Tell You [a] Little Story

The sun is shining. It's a beautiful 45 degrees outside. My family is coming to see me tomorrow. Hooray.

This is a story about a boy. A boy whose friends all turned eight before he did, so when his mother was Wolf den leader, he came to the Pinewood Derby and watched and dreamed and learned and made plans, but just barely missed being old enough to participate. A boy who was disappointed when the cub scout committee couldn't get it together the following year and postponed the Pinewood Derby for a few months. A boy whose family moved him to Utah at a very inopportune time as far as the Pinewood Derbies were concerned, leaving just before one, and arriving just after the other, thus missing both. A sad boy. This is also a story about a family who planned a trip to get out of River City in the dregs of January to go to a sunny, tropical place. And a Cub Scout troop who scheduled a much-dreamed-about Pinewood Derby for the very same week. And the same boy who, upon learning of the Derby for next month and not yet knowing about the trip, came home and pored over the contents of his little...

I know I'm the only person in America whose cell phone isn't always charged and on-hand, but if I am nothing else I am a champion of consumer rights, so I need to make this known: Do not, under any circumstances, ever use a payphone operated by a company called Faircall which allows you to pay with a credit card. For a three minute call you will be charged $11.27. Such an egregious rip-off makes me want to fight them, even though it's a negligible amount of money. Who do they think they are? I'll probably spend too much time righting this wrong on Monday, but I know my rights.

I give you Number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in October 2006. It's catchy, and the special effects: killer.

{Video of Portland, OR via CNN, but this is not unlike what I am seeing and living this week. Feel sorry for me.} I went skiing for the first time ever last year. I kind of stunk at it, but did make substantial improvements by the second time down the mountain. It was a little bit terrifying to go downhill which, duh, of course that's what you do when you ski, but conceptualizing it and doing it are two different things. I think I will continue to improve, and eventually get over the feeling that I am not in control and yet I'm gaining acceleration in a downward direction. Steve wants us to be a "ski family" so we'll see how that goes. This week for the first time we've experienced some snowstorms while living in our new house which sits ever-so-nicely at the top of a hill. The whole road up to our house slopes a bit to the left, which is one thing, but the road is semi-steep when covered with treacherous ice, and the last little chug up to our house is the s...

If you speed in Orem in a school zone on your way to the aviary with your sister and your kids, and you a) do not have proof of insurance in your vehicle b) are not properly restraining your five year old because all the carseats and booster seats are otherwise occupied c) do not have a license plate in the front AND d) do not have a Utah driver's license even though you've lived there for more than a year, it's not so bad to get a ticket and show up for court and five minutes later walk out, pay $95 for fees and traffic school, and be on your merry way. It's not so good, but not so bad, either.

This talk -- the delivery and the content -- encapsulates everything that is right in the world. speaking truth with humility testifying of Christ love in theory love in practice The video loaded very slowly for me, so here is the text if you're in a hurry. Although if you skip the video, you will miss a very touching part, my favorite: a visual representation of love and the reason I linked to this particular talk of Elder Wirthlin's . Help from Elder Nelson. He died last night, and I'm really happy for him.

Behold! My sister-in-law Angela , who makes the best jewelry (love her earrings!), is hosting a series of twelve giveaways. Your chances to win are very good. Get thee to her blog.

This one almost made the Christmas card cut, but I figured I couldn't do that to Isaac. Dude, why are my pictures all doing this when I load them to Blogger? Frustration abounds.

We took Geography 120 and 350 in this room before they were born.

A few hours after our very scary near miss, when our hearts had settled down and after we had offered a prayer of gratitude for our little miracle, Isaac decided to go back outside and jump back on his bike. Fearless, that child! Only, he was most chagrined to find that his bike had sustained a lot of damage and was rendered unrideable. Tears followed, lots of little Isaac tears. "Honey," I said, "it's more than okay. Your bike doesn't matter -- we can get you a new one. We're just glad you're okay." This morning Elliot and Steve opened the garage door to walk down to church (happy November warmish weather!!) and found this sitting outside: A new bike for Isaac, from the mailman. My turn to cry.

I am so humbled and grateful that a few minutes ago when Isaac went flying down the driveway on his bike without a helmet and slammed into the moving mail truck and fell off and rolled in the street, that it was his bicycle seat and not his head that was crushed under the tires; that both he and the mailman were terribly shaken and scared, but no one was hurt. I'm unbelievably grateful for that.

for clean and quirky? Pushing Daisies, I'll miss you. Go find Ed and keep him company.

What do you set the heat to at night?  During the day? Thank you.

