Tell You [a] Little Story

1. I just passed a sign [or perhaps: eye just past a sine?] on the corner of State and Center streets in Orem . It was a nice, expensive, printed banner that had on it something like this: Children's Toy Drive Unwrapped presents excepted here To which I say: Sometimes spell-check just isn't enough. 2. The most interesting news of the day suggests a probable link between working the night shift and getting cancer. Really. Apparently, it is not good to disturb the circadian rhythms. Other things to think about: I sometimes wonder if it is dangerous that my husband takes melatonin every night to fall asleep, like maybe it has some sort of addictive sleeping pills quality about it. But according to this article, melatonin suppresses tumor development. But then again, taking the supplements could inhibit the body's natural ability to produce melatonin. What to do, what to do? Because if he doesn't take it, then he doesn't sleep, and then hello, cancer! Also, it seems t

Alyssa -- My uniquely talented friend from college and from now who is good at brightening the world around her. Angela -- My sweet sister-in-law who is good at creating things and is also madly in love with her husband (it's sweet). Austin -- My very engaging brother-in-law who is good at being interested and at being interesting and is one of my favorite people, even though he told me my son has an attitude (I'm over it, really). Carly -- My first cyber friend, and she's awesome in real life, too. Christen -- The cutest friend and mom and seamstress anyone could want. She chooses to wear bright colors when everyone else is wearing black (literally and figuratively), and that inspires me. I read a lot of blogs. There are more.

It was another crazy Craig family picture experience. Abby didn't have very cooperate subjects to work with, to say the least, but she worked wonders with what we gave her. Nobody will care if we send out photos in which the 3 people who didn't throw major fits this morning look decent, will they? As in, everybody but Aaron, Isaac and Norah? Not to name names.

Today I finished this book. It was eerily similar to the last book I read. Both authors are my age, they both live in Brooklyn. I thought for sure they must be friends, because the novels seem to fairly obviously allude to one another. I imagined meeting Nicole Krauss, the author of The History of Love at a Q & A and brilliantly pointing out to her that in both her story and this other, the scenario appears wherein people who love one another hold onto string across bodies of water, so as to minimize their separation. What are the chances of that? Does she know Jonathan Safran Foer, and why are their books so much alike? It turns out they know each other. Married to each other, in fact. I probably would have looked sort of dumb at the Q & A. Has anyone read one or both of these books? They're both very well done and thought-provoking and entertaining. Exremely Loud and Incredibly Close is more of everything: more pretentious, more bad language, more funny, more unbelieva

I've been spending a fair amount of time lately browsing realtor.com and utahrealestate.com. Last night I found this little number for sale in Alpine, UT. Dang it. I don't know how to make these images larger. Can anyone advise me? Seriously, though, check out this palatial residence. Look at the pantry, the master closet, the laundry room. The house has 28,000 square feet, a ballroom, a Louis Vuitton chandelier. I am fascinated. Tell me you're not fascinated and don't want to know more about these people. Also, not to draw comparisons or be judgmental, but I'm also fascinated by the rich person in this scenario : anonymous donor gives $100 million to charities in Erie, PA, population of 102,000. Wow. Incidentally, if any of you are ever bugged or offended because I like to talk about money and watch what people do with their money, I'm sorry. But if by chance you think people should be more open about money because half the universe doesn't know what they&

George Clooney and Fabio fight My favorite part: Fabio's manager told press, "George is lucky he didn't end up in the ER." I saw Fabio once, at the Phoenix airport. I've never been the same.

Also: Steve and I are going to Hawaii on Christmas Day. I would love suggestions on what to do, where to eat and stay, exciting travel tips from anyone who has ever been to Oahu. I have been negligent about planning this trip and need to get on it. Thanks!