political opinions

Here's the catch to Tawnia's suggestion of keeping political opinions to ourselves - since MY JOB is in politics, I know about lots and lots of things that Congress and President Bush are doing that you don't know. I've stayed dead quiet, to the point that you all have no idea what I do. You don't care what I do and you don't want to hear about it. Fine.

But occasionally, something comes up that really ticks me off and I want to vent (something we're supposed to be able to do in a family situation, if I remember that correctly) and I don't expect people to agree with me or express their opinion at all. I just need to vent. I've done this once before. In today's instance, I told everyone to get their passports because new rules are that you need them to get back into the US from Canada or Mexico, it takes about 6 weeks to get a passport, and you need to act quickly to get it in time to go to Canada in August. This is not opinion. This is fact. There was a little bit of venting mixed in (which Eric responded to), but the main thing was - get your passport.

And now I'd like to vent about a couple of things because I'm a bit on the defensive. First of all, I would hope that you trust me enough and don't think that I'm so stupid that I can't distinguish between "political fad" and stuff that will actually affect you. True, there are plenty of "fads" but see - in Washington DC, those fads come with real live legislation attached to them. That legislation can, and frequently does, become law and then you're in a nice little fix because no one spoke up. In my job, I don't track issues, I track bills. Second, whether or not you're a Bush fan, what I know of our family leads me to conclude that we're all fairly conservative. That would include me and Adam. For the traditional conservatives of this country, all is not well in paradise. If you think it is, then you're either fooled or not paying attention. I will leave it at that, and if anyone wants more details, you can email me.

Siblings

Ah siblings---

Isn't it wonderful? With the technology of today, it makes no difference that we are miles apart on seperate ends of the country... we can still have an argument. =) I think it's rather funny. As per Eric's post awhile back... politics are one of those issues where we may not agree, so keeping our opinions to ourselves may be the best policy for this site. Though it is nice to have an opinion and it is good to be an informed voter. It might be best to state: I have an opinion on this topic, if you want to hear it come talk to me because I feel rather strongly about this. Then people can come to you and you can talk their ears off. Also it is nice for those of us who try to stay on the outside fringe of politics to know WHICH topics to be concerned with. Is it something that will honestly effect me, or is it just the latest fad topic of political debate? So, that said... I'm not trying to criticize anyone, just trying to defuse a situation before it gets any bigger.

Anyway, Adam it was great to see you posting... and two times in a row! WOW! (I think I've only done that over on the BBC.) I'm glad to hear that Trina can cook... this was a source of concern for her back when we were growing up... well, I just remember her always saying that she "couldn't cook." (Maybe it was just an excuse to get out of having to cook for 10 people... I don't blame her if that's what it was!) Anyway, Trina did you use Mom's strawberry freezer jam recipe? Mom-is that recipe on the site, if not it should be! That's the bestest jam ever and I would LOVE to make some for myself sometime. The problem at the moment would be having a place to put it once it's made. (One freezer for five people doesn't leave a lot of space for storing food.)

It is actually a beautiful day here today, though I hear it's going to be rainy for the weekend... again. I guess it's good that I'm enjoying it today. I've been busy at work, which makes me feel useful, and being useful makes me feel happy. Also, I am full of ideas for this next school year, so I'm very excited about that.

Speaking of next school year, I have a request, one I've already given on the BBC Blog, but would like to extend to all of you, because the more resources I can get the better.... here's the deal. I'm looking forward to a summer of writing lesson plans and preparing, preparing, preparing, for next year. So... here are some questions for everyone, you can help me in getting prepared for next year. First of all what is your favorite memory of elementary school? What can you remember about fourth grade? What was your favorite book growing up? What was your favorite song?

One thing I'm planning to do in my class is have an author of the week. We'll learn a little about that author and maybe even read a section of one or two of his/her books. Any suggestions for authors would be appreciated.

I'm all about getting ideas from people for next year, so feel free to bombard me with: your favorite book report, information about whatever you like in history or science (good websites would be nice) I know that in history I'll cover: Utah history, Medieval times, Africa, China, Japan, Geography, The American Revolution, U.S. Government ... and more. In Science we'll cover: the water cycle, weather, rocks and soil, fossils, Utah's enviroments, Body Systems (circulatory, respiratory), and more.

Mindy has already offered me Jason's services on learning about Japan. And Trina has offered to help me prep for U.S. Government, and The American Revolution.... but that doesn't mean you can't contribute to their information as well.

So hopefully that's enough conversation starters (and finishers) for everyone....

Love,
Tawnia

cooking

On a second and record-breaking note, I thought that I might mention that Trina makes fantastic jam. She made about two quarts of fresh strawberry jam the other night. I made some awesome bread to go along with it. It's also great with honey. I need to post some of these recipes online. Does anyone have an easy (and good) recipe for making noodles?

Adam

continuance of Trina

First, Hi and I am still alive, although I don't post often (this being twice in a year).

Second, I just wanted to add on a bit more to what my sweet and adorable and wonderful and amazing and fantastic and incredible and fantamagorical (are you getting sick yet?) wife said about politics. If you ever want a detailed explanation, give us a call and we'll be more than happy to tell you of the evils of George W. Bush & Co. But for the moment, we can't stress how important it is to call/write your congressperson and senator & tell them what you think about some of these issues (like social security, immigration, etc.) You don't have to be long-winded or rude, but at least do something about it. I'd recommend doing some research on (or just talking to Trina or myself) about Social Security, immigration, Legal stuff, etc.

Third, I have an attention span of about 45 minutes, I think, b/c I've been at work for 2.5 hrs & I started getting fidgety within the first hour. Then, again, it may just be that my work is incredibly BORING!

Have a great day.

Adam

passport notice

I don't know for sure what the plans are at this point, but there is talk of a number of us going to Canada to visit Mindy in August. Whoever is even thinking about it, GET YOUR PASSPORT. They recently began requiring passports to get across the US/Canadian border - the US will let you out, but they will not let you back IN unless you have a US passport. Your driver's license no longer works to go across the border into Canada or Mexico.

It is also a smart idea for everyone to get or renew a passport soon because Congress is completely screwing with driver's license and other ID requirements. The Republican Party is now the Paranoia Party and they've gone WAY overboard. It's the "slippery slope" to a police state and there are no brakes on this at the moment. (Vote Democrat in 2006. No, really. I'm serious.)

It takes a month or two to get a passport processed (even on a good day), so I recommend you get that taken care of by the end of this month in preparation for August.

Busy

Well, you'd think that now that I don' t have any homework, I'd suddenly have more time... but that hasn't been the case. I have been a lot more social lately, though after the CES fireside last night I may have to cut back to just "hanging out" with the girls I'm friends with. =) It was a great fireside where Elder Oaks encouraged the young men to date instead of just hanging out and told the girls to not just hang around waiting to get asked out, but to get an education and continue on with life. I feel that I've got that one pretty much covered.

This last week I was in a "Paraeducator" Conference on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. So I didn't get much of a weekend. I did learn a lot though... now I just have to process all that information and put it to work.

The weather here has been crazy for Utah. I've never seen this much rain here. I feel like I'm back in Oregon. The nice part is that it has made it BEAUTIFUL here. It's actually green and with all the flowers blooming I just love it.

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching. Which means that I have tons left to do and a deadline upon me. I am the person that does all the reading assessments for the fourth grade. So that's keeping me very busy at work.

I was hoping to see on here that Jared had gotten a job, but I guess I'll just have to keep on praying. Emily--- what are you getting me for my birthday?? Trina - with your title I thought maybe Eric and Laurel had found out the gender of StephenAllison.... but then I realized it was you that was posting, and not them.

Anyway, to answer Mom's question. I remember that Mom tried all sorts of different incentive programs to get us to do chores, she even made charts so that we would switch chores each week... but none of those lasted for long. Really the times I can remember the house actually getting cleaned was when Mom and Dad would leave to go somewhere on a Saturday morning, then someone would gather everyone into one room. We'd write out some chores on slips of paper, put them in a hat, and then each draw one out.... and then we'd all get the house cleaned before Mom and Dad got home. I remember that happening on quite a few occasions. My least favorite chores are dishes and ironing. I don't mind vacuuming or doing laundry.... and cooking is okay if you're cooking for someone other than just yourself.

Have a fabulous day y'all.
-T

Updates

We finally got our answers posted to our pages. Check out both Dad's and my pages for the latest answers.

Love ya,
MOM

Thank you Emily

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Emily for her kindness and generosity. She decided not to wait until my birthday to give me a present. Yesterday we went to Costco and looked at digital cameras. I thought Dad was buying one and wanted my input. I had narrowed it down to two and she bought the more expensive of them for my birthday. I told her it can also count for Mother's Day and Father's Day and whatever other days she wants it to. It cost $380 and is wonderful Look for lots more pictures in the near future. Jared how do you post pictures on the blog now? I haven't been able to figure it out. Maybe I'll make a new page for my photos. We'll see.