My friend Bethany sent me a series of interesting quotes and links today. I usually dread and promptly delete forwarded emails, but these linked to original sources so I was wont to render them credible, and the timeliness could not be beat. It is, after all, election day. Rex E. Lee was United States Solicitor General for several years, then president of BYU. I think he is widely respected and lauded as a constitutional genius. I very much enjoyed reading this speech he gave at BYU in 1991. Of interest to me: his assertion that God caused the Constitution to come about, but that it is not perfect and is not scripture; a personal grievance with our country's laws or politics is not a fulfillment of the constitution "hanging by a thread" prophecy; I am not "the sole heir of James Madison's wisdom" (and neither are you); and the ever-relevant reminder that our liberties are directly tied to our righteousness. Read, read!

We have lived back in Utah for more than a year now, so I decided to share a few of my personal favorites, Bests of Utah, if you will. Most are restaurants, because that is my absolute favorite thing to do with a little extra money. My other favorite places -- Target and Costco -- obviously don't count as Utah treasures. Mexican : Las Tarascas -- mmm, yum. I've only been once, but can't wait to go back. They had me at fresh, chunky guacamole and lardy refried beans. Also, very affordable. Located in Albertson's strip mall on University Parkway. Italian: Gloria's Little Italy -- Great ambience (although they're about to move locations), beautiful desserts (although who needs the temptation?) and fantastic food (although, be warned: the spicy pasta is very very spicy). Quite a hotspot. (Go anyway.) For now, located on 300 South in Provo. Moving to downtown. Thai: Thai Ruby -- I'm a sucker for Thai food. We've tried just about all of them in the area and...

I just read this scripture quoted in a blog comment thread, alluding to. . .me. 2 Nephi 9:28 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. The context: I had suggested that Ezra Taft Benson's political views as expressed in 1968 before he was the prophet were not the official political views of the church, and shouldn't be construed as such. It is actually not the first time this month that I've been told through scriptural references that I am a wicked person {my extrapolated take-away from the conversations}. I give up.

Mindy sang this song last night with Stephanie's two beautiful little girls. I cried. I looked over and Sarah was crying. I'm pretty sure my mom two rows back was wiping those tears away, too. My dad sat next to me and sang every word. It was all very tender. Today, I can't get enough of this song. It's a new favorite, for sure.

{Click on picture to enlarge} This is where I'll be this weekend. : in Mesa, at Mountain View High School, watching the awesome Mindy Gledhill sing at a benefit concert for the awesome Stephanie and Christian Nielson. Won't you join me? Even if you've never heard of Mindy or Stephanie, it will be a fun show and a great time. Plus, I'll introduce you to Mindy and the ever delightful CJane and Chup (not their real names). Plus plus, my mom will be there and everybody loves my mom. Ditto my sister Sarah. Ditto my dad, Big D. Plus plus plus, I want to see you! Buy tickets here or at the door.

I agree with almost everything Powell said, although I personally would not be troubled by more conservative appointees to the Supreme Court. This interview cemented my opinion of Colin Powell as a thoughtful, deliberate, intelligent man who is willing to speak out against his own party when necessary -- and I wish he would make himself available again to serve on the national level. We could use more leaders with his abilities and integrity.

For breakfast today, I ate french toast and turkey bacon. Also, I drank water. I drink water every morning. It is the first thing I put in my mouth every morning without fail, or my system of order is disrupted. My brother thinks by nature of being a Godfrey, I am automatically 16% obsessive compulsive, but I think my percentage might be a tad higher. Maybe in the 20s? My awesome 16% OCD parents are in town for a few days and we are having a great time. Today we drove the Alpine Loop and walked the gardens at Thanksgiving Point. Soon I will post a picture of my (other) brother's name painted all official-like in the middle of the road on the Alpine Loop. It was kind of bizarre. My husband has taught himself to fall asleep by meditating and frankly, it has been an incredible thing to watch. The man used to take hours to fall asleep because his brain was too full. Now, a minute, or two. Five at the most. Perhaps if you have read thus far, it has been for you an exercise in wastefulne...

"When I discovered Youtube, I didn't work for five days. I did nothing. I viewed Cookie Monster sings Chocolate Rain about a thousand times." {I almost want to watch this 1000 times.}

The news is that Paulson is now going to invest money that we don't have in the failing banks, because all the other drastic and expensive measures he has attempted haven't done a darn thing. Question one is why in tar hill does one person have so much unchecked power in this land? Question two is why oh why doesn't he just leave well enough alone? A recession is inevitable. Just let the free market system do its thing. The article I read today about AIG blowing through $85 billion dollars in a few days, and then coming back and begging for -- and getting -- $37 billion more makes me very, very angry. Especially this part: days after receiving part one of the handout, the top execs followed through with a $440,000 vacation retreat, including $23,000 spent at the spa . They don't even have a semblance of integrity, nor are they making any efforts whatsoever to hide their corruption. How are they getting away with this?

