The Provo Book Nook

sooo

2008-02-14T19:43:00.001-07:00

Anyone else struggling with this book or is it just me?

Book Clubbers

2008-02-07T07:28:00.001-07:00

Hey ladies!
Just a little update. I know Amy and I just barely received our books, so I will be starting it today. More posts to come ; ) Also, Delaina can't make it to the meeting this month and we don't know the official status of anyone else we invited, annndd our ward is having the Ward Blitz thing that morning that we should go to. So, bottom line: Lets try out a virtual book club this month. That does mean we need to hold ourselves accountable and make sure to post on-line okay? If we like it -- and if we can't find anymore people looking to expand their horizons by joining the book club -- then we could always keep it a virtual book club and potentially invite people who live far away. Anyway, just some thoughts. We'll see how this month goes.

-Marcie

Awesome product for us mommies!

2008-02-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies! Since we're young moms, I just thought I would share a product review about one of my favorite nursing products!

You've all experienced it. You're sitting in some public setting with a Sesame Street blankie thrown over your shoulder. You're trying to look calm and in control, but in reality you're rigid with fear that your bundle-of-joy will grab the said blankie and expose your baby-feeding-goods to the whole world -- or worse, to your father-in-law! With my first child I nursed behind closed doors, inside bathroom stalls, and underneath baby blankets. By the time I had my second child I wasn't looking forward to another go of breastfeeding hide-and-seek. Luckily, I found an incredible breastfeeding tool: THE MOMMY COVER by JOIA (www.themommycover.com). Not only is the product stylish and fun (good bye teddy bears and duckies), but it is functional and comfortable. Thanks to the expandable reel in the back, the nursing cover stays comfortably in place (unlike those other "apron" versions on the market, which still left me feeling exposed). I've told all my friends about the product because I know how important breastfeeding is -- and this product just made it easier:)

Time to call quits

2008-01-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hey gals! sad to say I won't be making it to the meeting on Sat. and unfortunately will probably not be part of the book club anymore. :( things are just wayyyy too crazy. I just found out that we are closing on our house tomorrow and so Saturday will be spent packing up and we are going to move Tuesday!! I'm super excited, but sad to leave! Happy Reading to ya'll! =)

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

2008-01-14T21:39:00.001-07:00

Rededicate. Recommit. Lead your family. This is a daily exercise. Take time out for you. Take time out for your family. My body, mind and spirit are what need personal rejuvenation so that I can concentrate on the other 6 habits and really lead the life I want. My renewal process is kind of scattered at the moment. I don’t have a routine. This is one thing that I want to commit to doing. I want to feel the value in my life and the value I create. I want to know that my presence here on earth made a difference. I have to “sharpen the saw” in order to make that happen!

Long term and short term planning is required to do this successfully. However, spontaneity is also a great thing to “leave room” for. Have traditions. Plan vacations. Have one on one time with family and yourself. Go on dates with your spouse AND your children.

Treat your family table as an altar. This is a special time. Spend it with them. Just talk. Love. Laugh. Have fun. Be serious. Renew your family at the dinner table.

Have FHE no matter what you have to do to make it happen—make it happen. Have family councils. Know your family. Know their likes and needs. Love them. Help them. Pay the price for what means most to you!

Habit 6: Synergize

2008-01-14T21:38:00.002-07:00

Synergy = The whole is greater is than the sum of its parts. This is based on relationships and how they relate. Your family’s synergy is vital to its culture. Synergy is cultivated in a win-win situation. Synergy is realized when all parties involved are working towards that vision—family mission statement.

There is a saying that says energy flows where attention goes. If our families are unified, their attention will go towards activities, actions and relationships where positive energy creates synergy and takes steps toward the personal and family vision. You can’t have a synergistic family that hates its family culture and don’t get a long. I love the concept of synergy and I believe in it wholeheartedly. When there is synergy that means that a lot of other facets to the family are successful.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then Seek to be Understood

2008-01-14T21:38:00.001-07:00

I think this concept is easy to grasp but rarely used? Why? I think that we all have this dire need to feel understood and so there is this urgency that comes with being understood. The problem is the other person you are communicating with feels the same way. Then we turn our needs inward and we stop listening to the other person.

My heart broke as I heard the story of a man who punished his little son every time he went around the corner. The boy kept going around the corner and the dad kept punishing the son. Out of tear filled eyes, the boy finally asked his father, “What does corner mean, Daddy?” Wow! What a lesson. The dad was stuck in his own world and sought to be understood NOT to understand. Because of this gross error, the little boy unknowingly and innocently made an action that resulted in undeserved punishment.

I can see how so much miscommunication and problems can be solved before they start if we would just try to understand others first. This will take practice I am sure. In my experience I am more likely to try to be understood first when I am reacting instead of being proactive. When I am making my choices based on emotion rather than understanding and insight I tend to have a more selfish environment instead of self-interest which would actually lead me to understand.

When we show that we understand the other person, you are showing them that you validate them. You see their perspective and it matters to you. You connect with them. You have filled a great need in their life just by understanding them, even if you don’t agree.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

2008-01-14T21:36:00.002-07:00

Everybody wants a win-win situation. Having this type of mindset creates an attitude of doing good for others and yourself, self-interest. This is a spirit. An environment. Synergy.

We have to literally retrain our mind to create this spirit of win-win. We have been compared to others and been in certain environments for so long that we have created this “scarcity” mindset where everything is a competition and there isn’t enough, thus creating a win-lose, lose-win or lose-lose.

I love this story of the green and clean example. Covey gave his son responsibility to get the yard “green and clean”. It didn’t go quite as planned. Covey had to remember what was first in his life, “Raise boys, not grass”—relationships were more important than the grass. His son hadn’t kept his end of the bargain but Covey realized that you don’t abandon the plan when it doesn’t go so smoothly, especially at the beginning.

“You can’t hold people responsible for results if you supervise their methods.” Give them guidelines but don’t tell them what or how to do it. Let them discover their options. Let your children and your family make mistakes. Hold them accountable as agreed but do it with love. The ownership and stewardship associated with responsibility and agreements will create energetic approaches to other areas of life. They will feel that satisfaction and sense of accomplishment and growth that can only come from personal responsibility—this includes mistakes and successes that comes from personal growth. If we create a win-win in our homes I bet we will see magic happen!

Habit 3: Put First Things First

2008-01-14T21:36:00.001-07:00

This is the habit of discipline. I love this saying, “The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing!” People and relationships are the first thing. These are the things that matter first. This “first thing” list is different for everyone. Step back and look at what you are doing now. Are you putting the “first things first”? I know I can do better in this arena.

What will you commit to invest your time in? Your marriage? Your children? Your job? Your personal goals? What needs your attention? What will you commit to give your attention to? How can you affirm those people and relationships that are important to you?

All of these questions lead me to the next logical step which is to plan and set goals. What will be my specific action steps to achieve my vision and really show my family that I hold them first in my life?

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

2008-01-14T21:35:00.001-07:00

You can’t start with the end in mind without knowing what you your end to look like. This is what will determine everything else you do. All other decisions will be based upon what your end is. Can you vision it? How clear, how specific is your vision? It’s not that you will just have a better job in a year. It’s that on January 10, 2009 I work from home doing Internet marketing making $50, 000 a year.

Do you have a mission statement? What about a family mission statement? Do you know the values and principles that you will commit to that will ensure your vision will come to pass?

This is a very personal journey that is priceless. I really recommend reading and understanding better what entails a personal and family mission statement. This is a process. It’s a journey. This is another concept of a “slow yet fast fix”. Don’t borrow someone else’s. Take the time and effort to create one that means so much to your family that there is no way you vision won’t come to pass because everyone is so committed to its purpose. It is so powerful that no matter how hard life becomes, you won’t abandon it. It is a part of you. It’s something that people love, respect, they feel they belong and it is referred to in any circumstance.

