Pain Redeemed {Giveaway Winner}

I am a day late announcing the winner of the Pain Redeemed Giveaway- sorry!

The lucky duck who will be receiving a signed copy is....Abigail W!

Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who participated! Head on over to Natasha's blog and pick up a copy :) It's also available for download.

Happy Saturday! I hope you are enjoying this gorgeous day outdoors!
As I type this, my windows are up, the birds are singing, and a breeze is blowing across the lake.
Happiness.

 

Friday Five

What a week it has been in our small town.

I'm gearing up for a jam packed weekend: overnight trip to Nashville, my Dad's birthday, church, play dates... oh my!

On to today's edition of the Friday Five.

Uno. The Music City
I am currently en route to Nashville for a VBS conference with some of my church sistas. While we are going for a conference, this lady is going to pretend we are on a mini vacay :) My sweet husband is on duty tonight and tomorrow- I know sweet Mary Grace is going to enjoy her time with Dada. I think getting out will do all of us a bit of good. Cabin Fever was beginning to set in and after being cooped up for three days with a rambunctious toddler, Mommy and Daddy need a break. MG has been asking about her Nannie, Bubba, and Duke {the dog} for days now, so I know she'll be ecstatic to spend a few hours with them.

Someone likes it :)

Dos. Violette Pinafore and Leggings
What do you do when you're stuck at home for three days? You dream of Spring and start sewing sweet little outfits for those gloriously warm days. I made this little lovely and cannot wait for warmer weather so she can wear it out. The top was oh so easy- I foresee making many of these for little miss. {Please overlook the safety pins on the top- I've got to find some super cute buttons}.

 

 

 Tres. Forgotten God
When I wasn't sewing or chasing the wee one, I was busy catching up on some reading. I finished this book {finally} and highly recommend it. I say finally because I've been working on it for a couple of months now. I tried to really marinate on what it had to say. It focuses on the Holy Spirit and it's role in our lives. Definitely made me view the Holy Spirit and in a whole new way.

Qutro. Snuggle Buddy
Louie may be the only one excited about the freezing temperatures. It was his excuse to spend a couple of nights inside, snuggled up with me. Although I'm not sure what was worse- braving the freezing temps outside or having Mary Grace chase him relentlessly inside.

Cinco. Birthday Wishes
I saved the best for last. Today is my sweet Daddy's birthday. I hate that I'm traveling and cannot be there to sing to him in person ;) While going through my camera photos, I came across this sweet treasure. Priceless.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I cannot wait to see you tomorrow!

That's all I have for today. Check back tomorrow for a glimpse into our snow days.

Now, head on over to The Sowell Life and check out Joy's Friday Five- along with others who have joined the fun!

Happy Friday!

 

Andy Andrews

I recently stumbled across my new favorite author- Andy Andrews.

You may remember I mentioned his book, The Noticer, a few weeks ago. It was fantastic! I followed it up with one of his earlier books, Island of Saints, which is amazing! This book was recently republished under then name The Heart Mender. I'm currently finishing up The Traveler's Gift, which to no surprise is another wonderful book.

I love that Andy is from Orange Beach, and sets many of his stories there. Maybe I'll have a chance run in with him while at the beach this summer. {Oh how I wish}.

All of his books are considered 'self-help' but they are not the typical SH books. The characters and story lines are unique- the type that you miss when it's over. They are relatively quick reads, which, for this busy momma, is a plus.

Island of Saints {or The Heart Mender} is all about forgiveness, which let's face it, we all need more of in our lives. It also gives crazy facts about Nazi soldiers in Orange Beach during WW2. Who knew?

The Noticer touches on many different topics from marriage, dating, family, and business. It will definitely give you some perspective.

The Traveler's Gift is a must read for anyone. You will receive seven tips to a happy, successful life from some of history's greatest figures.

Happy Reading!

Sabbath by Wayne Muller

 I rate this book 4/5

If you are anything like me- constantly feeling the need to 'do' something, always tackling several things at once, feeling like you can never really relax- then this is the book for you! One of my very favorite sites, Bloom, chose this book and it was a great read. I highly recommend this to anyone of any age. Oh, don't forget to check out the discussion videos at Bloom.

If only I had found this little jewel of a read 6 years ago.

Here are just a few of the passages that stuck to me like crazy glue.