The fantastic Nicole from A Little Sussy invited one and all to come to her food-on-the-head photo shoot. We convinced Abby and Jamie to come with us, and we had so much fun! I think the food choices and the expressions on the faces capture my kids' personalities well. Norah has always been a rather stoic child. I can't wait to see more of the photos. Here are my sweet sister's family's shots. Milo was definitely not feeling the Fruit Loop love. He jumped off that stool so fast. I'm truly amazed that Nicole got such a good shot. What a great photographer she is, and so so nice! PS -- Abby, you should be a model. Also, it looks like you're not wearing any clothes.

Joseph Smith ran for POTUS before he died. From his platform , I gather that he was for reforming the penal system, abolishing slavery, annexing Texas and Oregon and maybe even Mexico, and forming a national bank. Looks interesting. I am going to read it through tomorrow, just for fun. For tonight, I am going to go to bed and dream about sitting at the kitchen table with Biden in Scranton, with strong twangy Palin colloquialisms as the soundtrack to my slumber.

I don't have a lot of real visible or artistic talents, but one talent that has served me well is an ability to manage and organize money well. A few of my sisters-in-law have asked me how I do the family budget, so this is a straight up accounting of how I do the accounting. When we get a paycheck: 10% tithing right off the top Then, with the remainder (net minus tithing), I divy it up into percentages and put money into different "funds" -- that I keep track of in the back of my paycheck because I'm old school like that. Mortgage: I figure out the percentage it will take to cover my mortgage. Usually 29-30%. I think this percentage needs to stay under 35% of take-home after tithing. Baby steps: 20% goes to meeting financial goals a la Dave Ramsey's baby steps. This means that you focus on one thing at a time, leaving the rest so that your money is not so thinly spread and you can make visible progress. This presupposes that one has abandoned using credit, and i...

For me, one of the favorable things about Barack Obama is that he's black. Half black, but black nonetheless. I've heard a lot of hullabaloo -- especially in the media -- that we really ought not let race play a factor in this election. Geraldine Ferraro was lambasted for suggesting that Obama's race was to his advantage in beating Clinton. But I agreed with her, as far as I understood her comments correctly. His ethnicity makes me more inclined to vote for him. If we don't elect a black president this year, it will be a very, very long time before we ever elect a black president. Or a Chinese-American president, or a Jewish president, or a Mormon president and I could go on. The black cultural things about Obama make some people very nervous: his African-American church, for example, or the racially-charged thesis that his wife supposedly wrote at Princeton, or was it Yale? 1 There are way too many people, of all political parties, in this country who harbor biases t...

Not to offend any of my Repub friends (ahem, Abby), but Sarah Palin is a train wreck. She's just. not. ready. (Steve's offended.) Okay, funny. I didn't think it was working when I tried to embed. But it was, and I'm leaving it. Lots of Sarah Palins for your viewing pleasure.

Is there anyone cooler in the world? I love him. I love his music. And I love that he's using his fame to change the world. Bono for Secretary-General?

The world economy is in crisis. Our disposable money in the stock market (which really should not be there because we have pending plans for that money) is quickly being disposed of due to said crisis and falling markets.  So what do Steve and I do? Book a tropical vacation for the family for the middle of January, that's what. Because who wants to be in Utah in January? Our justification is thus:  a) Steve has to go anyway, so his ticket and hotel and rental car and food will be paid for.  b) It will be a giant Christmas present to give to the kids, therefore we will not buy them much of anything else.  c) Better spend the money before Wall Street blows it even more.  d) Who wants to be in Utah in January anyway? Please do not tell our children. It is really going to be a Christmas surprise.  I get so nervous after spending a lot of money. Yikes.

I really love our neighborhood. The people are highly educated , well-traveled, down-to-earth, accomplished , talented , faithful, knowledgeable about Hugo Chavez , neighborly, and really good gardeners. Some are famous . Some are Democrats . These are all lovely things to be. But, neighborly and good gardeners are the attributes about which I wish to rejoice at this time. The last few months have been a boon to our big, yellow produce bowl that sits on the counter, and consequently, to our bellies, and also consequently, to our grocery budget. Our neighbors have most generously offered to us: blackberries, raspberries , strawberries, peaches, nectarines,  apricots, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, grapes, and corn. In abundance. It's really quite delicious and wonderful.  Just tonight, as I was engrossed in a fierce match-up of Scramble because that's what I do and that's what I do best, the doorbell rang and the kids opened it to see a bag of squash and a lady ...