Habit 1: Be Proactive

2008-01-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

As I read about what proactive people are made of I immediately thought of some of you; those people in my life who teach me what that concept really means and how important that is in life. Proactive people do what is necessary to create good things and make good things happen. Proactive people choose their response to all situations. Proactive people know they have a choice and use that knowledge to move themselves from pain to power.

The opposite of that is to be reactive. These kinds of people live in a “victim” paradigm. They live their lives by their emotions---a perfect recipe for misery, suffering and pain. They let life live them instead of living their life and consciously making choices of power.

The concept of the Circle of Influence is the concept of that circle that proactive people choose to put their focus; things that are in our circle to control or influence. It can get summed up in the theory “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” It’s a concept that will help us see that we have a choice to react or be proactive. Proactive people understand how to “deal” with things that are out of their control—they let it go and focus their energy to the things that are in their Circle of Influence.

I also loved the concept of Transition People Covey discusses. I really want to be a transition person. In some ways I feel that I am. A transition person stops a cycle and starts a new one. This can be a cycle of negative thought patterns, abuse, illiteracy etc. Transition people are those that aren’t happy with a situation and then go off and do something about it to create the situation that they want. Transition people are so important. It can be a painful process but is essential to create the life you want and to reach your God-given potential. These are people that know they don’t have to respond in old ways to new situations; they don’t blame their circumstances, they take control of them—change them. This takes courage and constant work, hard work and daily re-dedication to your goals and desires. I truly believe transition people have special help from the Lord. The Lord wants us to reach our divine potential. He will bless us in our worthy goals.

Do you want more out of your life? Then step up to the plate and become a transition person. Dedicate your life to creating a better life for yourself, your family and your posterity.

Emotional Bank Account

2008-01-14T21:33:00.002-07:00

This whole concept fit nicely with 5 Languages of Love we just read. We each have Love Tanks and Emotional Bank Accounts. Our “tanks” and “bank accounts” can be “low” and “overdrawn”. We do this by being unkind, dishonest etc. and a lot of homes and marriages and low and overdrawn. Deposits, on the other hand, will create a united, loving family.

All of these deposits are principles. Covey talks about how this is the way we create a family culture that is real and eternal. We make conscious efforts to make personal deposits (a.k.a. deposits that speak specifically to your spouse and children----their love language) and these deposits are the foundation of our family culture.

Know your spouse’s and children’s deposit and love language. I don’t even know Dusty’s love language yet, but I want to learn what that is. I am anxious to know how to love and serve him better.

If you have broken a lot of promises, the family culture is broken. It needs rebuilding. Trust and respect are essential for building a successful family who has a real family culture.

One thing I loved from Covey is his statement, “Be more true to principles than you are to people. Does that test you? It really does. So learn to make and keep promises….Make promises but make them very carefully.”

Simple things like kindness are HUGE in making emotional deposits in your spouse and children’s life. Unfortunately, this simple thing is missing in a lot of people’s marriages and homes. How are we doing in this regard? How are our children seeing us exemplify this simple principle? People are tender. All of us have tender emotions, no matter what their past or present actions. Kindness is the key to get to the root of emotion and create results.

Covey says, “The truest test of the family culture is how you treat the child that tests you the most.” Wow! That is so true. I am also reminded of a story where a little girl threw a fit every morning before school and no one wanted to deal with her anymore. One day the father just took her in his arms and rocked her back and forth and told her how much he loved her and how special she is. After that, she was ready to go to school and she never had another outburst before school.

“The key to the many is how you treat the one,” said Covey. Everyone is that one! All of us have little parts in our life where we are the “one”. How would we want to be treated in our time of emotional need? How are we treating the “one” in our family? The key to the many is how you treat the one. I believe this to be true. If we are not treating the “one” as we would want to be treated, we will undermine and destroy our family culture. It’s not believable anymore.

“With people slow is fast and fast is slow.”

This refers to the effort that we put in to our families. If we try to make a “quick” fix we are actually creating a slow healing process. People need to be shown true love and affection. If it takes more time, so be it. If we take a “slow” approach and take time out for the people in our family that need us the most, it will actually turn out to be the “quickest fix”.

I know that families are eternal. The things that are worth fighting for in this life require these slow yet quick fixes.

There are so many ways that you can makes deposits and withdraws from your families emotional bank accounts. Take the first step now and start with the understanding that principles govern and decide and commit to yourself if you will follow those principles. Once you really know that it will be hard to deviate from this concept of family cultures and emotional bank accounts and you will be working towards a true, meaningful, successful family.

Paradigm Shift

2008-01-14T21:33:00.001-07:00

New information shifts your paradigm. Think of the example with Covey and the man and unruly children on the bus. When Covey found the new information, his paradigm and mindset totally shifted and evoked in him compassion where resentment and annoyance once stood. How you see something affects all that you do. Think of your life if you didn’t have the scriptures, books and all of the other media and education at your disposal. How sad it is that there are so many opportunities to learn and we let them pass us by. Since I have become an avid reader about 3 years ago, my paradigm has shifted 180 degrees. I can see the path of ignorance that I would have followed my entire life if I would have let those opportunities for learning pass me by.

Principles Govern

2008-01-14T21:31:00.001-07:00

Aligning ourselves with principles is what will determine our outcome. There are no shortcuts. I have learned in my life that the most rewarding things have been achieved through MUCH hard work. It isn’t ironic that those things that are most precious to us in our lives (our families) come with a high price (hard work, sacrifice etc.).

Always try to teach that principle that underlies a situation, especially to yourself and your children. Your family will eventually grasp the concept of principles and understand how aligning their lives to principles are the only way to achieve happiness and success. This will also teach them to look beyond the situation into a deeper realm in every situation, knowing that there are principles there and lessons to learn. This winning mindset will serve them throughout their life.

It’s our choice. It’s our agency. We decide what paradigm we will follow. We choose happiness or suffering.

Habit #3 and #4

2008-01-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

To me, this chapter was pretty simple, but I really liked the list of suggestions on HOW to "Put First Things First" (what can I say ... I love lists). I also enjoyed the fact that he was basically promoting FHE to the secular audience :)

I think this chapter (#4) provided some great insights and tools for working with teenagers. Shay is still a tad young to understand the concept of "win-win" but I plan on teaching this to my family, and implementing "win-win agreements" if there is a big problem that needs to be solved. (page #192)

Habit 2!

2008-01-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so as LDS chicas we know the importance of "beginning with the end in mind." I feel like everyday I am praying for eternal perspective so that I can live more purposefully, righteously and faithfully. What I liked about this chapter was how it applied the idea of a family mission statement, because, "Without vision the people perish."
This was a powerful statement for me "Because all things are created twice, if you don't take charge of the first creation someone or something else will. Creating a family mission statement is taking charge of teh first creation. It's deciding what kind of family you really want to be and identifying the principles that will help you get there. And that decision will give context to every other decision you make. It will become your destination. It will act like a huge, powerful magnet that draws you toward it and helps you stay on track." Even though I want my family to be apart of creating the mission statement, I am going to make it a goal to sit down with Trent and create a real couples mission statement to guide us until our children are old enough to become invested in creating a family mission statement.

Be Proactive

2008-01-06T09:49:00.001-07:00

I remember reading 7 Habits for teens when I was in H.S. and being so excited to really learn about being "proactive" and "reactive." Now that I am a parent and am working to build a family I see what a HUGE difference a proactive attitude makes in a family setting. More and more, the world around us is stuck in victim mentality and people simply react to things around them. How powerful it will be to teach our children this principle (and live it ourselves) and have a family culture where we are proactive people. After he talks about the four unique gifts that humans have he says "The fact that we have these four unique gifts means no one has to be a victim" AMEN brotha. Later in the chapter he talks about The Circle of Influence and the Circle of Concern. I know I am a person that tends to stress about things in the Circle of Concern. Reading this chapter has helped me to recognize that and helped me to focus my energies on the Cirlce of Influence. I think this is a powerful principle, especially how they illustrated it with the example on page 44 about the parent with the misbehaving teenager. It kind of reminded me of "The Anatomy of Peace" and how we should look inward when trying to solve problems. So my challenge is to "Listen to your Language" (pg. 44). Are you in your Circle of INfluence and using proactive speech? Or do you find yourself blaming or accusing? (I know I'm definetly guilty of saying "My toddler is driving me crazy! ...) Have an awesome week and happy reading!

