Book Review: How to be an American Housewife

When I visit Target, and my kids are looking at the toys that I’m not going to buy for them...I like to sneak across the isle and look at the books.  I picked up How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway a few weeks ago and it sounded like my kind of book.  Then my kids started fighting and I walked away without it.

I was thrilled when I saw that BlogHer Book Club had the book to review!  It was destiny!

This is the story of Shoko, a beautiful Japanese woman who escapes scandal and hopes for a better life by marrying an American GI, making a life in the United States by consulting a book called How to be an American Housewife.

We learn all about her new life in America and the family she created.  Her life doesn’t quite turn out the way she thought it would and becoming an American is difficult.

After coming to terms with her failing health, she asks her daughter Sue to return to Japan and help her fix the relationship with her brother who disowned her for marrying the enemy.

Sue makes the trip with her teenage daughter and is able to better understand her Mother by seeing where she came from.   Secrets are revealed and broken hearts are mended.

I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to Shoko’s desire to be a good housewife for her husband.  I went through something similar when I married iKeith.  I was encouraged by the improvement of Shoko and Sue’s relationship when Sue learned more about her Mother’s background.  I’m also a sucker for a happy ending!




I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

My Blog Is Four Today

Today is my 4 year Blogiversary! I started out with a little blog that was supposed to be an update for family in Colorado and Texas....but no one was reading it. Dang people with no computer skills!

Then I started forwarding links to friends and found other blogs to read and the rest is history!

I love this place that has evolved over time and the friends that I've made and never met (yet!).

Thank you for allowing me to share my family, my thoughts and my stories with you.  And thank you for caring about us and being more like a family to me than I've ever know.

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A few weeks ago, I became aware of someone named Carol Tuttle. She is based out of Utah and has written books about Energy Profiling.  I put her book, It's Just My Nature! on hold at the library and read it last Saturday....yes, in one day!  She categorizes people into 4 types.  One of these is generally your dominate and then you will have other types that are secondary!

Each type described a person in our family! I read passages to to iKeith all morning and lightbulbs kept going off.  Yes, this is why you (insert annoying thing you do here) and here is how we should handle it.

I am a type 3.  I have high energy and take action to get things done. I love making lists and marking things off!  I also like to get rid of things that are no longer useful. I'm competitive, friendly and talkative. I walk fast and know where everything is! 

Keith is a type 4.  He is an authority on everything and is able to focus for long periods of time.  He is very aware of structure and demands perfection. He is private, disciplined and uncompromising. Sees things as black or white and can be perceived  as cold and unfriendly.

Alex is a type 2.  He is very concerned with details, easy-going and slow moving. Sensitive to the environment and picky with food.  Not adaptable to change and likes to be comfortable.  Excellent at planning and following through.  Asks a million questions!

Mallory is a type 1.  She is inspiring, fun-loving and hopeful.  She is optimistic, comes up with great ideas and is entertaining.  Is great at making plans and is very disorganized. 

Did you see yourself in any of these descriptions?  The book is much more in depth and goes into great detail about how to handle each type.  For example, type 2 people need time to think things through and are slow moving.  Telling them to hurry up (how many times have I said this to him) makes them shut down.

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I finished reading Don't Breathe a Word: A Novel by Jennifer McMahon last week.  It was soooo good!  It took me no time to read because I couldn't put it down.  It's a mystery set in Vermont and it's kind of about fairies.  But not the cute little pixies that we know and love from Disney movies.

The first person (in the United States of American) that emails me and tells me what kind of company I worked for in my embarrassing vlog from yesterday....wins the book! Mimi wins the book! 

Gifts of Time and Other Things

I had a great post for you today with a little video.  But the vlogging gods are against me today or all of the folks in San Francisco at the WWDC are sucking the internet juice and making it impossible for me to upload a video.

Maybe tomorrow.

I've been wanting to write this post for a week now so I guess today is as good as day as any.  I've been on a Self-Help Book kick.  I'm always working hard to better myself and seek a better understanding of why I feel the way I do.

If you have any issues with shame or not feeling like you're good enough....you have to read Dr. Brene Brown's books.  The most recent book that I read from her was The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. It made me realize that I am enough just the way I am and that if people don't like who I am...that isn't my problem. I'm not everyone's cup of tea and that is okay!  I also learned that my past doesn't define me and that I can't let other people shame me into doing what they want.  My goal is to live a wholehearted and authentic life.

