School

Thanks for the feminist responses. They were perfect for my assignment. Other good news is that I only have three assignments left this week, and then two tests next week, and I'm done. I've already registered for classes (starting Jan 8th). I'm going to be taking math and geography (of US and Canada), to finish all my requirements, and then music appreciation and art history to fill in the last two electives I need. Then I'll graduate from Chemeketa with my Associate's Degree. After that, I'm thinking of either BYU or BYU-I, with an undecided major as of now, but possibly animation or illustration.

Feminism

Mindy

I would say that feminism today suffers from a split personality. You have the old guard and their close descendants who run NARAL, Emily's List and like organizations. They're the militant ones who get in your face if you dare suggest that women aren't exactly equally in every way to men. These are the ones with a chip on their shoulder the size of the Rock of Gibralter (2.5 sq. miles, 1,397.6 ft. tall). Then, you have the more moderate section that still takes umbrage at the idea that women aren't equal to men in every way, but have decided to engage the rest of the world rather than just shouting at it from their ivory towers. A convert in our ward runs the Women's Outreach Program at my university and fits very nicely into this category. The third and final category is exemplified by my old boss, Carolyn. She's one of the best trial attorneys in Pennsylvania and has shown that she can beat virtually any guy in her field. She also recognizes that women are very different than men in many ways. Unequal does not mean subservient to her and she proves it.

As for feminism affecting me today, that's a big topic. We can go back to the 19th Amendment and women's voting rights and World War II and women in the workplace and lots of other changes. Can you be more specific?

Adam

Happy Tuesday Towel Day!!

Today is our first Tuesday Towel Day. We are now going to change our towels being used every Tuesday, because Tuesday is Towel Day. I hope that everyone will celebrate with us. I also hope that everyone is traveling safely. We have had some snow here and there have been several accidents on the news and I don't want to see anyone from my family in that situation. So, take your time.

Mindy, I do not have a response to your questions because when I think of feminism I think of girls with short hair, hairy legs and pits, and not wearing bras. I don't really think that is accurate, but unfortunately I think those thoughts when I hear the word feminism. I think that feminism is taking a direction of helping other oppressed groups such as minorities. Amanda has given me some insight on more about feminist goals, but I don't remember what they are. I really don't want to make you ladies mad, but growing up when I did in McMinnville that was the type of feminism that I saw.

Nathan

Feminism

As part of my final week of Women's Studies, I am supposed to ask three men a couple of questions. I am using a few other sources, but thought I could get some interesting responses from here as well. The sooner the reply the better.

How would you define feminism today? How has your life been impacted by feminism in the United States?

Thanks!

My Thanksgiving Break

Last week, Rebecca and I had a difficult time after one ride fell through, but fortunately we ended up finding a ride heading in the right direction. So we made up to D. C., finally. We spent all day Wednesday in the kitchen, and on Thursday, we had another visitor join us for dinner. I spent Friday working on a history paper that's due on Tuesday. Saturday, Rebecca and I took the Metro downtown, and we visited two Smithsonian museums -- Natural History (I love the geology exhibit) and the Air and Space Museum. American History is closed, but they have some displays up at Air and Space (such as the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, J.E.B. Stuart's Civil War gun, and the Nauvoo sunstone). Sunday we went to church. And this morning, we headed back and made it to B. V. without any difficulties.

Concerning Christmas traditions -- I like caroling, and I like having Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, and then opening up presents early on Christmas morning. I'll probably keep those traditions. I probably won't keep having everyone sleep around the tree on Christmas Eve, and I'll only number the presents if it's absolutely necessary.

the baby is online

If you go to our webpage and see the little image map with the yellow house and the two people waving you will notice that there is now a third little person. He is standing right between the bigger people. This will take you to a new page with ultrasound pictures. Now you will see why Amanda's stomach is doing somersaults. I was thinking of making it so you click on Amanda’s belly to get to this page, but that would be more difficult to find than clicking on this nearly impossible to see person. I hope that you enjoy the pictures. The last one on there is our favorite.

