I just have a few moments before I descend into panic packing, but I wanted to make sure you knew about this:
Gordon B. Hinckley: A Giant Among Men
My former roomie, Tamilisa (whom I haven't seen since...June?) stars as Marjorie Pay Hinckley in this movie. She's been an actress all her life, and although she has mostly done church things, she's been in a movie or two as well. I just thought it was awesome that Tam got to have such an inspiring role (and that she looks so much like her!). So, here's the shout-out for the DVD and a hint to my parents and siblings and husband that I wouldn't mind getting this under the Christmas Tree this year. Hint, hint!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How Could I Have Forgotten? My Most Embarrassing Moment!
Yesterday, I received a package in the mail from Janette Rallison. I won an autographed copy of How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-boyfriend! How did I win this, you ask? Well, last January? February? I entered her most embarrassing moment contest.
And I won!
But I won during my blogging/internet-crashed break, so I forgot to share this exciting news with you, dear reader. My apologies!
The winner was supposed to win her new book (well, it was new last February), Revenge of the Cheerleaders, but I already had a signed copy, so she let me choose another one of her books. Hooray! Have you ever read Rallison's books? No? I guess that makes sense --she writes teen romance comedies (with some seriousness thrown in), and so the demographic doesn't usually include 30-something SAHMothers. However, I have loved her books! They are clean and fun; I have honestly enjoyed every single one of them. I can escape back in time to life as a teenager when --much to every teen's chagrin, I'm sure --everything was much, much, much simpler. Remember how we thought life would get easier? Remember? Yeah, that was hilarious.
Anyway, go check out Janette's books. Or her blog. Or both!
Wait, what?
You want to know what my most embarrassing moment was?
Really?
And you're too lazy to link over to read it on Janette's site?
Fine. The things I do for you, dear reader! Here is the moment in all it's glorious details. And for the record, I want you to know that the following is completely true to the best of my knowledge. It really happened! I didn't make it up just so I could win Jannette's book --although, now reading it again, I certainly wish I had...
When I was a senior in high school (at least 11 years ago, give or take a few months), I had the privilege of being voted as one of the representatives of our youth government group. This was good, because it meant a trip to our State Capitol (which was Boise. Quick, what state am I from? Anyone? Anyone?). Hundreds of high-schoolers from around the state took over the Capitol building in mock Senate, House of Representatives, and Judicial sessions.
It was great! We passed our fake laws, voted, created caucuses, etc. For two days, our lives revolved around debates, the mock "media", and seeing which high school had the most controversial bill. I happened to be in the House of Representatives. I had borrowed my best friend's incredible "power suit" for the occasion, and I did a pretty good job debating for and against various bills in front of hundreds of peers and dozens of teachers.
On the last morning of bill-passing, one particular bill came up for debate that caused quite a stir. It was a bill wanting to put condom machines in high school bathrooms. Both sides were very heated. As a conservative virgin (and yes, this is important to note), I was against the bill. I heard several people stand and declare that it was about freedom of choice and/or preventing pregnancy, since "everyone will do it anyway". One person against the bill stood and spoke about how "30 STDs could still pass through a condom", etc.
Fired up by the debates, I stood up. "Mr. Speaker!" I yelled. "The House recognizes so-and-so from whatever!" (that's me; and no, he didn't say "whatever", but I digress). I stood up and said: "Thank you. I rise in negative debate. As Representative So-and-So stated, over 30 STDs can still pass through a condom. See, Condoms do not necessarily make sex any better....wait...wait..." My mind went blank. What did I just say?
Soon the entire room was roaring with laughter. The teachers, some of whom were listening via microphones in the other room, were laughing. The audience up in the balcony (consisting mostly of high school students from the Senate and Judicial Court) were laughing. I finally realized what I had said and yelled "Safer! I meant Safer!" And then sat down, completely humiliated. Luckily, I had a sense of humor and could laugh with them --even when some started calling out "How do you know!" Oh, the joy.
And just for the record, the "power-suit" I borrowed was Becky's! I swear, I borrowed her clothes a lot. Also, if I remember correctly, Julie? Weren't you there? In Boise? I could be remembering wrong...Hmmm...
So, dear reader, what is your most embarrassing moment? If you've had too many, pick one to share!
And I won!
But I won during my blogging/internet-crashed break, so I forgot to share this exciting news with you, dear reader. My apologies!
The winner was supposed to win her new book (well, it was new last February), Revenge of the Cheerleaders, but I already had a signed copy, so she let me choose another one of her books. Hooray! Have you ever read Rallison's books? No? I guess that makes sense --she writes teen romance comedies (with some seriousness thrown in), and so the demographic doesn't usually include 30-something SAHMothers. However, I have loved her books! They are clean and fun; I have honestly enjoyed every single one of them. I can escape back in time to life as a teenager when --much to every teen's chagrin, I'm sure --everything was much, much, much simpler. Remember how we thought life would get easier? Remember? Yeah, that was hilarious.
Anyway, go check out Janette's books. Or her blog. Or both!
Wait, what?
You want to know what my most embarrassing moment was?
Really?
And you're too lazy to link over to read it on Janette's site?
Fine. The things I do for you, dear reader! Here is the moment in all it's glorious details. And for the record, I want you to know that the following is completely true to the best of my knowledge. It really happened! I didn't make it up just so I could win Jannette's book --although, now reading it again, I certainly wish I had...
When I was a senior in high school (at least 11 years ago, give or take a few months), I had the privilege of being voted as one of the representatives of our youth government group. This was good, because it meant a trip to our State Capitol (which was Boise. Quick, what state am I from? Anyone? Anyone?). Hundreds of high-schoolers from around the state took over the Capitol building in mock Senate, House of Representatives, and Judicial sessions.
It was great! We passed our fake laws, voted, created caucuses, etc. For two days, our lives revolved around debates, the mock "media", and seeing which high school had the most controversial bill. I happened to be in the House of Representatives. I had borrowed my best friend's incredible "power suit" for the occasion, and I did a pretty good job debating for and against various bills in front of hundreds of peers and dozens of teachers.
On the last morning of bill-passing, one particular bill came up for debate that caused quite a stir. It was a bill wanting to put condom machines in high school bathrooms. Both sides were very heated. As a conservative virgin (and yes, this is important to note), I was against the bill. I heard several people stand and declare that it was about freedom of choice and/or preventing pregnancy, since "everyone will do it anyway". One person against the bill stood and spoke about how "30 STDs could still pass through a condom", etc.
Fired up by the debates, I stood up. "Mr. Speaker!" I yelled. "The House recognizes so-and-so from whatever!" (that's me; and no, he didn't say "whatever", but I digress). I stood up and said: "Thank you. I rise in negative debate. As Representative So-and-So stated, over 30 STDs can still pass through a condom. See, Condoms do not necessarily make sex any better....wait...wait..." My mind went blank. What did I just say?
Soon the entire room was roaring with laughter. The teachers, some of whom were listening via microphones in the other room, were laughing. The audience up in the balcony (consisting mostly of high school students from the Senate and Judicial Court) were laughing. I finally realized what I had said and yelled "Safer! I meant Safer!" And then sat down, completely humiliated. Luckily, I had a sense of humor and could laugh with them --even when some started calling out "How do you know!" Oh, the joy.
And just for the record, the "power-suit" I borrowed was Becky's! I swear, I borrowed her clothes a lot. Also, if I remember correctly, Julie? Weren't you there? In Boise? I could be remembering wrong...Hmmm...
So, dear reader, what is your most embarrassing moment? If you've had too many, pick one to share!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Gratitude
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melodie Beattie
Every day I make mistakes. Sometimes I make really big ones; mistakes spanning years and causing heartache that is not often forgiven. Sometimes I make small ones --easily rectified, easily changed and they give me educational experience. Quite often, I find myself frustrated and angry with my inability to stop making mistakes. I berate myself because I can't pull out of a depression funk, I overreact emotionally to others' mistakes, I yell at my children, and as I get older my mistakes never seem to end. I say rude things. I put myself before others. I assume the worst in people. I expect perfection out of others while I expect others to show compassion to me. I neglect my home and family; I neglect the scriptures and prayer. I focus on my despair and I wish away the ones I love most.
How is this possible? How is this fair? Why haven't I figured it out, yet? Why do I keep messing up? Why can't I just be perfect already!? (See all that "self" talk going on? Yeah, it's awful!)
Then I remember I am grateful for my mistakes. I'm grateful for my weaknesses:
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
(Ether 12:27)
I'm grateful I chose to be given a broken body so I can mess up over and over again. I'm grateful for my mortality because with it comes the chance for immortality. I'm grateful for my weaknesses because I know if I turn them over to the Lord, He will help me overcome them and become stronger. Does this make it easier? Yes, actually, it does. Does this mean my weaknesses will go away? No, it doesn't. Behind every weakness-turned-strength there is another weakness waiting to be put through the fire. I am human; I am mortal. I will always make mistakes. And you know what? It's exhausting! But today, I am grateful for the exhaustion, because it means I have so much more to learn; with all of the learning, I'm bound to figure it out eventually. I mean, I've already learned how to be grateful, right? That's progress!
Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
~Margaret Cousins
This week I am grateful for:
*My husband, who forgives so easily.
*My children, who love me in spite of me.
*The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives me knowledge of who I am, why I'm here, and where I'm going.
*My parents, who gave me the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
*My siblings, who do love me in spite of their many protests (ha!).
