When this book came across my desk, I thought, “Really?” I mean, who would write a book, let alone read a book, called Sweet Farts; Ripping it Old School? And this is a sequel to boot! That meant enough people liked the first one to warrant a second! Then I read the AP article that accompanied it. “Boys Trail Girls in Reading; Can Fart Jokes Help?” Statistically, boys trail girls in reading in all 50 states. The gender gap has widened to mammoth proportions—as much as 10% in some states, according to the Center on Education Policy. Author, Ray Sabini (penned as Raymond Bean), says “Reaching those reluctant boys, it’s a challenge I take very, very seriously and this is what they think is funny.” There’s also history in there. There’s science in there, the problem of bullying, but it’s the humor that gets their attention.”

Well, Sweet Farts; Ripping it Old School got my attention. It was an easy read. The story was humorous, touching at times, a bit gross (hey, isn’t that the point), and overall very clever. It tells the story of a 10-year old boy who imagines a pill that will take away the smell of farts, farts he is being blamed for in class. The crazy thing is, he and a team of scientists actually succeed. (This story is told in the first book, Sweet Farts.) Now, the pressure is on for Keith to come up with an encore invention for this year’s science fair; something as amazing as the Sweet Farts pills. He hits bumps along the way, including lack of confidence, parent/teacher/and peer pressure, friends who just don’t know when enough is enough, and a little sister who refuses to eat. The story is Keith’s journey to find the humor in things, allowing himself to fail, and picking up the pieces and moving forward.

Besides the bathroom humor, this book has some great messages embedded in the smelly tale. Even kids can come up with some pretty fabulous ideas. Who wouldn’t want liver that tasted like candy canes? Failure, while not fun, is an important stepping stone to success. It does stretch the whole big-brother, little-sister dynamic a bit. I can’t say as I have ever met a ten-year old really interested in his little sister’s well being. But hey, we can dream, right? Overall, Sweet Farts; Ripping it Old School comes up smelling like roses, or should I say bubble gum.

I’ve passed the book on to my friend’s nine year old reluctant reader. I suppose the true test will be his review. Stay tuned….


Ray Sabini is a fourth-grade teacher with a love for teaching reading and writing. Over ten years of teaching has taught him that kids love books that make them laugh, teachers love books that have worthwhile content, and farts can be very funny. For more information on Ray or his Sweet Farts series, visit http://www.raymondbean.com

Emmy Red Carpet look that blew me away...

This morning, I was glancing through some Emmy pics (because yes, yet again, I didn't even know the show was on) to see the latest red carpet looks. I love to see the worst of people who have enough money to know better, right? LOL Amidst all of the pics, I came across Kelly Osborne. I know I've been pretty much out of the celeb happenings loop lately, but OMG! What a change! This is the Kelly I remember:

Bad clothes, even worse makeup... right?
This is her Emmy red carpet look:

Holy Moly!! Has she cleanup up well, or what? She looks amazing. Okay, personally, I like her as her natural brunette better, but props none the less. She looks, dare I say it, sophisticated?? Love, love LOVE the dress! It's so chic, understated, and amazing. Completely blown away to see her looking so fabulous.

Any stars blow you away at the Emmy's?

Broken Birds – The Story of My Momila, by Jeannette Katzir, is Jaclyn’s (Katzir) memoir of her siblings, Shlomo, Shirley, Steven and Nina, and their war-wrecked parents, Channa and Nathan (all names changed). Channa may have escaped the Holocaust, but she carried its horrors with her, ingraining her own fear of outsiders—any non-family member—into her children. Her fear of being left without her family (again) and her fear of betrayal weaved its way into her children’s very souls and colored the life decisions they would make. Jaclyn and her siblings lived their lives well after the war, but always within its shadow.

Raised by a mother whose family, faith, and trust were ripped from her as she spent her childhood fighting against Hitler’s tyranny, the five siblings were taught to value blood above all—including their own husbands and wives. Often despicable and cruel to one another, Channa remained vigilant in her commandment that the siblings remain bonded, overlooking all injustices.

Katzir’s emotions are raw, unabridged, and unapologetic. Her story draws from both the intense love she feels for her family and the misery that her family creates. In an interview with Jesse Kornbluth of Huffington Post, Katzir admits that she "can't trust Steven. And Shirley is too dangerous. She's [her] cocaine…" She knows Shirley is not good for her, but keeps coming back for more abuse. Maybe this time will be different….

I found the story a bit mundane at times, but compelling, heart wrenching, and frustrating. I found myself yelling at Shirley’s utter disregard for her sibling’s emotions. Page after page I wondered when Jaclyn would finally choose herself and her husband over her siblings. I wanted, strike that, I needed to know what would happen next in the lives of these five siblings and their war-torn parents.

Channa’s death opens the door to truths that the Poltzer children have long repressed. Without their mother urging peace and binding the siblings together, unresolved and long overdue conflicts rise to the forefront where they can no longer be suppressed. The Poltzer children must define and redefine their relationships with one another without the “glue” of their momila.

This book is reminiscent of bits of my own past. My mother’s brothers and sisters were torn apart by my grandmother’s death. Since her death in 1990, I have only seen three of my 16 aunts and uncles. My grandmother was not of wealth. In fact, her only “riches” was her wedding ring, which my mother placed back on her finger before her burial. My grandmother had no haunting past to speak of, no bittersweet memories of her youth. She did not face the hardships of Channa and Nathan. Still, her death tore her family apart. Sadly, death tends to bring out the best in some, the worst in many.