7 Habits

2008-01-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

I love the "Miracle of the Chinese Bamboo Tree" I feel like I'm trying to invest all of this time and effort into my family -- but I'm not always sure if any results are coming of it. ESPECIALLY with my toddler :) Teaching and growing together takes a lot of patience and a lot of dilligence. I have the microwave-mentality where I want my results right away usually. By the way, I love hte end chapter questoins. I have used those to teach Trent the material from the book and to start discussions -- they're great.

New start, New Year

2007-12-31T23:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so in 24 minutes it will officially be a new year. This means New Years resolutions. I hereby declare my resolve to be better about posting on the blog and sharing my book-reading insights :) I'm excited to discuss Covey's book with you guys. Bring on the new year!

Kickin off the new year!

2007-12-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!

We had a fabulous time over at Laura and Tim's house and had a wonderful discussion on talents. We are all pumped up about starting a new year and wanted to pick a book that will get us off on the right foot.

7 Habits for Families is the book of the month for January 2008! It can be the audio version or the book. Our meeting is scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in January. A location will be picked at a later date.

I am excited to meet our new member and excited to read/listen to this Covey book that is sure to be an excellent learning tool.

Let's all try and do our best posting this next month and having "discussions" of what we are learning!

Happy (early) (early) Thanksgiving!

2007-11-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies!
I hope you all are having a wonderful November. I'm lovin life and lovin the holidays right now : ) I just wanted to post to remind everyone to pick out a hobby book for the month so you'll have something to share at our holiday soiree. To be honest I STILL have no idea what I'm doing : ) I'll have to raid the library -- I'm saving all of my pennies for Christmas ;) Here are the details for our next meeting:
Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Laura Harper. It will be a family-invited FHE, so bring your spouses and chillins. Emily will be teaching a short lesson, and each of us will have the opportunity to share what talent we developed this month. Laura and I will both be making a dessert and Amy will bring the paper goods. I'm so excited to end the first year of the Provo Book Nook with a holiday get-together!
I also have good news -- we have another new member! Delaina, a cousin of Laura (and now me) moved to Orem and is interested in joining us for the new year. She is really fun and is a SAHM to her little 3-yr-old, (and Shaylie's little friend-boy) Garrett. Hooray!

Happy reading
Marcie

Go book nookers

2007-10-14T22:32:00.000-06:00

Hey ladies!
Thanks so much for your awesome participation on Saturday. Who knew you could have such a great discussion off of such a short audio book : ) I'm really glad we read this book together, I definetly feel more empowered to take my family scripture study to another level : )
I'm really excited to read The 5 Love Languages for our next book! I think it will be great to add a marriage book to our list. Remember we'll be discussing this one on Nov. 10. After that it will be a hobby book (so go ahead, start shopping around now, you know you want to!) and then we will be done for this year!
Keep posting as you read -- I love your online comments!

-Marcie

So long, farewell...

2007-09-30T17:06:00.000-06:00

Hi, ladies-

Well, I think my time with the lovely Provo Book Nook has come to an end. As much as I have really enjoyed meeting with all of you and reading our book selections, now that I am in Pleasant Grove, it doesn't make as much sense anymore, you know? Long distance book clubbing isn't really working too well for me at this point.

I really did love my time with the group and am glad that it is growing and doing well. I will miss getting to see my book friends, but hope that we can keep in touch.

Happy reading and have a great rest of the year!

hello again

2007-09-19T16:41:00.000-06:00

Holy busy week! Sorry I have been neglecting the book club : )
Ok, here is the rundown: So far, like Raven said, we have a dessert and Laura's side-dish. I will go ahead and bring the main dish (I'm thinking vegetarian lasagna because it could feed all of us and would be yummy with Laura's side-dish). We could have Amy bring a second side-dish and I think we'll be good to go.
Does anyone already have a bunch of paper goods? I can bring napkins and cups for sure.
Lets get a volunteer for :
Paper plates/utensils
Drink
Rolls
That way everyone is bringing two things, just enough for about 9 people (max-- Amy said Dusty might not be able to come, and Shaylie doesn't eat enough for a full person ; ).
Let's meet at 6 p.m. at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. I can try to come early and stake us a table that we can all congregate too.
Also, Amy and I will be distributing our CD for next book club, and sorry Raven, but I think we had better keep it early in OCtober as planned so we'll be on schedule for Nov. and Dec.
Please bring your recipe books if you have any recipes you want to share at our "meeting" and feel free to bring frisbees/balls ect. to keep our husbands busy while we gab.

Does this cover everything???

What is everyone bringing...

2007-09-18T08:41:00.000-06:00

To the potluck? I just want to make sure we have it all covered. Looks like so far we have:

Side: Marcie's tomato cheese thing
Dessert: Raven's mini Oreo cheesecakes

That would be a pretty meager dinner...lol. The main dishes don't have to be pricey if you guys want to do a pasta or something like that.

Anyone?

October's meeting

2007-09-15T10:37:00.000-06:00

Hi, ladies-

So, I just found out that I'm going to be out of town from Oct. 10-17. Since there will be so many people at this meeting, why don't you just go ahead without me? I've been the schedule mixer-upper recently, so I don't want to mess this one up too. I'll write some comments on the board before the meeting or something.

Anyways, we'll see you next week!

Raven

I motion to...

2007-09-13T20:14:00.001-06:00

Change the name of our group to The Provo/Pleasant Grove Book Nook! lol Just kidding.

I have been so bad about cooking from the cookbook I said I would try. Maybe it was because the first 2 recipes I tried weren't that great! I will try to find a dessert to bring. So, I call dibs on dessert!

It'll be great to see you guys next week!

Raven

I'll bring......

2007-09-13T19:27:00.000-06:00

my tomato/cheese side dish. i think you'll likey likey! :)

Reflecting

2007-09-13T19:02:00.000-06:00

Guess what? We're almost to 100 posts : ) Granted, 25 of those were in our first month, and now, 8 months later it has taken us to get this far : ) (sorry for the convuluted sentence structure).
Anyway, I was looking back on our past posts and thinking about what we've read:
TJED, Pride and Prejudice, Anatomy of Peace, Finding Peace, Joy and Happiness, Jackrabbit Factor, Unique Ability, Cookbooks and now Family Scripture Study. I don't know about you guys, but I definetly feel that all of these books impacted my role as either mother, wife, or woman in some way. Thanks for being apart of this group!
You guys rock!

let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah

2007-09-13T11:37:00.001-06:00

Ok. Here is the final lowdown. I think.
Our next meeting is Saturday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. at a park. My two cents would be to just make the drive up to that upper park in Provo Canyon (I dunno the name), or to go to Rock Canyon park. Somewhere where we don't see the traffic from our picnic bench.
Everyone post what they would like to bring. There is four of us so if we have two main dishes and two side dishes we should be ok. My book was a salsa book, and since I don't think that necessarily goes with a dinner, I will just make something from my other new cookbook, the vegetarian one. Please post what you will bring (first come, first serve). Don't forget to bring spouses and children :D

Ok, on to Oct. Our next book is "Family Scripture Study" by Gene R. Cook. Amy and I will be making copies and distributing them. Or .... we could try e-mailing the file to you Raven through yousendit.com, that might be easier. Amy or Laura, would one of you like to volunteer to be the "parent" to lead our scripture study discussion for the meeting in October? The date of our next meeting will be Saturday Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. We will simulate the scripture study techniques that we learned through our reading.

Is that everything???
Oh yeah, I don't know how often Emily will be posting becuase she doesn't have the internet at home, but I know she will def. be at the meetings.

Make it a great week!
Marcie

Welcome, Emily!

2007-09-10T21:50:00.001-06:00

Just a quick welcome to our newest member, Emily. We're excited to have you with us!