*The written word, in many forms, which gives me greater wisdom and insight.
*Music, which heals my pain and gives me indescribable joy!
*My friends, who always know just what to say to lift me up and help me face another day.
*You, dear reader, who validates my reason for writing.
*My Lord and Savior, my Father in Heaven, and the Holy Ghost, for without Them, I would definitely, completely, and utterly fail.
And so I say Thank You!
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.
~Meister Eckhart
What are you grateful for, dear reader?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dude, This Ain't The Dress Barn!
REMINDER:
If you want to come to the Happy Meets Crazy Blogging Bash Thingy Majingy Shin-Dig Whatever, please email me at happymeetscrazy at gmail dot com! It will be Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at Noon. We will meet....somewhere. Hey, if you wanna know, then email me! That's how this thing works, you know (wink, wink!).
----------------------------------------
Hey, so do you remember the lady with the coffee from McDonald's? Yeah? Well, I guess our society's growing sense of entitlement has expanded:
Read this: Madhousewife's honest satire (yes, it exists) gives me happiness.
Then read this: Ethan's logic makes me happy, too.
Finally, read this: David T. is an intelligent man and I tend to agree with most everything he says. Oh, and that makes more happiness!
And this article puts it out there and I like it (although, at the same time, I cringe at extreme rhetoric, whether it be Left or Right. But I happen to agree with Michelle Malkin here, so, there you go...).
If you are too lazy to go to these links, then I'll just tell you the gist of it: eHarmony was sued by a gay man 3 years ago because their Christian-based dating site (using successful heterosexual marriages as a formula to match up potential couples) refused to match up homosexual couples. And guess what, people? The man won the lawsuit. Well, eHarmony actually settled out of court. For three years they fought it and saw they would lose, so they have now paid the man, paid the courts, and are launching a separate site for gay couples.
The thing is, gays have every right to find a dating site that caters to their needs. eHarmony wasn't discriminating against anybody; they just didn't offer every option possible. In fact, they refused to help a married man find a date because he was already married. Gasp!
But, hello? This is why we have a capitalist system, people! If you want to find a service to fit your specific needs, then you find it. It's not like there isn't something out there for everyone, you know? This is America! But no, that wasn't good enough. Do you know what this is like, dear reader? To borrow from some comments I read elsewhere:
This is like forcing a Vegetarian Restaurant to serve meat.
This is like going into The Dress Barn and demanding men's boxers.
This is like going to Taco Bell and coercing them to make you chicken tikka masala.
It makes no sense. And yet as Ethan pointed out in his post, it's happening everywhere, at least where gay "rights" are concerned. It is becoming increasingly harder to do business with a religious or conservative motive/vibe/interest, etc. and all in the name of equality. Equality for what? A genderless, Godless society? Equality where religion no longer exists? Wha??
And so, like the woman with the coffee, an entire new system of lawsuits are being created, all with the name of "YOU are the reason I am miserable. Pay me money and change all your policies! Because, gosh darn it, your rights are not as important as MY rights."
Man, this makes me tired. Annoyed, baffled, sad, and tired.
What do you think? Do you believe it's completely wrong for a company to follow the dictates of their own conscience? Or do you think people should be forced to shun values and give into the pressure of conformity before they get sued themselves? Yeah, yeah, so my questions are leading...if you can't tell, I'm not really in the mood to be all lovey-dovey right now. This is why my post tomorrow will be all about Gratitude. Because I sure need some perspective, eh? Oh, and plus it's Thanksgiving this week, you know...
If you want to come to the Happy Meets Crazy Blogging Bash Thingy Majingy Shin-Dig Whatever, please email me at happymeetscrazy at gmail dot com! It will be Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at Noon. We will meet....somewhere. Hey, if you wanna know, then email me! That's how this thing works, you know (wink, wink!).
----------------------------------------
Hey, so do you remember the lady with the coffee from McDonald's? Yeah? Well, I guess our society's growing sense of entitlement has expanded:
Read this: Madhousewife's honest satire (yes, it exists) gives me happiness.
Then read this: Ethan's logic makes me happy, too.
Finally, read this: David T. is an intelligent man and I tend to agree with most everything he says. Oh, and that makes more happiness!
And this article puts it out there and I like it (although, at the same time, I cringe at extreme rhetoric, whether it be Left or Right. But I happen to agree with Michelle Malkin here, so, there you go...).
If you are too lazy to go to these links, then I'll just tell you the gist of it: eHarmony was sued by a gay man 3 years ago because their Christian-based dating site (using successful heterosexual marriages as a formula to match up potential couples) refused to match up homosexual couples. And guess what, people? The man won the lawsuit. Well, eHarmony actually settled out of court. For three years they fought it and saw they would lose, so they have now paid the man, paid the courts, and are launching a separate site for gay couples.
The thing is, gays have every right to find a dating site that caters to their needs. eHarmony wasn't discriminating against anybody; they just didn't offer every option possible. In fact, they refused to help a married man find a date because he was already married. Gasp!
But, hello? This is why we have a capitalist system, people! If you want to find a service to fit your specific needs, then you find it. It's not like there isn't something out there for everyone, you know? This is America! But no, that wasn't good enough. Do you know what this is like, dear reader? To borrow from some comments I read elsewhere:
This is like forcing a Vegetarian Restaurant to serve meat.
This is like going into The Dress Barn and demanding men's boxers.
This is like going to Taco Bell and coercing them to make you chicken tikka masala.
It makes no sense. And yet as Ethan pointed out in his post, it's happening everywhere, at least where gay "rights" are concerned. It is becoming increasingly harder to do business with a religious or conservative motive/vibe/interest, etc. and all in the name of equality. Equality for what? A genderless, Godless society? Equality where religion no longer exists? Wha??
And so, like the woman with the coffee, an entire new system of lawsuits are being created, all with the name of "YOU are the reason I am miserable. Pay me money and change all your policies! Because, gosh darn it, your rights are not as important as MY rights."
Man, this makes me tired. Annoyed, baffled, sad, and tired.
What do you think? Do you believe it's completely wrong for a company to follow the dictates of their own conscience? Or do you think people should be forced to shun values and give into the pressure of conformity before they get sued themselves? Yeah, yeah, so my questions are leading...if you can't tell, I'm not really in the mood to be all lovey-dovey right now. This is why my post tomorrow will be all about Gratitude. Because I sure need some perspective, eh? Oh, and plus it's Thanksgiving this week, you know...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Stupid Utes
I don't care if it gave them a perfect season, a BCS bid, and money/recognition for the MWC. I still wanted BYU to beat them!
Sigh.
Sigh.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I Need More
I know Thursday is almost over, but I need to wish my fabulous husband a Happy Birthday! He is 32 years old today, can you believe it? This could mark another Year of Tens, you know --ten years ago, I threw a surprise party (sort of) for Brandon's 22nd birthday. Man, how the time flies!
I love you, Brandon; Happy Birthday!
-----------------------------------
The last few days have pushed me to my mental limits. If all I had to worry about were children's schedules, then I would be fine. But instead I worry about service projects, book clubs, piano students, novels, pictures, emails, blogs, housework, finances, books, house/car maintenance, missionary packages, cat fights (literal), muddy shoes, weight gain, the happiness of friends/family, spiritual progression, exercise, choirs, performances, etc.
I need to simplify! Weird part? I thought I had.
----------------------------------
I wrote this today:
End of Autumn
I glanced out the window at the falling snow but
Realized the fat snowflakes were
Leaves
Left over from cruel Autumn.
They were falling,
Falling, falling –
The last ones to come.
Snow would have been more welcome with cold
Clean flakes, swirling gracefully with lace and crystal.
The leaves are
Dead and
Brown
And crunchy underfoot, which reminds me of hardened
Mud with cracks from famine and heat.
Once alive with emerald veins, they morph from
Ruby and Fire to
Rot.
Although preferring California bays, I hope for
Fresh white to cover,
To soak,
To renew,
To bring closure;
For the beauty has passed and I need
More.
by Cheryl S. S.
Copyright November 20, 2008
I love you, Brandon; Happy Birthday!
-----------------------------------
The last few days have pushed me to my mental limits. If all I had to worry about were children's schedules, then I would be fine. But instead I worry about service projects, book clubs, piano students, novels, pictures, emails, blogs, housework, finances, books, house/car maintenance, missionary packages, cat fights (literal), muddy shoes, weight gain, the happiness of friends/family, spiritual progression, exercise, choirs, performances, etc.
I need to simplify! Weird part? I thought I had.
----------------------------------
I wrote this today:
End of Autumn
I glanced out the window at the falling snow but
Realized the fat snowflakes were
Leaves
Left over from cruel Autumn.
They were falling,
Falling, falling –
The last ones to come.
Snow would have been more welcome with cold
Clean flakes, swirling gracefully with lace and crystal.
The leaves are
Dead and
Brown
And crunchy underfoot, which reminds me of hardened
Mud with cracks from famine and heat.
Once alive with emerald veins, they morph from
Ruby and Fire to
Rot.
Although preferring California bays, I hope for
Fresh white to cover,
To soak,
To renew,
To bring closure;
For the beauty has passed and I need
More.
by Cheryl S. S.
Copyright November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
To Get Me Back in the Mood
Well, dear reader, it's your lucky day! To get myself back in the NaNoWriMo mood, I'm going to give you an amazing exclusive excerpt from my NaNoWriMo Novel! Yes! I know! Okay, okay. Stop it. Stop laughing! You look ridiculous snorting like that. Stop it. I'm serious!
