Monday, December 8, 2008

Bookclub Christmas Par-tay!!

This year we had our bookclub party at Lisa's house. Laurel's friend catered it for us which was so delicious! We had a birthday and baby celebration for Melissa who is going to have her baby this week: it's a boy! She got hooked up with lots of cute things. Then we did a white elephant gift exchange. Everyone fought over the Edward poster from Twilight (sigh, he's so cute!) but the best gift was the Tiki that Karen gave to Kristin. That is truly a white elephant. After that we did an exchange of small gifts that we each gave eachother: bookmarks, candy, games, bags, etc. I usually make a bookclub cd every year of everyone's favorite song for the year. This year I did a song that "describes you". The cd is titled: Pieces of Us, in some way or another. Here is the playlist.

Alisa- Blessed, Martina McBride
Becky- Band of Horses, No One's Gonna Love you (like I do)
Cumorah- Taylor Swift, Love Story
Francesca- Yummy, Gwen Stefani
Karen- Daughtry, Home
Kiki- Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World
Kristin- Elton John, Blessed
Laurel- Alanis Morisette, So Unsexy
Lisa- Enya,I will find you
Liz- Depeche Mode, It's no good
Margie- Jack Johnson, Banana Pancakes
Marcy- Jordin Sparks, One step at a time
Melissa- Ingrid Michaelson, the way I am
Michelle- Five for Fighting, Superman
Sarah- Journey, Seperate Ways
Coldplay- fix you (dedication from Sarah and Liz)
Moby- theme song from Bourne (Lisa's marathon song)


We will explain why we chose these songs in the reply section of this post. Some of you I couldn't get a hold of so I just chose a song for you. I think it is easier to choose a song that describes other people than it is to describe yourself.
We had such a great time together, laughing and having fun. We missed those of you who have moved or couldn't make it. Can't wait for another get together! I noticed Karen that you aren't in this group picture because you had to come late, so we'll get another group one next time!
Thanks for hosting it Lisa, your house is beautiful! Good Luck on that baby Melissa!



17 comments:

Becky Maness said...

Hi,
I don't know if I have even heard the song that I 'chose.' Anyway, I'm sure it must fit me, or Sarah wouldn't have put it on. I did choose another song but Sarah couldn't get it, so she called me during a really bad sinus infection and frankly choosing another song went in one ear and out the other until I remembered too late. So then I called her with Dream Big by David Cook, but like I said I was too late. Anyway glad you had a great party. I don't think I know Kristen. But I'm jealous you got the Tiki. j/k. Hope you can find a nice spot on your mantle to display it.
Love you all, Becky

bookette said...

explain my song? doesn't it explain itself? that's how I feel, lately, a lot of the time. In Morisette's own words: "when I don't take care of myself, or love myself...everything (can be) very painful...disconnected and...depressing". I know my self-esteem shouldn't be connected to how often my cell rings, or how many weekends I've spent dateless, but there are days when it feels like it is, you know?
besides, my sons didn't think I should go with "you're so damn hot" or "I know what boys like" even if I did feel some connection with them.

Liz said...

My song has a tie to my past. When David and I were dating that was our song. It fit perfectly to our situation. He was ready to move forward, and I wasn't sure yet. He told me once, "I will wait forever till you are ready.", which could've scared someone off....ha, but I fell for him. That song has a lot of emotions tied to it, plus it's a great song by a great band. :)

Marcy said...

Oh, how I know exactly what you mean Laurel.

My song is just a reminder to me that I need to take each day at a time and find joy each day and be grateful for all the good people in my life. Everything has a season. Someday I'll have the man of my dreams, and so will Laurel have hers.

M. Wright said...

Looks like you all had a great time, wish I could have been there! Although, I have to say I would have passed on Edward, couldn't they have picked someone more attractive like the guy who plays his dad.
I'm excited for next year. Hopefully I will have a better record of coming. I also like the gift ideas. I must admit the gift giving was hard for me, knowing what to get all you great ladies without knowing you better.
Did Melissa have her baby? How is she doing?

M. Wright said...

Oh, and I was one of those that Sarah had to pick the song for me. I'm not sure why she picked that, but Jack Johnson is one of my favorites!

Melissa said...

As many of you know I am not a blogger. So you ladies must know how much I love you if I am making an effort:). I first heard about the song I chose(Ingrid Michaelson, The way I am) from my brother-in-law Casey and his wife. They heard the song and it reminded them of me so they came to our house and Casey played it on the guitar and Melissa (his wife)sang it. So they actually chose the song for me.
FYI: No baby yet. I am being induced on Wednesday, December 10. I will get Marcy all of details and maybe a picture and she said she would pass the info. along.

Anonymous said...