So, it sounds like we're meeting on the 22nd, is that right? For a potluck dinner? Do we want to decide who will bring main dishes and desserts, etc.? I'm looking forward to getting in to our next book.

Oh, and are you still Turbo Jamming, Amy? Are you going to do the training in October?

Raven

My vote

2007-09-10T09:07:00.000-06:00

Sept. 22 and Oct. 13 work great for me. so we just bring one dish to share, is that right? what time? around 6ish?
for the books, I think the "everything I need to know...." by John Bytheway sounds most appealing to me. me and tim have already started listening to the mission statement one and are working on that. so....yea, there's my two cents. :)

Meeting Time

2007-09-06T16:32:00.000-06:00

Hey Ladies! I'm trying to work out a meeting time ... All of a sudden September has become a crazy month! I know this is kind of late in the month ... but could we do Friday night the 21st? I have something on the evenings of the 13, 14, 15, 17,18, 19, 20. No Joke. (Actually that's not true, Trent has about half of those days and I have the others, but I would like him to be there since it is a FAMILY picnic : ) Soo.... we could do it the 21st, but I was thinking we could always choose a book before then, and start reading so that our next meeting doesn't have to be late in Oct. Does that work?
I don't have any book ideas yet .... ummmmm ... I was thinking it would be fun to read something about strengthening the marriage relationship, though I don't know of any really good books (that go beyond the basics : You need to communicate, you need to spend time together ... oooohhh wow, imagine that).
I know Amy has access to online books, so maybe we could do one of those this month, and simply listen to a book.
Post your feedback asap and we'll get moving on our next book selection.

Not so great

2007-08-30T09:57:00.000-06:00

Those muffins sound yummy, Marcie. Definitely will be wanting that recipe :)

So, my two recipes for this week didn't work out very well. The fries were fine (hard to go wrong with those), but the chicken never baked! I had it at 400 degrees for like an hour and it was still pink-ish inside! Plus, the recipe for the bread crumb coating wasn't the best and it all flaked off and didn't look that great. So, we made a pizza instead..lol. The banana lime cake is okay, but too limey for my taste. Guess I'll chalk these two up to experience. Oh, and this cookbook used ounces instead of cups for things like the flour for the cake. Annoying!

Hope the rest of you have better luck. Any thoughts on when we should meet, btw?

yo

2007-08-29T15:57:00.000-06:00

So I have no idea why my last post didn't work. Oh well! I just posted that I tried some avocado type salsa that was wayyy good. I will be a party planning diva (as soon as we have space to host guests ;) with plenty of chips and dips!
I also tried a new recipe this morning for some Cinnamon Apple Raisin muffins (from my veggie cookbook) and they were really good for a change.
Keep on cookin ladies!

-Marcie

Round 2!

2007-08-28T11:30:00.001-06:00

Everyone's recipes sound so great! This week I am baking a banana lime cake and making oven fried chicken (healthy version of normal frying) and homemade french fries. Mmm...

2nd recipe

2007-08-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

we tried another tomato recipe...well actually 2 diff recipes, one is lion house tomato bisque, and the other a tomato/cheese salad-which is one of my fav. they're both real easy to make and taste great!!

mmm...mmm...good

2007-08-25T12:36:00.000-06:00

wow, this one was grrrrrr8! me ans my mom made it. it's so fresh, very tasty and easy! all you do is chop up garlic, FRESh tomatoes from your garden ( store bought is not the same) and FRESH basil from your garden...which luckily my parents had both in their garden! and then oil, mix it, let it marinate for a couple hours, and then serve cold over cooked but cold noodles. right after i cook the noodles, i just dump the hot water and keep rinsing it with cold water so i don't have to wait forever. :) then you sprinkle shredded mozzarella or parmesan on top! it's Mucho delisioso!

me too!

2007-08-24T15:19:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I tried the most basic, simple salsa recipe in the book -- one that included fully identifiable ingredients : D It was called "Real Salsa" (as oppossed to fake salsa??). I just had Trent taste-test it and it was a hit!! The only problemo is that I'm missing a piece to my chopper thingy so it did take awhle to chop the onions and they still weren't really "finely diced" but I loved the flavor. We're going to take it camping with us tonight. Yum! If nothing else, this recipe book has provided me with a basic salsa recipe for when I'm craving some chips and salsa (which is basically every day-- am I pregnant?? J/k)
-Marcie

I did it!

2007-08-23T13:49:00.001-06:00

I cooked my two recipes! For dinner, I made a tomato bean soup and these twice baked potato things. The soup was pretty much your basic veggie soup. Tomatoes, veggie stock, mixed beans, celery, carrots, garlic, herbs, and zucchini. Is that really how you spell zucchini? Hmmm...It was tasty. For the potatoes, I rubbed them in oil, salt, and pepper and then baked them. Then, I scooped out the flesh of the potatoes and mixed it with yogurt, cumin, cilantro, mashed garbanzo beans, and some other herb that I'm forgetting at the moment. Then, I baked them for another 10 minutes. They were pretty yummy. Kind of tasted like humus. Oh, and on the soup, I put a dollop of this yogurt/basil/garlic/parmesan mixture. That was yummy and kind of added something special to the soup.

So, there you have it. Pretty healthy and definitely filling. I'm good doing the party whenever you guys want after Sept. 12th.

Raven

Hey ladies!

2007-08-22T15:50:00.000-06:00

Raven, I'm glad to hear you're settled in to your new home!! Woo hoo for more space! You guys left the ward so abruptly that I don't think everyone realizes you are gone yet :D
Also, I had to post a link to this crazy article: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/234734/
There was an AP poll conducted that determined that only 1 in 4 adults read a whole book last year!! Crazy. I honestly don't think there was a time in my whole life where I didn't at least read ONE book in a year (c'mon people, how hard is that?!). This is sad. How do people continue to learn if they don't pick up a book?? They should have interviewed my dad -- he read a total of 300 books last year. Yeah, that is a whole different kind of crazy ; )
I finally recieved my cookbook. Lo and behold it calls for ingredients I've never heard of. Great. So, needless to say I haven't ventured to the store yet to try to determine where these special types of dried peppers (ect.) are located. I haven't forgotten my committment to make two a week though : ) The recipes sound good, so as soon as I have the ingredients down I will be the salsa queen! No one else has posted yet... duh duh duuuunnnn... This was supposed to be "easy" remember?? : )
I'm fine with changing the Par-Tay date if you guys are. The next week would be fine with me.

-Marcie

Request

2007-08-21T15:59:00.000-06:00

Hi, Ladies-

So, I have a question/request. I was thinking it over and wondering if we could change the day of our next meeting. My parents are visiting from NC from Sept. 5-12 and since they are only here for a week, I think I'd like to spend as much time with them as possible. Do you think we could change the date? I can do any other day (probably).

Sorry!

Raven

more salsa ...

2007-08-11T12:44:00.002-06:00

So I tried another salsa recipe, and I think we're hooked. It definetely isn't "quick" to make your own salsa but it is DEF cheapter then buying the $3.50 fresh stuff (that lasts a day in our home), and it is healthier then that bottled junk that has like two chunks of tomato : ) This salsa was real similar to the first I tried but this one had two whole avocados diced in it. Delicioso! It would make a great party salsa .... so I'm just gearing up my repertoir for when we have a house and I can be a party host extrordinaire! I think our housewarming party (on this still future home ; ) will be a chip and dip party haha.
Anyway, my lasagna just dinged, I'm outtie!

-Marcie
btw, amy has officially dropped off the planet ; ) J/k she has been out of town alot, but I do know that she has tried one decadent chocolate recipe. Yum!

Post your books!

2007-08-11T12:44:00.001-06:00

Hey Ladies,
Could everyone post the names of their books, and like Raven, post the names of the recipes you have/will try for the week? THat would be awesome!
I have ordered Chips, Dips & Salsas for my book and am still waiting for it in the mail :( I can't wait to try some recipes from it!
Happy cooking (instead of "Happy reading!")