This weekend I have been sick, all around pretty miserable. In surfing around to find some answers, I came upon this very helpful medical advice . I hope it provides you with clarity and enlightenment, as it has for me. {Neil, I'm counting on you to appreciate this.}

I just watched Wordplay . If I had crushes on men other than my husband, I would have a little one on Will Shortz and his geeky crossword puzzle-ness. It's funny that I don't enjoy crossword puzzles. I usually am very well suited for all things tedious, challenging, left-brained, and time-wasting. Plus, my mom and my dad like them*, which is not only an unusual occurrence, but should mean that I ought to be predisposed. I have no explanation. *Other things that my mom and dad both like: board and card games (I like), eating out (I always like), movies (not necessarily my favorite), and Abby ( everybody likes!) Update: Steve just offered to memorize all the two-letter words in the dictionary. Who needs geeky crossword puzzle guys when I have Steve? I'll stay true, after all.

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It just occurred to me that since Steve bought a nice camera, why am I guilting myself into taking the kids on their birthdays to Target Photo Studios with the fake crappy backgrounds and forced smiles? I loathe taking my kids in to get their "professional" photos done and always put it off until well after their birthdays that I want to document. So no more. Isaac is 5 today, so we went outside for a photo shoot. Someday I'll learn how to take pictures, but here are some decently cute ones with classic Isaac facial expressions. I spy: freckles, beautiful brown eyes, thick and curly hair, nicely-spaced itty bitty teeth, the obligatory Spiderweb pose, and his two favorite presents (a feather hat and a cardboard boomerang that he'll "always use" which were made by his sometimes-nemesis-sometimes-kind-older-brother Aaron*) *We are actively promoting the kind older brother version of Aaron, and so it's okay that Isaac was more excited about the homemade gif...

What do you think of the cropped sweater vest I wore to church today? It's from Target, a size 5. That is, a size 5T. I borrowed it from Isaac's closet. The boys thought that was hi lar ious!

Is is just that I'm paying attention, or have there been an awful-- and I really mean awful -- lot of plane crashes in the last few weeks? Our friends Stephanie and Christian were in one last week.* Sarah's friends were killed in one this weekend in Cedar City. Then there's Kyrgyzstan, Barenaked Ladies, Guatemala, Madrid en route to the Canary Islands, North Las Vegas, Monticello, Colorado, Northwest Territories, experimental plane in Michigan. And on and on. There seem to be two new CNN headlines on plane crashes every time I check the news. What is going on? *I really adore and admire Stephanie and Christian and pray that God's will be done in their collective recovery. There is going to be an online fundraising effort on their behalf this Thursday and I would love to see gobs of money raised to offset a little of their mounting medical expenses. My fabulous sister Sarah is going to auction a baby quilt, and baby quilts don't come cuter or classier than Sarah'...

I ought to be upstairs making dinner, but instead I feel compelled to share the events thus far in my day. I spent the morning in my pajamas talking on the telephone, mostly about this beautiful young lady . Two children in two separate and distinct episodes thought it would be fun to go in the garage and get a three-foot-long fluorescent light tube with which to sword fight and/or bang on the stairs. Thousands of pieces, lots of vacuuming. Twice. I unearthed from a box the red binder in which I tried to record as a young woman, aged 16-21, each and every date I went on. It is truly fascinating. Who with, what we did, how long, if we kissed. I went on a lot of dates. I didn't count, but I easily went out with more than 100 different guys in those five years. I may not have a journal or scrapbooks or a record of my life, but by golly, I know who I went out with and whether the guy was a cheapskate and that my mom was pretty lax about curfews. My posterity can have it published afte...

{photo via CNN} I haven't been watching the Olympics, or any tv, for that matter since we don't have a tv connection yet (pity me), but I do know what's going on in the world, and baby, Michael Phelps is going on in the world! I know he provided plenty of drama and lots to cheer about. Eight gold medals, seven world records! I saw the frame-by-frame photos of win #7, where he was half a body length behind the Serb at the very end, and came from out of nowhere to touch the wall first. Absofreaking amazing. I am very happy for Michael, the winningest Olympian of all time. Wow, wow, wow! I'm so happy for him that I'm going to make the next thing I have to say very very small, so as not to diminish how incredible this accomplishment is. Dear Michael, please don't blow this chance to really be a hero by going and getting another DUI. Just don't do that, okay? Lots of people think you're pretty cool right now, and we don't want to be disillusioned and dis...

{Emily}