So, I figure laying this out there to the world and making me all literarily (see how I make up words?) vulnerable will either:
A. Embarrass me enough to finish this dang thing
B. Humiliate me enough to fix the dang thing
C. Justify ignoring my children for another two weeks so I can do both A. and B.
or
D. Provide some humor in this dreary time of Cheryl-being-all-depressed-and-not-really-up-to-writing-anything-thought-provoking-although-she-enjoys-it-so-much-in-general (and quoting Jane Austen because she can't help it).
Please note that this novel is chick-lit. Or an attempt at chick-lit. And it is a first draft. A very drafty first draft, I might add. The title of this book is...not in existence yet. I tend to write my titles after the fact, a habit I just realized could actually be the entire reason my books never finish. Oh, no! Blast! Now I have to re-think the whole creative process. Oh, why couldn't I have remained in ignorance just a little bit longer?! Curses!
Okay, okay. So, here's the excerpt. I'm not expecting praise or critique, although both are welcome. Did I just say that?
Did she just say that?
Yes, I said that: Praise AND Critique are welcome. But I do draw the line at personal insults, so please don't mention how hideous the zit on my right cheek looks, all right? I swear! Doesn't the skin know not to produce acne after the age of 25, which, in my case, would have been 5 years ago? Sigh, sigh, sigh.
NaNo Excerpt:
As soon as they were out of sight, Britt whispered, “Ooh! I think I just found my date.”
Anna mumbled “Excuse me” and walked quickly down the other hallway to the bathroom. She went inside, turned on the fan and the light, shut the door, and promptly threw-up into the toilet.
CHAPTER TWO:
Anna wiped her mouth with some paper towels, and stared at herself in the mirror. Luckily she hadn’t had much for breakfast, and her retching had been drowned out by the sound of the fan. She fixed her hair and rinsed out her mouth; she was back at the reception desk within two minutes.
“What’s wrong!” asked Britt. Obviously concerned, she sat Anna down and demanded an explanation. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine” Anna sighed.
“You don’t look fine.”
“Yeah, well, I am fine.”
“I don’t believe you, Anna. You just puked!”Anna shot her a shocked expression.
“Don’t look at me like that! I heard you. Now why would that handsome new lawyer make you go throw up? Did he really rattle you that much?”
Anna shook her head. “It’s not that.”
“Well, then what is it?”
Anna could hear Smith Sr. and Ryan coming back up the hallway, and she whispered fiercely “Not now, Britt. I’ll tell you later.”
“Lunch, okay?”
“Okay. Lunch.”
Anna wheeled her chair over by the phone and proceeded to call stores about furniture. She needed the distraction and she didn’t want to talk with Ryan anymore. She didn’t even dare look at his face.
Wasn't that amazing!?
Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Now that I'm reading it with new eyes, I'm seriously about ready to hide myself under a rock until June.
However, I cannot quit! Never Give Up! Never Surrender! (see how I quote random SciFi comedies, too?)
P.S. Dear reader, please be honest with me, though. This post is amazingly silly and it's because humor is my self-defense mechanism (I should totally be a therapist), but I honestly need some harsh feedback on this excerpt. I know it's hard to say since it's such a short piece of the novel, but if you were to read this, would you want to know what happened before and after? Does it draw any curiosity? Or is it really just drivel? I can take it! Hack away!
P.P.S. Also, if you want more excerpts, let me know. Depending on how this goes, I may do one or two more before the end of the month (not that I would make a habit out of soliciting random/public critique! But doing it for NaNoWriMo doesn't seem so far off the beaten path for some reason...)
So, I figure laying this out there to the world and making me all literarily (see how I make up words?) vulnerable will either:
A. Embarrass me enough to finish this dang thing
B. Humiliate me enough to fix the dang thing
C. Justify ignoring my children for another two weeks so I can do both A. and B.
or
D. Provide some humor in this dreary time of Cheryl-being-all-depressed-and-not-really-up-to-writing-anything-thought-provoking-although-she-enjoys-it-so-much-in-general (and quoting Jane Austen because she can't help it).
Please note that this novel is chick-lit. Or an attempt at chick-lit. And it is a first draft. A very drafty first draft, I might add. The title of this book is...not in existence yet. I tend to write my titles after the fact, a habit I just realized could actually be the entire reason my books never finish. Oh, no! Blast! Now I have to re-think the whole creative process. Oh, why couldn't I have remained in ignorance just a little bit longer?! Curses!
Okay, okay. So, here's the excerpt. I'm not expecting praise or critique, although both are welcome. Did I just say that?
Did she just say that?
Yes, I said that: Praise AND Critique are welcome. But I do draw the line at personal insults, so please don't mention how hideous the zit on my right cheek looks, all right? I swear! Doesn't the skin know not to produce acne after the age of 25, which, in my case, would have been 5 years ago? Sigh, sigh, sigh.
NaNo Excerpt:
As soon as they were out of sight, Britt whispered, “Ooh! I think I just found my date.”
Anna mumbled “Excuse me” and walked quickly down the other hallway to the bathroom. She went inside, turned on the fan and the light, shut the door, and promptly threw-up into the toilet.
CHAPTER TWO:
Anna wiped her mouth with some paper towels, and stared at herself in the mirror. Luckily she hadn’t had much for breakfast, and her retching had been drowned out by the sound of the fan. She fixed her hair and rinsed out her mouth; she was back at the reception desk within two minutes.
“What’s wrong!” asked Britt. Obviously concerned, she sat Anna down and demanded an explanation. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine” Anna sighed.
“You don’t look fine.”
“Yeah, well, I am fine.”
“I don’t believe you, Anna. You just puked!”Anna shot her a shocked expression.
“Don’t look at me like that! I heard you. Now why would that handsome new lawyer make you go throw up? Did he really rattle you that much?”
Anna shook her head. “It’s not that.”
“Well, then what is it?”
Anna could hear Smith Sr. and Ryan coming back up the hallway, and she whispered fiercely “Not now, Britt. I’ll tell you later.”
“Lunch, okay?”
“Okay. Lunch.”
Anna wheeled her chair over by the phone and proceeded to call stores about furniture. She needed the distraction and she didn’t want to talk with Ryan anymore. She didn’t even dare look at his face.
Wasn't that amazing!?
Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Now that I'm reading it with new eyes, I'm seriously about ready to hide myself under a rock until June.
However, I cannot quit! Never Give Up! Never Surrender! (see how I quote random SciFi comedies, too?)
P.S. Dear reader, please be honest with me, though. This post is amazingly silly and it's because humor is my self-defense mechanism (I should totally be a therapist), but I honestly need some harsh feedback on this excerpt. I know it's hard to say since it's such a short piece of the novel, but if you were to read this, would you want to know what happened before and after? Does it draw any curiosity? Or is it really just drivel? I can take it! Hack away!
P.P.S. Also, if you want more excerpts, let me know. Depending on how this goes, I may do one or two more before the end of the month (not that I would make a habit out of soliciting random/public critique! But doing it for NaNoWriMo doesn't seem so far off the beaten path for some reason...)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Bad News/Good News
Bad News:
I've gained almost 10 pounds.
Good News:
I'm aware of it and am taking measures before it turns into 11 pounds. Or 20 pounds. Or 40 pounds.
Bad News:
Brandon is going to North Carolina tomorrow and his birthday is on Thursday.
Good News:
He'll be back Friday morning, so this trip is nice and short.
Bad News:
I forgot to do the small take-home project #2's teacher asked me to do for their Kindergarten class.
Good News:
She doesn't need it done until Friday.
Bad News:
I have made no progress on NaNoWriMo.
Good News:
I tend to thrive under pressure.
Bad News:
The house is a mess and there is no bread.
Good News:
I have resolved to clean and am shopping in the morning.
Bad News:
Dead grass, cold weather, no desire to go outside.
Good News:
Fireplaces, the smells of pumpkin, good books.
Bad News:
Depression.
Good News:
Hope
I've gained almost 10 pounds.
Good News:
I'm aware of it and am taking measures before it turns into 11 pounds. Or 20 pounds. Or 40 pounds.
Bad News:
Brandon is going to North Carolina tomorrow and his birthday is on Thursday.
Good News:
He'll be back Friday morning, so this trip is nice and short.
Bad News:
I forgot to do the small take-home project #2's teacher asked me to do for their Kindergarten class.
Good News:
She doesn't need it done until Friday.
Bad News:
I have made no progress on NaNoWriMo.
Good News:
I tend to thrive under pressure.
Bad News:
The house is a mess and there is no bread.
Good News:
I have resolved to clean and am shopping in the morning.
Bad News:
Dead grass, cold weather, no desire to go outside.
Good News:
Fireplaces, the smells of pumpkin, good books.
Bad News:
Depression.
Good News:
Hope
Monday, November 17, 2008
Year of Tens: The Day Brandon Saw Me Break My Nose or Why One Shouldn't Run Into Bars
*Warning: I didn't Edit this post, so forgive me if it's grammatically painful!
Yes, dear reader. Ten years ago, I broke my nose!
It was not a happy experience, but it brought about some fun things. Like chocolate. Sympathy. Prescribed medication. This blog post!
