Exhiliration

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:).

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!

Guest Blogger: Jesse Has His Say

I know, I know- he's not running anymore. But Clinton and McCain are getting their exposure on this blog, so Deb let me put in my 2 cents. Vote for Romney in 2012!

Jesse

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!!!

NEWS FLASH

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