The Carters get a Wii!
Clint gets a Flip Video.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Ward vs. Family
I know I already offered a post about stuff that is quirky about me or some stuff that bugs me but I have another one that I would like to add to the list.
This post is not for the squeamish so if you don't want to read a controversial topic or you don't want your mind to be swayed by my opinion, please take this moment to exit my blog because some of the stuff I will say, you might not like or you might not agree with. If that is you, please click on this link and visit a happy place.
I don't know why but every time I hear someone get up in church and say "Ward Family", I get the heebee jeebees. I know, it sounds like a very loving way of referring to your ward, as a "family". It is just a warm and fuzzy image that most people seem to love to say. Me, I don't like my ward being referred to as a family. In fact, this last year our church was very much against changing the definition of marriage. Now this, I am in favor. Let us not change the meaning of marriage. It should be a union between a man and a woman. Therefor, why are we changing the meaning of a family? Shouldn't we reserve the word "family" for a unit with a Father, Mother and Children? I know, some families only have a father and children, some only a mother and children, some only a father and a mother. In any case, a family has a definition that should not change. People that are related. Ok, there are many combinations that could also be families such as adoption, grand parents, only children and no parents, etc.
I would prefer that a family unit remain a family, and a ward remain a ward. A ward has a definition of a group of families that is lead by a Bishop. A family is not lead by a Bishop. I know that people will argue that a Bishop is like the Father of the the ward and the Relief Society President is the Mother, blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. It doesn't quite work so please stop referring to your ward as a family. For some reason I don't hear people saying, "Our Stake Family", or our "Regional Family", or our "General Church Family". Lets leave families as families, wards as wards and stakes as stakes.
So, there you have it. I have probably disenfranchised half of my readership now with my opinion of wards and families. I hope I have not offended and I wish to hear your arguments for and against.
This post is not for the squeamish so if you don't want to read a controversial topic or you don't want your mind to be swayed by my opinion, please take this moment to exit my blog because some of the stuff I will say, you might not like or you might not agree with. If that is you, please click on this link and visit a happy place.
I don't know why but every time I hear someone get up in church and say "Ward Family", I get the heebee jeebees. I know, it sounds like a very loving way of referring to your ward, as a "family". It is just a warm and fuzzy image that most people seem to love to say. Me, I don't like my ward being referred to as a family. In fact, this last year our church was very much against changing the definition of marriage. Now this, I am in favor. Let us not change the meaning of marriage. It should be a union between a man and a woman. Therefor, why are we changing the meaning of a family? Shouldn't we reserve the word "family" for a unit with a Father, Mother and Children? I know, some families only have a father and children, some only a mother and children, some only a father and a mother. In any case, a family has a definition that should not change. People that are related. Ok, there are many combinations that could also be families such as adoption, grand parents, only children and no parents, etc.
I would prefer that a family unit remain a family, and a ward remain a ward. A ward has a definition of a group of families that is lead by a Bishop. A family is not lead by a Bishop. I know that people will argue that a Bishop is like the Father of the the ward and the Relief Society President is the Mother, blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. It doesn't quite work so please stop referring to your ward as a family. For some reason I don't hear people saying, "Our Stake Family", or our "Regional Family", or our "General Church Family". Lets leave families as families, wards as wards and stakes as stakes.
So, there you have it. I have probably disenfranchised half of my readership now with my opinion of wards and families. I hope I have not offended and I wish to hear your arguments for and against.
Surprise Birthday Party
As I relaxed on Saturday, after running some errands and going shopping, by brain began to think about the events of the day. My birthday was on Friday and we didn't do much but open a few presents. As my brain started to sift through the happenings, I began to wonder if maybe my wife had planned some kind of party for me later on that evening. We had arranged to have dinner with some friends down at a local restaurant at 7:00pm but for some reason my thoughts were starting to draw some connections that may or may not be reality. There were several events that transpired that on a normal day I wouldn't have thought twice about, but, because they were all happening within a short period of time gave me pause. Either there was a party being planned for me or I was just being paranoid. I really hadn't thought of a surprise party all week so I wasn't sure if I was delusional or what. It is hard for me to describe how I felt because there were a bunch of events that came together very nicely, too nicely I thought.
