Walkie-Talkie vs Texty-Wexty

I remember being facinated by walkie-talkies when I was little. It was so cool to push a button and talk to someone you couldn't see. No wires. So cool. Then came the age of cell phones. Push-to-talk phones seemed so cool because I am NOT a fan of talking on the phone. We were first with Nextel and I could quickly connect with someone else, but only on the network. Still, it was a bit unnerving to suddenly have a voice speaking from the phone.
Enter text-messaging. I love texting. It's perfect. I can quickly send a message or carry on a lackadaisical conversation without worrying about being on the phone when I need to be doing something else.
If I could have a service that was strictly texting and no calls, I would so be a customer! Why can't I just have a texty-wexty?? (I'm sure there is probably some toy out there that does it, but I want a real product.)

New Profile Pic

It's ridiculous. I know. The reason I like photography is that I can be behind the camera.
The first "assignment" for the photo club (to join, click here) is a self-portrait. Hello! Hard!! I have a remote, so it isn't even as difficult as the timer, but I still couldn't remember to smile! Instead, I got this weird, quirky smile on my face and just had to go with it. I think I probably tried to get a "good" picture for about an hour. My one hour of freedom Saturday and I spent it frustrated with attempting a self-portrait.
Oh, did I mention that I don't even have any training/education in photography? Yeah, it's just a hobby that I would love to improve upon. I have dreams (though, distant) that one day it can become a paid-hobby, but until I get some formal training, I don't think it would be fair to charge.
Sure, read books, get experience. All that good stuff. Still, I am a firm believer in pedagogy. I'd love to be able to attach myself to some "real" photographer here and be their apprentice, but let's be reasonable. I am a mom and it's Eric's turn for education right now.
So, in the meantime, this is what I am doing to try to educate myself a little.

What Makes You Drool?

Eric and I want to buy/restore an old '69 Camaro...such as this:

But tonight, I drooled over this...

Yes, I am a sucker for the rumble of a muscle car. Oooh, baby!

A Bit of Work

Don't get me wrong, I am very excited and not at all bothered by it, but the book club I am in charge of has definitely filled my time. There are so many aspects to consider and prepare, especially since I've never even participated in one before.
My latest endeavor: making selections thematically for the club. I've compiled a list and organized titles into large-scale genres (ie: novel, short story, play, essay, etc.). From this, I now need to select a couple of titles for the club to choose from for the next few months. It's difficult to choose as there are such great pieces of literature out there!! Some of these titles I have read or am at least familiar with; while others, I am not so acquainted. However, I have to become at least informed as I am, in the end, accountable for what is contained in those pages when read in a church-sponsored book club.
I am so grateful for a friend who directed me to this article as it helps me to know that the discipline with which I am preparing for this book club is what my Heavenly Father would have me to do. It is not lightly that we should consider the words with which we fill our minds. Therefore, you won't find literary french fries on the menu!

Missions and Marriage

I must say that I have seen some wonderful reasons for me serving a mission. It has made me a much better wife and mother than I could have been without serving.
We were discussing these things tonight and Emily announced that she was going to serve a mission. This, of course, delights us.
Eric turns to me and says, "Emily won't serve. You know she'll get married first." I didn't even have time to protest. Emily got all mad and got as much in his face as possible denying that she would get married first. She WILL serve a mission and THEN get married. In that order. Just ask her.

Austen to Brother

I finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion today and exchanged a book for "holding hands" with my brother (sewing machine) for my next project: this bag.

I need something to cart books and items to and from church now that I have a new calling and Eric has to leave for work before the third hour.
Awhile back, a friend of mine put a bag on her sewing blog. I glanced at it and got a general idea of it before taking my own variation-on-a-theme with it. To be honest, I've been so distracted with all my other endeavors that I have neglected the projects on her blog. It's constructed of wool and linen (two random material blocks I had received from a friend at church over a year ago!), so my books and the eventual puppet will stay warm during transport.
It still needs the handles attached as well as the butterfly appliques, but not bad for a quick project.

Bob the Builder...I Mean, Emily

I have been collecting as many images of Emily's creations as possible. Eventually I will make a book out of her designs. It is truly fascinating to watch her build. She doesn't just put the pieces together. She may put a block down and then kind of back up to look at it and then she may move it or adjust it. I am convinced she is creating from images in her head.
It's not this building, but the other day she created something that very much resembled Stonehenge. When she finished, she announced, "Mommy, I made a circle!"
She also informs me of the name of each construction. It varies from a "something" castle to a stable to a farm to whatever. She definitely feels that these buildings have purpose.

