What Are You Doing ?

Kids are great.

Sometimes.

I often see my children doing things and wonder this blog post title question aloud.  The answers I get from my kids are almost always amusing, while also often being remarkably poignant.

Here is a picture I took of Myra, who was using a toy mirror to "yook at mah teef an' see if dey are why my mouf huwts."

I did not see that the toy she was holding was a mirror, so it was odd to me that she was making such silly faces while staring intently at a toy.
When I asked her what she was doing, her reply was as I typed it above (I've tried to match the phonetic spelling as best I can to capture the way she said it ... keeping in mind that she was still making the faces in the mirror as she explained to me what she was doing).


This was one of those "sometimes" when kids are great.  If only for the entertainment value they provide with their creative view of the world.

Song Of the Day:
I agree with the late Whitney Houston when she sang that "the children are the future" and that we need to "teach them well and let them lead the way."  Of course these are lines from her song "Greatest Love Of All" and I think the love of a parent to their child certainly is the greatest love of all.

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What Do You Want To Learn About ?

These days our lives are so filled with things to do that we often feel like we just have no time at all for the pursuit of our own passions.  But I have found a way to keep myself from accepting that "well if I had time I would" excuse.

One of my passions is learning.  I love to learn.  I love that feeling that I still get when something confusing or unknown becomes clear or known.  There is gratification for me in gaining answers to my multitude of questions.  There is also satisfaction in not feeling like I am making things up when I am talking about a variety of subjects.

Several years ago I began keeping a running list of subjects I want to learn more about.  The list ranges all over ... from specific things (how does blowing out a sprinkler system work? and can I do it on my own with the right tools?) ... to general or very broad subjects (auto mechanics; how do engines work? why does my engine make that sound?)

I have recently begun copying this list over to my iPhone, so that I can have the subjects with me everywhere I go.  When I find myself waiting somewhere (an example would be between band performances yesterday evening), I can access the web and research / read about one of the subjects I have listed.  I will certainly become no expert through this process, but I have worked through several dozen questions and subjects in the last few years.

I also love being able to add things to the list and then not worry about them again until I have time to learn about them.  Even just putting the thought on the list makes me feel better because I know I will get to it eventually.

Song Of The Day:
When I think about learning I think about my earliest education: Kindergarten.  We learned numbers and letters and how to share, etc.  The 80's group ABC comes to mind and their tune "Be Near Me" is one of my favorites.  So the group's name is the only real tie in with the post.  But now you know ... See?  You learned something.  Wasn't that fun?!  :)

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How Do I Love Thee ?

Today I celebrate 15 wonderful years of marriage with my sweetheart, Karen!

Our lives have changed so much in the decade and a half that we've been together, most of which has been change for the better.  Our family has expanded (and expanded and expanded) ... perhaps blossomed would sound better because it's not like we're fatties or anything ... to include 7 awesome kiddos.  We have moved through three different homes, and one just the right size for the time basement apartment.  Our sports cars (my old Trans Am) have been swapped out for mini-vans (and one BIG van).

But the biggest change has been our "us" time.

Karen and I strive diligently to find time for "us" but this gets more and more challenging as the kids grow older and we have more responsibilities placed on us as individuals.  Today was an appropriate example of the sacrifice that naturally comes to "us" time as the years progress on.

One of our daughters had her school program rescheduled for today, so we spent part of our afternoon watching her sing songs and say her part for the play.
Our oldest son also had his final band performance of the year scheduled for this evening, so we enjoyed two hours of middle-school music as our evening appetizer.

And my awesome wife didn't complain about either unromantic activity.  She may have lamented the timing of these events, but she found a way to be happy about how our "us" time often includes children nowadays.

And that's just one of many ways that I love her more now than I did before.  Love definitely grows over time and I can see that happening in our relationship ... which is pretty cool.  As circumstances change you can find yourself with a different person than you think you started out with, but that's just another side of the same person that you get to love and appreciate.

Thanks for coming with me on this incredible journey Pretty Lady!  I love you so very much!  :)

Song(s) Of The Day:
No need for explanation on these songs for today.  Just a handful of them that I love and want to share because they remind me of my wonderful wife!

"Silly Love Songs" by Wings

"For You" by Michael W Smith

"Just When I Needed You" by The Nylons

"Then" by Brad Paisley

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What's A Peep S'more ?

I'm sure pretty much everyone knows what s'mores are.  If not, educate yourself (like Smalls had to do in the Sandlot) before reading the rest of this post.

Okay ... so a standard s'more has two pieces of graham cracker with chocolate bar mushed between one or two marshmallows (personal preferences include many variations on this basic theme).

Well ... Peep S'mores simply replace the plain marshmallow with a roasted Peep.  And they are delicious!

Our friends, the Summers' family, introduced us to these a while back ... and we have passed on the tasty tradition to several other families along the way.


It might look burnt, but
trust me, that is just the
sugar crystallized.  Tasty!

There is just something that happens when the sugary surface of the Peep crystallizes over the coals of the camp fire ... it's like a creme brulee sort of juxtaposition between the gooey soft marshmallow in the center and the nearly rock-hard Peep shell on the outside.  Then when you smash that between two graham crackers around some chocolate (that should melt fully and quickly if you've done it right) ... oh it's just soooo good!

And as a side note you should know that I hate marshmallows.  I don't eat them plain.  I don't like them in my hot chocolate.  I often avoid candies that include marshmallow.  But I like s'mores ... and I LOVE Peep S'mores!

