Paul’s Comments (group member since Sep 23, 2008)

Paul’s comments from the Runs with scissors group.

OK. So, my thought was what book can I read (or re-read) about a strong woman. I thought of this one. Not exactly an "old favorite", but one that I remember reading WAAAAAYYYYY back in the Eighties. My only memory from that read was... Wow! Joan Crawford was a total ____. Reading it now was like I had never read it before.

First off, yes. Joan WAS a real ____. But, it becomes VERY clear that she had some serious issues that pushed her there. A bad childhood, a series of bad marriages, alcoholism, and some type of undiagnosed metal issue (or issues). It was nice to see that there was an explanation for her behavior other than "She was evil".

The bigger surprise to me was to realize that the book, while covering the entirety of Joan's life, was actually MORE a depiction of how her daughter Christina overcame MUCH grief, terror, and abuse (both mental and physical, lasting until her mother's death) to become a whole, healthy woman.

Yes, the "No wire hangers" scene was in htere, but so much more. From having to share a bedroom with her younger brother (who was tied down in bed every night) until she was sent to boarding school, to being beaten with a can of Bon Ami souring powder, to being forced to give away the majority of her Christmas presents to other children as birthday gifts through the year... Christina faced insult upon injury upon humiliation.

Not only was she sent to boarding school at an early age, she was forced to stay on the school grounds of one for 18 months straight, virtual solitary confinement, merely because she dis not satisfy her mother's wishes for a Christmas card list.

Extremely rough to read at times, at least for those of us who have suffered any type of abuse as a child, it is still yet a compelling, fast-flowing read. Every roadblock, every insult, every abuse at her mothers hands, up to and including Joan's Hollywood memorial service following her death, all was overcome and made to be a source of strength in the end.

Sounds good to me. I will read an old and dear favorite... Follow My Leader or Don't Take Teddy.

Sweetie, I avoid the scale like the plague. So many things can throw off the readings including the time of day, the time of month for those of us who are estroegenally blessed, and so very much more. Try to pay attention to what you are able to do s compared to what you could do before and how the clothes fit.

ALSO!!!!! It is VERY important to remember that muscle is much more dense than fat, and thus you will loose inches while not loosing pounds or even gaining weight. But you will still be loosing the fat.

See, I know a LOT more than I do lol. BIG hugs, we are PROUD of you!

I must say that I was shocked and dismayed at the disparity in the molestation laws between strangers and family members. Especially since that situation was still standing as recently as it was. It was good to see that her parents were just clueless, not disbelieving or in denial.

OK. Done. Where do I start? There is SO much in this book. I laughed, OUT LOUD, several times. I was shocked, angered, amused. Wanted to cry, wanted to beat someone up. And was (sort of) surprised.

Alison went through more than a child should (by the way, her brother, an antagonist in this mess, was the teenager on Land of the Giants AND is the creepy guy that runs the shop on Fringe where Fauxlivia uses the typewriter to contact her universe).

What an AMAZING woman Alison is! She has accomplished SO MUCH that really means something in this life. I will wait until at least one other person posts before I say more,. I want to discuss the whole book but at the same time do not want to spoil it for anyone else that wants to read it (read it even if you hated Little House.... you will not be disappointed in the read).

OMG! ROFL! I am sorry, I couldn't help but laugh due to a flashback this triggered. No sh*t, there I was in the laundromat with a friend who also wears a somewhat-bigger-than-size-2 panty. She had finished her clothes and was folding everything, working on her "Granny panties" when she looked up and saw some old geezer staring at her every move. She was so creeped out that I laughed for an hour. Bad Paul I know, but I couldn't help it. It still creeps her out today, years later. Snicker snicker

The first blonde I loved to hate... Nellie Olsen from Little House on the Prairie. I saw this book and knew it was THE autobiographical work I HAVE to read. So far I have split a seam just over the pictures. I have to finish reading the novelization of 52 before I start the read, but that should be Monday. More to come . . . . . .

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I wanna read Mommie Dearest (again) for the Strong Women read! Haven't read it since right after it was published.

It will be my February read I think since it is an autobiography.

Confessions of a Prairie B***ch fit the bill? It is Alison Arngrim's autobio.

No, you were not wrong. And the other person needs to remember the old adage: Do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. Look at me. I can not take any job available. I have to have one that nets at least $1800 a month to make up for losing SSD and SSI. Otherwise, I would be without a place to live, food and clothes for my son, and medications for my partner and I. You were not out of place in how you handled this, nor are you wrong for not just grabbing anything that comes along.

Ender's Game, Ender's Game, Ender's Game!!!!!

Umm, I think I would like to read Ender's Game.

LOL

You have out sympathy dear. I know how hard it is to loose a pet. Warm hugs.
Love you.

OH MY GODDESS!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAJOR huge HUGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Relationships can be very messed up. My dad was a rotten SOB, and did not deserve to be spit on if his rear end was on fire. But he was still my dad, and I loved him about as much as I hated him.

I understand your feelings, anyone should be able to understand them. If you want to move past, you will do so when you are ready. The subconscious is a powerful thing.

Awesomeness! Congrats!

Kim, you'll always be the weirdo, that's why we love you! :)

Seriously, it depends on the person. I don't get like that, just tired, but a GOOD, satisfied tired. And by the way, you have inspired us! We went to the pool yesterday and was in the water for two hours. No, not exercising the whole time, but it was a start at least. THANKS, Kim!

This was a great read. I had actually read it before, so it was revisiting an old friend. I love the character development between Rachel, Ivy and Jenks.

Thank you, thank you all. I appreciate it!

Picked it up two days ago! WHEEEE! Actually, I got two copies... one in print and one in the Playaway format. For those of you who have not seen that, it is a self-contained MP3 player that the libraries here carry now. Sort of like books on tape or CD, but all you need is headphones/earphones. I will be trying it out to see how it goes. I will start my reading after commencement Saturday :)