Nathan and Amanda

Christmas is Coming

Good morning everyone. We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving at Deb's. We taught them how to play "In the Manner of the Adverb" and laughed very hard, as usual. I made some pumpkin pie with Splenda, instead of sugar and you couldn't tell the difference. I also made a banana cream with sugar free pudding and some sugar free jello, so we got our sweets without the sugar.

Yesterday Dad and Clarissa and I braved the crowds at Wal-Mart and got a few things for Christmas. Clarissa got a job for Christmas but I'll let her tell you about that. Nathan and Amanda stayed here after Thanksgiving and worked on their Christmas project. Amanda commented how funny it is that no one seems to be asking for Christmas lists this year from all the family. It looks like everyone has some project that they're working on, or they haven't gotten around to asking yet. My projects are basically finished, so I reached my goal of getting them done before Thanksgiving. We set up our tree and got it decorated but we have the rest of the decorating to do and lots more shopping.

I would like to ask a Christmas question this year. What traditions, from your childhood, do you plan on keeping for your own families and what ones do you want to change? I remember one time when my Dad came to visit at Christmastime and he commented, "We always opened gifts on Christmas Eve." I told him, "Yes Dad, but WE open them on Christmas morning." I'm curious what your family traditions are or what you think they'll be.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love,
MOM

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Hey, I like your pictures Jared. We've recently discovered and enjoyed the updates. They're funny and cute. And awesome.

This morning I played in our ward turkey bowl while Laurel headed over to Gary and Karen's to help with the food. It was a small gathering this year. Theresa, Ray and the kids were there, but that was it. Jackie's really sick from the chemotherapy, but Jeff and Jackie are both optomistic.

The dinner was delicious. Stevie was the star of the neighborhood when Sadie and Maddie pushed him down the street in a stroller.

We took a nap at home and now Laurel's watching "Deal or No Deal" and reading to Stevie during the commercials. He's the sweetest guy. I'm going to try to get her to play a game with me, like Scrabble or something like that. We'll see how I do.

I'm Thankful Too

I hope you are all enjoying this Thanksgiving Day. We're heading off to Deb's in a little while. I made some pies yesterday and some Jello salad. Yes, I'm being good - using Splenda and sugar free Jello and Lite Cool Whip.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year, too: for Summer; for a wonderful trip to DC and two fantastic reunions; for legs that work and don't hurt all the time; for 37 years, so far, with a wonderful husband (thanks for the anniversary greetings); for the Gospel of Jesus Christ; for everything and for all of you. I could go on and on but I need to eat a bite of lunch and head over to Deb's to play games and such as we get ready for our feast.

I LOVE YOU!
Mom

P.S. I answered the question about autumn. It's on my page.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello all!! Happy Thanksgiving!! We definitely have a lot to be grateful for this year ...

- Summer and that everything went well with her birth (yes, it took a heck of a long time, but there were no complications at all).
- of all the things we've needed to acquire and cram our apartment with for Summer, we've gotten most of it for FREE, or used for a very low cost, or someone gave us the money for it. The only things we paid full price for (and we got them inexpensive) were the rocking chair and the crib mattress.
- that we were able to travel out to the Northwest for the family reunions and have our entire family be together for the first time in 6 years.
- all the big and little things that have added up financially since we both quit our jobs (Adam's $5000 bonus when he quit the Senate, all the little jobs that have come up for me in the past couple of months, etc.).
- the opportunities that have opened up for Adam at school since starting in August, particularly with the Federalist Society (for example, an invitation to attend a debate by Alito and Breyer from the Supreme Court in a couple of weeks).

We hope everyone has a great day, and we'll talk to you sometime this weekend!!

(And hooray!! It's the first day of Christmas!! That's also one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving.)

I'm in D. C.

Yes, I finally made it. Finally! We (meaning my roommate Rebecca and I) had a ride, but then one of her classes was canceled, so she ditched us. We couldn't leave as early as she wanted, because we had classes. But we did get a ride, and then we headed up the freeway at 4. We were slowed down because of a big accident along the way, but we got to the D. C. temple around 9:30.

