Okay. So most of the time I am fine with the daily routines of life as a stay-at-home mom, but there are times, triggered by who-knows-what, that my brain feels starved. Need more input! (Please tell me you saw the movie Short Circuit when you were younger and that you get that reference!) Lately, my brain has been feeding on intro to economics books and political commentaries. I listen to NPR often enough that I hear information but don't have enough knowledge to make an informed opinion on it. Now I can listen to Congress' deliberation over plans to help people overcome the sub-prime mortgage mess and know that I would prefer that lenders take care of it by voluntarily restructuring mortgages over Congress getting involved. Businesses are more likely to apply a better solution than Congress! (I understood what I wrote; I hope you understood what you read:).
Anyway, long story short since I need to get lunch ready: I have discovered two great websites to help me feed my brain with limited interaction from others (politics doesn't go over well as a discussion topic at playgroup) http://www.politicalds.com/ and http://www.goodreads.com/ The first is a blog by members of the LDS church who discuss politics. Both Democrats and Republicans are represented, and I can comment on the posts (limited, but desired, interaction).
I am super-excited about the second website!!! I have wanted to start a book club enrichment group at church, but never have for various reasons. I also, just recently, thought about starting a periodic book review post on this blog, but goodreads is what I have been looking for:):):). I add books to a "read," "currently reading," and "to-read" list. goodreads.com uses books on the amazon.com site, so a picture of the book cover appears on your list (LDS books are available, too; I saw a review on a book by Elder Holland and reviewed the biography of Elder Maxwell myself). You can rate and review the books on your list. You can also post your own original works; (This is where you have to be careful: the two poems I read were great, but one of the short stories I tried to read had four-letter words in it, so I quit reading.) maybe I will be brave enough to publish something someday:). Caveat: you do have to subscribe to the goodreads site to view your friends' books and reviews.
Okay, I need to stop gushing. I am so excited to have an intellectual outlet, that I am babbling (it's embarrassing). But I have to admit: I am the biggest nerd you will ever meet:).
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
NEWS FLASH
Thanks to Jessica Wood, Jesse's cousin Matt's wife!!! I was getting bored with the templates available through Blogger. Jessica had a new, very cool, template on her site. I explored and found where she got hers (see the lovely orange ad bar above). Thus, the new look!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Guest Blogger: Jesse Has His Say
Cannon On the Right
While Julie was creating mass support for Hillary Clinton (see previous post), David stayed true to his parents' (okay, really his mother's) political ideals. Not a book, but a great bid for support. 
Cannon On the Left (or Loose Cannon)
WARNING: What you are about to see may be disturbing to Rush Limbaugh fans.
Preface: Julie is excited that a woman is running for president. Never mind that I emphasized I was voting for John McCain (I decided this long before Mitt Romney left the race). At first she said she would vote for Senator McCain, but . . . NPR just had too much coverage of Senator Clinton. And Julie can't listen to the radio with me that often!!!
Preface: Julie is excited that a woman is running for president. Never mind that I emphasized I was voting for John McCain (I decided this long before Mitt Romney left the race). At first she said she would vote for Senator McCain, but . . . NPR just had too much coverage of Senator Clinton. And Julie can't listen to the radio with me that often!!!
NEWS FLASH
James has two front teeth on top, now. He has started to bite, using my shoulder to practice on. YIPES!!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Down Time
Hello, again! So I have a better excuse this time for the long time between posts: our computer's power box died when a transformer blew. It took us a week and a half to: confirm the power box had died, order a new one, and install it. So what did I do with myself during the time the computer was down?
Oddly enough, we did perfectly well for the first five years of our marriage without an updated computer and internet. But, in the last two years we have come to rely on the computer for TV and video viewing, banking and budgeting, calendaring, pictures and blogging, and keeping up with current events. Oh, and email, of course.
