BOOK REVIEW: Between Boyfriends by Sarka-Jonae Miller

BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS BY SARKA-JONAE MILLER: A REVIEW

CHICK LIT, Printed in 201, Smashwords Edition.

This is a story of a young woman, Jan, who grows and matures as the story goes on.

When the reader is first introduced to Jan, our main character is being broken up by her boyfriend of 8 months named Mike.  Jan is spoiled, rich, snobby and shallow.  She appears to have more money than brains.

We learn that Jan has dropped out of college before even taking a single class, and the only ones that know are her now ex boyfriend, her girlfriends and her father.  She is taking classes at a massage school to become a massage therapist on the advice of the now ex-boyfriend. 

Due to the break up, she swears off dating all boys.   This includes Juan, a classmate that she bonds with after being really nasty to him.  She takes up new hobbies on the advice of her neighbor/ best friend.

We see her really grow when after a dinner party at her mother’s house.  It was during this party that her mother learns that Jan has quit school and is now becoming a massage therapist.  This results in Jan being cut off financially and being disowned by her mother.  Jan now has to get school paid for, get a job, and support herself completely.  Gone are the days of MAC cosmetics, Starbucks Chai Teas and fancy hair salons.

Through a comedy of errors of jobs that she does get, we see her becoming less shallow, more of her own person.

It is through her relationships with her girlfriends and two new friends that she connects with, Jan blossoms into a woman, instead of a girl.

This is an excellent read!  I enjoyed it from the first page and was sad to see the last one.  It has a rich story line, characters that you can relate to and a story that any woman can relate to.  I was able to read 

 this book in just over 12 hours… because I enjoyed it so much.  This would be a welcomed book to have with you in the summer as you travel, read at the beach or enjoy on the deck with a good glass of wine or favorite cocktail.

Highly recommended by this reviewer. 

Can be found  at smashwords.com, amazon.com, goodreads.comhttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/358165451

How BBQ Ribs Helped to Heal A Hurting Relationship

My father has arrived for his yearly visit with us.  He comes out in late June until mid-July for a visit and the Calgary Stampede. I was not looking forward to this visit this year.  It's been a rough year for my parents and the ending of their 40yr+ relationship.  I am going through some decisions and changes, and I don't have anything in my tank to help keep my Dad's spirits up.
Turns out, that I didn't have to worry about that.  It seems that my Dad wants to keep me out of that part of his life (phew!) and just enjoy being with J and I.  He loves the city that I live in, and is looking forward to visiting his family at an upcoming reunion in Saskatchewan.

By now, you must be wondering where does the ribs come into all of this? I'm getting there.

I am one of those trucker daughter/wife's that get excited when the trucker comes home from being on the road.  J was expected to be coming off the road for some well earned time off and I wanted to make a special dinner that we can all enjoy.  I wasn't expecting him until late, (and with my Dad still on EDT) I still had to feed my Dad: I decided to make ribs for the first time.

It gave us something to talk about: how are you going to cook them? what rub? which sauce? which methods?

Being able to spend time together by eating those yummy ribs, we were able to just chat about things: my furbabies (his grandcats), the local news,  where J was and when he would be home, and his daily activities back home.  It was this casual conversation that some healing began on my end.  I was able to melt by hardened heart (my Dad has caused my Mom a lot of pain lately and vice versa) and just enjoy cooking and eating with my Dad.

I think he is getting restless... I believe he may be heading for the mountains for some rest and relaxation.  It's where I go when I am looking for answers.. and I believe that he is where he is at.

This is going to be a good visit afterall.  I am just expected to be a daughter, not a counsellor, not a listening board, not a supporter.  Phew. 

BBQ Ribs- St. Louis Style
1 package of pork side ribs
1 btl of Montreal Steak Spice
1 btl of favorite Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce

Rub on the Montreal Steak Spice on both sides of the ribs. Then for one and a half hours, roast the ribs in a roasting pan with 1/4 in of water in the base.  Brush with your favorite BBQ Sauce (Bull's Eye Hickery is my favorite) and grill on the med heat BBQ. 
Serve with rice, salad, corn on the cob, sweet tea.  Enjoy!

The triangle of good health

Health- Definition: the state of being free from illness or injury; a person's mental or physical condition.
             Synonms: soundness, well-being.

Taking care of ourselves in a caring profession is very vital. This includes physical and mental.... and the spiritual.  A lot of people that I have met in the past little while forget that the spiritual side of us can get sick and out of balance.

To take care of one's physical health we do physical things: physical activity, proper nutrition and supplements, proper sleep.  It's our body.

To take care of one's mental health we do mental things: relaxation techniques, mind cues, learning/education, self talk. It's our mind.

To take care of one's spiritual health we do spiritual things: attend services, read spiritual readings, pray, meditate. It's our soul.

We are not just a body and a mind... we are a spiritual being as well.  Being spiritual does not mean that you are religious... it means that you are aware of the spiritual side of all living things- the human spirit.

When we are off in one of our three healths, it affects the other two.  For example, when in a depression, the mental health is "off"... leading to physical symptoms and lack of care in our spiritual life.  In our spiritual life, we may have a 'dry season' which can lead to our emotional needs not being met (our mental health) and having physical pain.

I reflect on this in an equilateral triangle that all are connected and interconnected. It can not be equal if one side is greater than the other two. All our healths are connected and interconnected to make us whole.

Today, let's take time to care for each one of our healths.  I know that I will be.  I will be resting and eating good food with good people (J is home from work for the weekend!!), relaxing in a nice hot bath tub once I get home from the night shift while listening to my favorite music that feeds my soul.

Take are of you.... I've only got one of ya!