I wasn't sure how to tell you the tale. Should I tell you in third person? In present tense? In a choose-your-own-adventure style and link you all over the internet? As exciting as these sounded, I decided to just go with the source. The truth, if you will. This would be different than the messed-up/idiotic memory my brother claims I have (he doesn't know what he's talking about, btw) because it is in written form. Written form, you ask? Yes!
Behold! The Journal!
I was really good at journaling back in the day. In fact, I started at age 6 and wrote in a journal (I have three? Four?) until I was 19. For some reason, after I got married, the journaling didn't stay consistent. Not sure why. Maybe it was the fact I recorded myself through email? Letters to my babies in their baby books? I do know it was the biggest motivation for creating this blog --I am journaling again! And I have been pretty consistent for the last three years. Boo-yah! This brings me peace and joy and yadda-yadda-yadda...yeah, yeah --I know you're already tired of me going on and on about journaling. So without further ado, I bring you excerpts from the Journal (with added information from Cheryl in the present) on How Cheryl Broke Her Nose Around Ten Years Ago:
...Now, to add to the excitement of school, work, and wedding plans, Brandon and I had an interesting adventure. On November 14th [1998], we went to the park for a picnic to start our great day together [we chose to spend the day together rather than go to any of the Preference Dances. For those who didn't go to BYU, this a girl's choice dance, kind of like Homecoming. However, there are two Preference Dances a year and only one Homecoming. Makes sense since the girls outnumber the boys at BYU, eh?]. But it was cut short when I got Brandon wet [with water from a water bottle] and so he chased me around the park and I ran into a bar --face first. Boy did it hurt! [Just so you know, this "bar" was part of an elementary school playground; sort of. You know how they have those big tall Stonehenge-looking bar things of different heights? Yeah? Well, Brandon was chasing me, I was running, laughing, turning back to look at him, trying to run in between the two tall bars, looked back just in time to SMACK myself right in the nose on the cross-bar. I had no idea it was there! I hit the bar so hard it close-lined me and I landed right on my back. I also believe it knocked me out for a few seconds. Later I learned if it had been one inch higher, I would have cracked my head and possibly hurt my eyes. If it had been one inch lower, it would have knocked out ALL of my front teeth. It was seriously a miracle that I hit it straight on the bridge of my nose!] Brandon picked me up and half carried me and half dragged me to the car. He gave me a blessing and we drove to the hospital. Luckily the plastic surgeon was on call! [This is stupid. There's ALWAYS a plastic surgeon on call, Cheryl!] They x-rayed me and gave me some medication and sent me home to wait for the swelling to go down. Brandon was the best! He tok me home, got my prescriptions, got me ice-cream, Hershey kisses, and a rose, and then babied me for 2 days straight (I sure love him! :) ). That Wed., my plastic surgeon, Dr. Hirsche (who knew my Great-Grandpa Proctor!) --[This was true. Dr. Blaine Hirsche was my doctor, and he grew up in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. His Priest's Quorum Advisor was my Great-Grandfather and he knew my Great-Grandmother well; he even remembered how she taught piano lessons! Dr. Hirsche died tragically --along with his wife --in a small airplane crash in 2002. Go here to read more about the foundation he started: Hirsche Smiles. That man was amazing, and I'm grateful I had a chance to know him, even if it was just for a few weeks!]
Where was I? Oh, yeah.
Dr. Hirsche set my surgery up for the next day. Surgery went really well. They sedated me and I went home tired, but feeling well. I had to wear a dumb brace-splint thing on my nose all week, but the pain was gone. (It's a good thing we had our engagement pictures taken on Oct. 31!) I got the brace off on the day before Thanksgiving. I look really great! I just have to be careful with my nose for a while. [Yeah, so careful that I didn't get to dance the Samba in the Floor Show for Ball Room dance class. Curses! I was sad. Oh, and for those who don't understand why one with a broken nose shouldn't dance a group Samba routine --we're talking my whole class, like 40 people --then please watch this! And then pretend that we were just as good. Ha!]
Yeah, okay. So the journal thing didn't turn out exactly the way I had planned. I guess I thought I got down all the memories, but it turns out I only wrote down the gist of it. I must have been in a rush, gosh darn it! Oh, well. It was a fun experiment.
So, there you go, dear reader! That is how I broke my nose and learned how one should never run into bars. But if they do, make sure you have someone like Brandon around!
Have you ever broken your nose? Another bone? In a humiliating way like me?
Yes, dear reader. Ten years ago, I broke my nose!
It was not a happy experience, but it brought about some fun things. Like chocolate. Sympathy. Prescribed medication. This blog post!
I wasn't sure how to tell you the tale. Should I tell you in third person? In present tense? In a choose-your-own-adventure style and link you all over the internet? As exciting as these sounded, I decided to just go with the source. The truth, if you will. This would be different than the messed-up/idiotic memory my brother claims I have (he doesn't know what he's talking about, btw) because it is in written form. Written form, you ask? Yes!
Behold! The Journal!
I was really good at journaling back in the day. In fact, I started at age 6 and wrote in a journal (I have three? Four?) until I was 19. For some reason, after I got married, the journaling didn't stay consistent. Not sure why. Maybe it was the fact I recorded myself through email? Letters to my babies in their baby books? I do know it was the biggest motivation for creating this blog --I am journaling again! And I have been pretty consistent for the last three years. Boo-yah! This brings me peace and joy and yadda-yadda-yadda...yeah, yeah --I know you're already tired of me going on and on about journaling. So without further ado, I bring you excerpts from the Journal (with added information from Cheryl in the present) on How Cheryl Broke Her Nose Around Ten Years Ago:
...Now, to add to the excitement of school, work, and wedding plans, Brandon and I had an interesting adventure. On November 14th [1998], we went to the park for a picnic to start our great day together [we chose to spend the day together rather than go to any of the Preference Dances. For those who didn't go to BYU, this a girl's choice dance, kind of like Homecoming. However, there are two Preference Dances a year and only one Homecoming. Makes sense since the girls outnumber the boys at BYU, eh?]. But it was cut short when I got Brandon wet [with water from a water bottle] and so he chased me around the park and I ran into a bar --face first. Boy did it hurt! [Just so you know, this "bar" was part of an elementary school playground; sort of. You know how they have those big tall Stonehenge-looking bar things of different heights? Yeah? Well, Brandon was chasing me, I was running, laughing, turning back to look at him, trying to run in between the two tall bars, looked back just in time to SMACK myself right in the nose on the cross-bar. I had no idea it was there! I hit the bar so hard it close-lined me and I landed right on my back. I also believe it knocked me out for a few seconds. Later I learned if it had been one inch higher, I would have cracked my head and possibly hurt my eyes. If it had been one inch lower, it would have knocked out ALL of my front teeth. It was seriously a miracle that I hit it straight on the bridge of my nose!] Brandon picked me up and half carried me and half dragged me to the car. He gave me a blessing and we drove to the hospital. Luckily the plastic surgeon was on call! [This is stupid. There's ALWAYS a plastic surgeon on call, Cheryl!] They x-rayed me and gave me some medication and sent me home to wait for the swelling to go down. Brandon was the best! He tok me home, got my prescriptions, got me ice-cream, Hershey kisses, and a rose, and then babied me for 2 days straight (I sure love him! :) ). That Wed., my plastic surgeon, Dr. Hirsche (who knew my Great-Grandpa Proctor!) --[This was true. Dr. Blaine Hirsche was my doctor, and he grew up in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. His Priest's Quorum Advisor was my Great-Grandfather and he knew my Great-Grandmother well; he even remembered how she taught piano lessons! Dr. Hirsche died tragically --along with his wife --in a small airplane crash in 2002. Go here to read more about the foundation he started: Hirsche Smiles. That man was amazing, and I'm grateful I had a chance to know him, even if it was just for a few weeks!]
Where was I? Oh, yeah.
Dr. Hirsche set my surgery up for the next day. Surgery went really well. They sedated me and I went home tired, but feeling well. I had to wear a dumb brace-splint thing on my nose all week, but the pain was gone. (It's a good thing we had our engagement pictures taken on Oct. 31!) I got the brace off on the day before Thanksgiving. I look really great! I just have to be careful with my nose for a while. [Yeah, so careful that I didn't get to dance the Samba in the Floor Show for Ball Room dance class. Curses! I was sad. Oh, and for those who don't understand why one with a broken nose shouldn't dance a group Samba routine --we're talking my whole class, like 40 people --then please watch this! And then pretend that we were just as good. Ha!]
Yeah, okay. So the journal thing didn't turn out exactly the way I had planned. I guess I thought I got down all the memories, but it turns out I only wrote down the gist of it. I must have been in a rush, gosh darn it! Oh, well. It was a fun experiment.
So, there you go, dear reader! That is how I broke my nose and learned how one should never run into bars. But if they do, make sure you have someone like Brandon around!
Have you ever broken your nose? Another bone? In a humiliating way like me?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Misc. Miscellaneous (and a Big Announcement!)
Well, folks, I'm here. I'm here!
The internet is working, my mind is reeling with all kinds of blog posts, and I'm ready to start procrastinating NaNoWriMo because I've hit the brick wall (which means this next week will be the blah-blah-blah of the novel). I have some catching up to do, so this blog post will be full of random stuff and unimportant things and perhaps you will regret I've come back to bloggy-land after such a short break [until you get to the big announcement, of course!].
------------------------------------
My cousin Amy tagged me for this:
Pick up the nearest book to you, open to page 56, write out the 5th sentence along with the next 2 sentences. Pick the closest book; not your favorite, nor the most intellectual.