Love,
Mom

Jared, I am sorry that you had a bad day

Jared, I am sorry that you had a bad day. I hope that you find a job soon. I hope that Brooke doesn't fall out of any windows anymore. Be strong and push Bryan in a swing. Oh, and Amanda and I want a picture of Brooke. A 5x7 and two wallets. Thank you. good luck with everything.

Nathan A. Palmer (incase you forgot my last name)

Chores

Hello, family.

Which chores did I do somewhat willingly? Let's see. This isn't easy. Were there any I liked? Setting the table was okay, and wiping off the counters was better than washing dishes. Sorting laundry was fine, but usually someone would get someone else's clothes. The best way to get the clothes sorted, I might add, is not to hide them in the back bedroom but to dump them on the couch. We also usually watched TV while sorting clothes. I hate vacuuming and ironing, and I only occasionally make my bed. My room has what might be considered organized clutter. I remember when we were kids, we would bulldozer all our toys and clothes and books into one huge pile and start putting them away. Of course, this took three times longer than it should, because we would read the books, play with the toys, and we'd dump the clothes into the hamper (only to be scolded because we were washing the clean laundry we had not put away the week before). Sometimes we would pretend that a flood was coming (I distinctly remember that it was often a flood of chocolate syrup that would creep down the hill and across the yard.) We had to pick up everything before the flood reached our house or everything would be ruined. These days, I cook dinner twice a week and I'm often the one who washes the dishes. Or Dad does them. But right now our kitchen sink is broken.

And in the life of Emily -- I got a B on my math test even though the batteries in my graphing calculator died, I have history and geology midterms -- not that I'm worried since I aced the history midterm last semester, and I expect to do as well on this one, and the geology midterm is take-home, open-note, open-sibling. (I put more details on the BBC Blog for those who read that.)

For my writing class, I wrote a descriptive essay on everything on my dresser, including half a dozen penguins and a picture of Brooke and Bryan (by the way, Jared, a wallet size will be fine) and my quarter collection. I mentioned that I was missing Pennsylvania, so when I got the essay back, there was a Pennsylvania state quarter taped to it -- a gift from my teacher. And I got an A on the essay.

That's all for now.
Emily

picture

This picture is now available in portrait format. Tell me what sizes you want and we'll mail them out to you.

It's a boy!

Our friends Sarah and Taylor were expecting a girl and were surprised with a boy on Tuesday. The doctors said the umbilical cord was in the way during the ultrasound so they couldn't tell ... I don't think that was ALL cord. (HA!) When I got the group gift for the baby shower, we went with light blue for the baby carrier, and Adam and I got them a really nice diaper bag ... which is also light blue. Good thing! We visited them at the hospital last night and I held Baby Ethan the whole time we were there. He's very cute.

Happy birthday, Manda - I'm planning to call on Sunday to say Hi.

Mom's question - I don't know how revealing asking us about the chores is, Mom. I mean, which ones did we do semi-willingly, and which ones did we avoid like the plague. Question answered. And in our house, I understood it that everyone was responsible for everything. We took turns, but there was no such thing as "the boys do this and the girls do that." Now that I look back, chores weren't bad. We weren't asked to do a whole lot, really. If there was one thing I really disliked, it was washing dishes by hand - the big pots and pans that didn't fit in the dishwasher. Now I have to wash EVERYTHING by hand, and it must be done immediately or we get bugs in the kitchen. This is my first apartment ever with no dishwasher. The dream house I have built in my head does have wonderful things like a kitchen bay window for a little herb garden and a big library. I will settle for a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and a driveway.

In other news ... Adam has gotten all the clearances to graduate in December, so full speed ahead on that. We just signed another 12-month lease for our current apartment, so we'll be there for at least 2 full years now. And we're getting our plans for our Florida excursion more solid. Looks like we'll leave on Monday the 16th and be back Tuesday the 24th, with 2 days at Disney World compliments of Adam's friend Jill who works there. I'm more excited for that than I am about Clara's wedding. (Shame on me. But I so need a brain break, it's not even funny.)

ME TOO!!!!!

I was going to call Amanda this morning but I don't have her cell number in my phone. I guess I need to take care of that. I did think about you, though, Amanda. We're very glad that you're part of our family. So....HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!! from Mom and Dad.

I also think we need a new question to get this page perking again. Sorry it's taken me so long. Here's the next question: What household chores were you responsible for and which did you enjoy most or least? This may be revealing to me as I hear from my kids. Dad and I will soon have our answers to the driving question ready to post to our pages. We'll let you know when we get them on there.

Love ya,
MOM

Happy Birthday Amanda!

I'd just like to be the first to electronically wish Amanda a happy birthday.

I'm glad you're in our family, and not in some other family.

Susan at my office is having a birthday today too, and my face is a bit tired from blowing up all those balloons. But just so you know, some of the time I was blowing up the balloons, I was thinking about how it's your birthday.

Yeah. That's the kind of guy I am.

Happy Birthday

From: Eric

I had a bad day.

Friday morning was Brooke's field day. (No, that wasn't the bad part.) I was working days this week for a special training class, so Michelle took Bryan to watch. Bryan did not want to watch, and spent the morning wreaking his own brand of havoc. The amazing part is that that was also not the bad part. I got laid off. Tax season is over, so call volume has dropped, so the temps were the first to go. In the beginning it was a "temp to hire", but they just never got around to the "hire" part. About an hour after I got home, Brooke fell out of a window and got a concussion. She fell about a foot and a half, and landed on the concrete patio. Michelle took her to the emergency room while I cleaned up and got Bryan ready for bed. She got a cat scan and everything's fine, but it was a scare. We're hopeful that I'll be able to get back to work quickly, because one of Fidelity's vice presidents is in our ward (Fidelity is one of Ameritrade's top competitors). I've also got a couple of other prospective leads, and of course still have full access to DeVry's career services. Of course any support and prayers you can offer will be most welcome.

Eric & Laurel Update

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I'll have pictures from the funeral up soon.

That was actually a very nice day, I will say. The funeral was very comforting, but even more comforting was all the family around. Seeing everyone there was really fantastic.

I'm really busy with school. I know I've been saying that for the last year and a half, but it's so true. Only six weeks to go. I'm just a little panicked and more than a little stressed. But I'll get it done, don't worry.

This week, Laurel is at Rachel's, taking care of Chris, Beka, and Lance (and Curly, the dog) while Loren and Rachel are visiting Washington D.C. with Loren's parents (who went down from New York). So I'm home alone this week, which is good because I can get homework done. I have gone over a few times though, and Laurel's bringing the kids over this afternoon. They'll be back Sunday afternoon, so next week I'll have Laurel back. That will be nice.

Oh, and the Toyota's in the shop. That's fun. Hopefully I'll get a call soon saying that it's all done.

And tonight I'm donating blood.

That's all for now.

Doctors, doctors, and more doctors

I just wanted to let everyone know about Brooke. We are currently (hopefully) clearing up another bladder infection. This one makes 5 since Thanksgiving. The antibiotic she is taking now is for resistant bacteria. Here's hoping, but nothing has worked yet. She will finally see the urologist on Tuesday morning. I badly want this to stop. It's painful, uncomfortable, and causes incontinence (which she finds embarressing.)

On the bright side, tomorrow is field day and I think I will go. Jared can't go, because he'll be working. I really should go-Michelle

Mindy and Jason

Jason and I are doing okay. He's been dealing with a sinus infection for the past month, and I just got sick the other day. Blah. But we got a new vaccuum yesterday, which will get lots of dust out of the carpets, and we can set it up so it can get a lot of dust out of the air too. Hopefully that will help a lot.

Barry is moved out, mostly, and Mike and Barrett moved in. They have much less stuff, so this is VERY good. Mike was only going to stay for a little while, but things didn't work out with the job he had, so he might stay for a while longer. Barrett was also only going to stay a month or two, but with the Japan trip coming up in June (he's the reason Jason gets to go), then I'm guessing that he'll stick around at least until then. We wouldn't want to be moving and saving up money at the same time. And I don't mind. We've been having fun rearranging the basement anyway (we both like change).

My paperwork is at least in processing, and now it's just a matter of waiting for things to happen. I've done everything I can do, so I wait some more. I sent off the papers for a work permit, and should hear back from them next month. And then, at least, I can start working and have something to do and help with money. Now that the end is in view, I'm really going to miss having all this time to myself! Ah well. It's time for a change!