Anyway, somehow Deanna had managed to make me feel like it was my idea to go over to my parents to practice a song that I was to sing for church. On the way over I was thinking in my head that either there will be a group of people in the house or I was just crazy. I was even thinking of telling her about all these connections I made in my brain while we were eating dinner. But, as I walked into the living room of my parents house I was greeted by a rousing chorus of "SURPRISE". Instead of surprise, I felt relief that I was not going crazy and that my suspicions were correct.
We had a wonderful time visiting with all of the families and friends that were able to visit. We ate snacks and punch and talked all evening.
I must say, my wife was very convincing. She did a wonderful job of keeping this party a secret, inviting the guests and arranging the scheme of how to get me to the house.
Thank you Deanna for a wonderful 40th Birthday Party.
Anyway, somehow Deanna had managed to make me feel like it was my idea to go over to my parents to practice a song that I was to sing for church. On the way over I was thinking in my head that either there will be a group of people in the house or I was just crazy. I was even thinking of telling her about all these connections I made in my brain while we were eating dinner. But, as I walked into the living room of my parents house I was greeted by a rousing chorus of "SURPRISE". Instead of surprise, I felt relief that I was not going crazy and that my suspicions were correct.
We had a wonderful time visiting with all of the families and friends that were able to visit. We ate snacks and punch and talked all evening.
I must say, my wife was very convincing. She did a wonderful job of keeping this party a secret, inviting the guests and arranging the scheme of how to get me to the house.
Thank you Deanna for a wonderful 40th Birthday Party.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
100 posts
I didn't know it until today, just browsing around the "blogosphere", that my last post was post number 101! Can you believe it. I have bloviated with both pithy and verbose prose equaling Mr. Monks perfect number, 100. I really don't feel like I have written such a gaggle of posts but if you just type a few ideas every few days is surely adds up. I am not all that sure that it adds up to something interesting, but it does add up.
In celebration of my 100th post, I have decided to offer you something for free. Here is a link to some free stuff.
Free Cycling
Free Translation
Free gmail
Free Web Filter
In celebration of my 100th post, I have decided to offer you something for free. Here is a link to some free stuff.
Free Cycling
Free Translation
Free gmail
Free Web Filter
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tagged
Ok, I'm not sure if I like being tagged or not. On the one hand, it gives me very specific ideas on what to write on my blog. On the other hand, I hate feeling obligated to do something just because others are doing it. Somehow I have always considered myself a nonconformist even though I conform to almost everything I do, so, I'll conform and finish the tag assignment that Clark Draney tagged me with.
8 favorite TV Shows (in no particular order because my tastes and preferences change)
1. Greatest American Hero (from when I was a kid)
2. M*A*S*H
3. The Apprentice
4. American Idol
5. Seinfeld
6. Hogan's Heroes
7. Candid Camera
8. Medium
8 things I did yesterday
1. drove home from Logan
2. kept basketball stats on Andy's Game (they lost)
3. checked my email
4. orders on eCarters.com (a shameless plug for my web store)
5. stopped at Wendy's and had lunch
6. took the girls to Pets Mart (or is it Pet Smart, or Pets Smart?)
7. scrapped snow off of our car windshield
8. visited Deanna's parents
8 favorite restaurants
1. Olive Garden (love their salad)
2. Chick-fil-a
3. P.F. Chang's (love the lettuce wraps)
4. Panda Express
5. All You Can Eat Sushi
6. Central Park
7. McDonalds
8. Anything but Mexican Food
8 things on my wish list
1. Lexus (not an SUV) (sedan with tinted windows)
2. A big house on either North or South Temple Drive
3. 7 day trip to Bahamas or a Cruise (just Deanna and I)
4. I wish I was a failing bank and could request 300 billion dollars
5. more patience with my kids (same as Clark Draney)
6. I wish I was taller
7. 8 more wishes (got to throw that one in there)
8. a trip to someplace fun with the kids (Disney World or national parks or Mormon Historical Sights)
Tag, you're it
1. Melinda
2. Marni
3. Rachael
4. Analee
8 favorite TV Shows (in no particular order because my tastes and preferences change)
1. Greatest American Hero (from when I was a kid)
2. M*A*S*H
3. The Apprentice
4. American Idol
5. Seinfeld
6. Hogan's Heroes
7. Candid Camera
8. Medium
8 things I did yesterday
1. drove home from Logan
2. kept basketball stats on Andy's Game (they lost)
3. checked my email
4. orders on eCarters.com (a shameless plug for my web store)
5. stopped at Wendy's and had lunch
6. took the girls to Pets Mart (or is it Pet Smart, or Pets Smart?)