No-no Mommy

Anyone who has spent enough time with us knows that Gianna definitely has a set of lungs. Strong, full lungs. She loves to hear herself project her voice into volumes and notes unsuitable for enclosed rooms. I don't really know what to do with her because she IS happy. She has just gotten to the "this is really annoying" stage. I typically have to remove her from the room to let her know this is not acceptable behavior (come on! She's just over 7 months old!).
This evening, after yet another session of her screaming and her "time out" period were finished, I let her rejoin us in the living room. She began again. As she was sitting behind me, I turned my head and said, "Gi-an-na" to which she immediately began shaking her head back and forth. I didn't even know that she knew how to do it. She repeated it several times with her mocking smile as if she really intended for me to know that she was NOT going to stop screeching.

(On a side note, just so you know how bad this has gotten, Emily has also started correcting Gianna with a firm "Jonna 'leese!" her form of "Gianna Elise". Also know that Emily doesn't even yet recognize that she herself also has a two-name-you-are-in-trouble name.)

New Adventure

I've never participated in a book club. I'm just an avid reader as well as a student of literature. So, this is a completely new adventure for me.
Through my church, I have started a book club. If you aren't local, feel free to read along with us and make comments/observations! You can never have too many people contributing thoughts to a discussion. We all have such different views and approaches to life that it opens new ways of understanding what an author may have been trying to convey.
You'll find the link on the side entitled "Great Works Book Club."

Potty Break

I get a kick out of this every time!
If I make Emily take a potty break, she'll get on the toilet and then inform me, "It noesn't work." I've never thought of it as "not working" but I guess that is correct. It just cracks me up as she says it so matter-of-factly.

The Best Summer Ever

Summer ended for us yesterday.
We spent the past two months or so hanging out with my youngest sister who came down to visit us. It was a blast! I'm not saying we did anything truly out of the ordinary, she just made every day a bit more fun. I had no idea someone could fit into our little world so perfectly and am very glad she did!
Some great memories:
BoPeep in da house!
Ax Murderer Inn
Spankings at any game played (yes, we're such losers, Susan)
Mary Poppin's Umbrella
"A dog walker would be the best job!"
Crazy-talk Emily
Rock Band
Driving, driving everywhere!
Help on the homestead
Big Balls
Sweet Biscuits
Scrunchy-face Gianna
Seasoning the food
Movie Marathon
FB quizzes
All-night (almost) Mario Party
Baking Powder vs Baking Soda: who wins
BoPeep, because it deserves mentioning twice
We miss you, Susan! Come back soon!!!

Anticipation

I mentioned awhile back that I felt something in the air about a new calling at church. For those of you who may not know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a volunteer church. There is not a paid ministry, so positions are extended through inspiration and revelation and you only serve for a relatively short amount of time (most callings only last a few years).
I was asked earlier this week to come in to speak with a member of the bishopric (well, technically, he asked if my husband and I could come in and speak with him before church starts on Sunday). I'm a little anxious to find out what position it is.
I've debated with my immediate family (Eric and Susan) what the potential calling could be (anyone remember being a missionary and casting your "picks" for transfers?). There are some "definites" involved due to current events and the person extending the calling. I know the Lord will confirm this for me when I am asked, but it doesn't mean that there won't be sacrifices along the way. I WILL be glad to get to church tomorrow morning and find out what exactly the Lord would have me do at this time. In the meantime, I'll ponder about what the Lord trusts me with and the things I need to improve upon. I'm sure I'll be confronted with both with this new calling.

Birthday Gift...Sew WHAT?

I have no idea what to get as gifts for other people's children. To be completely honest, we don't hang out with anyone enough to know particular likes or dislikes. I hate getting generic things that might work. And, as a parent, I am already disgruntled with the way all the toys keep piling up and are never played with. Taking my likes and dislikes as a parent, I chose a different route.
Tomorrow we have Emily's party in the morning, and one of her friend's party in the evening. After hunting around for something that didn't cost an arm and a leg but that was also worthwhile and the kid would enjoy it...I opted for this instead.
This is a non-patterned, make-it-up-in-my-head kind of project. It's a bit wide for a 2 yr old and probably too long, too, but I had fun making it and am so in love with it that I have to make one for Emily soon.
Hey, and Kiki (Lori)...no peeking!

Dare I Say It?