Dad taught me to drive .. first in the Stake Center parking lot, and the second time was a drive home from Dayton. He let me drive home from the Stake Center after that, but along all the back roads through Yamhill and Carlton and stuff. I later drove with Mom a lot (to and from work) .. and then I got my license the day before my 20th birthday. It was perfect timing! Aside from being able to drive myself to and from work while Mom and Dad were on vacation, I was able to go to the movies with Emily on my birthday (Pirates, yippee!). I had to drive Clarissa to her mutual activites up in Yamhill, and then over to Newberg and I can't remember the other little place .. 15 minutes past, along the one side road (??) .. for my cleaning job (I cleaned out the banks, hee hee). And when Tawnia was talking to Bethany for endless hours after church, I got to drive her car home, and Bethany would drive Tawnia home. I liked having my license, and I equate driving with beautiful bright sunny days, and warmth and freedom. I had to drive in the rain once, at night, and I hated it. Blah. And I haven't driven since I've been married, since we don't really have a working car, and it's a stick-shift anyway. I'm not going to look forward to driving in the snow and ice, but that will happen eventually, I'm sure. I'll try and get Jason to post about his driving stories, because I'm sure he'd have lots. I think he learned how to drive on ice on the frozen pond on the farm ... I don't remember though.

har har

Very funny, Nathan. I do remember that you got married in June, and that Adam's birthday is in June. I remember that I got married in June too ... because I was actually THERE for those things. I was not around for the birth of Jennie's baby, nor have I heard mention of him since then. So how was I supposed to know? IF Mom mentioned it at all that week ... which she may not have because she was rather busy herself.

More beautiful weather. For our FHE on Monday, we walked all around the Georgetown campus to see the miles of tulips and other flowers in full bloom. It's been really tough to be in an office this week, looking out the window at the blue sky and the leaves coming out on the trees. I'm taking Friday off, so this weekend will be a good one. And on that note ... I'm going to go outside for a break.

Phone

I thought I had mentioned this in my last post, but then looked at it and realized I hadn't. Anyway, my Utah phone number is no longer in service.... so you'll just have to call me on my cell phone... which I think is what most of you do anyway, so it's really nothing new. Oh, but I am going to try and get my cell number to be a Utah number. So be on the lookout for a new cell phone number from me.

Just warning you.
-T

It's that time again

Well the Skippy and His Beautiful Wife part of the page has been updated.
Trina-- I read you're comment to the comment about your own entry. You made mention about not remembering anything that happend in June. I just wanted to remind you that Amanda and I got married in June, exactly one week after you did. Also, Adam's birthday is in June... on the 25th.

Love or something
Nathan Palmer

who?

Between Emily's post on the other blog (which I'm glad I read first), and Mom's and Tawnia's posts, I think I have a general idea of what happened in California last week. That was definitely some random reading, and Mom and Dad didn't tell me ANYTHING when they called on Sunday. Mom, are you posting Uncle Bruce's eulogy or emailing it? (I suggest that you post it and email the link to all the extended family - then they can see our crazy site too) Whichever it is, please put the whole program with it of who did what. And pictures too, because I'm sure Dad took some.

I'm really sad that we couldn't be there, but I'm glad there was so much support for Cheryl and all of her family. We're doing fabulous at staying on contact with each other, but I feel like I need to get in better contact with extended family. Mom, can you email out a PHONE list? It's rather bothersome that everyone says "Call Aunt Cheryl" or Uncle Max or whoever, and never emails out any phone numbers. And now I'm homesick for California too. *sigh* Thanks a lot.

And who the heck is Baby Ben? Who just had a baby?

What a week

Greetings everyone,

I feel like I've been on a roller coaster for the last month or so with the most ups and downs in the last 10 days. I'm so glad I got to go down and visit Cheryl and Bruce during spring break. We had a good time and Bruce was even up to playing games a couple of times. We had a great time visiting and making plans for a trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad. Bruce wanted Dad and I to go there with him and Cheryl and Ellen and Bob, Bruce's sister and husband. Someday we'll have to take Cheryl on that trip, just for Bruce.

When I first got the call that Bruce was gone I figured I would fly down for the funeral. Then I got to thinking about it and decided that I needed Daddy with me and they didn't need to chauffeur me around. I'm so glad that we drove down and that Clarissa and Emily were able to go with us.

The music for the funeral was beautiful. Speedy arranged "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" as a violin duet for him and Sid to play. Ben, Jen's husband, read the eulogy, which he and Cheryl and I finished putting together at 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. It included a letter from Karen, who is in Iraq. I'll be sending a copy to each of you as soon as I get it from Cheryl. It is very sweet and between that and Tawnia's song I had a difficult time giving the closing prayer.

Rather than getting cut flowers for the funeral we decided to buy Cheryl some plants she could put in her yard. She told me about this tree she really wanted so Jean and I went and took pictures of it, then took them to a nursery so we could get her tree. We didn't get it because we couldn't figure out how to transport it and I wasn't very impressed with the nurseryman. It's a good thing because it was the wrong tree. Sarah thought she knew the one her mom wanted but she didn't. We ended up finally figuring out what kind of tree it was and giving Cheryl the money so she can get it herself. We got her lots of other plants and Marli helped us make them beautiful, by wrapping the pots in florist paper and arranging them at the front of the church. I hope as Cheryl plants them around her home she will think of how much we love her.

Of course, before the funeral we had Tim's wedding so we saw family up in Washington and had a fun day up there. Everyone is getting excited about next summer's reunion. It will be at Sid's place. I'm not certain how long it will last, but be prepared for a wonderful time. Please take your input as to dates, activities or anything else about the reunion, directly to Max or Chet or both. They are the ones in charge. You should have their email addresses from the family ones I sent to all of you.

Now maybe my life will settle down a little and I can get busy with my webpage as well as other things around here.

Love ya,
MOM

The Adventures of Tawn-de-juan

So I realize I haven't posted in a couple weeks, but life has been pretty crazy.

A week and a half ago, Weds, April 6th... I was sitting in my car talking to Mom on the phone. She was annoyed that I still hadn't been contacted for a job interview at The Ranches. Unbeknownst to her, I was awaiting an interview with a different school. I guess the interview went well, because I was offered a position within 13 hours of leaving the interview. I accepted the job on the following Saturday. I will be teaching fourth grade at a new charter school in Springville, UT. I'm excited, scared, nervous, overwhelmed... and extremely happy. It will be an adventure, that's for sure. The adventure starts on this Wednesday when I go to an open house and meet the parents and kids.

On that Friday I took my final in Anatomy. I was finally able to learn my grade while I was in Cali. I got a B+ on the final and that was what my final grade came out as, as well. I was pretty pleased, since this was a very difficult class.

Then I took a week off of work and went to California. I think Emily summed up that adventure on the BBC blog.... so I will just say that it was awesome singing and being accompanied by Uncle Speedy and Sid. (They both played violin.) It was wonderful to see family. It made me very excited for the next family reunion. And seeing Grandma was great. I can't remember the last time I saw her. Oh, and the ocean was wonderful, and I liked the Chinese and the steak, and the mexican food that I was fed at different times along the way. I also liked feeding Skeeter out of my hand. And I loved holding baby Ben while he slept. And I had two wonderful hosts (Thanks Eric and Laurel!)

I would write more, but the space bar on this keyboard doesn't work very well and it's starting to get on my nerves.
Love- Tawn-de-juan

debt free

As of 1:54 Eastern time, Dad is $500 richer and I no longer owe Dad ANY money at all! HOORAY! I probably owe Mom and Dad an Alaskan cruise for all the interest that I did NOT pay over the last 13 years since the Bank of Dad opened for business. But a present even remotely like that (not an Alaskan cruise. Sorry.) will have to wait until next year in the brief time when Adam is out of school and we're both working. And if not then, then another 5 or 10 years when he's done with grad school and in the permanent work force.

The car is currently scheduled for pay-off on March 1 next year, but we're going to try to finish that early with extra student aid money. And then the only debt we'll have AT ALL are the student loans. No credit cards payments, no car payment, no owing money to Dad - nothin'. Just school. La la la!

Driving Story

I remember when I first got my permit, and Dad took me and Nathan driving around the parking lot at the church. A police officer happened to be there, and she asked if I was old enough to be driving. Of course, she did not think that my younger brother wasn't old enough. Go figure.

Emily

another one bites the dust

Another NCSL conference has concluded, much to my relief. It was a good conference - I had a lot of really good conversations with some of the state legislators. My complaint is that the last 2 weeks before a conference, of all the last minute prep work, are so tiring that I'm half-dead by the time the conference STARTS. And ya know, all the "last minute" stuff does NOT have to be last minute. It's only that way because I can't for the life of me get my bosses on the ball any sooner. It's also why - Mom, make a note for next summer's reunion - they go hysterical (not much of an exaggeration) if I suggest taking any time off within the last month or so prior to the conference. Early July - like the weekend of the 4th (what's wrong with an Independence Day reunion?) would be MUCH MUCH better for me.

Anyway, I can actually be human again for a while and work normal hours. The warm weather is here to stay - it was in the 60s last week and jumped up to 72 yesterday. Time to go outside! Last spring/summer, we didn't take advantage of much in the area during the summer. We plan to change that this year. There's so much free stuff that there's not much of an excuse to miss it. Adam has 2 weeks left of class. The dean still hasn't signed off on his early graduation - we don't know what the deal is because his profs all cleared him. The deadline for summer is next week, and if he can't graduate early, there's no point in taking summer classes. So if he doesn't get an email from her today, he's going to go to her office to talk to her.

Nathan, congrats on your play. Jared, great pictures of Brooke!