Summer is adorable, and we are going to be in the kitchen all day. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And a belated happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. May you all enjoy lots of pumpkin pie, turkey, potatoes, and other great food.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! (or Grandma and Grandpa)

Love, Trina and Adam and Baby Summer

Happy Anniversary!

37 is one of those special prime numbers. Congratulations Mom and Dad. We love you very much and hope you have a nice day today.

Everything is fine here. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.

Love,
Eric
Laurel
Stevie

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MA AND PA!!!

It's that time of year again. Time to wish mom and dad a day full of joy and togetherness. I hope that you guys get to go out or do something worth your while today. Thirty-seven years of marriage bliss. Congratulations and keep the running total running. However you have had 34 years of having kids in your house. When is that going to end? Clarissa is getting ready to leave just in time for Eric to move back in with you. Well good job on being married for a long time. The ride's not over yet. See you this weekend for Thanksgiving.

Love,
Nathan

back from Utah

Well, Summer and I had a very nice visit with Tawnia and Mindy in Utah. We did a session in the Jordan River Temple (my friend Alisha babysat Summer) and got our hair cut (but not Summer - her's isn't long enough yet) and played games and watched movies and Summer and I visited them at the school a couple of times. We met all of Tawnia's class and they sang the Utah State Song for us, which, to be perfectly blunt, was more than a little scary. The "hooray for Utah, the Promised Land" promotion was rather extreme. It explains a lot into the Utah Mormon stereotype of the "Utah is the best and every other place in the world is the Mission Field" mentality, since this is what they're taught this they're children. Anyway, it was a great visit with Tawnia and Mindy. I wish we could visit more often and/or more easily.

And now we're back and getting ready for the holidays. I need to get cracking on all the family Christmas gifts. I'm making the same thing for every family and I'm still in the beginning stages of the project. I need to get at least the first one done by next week to send to Adam's brother Joe in Iraq. His wife told us that the box has to be out by Dec. 1 for him to get it in time. I'm very excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year because I do NOT have to deal with a work conference in the middle of the holidays. Yay!! I can BAKE this year!! I'm in charge of all things Christmas for the moment, because Adam got his schedule for his finals. His last one is on Fri. Dec. 15 in the afternoon, and we'll have our Christmas party that night. I want to do a cookie exchange with some friends, and maybe go Christmas caroling. I haven't ever gone caroling out here in DC.

I'm still working on my medical transcription studying, and I just started working part time for our bishop's wife. It's grocery shopping and cooking dinner a couple of days a week. Yes indeed, at long last, I am finally learning how to cook. And I'm not doing too bad at it either - just ask Adam. I also clean house for another lady in the ward every other week. So it's a little bit more money flowing through the system, which is good since Financial Aid is STILL yanking us around on student loans. I won't get into all that because I could go for DAYS, but I am seriously ready to grab someone by the throat over there. It's the week before FINALS of the first semester and they STILL don't have it figured out. We already know we're screwed for January because classes don't start until the 8th ... and that's IF we get the 2nd semester check on time ... because that could get dragged into February or March.

And now that I've worked myself into a ticked off mood ... I'm going to go study because SOMEBODY has to make some money around here because the &%^$#$& school sure isn't going to help.

Pure Chaos .com

No, I didn't buy another url for the movie page.  It's still in the same place.  But it's not quite finished yet!  I still need a few things from some people.

From the Caudle family, I need acting histories for each member of your family.  I also need a "backstory" for Invisible Girl - but the same deal as last time still applies, that is, if you want I can make something up for your approval.

From the Palmer family - the one in California - I need acting histories from Eric and Stevie, as well as backstories for Egbert and Super Runner (same deal I offered Trina above), Eric's thoughts as Producer of the movie, a "final script" (as in, what was actually said on film as opposed to what was written), and a copy of the movie itself.  I also need my crew list to be corrected and updated (the one on the "Under the Set" page).

From the Palmer family - the one in Salem OR - I need Amanda's acting history, and character stories on Skip and Havoc.