Well, the closest book to me right now is the one I've been reading the last few days: The 13th Reality: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner. Here is the 56th page, 5th-7th sentences:
He hurt bad. To his right, he heard movement--the rustling of leaves, moaning. Tick brought his hands up to his face, wincing as the movement sent shockwaves of pain coursing through his body again.
It's a good book, btw...
And now I tag every single one of you. You are welcome to post this on your own blog or just do it in the comments. In fact, do that! Leave me your page 56, line 5 in the comments. I've suddenly become very, very curious...
---------------------------------------
Liz asked me to post my famous banana bread recipe weeks ago. Never heard of it? Never fear! This is why I'm posting it, so you may inform the masses and maybe one day it will actually become famous to more than just my imagination:
Cheryl's Famous Banana Bread
Makes two loaves
Wire whisk the following:
3 cups flour (whole wheat or white)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg
1 heaping TB cinnamon
Cream the following in another big bowl with an electric mixer:
2 cups sugar
1 cup Butter-flavored Crisco
4 eggs (or egg substitute equivalent)
2 tsp vanilla
6 ripe mashed bananas
Slowly mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients (pouring dry into wet) and mixing with electric mixer until completely blended. Pour into TWO well-greased bread loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes and then at 325 for 15-20 minutes (this depends on your oven; it took me forever to perfect the baking time with mine!). All done when the toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!
Let me know if you make it one day and if it turned out the way it should --you know, edible!
---------------------------------------
My sweet sister has gone back to work after being a SAHM for three years. They need this job (and it's a good one!), but it's been hard for her the last few days, realizing she will be away from her boys. If you could, dear reader, please go give her some love. All mothers know the difficult transition that can accompany a drastic change, whether starting to work outside the home, or starting to work inside the home. Both are hard and both need our support. Thanks!
-------------------------------------
Speaking of mothering, I had two Mean Mother Episodes last week.
Mean Mother Episode One:
On Friday, #1 forgot her show-and-tell. She called me from the school just before lunchtime was over and begged me to bring it. I refused. The school is less than a minute away by car, and I could have done it. Of course, putting the three other children into the car, driving there, taking the three children out of the car, going into the main office, etc. makes for a production of whining proportions --but I still could have done it. I chose not to. I explained to my teary daughter that I had two loads of laundry to finish, rooms to vacuum, children to feed, and bags to pack within the next hour and a half before I had to teach three piano lessons, after which we were jumping in the car to head to Idaho. She had forgotten her show-and-tell, I explained, and so she would just need to remember next time not to forget. Boy, #1 was not happy, but when she came home, she calmly said her teacher would send her a reminder next time so she wouldn't forget.
Mean Mother Episode Two:
#3 had a pretty big meltdown on Saturday that would wax and wane for about 12 hours. Sweetness...Freak out! Sweetness...Freak out! He would refuse to obey until I threatened not to take him (and the rest of the family) to Rupe's as planned, and then he would be fine until he changed his mind and the cycle would continue: He whined, I threatened, he apologized, I relented, he whined, I threatened...
Finally, we all went and ate at Rupe's. Things seemed fine until we were leaving and #3 had a melt-down because I wouldn't buy him candy or toys from the machines near the doorway. It escalated when I told him to put his seat belt on. We had talked about having ice cream back at my parents house, and I told him if he didn't get his seat belt on (a non-negotiable), then he wouldn't get ice cream. He freaked out and refused.
No ice cream.
But this time, the cycle ended, and I didn't back down (even after he hurried and put his seat belt on after I told him no ice cream). The poor guy had to sit there and watch his sisters eat ice cream in front of him while big crocodile tears rolled down his cheeks. He was so sad! But I was firm and I couldn't back down. I explained that he couldn't do bad things, apologize to get his way, and then do the same bad things again (all within 5 minutes). I think he understood, but boy, it was hard for me not to back down. Glad I didn't, though.
Are you a mean mother like me?
-------------------------------------
The BIG Announcement:
I have decided to go ahead and plan a Blogging Party!
YES!
If you are in Utah (specifically near Provo) on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at Noon, I would love for you to join me for a blogger-snacker-lunch-potluck-thingy-majingy! And yes, people, we are calling it that exact name. I may even print a sign.
So, hooray! There is going to be a party! And since this is kind of a get-together for us bloggy people (most of whom have never met each other before), spouses and children are discouraged from coming. Maybe we'll have another one where we can bring all the kiddies and husbands (much to their chagrin, I'm sure), but for now, let's try to keep this between us bloggy people. Of course, if you have to decide between bringing the kids and hubby or not coming, then holy cow, bring the kids and hubby! And nursing children are always welcome (as if I had to assure you).
So, dear reader, if you want to come to the par-tay, please email me at happymeetscrazy at gmail dot com. I'll send you more information, directions, make sure you're not some crazy-stalker-person-obsessed with me, etc.
------------------------------------
Coming Up Next on Happy Meets Crazy:
Year of Tens: The Day Brandon Saw Me Break My Nose or Why One Shouldn't Run Into Bars
The internet is working, my mind is reeling with all kinds of blog posts, and I'm ready to start procrastinating NaNoWriMo because I've hit the brick wall (which means this next week will be the blah-blah-blah of the novel). I have some catching up to do, so this blog post will be full of random stuff and unimportant things and perhaps you will regret I've come back to bloggy-land after such a short break [until you get to the big announcement, of course!].
------------------------------------
My cousin Amy tagged me for this:
Pick up the nearest book to you, open to page 56, write out the 5th sentence along with the next 2 sentences. Pick the closest book; not your favorite, nor the most intellectual.
Well, the closest book to me right now is the one I've been reading the last few days: The 13th Reality: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner. Here is the 56th page, 5th-7th sentences:
He hurt bad. To his right, he heard movement--the rustling of leaves, moaning. Tick brought his hands up to his face, wincing as the movement sent shockwaves of pain coursing through his body again.
It's a good book, btw...
And now I tag every single one of you. You are welcome to post this on your own blog or just do it in the comments. In fact, do that! Leave me your page 56, line 5 in the comments. I've suddenly become very, very curious...
---------------------------------------
Liz asked me to post my famous banana bread recipe weeks ago. Never heard of it? Never fear! This is why I'm posting it, so you may inform the masses and maybe one day it will actually become famous to more than just my imagination:
Cheryl's Famous Banana Bread
Makes two loaves
Wire whisk the following:
3 cups flour (whole wheat or white)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg
1 heaping TB cinnamon
Cream the following in another big bowl with an electric mixer:
2 cups sugar
1 cup Butter-flavored Crisco
4 eggs (or egg substitute equivalent)
2 tsp vanilla
6 ripe mashed bananas
Slowly mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients (pouring dry into wet) and mixing with electric mixer until completely blended. Pour into TWO well-greased bread loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes and then at 325 for 15-20 minutes (this depends on your oven; it took me forever to perfect the baking time with mine!). All done when the toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!
Let me know if you make it one day and if it turned out the way it should --you know, edible!
---------------------------------------
My sweet sister has gone back to work after being a SAHM for three years. They need this job (and it's a good one!), but it's been hard for her the last few days, realizing she will be away from her boys. If you could, dear reader, please go give her some love. All mothers know the difficult transition that can accompany a drastic change, whether starting to work outside the home, or starting to work inside the home. Both are hard and both need our support. Thanks!
-------------------------------------
Speaking of mothering, I had two Mean Mother Episodes last week.
Mean Mother Episode One:
On Friday, #1 forgot her show-and-tell. She called me from the school just before lunchtime was over and begged me to bring it. I refused. The school is less than a minute away by car, and I could have done it. Of course, putting the three other children into the car, driving there, taking the three children out of the car, going into the main office, etc. makes for a production of whining proportions --but I still could have done it. I chose not to. I explained to my teary daughter that I had two loads of laundry to finish, rooms to vacuum, children to feed, and bags to pack within the next hour and a half before I had to teach three piano lessons, after which we were jumping in the car to head to Idaho. She had forgotten her show-and-tell, I explained, and so she would just need to remember next time not to forget. Boy, #1 was not happy, but when she came home, she calmly said her teacher would send her a reminder next time so she wouldn't forget.
Mean Mother Episode Two:
#3 had a pretty big meltdown on Saturday that would wax and wane for about 12 hours. Sweetness...Freak out! Sweetness...Freak out! He would refuse to obey until I threatened not to take him (and the rest of the family) to Rupe's as planned, and then he would be fine until he changed his mind and the cycle would continue: He whined, I threatened, he apologized, I relented, he whined, I threatened...
Finally, we all went and ate at Rupe's. Things seemed fine until we were leaving and #3 had a melt-down because I wouldn't buy him candy or toys from the machines near the doorway. It escalated when I told him to put his seat belt on. We had talked about having ice cream back at my parents house, and I told him if he didn't get his seat belt on (a non-negotiable), then he wouldn't get ice cream. He freaked out and refused.
No ice cream.
But this time, the cycle ended, and I didn't back down (even after he hurried and put his seat belt on after I told him no ice cream). The poor guy had to sit there and watch his sisters eat ice cream in front of him while big crocodile tears rolled down his cheeks. He was so sad! But I was firm and I couldn't back down. I explained that he couldn't do bad things, apologize to get his way, and then do the same bad things again (all within 5 minutes). I think he understood, but boy, it was hard for me not to back down. Glad I didn't, though.