My car story, since I haven't posted it yet: well, the first time I drove was with Sam. He made me drive home from the church building. Sam was also the first person to take me onto the freeway. (I'm noticing a trend here in "who taught the Palmer kids to drive.") My biggest driving story was when I got my Dodge - my first stick shift - when I was 24. Ryan Hall taught me how to drive it in the Wal-mart parking lot in Mac around midnight one night, and the next day I drove to school in Salem. Fun stuff. A month later, I had everything figured out except how to get moving while pointed up a hill. I drove to California for spring break with Sarah and Marianne Swafford, and Windy Webb, and we got lost in San Francisco. We finally found Hwy 101 weaving its way through the city - that was what we wanted. I turned a corner and was pointed straight up one of the steep hills, with a stoplight at every intersection. We hit them all RED. By the time we got to the top, it had been about 17 lights and I'd pretty much figured out how to get going in 1st gear on a hill. Good times. I wrote a column about it at Western and it got a pretty good reaction.

new calender

The May calender includes a new picture of Brooke!

Well tonight is closing night of my fifth Gallery Theatre production. This one has gone by pretty quick because it was only three weekends instead of four. But we only had one less performance because we had two Thursday shows. It also went quick because curtain call was only optional for me, I chose to leave. I was dead before intermission, and I did not want to wait around for the show to be over and the director gave me permission to take off. So I did.
In other news, I have applied for Pacific University and will hopefully know soon if I am accepted or not. Hopefully Amanda gets hired there and I get accepted there so that we can move there and all will be well. But that is not always the way that things go.
Well, I am going to go do some yoga for abs now.
bye...
Nathan Palmer (in case you forgot my last name)

Car Stories

That story was actually mine Jared. After Scouts one night I asked JoAnne if I could drive home. She asked if I had my permit and I said "Yes!". So she let me drive. I failed to mention that I had never driven before. Ever. So my first time driving was in JoAnne's ancient Volkswagon (with no dash lights and weak headlights), along a dark country road, in a car full of innocent bystanders. Later it was reported that I had "lied" to JoAnne, but I do not recall ever saying that I had driven before. I just withheld information about the extent of my driving experience. It was a failure to disclose potentially damaging information, not a misstatement of fact. At least, to the best of my recollection.

And I also remember Sam telling me to not drive angry. This was before scientific research demonstrated the benefits of road rage, of course.

And then there was driving with Dad. I think we all have stories about that. I'll just say that he passed on to his oldest son his gift for backseat driving and especially for pointing out infractions of our state and local speed laws.

I learned to drive a stick in Idaho after Jared and Mom drove my '81 Honda out to Rexburg. When Laurel met me she couldn't figure out why I was such a bad driver, until she realized that I had just learned to drive my car a month or so earlier. Later, she came up with other reasons for why I'm such a bad driver, but that is a story for another day.

Adam's school update

Well, this part isn't so much school, but an internship for the summer: we're pretty sure he'll be with the Senate Judiciary committee. Lots and lots of action for when the Supreme Court Justices finally officially announce their retirement. See, the guy who is the top staff person for the Republicans in that committee (title: Chief Counsel) is in our ward, and Adam talked to him about getting him in the door. Yesterday at church, Mike said that he'll make arrangements for Adam during the summer. It's unpaid, unless they get extra funding for the Supreme Court stuff, and even then no promises. But still. The experience of working with Senate confirmations of possibly 3 Supreme Court Justices is invaluable.

So Adam's summer is shaping up to be like this: on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, he'll be on campus for 3 classes and continuing to work part time on the computer project. On Wednesday/Friday, he'll be downtown at the Senate. It's not all in concrete yet, but that's what we're looking at right now.

Adam's plans are where all the excitement are right now. I'm doing the same ol' junk for conference prep. Registration and confirmation paperwork for speakers, putting together "issue binders" for 4 of the committees (Susan doesn't bother with them, for which I'm grateful because they're a complete pain in the butt), and other random things. The weather here has been GORGEOUS for the last week. Sunny, blue sky, cool and breezy in the morning but still warm enough to go without a jacket, warm in the afternoon with no humidity ... We braved the crowds yesterday after church and went down to the Jefferson Memorial to see the cherry blossoms. They were at peak the last 4 or 5 days. It's tough to be inside today.

GOOD NEWS!

I finally recieved a letter in the mail today, saying that my immigration application is in processing. Jason has been approved to be my sponsor, and I "meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent resident status." I haven't been officially approved yet, instead I have to send a set of fingerprints to the FBI. Apparently the Oregon State Police saying that I don't have a crimal record isn't enough. Blah, but I'll do what I have to do. I've also gotten to go ahead to apply for a work permit! This is good! It'll take a month or two to get it and start working, but I think this will be faster than waiting for my residency to come through. So this means I can get a job, and work, and earn money .. but I still don't know when I can leave the country. Soon, hopefully.

Driving Miss Daisy

Um... I think that JoAnne story was mine, but it might have been Eric. I'm not sure. I do know that Dad would never let us drive over 40 mph no matter what before we actually got the license, and Sam was the one that taught me that it's actually safer to drive the speed limit.

But the real exciting story is when I was on my mission, and had to learn to drive a stick. I'd learned the basics, but never had much practice. One of the office elders rode around Leipzig with me to see how I did, and said, "He'll do fine as long as he doesn't get himself killed in the first week." Then they let me drive my new companion - the new zone leader - back to Halle, about an hour away. Unfortunately, we missed a turn and ended up going almost all the way to Jena, two hours the wrong direction. So I got lots of practice that one night. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, I had a stop sign at the top of a hill, so Elder Patrick talked me through how to use the e-brake to keep from rolling backward. I mastered that on the first try. We survived the first week (and the two months) and so I got to drive for another three months when I got to Zwickau later on.

A new question

Since several of you have posted your comments on the conference question I figured I'd ask a new one. I'm glad that you enjoyed Dad's comments so much and that those adventures triggered your memories.

Dad says he has some great stories for the new question, which is: How, when and where did you learn to drive? Let's hear all the crazy stories, (like telling JoAnne you had your permit, but not telling her you'd never driven home from church, or anywhere else over 25 mph.)

By the way, Mindy, I enjoyed the pictures of your pigs. You have quite a collection, there. Some of them are very unique.

Love ya,
MOM

The Word from Eric

Hi!

My favorite talk in conference was President Packer's on Saturday morning, about the Book of Mormon. I really felt the Spirit as he spoke, and it really reminded me of what a great influence the Book of Mormon has had in my life, and how much more of an influence it could have if I studied it more diligently.

To answer Trina's question: Trina, you're right on the spelling of Allison.

And of course Stephen, not Steven, but you knew that.

I think it's funny that you "need to know these things" but I'm happy to oblige.

I would like to add my praise for Dad's motorcycle page. It's great to have definitive versions of these stories I've heard and in some cases passed on, if not to my children.

On a similar topic, one thing I'd like to do in the next few years is put together a set of FFF DVD's, with a director's commentary track. We can also chime in on the movies we participated in. I need to work out the technical logistics, and if anyone else has ideas for how to work this, please chime in. I just thought I'd let you know what my idea was. It may be ambitious, but so was a family website, and that seemed to work out okay (so far so good).

I can't remember if I've written about my "greatest adventure" yet. Maybe my mission, I guess. I need to post some pictures from that time. Of course, what we're up to now is a pretty amazing adventure...

One last note. I talked to Tiffany last night. She said that the doctors think her dad doesn't have long. Please keep the Knowltons in your prayers and give them a call. I know they'd appreciate it.

Love,
Eric

Mom and Dad's adventures

First of all, Eric, we need you to resolve something. If the baby is a girl, I say Allison and Mom says Alyson. Which spelling? I need to know these things.

I just took a couple of minutes to read Mom and Dad's question pages, and I'm cracking up. I already knew both stories from Dad's "adventures" - the first time I heard about the gas explosion lifting the door off the ground was when we were in Texas for Jared and Michelle's wedding. We were at Mikki's house talking with Jamie and everyone between the sealing and reception (I think), and that story made me laugh very hard. I love the pictures. Those are some heirlooms I want eventually - Dad's motorcycle pictures (and the Shirley Temple pictures, but Dad already knows that).

I also remember when we drove around Mt. St. Helens, like Mom noted. We didn't see a darn thing - just lots of trees and drop-offs on a narrow logging road in the 15-passenger van. Yikes! It took us more than 8 hours to get to Uncle Max's house instead of 3, and Eric and Jared and I sang "Dare to be Stupid" (applicable, don't ya think?) and other random Weird Al songs in the back, as well as the whole thing of 99 bottles of pop on the wall.

AND I hope that Dad plays "the Spider and the Fly" on the piano for my kids, and for Brooke and Bryan and Stephen/Allison/Alyson. I still think it's funny.