I know this is a public forum. I know someone is not going to see this the way I do. Scary. Perhaps tomorrow I will wake up with FBI agents on my doorstep...it wouldn't be the first time (although, it would be more threatening this go-round)!
When I first read this, I was shocked, and, to be honest, scared. This might be the single most frightening thing I have heard or read about the health care reform. Seriously, if someone wanted to be intimidating, they accomplished it. If not, well, someone went about this in an incredibly wrong way. And, by the way, I HAVE sent inquiries to Obama's Whitehouse in regards to this issue and have not been answered, not even the cordial "we've received your email but due to the amount of inquiries we've received, it may take awhile before we can get back to you."
What, you ask, am I talking about? The latest briefing on The Whitehouse blog. Now, I can guess that they didn't really want this to come across as being a new twist on McCarthyism, but that is what it did. Tell Big Brother about your friends, family, and neighbors who are anti-HCR so they can investigate and document those involved in the proliferation of these sentiments and alleged evidences hedged against the passage of this bill.
What happened to the First Amendment to the US Constitution? This infringes upon those rights. We are allowed to disagree with bills and proposals. We are allowed to congregate and discuss our pleasure or displeasure with current affairs and ideas. We are allowed to publish (paid or unpaid) our thoughts and feelings. All of these are permissible through the First Amendment of the Constitution. Do not restrict us, or you are disregarding the reason for the establishment of this country in the first place. Things taken out of context happen on both sides. Perhaps there are things that have been misconstrued on one end, but they can be held up legally in court due to interpretation of those same words. Yes, Pres. Obama makes promises (verbal are the only ones advertised) that we can keep our private insurance/private doctor and all, but, assuming this is true, what is the cost? How much MORE does the average John Q. Public have taken from his paycheck to cover the cost of this program? We've already been paying into one that apparently hasn't fulfilled the need. There is more to this issue than a quick full-court press.
Those I have encountered in my life who have insisted upon a "now or never" deal were people who knew that what they were trying to push or sell was not worthwhile in the long run, and, given the chance to research, ponder, and pray about it, I would discover the whited sepulchre it truly was. I can only feel that this is much the same way. Don't force it. If it is all it is cracked up to be (or not to be) it will become apparent in the long run. So, my advice to Pres. Obama and his Whitehouse, relax. Enjoy the "game". Don't pressure sale the public. Don't intimidate. Don't make YOUR public feel as if they are under the Nazi regime unless that is where you want this country to be.
And, if making a statement like this qualifies me to be imprisoned, I hope someone will claim my children while I spend time emulating some heroes of mine.

My First Love

When I broke up with my first boyfriend, his mother told me, "You never get over your first love." I think this is true...but, he was NOT my first love, so I got over him fast, thus, the break-up.
My first love is literature. I grew up with a hunger to learn. I was only 3 when I learned to write my name. I remember standing behind my brothers as my mom held up flashcards of their vocabulary words and trying to blurt them out before they did. I loved the Letter People and quickly learned to devour books. I read tons of classics (thanks, Mom! It helps that she graduated with a BS in English!) as a youth. It continued on into high school and college, ultimately leading to my bachelor's in Humanities: Comparative Literature.
I have never gotten over this first love and am happy that I already see the evidence of my infatuation in my children's lives.
I've grown a fondness for historical fiction and love to read history mixed in with semi-fairy tales. Today I finished a wonderful book loaned to me by my good friend Stef. It's called Mary and Joseph, a novel by Robert Marcum. I recently finished a series called The Kingdom and the Crown by Gerald N. Lund which was about people living during the time of Jesus' ministry. This book precedes that series by talking about what Mary and Joseph might have experienced. If you are looking for a good book and to understand more of the traditions held by the Jewish nation of the time, I highly recommend it.
Now that my Reading Rainbow advertisement is finished, I really wish I had a book club with whom I could devour the "good books" of the earth. How I miss the discussion with others over classics and good reads!

School Days

I have fond memories of my first days of school. Mom packed our necessary items into large paper bags. I'd get excited at seeing the unopened box of unsharpened #2 pencils, the new binder with all the edging intact, a perfect pencil box, and the mandatory box of kleenex! Oh, and to have it all sorted into my very own brown bag which I would fold neatly for a good hand hold as I walked to school!! The smell of summer coming to an end and the beginning of that slightly musty book aroma.
Yes, it is tax-free weekend on school supplies!! I love this time of year. I get so excited. I'm not currently in school, nor do I have children of school age yet, but I can't help picking up a box of new wooden #2 pencils, a ream of paper, glue sticks and folders. It's like getting a fix. I just need it. And, I didn't mind forging through the mosh-pit of parents and students filling the needs on their school lists either. That for sure proves that it is an addiction!!
Emily is all about school, too. She loved shopping as much as I did today. I've decided to have some structured time with her this year and teach her some "preschool/kindergarten" concepts. For the past month she keeps talking about school (and some random rope that apparently is at school...I don't know, so if you can figure out what rope has to do with school, let me know) and has a sincere desire. Now for me to get ready to do this, I'll be trying out different things I've learned as a teacher in various situations. Wish me luck!