OK, I look like a GIANT in all our group pictures. Next one...I'm kneeling in front! As for my song, "Blessed". I've watched a lot of people I love suffer this year. One sibling got a divorce and didn't want one. One sibling's husband lost his job and she had to go to work to support the family. Not to mention friends... Anyway, we don't have a lot of money but Dave has a secure job teaching with the same amount of money coming in each month that we can count on, my kids are healthy and happy, I have wonderful, supportive friends and I'm still madly in love with the man I married. I know how blessed I am and this seemed the best song to describe that. :)

ziggygirl said...

My song stems back to my childhood. My best friend's mom used to listen to Journey all the time and we were over at her house playing most of the time. So it reminds me of playing "house", barbies, dress up, you name it- all the girlie things that girls do. Then when I moved away from my best friend the song reminds me of her. Now I do know how it feels to find love. Love has finally found me as it promises in the song. I am a lucky girl and know that everyone will be as lucky as I am if you just remember to enjoy the "journey". Love you all.

Karen K said...

I chose Home by Daughtry, because with my secret life as a rock star, it's really hard being out on the road so much, you know? OK, really. I chose it because I love being home and with people I love. I'm way too self-conscious and I take forever feeling comfortable around people. I love both my immediate and extended family. I love being home, where I feel I "belong" and comfortable to be myself. Thanks for being so sweet about the whole tiki thing. I have another really ugly Hawaii souvenir, but I don't know if I can bear to part with it!

Marcy said...

Love the new blog look Sarah!!!

Marcy said...

OK, our label system is in place, more or less. We can go back and add labels to old posts if we want, or just try to label our new ones. Should make us very organized :)

Lisa said...

Joshua helped me set up an account.So let's see if this goes through. I was touched by the songs from you girls, i got emotional more than once considering your sweet faces. My song is a lot more repetitive than the soundtrack version which is shorter, but I've always liked Enya, as well as a million other bands. My marathon song is from the end of the Bourne trilogy, you know Jason Bourne doesn't ever die, so how can i give up at mile 20? I really loved having you all in my home, i am willing to host anytime. Thanks for sharing yourselves with me, I appreciate every one of you gals. Melissa, i will RESTITCH your baby's BUTT anytime, CONGRATS! Love you all. Lisa

Michelle said...

So this is a repeat of my sappy e-mail, but for documentation's and fairness' sake, the reason I chose Superman:
.... Of course there is the obvious reason--I have an undying love for Smallville and Clark Kent. :) And the way they sing that song, it's pulls so much feeling to the surface and it causes me to be quite reflective and sentimental. The words to a certain degree I relate to. Not as one trying to save the world as Superman, but sometimes it gets hard, lonely and frustrating trying to be a Supermom. So I hear that song, and I feel like someone is singing my feelings and it's really beautiful.

Alisa, your song choice is beautiful. I love your reasoning behind it. Karen, I'm up for fighting for a Hawaiian trinket! Only if it's a Monkey carved out of a coconut!!!!

Cumorah said...

Hi Everyone!!! I guess I am a little behind with telling you why I chose my song. I just really love that song by Taylor Swift! I think it is such a cute song. It is a great love song and Sean and I fell in love and got married, so that is why I chose it:)
love you all and miss you!

frenchie said...

As you all know, I am one of those people that is ON the BALL! So, ya, today is my first time hearing the music on this cd. Well, also the first time on the blog in a LONG time. Seeing you all and hearing you is bitter-sweet. I realized, just now in fact, I have a place reserved in my heart for the "Sisterhood". And it's in the emotional part of my heart.

But anyhow...
This song, Yummy, by Gwen, was chosen for me by one of my heroes. I'll take a whack at trying to figure out why. The first thing I thought when the song started (which, by the way, is the first time I'd heard it, ever) is that it was a little shocking. A little funky... and totally out of the groove with the rest of the songs. I will admit that I am shocking. People, on a regular basis, run screaming from the sight of me. Others - a few tolerant others - stick around enough to think well, hm, maybe she's just funky. I take this all not as a put-down, nor a compliment, just reality. So there you have it. Pretty simple.
Oh ya, the name of the song is Yummy. Obviously Sarah's a closet homosexual.

I love you all dearly, Frenchie

bookette said...

Frenchie, what do you expect when you're hiding out with the chickens all the time? But, seriously, I think this year's CD is another winner. The flow is just quirky enough to be interesting. Wouldn't be the same without "Yummy". Question is, can I find a t-shirt for that? Two years ago, the partner here that does his music contest was caught singing "sexy back" (from another contestants entry), by his daughter who was working here at the time. (picture YOUR dad singing "sexy back".) she shared her thoughts with me, and I then found a t-shirt with a chubby nerdy looking guy on it with the caption "I'm bringing sexy back". yes, he wears it often, though not at work. bet he'd wear a "yummy" shirt, too, if I can find something similar. Yes, I will be entering this CD for this year - I really think it could be a winner!