The Facts of Life: And Other Lessons My Father Taught Me ~ BOOK RING

by Lisa Whelchel | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 1576738582 Global Overview for this book
Registered by nyisutter of St. Charles, Missouri USA on 5/1/2003
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14 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by nyisutter from St. Charles, Missouri USA on Thursday, May 1, 2003
I thorougly enjoyed this book. I read it out of curiosity because "Facts of Life" was one of my favorite shows growing up. Having heard that Lisa Whelchel was a Christian, I was especially interested in reading what she had to say. I ended up learning so much from this book! I can relate to a lot of the struggles she went through and she challenged me in many ways. There are also a lot of funny stories and great "Facts of Life" stories. I hope the next readers enjoy this book as much as I did.


Journal Entry 2 by Ragamuffin-Rays on Monday, May 12, 2003
Sending this out as a Book Ring Book.

How Does a Bookring work?

A book passes from BCer to BCer based on the list of members who've signed up.

To join this bookring please send a PM (private message) to nyisutter and I will add you to the list. New members will be added to the end of the list in the order in which I receive the messages. Please be aware that this is an international bookring and you may have to ship overseas. If you have a hard time shipping overseas, you can let me know and I will try to place you accordingly on the list, but I can't guarantee you won't have to ship internationally. The list of members will be listed here at the book's home page.

As a member, you will receive the book from the person listed before you. When you receive the book please make a journal entry stating that you’ve received it. Please read it as soon as you can (don't rush, just be reasonable about the length of time). After you read the book, please journal again with your comments. You will then need to PM (private message) the next person on the list for their mailing address. Mailing the book by media mail is the least expensive way (or surface mail if it's sent overseas). Please pay for delivery confirmation if mailing in the US (about 55 cents) and post the number in your journal.

If you are unable to reach the person after you on the list in a reasonable amount of time, then PM the next person on the list. If any questions come up, please send me a PM. Thank you all for participating in this bookring.

If there is no one on the list after you, please return the book to nyisutter. I will send the book out again if I get more participants.


Color code:
Green=Has read the book and passed it on
Red=Has book now
Blue=In transit to/has not journaled yet

List of participants so far:
first mailed 5/20/03
1. summerbreeze (British Columbia)
2. PalmersPal (California)
3. djf1969 (California)
4. ladyofunicorns (New Mexico)
5. grover3d (West Virginia)
6. bunzrun (Virginia)
7. Rampallion (Illinois)
8. mozzfan (Illinois)
9. Leilaht (Michigan) (skipping, bought own copy)
10. talkland (United Kingdom)
11. Mamikaem (Missouri, USA)
12. casseytara (Oklahoma)
13. meginoregon (Oregon)
14. Kayters (Georgia)

Journal Entry 3 by bc-del-20080226 on Tuesday, May 27, 2003
i just received the book fron nyisutter and i can hardly wait to begin to read it and pass it on.

Journal Entry 4 by bc-del-20080226 on Sunday, June 1, 2003
Wow, what a book. i loved it an am so glad that i signed up for this book ring. i have learned so much from this book and i read it so fast. everytime i came to a part that inspired me, i shared it with my husband. both of us learned so much from Lisa's story. Thank you so much nyisutter for introducing this book....do i have to pass it along :)

enjoy the book PalmersPal

Journal Entry 5 by PalmersPal from Ramona, California USA on Monday, June 9, 2003
I just received this book today in the mail. I just have to finish the book that I'm currently reading and then I'll get to this one. It looks great and I'm really excited that I'll get to read it. Thanks nyisutter!

Journal Entry 6 by PalmersPal from Ramona, California USA on Saturday, June 14, 2003
Okay, I've finally gotten to this book. I am really looking forward to reading it. So far, I've read the first two chapters, - not quite what I was expecting, but will keep going. More later.

Journal Entry 7 by PalmersPal from Ramona, California USA on Monday, June 16, 2003
Well, this really was a quick read. I just finished it today. I enjoyed it tremendously. I thought it was a little too too regarding the religion, but she is firm in her beliefs and her convictions, so I applaud her for that. She has truly had a blessed life so far, and I wish her all the best. I loved her on the show. I might have to find her other books, I like her writing style. My favorite story was when her hubby fell off of the ladder taking down the Christmas lights. Brilliant!!!

I plan to mail this book to djf1968 tomorrow after my baby girl graduates from 6th grade.