-Marcie

Book Club Notes

2007-08-11T12:44:00.000-06:00

Hey Ladies!
Here is a recap from our awesome meeting this morning.
For our next book we will each be choosing a recipe book. The goal is to use the recipe book TWICE a week in your meals/treats whatever. We want everyone to post what foods they are trying (though you don't have to post the recipe, just post each week). Our next meeting will be on MONDAY Sept. 10th at 7 p.m. at a park location which is currently unspecified. Each of us will collaborate and bring a dish or two that we tried from our recipe books so that we can have a big ol' potluck with our families. That night we will also share recipes we really enjoyed, and be able to have a FHE together as a group. I think it will be a ton of fun!! So .... Get crackin! Get your books asap becuase we want your posts to start this week telling us about your kitchen adventures!

-Marcie

Meeting time

2007-08-06T09:58:00.001-06:00

I think everyone is aware that we're planning on meeting on Sat. the 11th (that is THIS saturday) at 10 a.m. right? :) I look forward to seeing everyone there -- and to discussing Amy's fun new idea for next months book.

-Marcie

I've emailed my question

2007-07-29T19:47:00.000-06:00

Hi, ladies-
How is everyone liking the book? I've sent my question out to like 9 people and am waiting for their responses. Did anyone else find that you didn't want to offend anyone by NOT sending them the letter? I found that if I emailed my sister in-law, I had to email my brother because he might feel bad if I didn't. But I couldn't email everyone in my family! So, hopefully no feelings are hurt.

How's it going for the rest of you?

Book Meeting

2007-07-23T13:23:00.000-06:00

Hey ladies, I have a feeling that the reason no one is making any headway in this book is becasue we haven't set a deadline. Time's up! haha. I say we meet on August 18 if everyone is going to be in town. I think Amy could possibly be gone then, so would anyone be oppossed to meeting on Aug. 11? (in two weeks) or should we drag it out to the 25th? That seems like a LOONG time for a book. I think I would rather read it and move on. Its not long, and the personal application part can take time, but I would at least like us to go through the book and have it ready to discuss (even if we haven't really made all of the application happen just yet). Let me know what you think!

-Marcie

My book has shipped!

2007-07-10T08:08:00.000-06:00

My book has finally shipped! I ordered it a week and a half ago and it's estimated to arrive on the 16th. So, for my sake at least, let's not have this next meeting for a while, okay?

I'm excited to get it. Anyone reading theirs yet?

Unique Ability

2007-07-01T20:51:00.000-06:00

Hey gals! I just wanted to post the link to our new book. I am starting an organization website and I have an Amazon aStore and I have this book in my "store" for my organization thingy. If you guys buy through this link I get a commission :) It is just like you buy from Amazon; same price etc. I really do think the cheapest I have found was through Amazon anyway.

I am excited we are dong this one. Just a forewarning though. This isn't a book to just read. There is a lot of interactive things that take time. We may really need to schedule our next meeting like 6 weeks out. I would suggest you do a little bit of the book each day. This is going to be a great discovery for everyone!

Unique Ability

me again ...

2007-06-21T07:39:00.001-06:00

This time my thoughts are about the book : ) I'm just going to copy and paste a paragraph from my personal blog since that is where I was writing about the book:

THe other book I'm reading is "The Jackrabbit Factor" by Leslie Householder. This is the one we're doing for bookclub this month. It's written by a Morman, so it is a book about the law of attraction with (thankfully) God put in his proper place instead of this vague "universe" power that is getting all the credit. I do find the law of attraction interesting -- to be honest I was completely sick of hearing about "The Secret" and blah blah blah, until I listened to "Recieving Answers to Prayers" a book by Elder Gene R. Cook. In there he quotes the scripture "Ask in faith, believing that ye shall recieve ... " and then talked about how we should go as far as to thank Heavenly Father for the things we are asking for -- even though we haven't received them yet, becuase that is showing our faith and the belief that we will receive the righteous blessing. I basically decided that is what this law of attraction hooplah really is. It's about being grateful for what you have, determining what you desire, and, if that is a righteous desire, going to Heavenly Father in prayer, asking in faith, belieivng you will recieve and keeping your mind open for the inspiration that will come to help you achieve what you want. I guess the key is that the desire is righteous, and in tune with what God's plan. It's not the "universe" magically aligning things and dropping money on your doorstep -- It is Heavenly Father opening doors, and guiding you to achieve the dream you desire.

yo

2007-06-21T06:53:00.001-06:00

"The theory behind cash rewards is that poor people are trapped in a cycle of repeated setbacks that keep them from climbing out of poverty"

-- Money is never the answer. If they think cash rewards will teach people and help them out of poverty then they are wrong. The answer lies in knowledge, in education on how to apply correct financial principles. I truly believe that anyone who has experienced financial set-backs that put them in the "poverty" income level can break out -- if they do not have a poverty mindset. The only thing that actually traps people is their mindset. I look at my in-laws who have experienced a true financial set-back with Tina's 2 1/2 week hospital stay and major surgery operation (without any health insurance). Do I think that they will hit rock bottom and fall into the poverty cycle?? Heck no, while this experience sure could have thrown someone else into the poverty cycle of chasing payments and never making ends meet and thinking their is no "way out" (unless something like winning the lottery happens, or other unprincipled ways of getting money), I see them as people who will turn their brains on, and find a way to increase their means and work smarter to pay off this debt.

"The program "gives New Yorkers in poverty a financial incentive to look ahead and make decisions that will improve their prospects for the future," he said in a statement."

-- What about teaching them true incentives, such as being a good steward, and living by principle, rather than thinking the government should swoop in and pay you for getting an A on your report card?

"It just reinforces the impression that if everybody would just work hard enough and change their personal behavior we could solve poverty in this country, and that's not reflected in the facts," said Margy Waller, co-founder of Inclusion, a research and policy group in Washington. Waller, who served as a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration, said it would be more effective to focus on labor issues, such as making sure wage laws are enforced and improving benefits for working people."

-- I would really like to know what "facts" this socialist is citing to say that changing personal behavior can't solve poverty. True, it's not just about behavior, it is in your mindset. I just think it is complete socialism to once again think the problem is minimum wage, and lack of benefits. Look at the church's way of helping people in poverty. They say, ok, you're on hard times, let us help you with some food. In exchange will you help clean the church this saturday, work at D.I. ect ect... tehy're not teaching dependence on the church, their emphasizing self-reliance. It just makes me think of President Benson's talk, "The Proper Role of Government"

I just thought I would bounce back my thoughts. I think it is related to our book Amy, in that the answers are never in THINGS, Heavenly Father doesn't care about things, and things aren't important, they are mere tools that we use to bring about God's plans. Heavenly Father does care, however about our thoughts, and how are actions reflect those thoughts. Anyway, if you feel strongly that I am way off base, please feel free to post a reply ; )

-Marcie

Off topic (sort of)...

2007-06-19T10:41:00.000-06:00

I read this article today and was appalled. Paying poor people state tax dollars for good behavior and grades! The more I learn why rich people are rich and why poor people are poor; the more I really believe that poverty, or staying in poverty rather, is a choice. It's like you are just fixed on finding that "paper sack" and your peripheral vision is cut off and you are so ignorant, so caught up in the consumer / scarcity mode you miss your opportunity that might be right in front of you. We are in control of our lives. We determine the outcome of our circumstances. This article is like open socialism in the US. This won't help poor people become better.

Taking a chance

2007-06-12T05:06:00.000-06:00

Hello!
I totally agree, Laura. And it is definitely one of those books that you want to share with everyone, huh? My dad read it when he saw it on my nightstand and he thought it was great and gave me another book to read. It's called Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and it's by Richard Back. It's only 127 pages long and it sounds like it's really similar. It's about a seagull who decides to find higher meaning in his life even though his flock finds his decision threatening. It was written back in the 70s. I haven't read it yet, but I'm going to soon. I guess it was super popular.

Happy reading!

