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!!!

NEWS FLASH

James has two front teeth on top, now. He has started to bite, using my shoulder to practice on. YIPES!!!

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:)

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!

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.