I enjoyed every minute of Conference - ALL of the talks were fabulous. I'm actually surprised that I can pick a favorite from the whole weekend ... but we had that phenomenal one-two punch from President Monson on Saturday morning and President Faust on Sunday morning. President Monson talked about complacency, and how Satan will carefully lead us to "All is well in Zion" and false security. A most needed talk for the "Saints" in the DC area. Then President Faust talked about holiness, and making our lives more holy. The first led right into the second - fantastic. In a conference of amazing talks, President Faust's talk was definitely the best.

more nooz from the caudle corner

Sorry to hear that Tawnia had a bummer day - I've had an absolutely delightful day. (No, I'm not pregnant.) The weather was amazing - warm, sunny, slight breeze, no humidity. I did mundane things at work all day, but it was all for next week's conference and many, many little things are no longer in my way. This is a good thing.

The nooz is that Adam is going to graduate in December instead of a whole year from now. HOORAY! We were talking a couple of nights ago about finances and school and other things, and Adam realized that he only has 18 credits to go before graduation. He'd been tossing around the idea of summer classes anyway, to get his government internship/seminar taken care of because it's really hard to get into. He spent yesterday and today talking to the financial aid office, and to professors about moving his sociology thesis from spring back to fall. He thinks he has all the clearances he needs. He has an appointment with the Dean tomorrow morning to get it finished.

He will work from January to September next year, full time at the job he already has part time on campus (he'll be Georgetown staff instead of a Georgetown student) because he's already been told that it's his once they get their grant funding. And then September next year, he'll start law school on schedule. In the end, it's not really a diversion from the plan we already had - just with a 9-month break between finishing undergrad and starting law school. And we're still planning to stay here in DC for law school because this is where some of the best schools are. But we feel really good about this change in plans - we will see what that break holds for us.

We've added stuff, too!

Dad and I both posted our answers to the Adventure question on our respective pages. You'll REALLY love Dad's.

I was about to post the next question but I figured we should all answer Trina's question about conference, first. I really enjoyed all the sessions. I thought Elder Wirthlin's talk on kindness was the best talk I've ever heard him give. I really loved it. There were some strong messages given, like Elder Oaks and I noticed a lot of talks about Missionary work and fellowshipping. I liked President Hinckley's opening message where he discussed all the growth of the past 10 years.

Sunday evening Emily was looking at an Ensign from May of 1981. According to that statistical report, at the end of 1980 there were between 4 and 5 million members (today there are over 12 million) 19 temples (100 more today) 30,000 full time missionaries(now there are 51,000) and the church had wards or branches in 83 countries (over 160 now) Think how much growth the next 25 years will bring.

Remember to send Bruce and Cheryl your love and prayers. They really need them now.

Love always,
MOM

Life: A Precious Commodity

So I haven't posted in awhile. Sorry, 'bout that... life has been busy. Friday evening I was able to have a small reunion of my freshmen year roommates (okay, so there were 3 out of 6 of us there... but Kristine and Tami hadn't seen each other in about 6 years.) That was supposed to happen at 5:30 p.m. and didn't end up happening until 10 p.m. Then around 11 p.m. Shawna Webb arrived to take Amy and I to SLC to spend the night... we didn't end up leaving Provo until about 1 a.m.... so I didn't get much sleep that night.

Saturday was glorious. I have been in the same room as the prophet before but for some reason this time was extra special. I have no doubt that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet of God. The first session of conference was definitely my favorite, and President Monson's talk was my favorite talk. After that session I was able to briefly see a couple of friends... we randomly ran into Holly Vigil, and then I purposely crossed paths with my friend Lisa Meyers. Then we drove back to Provo, arriving shortly after the start of the afternoon session. I sustained the prophet in the car on I-15.

Sunday I stayed home and watched both sessions with my roommates. In between I went to a potluck at one of the guys apartments. That afternoon we got a phone call and found out that our Bishop's wife had passed away on Saturday. It wasn't completely unexpected, but it was still a bit of a shock. She learned she had cancer in November, but we thought she was doing well. Her funeral was today and so I took off from work early (10 a.m.) and went to the funeral. Afterwards I went home instead of going back to work. I think that reading Mom's e-mail and then going to the funeral was pretty draining emotionally for one day.

I will be taking my Anat final some time this week. Probably on Thursday night or Friday afternoon. So pray that I do well. I would really really really like to pass this class.

Okay, I'll comment on other people's messages later, I do have to run.
Love,
Tawnia

Where's the Guestbook?

Hi everybody!

Things are good here.

I'm at work, and I went to look at the guestbook (actually to look at the code) and it wasn't there! So what I want to know is, who got rid of the guestbook and why? If nothing else, please put it back so I can look at the code on it, or email me the file.

Let's see what else? I'm graduating Memorial Day weekend. It'll be awesome. I'm hard at work at work. Laurel's pregnant. We're going to take a vacation to Costa Mesa Memorial Day. Get some time away from the telephone and everything. It's something nice to look forward to.

And it's playoffs week in the Orange Stake. Final Four. The B team is in third, so we're playing tomorrow night. It'll be fun. I think we have a chance to take it all.

So we're busy, but not too stressed.

Conference was very nice. I'm looking forward to the DVD version. Then maybe I can find Tawnia in the audience.

And also, I'm excited to see what wonders Nathan and Amanda put on their page.

The End.

Your pal,
Eric

a title

Just a quick update from me. I updated my website a little bit more, and will continue to update from time to time. Go see! Jason and I are doing fine. We're excited about the daylight savings change, since now it doesn't get dark until after 8 o'clock!

We're back

Our internet is back and running and so hopefully you will be hearing more from us on here and we will have time to do some advancing on our part of the page.

Nathan A. and Amanda C. Palmer

he?

First of all, don't scare me with that "can't hear the heartbeat" stuff about the baby. That was our omen of bad news coming. I'm glad you promptly followed it up the ultrasound description, but geez. It gave me (and Adam also when I read it to him verbatim on the phone) a jolt. Anyway, Eric, you said He. So you know the baby is a boy? You HOPE the baby is a boy? You think the baby is a boy even though that's not confirmed by the ultrasound yet? What are you saying here?

Another week down the tubes - another week closer to a conference that I'm entirely unready for (it starts 2 weeks from yesterday), and another week closer to when we can take a road trip for 10 days and get out of this forsaken place. Most of the time I like it here, but sometimes, the god complex of Congress and President Bush really really really really gets to me. Like this whole week and the Terri Shiavo crap. I'll get into the whole soapbox political enlightenment for you all later, but I'll just leave it like this for the moment - I'm not a Republican anymore. I'm a conservative, but the Republican federal leadership sure as heck isn't. There is not currently a political party in the US that is conservative. President Bush and the "conservative" members of Congress are feeding the American public a BIG FAT LIE, and they think they're God, and it's sickening. I want to go home ... where the god-complex is still alive and well, but not so much in my face that I want to scream and/or throw something through a window.

Hello??

So where is everybody?? I realize it's going to be conference this weekend, but it doesn't mean you have to quit posting in preperation.

here are my excitements for the weekend. First I get to go and hopefully get my car fixed. Yeah, Hank's been having trouble for awhile. Then at 5:30 two of my freshmen year roommates are coming over. I have stayed in touch with Tami pretty well, but just ran into Kristine back in January. The two of them haven't seen each other since 1998 so I'm excited for the three of us to get together. Then later tonight Shawna Webb is coming down from SLC to pick Amy and I up and take us back up to her place so that we can go to the Saturday morning session of conference. I'm excited. The only time I've been in a session of conference is the one time that I sang... and I couldn't take notes because we had to sit perfectly still the entire time, so I'm excited about tomorrow morning.

I hope you all enjoy conference. You can try to see me on the TV, but I doubt you will... that room is HUGE.

Love,
T

Post-Checkup Report

Yesterday Laurel asked that I come along to her 12-week checkup, and my sweet boss Suzy thought that would be a good idea. After waiting around (why else would they have a waiting room?) we waited some more in that other room, and finally met with the doctor.

He still couldn't hear the heartbeat... there was too much interference from all the other sounds in Laurel's belly, so we took another ultrasound.

The baby is looking great! He's like a little fish in there. We can see his spine, his head, his arms and hands and fingers... He was squirming around just great. Oh, and we could see and hear his heart, beating away. It was an amazing experience. He's the right size and is looking good so far.

Stay tuned for picutres of the ultrasound on our page. I was going to get them up last night but I took a nap instead.

Just thought you'd like to know the latest! Thanks for your support.

Love,
Eric

Hmmm

Well, I was going to post yesterday, but then I couldn't get on to blogger... and then the computer that I was on froze... so I decided that the three and a half hours of studying I'd done would have to suffice for the night. I also took Monday off so that I could get a bunch of extra studying in. All I have left for this class is the final... which I'm trying to prepare for. I will probably take it a week from Friday, so that I have an entire week and a half to review for the test. I think I'll do well enough, and since the grade is only to make me happy... I don't think I'm to stressed about it. I just don't know what I'm going to do with my time once I'm done with this class. Right now my normal schedule is to go to work, come home and eat, and then go to campus and study Anatomy. I reallly don't know what I'll do with myself when I'm not this busy. Hopefully something will come along to fill my time.... like a big church calling, or something.