Because of this book...I'm reading more, creating more, reflecting more and loving the life that I've created for myself.

The next two books I had on hold at the library and they became available at the same time. They were perfect to read together and resulted in the creation of a time sheet that I fill out daily keeping track of what I need to do....and how I spend my time.



168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think helped me realize that I have much more time than I think I do.  Once I started writing down what I was doing each day and where I was spending my time....I was much more conscience of how much time I was wasting. I can easily lose several hours in front of the computer.  I decided what things are most important to me.  Creating with my kids, reading, sitting on the patio with a glass of wine and my husband.

I'm going to purchase a copy of Organized Simplicity because she has the best organizing tips I've ever seen! Her tag line on her book is...the clutter-free approach to Intentional Living. I love that!
She calls her sheet, her daily docket and I borrowed her MIT idea for my sheet. MIT stands for Most Important Tasks. I only make three a day so that I know that I can get them done and I love marking things off from a list!

The book that has made a huge difference in my life.  The final piece of the puzzle.  I truly believe that God put these books into my hands in the order that he did because he wanted to me to see where my time was going....and how there were things being neglected.  I was being neglected and I was neglecting him.  One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  Time is racing away from me and how I spend my 168 hours each week is important.  I need to pay attention to the moments and thank God for them. The many gifts that are right in front of me each day....each week.

It's already been my goal to give my kids' the best childhood that I can.  To give them experiences and teach them lessons but there are so many little things that I wasn't noticing.  Things that you can only notice if you are still....and paying attention.  Living in the moment!


Many people want more time in their day....they don't have enough hours to get everything done. Are the items on your to-do list really that important? Here's what I want you to know.  You have all the time you need.....the trick is to do less, pay attention more and count your gifts.  And living in a 990 square foot apartment with less stuff is also very helpful!



"I'm sharing my awesome with Momma Made It Look Easy and you can too!

In case you missed it.....

Our 2011 Summer of Fun List
My Summer Reading List

I've Been Keeping Something From You

Remember when I told you that I spent last weekend in bed....reading.

And that I read an awesome book that I couldn't put down?

Many of you asked what I read and I didn't tell you on purpose.

Because I get to tell you NOW.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to help kick off BlogHer's new Book Club and they gave me a copy of an amazing book.

If you really want to know what book I read, and see what I thought about it....then please go to the brand new BlogHer Book Club.  You'll notice that my review is first because I'm an overachiever and had my draft in first.  Please, sign up to get future updates!

Connie's Summer Reading List

I'm committed.  I probably should be committed but for now...I'm committing to reading as many books as I can this summer.

I've decided to only watch a couple of the summer TV shows:

Losing It with Jillian Michaels.
Bethenny Getting Married?
The Bachelorette...Ali

This frees up lots of time for...sitting in the sun on the deck with an ice tea and a book, curling up in bed at night with a cup of tea a glass of wine and a book, sitting on the couch during a rain storm with my iPad.

• Writing Motherhood:  by Lisa Garrigues
• Love, Loss and What I Wore
• Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel
• I was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
• American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth 
• What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
• After You by Julie Buxbaum (Jen Lancaster told me to read this)
• The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (and this one too)
• Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy it by Teresa Giudice
• The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

Newly Added:

• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (cuz of J.J. from I'd Rather Be Laughing) 
• The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell (cuz of Becca at The Texas Darlings)
• Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald (saw it in San Francisco)
• Promises to Keep by Jane Green
• Lift by Kelly Corrigan
• Father of the Rain by Lily King
• Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer 

 I know this seems ambitious...but I'm planning to read at least 21 hours a week.  I may even need to ADD to my list.

Who wants to join me reading this summer?  Make your own list on your blog and link up so that we can all get more idea for books.  And if you haven't already joined GoodReads...do it now and add me as a friend!

Burning Questions

I like to keep a list of interesting ways that people have landed on The Young and The Relentless.  And if possible I like to answer the burning questions that cause people to google these things.  It's a bit of a public service that I like to provide to the world.

Jen Lancaster on Oprah
 I get at least 2 folks a day coming here to ask this question.  As you know, I love Jen Lancaster and I would love to see her on Oprah but I don't think she's going to be on for a while....but maybe when her new book comes out in May!  Here's an idea...let's all write to Oprah and ask her to have Jen on....it would be super easy for Jen to run over there since she lives in Chicago.  Click HERE and fill out the form.