From the Palmer family - the one that is just Clarissa - I need your acting history, Kurai-dono's story, and a picture of the elusive Shadow Twins.

I've posted everything else I have!  Oh, and if you know of anyone else who has seen the movie (like Amanda's mom, or anyone from the WA reunion...) encourage them to tell us what they thought!  Uncle Gary is getting lonely on that page...

And the boys have it!!!

I see that most of you guessed the lastest addition to Insanity Inc would be a girl. However, most of you are wrong. The latest addition will in fact be a boy. The technician put his weight at 14 oz and estimated his length to be at 13 inches. I got to see his heart beating, his legs twitching, the umbilical cord pumping, and his brain. We got two funny pictures of him and a cute one. It is amazing what technology can do these days.

I have to go make my boy proud by doing my homework. thank you for all your prayers and cares. Keep it up 'cause we're only half way there.

Nathan

Well wishing

Hope you ultrasound is the picture of health. Maybe it will reveal a lot about the baby, like this picture.

Place your bets...

Alright, I hope that all your bets are in because this is your last chance to guess whether our creation is a boy or a girl. We won't be calling anyone until everyone guesses and posts it on the blog. Or we'll just call everyone anyways. Besides, our kid is probably a little embarrassed and will be covering him/herself up tomorrow when we go in for the ultrasound.

Nathan and Amanda

Trivial Pursuit from Tartarus

And what is Tartarus, you might ask? Besides one of the answers to the questions in the Quiz Bowl Tournament (which no one got), it is the lowest circle of the Greek underworld. I hope this will describe to you what it is like to participate in a Quiz Bowl tournament.

The questions are almost all impossibly difficult -- questions about physics, chemistry, paintings, literature, terrorist groups, Croatian history (no, we didn't get that one), ancient history, astronomy (I did get the one on Pluto's moon), current politics, and African geography, to name a few of the topics.

And we played ten separate rounds against ten teams from schools such as VMI, William and Mary, and Roanoke. Twenty questions per round, plus bonus questions for those teams who get the toss-up questions. So we had to try to answer hundreds of questions. This takes approximately all day -- I got here a little after 8:30 in the morning to set up and we finally finished around 5:00.

So, how did my team do? First of all, understand that SVU had two teams -- one made up of the veterans, the others of rookies -- it was our first tournament. I hope that I remember everything correctly, but if not -- it was a long day.

Our first game: we lost terribly. I don't even remember if I answered any questions. Our second game: lost again. Third game: closer than the other ones, but still a loss. That was where I got the question on Pluto's moon. And the Great Wall of China. And I got the bonus question on Uncle Tom's Cabin. Fourth game: we played the other SVU team, and I managed to answer the only toss-up our team got the entire game. (Berlin Wall.) But we lost terribly. Fifth game: I was so weary with listening to questions that I missed the question on Mt. St. Helens! I almost up and quit right then, I was so frustrated. This was not fun at all. Fortunately, it was time for lunch, and someone brought pizza. So we ate and we got ready to go at it again. I stuck around (but let me tell you it was a very close thing).

The next round was a loss. Seventh round: I believe that was William and Mary, one of the best teams here. (I think they came in second over all.) But we did score fairly well. Eighth round: I had to keep reminding the reader to hit the clear button. It was close, down to the final question, but we lost. Ninth round: no one was scoring very much, but I did get 30 points for knowing landmarks in the U.S. And we won! We actually one a round! Sure it was only by about 15 points, down to the last question, but we won! Tenth round: We drove the poor VMI players crazy by getting the bonus questions on military groups and helicopter crashes. But I did get a power (that means I hit the buzzer quickly and got five extra points) on the question about Yosemite (I know where Hetch-Hetchy is). And I got the question on Brigham Young.

Over all, our team tied for ninth out of the eleven teams that were playing. And of course, the other SVU team won.

Will I continue to play? We'll see. If this affects my grades (meaning if I get a B in performing arts or astronomy), I may have to quit. I also might ask them to mix the teams up a little more, put the rookies and the experienced players together. So I don't know.

