children” and Not Another B Movie); Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show” and “The
Secret Life of the American Teenager”); Martin Mull (“Roseanne” and “’Til Death”); John Schneider (“The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Smallville”); Ryan Stiles (“Whose Line Is It Anyway” and “The Drew Carey Show”); and Lesley Ann Warren (“In Plain Sight” and “Desperate Housewives”), as well as CMT’s own Evan Farmer from
CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN. WORKING CLASS is executive produced by Jill Cargerman (“Spin City,” “Las Vegas,” “Gary Unmarried”) and Bryan Johnson of The Film Syndicate.

I jotted down a few notes as I watched the show:

• It is really nice to see Melissa Petersen as someone who is NOT a ditz!
• The show reminds me a lot of Roseanne in it’s appeal to me (and my family background) without the meanness I saw in that show.
• Very cute, and a little silly.
• Good mindless entertainment – which is exactly what I want out of a 1/2 hour sitcom.

So, what can I say in summary? Will it change television history? No. Does it appeal to my demographic? Yes. Is the acting worth watching? Yes. Will I watch it again? Yes. I’m curious how they’re going to take the story line. All in all, a positive review!

I was recently sent Heather Payne’s Sweet Exchange CD to review.

Before I do that, here’s Heather’s biography, so you know who it is I’m talking about.

Heather Payne does not miss the stage. Make no mistake – she treasures the nearly 18 years she experienced as a founding member of Point of Grace. But she has not – not even once – looked back and thought, I wish I was back on the road. These days, as wife of a pastor and educator and mother of four adorable kids, living a fairly quiet life away from the Nashville scene, Heather Payne is the very voice of contentment.

But, oh, that voice! That remarkable range, that honest delivery, that effortless power – how it has been missed. In 2008, when Payne retired from Point of Grace, she declared that she would sing again one day. A good friend gave her this advice: “When the time comes, don’t sing because you have to, sing because you want to.” Now, finally, the time has come. Heather Payne is singing again.

“Sweet Exchange” is a fresh take on the timeless hymns of the church. Modern arrangements, new choruses, and sometimes-complete re-imaginations help these deep and meaningful songs shine.

So what makes a retired artist from one of the most successful groups in Christian music history decide to record a new album full of old hymns? A childhood memory helps explain: “I remember when I was very young, and my mom used to let me stand on the pew beside her in church. She let me hold the hymnal, even though I couldn’t even read! I felt so big. I learned the hymns that way, just singing along. I want that for my kids now.”

Payne tells of her 2-year-old getting a head start, singing Holy, Holy, Holy like only a toddler can: “Ho-wy, Ho-wy, Ho-wy!” That desire to pass these old hymns to her children merged with a goal to give the church a new worship tool, and “Sweet Exchange” was the result. The album makes classic hymns accessible to modern listeners, and sets the stage for worship that is not just about emotion.

“Emotions go just so far in worship,” Payne says. “With the rich doctrine in hymns, truth sinks in. Some modern worship music is so repetitive that it almost creates a frenzy, but is it truth or emotion driving it?” In the arrangements on “Sweet Exchange”, Payne made a point to allow the vivid portraits of God’s love and grace to be the focus in hymns like Hallelujah, What a Savior, Pass Me Not, and Jesus Paid it All.

If modern listeners ever thought the lyrics of hymns were stale, these presentations will draw them in and open both their hearts and minds. Alas and Did My Savior Bleed is given an appropriately solemn, almost theatrical treatment. O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing drives to a pulsing kick drum and features a rousing new chorus and provocative bridge: “And even with a chorus of 10,000 voices strong, and even with a day that was 10,000 lifetimes long / And even with a melody that spanned 10,000 songs, I’ll never cease to sing Your praise / Creation sings along!”

Payne gets philosophical in discussing the motivation for the title track, a new hymn that declares the album’s theme. Her husband was preaching on imputed righteousness, a big theological term, and he was explaining it with a quote from a first century Greek writer’s Letter to Diognetus. The fact that this old letter could explain a difficult concept in an embraceable way, and then overflow in worship, embodied exactly what Payne hoped to accomplish with this album. Consider these words, almost 2,000 years old: “O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!”