Anyway, the weather here has been weird. We had spring like conditions for a few weeks, and then it started snowing again on Monday... it doesn't stick in the valleys, but it's still really really cold.

I am glad to see that people are starting to post again.
Love,
T

Since Trina Asked...

Hi everybody!

Our temple trip on Saturday was very nice. It was a great experience. Check out our page for some pictures. We were actually in the 1:45 session, since we got to the temple right at 1:30. Laurel had mashed potatoes in the temple cafeteria. They soothed her ever-troubled stomach.

We're looking forward to doing some sealings for the ancestors we did endowments for (Him to his parents and both to each other), as well as doing more family names. The way I see it Mom, the more names you give us to do, the more we'll go to the temple.

I'm busy with school these days. My new goal is to do something substantial on my homework every day. I may miss the Saturday afternoon session because it's the only time the library is open when I'm not at work this week. But it's going well.

Oh, good news. The Newport Beach temple will be dedicated the weekend of my birthday (on Sunday the 28th) and will open for ordinance work the next day.

And Laurel is still sick. Her 3 month check up is tomorrow, and we're hopeful that all is well with the baby.

Basketball is also going. My two teams are done with the regular season. The A team lost their last game, sadly, making their overall record 1-6. The B team won their last game, beating the heretofore undefeated Tustin 4th Ward by around 20 points. Their record is 5-2 and they'll now go to the playoffs in 3rd place, and with momentum. That was all last night, so it's still fresh in my mind. The playoffs are next week. I'll keep you posted.

We love you all and hope everyone is healthy and happy, etc. etc.

Love,
Eric

snowy Canada

The first day of Spring was on the 21st. And it snowed. It snowed several times last week, actually. But the sun is shining once again, so most of it has melted. It'll probably snow again before summer, but the majority is behind us, hopefully. Along with the beautiful spring weather came our weekend up to Edmonton. Yes, we attended the temple, and enjoyed it very much. It was nice to be away from everything, and spending time just Jason and I. But then we came home on Sunday, and helped Barry move some more. Although he knew he was moving, and had been home for an entire week (he's usually out on the oil rigs), he didn't start packing anything until Saturday at noon. Oh well. At least he's pretty much gone. We haven't even touched the kitchen stuff yet, and he's still got stuff to take or throw out, but the majority of it is gone. I'm just hoping to have my basement back in order soon. (It had all the storage, most of it was his.) Otherwise we're doing well. Jason is working hard, and playing harder, and I'm focusing on my anime stuff, so I can have things to sell in May (as well as the new club t-shirt design, I'll post it soon). Also, my immigration paperwork should start processing by the end of the month, so I'll hopefully be working by summer! Yippee!

where is everyone?

Okay, so my post is up now. It's been a while since anyone has posted much, so what's the news, kids? And be ready for the omnipresent post-General Conference question: what talk stood out to you the most, and why?

General Conference is fun in DC. For the Saturday sessions, a bunch of random people from our ward all converge on the Capitol Hill building, a little tiny building in Southeast that doesn't even have a regular chapel - but they do have satellite there. Between sessions, we all go down the street to Eastern Market, the only open-air farmer's market inside the district. There's also the most awesome used bookstore right there as well - in October, Adam and I gave ourselves 15 minutes: we came out with almost 10 books and only spent $40. We're very excited for this coming Saturday. Last fall for the Sunday sessions, we went to the stake center and ate lunch between sessions on the temple grounds. This Sunday, we're going to the home of one of the other ward missionaries - they have satellite.

What's up?

Trina said she posted something and it didn't show up on the Blog but I could read it blogger.com. When I went there it took a while before I could get on and then, when I tried to open her post it said it wasn't there. We'll see if I can post this one, and maybe figure out where the glitch is.

Love ya,
MOM

new callings

First of all, we did attend the 4:30 session on Saturday as planned. We forgot the family names and were running late so we didn't have time to go back and get them. But we'll do them later this week. We hope that everyone was there. Our temple accomplishment was that we stayed awake. We were pretty tired from getting up rather early to help Sarah and Taylor move before we went to the temple. "Stay awake" is not our usual temple experience, so I don't feel bad when it comes up occasionally, especially since the sleepiness was triggered by a good cause.

And while we're talking about the temple - I'm going to take a sec here to make a plug for monthly temple attendance at the MINIMUM. Even Mindy and Jason, who live 2 or 3 hours from a temple. This is something Adam and I feel really strongly about - attendance in the DC temple, in general, is plummeting. It makes me so sad every time we go to the temple and we're thanked for coming, or we get some other comment from temple workers about how sessions are being closed because no one showed up at all. Adam and I set our goal for the year to be monthly attendance - in January when we went to a session with only 5 people, we immediately changed that goal to WEEKLY. We live less than 10 miles from the temple - no excuse for us. We haven't quite made it every week yet, but we've gone 6 times in 3 months, including the winter closure in that time. We've heard some talk in our ward about how to get temple attendance up, but that's all it is so far - just talk. I'm racking my brain to figure out how I can help with this in our ward, but I'm coming up blank so far. I hope that everyone enjoyed the temple yesterday, and that you all will make more of an effort to attend regularly.

Our new callings are ward missionaries. I'm still teaching Gospel Essentials, and this kinda expands my stewardship to include stuff I was doing anyway. Now I don't feel like I'm shooting off my mouth with making suggestions. Adam was released as assistant ward clerk. He's not doing much different either, because he's the home teacher for 2 of the 3 new converts in the ward and would be helping teach their new member lessons anyway. We were called before church yesterday, sustained in sacrament meeting, and set apart after church.

My Adventure

I'm home at last. This has been a very long day. I got up at 4:00 this morning, after not getting much sleep, because I was afraid of sleeping in. Cheryl said that getting to the airport an hour before my flight left would be plenty of time. She hates to "hurry up and wait". I tried it her way, but never again. I got to the airport just after 5:30 and when I checked in and got my boarding pass they couldn't guarantee that I would make my flight. The wait in the first line wasn't too long. Then I had to take my bags after they were weighed and wait in another line to have them x-rayed and inspected. I don't know why they do that because you don't have to wait until they're done. Then I went upstairs and waited in another line to get through security. When I finally got to my gate I knew I would make it but they were already boarding. No chance to use the ladies room before getting on the plane. I flew to Seattle and then waited about 1/2 hour for my flight to Portland on a Horizon Air commuter prop plane. I was in row nine at the very back of the plane. About 20 or 30 minutes before we landed we hit some rough weather and it reminded me of Star Tours at Disneyland. There was a little boy about 3 or 4 across from me who thought it was wonderful. He laughed at every bump and dip. When I got to the baggage claim my bags were among the first so I was out the door in record time and Dad pulled up just as I came out. Perfect timing.

Then we were able to slow down a little - we had nearly 2 1/2 hours before our temple session. We went to the clothing store so I could change into my Sunday clothes and bought a few things while we were there. Then we had lunch at the temple and had a nice quiet wait until the session started. I thought of each of you at the various temples. Nathan and Amanda went to Medford so we were all in different ones. It was nice to know that, even though I couldn't see you, you were there. I hope you all made it.

After the temple we went to Costco and got a few things. We finally made it home around 5:00. Like I said, it's been a very long day. Dad and the girls are in town right now, buying dinner for tonight and stuff for tomorrow's Easter feast, and getting the DVD of "The Incredibles". I haven't seen it yet so I hope it's worth it. I doubt that I'll stay awake while we watch it tonight.

Love to you all,
MOM

Fun With Boxes

Happy Birthday, Tawnia! Remember, don't overindulge yourself. You're only allowed to eat as much cake and ice cream as will fill the average swimming pool (at Sea World).

Jared, the page looks great. Maybe I should put that sort of warning on my page. I'm trying to figure out how to update it.

Anyway, today I decided to pull all my boxes out of the storage room and go through them. I rearranged my bookshelf to make room for some books, filled the trash can twice, put some things back into storage, and put some other things on display.

I found some interesting things, including:
At least a dozen cards congratulating the family on my birth
Ten Star Wars Pez dispensers (when did those end up in my boxes?)
Two programs from the play I was in when I was twelve "Moments from the King and I," one covered with autographs
A T-shirt from Williamsburg
Yearbooks and awards from school, including one from second grade for giving the best hugs
Rejection letters
Six copies of my first book (perhaps the reason why I am reluctant to print off copies of my latest books is that I don't know here would I put them all)
School projects from kindergarten to college, my latest being the midterm I aced
Church programs from the times I gave talks or sang
My postcard collection
Ticket stubs from almost every play and movie I have ever seen
Letters from family and friends, including poetry written for me from Grandma Beers
An envelope full of photos
Rudy's autograph
Handouts from church, seminary, and institute
A couple of scripts from plays
Poetry books
My jewelry box
A quiz Eric gave me when I was stressed about going to college (why the chicken fixation, Eric?)
Six filled journals (as I have written daily since I was fourteen)
AND
A receipt from a restaurant simply to prove that I have eaten rutabagas.