6/17/03 Mailed!

Journal Entry 8 by wingdjf1968wing from San Ramon, California USA on Friday, June 27, 2003
This arrived today... I've got a couple of "ring books" ahead of it in the queue but I'll read it and get it back on the road again as quickly as possible. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 9 by wingdjf1968wing from San Ramon, California USA on Thursday, July 10, 2003
Interesting -- I (like PalmersPal) found it "preachy" in places but I can certainly respect Lisa's convictions even if I don't share them as strongly as she does. She's certainly faced her share of challenges with style and grace. On to ladyofunicorns...

Journal Entry 10 by ladyofunicorns from Santa Fe, New Mexico USA on Saturday, September 6, 2003
Received this book in the mail and am adding to my tbr pile of rays/rings and as soon as I have read it, I will make another journal entry...

Journal Entry 11 by ladyofunicorns from Santa Fe, New Mexico USA on Friday, November 14, 2003
Interesting read...I am not to much into this religion but I wanted to know how Lisa was doing. Thanks for allowing me to be in this bookring!

Journal Entry 12 by grover3d on Thursday, January 29, 2004
Just received - thanks!

Journal Entry 13 by grover3d on Wednesday, February 11, 2004
I really enjoyed this book in spite of myself. I'm not a big fan of the "Focus on the Family" type of Christianity, but Whelchel is nothing if not engaging, her beliefs are sincere and the book was fairly interesting (and short). I found myself skipping over the ends of each chapter where she relates the occurences therein to specific scripture, but overall, it was fine.

One minor quibble....the back of the dust jacket indicates that the content is "gritty". It's about as gritty as the "It's a Small World" ride at Walt Disney World. Lisa Whelchel has probably never seen a gritty day in her life.

Thanks for sharing this!

DC# - 0302 0980 0001 2032 7850

Journal Entry 14 by bunzrun from Wirtz, Virginia USA on Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Another book from gover3d! Thanks & I will get to this as soon as I finish the last one.
I am looking forward to reading this as I was a Facts of Life Fan when it was on the air. And I have already gotten a head start as I read a couple chapters as I was "thumbing" through it.

Journal Entry 15 by bunzrun from Wirtz, Virginia USA on Friday, March 19, 2004
Not normally my type of book, but I enjoyed getting to see the real "Blair Warner' from The Facts of Life. It is good to be reminded (often) of the Father's Hand in all that we do wether it be the good times (special honeymoon), the bad times (finances) or the mundane times (changing diapers and teaching). There were other examples but these are ones I remember the most.

Thank you, nysutter, for being so generous with your books!

Journal Entry 16 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Thursday, March 25, 2004
Arrived today! Very good so far. I must admit, when I read the sentence "I was born into a fabulous family and had a storybook childhood," I thought, Uuuuuurrrrrgh, I hate her. But her writing style is clear and friendly, and she seems like a humble, funny, friendly, intelligent person. And her Christianity permeates every part of her life, which is impressive.

(You know, sometimes people ask me, "Are you religious?" And I smile and say "Yes, I am," and they look kind of uncomfortable and say, "Oh." Sometimes I am tempted to turn the cliche on its head and say, "I'm religious, but I'm not spiritual.")

I watched The Facts of Life faithfully, and I don't ever remember Lisa Whelchel seeming fat. They must have put her in very slimming clothes.

Wasn't she in an infomercial a few years back? Something about vitamins or hair care or some such?

Thanks to all for sharing, especially nyisutter, who is so generous with so many books. I plan to read this in the next few days and then give it to my pal mozzfan.

Journal Entry 17 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Friday, March 26, 2004
Finished this last night. Very interesting.

Grover3d, I think the "gritty" reference on the back cover referred to the state of Lisa Whelchel's kitchen floor. :-)

Dropped this off at mozzfan's this morning.

Journal Entry 18 by mozzfan from Chicago, Illinois USA on Friday, March 26, 2004
OK, it's in my hands safely. I knew it was going to be good when, since Rampallion couldn't resist giving me a taste of what was to come, read some passages aloud on my voicemail box last night.

Should make for a fun read this weekend!

Journal Entry 19 by mozzfan from Chicago, Illinois USA on Sunday, March 28, 2004
On the inside cover, one of the reviewers compares Blair to St. Theresa of Avila - I personally compare her to those "one to grow on" spots on NBC or "Now I know - and knowing is half the battle" at the end of GI Joe cartoons. The end of every chapter has a thoughtful, Jesus-related reflection.