Are you a mean mother like me?
-------------------------------------
The BIG Announcement:
I have decided to go ahead and plan a Blogging Party!
YES!
If you are in Utah (specifically near Provo) on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at Noon, I would love for you to join me for a blogger-snacker-lunch-potluck-thingy-majingy! And yes, people, we are calling it that exact name. I may even print a sign.
So, hooray! There is going to be a party! And since this is kind of a get-together for us bloggy people (most of whom have never met each other before), spouses and children are discouraged from coming. Maybe we'll have another one where we can bring all the kiddies and husbands (much to their chagrin, I'm sure), but for now, let's try to keep this between us bloggy people. Of course, if you have to decide between bringing the kids and hubby or not coming, then holy cow, bring the kids and hubby! And nursing children are always welcome (as if I had to assure you).
So, dear reader, if you want to come to the par-tay, please email me at happymeetscrazy at gmail dot com. I'll send you more information, directions, make sure you're not some crazy-stalker-person-obsessed with me, etc.
------------------------------------
Coming Up Next on Happy Meets Crazy:
Year of Tens: The Day Brandon Saw Me Break My Nose or Why One Shouldn't Run Into Bars
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Once Upon a Time...
...there was a woman who decided to take a blogging break. Telling the cyber world of her reasons for disappearing for a day or two, she focused on her children and only sent a few emails.
Then the internet connection broke.
She tried to fix it.
For three days.
Having no access to the internet, she had no way of communicating with her husband who happened to be in London at the time. She had no way to respond to messages from friends and family, and she had no idea if people were wondering if she cared (because this woman cares way too much what people think of her). She used a sister, a friend or two, and was able to communicate with her husband to let him know the internet was down. She tried to troubleshoot, re-start computers, re-start connections, call the internet people --to no avail. She found out it was a fairly regional thing, and many people were having internet and phone problems. Giving up and realizing she would just have to live without internet, she discovered something she hadn't realized (although it was pretty obvious from the get-go):
She was addicted to the internet.
Wandering aimlessly through the house, she didn't know what to do with herself! A blogging break, sure! But no internet at all? Oh, the torture!
So, she settled on reading books (Tamrobot! I finished Brisingr! I would email you about it, but well, you know...). She cleaned the house. She played games with her kids. She read them books. And then she found out that her husband was going to be gone two days longer than planned. Two more days without hubby while he is frolicking about in England?! The woman was not happy.
This is why she is now in Idaho with the parents. Not wanting one more day without internet, she drove 3 hours North, much to her children's delight! Visiting the grandparents has taken the woman's mind off of the internet problems (and addictions), and the kids are having a ball. Tonight they will pick up their father from the airport on the way home, and hopefully the internet problem will be solved!
But the strangest part of this whole story, is that the woman-- now armed with all the internet access she can have --doesn't want to be on it. She's decided the emails can wait. Blogging can wait. Reading more crazy debates on how gay-rights activists hate the Mormons (and not all the OTHER religions that are involved in SSM --come on, people!) can wait forever. The woman's children are wanting to go see a park today, and the woman is more than happy to oblige.
The End
Then the internet connection broke.
She tried to fix it.
For three days.
Having no access to the internet, she had no way of communicating with her husband who happened to be in London at the time. She had no way to respond to messages from friends and family, and she had no idea if people were wondering if she cared (because this woman cares way too much what people think of her). She used a sister, a friend or two, and was able to communicate with her husband to let him know the internet was down. She tried to troubleshoot, re-start computers, re-start connections, call the internet people --to no avail. She found out it was a fairly regional thing, and many people were having internet and phone problems. Giving up and realizing she would just have to live without internet, she discovered something she hadn't realized (although it was pretty obvious from the get-go):
She was addicted to the internet.
Wandering aimlessly through the house, she didn't know what to do with herself! A blogging break, sure! But no internet at all? Oh, the torture!
So, she settled on reading books (Tamrobot! I finished Brisingr! I would email you about it, but well, you know...). She cleaned the house. She played games with her kids. She read them books. And then she found out that her husband was going to be gone two days longer than planned. Two more days without hubby while he is frolicking about in England?! The woman was not happy.
This is why she is now in Idaho with the parents. Not wanting one more day without internet, she drove 3 hours North, much to her children's delight! Visiting the grandparents has taken the woman's mind off of the internet problems (and addictions), and the kids are having a ball. Tonight they will pick up their father from the airport on the way home, and hopefully the internet problem will be solved!
But the strangest part of this whole story, is that the woman-- now armed with all the internet access she can have --doesn't want to be on it. She's decided the emails can wait. Blogging can wait. Reading more crazy debates on how gay-rights activists hate the Mormons (and not all the OTHER religions that are involved in SSM --come on, people!) can wait forever. The woman's children are wanting to go see a park today, and the woman is more than happy to oblige.
The End
Monday, November 10, 2008
Reasons Why I'm Taking a Blog Break
Yeah, yeah. It doesn't make sense to be blogging since I'm supposedly "taking a break."
But see, I meant I was taking a break from "reading" blogs and "commenting" on blogs and even "opening my google reader."
And, yes, I wasn't going to post anything. But gosh darn it, people! I can't believe how many phone calls, emails, comments, and IM's I received today after I posted about taking a break. It was insane! Everyone asking me if I was okay, everyone wondering why I was taking a break, everyone thinking something must be wrong or else why would I be stepping away from the computer?! (You people know me too well, I've decided.)
So, yes. You were all correct. I'm really not doing okay; I had many reasons to stop for a while. Dang, you guys are perceptive!
And I love it.
I absolutely love that you guys care about this crazy blog o' mine. You care about me as a person and as a writer and that gives me the warm fuzzies all over. I would be lying if I said I was annoyed with all the attention I got today. Some of it was inconvenient (and I'll tell you why in a minute), but it was well-received. Thank you for caring. It means the world to me.
But, to let some of you rest, I'll go ahead and tell you why I'm taking a break from reading/commenting/writing blogs for a little bit. In all honesty, I don't have to explain it to anyone. I know that. I know I could just take a break whenever I want to without explanation; but since you have all expressed such concern, I feel responsible. So, here are my reasons, in no particular order:
*I'm writing a novel. Remember? For NaNoWriMo? I don't even have 10,000 words, yet! I need to get crackin'! And this is why it was inconvenient to be interrupted today --I was working on the next great American Masterpiece. My favorite part is that I'm actually really enjoying what I'm writing. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Maybe it will be coherent one day...
*Brandon is gone on business again. He's in London and will be there until Friday. This morning he sent me pictures of what he's seen, and when I saw Big Ben, The House of Commons, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, The Thames, etc. I started bawling my eyes out. Literally bawling. For those of you who know me, you know the extreme bawling is warranted because if I could choose to go to any country anywhere in the entire world, I would choose England. It pulls me like no other place does and I'm not sure if it's because of my affinity to Jane Austen or my Family Heritage, but it's probably both. So, yes, I'm sad. Sad that my husband is there while I am here. I miss him, but I miss the opportunity more.
*I'm trying not to be sad and upset about not being pregnant again, but gosh darn it! I want a baby.
*I spent a fabulous weekend with Mother of the Wild Boys. A session in the SLC Temple, lunch at The Garden, having her in my home, enjoying four hours straight of awesome conversation that could have lasted weeks, and realizing again how grateful we were to have found each other via blogging made for a great time. I had a conversation with another one of Mother's friends while we were eating at The Garden Restaurant. She made me realize that although blogging is a good thing, it's not worth it if the children get ignored. Dear reader, this is how it usually plays out for me: I'm on the computer. The kids whine/cry/get hurt/need me. I reluctantly put the laptop down and meet their needs. I get back on the computer. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I can't do this to my kids anymore, so I've got to figure out a routine and schedule where I can be a good mother to them again. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I have to!
*Holy crap, I need to finish Brisingr! I'm enjoying it, but it's so long! That Paolini is wordy...
*I'm tired of the Proposition 8 stuff.
I'm tired of reading about the Protests.
I'm tired of re-hashing reasons why I don't believe in SSM.
I'm tired of seeing my friends having their homes vandalized in the name of "Equal Rights" just because they voted the way they wanted to vote in a Free Country.
I'm tired of hearing ignorant things some Mormons are saying about those who are protesting.
I'm tired of trying to convince people that we can disagree completely on a subject and still have love and respect, like my SIL and I do (and proved last night with a 2 hour internet conversation where we disagreed over and over and still showed love and respect and now --I daresay--love each other more).
I'm tired of the hate.
I'm tired of many self-righteous community blogs telling the rest of us how to react.
I'm tired of wolves in sheep's clothing.
I'm tired of thinking about it so much.
I'm tired that this isn't going away. Because it won't. It will remain until something gives, and this realization makes me more tired.
But I am grateful and happy about one thing: The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to have hope, show love, and be grateful, and not just when things are easy, but especially when things are hard. I may be tired, dear reader, but I know I won't stop having hope, love, and gratitude. The Protests and Hate may rage (inside and outside of the Church, and inside and outside of my heart), but I will not let it stop me from loving and hoping and thanking God every day for this knowledge.
*Sometimes we just need to take a break to clear our heads.
Good reasons? Yes? Maybe or maybe not, but they're mine, so I'm stickin' to 'em.
I sure love ya', dear reader. You make blogging worthwhile and blogging breaks nearly impossible! I'll see you around...