Love,
Emily

Happy Birthday Tawnia

I hope you're having a great day. I want to hear all about the BIG BASH you've planned for your birthday. Hope it's lots of fun. Did everyone like the presents we sent home with you? I'll call you this afternoon.

I'm still here at Cheryl's but I fly home in the morning. Dad will pick me up from the airport at 11 and then we'll go to lunch and then the temple before we go home. It's a very full day.

I went to the Redlands Temple with Cheryl last night. I'ts really a beautiful building. Bruce is hanging in there. He and I played Rummikub this morning. Cheryl had to go back to work yesterday.

By the way, Jared, that song looks very interesting. I'll have to try singing it and see how it sounds. What does your choir director think?

Hope everyone is healthy and happy.

Love ya,
MOM

This is a title.

I just wanted to let you all know that the April calender is there on my website. I know that's pretty dull compared to everyone else's news, but it's all I've got right now. Oh, and look for the other little surprise I added to my page too.

hi

Congratulations Eric and Laurel!!! I am going to be an uncle all over again. I already have a niece and a nephew... so ... what are you guys going to have? that reminds me of a funny story.

Amanda and I are planning to go to the temple at 2:30 mountain standard time.

bye
nathan

temple day

Everyone ready? Mindy and Jason's scheduling in Edmonton has dictated the time for us - 2:30 Mountain time, and whatever your local time is coordinated with that. Adam and I are going, Mindy and Jason are going, and Mom and Dad are going. I actually haven't heard from anyone else either directly or here on the board, so I've been assuming that everyone is participating.

Are you? Is anyone NOT going to do this?

I've been cruising along at work - lots to do, as always. I had my first SOLO lobbying meeting this morning. I've gone to many meetings with Susan on this subject so I'm very familiar with the pitch, but this was the first time she turned me loose by myself. I don't know that it was hugely successful, but I didn't choke. So that's good.

The social schedule with friends from our ward is getting a lot more frequent. It's no longer just playing a board game once a month for a couple of hours and seeing each other at church. Just this last weekend ... Sarah and Taylor came over on Friday evening. I put on Sarah's baby shower Saturday morning, and they came over again on Saturday night as well as Aaron and Anne (who we went to the temple with the weekend before and did sealings) with their baby Eve. Sunday, Adam and I took Natalie, who was just baptized a couple weeks ago, to a fireside. Adam is her home teacher and I'm being transitioned to be her visiting teaching partner. Monday night, I went with Sarah to their new apartment to do some cleaning before they move in this weekend, and we're helping them with that and having them (and Aaron and Anne and Natalie and the missionaries) over for Easter dinner. Whew! Very busy! But it's fun and we're getting to be really good friends. It seems a little weird that I've gone all this time at the "acquaintance" level with pretty much everyone I know around here except obviously Adam, but that's how it's been. All this transitioning in the last year and a half ... we're finally getting fully settled in. Hooray!

Cute kitty

Hey, Mindy. Cute little kitty you have there; she does look like she's gotten big. I am doing fine right now. I spent most of today writing on my computer (though I still haven't updated my sight -- I'll get to that . . . maybe on Thursday. Mindy, call me or I'll never figure it out).

Emily

New Pictures

Jason and I got a new digital camera, so we've got new Nekoshi pictures. Check them out!

Hola

Well, I'm sitting here at work with a few seconds to write while the kids are out at recess. Life is going well. I'm staying busy and having fun. I had Issac over for dinner on Sunday... only I wasn't feeling well, so Annie made him grilled cheese and tomato soup, instead of the pork chops I was going to make him. Oh well... He was still happy to not be in the dorms for an afternoon and to not eat in the cafateria. Okay, I've got to run... I'll write more later.

T

Monday Evening

I hope you are all having a nice Family Home Evening on this beautiful Monday night. I spent Sunday with Eric and Laurel. I went home with them on Saturday and we had a nice visit. Their ward is very nice and the Sacrament Meeting was excellent. After church we went to Laurel's sister's for dinner. She sure has some sweet kids. This morning, before coming back to Cheryl's, we drove over to Newport Beach and took pictures of the temple. Then we drove past the beauty salon where Laurel's pictures are on display but they were closed.

Bruce has been feeling pretty good, I think. He's been up quite a bit this afternoon and even his blood test went very smoothly. We had some scares with slight fevers on Friday and Saturday but he's doing much better now. Tomorrow is a chemo day so I guess I'll see how that goes.

I can't think of much other news for tonight. Take care and keep me posted on your latest adventures, as well as those of the past. And Michelle, scuba diving and getting stung by a jellyfish is almost as scary an adventure as taking the kids shopping.

Love ya,
MOM

Spring has sprung

First of all, Eric and Laural, many congratulations!

I-well we-are doing super. The weather is beautiful. Bryan is seriously suffering from hay fever. He takes prescription allergy medication, of course. He is still seriously congested, but it least we stopped his lungs for filling. Poor Bryan.

Life is great. The kids are getting older and more self sufficient. I have more down time, which is something totally new. Brooke is on spring break. She is doing wonderful in school. I am very proud. Bryan is a good boy and makes me very proud, also.

For my most adventurous thing, I went grocery shopping with both kids (just kidding.) I did try scuba diving once. I really didn't like it, but I did it. I was also stung by a jelly fish. It felt like being stung by 20 wasps all at once. I could barely walked, but I walked back to the hotel anyway.

Good bye everyone,
Michelle

Hello Family

We have a new counselor in the branch -- Brother Judd. He was sustained today. Anyway, it's spring break. The weather is beautiful. It's been pouring down rain for the past two days. Yeah, after a very dry winter, now it starts to rain. I've signed up for classes for next term: math, history, writing, and geology. Those are the classes I have to take in order to graduate in June. After that, who knows what I'll do? I have a couple of ideas, but nothing for certain. Clarissa plans on being a philosopher this term, taking classes called theory of knowledge and faith and knowledge: the philosophy of religion, as well as speech and drama. Mom, we (meaning me and Clarissa) finished your puzzle. I plan to spend spring break cleaning out my stuff, going through boxes in the storage room, and figuring out how to get my web page updated. Only how do I do that?

Emily

Coming in October

Well, the news we've all been waiting for (well, that Laurel and I have been waiting for anyway) has finally come:

Laurel and I are expecting a baby to be born in October.

We just told Mom and now we're telling all of you.

Yes, we're very excited and anxious, and yes, Laurel is throwing up all the time.

The End.

Love, Eric

PS And she still looks beautiful!

A few updates

I finally got around to updating my site again, so there are few more links that work - "Before and After" (including the photograph I restored for you, Mom), and "The Artist." I'll hopefully finish the others soon, but I'm busy right now with drawing t-shirt designs for the anime club at the university. I'm the new art director! (Well, not officially, but no one else was running for the position, so wahoo, I'm in!)

Jason and I are really looking forward to the temple trip next weekend. It's my first trip to Edmonton, and a new temple for both of us. We'll be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so don't try calling us on Easter. I'll try and make lots of phone calls this weekend instead.

And in other news, our roommate Barry is moving out at the end of the month. Yippee!! Our friend Barrett might move in, but we'll see what happens with that. Jason and I are hoping to move into our own apartment sometime soon. It'd be nice, cuz we'd just be moving down the street (about a block away). Jason's looked at the apartments there, and he's pretty excited about them. We'll let you know when that will happen (hopefully by summer time).

So much for the spring weather. It was beautiful for about a month, and then within a day it was back to below zero again, and snowing off and on for the entire week (so far). Spring techincally starts on Monday, but with our luck we'll have snow until the end of May. But then, this is the place where it has snowed in July.

I'm at Cheryl's

I made it down here late last night and am enjoying my visit here. I'll see Eric and Laurel tomorrow, when they come and pick me up. They want me to spend Sunday with them. Bruce is looking pretty good but very thin. Keep the prayers coming.

Love ya,
MOM

Good News

Happy St. Patrick's Day, y'all.

I took my second Anatomy midterm on Tuesday and got an 88%, which for some reason is an A-. Whoopee! I really am happy, since I barely passed the last one.

The other good news is that Issac got his mission call. If you want to know where, you can call him. (Call me and I'll give you his phone number.... I don't think we should post phone numbers on the blog.) He goes into the Provo MTC on May 25th.

Love,
T

My biggest adventure

The most adventurous thing I ever did was when I went to find out about the Disney World College Program. The next thing I knew I was applying and being interviewed. I sat back and wondered what I had just done. And then I was accepted and bouncing off the walls. Then I went to Florida. That was a great adventure.

Emily

temple day

I called the Edmonton temple, and we now have an appointment (since it's a small temple) for 2:30 on Saturday, March 26th. That means Oregon and California people can go at 1:30, Texas can go at 3:30, and Washington DC can go at 4:30. If that's all cool with you guys!

Childhood activites I still enjoy - reading, drawing, playing outside (especially the swings) .. laughing and playing with friends. It's fun to play with toys sometimes too (aside from big-kid toys like the computer and stuff like that).