Meeting Times

2007-06-11T15:40:00.000-06:00

Kudos to Laura and Raven who are kicking butt and creating posts. I admit, I haven't started the book yet. I've been caught up in another and keep putting off picking it up. Since it's such a page turner I don't think I'll have a prob. once I get it (tonight potentially ... : ) Anyway, in order for all of us to (finally) meet together once again, lets say we wait until Raven is back in town and shoot for the morning of July 30th for our meeting. The only hang up could be if anyone is going away that weekend becuase it is the weekend before the 4th of July. Otherwise we might just want to meet during the week in the last week of June. Lemme know what you think,

Marcie

Finished!

2007-06-08T23:32:00.000-06:00

I finished this last night, it was definitely a page turner! I really liked the Epilogue, told a little of when they were older. I can't wait to discuss this book! :) btw...any meeting date yet?

Amen

2007-06-07T13:38:00.000-06:00

I totally agree, the people who are in the rat race, or "looking for paper sacks" have their brains turned off to all the bright ideas out there, they're not using their head, or thoughts, to better their life. I am really enjoying this book, i am almost done! i kept interrupting my hubby to share some of the excerpts from the book that i really like, and he wants to read it....although, after all i've shared with him, he probably doesn't need to read it now. :) lol

Workin' nine to five...

2007-06-07T05:13:00.000-06:00

Hi, ladies-
I think this book has some great and persuading points in it. My husband and I have been talking for a while now about how he doesn't want to follow the typical route of working 8 hours a day for the next 40 years in hopes of a better "paper sack" down the road. Basically, he wants to attract the rabbits to him. I'm going to recommend the book to him because it discusses the same principles he has been wondering about. If other people can find extraordinary things to do with their lives and support a family, why not us?

What do you guys think?

Got my copy!

2007-06-02T09:18:00.001-06:00

Hello from North Carolina! I just got my copy of the book and from what I have read so far it seems pretty great. I am excited to discuss it with ya'll (sorry, that just slips out when I'm back in the South...). If you want to wait for me, I will be back in UT on June 22nd. So, any time after that would work fine for me.

Happy reading!

Date

2007-06-01T10:59:00.001-06:00

i got my book! wahoo. :) so, have we decided when we're gonna finish this by to meet?

Jackrabbit

2007-05-25T19:29:00.000-06:00

i had no idea what this was about, so i got onto amazon to see and you can see a sneakpeek of what it's about. anyways, so they only had like 4 pages in it, but as soon as i got to the end, i was dying to read more right then! that's how good it was to me. :) so i hurry and bought it and it's on it's way now. yay. good pick whoever recommended it!

New Book ...

2007-05-24T13:15:00.000-06:00

Well ladies, it looks like the new book for the month is The Jackrabbit Factor by Leslie Householder. Since everyone seemed interested in Mans Search for Meaning we should definetly consider that for next time. We haven't picked a date for our next meeting yet. I don't remember what date Raven gets back in town, so we'll play it by ear for a little bit. By the way, I just want to say that I hate the "comments" feature!! I never think to check those when I check the blog, so I think that no one has posted -- until I finally figure it out. Just thought I would share. Anyways, happy posting and happy reading until we meet again (even though I basically see all of you on a more-than-weekly-basis).

-Marcie

My votes

2007-05-22T09:23:00.000-06:00

Wow, we seem to have lots of good book ideas this time. We should remember these when it comes time to choose again next month. At this point, my vote would be either The Jackrabbit Factor or Man's Search for Meaning.

Anyone else casting a vote?

Raven

More book ideas ...

2007-05-21T09:51:00.000-06:00

Here are my two ideas:

The 7 Habits for Highly Sucessful Families (Covey) - I know I said I didn't want to do this as a book club book before but it is so stinkin good and I'm only halfway through. It would be great to discuss.

The Jackrabbit Factor -- This has come to me highly recommended. I believe it has a little to do with the law of attraction (which always makes for interesting discussion) as well as dreaming big and accomplishing those dreams. It is written by Leslie Householder -- a Utah mom.

-Marcie

Book ideas

2007-05-21T08:29:00.001-06:00

Hi, ladies-
As agreed, here are some books that I would be interested in reading (completely this time) for our next meeting (I've linked each title to its amazon page):
-The Alchemist
-The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography
-Man's Search for Meaning

I have been wanting to read all of these. What do you think?

Raven

me too

2007-05-18T09:09:00.000-06:00

i have a confession that i've only read like 4 chapters of the book . :( it's been so darn hectic with the baby blessing, and my mom being sick-trying to help her. but i guess i can still talk about what i read so far. :) I'm not trying to get off the hook, i'm just lettin ya know how far I am. :D

Daily Decisions

2007-05-15T08:36:00.000-06:00

This book really encourages me to "stand a little taller" and make the most of this life. His emphasis on the daily decisions of life helps make this less overwhelming. For example, he says, "How are you using [this mortality] you were so anxious to receive? Do daily decisions lead you toward those goals you so eagerly anticipated as a spirit in the premortal life?" (10). We did all choose to experience this life and we were excited at the opportunity to prove ourselves worthy of celestial glory. All too often, this truth gets lost in the Adversary's tools of distraction that Elder Scott talks about. It's easy to fill our lives with good things, but it is imperative that we fill our lives with eternally important and imperative things. I think it all comes back to those daily decisions. If we take it one day at a time (I will read my scriptures today; I will say earnest prayers this morning), I think it is more manageable. I think this will become a personal motto of mine (Do daily decisions lead you toward those goals you so eagerly anticipated as a spirit in the premortal life?). I can't lose my celestial potential to the distractions of mortality.

See you Sat.!

2007-05-14T21:23:00.000-06:00

Sorry Raven, You're not off the hook that easily : ) We're still on for Saturday. I'm still working on the book too but we can still have a good discussion if we're not 100% done. Plus then we can assign a book for next time : )
See everyone Saturday! Post post post in the meantime ; )

Marcie
p.s. I say we make Amy post a really long in depth post to make up for skipping town on us ; )

To meet or not to meet...

2007-05-13T20:13:00.000-06:00

So I have a confession to make. I have only read like 15 pages of the book so far. However, if we are still planning on meeting on Saturday, I will have it done by then. Are we still meeting? I know it was kind of up in the air since Amy won't be here. I am leaving on the 24th and won't be back until June 22nd, but you guys can always meet without me this month if that would work better for everyone.

What do you all think?

Cool FYI

2007-05-09T17:24:00.000-06:00

Hello, again!
Did you know that Elder Scott painted the image on the front cover and the one of his wife and baby on the back cover? I had forgotten that he is an excellent artist. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with him a couple of years ago in his office and I can testify that this man truly is an Apostle of God. I am excited to be reading such a terrific book.

Raven

Just a thought...

2007-05-09T16:47:00.000-06:00

Hi, ladies-
So, I have a question for you all. I would really like to get involved in some kind of long-term service project. I feel the desire to help others in our community, as I'm sure you all do. I was wondering if we could somehow incorporate mini service projects into our book group meetings. We could tie baby quilts, or make those really simple fleece blankies where you fringe and tie the edges, or anything that you can think of. What do you think? I think we could chat and tie (or whatever) at the same time. I would love to hear some of your ideas. If we decide to just focus on reading and chatting for now, that's fine. I just thought I'd put it out there.

Any thoughts?

Raven

What an amazing man!

2007-05-07T15:37:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to post and tell you all that I think this is an amazing book. I love Elder Scott's writing style and it really does feel like a one on one conversation. He shares personal experiences and his clarity on such a complex matter is beautiful. I have always loved Elder Scott but I have so much love for him after reading his book. (and no I have not finished)I think my entire book will be yellow in highlights and black with notes. I can see why he suggests to grab a notebook and pen when you begin.

I will post more about the book but I just wanted to share my thoughts about the reading.

P.S. I am a dork and will not be able to be at our May 19th meeting. I know that a lot of people had a lot of stuff going on so if you have to have it without me I understand. I will be in Nauvoo getting a personal tour from Susan Easton Black and stying in her condo that weekend :) Let me know what you guys want to do....