Song Of The Day:
Okay ... stick with me on this because it's a stretch for the song today.  I am going with "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" by my cousin's a capella group Eclipse.  This is a beautifully spiritual song, so please don't think I am being sacrilegious by using it in this context.  But Peeps are often shaped like birds and you have to keep your eye on them very closely while toasting them or they will fall off into the fire and your s'more will just never be the same.  :)

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Are You Trying To Make Me Drop My Change ?

I understand that many people use a debit or credit card when purchasing their meals at fast food places nowadays, but there are many of us who still primarily deal in cash and coins.

I am one of those who prefers to have the bills or change in my pocket and use real money to pay for things.  This is especially true when I'm getting lunch from any number of restaurants with a drive-thru window.  But this presents the same problem every single time ...

Without fail, the employee who hands me back my change places any coins on top of any bills being returned to me.  Why?!  Why do they do this?!

I have learned to be prepared for this and twist my body sideways so I can catch my change with two hands ... but there have been at least a half dozen times in my life when the coins have just rolled off the bills and onto the ground in the dirty drive-thru lane.

And those coins are gone once that happens because I'm not digging through squished gum blobs and soil-covered fries or straw wrappers for 17 cents!

Song Of The Day:
I promise this is a true story although it will sound made up.  The song today is "Christine" by OMD and that was the name of the last drive-thru employee who actually handed me my change first and then placed the bills in my hand.  I remembered her name because I thought that would be a good blog post idea and a great excuse to use this awesome song from my favorite musical group!

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Can Someone Explain This To Me ?

Two recent arguments seem to be resurfacing with some regularity on Facebook posts and in commentary around the proverbial water cooler:
tighter gun control legislation and drug testing for welfare recipients.

Here's my issue in as brief a form as I can outline it:
 - How is it logical to want to increase legislation around the procurement of firearms, etc. ... but argue against increased legislation around the receiving of support from the government?

I actually have some friends whose comments suggest that they believe the government should restrict firearms, but loudly oppose the government having the right to test for drugs from welfare recipients.  This just does not seem logical at all to me and I am seriously asking someone smart to explain it to me.

Let me explain a little bit more by asking a few more questions.

These gun owners, are they getting these guns or clips or magazines for free?  Or are they paying for them with their own money?  (Or at least the same 'borrowed' money that we ALL use when we charge items on credit)

These welfare recipients, are they paying for this welfare support in some way that I am unaware of?  Just what is so unfair about testing for illegal drugs?

It just seems odd that a person wanting to spend their own money should be restricted in that desire ... but someone who is getting "free money" has the right to be offended by the giver of the free money, when that giver requires that the receiver prove their worthiness of the gift by demonstrating that they are not using the money for things like illegal drugs.

It reminds me of some of the poor, unfortunate homeless people that I met in Los Angeles during my 2-year missionary service.  I felt (and still feel) terribly for those poor people.  Often they are just victims of rough circumstances and honestly are just down on their luck.  The way I distinguished that was to confirm what they actually were asking for in terms of a handout.  If they asked for "money for food" I would offer to buy them bread and some peanut butter and jelly.  Or sometimes a burger and fries from a nearby restaurant.  About half would say "nevermind" and walk away, while the others would gladly accept my offer.  In a small sense, that is how I felt better about helping some folks and not feel guilty about not helping those who walked away.

I'd be very interested to talk to you if you can help me see things from a different perspective.  My tone might not sound "open" but I assure you that any dialogue on the subject would be a worthwhile endeavor.

Song Of The Day:
Please do not mistake the title of today's song as being my opinion on welfare ... it is NOT.  But it does tie in with the blog post subject, so ...
"Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits is the song of the day.  I think we all dream of living an easier life where money is no object, but the reality is that hard work most often precedes monetary gain.

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Are You Really That Unaware ?

Cell phone etiquette seems to be a big area of opportunity in the world today.

I refuse to believe that people are purposefully choosing to be that rude, but rather believe they must just not realize that what they are doing on or with their cell phones is completely inappropriate for their surroundings and circumstances.

Here are a few recent examples I have witnessed:
 - A woman answered her phone in the middle of an elementary school program ... and proceeded to have a not quiet at ALL conversation as the program proceeded on.  The conversation was about shoes ... I doubt it was "urgent" in any sense of the word.
 - A prospective employee received, responded to, and even chuckled out loud about text messages ... during the interview!  The laughter suggests that these were not "urgent" communications that required his immediate attention.
 - Another woman played back video she had just recorded for her grandson to watch during the next musical number being played by the band.  The grandson had been getting a drink of water and missed the recorded song.
 - A group of friends in a restaurant spent most of their mealtime together with their eyes focused on their own individual phones.  When the waiter stopped by to check in on the table he was ignored ... then a short while later one of the people at the table loudly complained that their waiter hadn't been by in like forever!
 - During a lesson at church, young men (teenagers) were playing games on their mobile devices instead of listening to the lesson ... and seemed bothered that the teacher kept asking them questions!

So consider this a gentle suggestion to think about your actions and reactions in public locations as related to your mobile devices.  If you don't catch this gentle hint, I am sure I will have your attention when I loudly and embarrasingly call you out for your inappropriate behavior the next time I see you make these mistakes.  :)

Song Of The Day:
The song "Coming Around Again" by Carly Simon is my odd choice for today's post.  The tie in may not be obvious for you, so let me explain my thought process.  In the lyrics of the song, the various characters described by the artist seem distracted or unaware of the way their actions or words are hurting those around them.  Don't be that guy or gal.  You're better than this!  :)

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