From this beautiful description an equally beautiful song was born, and the idea carries the album. Ironically, while it will certainly serve to introduce hymns to a new generation, the fresh approach has already been a way to reintroduce hymns to folks who grew up singing them. “My mom played the album for the lady that cuts her hair – typical proud mama,” Payne recalls, “and as she was listening the lady said, ‘Oh! So that’s what that hymn says!’ She had never really listened to the words before because she just sang them monotonously.”

This desire to serve future generations with the theology and worship of hymns stems from the same Scripture that played a role in Payne’s decision to leave Point of Grace. It was the Shema from Deuteronomy 6, the compelling call to impress the commands of the Lord on your children all day long, that struck Payne when she moved to Louisville in 2002. “I memorized that passage because we were starting to have kids and I wanted that in my mind and heart. As more kids were born, the Lord kept bringing it back up. Are you teaching them diligently? When you’re traveling the way I was, there was no diligence or consistency or excellence.”

Payne began discussing alternative plans with the other members of Point of Grace and eventually, in the most unlikely of places, retired completely. “We were backstage, getting ready to sing at the Dove Awards. I was getting makeup done and nursing a 4-month-old baby when our manager came in and said one of our songs was getting airplay on country radio. He wanted us to head out to California for a week-and-a-half promo tour. I sat there holding my baby and thinking of my husband and other 3 kids, and it was the first time I saw clearly that this is not what I want to do anymore. So right then and there backstage before I had to sing on TV, I said, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m not kidding, this is it for me.’”

Today, that baby’s a happy toddler. Heather is thrilled that Point of Grace has thrived and continues to impact country radio. (Fellow PoG alumna Terry Jones even sings background vocals on a few of the tracks on “Sweet Exchange”.) And that same passage in Deuteronomy, that same desire to pass the truths of God on to her children, and the realization that those truths are so richly conveyed in the old hymns, that’s why the time has come. That’s why Heather Payne is singing again.

So, what did I think of the music?

It was wonderful! It was upbeat, it was full of joy, and it was full of reverence. This will most certainly be a part of my CD collection. These are basically refreshes of old hymns. Remixes, if you will. It really really works. It keeps the beauty of the old, but with a contemporary feel that you can take them with you and enjoy them. That you don’t have to be in a church to enjoy them. That’s a beautiful gift. You can purchase the CD at Amazon, or at any other music retailer.

Here’s the track listing:

1. Holy Holy Holy
2. O For A Thousand Tongues
3. Rock of Ages
4. Hallelujah What A Savior
5. My Jesus
6. Sweet Exchange
7. O The Deep, Deep Love
8. Pass Me Not
9. Be Thou My Vision
10. Jesus Paid It All
11. Alas My Savior Did Bleed
12. Come Ye Sinners
13. The Gospel Song

The publishers of The Ultimate Mom by Maria Bailey sent me a copy of the book for review.

EQUATION: The Ultimate Mom; uplifting stories, endearing photos, and the best experts’ tips on the toughest job you’ll ever love is just that. They’re rather specific on the cover!  Personal essays interspersed with photographs, and an appendix of tips.  From the publisher:

Whether you become a mom through adoption, by giving birth, or through marriage, your heart is never completely your own again . . . and that is one of the miracles of being a mom.

Just as no two women are the same, the experience of being a mom is different for each of us. In The Ultimate Mom, you’ll follow the journeys of mothers through a diverse collection of stories about this rewarding and challenging job. While some stories are humorous, some are inspirational, and others are poignant, all are filled with the passion, devotion, and dedication every mother feels toward her child.

Words may paint a picture, but photos tell their own story, too. The Ultimate Mom is filled with eye-catching photo of moms and their children celebrating life’s events, both big and small. You’ll also find expert advice from moms in the trenches about finding ‘me’ time, dealing with sibling rivalry, parenting a spirited child, achieving a healthy life balance, and many more timely and provocative subjects.