New Book

2007-04-22T21:20:00.000-06:00

Hey ladies here is our book club info for the month:
Our new book is Finding Peace, Joy and Happiness by Elder Richard G. Scott. I just cheked online and it is going for $15.95 right now so I imagine that it is the same in stores. I don't know how long it is yet, I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.
Our next meeting is on May 19th (right??!)
Happy Posting!

Marcie

Food eh?

2007-04-19T18:01:00.000-06:00

Hey ladies,
Raven recommended smoothies for our meeting shnack. Sound good? I have a ginormous load of strawberries. Any other volunteers for smoothie fruits? I will most likely make some muffins to go with that (I'm addicted -- what can I say?). Sign up on the blog for your smoothie contribution.

-Marcie

So....

2007-04-13T12:14:00.000-06:00

Are we still going to meet for this book? So far, I haven't heard from anyone. I can meet this coming Saturday or this coming Wednesday or Thursday. Anytime. I think we need to do this soon if we're going to do it because the next weekend my family will be busy with graduation and then it's May. I will be out of town from May 25th until June 22nd, so the meeting for May might have to be a bit early as it is. Let's figure out a time for April so we aren't left with 2 weeks to read the next book.

Come on , ladies! :)

Babies are humans, too

2007-04-11T13:22:00.000-06:00

I totally agree, Amy. This book has helped me change the way I see people. So often we only see people as inconveniences or as objects rotating around our own lives. But we are all living important lives! And if someone needs your help, you need to evaluate why they are asking and not just brush it off because it is inconvenient. We need to be willing to take off our shoes for each other.

I've really found this kind of attitude helpful with my baby. It is so easy to get frustrated and think only of how she might keep me from doing things, etc. However, she is a precious little human, a daughter of God, and she deserves to be loved and to have her needs met by me. When she cries it isn't to frustrate me, it is to communicate some need.

Think of how different this world would be if we all simply recognized the divinity and humanity in everyone around us instead of seeing them as "enemies" or "different" or "wrong". And I agree with Amy that we are taking a big step in the right direction by meeting together to discuss and implement the ideas of texts like this one.

The Truth Can Make You Free :)

2007-04-11T12:31:00.000-06:00

OK I know this is like the only post I have done on The Anatomy of Peace so far but I was listening to a book today and it reminded me of something that I gained from Anatomy.

When we see people as objects there is all kinds of deception going on in our minds. (Whether this is deception is for self-justification, stubornness or a whole host of other reasons the fact remains that we are deceived.) Truth cannot abound where deception is present. To stay in "The Box" is to violate, ignore and cut short our true developmental process that Heavenly Father wants us to achieve.

When we refuse to move out of the box or are ignorant to whatever box(es) we may be in is to enslave ourselves to those deceptive feelings and hault us in the very growing process we are fighting to acheive. There is power in knowledge. There is power in knowing and being able to recognize when we are in a box. You are able to gain emotional and spiritual maturity when you can hear a person that may be acting not nice to you and then think to yourself, "OK. I heard what she/he said, but what did they really mean?" Not taking offense to remarks is a sign of emotional maturity. That type of maturity is essential to learning to get out of your boxes.

I believe that by being a part of this club together we are in a sense "taking off our shoes" for one another and creating a space where we can just be! Women. Mothers. Sisters. People. Friends.

Meeting?

2007-04-11T08:12:00.000-06:00

So, when are we meeting? Should we just try for this next week sometime? I can meet Wed, Thurs, or Sat. Let's decide on a date.

Happy reading!
Raven

Sorrrrrrryyyy....

2007-04-07T20:14:00.001-06:00

Ladies,
My scatterbrained self apologizes for not being on top of things this month. I say that we just plan on meeting this Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. I will be happy to make pancakes if we are interested in doing that again, or I am open to food suggestions. Make sure to come ready with new book ideas ... I have two or three that have come to mind : ) Please post if this WILL NOT work for you k? Gracias ladies! I'm excited to (FINALLY) discuss this book .... it's been forever!

-Marcie

Meeting

2007-04-07T20:14:00.000-06:00

Hey ladies,
So once again my crazy schedule is conflicting with the meeting. I'm throwing Chelsee's bridal shower this Saturday from 10-noon. Would anyone be open to meeting on a weeknight? We could do a frozen pizza dinner or something easy and just meet on a weeknight potentially. This way we don't have to put it off a whole 'nother week. What day works for everyone? I'm game for Tues, Weds. or Thurs. WE could also still do it on Saturday, just later in the day.
Lemme know what works, and make sure to post, post post before our meeting. I know i will do better this week,

Marcie

Good luck, Marcie!

2007-03-25T16:00:00.000-06:00

Best of wishes to our group founder, Marcie, as she prepares to welcome baby Truman to the world! We are all so excited for you and know that everything will go just wonderfully. I, personally, can't wait to meet the little guy!

~Raven

Agreed

2007-03-21T16:56:00.000-06:00

I have to second Raven's comment. These books (and the others similar, Leadership and Self Deception, The Peacegiver, ect.) all focus on one thing: Finding peace happiness in your own life. Finally someone is saying you can stop blaming your boss for your crappy pay, your bad childhood for your unhappy marriage ect., and take responsibility for your own peace and happienss. Heavenly Father didn't send us here to be acted upon, he sent us here to act, and that means we are responsible for how we feel, our relationships with others, and where we are going in life.
I wish I had the book in front of me to do it more justice, but I really liked the overall focus on personal accountability. Sure these people had really difficult children, but they were taught that only once we recognize what we can do to change ourselves can we start to see our challenges in a different light. The difficult part is constantly evaluating our responses to our trials and recognizing how we are either acting as a reactive or proactive person.
I think this book does a good job of helping you to recognize and look out for ways that we can recognize more clearly how we are responding -- I'm sure we'll have some good discussion on the chapter about the "boxes" when we all get there.
-Marcie

In control of our attitudes

2007-03-19T15:31:00.000-06:00

Hi, all-
I'm so excited--the first official post about our latest book! I just wanted to say that I love this idea that we are in control of our attitudes and our lives. We may not be able to decide what events or circumstances come our way, but we ARE in control of how we react to them. We can choose to see people around us as objects or humans. That is so key. It's a bit overwhelming sometimes because it means that we need to be constantly aware and thinking of others, but I think it's ultimately a healthier and more productive way to live. This book isn't just about solving conflicts. It's about becoming a better human being.

Glad to see you back, Laura!

Raven

Pumped up to read

2007-03-19T11:10:00.000-06:00

hey, I'm back...almost in one piece. =) thanks for the congrats! i'm surviving. it is definitely a challenge, but like everyone says, it will get easier......that better be true. LOL
I'm excited to get started reading this book as well. doing something else other than feeding, sleeping, diapering and burping sounds great to me! I have wanted to read this for quite some time. April 14 seems like a great time to do the meeting, I'm pumped to get this goin again! =)

Congrats to Laura!

2007-03-16T07:52:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to post an official Book Group congrats to Laura on the arrival of her new baby! I look forward to hearing how she is doing.

Also, my book is almost here from Amazon; I'm excited to get started on it. Oh, and I think that the next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th, at 10 am. I can't believe there will be two new little ones added to our group by then!

The Anatomy of Peace

2007-03-12T00:25:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to have an official announcement of our new book for the month. Somehow I just know that we will be up and posting in no time.

Just an FYI...I ordered my copy from Amazon for $14.46 and it will be here Tuesday. I checked Deseret and it was a lot more expensive. Can someone post when our next meeting is going to be? I already forgot :)

Where's my mind?

2007-03-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Ladies,
Sorry for the absence on the blog. I get the feeling all of us have had a couple of crazy weeks. I feel as if I don't think of anything until the last minute — like the fact that I should probably talk about tomorrows meeting!
I hope everyone (meaning you Raven because I talked to Amy this morning: ) is still planning on coming to the meeting tomorrow morning from 9 -11 a.m. What would we like to eat? I'd be happy to make smoothies, or muffins or something. Any ideas?? Something low-key since there is only three of us this month. If nobody posts somthing they'd like to bring I can figure something out :)
Make sure to come ready with questions and ideas for discussing. Even though Raven will be leading the discussion it will be great for all of us to have some thoughts to contribute without making her do all the work : )
Also, as we talked about last time, lets have some solid book recommendations. Can everyone have TWO books they would like to recommend for next month? That will make it easier. Tammy, if you have some books you would like to read then feel free to post those on here so you can make sure to have a say as well!
I will plan on seeing everyone at my placce unless I hear from you otherwise.