And if I thought today was rough, what is the next week going to be like?

Hello, family

Well, this week is rather hectic. But today, class was rather easy. For one thing, I only had one class today -- German. And we spent the whole time singing. It was rather fun. In other news, I'll be playing in the Quiz Bowl tournament on Saturday. My first tournament.

And I'm about halfway done with my Am Civ paper. It's due on the fifteenth, which is the same day I have to turn in a report to my astronomy class and take an astronomy test. So I suggested to my roommate that we go out to eat next Wednesday. I think I'll need a break. And I still have a week after that to finish my performing arts paper, and thankfully my Civil War paper is now due after Thanksgiving break. But I still need to have it pretty well written before that. I am very much looking forward to Thanksgiving and seeing Trina and Adam and Summer.

If I survive that long, that is.

Hair Cuts

My hair is very short today. I wanted it to my shoulders and instead it is to my chin, but I'm dealing with it.

It is really nice to have Trina and Summer here. I have been leaving work and not worrying about it. Today is Summer's 6 month birthday! Hooray for Summer. I think we need to have some cake to celebrate. I was thinking of Carrot Cake, since carrots are Summer's favorite baby food so far.

Work is going well. I got my grades done and actually met with all but four of my students parents. One student I had an IEP with recently, so her mom isn't worried about it, one student is currently in Guatemala so I'll have to meet with them after Thanksgiving; one student is brand new; and then there's the one that I need to call her parents and set an appointment with. I did not have any bad experiences with my conferences. In fact I think they were really quite productive. I even got some tutoring jobs for Mindy out of them.

Today we're going to have our book reports and then make trace fossils. It should be fun.

-Tawnia

the original

Mom found me the very first sister picture, from 1986, so I added it to the sisters pictures page, even without my computer. I'm at the school, finishing up my homework for the week, and just about to head home, but I wanted to let everyone know that I added the picture, and hope you enjoy it.

support the troops

I meant to tell you this before - Adam's brother Joe was deployed to Iraq last week and is in Baghdad. He's gone for a year, so his wife (of 1 year) has moved back in with her parents. It would be really nice if you could remember him in your prayers occasionally. Thanks! Love you all!

An Autumn Day

Fall reminds me of school. We saw a school bus while driving home last night and it reminded me of the first time I rode a bus in kindergarten and how big it seemed. It was green inside. That was the Fall of 1979. That memory goes along with memories of moving to Oregon that summer. I think that's when we got those puppets, the alligator, the dog, the monkey... there was another one too. Anyway, a Fall day...

I don't know how much I really like Fall. Maybe it's because it reminds me of school. Fall mornings are exciting and a little frightening. There are things I love about school and learning, but also some things I don't like. Homework, for one thing. But I have fond memories of being at Ricks College in the Fall. The Fall of 1996. Tawnia was there too. The air on Fall mornings reminds me of substitute teaching in Long Beach. Getting up early and meeting a new classroom of students. It was a very adventurous job.

I think I idealize the Fall sometimes because it reminds me of sweater advertisments. It makes me want to wear tweed and go to Harvard and read poetry while the leaves fall outside the window. It makes me want to get an expensive haircut and contemplate profound things such as what to buy people for Christmas, and whether I should start getting in shape for football on Thanksgiving morning.

Now I live in a place where Fall is subtle. It cools down, but the Winter it leads to is very mild compared with other places I've been. It's nice though, to realize that though the nights are getting longer and colder, it's not going to freeze.

When I was in New York in October, I talked to Laurel on the phone while leaves fell outside my hotel window. The sun was setting and the falling leaves cast shadows on the curtains.

Last year I spent a Fall night in Oregon with Nathan and Amanda. We were woken up at 3 AM by a fire alarm, so Nathan and I walked around Salem in our PJ's and blankets for a few minutes. It was pretty cold out.

And that's the perfect Fall day. A combination of all that. The cool morning air, school, work, reading, talking, and being woken up by a fire alarm.