June Book Review: "It's A Long Story; My Life" by Willie Nelson

If you were a follower in June, then you might remember the book I chose to read.  Willie Nelson’s autobiography came out late May/early June and I decided to tackle it.  I did not have much background on him other than he was from Texas and he smoked pot.  Man, did I learn a lot about him!  When I began reading this book, I thought it would be great for aspiring musicians.  He chronicled each “failure,” each time he was told “no,” and each time someone tried to change his ways.  But better yet, he also discussed each time he got back up.  It did not hit me until the last couple of pages, this book speaks to any new business owner or entrepreneur.  His desire to become more didn’t just pertain to musicians.   That same desire could be in a small time photographer who dreams of shooting magazine covers or a fashion designer who dreams of her clothing line gracing models on the runway.  It spoke to me as a small business owner.  To make it in this world, it’s nice to have the advice of others.  But you also have to stay “you” and not let anyone change what makes you “you.”  Willie did things his own way and did not allow people to change him.  This book sends a major motivation message without even trying.  He’s just telling his story.

Back to his story…he was married…several times.  I like his honesty with the ending of each marriage.  He admits he ran around on his wives, cheated and was hardly ever home.  Most celebrity “tell all” books paint that celebrity in bright light.  They are sure to make themselves look good.  Not Willie.  He laid it all out there.  The ups, the downs, the in-betweens…just honesty.  You see throughout the book how much family and faith mean to him.  It makes you realize he’s not any different than the old man next door.  You begin to understand why he has the fan base he has.  What’s not to love about an 82 year old man who admits his faults and loves his family?

If you have not read it, you need to.  Even if you’re not a Willie fan, it’s still a good read.

There’s my quick, to the point review of “It’s A Long Story.”  If you want to know the details, you will just have read the book.

 

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday- It's ok, Mom...

In honor of this past Mother's Day, I thought I would take today to make a compilation of some of my personal favorite "mom fails" or "you're not the only one" posts.  You know the ones...Like the one morning that everything is sailing smoothly.  The kids are getting out the door and in the car a few minutes early (a rarity!!).  You're thinking this is just too easy.  Then as you let your 6 year old son out at his school, you wave to him and watch him eagerly walk up to the school entrance...AND then you notice his shirt is on backwards!!  MOM FAIL!!  (In my defense, it was during the spring and that was the only morning I did not double check.  Plus it was a camo shirt, so who even noticed?)  Or that time that you bought a package of Pepperidge Farms cookies...you know the soft and chewy cookies that taste like caramel apples...and you secretly ate them in the pantry.  You didn't eat the whole package in one sitting though.  You hid them in the pantry and came back to them throughout the week to sneak one when no one was looking.   I am here to tell you it's ok.

If the first two confessions aren't you, maybe this one is.  You don't allow your children to eat your chocolate covered cherries because you are afraid they will eat all the chocolate off and leave the cherry.  It's ok, mom.

My sweet friend, Tara from Boyd meet Girl, wrote a post recently about mommy confessions.  There were some pretty good ones.  Some you really have to wander about mom's support system (like does she have one at all?!)  Then there's the one who you would really like to join at Starbucks with your packed gym bag.

The point is we can't be all star moms all the time.  It would be unfair to the universe if moms were rock stars 100% of the time. 

Sit back, mom and enjoy the fact that you are not the only who lies about the monster who ate all the ice cream.

Hugs y'all,
Melissa