But see, I meant I was taking a break from "reading" blogs and "commenting" on blogs and even "opening my google reader."
And, yes, I wasn't going to post anything. But gosh darn it, people! I can't believe how many phone calls, emails, comments, and IM's I received today after I posted about taking a break. It was insane! Everyone asking me if I was okay, everyone wondering why I was taking a break, everyone thinking something must be wrong or else why would I be stepping away from the computer?! (You people know me too well, I've decided.)
So, yes. You were all correct. I'm really not doing okay; I had many reasons to stop for a while. Dang, you guys are perceptive!
And I love it.
I absolutely love that you guys care about this crazy blog o' mine. You care about me as a person and as a writer and that gives me the warm fuzzies all over. I would be lying if I said I was annoyed with all the attention I got today. Some of it was inconvenient (and I'll tell you why in a minute), but it was well-received. Thank you for caring. It means the world to me.
But, to let some of you rest, I'll go ahead and tell you why I'm taking a break from reading/commenting/writing blogs for a little bit. In all honesty, I don't have to explain it to anyone. I know that. I know I could just take a break whenever I want to without explanation; but since you have all expressed such concern, I feel responsible. So, here are my reasons, in no particular order:
*I'm writing a novel. Remember? For NaNoWriMo? I don't even have 10,000 words, yet! I need to get crackin'! And this is why it was inconvenient to be interrupted today --I was working on the next great American Masterpiece. My favorite part is that I'm actually really enjoying what I'm writing. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Maybe it will be coherent one day...
*Brandon is gone on business again. He's in London and will be there until Friday. This morning he sent me pictures of what he's seen, and when I saw Big Ben, The House of Commons, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, The Thames, etc. I started bawling my eyes out. Literally bawling. For those of you who know me, you know the extreme bawling is warranted because if I could choose to go to any country anywhere in the entire world, I would choose England. It pulls me like no other place does and I'm not sure if it's because of my affinity to Jane Austen or my Family Heritage, but it's probably both. So, yes, I'm sad. Sad that my husband is there while I am here. I miss him, but I miss the opportunity more.
*I'm trying not to be sad and upset about not being pregnant again, but gosh darn it! I want a baby.
*I spent a fabulous weekend with Mother of the Wild Boys. A session in the SLC Temple, lunch at The Garden, having her in my home, enjoying four hours straight of awesome conversation that could have lasted weeks, and realizing again how grateful we were to have found each other via blogging made for a great time. I had a conversation with another one of Mother's friends while we were eating at The Garden Restaurant. She made me realize that although blogging is a good thing, it's not worth it if the children get ignored. Dear reader, this is how it usually plays out for me: I'm on the computer. The kids whine/cry/get hurt/need me. I reluctantly put the laptop down and meet their needs. I get back on the computer. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I can't do this to my kids anymore, so I've got to figure out a routine and schedule where I can be a good mother to them again. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I have to!
*Holy crap, I need to finish Brisingr! I'm enjoying it, but it's so long! That Paolini is wordy...
*I'm tired of the Proposition 8 stuff.
I'm tired of reading about the Protests.
I'm tired of re-hashing reasons why I don't believe in SSM.
I'm tired of seeing my friends having their homes vandalized in the name of "Equal Rights" just because they voted the way they wanted to vote in a Free Country.
I'm tired of hearing ignorant things some Mormons are saying about those who are protesting.
I'm tired of trying to convince people that we can disagree completely on a subject and still have love and respect, like my SIL and I do (and proved last night with a 2 hour internet conversation where we disagreed over and over and still showed love and respect and now --I daresay--love each other more).
I'm tired of the hate.
I'm tired of many self-righteous community blogs telling the rest of us how to react.
I'm tired of wolves in sheep's clothing.
I'm tired of thinking about it so much.
I'm tired that this isn't going away. Because it won't. It will remain until something gives, and this realization makes me more tired.
But I am grateful and happy about one thing: The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to have hope, show love, and be grateful, and not just when things are easy, but especially when things are hard. I may be tired, dear reader, but I know I won't stop having hope, love, and gratitude. The Protests and Hate may rage (inside and outside of the Church, and inside and outside of my heart), but I will not let it stop me from loving and hoping and thanking God every day for this knowledge.
*Sometimes we just need to take a break to clear our heads.
Good reasons? Yes? Maybe or maybe not, but they're mine, so I'm stickin' to 'em.
I sure love ya', dear reader. You make blogging worthwhile and blogging breaks nearly impossible! I'll see you around...
Break
I'm taking a break from blogging for a little while, dear reader. I'll probably see you in a few days!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Laugh and Vent
A lot of people are sad this week. Some are elated, some are positive, some are sad, and some are writhing in despair. So, in order to lighten the mood around here, and give you something before I sign off for a busy weekend (my brother and his wife are coming, I'm going to hang out with Mother of the Wild Boys (woo-hoo!), BYU is playing their last home game, etc.), here are some funny funnies.
And yes, I know I'm totally ripping of Bythelbs weekly Friday Funnies post, but it's okay! She likes me. (Yesssssssss.)
Here you go (if you can't read them, try clicking on them):
Okay, so maybe the last one is more depressing than funny, although it's both. I'm kind of feeling the same way, you know. Happy about some things and yet somber and sad--about the exact same things. Figures. I kind of feel like m&m does, and I don't think we're the only ones...
So, dear reader, what about you? How are you feeling these days? I know some of you have already let me know in a few previous posts, but I want to give you some free reign here. Go ahead and tell me how you feel about the election, winter, the upcoming Holidays, your hang-nail --whatever you want. Just please, please, please don't talk about how you hate somebody. You can express anger, but I don't want any hate speech or slander. Keep it respectful and about yourself, capische?
Oh, and have a great weekend, everyone!
And yes, I know I'm totally ripping of Bythelbs weekly Friday Funnies post, but it's okay! She likes me. (Yesssssssss.)
Here you go (if you can't read them, try clicking on them):
Okay, so maybe the last one is more depressing than funny, although it's both. I'm kind of feeling the same way, you know. Happy about some things and yet somber and sad--about the exact same things. Figures. I kind of feel like m&m does, and I don't think we're the only ones...
So, dear reader, what about you? How are you feeling these days? I know some of you have already let me know in a few previous posts, but I want to give you some free reign here. Go ahead and tell me how you feel about the election, winter, the upcoming Holidays, your hang-nail --whatever you want. Just please, please, please don't talk about how you hate somebody. You can express anger, but I don't want any hate speech or slander. Keep it respectful and about yourself, capische?
Oh, and have a great weekend, everyone!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Halloween, Piano, Mothering, and Be Honest!
Halloween Picture. 5 days late:
If you can't tell what they are, go to this post. It explains their costumes rather well, especially the cute story of #3 and why he wouldn't wear his costume. Looking at this picture you can tell how the day turned out --he wore he costume! It's amazing what candy bribing can do...
----------------------------
I have 17 piano students now.
Seven. Teen.
I'm not sure how I let myself get to this point, but I did. Three of my students come during the day or in the evening, so this helps. I also have sitters who watch my kids while I teach; most of these sitters are students of mine --they do it in exchange for their lesson. It works well this way! I love exchanges. My neighbor (the hair color genius) does my hair in exchange for her son's lesson. Oh, yes, I love this very much.
-----------------------------
Do you constantly question your mothering? Do you wonder if your kids are going to turn out okay, and do you every find yourself wishing you could start over?
Yeah, me, too.
That's all I have to say about that.
----------------------------
I've been wanting to have a Happy Meets Crazy bloggersnacker for a while now, but nobody seems that interested. Most people say "yeah, if I lived in your State" and others say "well, not if I have to drive more than 20 minutes" and still others have said...well...nothing.
So, I need you to be honest with me, dear reader-who-lives-in-Utah-or-comes-here-often: Is it me?
Yeah, I'm nothing if I'm not crazily insecure.
Please answer and answer truthfully, because I would like to have a Snacker over Thanksgiving Break. We're staying here, and so there will be some time for meeting the readers/bloggers I've come to love. Ooh! And you can meet me! Wouldn't that just make your day?
Yeah, I'm nothing if I don't waffle between vain pride and crazy insecurity.
So, what say you? Do you want to have a blogger get-together over Thanksgiving? Will you be around? Would you attend? Which day would you prefer? Would you rather just not do it? There are no right or wrong answers here, dear reader. If you honestly have no desire to meet me or any other blogger, you are welcome to express yourself thusly. Is thusly a word? No? Well, you know what I mean. Just be honest, tell me what you think, and then we'll move on from there. But if I'm met with silence, I may just have to cry a bit and stop blogging for a while.
Yeah, I'm nothing if I don't lay it all out there.
:)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
There's no way to say this without offending people I love and admire. So, I won't say it --I'll let the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints say it. They say it best, anyway. Here's the link.
Snow and Obama
Yesterday morning, I woke up at 5:40AM. I bundled up and headed outside into the dark and quiet streets. As I hurried along along to meet my walking partner, the air was eerily warm, and leaves swirled about in the wind. It would have been a perfect setting for a Halloween evening, but the feelings it evoked didn't mark one of fear. Instead, I realized that the feelings in the air was one of change. Significant change. I knew snow usually always followed such warm weather, and I anticipated it to snow throughout the day; imagining all the white-covered cars as people drove to precincts to participate in the Election. Both snow and voting --two changes on the same day.
But the snow didn't come yesterday.