Join in the celebration of mothers with The Ultimate Mom.

PLUS: I’ll be honest with you.  I wasn’t looking forward to this one.  Books about motherhood – especially essays – have a tendency towards being mushy and sentimental.  I’m not exactly mushy.  I love my kids.  I’m a good mother.  I’m loving and affectionate with them.  But when people wax poetic about motherhood, it makes me cringe.  I was extremely pleasantly surprised.  The essays are simply wonderful.  They capture the good and bad, the wonderful and the grievous.  I really enjoyed reading them.  I was glad to be exposed to these particular writers as well; most of them were new to me.

MINUS: The photographs are all well done.  But I would have loved the photographs to be of the individuals in the essays.  They definitely are not.  The other minus is the appendix of experts.  While it says they are there right in the title, they are more clinical in nature, and a bit jarring when you jump into them after the essays.

EQUALS: A positive review.  The essays are so well done, and – especially if you’re a mother- relatable.  I would definitely recommend this book to other moms.

The opinions of this review are all mine.  The book was given to me gratis.

EQUATION: The Momfluence Network sent me a Nerf Pocket Vortex flying football for their upcoming gift guide for review.  The particular one sent was branded for the Steelers.  The label says “Pocket-Sized Football Fun!  The Farthest Flying Footballs!”  I, alas, do not play with footballs.  So, I tasked the usage to my sons.  Or tried to, anyway – my husband took over instead, and allowed them to play with him.

PLUS: According to my son, Joseph, the football is “Great!  Incredibly awesome!  And I got bonked in the head and it didn’t hurt!”  According to my husband, it turns “awesome,” is easy to throw, and corrects itself.  He also mentioned that when it hits the ground, it flies straight up first, making it easy to retrieve.

MINUS: My son didn’t have any negatives.  My husband said that it could be bigger, to which I replied, “Honey, it’s not made for adults.”  He poo-pooed that notion.

EQUALS: A positive review!  It’s a welcome addition to the outside toys.  My husband enjoyed playing catch with it with the kids – and the kids enjoyed playing with it.  At only $3.99 at Amazon – you cannot go wrong.

This giveaway is now closed, with a winner chosen.

The One2One Network sent me a download of the brand new Five for Fighting album, Slice, which was released October 12th. Keep reading for a giveaway opportunity!

I’m a fan of Five for Fighting and John Ondrasik, so I was looking forward to hearing the new stuff.

So – what are my impressions?  As a whole, very positive.  Catchy stuff that kind of gets into your head and you want to sing along (an example is Slice for that.)  Tuesday sort of reminds me (and this is a compliment, so if you’re like my husband, hush!) of a mixed song of Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond.  It has that feel of a song that might not be that popular now, but endures for years to come.  It’s just lovely.  The melodies through the album really feel good.  I didn’t love Above the Timberline – but I can’t quite put my finger on why.  I think it has to do with the falsetto used.  Transfer is such a rich song, I loved that one – I really want you to take a listen to that one.  The album as a whole is one you should buy.  I love it, and will add all the songs (except Above the Timberline) to my iPod.

The Giveaway! An autographed CD of Five for Fighting’s Slice!  To enter, it’s very very simple.  Comment here.  That’s it.  One per person, please -  Duplicate entries will be deleted.  Deadline is 11:59pm Pacific, Wednesday, November 11th.  I’ll post the winner and I’ll send the winner an email (so make sure you enter with the correct one!)  That person will have 24 hours to get back to me with their address or I choose a new winner.  I’ll pass that info on to the One2One Network to send the winning (autographed) music your way.

Links to Take you Away:

Five for Fighting Website

Follow John on Twitter

Five for Fighting’s YouTube Channel

Become a fan on Facebook

Buy the new Album!!

Album Tracklisting:
1. Slice
2. Note To The Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above The Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story Of Your Life
10. Love Can’t Change The Weather
11. Augie Nieto

Out of the Box Publishing sent me Back Seat Drawing Junior to review with my kids.