She is sweet, and seems very, very earnest in this book. I really like her, even though I wonder how her 'earthly' father feels about barely being mentioned in this book. I think the story about getting her Mouseketeer ears puts this book up there with Carol Channing's memoirs in my "Top 10 crazy celebrity stories."

PM'ing Leilaht for an address to send the word of Blair to!

Journal Entry 20 by mozzfan from Chicago, Illinois USA on Thursday, April 1, 2004
Leilaht bought the book, so now I am PM'ing Kayters to get her info.

Update 4/2: Kayters would like to be pushed to the bottom of the ring, so I'm PM'ing talkland to send it on.
Update 4/6: Have talkland's address, will send it as soon as I can get to the PO.

Journal Entry 21 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Thursday, May 6, 2004
Being English and never having seen the show that Lisa was in I came to this account from a different angle to most who will read this. It is a book about how faith plays an important role in someone's life. It is always interesting to know how events shape people. I would however preferred that the scripture at the end of chapters was not there as I feel it actually detracts from the impact of her story. Those who are interesting in finding more about Christianity will do so without the "lecture" bit at the end as it is a little off putting.

Journal Entry 22 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Just received this yesterday. Got a few rings before I can get to this one, but I'm looking forward to it!

Journal Entry 23 by mozzfan from Chicago, Illinois USA on Friday, June 25, 2004
Sorry to break in here, but The Onion AV Club (http://www.theonionavclub.com) did a spotlight on Celebrity Blogs, and Lisa's was one of the chosen sites profiled. Thought I'd include the link for those of us who just couldn't get enough!

Some of the Onion's comments:
Overall tone: Cheery, but Stepford Wives cheery. "They sure do have plenty of churches in Texas — and they all have such big buildings!"

Is God in the blog? Everywhere. The Holy Father spends an inordinate amount of time looking out for Whelchel. "God found us a house 20 minutes from the DFW airport and we can fly almost anywhere in less than two hours." God also had a hand in getting Whelchel and her husband a good price for their house.

Political leanings: She probably loves George W. Bush, but she never comes right out with it.

Bloggings she may one day regret: "I once had to call the Dr. because my one-year-old bit my 2-year-old on his 'toot-toot.' Imagine trying to explain that."

And here is the link!

http://www.lisawhelchel.com/coffee.html

Carry on,

Mozzfan

Journal Entry 24 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Saturday, July 3, 2004
Started this today. It looks like a quick read. Hope Lisa's sugary-sweet outlook on life doesn't give me a cavity (just kidding!! - let me read the book before I judge it!)

07/05/04 - Okay, I confess. I liked this book! I learned a lot too.

Mailed to Casseytara on 7/7/04.

Journal Entry 25 by wingAramenawing from Noble, Oklahoma USA on Monday, July 12, 2004
This came today. Most rings that I join, I sign up and then forget about them until the book comes to me. But this one I've actually been checking on it's progress cause I want to read it so much! I'm practically finished with the ring book I'm on now, so will probably start this in the next day or so.

Journal Entry 26 by wingAramenawing from Noble, Oklahoma USA on Monday, July 26, 2004
I actually finished this about a week ago and PMd the next person for her address. I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. Like many, I have fond memories of the TV show. Lisa seems to be a very grounded and funny person, and her writing flows like a conversation. I'm not a very religious person myself, but she only got preachy in the last paragraph or so of each chapter so it didn't bother me any. I think she'd be a fun person to know!

Journal Entry 27 by kayters from Lawrenceville, Georgia USA on Sunday, August 15, 2004
I'm not finished with it yet, but I have to say that this book has been an incredible catalyst for change in my life. Lisa Whelchel was always a favorite of mine and now even more so - she's funny, smart and wise - wish I had a girlfriend like her!

Journal Entry 28 by kayters at Bookcrosser in St. Charles, Missouri -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Released 16 yrs ago (3/11/2008 UTC) at Bookcrosser in St. Charles, Missouri -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Going back home to nyisutter

Journal Entry 29 by nyisutter from St. Charles, Missouri USA on Thursday, March 20, 2008
This book has made it back home. I will release it again soon. Thanks to all who participated in this ring!

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