And so we are given a commandment: Remember the Sabbath. Rest is an essential enzyme of life, as necessary as air. Without rest, we cannot sustain the energy needed to have life. We refuse to rest at our peril- and yet in a world where overwork is seen as a professional virtue, many of us feel we can legitimately be stopped only by physical illness or collapse.

We reward our captains of industry, our real estate tycoons and investment wizards with outrageous wealth and success. At the same time, people who work with those precious things that grow only in time- caring for children, making peace in troubled communities, harvesting the crops that feed us- these people are invisible, necessary but easily replaced, a dime a dozen.  This economic perversity slowly corrodes the fabric of the human family.

Jesus' most poignant prayer- prayed when he knew he was soon to die- was simply this: "Thy will be done." This is not defeat or resignation, but astonishing faith that there are spiritual forces that will bear him up, regardless of the outcome.  Often in our striving for a particular result, we are not willing to be surprised by a healing we cannot imagine, Paradoxically, it is often cowardice that makes us hold on to our own small solutions; it takes infinitely more courage to surrender.

Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy. Sabbath time is set apart for remembering the holiness of life. If we speed up and saturate ourselves with accomplishment and worry, we may define what is sacred with our mindlessness. Time is the key. Time, and attention. If we grab a sandwich as we run out the door, this is eating, If we take a small crust of bread and a sip of wine, in a mindful gathering of other beings, this is a sacrament. It is neither the food nor the eating but the time and the mindfulness that reveal what is holy.

Note: While this book focuses primarily on the Christian faith, it does have a few ideas that stem from buddha and other religions.

I Am Nujood: Age 10 and Divorced

I rate this book 3/5.

My friend Chickadee loaned me this to read. It was a quick read and kept your attention, although some of the events are a bit graphic and will break your heart!

Here is a synopsis of the book from Booklist:

"Chosen by Glamour magazine as a Woman of the Year in 2008, Nujood of Yemen has become an international hero for her astonishingly brave resistance to child marriage. Sold off by her impoverished family at the age of 10, continually raped by her husband before she even reached puberty, Nujood found the courage to run away, and with the help of an activist lawyer, sympathetic judges, and the international press, she divorced her husband and returned home. Her clear, first-person narrative, translated from the French and written with Minoui, is spellbinding: the horror of her parents’ betrayal and her mother-in-law’s connivance, the “grown-ups” who send the child from classroom and toys to nightmare abuse. She never denies the poverty that drives her parents and oppresses her brothers, even as she reveals their cruelty. Unlike her passive mother, she is an activist, thrilled to return to school, determined to save others, including her little sister. True to the child’s viewpoint, the “grown-up” cruelty is devastating. Readers will find it incredible that such unbelievable abuse and such courageous resistance are happening now." --Hazel Rochman

The Shack

I rate this book 5/5. Yeah, it's that good!

I just finished reading this book about 2 minutes ago. I could not wait to share this on my blog. This is by far one of the best books I've ever read. It is now at the top of my list, closely followed only by Redeeming Love.

Betty Boop recommended this book to me a while back when we where shopping at Books-A-Million. I bought it, placed it on my bookshelf, and didn't think much more about it. After finishing Wicked I needed a new book, but felt guilty about buying a new book when I have so many that I haven't read. So, Sunday I started this one. I could not put it down. It was on my mind all day every day and each afternoon I would hurry home to finish reading it. If you have not read this book you should go get it, today! It is a beautiful story of loss, pain, healing, and God's unending love! It caused me to reevaluate my perceptions of love, and I'm sure it will do the same for you!

As always, Happy Reading!

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

I rate this 2/5

In all honesty, this was a struggle for me. I started reading this book last Fall, and I just finished it today. It wasn't until halfway through the book that I really became engaged. Usually I just give up, but in this case I am glad I stuck with it.

Fireworks Over Toccoa

This is one of the best love stories I've read in a while. I did not want this book to end. It's a short read, compared to some books I've reviewed, but well worth it!

Rating: 4/5 stars

"An unexpected discovery takes eighty-four-year-old Lily Davis Woodward to 1945, and the five days that forever changed her life. Married for only a week before her husband was sent to fight in WWII, Lily is anxious for his return, and the chance to begin their life together. In honor of the soldiers' homecoming, the small Georgia town of Toccoa plans a big celebration. And Jake Russo, a handsome Italian immigrant, also back from war, is responsible for the elaborate fireworks display the town commissioned. But after a chance encounter in a star-lit field, he steals Lily's heart and soul--and fulfills her in ways her socially-minded, upper-class family cannot. Now, torn by duty to society and her husband--and the poor, passionate man who might be her only true love--Lily must choose between a commitment she's already made and a love she's never known before."