Katzir weaves a compelling and disturbing tale of familial relationships and sibling rivalry seeped in the shadows of an unimaginable war that forever marks future generations. It is a story of the bitter personal battles that those broken by tragedy unintentionally pass down to their children, and one woman’s triumph over it.

To learn more about the author, Click Here.

Broken Birds can be purchased at Amazon.com in softcover and ebook editions.

We all recycle, right? But what about reusing? Here are some great tips on reusing common household items.

Got a pillow or comforter that is at its end? Reuse the stuffing in new items. Cut up the fabric for rags (they work great for the garage!).

Don't just flood one area of your yard. Reuse your kiddie pool water on your landscaping and potted plants.

Reuse butter/margarine containers. They make great leftover containers.

There are endless ways to reuse those grocery store plastic bags; cat litter scooping, walking the dog, bathroom trashcan liner, lunch sacks, paint roller tray liner, etc. This article lists a few ways to reuse/recycle grocery bags, but go to the comments section. There are many good suggestions there. One woman even used her grocery sacks as a tie down when she moved.

Got outdated computer software lying around? Music CD's you just don't listen to anymore. DVD's that have so many scratches they won't play? Here's a ton of ways to reuse CD's and DVD's.

Plant the seeds from your fruit and vegetables. Talk about reusing, and reusing, and reusing!!

For even more ideas on reusing common household items, click here.

Have any great suggestions of your own? Please share!

2010: The Year I Get Myself Back #2

It has been a few months since my proclamation to take my life back. And, sadly, I thought that I would be updating that nothing has happened, that I had failed to make any changes of significance. Then, this morning at breakfast, my husband said something interesting. We went out to eat, and I was chatty with the host and the waitress. Nothing new to me, or so it seemed. My husband said I was very talkative today. I said, with a perplexed look, that I was always talkative. He said, “Yes, you were when we were dating, but for the last five or so years, not so much.” At first, I shook it off. He just wasn’t around me in a social setting very often. Then I wondered, had I already started my journey to find myself prior to my proclamation? I think I had. It is sad, though, that it took me months to notice the change.

About a year ago is when I decided to take the position of Secretary on my daughter’s school Foundation board. About a year ago is when I took the plunge and started speaking with the “PTA Moms.” You know the group; very cliquey, very “in”, very hard to ingratiate yourself with. It was slow and innocent in the beginning. I was only interested in volunteering to the best of my ability. I volunteered a few hours to help out with the Book Fair. I helped distribute cookie dough. Small steps. I had volunteered with the Foundation the previous year to help solicit donations for their annual auction fundraiser, then found myself helping with the organization of the event as well. I actually enjoyed doing it. It gave me a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment. Me. Not Jack’s wife. Not Lizbeth’s mom. So, I decided to take a more active role this school year. When the Secretary position became available, I almost jumped at the chance to join the board. I say almost, because I did it very nonchalantly, as in “If no one else is interested, I suppose I could do it…” All the while praying no one else had shown an interest.

It has only been about eight months since I took the position, but if I look at my life now, there are definite changes. The biggest one being, I have friends. I went a long spell with only a friend or two (not counting family). I am very close to my mom and sister, but somehow that just isn’t enough. I slowly infiltrated the “PTA Moms.” I have had casual conversations about our kids, our husbands, our houses. I have had lunch dates. I have been invited to several parties. I have had Facebook friend requests. I know, sounds silly, but in today’s technology age, FB can be a huge validation. It allows you a glimpse into their private lives that you wouldn’t otherwise see. All in all, I am getting to know an amazing group of women. For some of them, their self-sacrifice is astounding. I feel honored to be part of this group.

And the story will continue….

Did You Make It?

Are you where you thought you would be at this stage in your life? Alluring question.

We all grow up dreaming about being doctors, lawyers, movie stars.... Then, somewhere around high school a bit of reality sets in and we choose something actually attainable for ourselves.

Throughout high school and college, I wanted to teach high school level English. What interested me was Dante, Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Fitzgerald, Bronte, Heller, Salinger…. By the time I finished my degree, the thought of teaching high school age kids terrified me. (Still does)

When I first got married, neither my husband nor I wanted kids. We decided five years later that we did. I'd have to say, I have never been happier than I am as a mom. I love my kids to death. They literally make me laugh on a daily basis. I never thought I would enjoy staying home. Now, the thought that I may have to go back to work depresses me.

So, no, I am not where I thought I would be. But I cannot imagine myself anywhere else

2010: The Year I Get Myself Back

Somewhere over the last ten years or so, I lost sight of myself. Cheryl faded away into the place of forgotten dreams and missing dryer socks. The person that I was stepped aside for Jack's wife, then moved into the shadows for Lizbeth's mom. Now don't get me wrong. I love being Jack's wife. I love being Lizbeth's mom. But sometimes, I just want to be Cheryl.


The literature buff, the artist, the poet, the singer, the writer... All of those things that I once was have been mislaid over time. It is time to recapture at least a part of them; at least a part of who I once was. However, I am not a person with willpower. Let me rephrase. Cheryl is not a person with willpower. Lizbeth's mom is. Jack's wife can be. Cheryl, not so much. Cheryl needs accountability. Thus, The Year I Get Myself Back blog is born.


Each week, I will challenge myself with a new goal, update my progress, or embrace my failure and regroup for a new approach. Please tag along on my journey to find myself. Provide your wisdom and encouragement. Share your own journey.