See ya tomorrow!
Marcie

Finished : )

2007-03-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished -- and let me just say once you get near the end you can't put it down. Finally the romance comes together for everyone and it's exciting in a chick-flick kind of way.
Anyway, I was just thinking after reading it of a question or two that came to mind:
First, if you were reading this with your teenage daughter, what thoughts do you think she would have about marriage?
How do you think the author portrays families in this book?

Just some thoughts,

Marcie

Notes on Pride and Prejudice

2007-03-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hi, ladies-
Here are some notes on the historical context of this novel. I will continue to post notes like this (including some discussion questions) during this week leading up to our meeting.

"In her own day, Austen's work signified a break with the Gothic and sentimental novels that had long been fashionable, in which heroines were always virtuous, romance was always sentimentalized, and unlikely but convenient coincidences and acts of God always occurred to bring about the dramatic climax. Instead Austen represented the ordinary world of men and women as it—sometimes mundanely—was, a place where love and romance were constrained by economics and human imperfection; where women had distinct and often sparkling personalities; where characters were never simply good or evil but more complicated amalgams, reflecting both their own moral nature and the virtues and failings of the families and society that shaped them.
In these ways, Austen seems very much in tune with today's sensibilities. We love her strong, unpretentious heroines ("Pictures of perfection as you know make me sick & wicked," Austen said of them), who think for themselves and say what they mean when appropriate and don't take themselves too seriously. They are not, in today's parlance, victims. We are as interested as ever in Austen's favorite subjects of love and marriage, while also identifying with her steadfast refusal to romanticize romance; with her acknowledgment that money, class, and what other people think matter in the real world; that marriage does not result in a happy ending for everyone; and that it is dangerous to let passion blind us to reality. Living amidst the cultural fallout from the self-absorbed, sensibility-prone 1960s, we appreciate Austen's emphasis on reason, moderation, fidelity, and consideration for others."

What do you think? What do we love about Austen? What do we see as her failings?

Raven

Pride and Prejudice

2007-03-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Soo.... I'm guessing by the silence on the blog that everyone else is having as hard time as I am divining great truths and virtues from this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally enjoying reading it, but I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be learning from it, or what makes it a classic. I did cheat and read the questions provided in the back of TJED to see what I could be thinking about, and that did help a little.
So far I've had some interesting thoughts on pride -- at this point I'm not sure how Darcy will ever become likable in my eyes, I find his pride (though they say it is warranted in the book) to be obnoxious and overbearing. I also find many of the characters to be silly (esp. the mother).
I'm just getting in to some of the observations on marriage which are also interesting — though it makes me wonder, did people actually think and act like these people? It makes me glad to live in modern times.
I'll be interested to get everyone's ideas on the book — specially yours Tammy because you're down there in AZ reading them all by yourself! (complete side note: Tammy was your luggage ever found??!?!)
I also hear rumor that Laura will most definetely NOT be joining us for our book club this Saturday. She has lucked her way out of this novel by having a baby. Last I heard she has an inducement date on the 9th, so I think we'll let her off hte hook to have a baby. Hopefully she won't have to wait even that long and will have the baby on her own this week :D

- Happy Posting,
Marcie

Book Club Divas

2007-02-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Our first meeting! Aren't we a sight for sore eyes?! Our first meeting was a great success. Thanks Marcie for pancakes and leading the discussion and to everyone else for such brain on comments!

Cheapooks...

2007-02-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

I called the BYU Bookstore and they don't have any copies of the "Dover Thrift Edition" (the cheap copy of Pride and Prejudice) in stock. Borders doesn't either, but they have a Bantam Classics version in for $4.95. That's basically what I would have paid (with shipping) online at half.com so I'm going to go pick one up. If anyone finds the way cheap Dover one anywhere let me know ; )

-Marcie

Pride and Prejudice

2007-02-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

So, anyone started our next book yet? I was looking at the calendar today and guess what ... We meet again in only TWO weeks (give or take a day or two : ). So don't forget we have a shorter amount of time to read this time around. I know I'll be making a trip to the bookstore this weekend!

-Marcie

MEETING

2007-02-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Ok Ladies, the time has (FINALLY) come to have our first meeting. We're planning on meeting at my place from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday morning.
I will be more than happy to make a ginormous stack of pancakes (either blueberry or chocolate chip ... any preferences?)
Would everyone else like to chip in a bring something? Someone (or someones) could bring fruit, beverages, paper goods, or toppings (just some ideas). Just post what you'd like to bring -- first come, first serve.
Come ready with notes (or notes in the margins) of what you'd like to talk about from our book. Also we'll choose our next book, some come ready with ideas : )

See everyone there!

Marcie

Trolley Square Shootings

2007-02-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hi, ladies-
I pray that none of you were directly affected by last night's horrible events. I am still in a bit of shock. What a horrible act of violence. It makes me want to raise up righteous children who will defend what is good even more. Although I blame the young man for his actions (he knew what he was doing), I also blame the nation that has chosen to make God politically incorrect and chosen to give our children educations devoid of morals for producing such a person. What a tragedy.

Raven

German homeschooled teen incarcerated

2007-02-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

my dad sent this over my way, it is so ridiculous! gets me all fired up!

http://www.netzwerk-bildungsfreiheit.de/html/pe_erlangen_en.html

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54135

okey dokey

2007-02-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

that's A ok with me.....it's actually taking me longer than i thought to read it...lol, so i will most definitely have it all read by the 17th.

Change of Plans

2007-02-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ladies,
Sorry for the last minute change of plans but I won't be able to have the book club meeting at my house this Saturday. I just found out I have to attend this church training thingy that morning. Considering there are only four of us in the group I am going to ask that we switch the date to the 17th rather than go on without me : ) Does that date work for everyone?? Sorry that we keep putting it off -- I'm sure everyone is done with the book and ready to go! I promise to make some incredible pancakes to make up for it ; ) Let me know if anyone has a conflict schedule, so far Raven and Amy have ok'd it, so it's up to you Laura : ) I'm ready for a new book!! Let's start applying what we've learned eh?

-Marcie

Private Schools

2007-02-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that is weird, huh? My father in-law was telling me that people don't want to support vouchers that would allow people who want to send their kids to private schools to put some of their tax dollars toward tuition. He said that people are saying that this is taking money away from public schools. But then he made a good point and said that public school people should actually encourage the vouchers because they way it works is that if it takes $5,000 a year (totally made up number) to educate a child in public schools, the voucher would only be for $3,000. So, the public school actually ends up with $2,000 not designated toward a particular student that they could use.

And, really, why are people so defensive about public schools? Does any parent really think they're the best education available? It's almost like they feel that if their kid isn't getting a private school education, no one else's should either. Bryce and I have decided to start saving now so that our kids can go to private school.

Anyways, that's my rant for the day ;) And I'm always up for ice cream and brownies!

Tasty thinking!

2007-01-31T16:17:00.001-07:00

I agree, we deserve a treat for 100... I think, after seeing postings on fam websites and other blogs and such, that girls have always been the ones most likely to respond more.... who wouldn't want to post on this way coolio post anyways! :) so treat, my vote is ice cream with chocolate, berries n brownies! :) we can have our hubbies buy an ingredient and we bring it, then we don't have to do any work! lol
ok, so about education :)me and tim have been listening to FM100, and in the past couple days we heard some radio ads about education. one was really good, it was promoting private schools for kids, and it was just a positive ad, wasn't beating down on public schools or anyone. then today we heard one where the guy was saying that our tax dollars shouldn't support/go towards private schools! why? they'd rather have it go towards public schools which are going to pot nowadays?? kinda messed up thinking...:)