Review from the Publisher

Eat. Pray. Love

True, I picked up this book because I'd heard such rave reviews- but I also picked it up because, like Liz, I'm on a quest for something (not sure what it is, and I definitely do not have the luxury of living abroad while I figure it all out). I'll admit the book is really hard to get into. Then I made the mistake of going to see the movie before I finished reading the book. I was sorely disappointed in the movie and, as a result, have lost my desire to finish the book. Normally the idea of not finishing a book would drive me crazy- but several people close to me have read it and say I'm not missing out on much. Maybe I should have listened to them rather than the critics.

I hate that this post is coming off like I'm bashing the book. I'm sure it is a great book (I can't really say one way or the other because I myself have not finished it). It just was not the page turner that I thought it would be.

Who knows, maybe I'll finish it, maybe I won't. But as of now here's where this book stands with me.

home another way

I just finished this book last weekend. It has a good plot and ends well. I hope the author writes a sequel, but being as how this was her first novel I doubt she will. I recommend this book for anyone who needs a reminder of what really matters in life and how precious friends really are.

I would rate this book 3.5/4

Happy Reading

The Lovely Bones

The book was an okay read. To me, it sort of dragged on- for example, you find out in chapter 1 who kills her, so there's really no mystery to the story. (This is only my opinion). The hubby and I went to see the movie last weekend and I was sorely disappointed. I'm not sure I would recommend this book, or the movie for that matter.

Just in case your interested, and haven't seen the previews on TV, here's the movie trailer.

October, November, December

I am still alive- believe it or not.

The past few months have been a blur. Good things happened. Sad things happened. I needed a break from things- even blogging. I'm still in my gloomy frame of mind.

But alas, I'm back. I've been debating on how to catch my blog up on the past few months- at times I considered just leaving those three months as a mystery.

Lucky for you, I changed my mind.

October

The hubby and I took a well needed get-away to Vicksburg, MS. I'm a huge history buff and had been planning this escape for months. We stayed at a fabulous B&B, called Anchuca Mansion, click here to check it out.



I survived another field trip to the pumpkin patch and began counting down the days until Thanksgiving break.

November

I cried almost daily over my stats class.

Decided on a whim one Tuesday afternoon that I wanted a new car. That same day I drove home in a brand new $32,000 2010 Camry XLE (without my hubby even seeing it yet). A few days later, on Friday 13th, I made it official and put my name on the car. Of course,the first thing I did was put limo tint on it! I cannot stand riding in a car that doesn't have tint. I hate feeling like everyone can see me.... silly, I know. I love my new Camry. It has every option you can imagine (but for $32 K it better be loaded, right?).

The Camry the day I brought it home (before the tint).

The Camry next to my trusty old Altima. When I was 18 my mom bought me this car. I walked on the lot, picked out this brand new $25 K Altima SL, and she paid cash for it that day. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity! The Altima was the car I drove to my honeymoon in and had when I graduated college. Hopefully, the Camry will be part of many new memories, like bringing my first child home from the hospital in. =)

Over Thanksgiving break I killed a 5 point buck while hunting with my Daddy. This is a memory I'll forever treasure.


December

On December 2nd I took a personal day from work to take care of a few things. Everything went well and I could not have asked for a better day. A big thanks to everyone who sent up prayers!

Went to the movies all alone (felt so old in doing this!). Watched "The Blind Side" and fell in love! Awesome movie!


Finished up the semester and did some much needed celebrating. Thank goodness I passed stats!

Survived my class Christmas party- still not sure how I made it out alive. I was recognized during the Christmas awards program as 'growing the most students on the Winter CPAA assessment'. I was thrilled and very proud of my students. Needless to say, my class rocks!

I was a grinch this year and skipped several Christmas parties (including the faculty party at work).

While everyone else was counting down the days until Santa came, I was counting down the days until I could take down all the silly Christmas decorations. Yeah, it was that bad.

Was ecstatic that the hubby bought me John Mayer tickets! He's coming to Birmingham on Feb. 9 and I'm planning on going with my friend Mizz Hoppa. I know you are soooo jealous! (I also highly recommend his new album, Battle Studies. I posted a few songs from this album on my playlist at the bottom of my blog- 'assassin' and 'edge of desire are my two favorites').