Well, without access to the computer, I listened to NPR to keep up with current events, read the Book of Mormon daily to keep up with the Hinckley Challenge (see hinckleychallenge.com), had to visit the ATM several times to view my checking account balance to (try to) keep my spending in check, checked out books from the library (after paying our huge fine accrued over our Christmas vacation because we forgot to renew the books), bought about twenty books for $2 at the used book sale at the library (great deal!!!), and reconnected our TV to our home theater system (which doesn't like to load DVDs as well as it once used to).
What have I learned from all this? I did find ways to keep up with most of my connections to the world, but I have come to rely completely on the computer for certain things. There was no way to replace email, which is the sole means of communication I have with several individuals and certain groups. I nearly went insane without Quicken and online banking. But most of the other things could be replaced with something better that doesn't distract me from caring for my children and tending to the house.
Of course, I sound wise from my experience, knowing full well that Jesse and I spent most of the morning budgeting in Quicken (while ignoring the boys), and that when I finish typing this sentence, I need to read the book I promised to read Josh because he was starting to find his own (unacceptable) things to do. Cheerio:)
Oddly enough, we did perfectly well for the first five years of our marriage without an updated computer and internet. But, in the last two years we have come to rely on the computer for TV and video viewing, banking and budgeting, calendaring, pictures and blogging, and keeping up with current events. Oh, and email, of course.
Well, without access to the computer, I listened to NPR to keep up with current events, read the Book of Mormon daily to keep up with the Hinckley Challenge (see hinckleychallenge.com), had to visit the ATM several times to view my checking account balance to (try to) keep my spending in check, checked out books from the library (after paying our huge fine accrued over our Christmas vacation because we forgot to renew the books), bought about twenty books for $2 at the used book sale at the library (great deal!!!), and reconnected our TV to our home theater system (which doesn't like to load DVDs as well as it once used to).
What have I learned from all this? I did find ways to keep up with most of my connections to the world, but I have come to rely completely on the computer for certain things. There was no way to replace email, which is the sole means of communication I have with several individuals and certain groups. I nearly went insane without Quicken and online banking. But most of the other things could be replaced with something better that doesn't distract me from caring for my children and tending to the house.
Of course, I sound wise from my experience, knowing full well that Jesse and I spent most of the morning budgeting in Quicken (while ignoring the boys), and that when I finish typing this sentence, I need to read the book I promised to read Josh because he was starting to find his own (unacceptable) things to do. Cheerio:)
Friday, February 8, 2008
NEWS FLASH
David and Julie entered a contest at Lockheed Martin. Children of employees were challenged to design products that Lockheed would make in the future. This is David's Missile Pen. 
He also built a prototype. I wonder what kind of explosive he would use. . . . (Mommy's temper might work.)
Julie designed a flying car, so that "when we are late, we can just get in the car and fly there fast!" (We really aren't late that often, I just use that as a - threat? - to get the kids in the car more quickly.)
My Man
Julie was looking at my bridal photos while I was playing the piano today. She asked if there were any pictures with Daddy. I got our photo album for her to look at. Jesse decided to scan them. Here are some of my favorites of "my man."
The GQ pose.
We are the only couple (of which I am aware) that jumped on the trampoline on our wedding day.
Jesse was very sweet - no mess!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Writer's Block
So, I had great plans to come home after our Christmas trip and impart the wisdom I had gained in the last decade (I turned 30 at the beginning of January). Alas, most of my inspiration came around 11:00 pm when I was trying to fall asleep or when I was playing chauffeur to the family during the day. All the great one-liners I had come up with just as quickly left my motherly-swiss-cheese brain because I didn't write them down. The only bit of wisdom that I do remember is this: I know less now then I ever thought I knew then. So, we'll leave it at that. (Don't be scared: 30 is just a number! This probably won't happen to you.)
P.S. Confucius Jesse says: Elder Scott has counseled us to record inspiration when we receive it. If you follow this advice, you will avoid Deb's plight.
P.S. Confucius Jesse says: Elder Scott has counseled us to record inspiration when we receive it. If you follow this advice, you will avoid Deb's plight.
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