Book Club or Bunko?

I faced a dilemma Thursday night- go to book club or fill in as a "sub" for a Bunko night..... I ended up going to Bunko and having a blast, but was still so sad to miss talking about the latest book I read.

I know it looks boring, but it wasn't formatted like a non-fiction book. It told a story and taught principles as you read. I learned that we should all have hearts that are at peace, not at war. When you have a heart at war, you justify yourself in decisions and thoughts that aren't in harmony with initial desires you might have to do good. It also emphasized that you can't blame your bad mood, prejudices, or ill feelings on bad things that have happened to you. We all have the choice be happy, whether we are in tough situations or not. In other words, we can't blame the guy who cut us off on the road for our anger. That was a choice we made. Anyway, I could go on and on, but it was a good book and really got me thinking about some things! Thanks, Rachel, for picking it!

On the other hand.... I have to comment about last month's book, The Secret Life of Bees. I had heard really good things about it and was so excited to read it and seriously did NOT like it at all!! I was surprised that I was pretty much the only one who felt this way in the group. I thought it was slightly depressing and just kind of weird. It's told from the perspective of a 14 year old girl and her thoughts were nothing like I remember from being 14. Actually, I don't know if I think as deeply as she did, even at 25! I didn't sympathize with her character and really struggled just to finish it. Some argue that the time era was informative (civil rights time), but I've read so many other books that made me feel more passionately about those issues, than this. I know the movie is out right now, but I don't have much interest in seeing how it compared. Has anyone else read this book and felt similarly???

OK, back to Bunko! Crescent hosted and we had yummy soup and rolls to start, then got going on the game. It's played with 12 people and you roll three dice, trying to get certain numbers and win the round. You play36 rounds and it took over an hour I think. It was SO fun! I guess I'm not good at focusing though, because I couldn't hold a conversation and roll at the same time. I'm told it gets easier with practice :) Unfortunately, I didn't do so well and got a "loser" prize. Travis laughed really hard when I brought it home because the tag actually says "loser" on it, in cute scrapbooking paper. Haha.

I don't know about you, but I thought it was pretty darn cute! I definitely caught Bunko fever and would love to play again. I think the Buffalo girls should get a group going... hint, hint :) I ate a ton of chocolate, but probably laughed most of it off by the end of the night. Thanks, Crescent for a great evening!


This morning brought a winter wonderland to our yard and Trav got to experience his first time shoveling snow! He was just about done when I popped outside with my camera, to which he responded, "I was wondering when you were going to come out!" He just knows me too well!

Part of the reason he shoveled, was that we had Melissa Nielsen's baby shower at my house today. Here is all the yummy pink treats....

Here are some of the cute girls that came to celebrate.

Melissa with her beautiful baby, Adelaide, and some fun presents. Melissa didn't know what she was having until the baby was born (amazing patience!) so that's why we waited until now to have the shower.

Drum roll please........ haha, and here is the 7 month picture! Yep, that's all I have to say.

Tonight, was the ward Christmas party.
First, I took a picture of what 7 months looks like!

We had ham and potatoes for dinner, then sang some songs and had a program. They did the 12 days of Christmas, where each group was a different day and we were the 2 turtle doves. We powerhoused our part with Napolean Dynamite actions and ended up winning the prize for.... well I'm not really sure what for. I guess we were just the best singers! Well, I'll let you be the judge :)

No laughing!! I know I have a great voice and you're all so jealous!

Our prize was a basket of chocolates! No complaining there! :)