Finished reading "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks. Now I cannot wait to see the moving coming out in January!




I bet you've stopped reading by now! =)
You are now up to date!

Happy New Year

Twilight Saga

Last night I finished reading the last book of the Twilight saga. This was such a good saga! I'm so disappointed that it's over! I woke up this morning wanting to read more about the characters lives but then I remembered that I'd finished the book....... sigh.... I really miss the storyline. I guess now I can look forward to the New Moon movie coming out in November.... and then Eclipse coming out sometime next Summer. Also, I'm really hoping that Stephanie finishes writing Midnight Sun - Edward Cullen's side of the story. The rough draft was leaked and thus discouraged Stephanie from finishing the project. However, the latest update on her website stated that she is planning on finishing the book...


Stephanie- please finish Midnight Sun because I'm already going through withdrawals! Also, why not write a book for Reneesme, that would be nice! Thanks!

I highly, highly recommend this series. It's not just some silly book for teenagers. It's a really great story that readers of every age will enjoy! This saga is now my all time favorite story, even beating Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I love, love, love this book!

I'm currently reading How Full Is Your Bucket. I'll blog about it once I'm finished.

Twilight

This book review will be short and sweet.....


I'm addicted.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I give this book 5/5 .... you've got to read it!

As I mentioned previously, I was a skeptic... but I'm now an addict. I started reading this book Saturday evening around 5 (the hubby and I took the Mustang to the drag strip- so, I had all night to read)- I finished it last night at 8. That means I read the book in just over 24 hours. I'm now on my way to Meridian to pick up the next book, New Moon. Thank goodness that Twilight had the first chapter of New Moon as a 'sneak peak' to tide me over until I can get the other book. I don't think I could have made it through this morning without having my Edward fix! I'm now counting down the days until the New Moon movie comes out in November.

Take my advice- read this saga.

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffeneger

I give this book 4.5 / 5 stars

My good friend, Chickadee, and I are big Eric Bana fans. So, when I began seeing advertisements for his new movie The Time Traveler's Wife I began investigating. Once I found that his new movie is actually based on a book, I decided to give it a try. I'm also a huge Rachel McAdams fan!

I highly recommend this book! The story between Henry and Clare is so unbelievably moving that you become entranced in their love and thus cannot put the book down! =) This is a real pager turner! I just finished reading it about 20 minutes ago and I'm still teary eyed from crying like a baby. I couldn't wait to see what what going to happen to Clare and Henry, but at the same time I hated finishing the book because I didn't want the story to end. I'm definitely going to miss these characters.

The movie opens in theaters Friday. Chickadee and I are going to have a girls night out and watch the movie. I just hope the move is half as good as the book!

In case you've been living under a rock and have not seen the millions of previews on TV for this movie, here is the trailer......

For my next reading love affair, I've decided to take the plunge and dive head first into the Twilight series. I will admit that I've rolled my eyes several times at the mention of the movie or book series. However, I decided to be 'open minded' (there I go again!) and watch the movie. I ended up loving the movie! I bought the book a few weeks ago but decided to read The Time Traveler's Wife first. I'm actually excited about the next installment, New Moon, coming out in theater's in late November. I'm starting on Twilight this weekend. I've heard the book is better than the movie- so, we shall see!

A Bride in the Bargain

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist
I give this book 4/5 stars.
(It reminded me of my all time favorite book, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
This may be why I enjoyed it so much.)

I finished reading this book yesterday afternoon and it was soooo good! It's one of those books you want to go on forever- and once it's over, you miss the characters! I highly recommend this Christian Fiction book! It's a sweet love story that will have you addicted within the first chapter! I couldn't put it down!

I've moved on to The Deliverer by Linda Rios Brook (this is the sequel to Lucifer's Flood which I blogged about earlier.) It picks up during the time of Moses and goes from there.... again, it's interesting to read in that the perspective is from a fallen angel who now regrets his decision to side with Lucifer. Very different!

Check out my "Recommended Reads" section to the left of the screen to see what I've enjoyed, hated, and loved.

The Boleyn Inheritance

I give this book 3/5 stars.
But, I give The Other Boleyn Girl 4/5.