7. scrapped snow off of our car windshield
8. visited Deanna's parents
8 favorite restaurants
1. Olive Garden (love their salad)
2. Chick-fil-a
3. P.F. Chang's (love the lettuce wraps)
4. Panda Express
5. All You Can Eat Sushi
6. Central Park
7. McDonalds
8. Anything but Mexican Food
8 things on my wish list
1. Lexus (not an SUV) (sedan with tinted windows)
2. A big house on either North or South Temple Drive
3. 7 day trip to Bahamas or a Cruise (just Deanna and I)
4. I wish I was a failing bank and could request 300 billion dollars
5. more patience with my kids (same as Clark Draney)
6. I wish I was taller
7. 8 more wishes (got to throw that one in there)
8. a trip to someplace fun with the kids (Disney World or national parks or Mormon Historical Sights)
Tag, you're it
1. Melinda
2. Marni
3. Rachael
4. Analee
Turning 40
I don't have much to say about turning 40. At this time in my life I really don't feel like I am having my "mid life crisis". I think I had the crisis a few years ago when, out of the blue, I stopped into McDonalds and bought myself a Big Mac. I know it was a crazy time but I did it, and I'm not all that proud of it. I have dropped back down into reality and have ordered the two single hamburger meal since the breakdown.
I decided to just list some stuff that I thought were evidence that I was actually 40 since I still look like I'm 15.
Signs that I am 40 years old.
1. I found a hair on my shoulder that was about 40 inches long. That's an inch for every year for those mathematicians reading my blog.
2. If I grow out my beard, (which I used to do to form a goatee) you would notice that I have gray hair.
3. Jumping on the trampoline is not fun any more. It really hurts. It's like I can feel all of my internal organs sloshing around inside and they really don't like sloshing around.
4. My waist line has expanded to 34 inches. I am no longer size 32X32. Even my 34's are starting to feel tight.
5. My hair line is starting to resemble that of Bruce Willis.
6. I don't mind driving the speed limit on the Highway.
7. I listen to talk radio and actually understand the subjects they are talking about.
Signs that I am not 40 yet.
1. I still have good vision.
2. I still like speeding in town.
3. I still have a goofy streak that shows itself every time I do the "Quick Draw McGraw" skit.
4. I still get "carded" when filling up with gas at the local Chevron Station. "Are you old enough to be filling up with gas?" (I then flash my license at the attendant)
5. I have all of my teeth? Well, minus 2 and a half. BUT, I haven't replace them all, yet.
6. I still spin cookies in the church parking lot. Just ask my terrified kids.
I decided to just list some stuff that I thought were evidence that I was actually 40 since I still look like I'm 15.
Signs that I am 40 years old.
1. I found a hair on my shoulder that was about 40 inches long. That's an inch for every year for those mathematicians reading my blog.
2. If I grow out my beard, (which I used to do to form a goatee) you would notice that I have gray hair.
3. Jumping on the trampoline is not fun any more. It really hurts. It's like I can feel all of my internal organs sloshing around inside and they really don't like sloshing around.
4. My waist line has expanded to 34 inches. I am no longer size 32X32. Even my 34's are starting to feel tight.
5. My hair line is starting to resemble that of Bruce Willis.
6. I don't mind driving the speed limit on the Highway.
7. I listen to talk radio and actually understand the subjects they are talking about.
Signs that I am not 40 yet.
1. I still have good vision.
2. I still like speeding in town.
3. I still have a goofy streak that shows itself every time I do the "Quick Draw McGraw" skit.
4. I still get "carded" when filling up with gas at the local Chevron Station. "Are you old enough to be filling up with gas?" (I then flash my license at the attendant)
5. I have all of my teeth? Well, minus 2 and a half. BUT, I haven't replace them all, yet.
6. I still spin cookies in the church parking lot. Just ask my terrified kids.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Early Christmas Gifts
Deanna and I have already given each other our Christmas gifts this year. I know, I know, we need to wait and be excited for Christmas morning, but we could not wait a second longer. I took our van down to the local Les Schwab and we bought each other new tires. I bought Deanna the right front tire and she bought the left. How romantic.
It is a sign of true love and affection.
It is a sign of true love and affection.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Christmas lights
Finally--we got our Christmas lights up on the house.
It didn't take as long as I thought.
It didn't take as long as I thought.
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