Book Two-New Moon

Ok, I finished Book Two-New Moon. I must admit, I am interested in reading on to see how all this turns out. I am not addicted, like some of the younger readers seem to be, but I am enjoying the series. It does flow quickly and keeps you captivated and I like that. Maybe it is an age thing and maybe I am too old to get enraptured by the true love story, but I am enjoying it. It is strange and weird, but enjoyable. I did have really strange dreams one night after reading, but they weren't nightmares, just strange dreams. So, I give it a thumbs up!

Book Two

Today I purchased the next book in the Twilight Series. Now I have not read much of it but I knew that I had lots of work to do and I knew I would not get it done because my curiosity always get the best of me, so I read the ending. Yes I already know how it ends, however I am still anxious to read how we get to that end, but at least I will not be physcotic about it and read all night. I still have seminary in the am and lessons to prepare... I will get some work done and reward myself with a chapter and so on. Stay tuned for the book review to follow.

Christmas Spirit

Today in choir, we practiced for the Christmas program. We sang some of my favorite songs. As we sang one of the songs, I pictured us singing it at Christmas and I saw my family in the audience with my son who will be here from BYU. I actually had tears in my eyes. Now, keep in mind that I had very little sleep last night and that probably contributed to my weepiness, but I also think that I did feel that special spirit that Christmas, family, and carols bring. It is also cold outside with snowflakes falling. I have also been shopping since we will be exchanging gifts at Thanksgiving with those who will not be here at Christmas. So, I hate to admit it, but I believe that even though it is still early, I do have that Christmas spirit already. Why fight it? Just let that excitement come early and enjoy it longer. I will not overlook Thanksgiving. It is part of the Holiday, especially to me this year. We will have so much company that weekend that it will seem like Christmas. And of course, we have lots to be thankful for- so Happy Holidays!

Book Review

I stayed up until 1:30 reading that "Twilight" book last night. I am tired , impatient, and crabby as a result. Actually, it was very windy and I can't sleeep when it is windy for some unknown reason, so I read until I finished the book. I can't remember what I had read on some of the other blogs about these books but I do remember my daughters telling me that I would love them and I had to read them but I had to all of them before I started them. So, here is my opinion:
It was a page turner- but so are lots of other books I have read,

I was interested in what happened next- but I usually am when I read a good book and sometimes I can't wait and I have to read the ending. I did not read the ending of this one first,

I will probably get the next book and see how it goes,

The author is a good writer.

However, I am not sure what all the hoopla is about. It is good, but so are lots of other series out there and this is a little strange. Would that girl seriously not be afraid of vampires? Hmmm
Now, if you relate the whole storyline to other things in this real world that are true- like resisiting temptations, standing up for what is right, courage, etc., then it has some real value. So I will read the next books and I will try to convince Alex to go to the library and see if he can get me book two. So stay tuned for book 2..

Giving In to Pressure

We have often talked in our Seminary classes about peer pressure and how we should avoid the temptation of giving in and doing what everyone else is doing. Most of the time, this is in regards to peer pressure. However, we can also receive pressure from other sources as well.
I love to read and can read just about anything. My daughters know this and have been "encouraging" me to read the "Twilight" series. I have had no desrie to read books about vampires. I have thought all the raving about these books is probably exaggeration. I was doing very good at resisiting their influence until they ostracized me.
At Thanksgiving, while they are at my home, they plan to go to see the movie. I am very excited to go to a movie with my daughters (of course by my daughters, I include Natalie). But, they told me that I cannot go unless I read the book! I argued that I do not need to read the book ,that I can go to a movie, but they will not allow it.
So, I bought the book yesterday and started reading it. I have only read the first chapter, but so far I am not that impressed. The jury is still out as to whether or not it deserves all the acclaim it is getting. But the bottom line is that I WILL go to the movie with the girls. And, I will enjoy the company of that outing far more than I will enjoy the movie-of this much I am sure!
Stay tuned for the real unbiased book ratings....

Random Rantings

I do enjoy reading other people's blogs. I just have a hard time writing my own. But I love to read the comments when I finally write something. However, it is so long between my blogs that I think others give up on me! So, I am going to try to be more consisitent in my blogging. I just checked my other post and saw that Susan had commented since I last looked at it and I was so excited. Thank you to those of you who check on my blog and do not give up on me. The reason I usually do not write, besides the busy factor, is that I have nothing exciting to say! My life is quite boring! I do seminary, then I work, then I come home and eat, prepare my next lesson, go to bed, and start the routine all over again. In the next few days, I will look for interesting blogging items, so be prepared!

The Dreaded Phone Call

Ok, I have been getting bugged to post a new blog. However, with work, and seminary, and my computer hog teenage son, I never have a chance. But, I cannot pass up the opportunity to tell this tale. After raising five children, three of which are boys, I have felt pretty lucky that I have never received those dreaded phone calls-like your child is in the hopstial or at the police station. Of course, we did get that one terrifying call that our kids had been in an accident and totaled the car in Iowa on their way back to BYU, but all in all, I am grateful. So now I am approaching the finish line, with Alex a senior in high school, and I am feeling pretty confident and cocky that all is well. And then I got the dreaded phone call. The call from the vice principal while I am at work that goes like this: Hello this is Mr. Eldred, the vice principal at Avon High. I have your son Alex sitting here in the office with me. We had a random drug search today and the dogs searched the lockers and the cars! (Now about this time, my heart is in my feet and is alternating between being stopped and pounding vigorously) Then he says, oh by the way, I should tell you that your son is not in trouble. Well I guess I should have told you that first! (Well yeah I think you should have because I just about had a heart attack) Well to make a long story short, the dogs sniffed out Alex's car. He had to open the trunk for them to check it. On the way to the car, the Principal and the other vice principal who have known all five kids and knows Terra and our family, was laughing at the policeman for even thinking that Alex would have drugs in his car. The principal even pointed out the BYU sticker and the fact that Alex would someday be a "pastor". The first thing they see in this teenage boy's car is a toy ball, various other toys, little boys clothes, and even a shoe. They had fun laughing at that stuff. (Tonya had left that behind and we did not know what to do with it so we left it in the car!) Then they saw the goods.. the contraband that is illegal to have on campus ...the axe! Yes, it was an axe. The Boy Scouts had borrowed our axe, I had Alex's car and opened the trunk and told them to put it in there , shut the trunk and left it there. Of course the authorities asked Alex if he knew it was illegal to have it and why it was there. Then the Principal and Vice principal that knew us, spent the time on the way back into the school convincing the others of reasons why Alex should not be punished and not expelled. Once back in the office, the secretaries were shocked into silence(quite a feat if you know these ladies) upon learning that Alex had to speak to the VP. So, I got the call and had to explain why the axe was in the car. It got confiscated and the next day Terry had to go to school and get the axe. Meanwhile, back on the school campus, Alex has the reputiton of being the axe man! We are no longer the family of goodie two shoes-our reputation has been soiled. Not since the time of Nicholas and his toilet papering issue, have we been so tarnished! And just when I was approaching the finish line!