This morning, I again woke at 5:40AM. I bundled up and headed outside, and was delightfully surprised to be greeted by a soft powder blanketing the city. I had been complaining about cold weather ever since we moved back from California, but running/walking with snow gently pelting us, I realized how much I love the first snow-fall of the year. I wondered at the significance of such change in the landscape when such monumental change was occurring all across our Nation. I found it ironic that the words of Barack Obama, the man I didn't want to be President in the first place, permeated my mind and reminded me that change was going to come. I was grateful that the change came about through a Free Election, where the people's voices were heard. Where we are not suppressed for our feelings and ideas --where anyone can vote their conscience without fear. I was humbled to know that the first African American President had been elected, and quite honestly, I was thrilled at being a part of such a historic event, even though I didn't vote for him. I may not agree with Obama's ideas or policies (in fact, they make me very nervous), but I do respect the man and the office he now holds. If you read my post yesterday, you'll also know I'm hoping he'll make me a believer.
**Florida and Arizona passed their Propositions to prohibit SSM, and I waited on pins and needles to see how California would go...
...and it looks like it passed. I would be lying if I didn't say I was relieved. Very relieved, indeed!
Conversations around our house this morning:
me: Kids, we have a new President!
#1: Who won?
me: Obama.
#2: Did you want Obama to win?
me: No. But it's okay. That's what's great about our country; we don't angry when the other guy wins.
#1: Who is Obama?
me: Wanna see a picture?
[I show them some pictures via Google Images]
me: Isn't he handsome?
#1 and #2: Yes! He's very handsome.
#1: What did the other guy look like?
[I show them pictures of McCain]
#2: Huh.
[Trying not to laugh]
me: Anyway, I hope Obama will be a good President.
#2: But you didn't want him to win.
me: I know, but now he's the President and so now we get to pray for him so he'll make good choices.
#1: Yeah. That's a good idea.
--------------------------------
me: #3, we have a new President of our country! His name is Barack Obama and he's the President now!
#3: I like snow. I wanna make a snowball!
me: Okay, then.
----------------------------------
me: The President stays President for at least Four Years.
#2: Mom? What happens if the President of our country dies?
me: Well, we hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, the Vice President steps in to be President, and in this case, it would be Joe Biden.
#2: President Monson will be the Prophet until he dies! Not four years.
me: Yes, but that's because it's different. President Obama is the President of our country --just the United States of America. President Monson is the Prophet for the whole world; he speaks for the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all over the world, not just in our country. President Obama doesn't run other countries; just ours.
#2: Yep, the whole world!
me: The whole world.
But the snow didn't come yesterday.
This morning, I again woke at 5:40AM. I bundled up and headed outside, and was delightfully surprised to be greeted by a soft powder blanketing the city. I had been complaining about cold weather ever since we moved back from California, but running/walking with snow gently pelting us, I realized how much I love the first snow-fall of the year. I wondered at the significance of such change in the landscape when such monumental change was occurring all across our Nation. I found it ironic that the words of Barack Obama, the man I didn't want to be President in the first place, permeated my mind and reminded me that change was going to come. I was grateful that the change came about through a Free Election, where the people's voices were heard. Where we are not suppressed for our feelings and ideas --where anyone can vote their conscience without fear. I was humbled to know that the first African American President had been elected, and quite honestly, I was thrilled at being a part of such a historic event, even though I didn't vote for him. I may not agree with Obama's ideas or policies (in fact, they make me very nervous), but I do respect the man and the office he now holds. If you read my post yesterday, you'll also know I'm hoping he'll make me a believer.
**Florida and Arizona passed their Propositions to prohibit SSM, and I waited on pins and needles to see how California would go...
...and it looks like it passed. I would be lying if I didn't say I was relieved. Very relieved, indeed!
Conversations around our house this morning:
me: Kids, we have a new President!
#1: Who won?
me: Obama.
#2: Did you want Obama to win?
me: No. But it's okay. That's what's great about our country; we don't angry when the other guy wins.
#1: Who is Obama?
me: Wanna see a picture?
[I show them some pictures via Google Images]
me: Isn't he handsome?
#1 and #2: Yes! He's very handsome.
#1: What did the other guy look like?
[I show them pictures of McCain]
#2: Huh.
[Trying not to laugh]
me: Anyway, I hope Obama will be a good President.
#2: But you didn't want him to win.
me: I know, but now he's the President and so now we get to pray for him so he'll make good choices.
#1: Yeah. That's a good idea.
--------------------------------
me: #3, we have a new President of our country! His name is Barack Obama and he's the President now!
#3: I like snow. I wanna make a snowball!
me: Okay, then.
----------------------------------
me: The President stays President for at least Four Years.
#2: Mom? What happens if the President of our country dies?
me: Well, we hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, the Vice President steps in to be President, and in this case, it would be Joe Biden.
#2: President Monson will be the Prophet until he dies! Not four years.
me: Yes, but that's because it's different. President Obama is the President of our country --just the United States of America. President Monson is the Prophet for the whole world; he speaks for the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all over the world, not just in our country. President Obama doesn't run other countries; just ours.
#2: Yep, the whole world!
me: The whole world.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
I Like Hope
Last thoughts before the election is over:
*If Obama wins, I hope he is everything and more his supporters claim he is --for our sake, and for the sake of our country. I hope I have to eat my words and admit he's a good leader. I hope our country will be better for it. Because if I have to say "See?! I told you so!" I will be very put out, indeed. Who wants vindication when it's destroying our lives?
*In the very loosely (very loosely --we're talking an hour's conversation condensed into one small paragraph) quoted words of my visiting teacher: "No matter what happens --if SSM becomes legal everywhere and immorality becomes legal and flounced as normal, at least I know I have options. I have options because I am in control of my family. I can teach my children truth; I can home-school them if necessary. Righteousness can be in my home and the Gospel will still be a part of our lives. This helps me to know that if my fight for what's right doesn't prevail out there, it will still prevail in the walls of my home."
Ah, it's nice to have some hope. Even if everything I was hoping for ends up losing. Too depressing? Well, then have some fun watching this. (Alison? You're gonna love it!) They had it over at MMW, too...
*If Obama wins, I hope he is everything and more his supporters claim he is --for our sake, and for the sake of our country. I hope I have to eat my words and admit he's a good leader. I hope our country will be better for it. Because if I have to say "See?! I told you so!" I will be very put out, indeed. Who wants vindication when it's destroying our lives?
*In the very loosely (very loosely --we're talking an hour's conversation condensed into one small paragraph) quoted words of my visiting teacher: "No matter what happens --if SSM becomes legal everywhere and immorality becomes legal and flounced as normal, at least I know I have options. I have options because I am in control of my family. I can teach my children truth; I can home-school them if necessary. Righteousness can be in my home and the Gospel will still be a part of our lives. This helps me to know that if my fight for what's right doesn't prevail out there, it will still prevail in the walls of my home."
Ah, it's nice to have some hope. Even if everything I was hoping for ends up losing. Too depressing? Well, then have some fun watching this. (Alison? You're gonna love it!) They had it over at MMW, too...
List for Today
Hey, Go Vote!
I'll be doing that, as well as taking #4 to the doctor for an ear infection inspection.
And cleaning my basement.
And folding laundry.
And writing a novel.
And reading Brisingr.
And making dinner for my husband who is HOME!
I'll be doing that, as well as taking #4 to the doctor for an ear infection inspection.
And cleaning my basement.
And folding laundry.
And writing a novel.
And reading Brisingr.
And making dinner for my husband who is HOME!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Stuff
*I started NaNoWriMo 2008 (see button to the right). Man, I'm crazy! I know this because I did it last year. The good news is that I have over 7,000 words written already, and the storyline seems to be flowing. Doesn't mean it's a good novel or anything, though. In fact, it'll probably be bad. Very bad. But that's not the point of NaNo, so...you know...
*I'm tired. DST (Daylight Savings Time) did nothing to alleviate my tired-ness.
*Brandon comes home tomorrow!
*Earlier this week, a family member asked me why I had a blog if I didn't want people to make mean comments. I tried to explain the difference between a private blog and a community blog. The unwritten etiquette is this: If you wouldn't come into my home uninvited and slap me across the face and smear dog poop on my carpet, then why would you do it on my private blog? Community forums are there for people to discuss and debate. Private ones are for narcissistic sharing and the development of friendship. Well, the narcissism ebbs and flows. Am I wrong in this? How do you view private blogs versus community blogs? Do you think I should expect/welcome/allow rude comments from anonymous people?
*Single mothers are Angels and Saints and I will always have a prayer for them in my heart.
*Did I mention I'm tired?
*I'm tired. DST (Daylight Savings Time) did nothing to alleviate my tired-ness.
*Brandon comes home tomorrow!
*Earlier this week, a family member asked me why I had a blog if I didn't want people to make mean comments. I tried to explain the difference between a private blog and a community blog. The unwritten etiquette is this: If you wouldn't come into my home uninvited and slap me across the face and smear dog poop on my carpet, then why would you do it on my private blog? Community forums are there for people to discuss and debate. Private ones are for narcissistic sharing and the development of friendship. Well, the narcissism ebbs and flows. Am I wrong in this? How do you view private blogs versus community blogs? Do you think I should expect/welcome/allow rude comments from anonymous people?
*Single mothers are Angels and Saints and I will always have a prayer for them in my heart.
*Did I mention I'm tired?
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