Last night I finished reading The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. It was not quite the page turner that The Other Boleyn Girl was- but it was still interesting. One of the reasons I've enjoyed reading this series is because I have a passion for history and Philippa Gregory goes to great lengths to ensure that her novels are historically sound. I did a bit of research on the wives of King Henry VIII and it's quite interesting! I was even able to find some of the love letters that King Henry wrote to his wives! Pretty neat! I would love to visit Europe one day- perhaps even take a tour of some of the places mentioned in this book. This book covered the two wives after Anne Boleyn- Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard (Henry's fourth and fifth wife). There is one or two more books in this series- but I'm going to save them until after I read a few others!

I'm now working on A Bride in the Bargain. I'm on a book roll these days- I've read two books in just over a week and I'm now on my third. I guess you know how I've been spending these hot summer days- curled up in my favorite over-stuffed chair reading (and trying to stay cool).

Happy Reading!

My Sister's Keeper

I've decided to start rating my books- so I give this one 3/5 stars.

Although the end of the book was interesting, the beginning drug on! There was a time when I considered putting it down- but I can't stand not finishing a book..... so onward I trudged. One of the reasons I chose this book was because the movie was coming out....but this too became frustrating. I finished the book at 2 a.m. Saturday morning - and I cried like a baby! We had planned on going to see it in theaters, but to our dismay it was not playing in Meridian. So, I really doubt that I'm going to drive 3 hours to Mobile or Jackson to see it (being as how I wasn't that into the book.) I'll wait and watch it when it comes out on DVD.

Here are three new books that I've picked up.
They're all Christian Fiction's that I've been wanting to read.

Home Another Way by Christa Parrish


A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist


The Deliverer by Lida Rios Brook
This book is actually the sequel to a book I read a few months ago- Lucifer's Flood- which I discussed in this post.

HEADS UP: To all of my fellow readers- Books-A-Million is having a good sale on books- particularly Christian Fiction. When I bought these new books last Monday the sale was 'Buy 2- Get 3rd Free'. Not bad- you might want to check it out.

I'm finishing up The Boleyn Inheritance- which I discussed here -and I plan on reading A Bride in the Bargain next. (I had put The Boleyn Inheritance down for a bit so I could read The Last Lecture before school let out.....then I found My Sister's Keeper.....but I'm back on it now! I forgot how much I enjoyed reading that series- I'll have to find the other books in the series and finish them up this summer). Speaking of which, I think I'll pick up the movie The Other Boleyn Girl today while I'm out.

Happy Reading!

The Last Lecture

As mentioned on a previous blog, I read "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I finished it about 3 nights ago and cried like a baby during the last few pages! You cannot read this book without stopping periodically and reflecting on your own life and decisions. I highly recommend this book!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.....

"The brick walls in life are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier." ---This really hit home with me in that I'm the ultimate procrastinator!

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. It's a phrase worth considering at every brick wall we encounter, and at every disappointment. It's also a reminder that failure is not just acceptable, it's often essential."

"Be The First Penguin. When I taught the 'Building Virtual Worlds' couse, I encourage students to attempt hard things and to not worry about failing. I wanted to reward that way of thinking. So, at the end of each semester I gave out "The First Penguin" award. The title of the award came from the notion that when penguins are about to jump into water that might contain predators, well, somebody's go to be the first penguin!"

"Get in touch with your crayon box. As I spoke about childhood dreams during my last lecture, I asked everyone to close their eyes and rub a crayon between their fingers-- to feel the texture, the paper, the wax. Then I asked them to smell their crayon. Smelling a crayon takes you right back to childhood, doesn't it? To this day I always carry a crayon in my shirt pocket-- for those moments when I need to remember."


I'm now reading 'My Sister's Keeper' by Jodi Picoult. I saw previews of the movie, starring Cameron Diaz, and it looks interesting! I'm hoping to finish the book before the movie comes out June 26. This is the first time I've read the book first, then watched the movie. I always do it backwards! =)

Oh, the places you'll go...... My Last Lecture

Two weeks ago I began thinking about what I would tell my kindergarteners...... sort of my 'last lecture'. To find inspiration, I read the book The Last Lecture by Randy Paush- I recommend it to anyone who needs a different outlook on life. You can check out YouTube and actually watch Randy's last lecture which inspired the book. It gave me chill bumps!

I'm such an ordinary person- so there's really nothing meaningful I can say to these young minds that they will actually remember.

So I chose to use the words of someone Not-So-Ordinary- the great Dr. Seuss. I love his book Oh, The Places You'll Go and Oh, The Thinks You Can Think - these are two great books to read to anyone about to graduate; whether it be from kindergarten or college.

And thus follows my last lecture.....

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don' t
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

---Dr. Seuss