Book Report - Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison

Image Source: http://piperkerman.com/orange

I just finished reading Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman.  Now, if you know me at all I'm not a fan of Memoirs.  I just don't seem to connect with memoirs and I really can't get into them.  That being said, something about this book caught me.  I decided to disregard all past memoirs I've encountered and check it out from the library.  I have this wonder of things that happen in a women's prison.  See, about a year ago I was working on a construction site for a medium security prison.  Some of the project team were maintenance workers at a maximum security prison.  The stories I heard about incidents, experiences and inmates were completely fascinating to me.  I couldn't get enough of their stories.  Only men were and would be held at the prisons so I began to wonder what a women's prison would be like.  I saw this book had come out and HAD to read it. 

Like the months I was working on the prison, I again became fascinated with the stories that come from prison.  This book gave me a different perspective seeing that she was a middle-class white woman being charged with a 9 year-old crime.  It's crazy to think how she'd changed in those years leading up to her sentence.  I was taken to a whole new place when reading this story of vivid characters and realistic situations.  I cannot imagine how she survived but she was portrayed to be a strong woman who was doing the right thing and serving the sentence she'd earned.  She had taken responsibility for her actions and it was good to see that.  I couldn't have been as strong as she was.  I couldn't put the book down.  I read at every chance I could and really hope you take the time to enjoy it also.

Veterans Day

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.

Freedom is definitely NOT free.

Freedom is fought for day in and day out by those who serve in our Armed Services.  I was lucky enough to grow up as a daughter of an Army service member.  I feel privileged to have so many people in my life who sacrifice or have sacrificed everything to allow me to have the freedoms that I have today.  I can personally thank the following people who have had an influence in my life.

Thank you Grandpa Blew.  You never spoke of the days of your service, but I remember you and your buddies at this time every year for your bravery in the Battle of the Bulge, WWII.  I love and miss you.

Thank you Dad.  You and mom always were great role models and taught me to be a grateful American Citizen.

Thank you A. Foster, J. Kovach, J. Hines, C. Sloan, Blood, J. Senft, W. Viegas, B. Spohr, J. Rapone, S. Rapone, R. Rapone, J. Deehr, C. Moline, K. Ralston, B. Ralston, B. Stone, A. Martin,  and many more that I know I'm forgetting.  You are my all friends.  I thank you and think of you often as you are serving our country. 

Thank you B. Smith.  You were a true hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  You will never be forgotten for being a hero. 

Thank you Hubby.  You are my friend, and my rock.  You get me through the trials in our lives and you celebrate with me the joys.  You are humble, smart, caring, and many other things.  You are a veteran.

Have you thanked a veteran today?

National Vanilla Cupcake Day

Happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!!!

Today's cupcakes were vanilla with lemon icing.  Everyone at work loved them!!!

Natalie's Bridal Shower

Natalie and I met in college when I joined the sorority.  She became my big sister and roomate.  We watched many movies together, stressed about school, baked LOTS of things together, and she always had a smile on her face.  I didn't realize how close Natalie and I would stay after she graduated from college and got a 'big girl' job.  After I graduated, I got a job near Natalie {and my soon-to-be-hubby, of course}. I lived with her for 3 months until I got married and she was one of my lovley, beautiful bridesmaids.  I am so honored to have her as such a great friend.  She's loyal, loving, caring, fun, and we get along so well.  I am honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in less than 60 days!

She loved the cake I made for her shower today and had a great time with fun games and conversation with family and friends.

There's the Bride!

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts

She loves the cake :)

Cupcake Apron!

Natalie's Bridal Shower Cake

I made this delicous 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 vanilla cake with buttercream icing for my good friend Natalie's Bridal Shower.  I serched the internet for outline pictures and ran across the one I ended up using shown already on a cake.  I loved the simplicity of it.  Natalie will love it!!