EQUATION:  Out of the Box Publishing creates innovative party, card and board games that provide fresh, fun and engaging ways to enjoy time with friends and family. Games that:

* can be learned in minutes.
* are colorfully illustrated and fun to play.
* can easily be played in less than an hour.
* are efficiently designed in smart packaging.
* feature dynamic player interaction from start to finish.

In Back Seat Drawing Junior Players race to identify a drawing done by the “artist”— but the artist doesn’t know what he or she is drawing!  It’s up to the “director” to tell the artist how to draw the picture without giving away the name of the item shown on the picture card.

My kids, husband, and I sat down and played two games worth.

PLUS:  The kids “got it” immediately, once explained to them.  It was extremely interesting to see their thought process as they explained what to draw as the director.  One son, I noticed, was very general in his descriptions and would get frustrated with the artist when they didn’t draw what they had in their head.  The other son was extremely precise.  “Draw one line straight up.  A little shorter.  Good job, that’s perfect.  Now draw another line from the top pointing right.  Exactly.  Now…”  It was hysterical watching him, and his little signs.  They weren’t, however, so good at guessing what was being drawn – but they were trying.

MINUS:  The games were very short.  Probably great if it’s just kids (as it’s intended for.)  The scoring system is such that one person can win in a very short amount of time.  Also, we had a little trouble with the dry-erase markers deciding not to draw if the lid was off for a bit (such as when listening to the Director explain what they want drawn.)

EQUALS:  A positive review.  The kids had a great time, and vociferously demanded we play again.  Of course, it’s too easy for my husband and I, but for the kids, it’s great.  Pictionary fans would probably love this game.  It kept my kids engaged.  It moved fast.  It was understandable for the kids.  I would definitely recommend this one for some good old fashioned family time.  Also – would probably be a great thing to do while waiting on other stuff – for dinner to come out of the oven, that sort of thing.

This opinions in this review are my own.  I was sent the game gratis.

I’ve been doing quite a few music reviews lately and it occurs to me that you might need to know my “process.”

I am by NO means a good critic.  I have an inbred appreciation for music having been a musician many years ago, with many years of instruction.  As a result, my tastes are rather eclectic.  I know what I like, I know what I don’t like, I’m just not very good at expressing it poetically with words that scream “music critic.”

So how do I do my reviews?  I sit and listen to the music while I do something else – usually work.  I have my blogging notebook open next to me, and when a thought pops into my head in regards to what I’m listening to, I write it down.  That’s it.  So while you’re not going to get flowery prose strewn about with musician’s vernacular – you ARE going to get my base opinion.

Moving on…

The One2One Network sent me the Michael Buble’ CD, Crazy Love, for my take.  If you’ve heard of Michael Buble’ the thought that comes to mind is a modern version of the old Rat Pack classics from the likes of Frank Sinatra.  And there is that feel on this CD, however, not in total.  It’s really a broad spectrum of songs.

The first song  – “Cry me a River” – does have that Rat Pack feel.  It’s a great version, and I love the opening.  This song (and really the whole CD) has this really sexy sultry feel, envisioning 3 inch heels, wrap dresses, hats, stockings with garters, cigarettes in long holders, dark back rooms full of music, and sexuality holding back.  When dancing was dancing, and that was a form of courtship and foreplay.  Sorry for the rather graphic display, but that’s really what this CD feels like.  Back when the air fairly hummed – and less was more.

I tend to keep music in sections.  Not Rock vs. Classical, but more along my moods.  These are for when I’m depressed.  These are for when I’m cleaning the house.  These are for when I’m feeling sexy.  These are for when I need to relax.  This CD is going in the section for when I’m on the prowl.

The album released on October 9th – Debuted at number 1 I believe, which is awesome.

Album Tracklisting:
1. Cry Me A River
2. All Of Me
3. Georgia On My Mind
4. Crazy Love
5. Haven’t Met You Yet
6. All I Do Is Dream Of You
7. Hold On
8. Heartache Tonight
9. You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
10. Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)
11. At This Moment
12. Stardust
13. Whatever It Takes (bonus track)

Here are some links to take you away:

Michael Buble’s Website

His Facebook Page

Buy the CD