The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride is nothing more than a self-help for the soon to be "father of the bride." This self-help guide was written by Jennifer lata Rung and was published in 2005. This book is nothing more than your friendly buddy sitting next to you and telling you all the things you need to know about your daughter's up coming wedding. The only difference is that this buddy is knowledgable, articulate, and fits in your back pocket.

The nine chapters in The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride covers the basics. The authour talks about your daughter leaving the nest, introduces you to the wedding vocabulary, the planning process, money etiquette, looking good, and your wedding day duties. Each chapter is filled with practical advise and valuable information. The information is straight forward and provides a simple road map for any dad to follow.

I would recommend this pocket book to any dad who has little to know knowledge about this whole wedding thing. It will provide you with some insight as well as help you become familular with the wedding process. However, if you are a dad who has gone through a wedding or two other daughters, this book would only serve as a refresher course or a book that reminds you of all the things you should have done. In either case, you can't lose reading the book. You'll either impress everyone with the wedding knowledge that you have or you will impress everyone on how much you have changed since the last wedding. Either way, you will contribute to the beautiful day your daughter will remember for the rest of her life.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
This book was very informative and actually enlightened me in a few areas I knew nothing about. When I first purchased the book, I thought it was going to releave me from some of the stress I have been encountering regarding the upcoming wedding of my precious daughter. However, I must confess the book did not relieve any stress but only added. As I read through this pocket book, I came to realize that I'm not like the father next door nor like the perfect ones every daughter dreams about. Movies have done us regular Joe dads a disservice buy setting the "perfect" dad bar so high that the only one who can live up to it are those in the minds of our daughters. That aside, I did realize that this is her special day. Her wedding day is the one event, the one day, she has been planning for since early childhood. This day is the one day she has lived for and it will be the one day she will want to remember for the rest of her life. In addition, I came to realize that I am ment to be a stabalizing force throughout the wedding process (i.e. the finances, the planning, the event). Although my daughter's fiance is capable of this (he is a very smart, wise, and carrying young man) it is important that I make myself available to listen and provide a voice of reason "when asked". Lastly, it is ok to begin preparing what I will say during the reception toast (as well as to the guests). This does not have to be a spur of the moment speech but should be well thoughtout, meaningful, and memoriable.

For those of you men who have a daughter getting married in the near future (i.e. 1-2 years), this book is a recommended read. If anything, this book will provide you with the basic knowledge and wedding lingo to make you look and feel like a superstar. Although you may feel it, your daughter might just think you "are" one of those super perfect dads we see in the movies.

The Final Act

The Final Act was published in 2007 and was written by Chuck Smith. This book was well written and provides the reader with an insight into the last days of man-kind. Using scripture and current events, Chuck Smith shares with his readers why he believes the stage has been set for the last days, unveils information about the rapture, talks about the great tribulation, and discusses the second coming. Irregardless of the pre, mid, or post position you may hold regarding the great tribulation, this book is one worth reading. All positions that Chuck Smith holds are supported by scripture. I am impressed with Chuck's ability to see God's hand within the scripture, within the current events surrounding us daily, and then share this insight in an understandable and meaningful way.

The Final Act was well written and the scriptural postions appeared to be within context. The Final Act was an easy read (not light reading just easy for layman to read) and did not require years of biblical study to grasp what the author was communicating.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I enjoyed the book but also was freaked out about it. I struggle with two things: 1) I want Jesus to come and come quickly. I want to be in heaven, be in the presence of God, and sing praises (eventhough I can't sing) day-in and day-out. However, I also want to live a long life and watch my children growup and experience the joy of grandchildren. It is what it is. God's timing is God's timing. The stage has been set and the play has to run its course. Irregardless of what act were are in within this drama, I need to live daily as I am instructed. May all I do bring me one day closer to the master's feet.

The One Minute Manager

The One Minute Manager is one of many "One Minute Manager" books. The One Minute Manager was the runaway #1 national best seller on the New York Bestsell list for two years running. With its simple story line, easy to understand concepts, and practical strategies, The One Minute Manager became one of the most widely used management books in its time. This classic book was written by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D. It was published the year I graduated from highschool (1981).

As with all of the One Minute books, the One Minute Manager has been written like a story. They typically start out with a main character who is seeking advise from a wise sage regarding a pressing topic. In the One Minute Manger, the main character is on a quest to uncover the secrets of a successful manager. Through his research he discovers that most managers do not have time for him or they really don't share any helpful information with him. That is until he meets the One Minute Manager. This manager takes an appointment immediately and begins to share his secrets. In fact, he sets him up withother who share his view.

The main character learns about setting one minute goals, giving one minute praises, and providing one minute reprimands. He learns these secrets not only from the one minute manager but from those who work under hiim. Things work out so well with the main character that he gets a job working with the one minute manager and he soon finds himself to be just like him.

The story ends with an young woman setting up an appointment to talk with the main character about his secret to managerial success.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I remember reading this book during my early days of college. It made a lot of sense to me and I believe it became a part of the foundation of my leadership style. It makes sense to set goals, monitor your progress towards them, reprimand when necessary, and celebrate when the goal(s) has been reached. This book was worth the reread. It refreshed my memory on the things I should be doing with the people whom I work with.

The Dark Frigate

If you liked Treasure Island, you will like The Dark Frigate written by Charles B. Hawes. The Dark Frigate was first published in 1923 and was awarded the Newbery Medal. This twenty-four chapter book takes you through the young life of Philip Marsham.

Philip was a boy who always knew he would be a man of the sea. Early in his life, his mother died and his father was out on the sea for long periods of time. During his time away, Philip stayed at a local inn. His father, Tom Marsham, did not come back it was believed he was lost at sea.

