Tagged by Internet Ronin: Page 123 Meme

Randy at Internet Ronin has finally tagged me [oh! always the bridesmaid for me!] with the Page 123 meme that I saw over at Rachel's last week.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

The closest book is at home, but through the glory of Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature, here goes.

1. Book is "Your Money or Your Life," by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.
2. Done. We're in the chapter entitled, "How Much Is Enough?: The Nature of Fulfillment."
3. The fifth sentence is, "What have you always wanted to do that you haven't done yet?"
4. Followed by, "What brings you the most fulfillment? Your musings in response to these questions will also provide clues to your purpose. Take a few minutes right now to write down your purpose in life."
5. Tag: Kathie at Adventures in Homemakerland; Mary at Million Dollar Mary's Musings; Peggy at Gone to the Dogs; Paul at Paul F. Gero Photography; Carol at Carol Platt Liebau.

Thanks, Randy. That was fun.

Date Night: Santa's Little Helpers, Part 2

Dave and I enjoyed another date night. First we had dinner at Jimmy's. Then we went to Tar-Jay. The two items we planned to get were: a Christmas tree, and sweaters for the girls. We happily wandered the aisles and filled up the cart. [Now that certain little ones can read, I won't disclose the loot. Suffice it to say that Santa's gonna' be well-loved Chez Adams.]

I've recently been reading a book called "Your Money or Your Life." It is transforming the way I look at material goods, accumulation of wealth vs. clutter, how to identify "enough" and a little thing called gazingus pins [defined as 'any item you just can't pass by without buying.'] We avoided major indebtedness and came home exhausted. There are only three days until my Christmas vacation begins. I have a long list of to-dos which are more like spring cleaning than holiday festooning.

Book Recommendation -- Michael Medved's "Right Turns"

I stayed up late last night finishing the first book I've fully read since I cannot remember how long [bad me!]. The book is Michael Medved's "Right Turns". I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to see one man's journey from an anti-war liberal activist to a conservative "theocon" voice of pop culture crusader. It is essentially his autobiography and is surprisingly interesting. He is almost Gump-like in his closeness to critical events and major players in American politics and culture. [One of his early lessons was taught by his Yale Law School pal, Hillary Rodham]. Instead of chapters, he subdivides his book into "Lessons".

I have been an avid listener to Medved since his guest-host gig on 'The Rush Limbaugh show' many years ago. He was once carried on our local radio station, but then its format changed to Latino/Salsa and I went to streaming him. Three children and two maternity leaves later and I still listen regularly and avidly. He is very kind and lets me on his show to ask a question or make a comment. For my money, he's one of the most civil, polite, logical and smart talk show hosts ever. He often devotes an hour to a guest from the other side of the political spectrum. He is really committed to civil, frank discourse on all topics. There's my disclaimer: I'm a fan who really likes him. Is it any wonder I really liked his book?

Today, I was able to ask Michael on air about something that was left unsaid in his book. He described in great detail about the sad and painful demise of his first marriage. He next described his love-at-first-sight meeting with his current wife of 20 years, Diane. Those pages positively sizzle and it is clear that he is unapologetically head-over-heels in love with Diane. He is quite clear, almost to the point of self-flagellating, how bad he was in his first relationship. And yet, he is not at all that way in this relationship. I asked him, "It seems to me that you made a right turn from one marriage to the next. What changed?" He asked me to clarify that. I told him that the husband he was is not at all like the husband he is. He agreed and completely attributed it to Diane's great skill at engaging him in important, trusting, deeply felt communication. His wife is a trained psychologist and she specializes in relationships. I think that is the unwritten chapter that he needs to write before it goes to paperback: 'Lesson 36: How to be a Mensch and Learn to Love your Wife.' Communication is a skill that is learned in a marriage. When learned, a marriage is transformed into something mysterious and wonderful. He should let us in on that life-enhancing lesson as well.