Do You Ever Just Want to Scrap Everything

I do. But what does "Scrap Everything" mean?

a. We should scrapbook everything in our lives: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
b. Just let it go or give it all up: stop striving, stressing, and controlling.
c. The title of a newly released must-read novel by an award-winning author.
d. All of the above.

If you chose #4, you are correct! Scrap Everything is all of the above and more. Here's how...

1. We really should scrapbook everything, not just the happy, pristine moments when our kids have their hair combed, their outfit clean, and a plastic smile. And especially not just when we are groomed and polished enough to let someone take our photo. We "should" try to let real life seep into our scrapbooks because it is the stuff of everyday life that leaves its mark on our character and our future. In Leslie's book, Scrap Everything, the main character faces a challenge when deciding whether to include photos of her sons, Mark and Michael in a fist fight: blood and all. She opts for "reality" rather than "revisionist" scrapbooking and includes the photos. Although I've never heard the term "revisionist scrapbooking" before, I love it and must admit to revising my photos and pages when the need arises. I don't think it's a problem as long as we aren't revising so much of reality that it becomes unrecognizable. So scrap it all!

Sandi pulled a page of strawberry stickers from her bag. "Scrapbooking is the ultimate in preserving memories--better than photos alone or even video."

"How is that?" It was the group photo of the women with Sandi on the end. "My butt looks really big in it. See this strawberry sticker? Voila, my big butt is gone." Sandi slapped strawberry stickers around the entire photo.

"You could have just trimmed the photo."

"Cropped," Sandi corrected, then whispered, "The stickers aren't as obvious."

Elise smiled. Revisionist scrapbooking.

2. Is anyone out there better than me at giving up control and stopping the striving and stress? If so, I'd love to hear your stories about letting go. I hate admitting it, but I'm not very good at letting things go...I like a clean home, healthy homecooked meals, finished laundry, "A" grades, reliable employees, successful businesses, etc. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for, but it becomes too much when I expect (and sometimes demand) it all at the same time. It leads to stress, overload, migraines, and ulcers. I must admit that I saw myself in Elise, the main character of Scrap Everything: she worries, plans, nags, complains, pulls away, makes excuses...any of that sound familiar?

"Don't try to be too self-sufficient." Ted squeezed her hand. "God wants us to rely on others."

It was a conversation they'd had over and over. Elise knew it was up to her to take care of the boys. Ted seemed to think other people would help her, but over the years, no one had. Not her mother. Not his parents. She had to be independent. It would be harder on her to hope that others might help her and then be disappointed when they didn't.

Boy, can I relate. She took the words right out of my mouth. How about you? Bottom line: she's just like you and me. She has her good days and her bad days, but the most important thing is that when the rubber meets the road she has a profoundly deep heart of love and affection for her family and friends. And that's what really matters right?

3. This book is written by award-winning author and my new friend, Leslie Gould. Though we may not have met in person (yet), we have formed a wonderful online friendship. I know you understand, dear blog readers of mine, because so many of you have become fabulous online friends as well. This is Leslie's third book, but the first that I have read. It was a very quick read and one of those books you can't start late at night because you won't get any sleep trying to finish it. Although some of the women in the book are scrapbookers, they are at varying levels of interest, and the entire book does not revolve around scrapbooking. It's a wonderful part of their worlds, just like it's part of mine, but it doesn't minimize or take away from the real world of raising teenagers, fighting illness and financial difficulties, strained marriages, and new relationships. It's all in there and woven beautifully throughout. If you are a woman, a reader, or a scrapbooker, you will enjoy this book.

As for me, I learned some valuable lessons from reading it:

• Let it go! It's okay if the house isn't spotless, the kids aren't perfectly coiffed, and I'm not at my ideal weight. Let it go, focus on bigger things, and just breathe.
• Revisionist scrapbooking has its place, but a good dose of reality is important too!
• Giving is more often for our benefit, than it is for the receiver. Sometimes by holding on to things too tightly, we keep ourselves locked up and frozen in time. Offer your hands, your heart, your wallet, your acceptance, your friendship...these are priceless gifts.

Leslie has obviously learned this lesson as she has generously donated five autographed copies to the Real Women Scrap Contest. Each of the five semi-finalists will receive a copy of Leslie's book along with over $600 in prizes and a chance to be published. Thanks for the donation Leslie!

Check out her blog today and say hello! Read other reviews of her book here and on Amazon. You won't be disappointed!

If you'd like to read more insightful and sometimes humorous ideas from other popular authors, check out the first Carnival of Christian Writers at Writer...Interrupted.

technorati tags: Leslie_Gould, Scrap_Everything, Book_Reviews, Scrapbooking, Amazon.com

Comments

[diana]

Dear Tasra,
You are so full of life and energy that I hope our paths cross one day.
I read about you on another blog and then found this article "scrap everything".
I agree!!
I have created a support website www.justacloudaway.com which provides healing scrapbook kits for early pregnancy and infant loss.
It is so important to acknowledge and preserve what we do know about our babies. Our love, our dreams and our faith.
I would love to have your feedback when you have a moment.
We were featured in March 2007 Memory Makers and will be in the fall issue of Scrapbook Retailer and Scrapbooking and Beyond
Thank you so much
Diana

[Laura Christianson]

Thanks for your great review of "Scrap Everything," Tasra. I'm going to feature Leslie on my blog this week and I'll include a link to your review.

[Holly Schwendiman]

You know, I had a whole box full of neat handouts from lessons at church as a teen. I wasn't sure what to do with them. I scrapped them into a "Testimony Scrapbook" where I included highlights of my testimony on gospel related topics. It was one of the most fun scrapbooks I ever put together. ;o)

Hugs,
Holly
Holly's Corner