Lance Robertson Orange Jumpsuit

I didn't understand this one until I figured out that they were talking about DJ LANCE.  I'm not sure why he wears this...a more important question is...what's with the hat???

Relentless Crying 1 Year Old
  All crying is relentless as far as I'm concerned.  My favorite trick is distraction....especially if it's a cookie.  Most kids will stop crying for a cookie.
 
Did Byrson off Young and Restless play on family matters?
  Yes. And he was also friends with Michael Jackson.

Husband Tracker
  I've used the iPhone app called Loopt to track my husband but he was always at the same place (work) and I got bored and stopped tracking him.  But from previous past life experience...if your man goes to bars, make friends with the bartenders and tip them generously...they will tell you everything you need to know.
 
Loving an Engineer
  Where do I begin?  They don't get your jokes, they'd rather play World of Warcraft then make whoopee and the simplest things are difficult for them.  Buy lot's of pocket protectors and get yourself a WOW account.  Plus, if you can't sleep at night...ask them how work is going.
 
Reasons Why I Can't Sleep
  Hubby snoring, hubby wheezing, kids crying, too dark in the kids room, kid is scared, hubby makes too much noise peeing, I drank too much water before bed,  text from some BIL at 1am, dog barking, brain working overtime, Mormon's lighting fireworks.
 
Yo Gabba Gabba Doll makes my kid cry
  That's too bad.  That scary Mark makes my kid cry and what exactly is DJ Lance hiding behind that giant Boom Box?
 
Focus on the Family I like Jello
  You must be from Utah and I think you need to take a breath there and focus on one thing at a time...like the family. I like Red Jello.
 
My second grade girls are being mean to the other girls
Ohhh....mean girls.  I don't like mean girls.  In my experience, mean girls are like this because they are insecure.  Plus, if they are popular...they love that other people will blindly follow them.  Can you find a common ground for all of the girls? I can't tolerate mean girls and I stay as far away from them as I can.  I've even been known to unfollow them on twitter.  If that doesn't work...give them cookies.

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 In other news, I reached another milestone on my diet....I'm no longer OBESE!!  YAY!  Also, Bobbi (my sisterwife) started the diet last weekend and then quit this morning because she only lost 2 pounds all week. I'm bummed because it was nice to have someone doing this with me.

Are you planning to participate in Simple Mom's Bookclub? I'm so excited to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and I'm ordering my book today along with another book I just found out about....but I'll tell you about it after I get it.

What's for dinner this week....my menu is up at my food blog and I'm doing great with my budget challenge!  Join us if your budget needs help.

Did you see the preview for The Bachelor on TV last night?  Tenley told Jake that she's PREGNANT!!  That will be the most dramatic season ever!  There's a pregnant gal on the show!

Another Reason to Love Denver

I have a little bit of a crush on John Hickenlooper, the Mayor of Denver. He is kind of a geeky guy...a geologist turned restaurant owner and real estate developer. I first found out about him in 2003 when he ran for and became the Mayor of my fair city and even though he was a Democrat...I liked his ideas and the fact that a business man, not a career politician was going to be running the show.

For the last five years he has hosted a city wide Book Club with the goal being to get residence excited to read in their spare time. Normally, Mayor Hickenlooper selects the book but this year he is giving everyone the chance to vote on the choice of 27 books. You can go HERE to see the books, read a synopsis and a little about the author.

Previous One Book, One Denver Selections:

• 2004 Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
• 2005 Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros
• 2006 The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols
• 2007 Articles of War by Nick Arvin
• 2008 The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett

I love to read and I think this is such a great idea. Voting runs through June 15th and then the winning book will be announced on September 1st. If I'm lucky...I might live there by then!


In February of this year...he also launched the first ever pre-school aged book selection. The book for 2009 is the Cadecott Honor book: A Chair for My Mother by Vera B Williams. It tells the story of a young girl, her mother and grandmother who all save up their spare coins to purchase a much needed chair after their furniture was burned in a fire. It teaches the valuable lesson about how difficult times can be worked through with hard work you can make a difference. I'm going to order this for my kids today!


EDITED: The kids and I met the Mayor of Ogden today! We were at the Ogden Airport having lunch at Doolittle's and he came in for a sandwich. I wanted to ask him a bunch of questions about why there isn't any shopping in Ogden but Mallory was throwing her shoes across the restaurant.