Phil's stay at the inn was no boy's camp. It was hard and filled with little love. He left the inn and struckout on his own. Instead of going out to sea, eventhough he was street smart (or I should say sea smart) Phil headed inland. He came upon several land travelors and journeyed with some. At times these journeys lead to mishaps with the law and he would have to leave in haste. During one of these excursions, Phil met a young girl who caught his fancy. They kissed and he made a solom promise to return for her.

Phil and one of his companions on the journey attempted to run from the law by signing onto a ship. Phil clearly had the necessary sea knowledge eventhough he had never been on the sea. He was smart and knowledgable when it came to things of the sea. The captain took a liking to Phil and signed him on. The ship was called The Rose of Devon.

On their voyage, The Rose of Devon encountered a crippled ship. Captain Candle gave out the order to recover the men on the broken ship. This good will was repaid by their taking over the ship and killing all who would not follow their new captain, The Old One. The Old One was none other than Tom Jordan one of the unstable crooked men Phil met on his journeys inland.

Tom Jordan used greed and fear to intice (sp) the men to follow his way. They were pirates insearch of wealth. Time passed, ships overtaken, and life's ended. Phil could take this life no more. He left the ship without permission and sought out a new life. He came across another ship in a hidden cove. It happened to be a war ship, stationed their to protect the small village from pirates. Phil tried to warn the captain but he took him as a lookout for the oncoming pirate ship, The Rose of Devon. Tom Jordan was not ready for the fire power nor the shear strength of the war ship. They were quickly taken over and placed in irons in the bowels of the ship.

They all went to court and everyone was sentenced to death except.......

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

Once I got past all the "pirate" and "old" ways of talking, I was able to get into the story. The language was a barrior but I managed to muddle through it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed "Treasure Island" or books of that nature. Philip Marshall was a character you can easily identify with and understand why he makes the decisions he makes. He was a boy who was experienced well beyond his years, yet he was young and did what our young do. I admired his committment, his dinasity (sp), his fire, and his determination. I was crushed when the girled he promised to return to had already committed herself to someone else. My heart sank even deeper when she laughed in his face and wrote it off as something foolish. On the flipside, she wasn't as pretty as he remembered, she was heavier, and it appeared that she enjoyed the company of men, many men. In the long run, I think Phil got the better deal.

The Gingerbread Boy

The Gingerbread Boy was edited by Nova Nestrick. This is a classic story about a poor elderly woman and man who live on a farm. They both wanted a child but couldn't have one. So the elderly woman baked a gingerbread boy who came to life as soon as she opened the oven door. This gingerbread boy ran through the fields and met many people who wanted to eat him. It wasn't until the gingerbread boy ran into a wild animal who wanted to eat him. He was told to run home back to his creator, his mother. He ran all the way home and jumped into the arms of his mother.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
The Gingerbread Boy is very similar to The Gingerbread Man. I'm not sure of the major differences but I am sure there are a few. I thought that The Gingerbread Boy and The Dog Who Cried Wolf had a similar plot. Both the Gingerbread Boy and Moka believed that life was better on the other side of the mountain or simply away from where they were. However, in the end, both the Gingerbread Boy and Moka realized that where they came from was better than their perception of the world outside the safety of home.

The Dog Who Cried Wolf

The Dog Who Cried Wolf was written by Keiko Kasza. This delightful book does have an Accelerated Reader quiz. It is only worth .5 points. The Dog Who Cried Wolf takes place in the comfortable home of his owner Michelle. Moka, the dog, sits with Michelle reading a book about wolves. Moka begins to dream about living the life of a wolf. He leaves his comfortable home to become a wolf. He trys to catch dinner but it either gets away or makes fun of him. Lastly he howls at the moon and a family of wolves answer his call. Moka hightails it back home and runs into the arms of Michelle.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This is a delightful book about a dog who wants to discover his roots. There have been those times in my life when I thought about my life and wanted to run in the other direction. Like Moka, one thinks life would be better on top of the mountain with the wolves; however, the reality is life is pretty good right where you are. Life isn't always greener on the other side of the mountain, its just a different kind of grass.

AR QUIZ: 100% :)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) was published in 2006 and written by Gary Paulsen. This book is a twenty day journal of a boy in intermediate school whose name is Duane Homer Leech. During those twenty days he journaled, Duane compared his days of puberty with that of a young bird born on the ledge of his window. During those twenty days, Duane's voice began to crack, he saw the roster on the cereal box turn into an elbow, he spilled cafeteria food on the girl he really likes, he knocks over the bookshelves in the library, and it was believed he started a ringworm epidemic at his school. If it something could go wrong, it would go wrong for Duane Homer Leech. Fortunately, like the young bird, Duane will jump out of the nest of puberty and into young adulthood.


MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I am not a fan of journal type literature and this was no acception. Although I really enjoy Gary Paulsen as an author, this book didn't grab me like many of his other books. I'm not sure what it was. My lack of interest or enthusiam could have been due to the topic of puberty or the journal-type writing. This book was not a hit with me. However, it is one I will keep on my book shelf because Gary Paulsen, in my opinon, is a remarkable author for young readers.

December Books

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of December have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

December books are:

* The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. It was awarded the Newberry award for the year 2007. - R
* The Gingerbread Boy edited by Nova Nestrick - R
* The Final Act written by Chuck Smith. - R
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. E.Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* Improving Student Learning: One Teacher at a Time by Jane E. Pollock - PD
* 50 One-Minute Tips To Better Communication by Phillip E. Bozek, Ph.D. -PD
* Quite Strength by Rosa Parks (and Gregory J. Reed) - R
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (read but must post) - PD.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (in progress) - PD.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!