Adventures - white-water rafting when I just turned 17, living in Russia for four months (which was the coolest thing ever and I'd love to go again) ... I guess getting married was an adventure, and moving to Canada where I didn't know anyone except Jason. I'm sure Jason has many more "adventures" than I, so I'll try and get him to post them soon.

The Sun's Shining Bright

Everything seems alright, as we're poisining pigeons in the park...

Yes, thank you, thank you, thank you, Trina for making my day brighter. That site was quite enjoyable.

Probably the most adventuresome thing I did was driving to Texas and back by myself.... with my car loaded down so that I couldn't see out the back window (that was just on the way there though... Jared, do you still have that bookshelf I gave you?? I miss it sometimes. You could give it a little hug for me.) On the way back I drove from Jared's to my friend's parents' house in Western Nebraska.... it only took 18 hours to do the drive, and the coollest thing was this massive thunderstorm that made it impossible to see. I was doing 25 on the freeway, had my wipers going as fast as they could, and then ended up following the tail lights in front of me off at an exit, and waited about 10 minutes for the storm to pass.

Another adventure I had was going to Germany the summer between my Sophomore and Junior years in high school. It was fun, but very much out of my comfort zone at the time. And it was basically my first flight, and I was alone (well, except for the 10 or so other high schoolers and our supervisor, who was sitting 15 rows ahead of us.)

I don't know what other "adventuresome" things I've done. I can't think of anything too death defying that I've done. I have been kayaking but that was all on flatwater. And I've been rafting down rapids. I went down a zip line once and it scared me to death (but I can say I've done it.) I don't think I'll ever jump out of planes or go hand-gliding.... I'm just not THAT adventuresome. I did like the roller coaster at Disney World that sent you in a corkscrew turn, and upside down, and just all over... it was fun. But I don't know how "adventuresome" that is either.

Anyway, It was a beautiful day, but now the sun has gone down, but I will enjoy walking home with Annie this evening.

Work is keeping me extremely busy. I haven't had any moments with nothing to do. In fact I keep finding more and more things that I NEED to do. But it's good. I'm also figuring out my summer job (have I mentioned this already?) I think I will soon win the award for person posting most.

I saw Issac last night and gave him the cookies Deb made for him. He'll get all of the other stuff she sent for him when he comes over for dinner on March 20th, the day before his birthday. He met me outside my institute class and we ended up talking for about 45 minutes. It was good to catch up with him since we haven't talked or seen each other since Christmas break. Oh, and he'll be getting his mission call next week, hopefully.

Anyway, only 15 days until my birthday so get those packages and checks in the mail!
Love,
T

lyrics for Tawnia

HA! Tawnia, you make me laugh. This link has the words to "Poisoning pigeons in the park," as well as some charming background music: http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/pigeons.htm

My most adventure-some things as an adult have been my moves to Montana, where I knew NO ONE, and my solo cross-country drive to Washington DC with no job waiting for me at the other end. I don't know if those are adventures, or huge leaps of faith, or if those terms are used interchangeably. Maybe "adventure-some" means "stupid things that should have gotten you killed," and I've tried to avoid those. I can't really think of anything from when I was a kid. Maybe someone else can refresh my memory.

Hey, Clarissa - tell us your roof adventure!

Childhood pleasures and finals week

I liked to read as a kid -- I still do -- and I loved to make up my own stories -- which I still do. As for playing, I still like swings.

It's been really busy for me the past couple of days, since the end of term is coming up. Sunday there was church and then the CES fireside. We watched it over at Brother Richens' house. (He's the institute teacher.) We had ice cream after a talk on the importance of work, and Clarissa and I met a new girl, Becca, who has shares some of our interests and is extremely hyper. Monday, I was busy working on my history essay and folklore project, and then I went to FHE. We played broom hockey. My team won; I even scored a couple of times. (I stood as close as I could to the net in order to score.) I only ended up with two or three bruises. Yesterday, I went to class, and then I did my visiting teaching. Today, I had to finish my folklore collection -- I'll share some as soon as I get my sight updated -- and then I had my geology class where we had to identify twenty different metamorphic rocks. A couple were very difficult, and I'm sure I didn't get it all right, but I think I did fairly well in that class.

Well, I only have tomorrow's classes and then a history final next week. Other than that, I'm done for this term. I still have to figure out how I'm going to work out my schedule for next term. I'll keep you posted.

Emily

Another answer

I posted the answer to the question about the things I enjoyed as I child that I still enjoy. I hope you enjoy it. It brought back a lot of memories as most of these questions do. So here's a new one that I'm going to have to think about for a while: What is the most adventuresome thing you've ever done? True confessions now kids - Ask Clarissa about her roof adventure.

I'm looking forward to seeing you too, Eric. I'll call Friday morning because my plane doesn't arrive until 11:30 Thursday night.

By the way, I brought the digital camera home from work and used it to take some of the pictures I've posted lately, like the one for the latest question and the one of my heirlooms. The ease of putting pictures on the computer from a digital camera is convincing me that I really want one. Maybe we can get one for this summer's vacation. Not having to buy film is a good incentive, too.

I'm just talking to Cheryl, Bruce is home now. He came home last Friday. Cheryl is super busy and I'm sure she's glad that she's off work for the next few weeks. He seems to be handling the chemo quite well. It hasn't adversely affected his appetite, at least not yet.

I guess that's it from this Palmer house for tonight.

Love ya,
MOM

Spring is Here

If I could remember the words to "Poisining Pigeons in the Park" I would type them... but the tune is in my head. It is beautiful weather out which makes it hard to be stuck in a library studying. Of course, part of my work day is spent outside at recess... so I do get to "enjoy" the sunshine at times. I don't mind recess duty as much, though today the kids were on... something. I got to be the mean homework lady and had seven kids miss PE to complete missing work. But now all but two of them are all caught up!

Last night was enrichment. We had a nice lasagna dinner. Tonight is institute. I like institute. It makes me happy.

I'm busy figuring out what to do for summer work. It looks as if I may end up working two jobs from now until then, depending on what I can find. I know that it would be better if I got a job now, instead of trying to find something in the summer. More money never hurt either. I'm looking into working at a Sylvan Learning Center. It's all in who you know, you know.

Anyway, I am tired because today I actually did my studying first. I have decided to take my next mid-term next Tuesday, which means I have a lot to do to be ready for it... but I already feel more confident than I did on the last one.

I hope everyone is doing well and getting better health-wise.
Love,
T

February 3, 1990

I was baptized on Kristen Kiser's birthday (also Jared Palmer's), and we were baptized at the same service. I remember there being a lot of people there, but I do not know if they were there for me or Kristen. If I remember right, I was wearing socks and they made a funny noise when I walked out of the font.

What do I still like to do that I did as a kid? I still have my LEGOs. I still like to go play outside. I do not like to play video games as much. I do not really have a whole lot of time for that.

Nathan Palmer

That Crazy Palmer House

I know, many of your houses are also the Palmer house...

Laurel and I are okay. We seem to be getting over our colds and are getting back into the swing of things. We're looking forward to Mom's visit next week, that's for sure.

I'm busy trying to get my Master's degree done, Laurel's busy helping Wet Seal close stores across the country, and the house is a wreck. We've really been struggling staying on top of house stuff since we're both going full time. I know what Tawnia means about putting off homework!

Oh, and there's basketball (I'm about to go) and the Beehives (Laurel's there right now).

But that's okay. We like busy sometimes.

We love all you guys and hope Brooke is okay.

And let's see... I still like to play with my toys. Oh! I still like drawing! That's something I do just as much now as I ever did. I even got Flash loaded on my new computer at work, so I spent this afternoon drawing in the computer. They won't know what hit 'em when they see the stuff I'm going to make...

Okay that is all.

I love you all.

Love,
Eric

Childhood

Things I still like to do, that I liked to do then.... sing, read, sleep, eat, breath.... go for walks on beautiful spring days.... procrastinate my homework....

I honestly don't think I've changed a whole lot, just gained more knowledge and experience. So my thoughts are a bit more advanced, and I like to read thicker books, and sing some more difficult pieces (though it's still fun to belt out "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" or "Swiss Boy") As I like to tell my roommates. "I'm FIVE!" Because at heart, I am. In fact tonight I get to read a story to the sisters at enrichment... I'm going to read one of my picture books... probably one of my favorite's, "Stephanie's Ponytail." It's a great one.

I should do some studying, since I have to walk home in an hour.

Love,
T

P.S. Thanks for making me breakfast Sunday morning, Mom!

crash and burn

My posting is really sporadic right now because our computer crashed last week. The silver lining in that black cloud is that this week is spring break, so Adam has time to get it fixed without having homework. I flat out have no time for anything extra while I'm at work. I'm pushing upwards of 50 hours a week the last couple of weeks, and that's looking to hold steady clear through the spring conference next month. Really, really insane and it's making me rather stressed. Adam is being patient ... for the time being. He wasn't too happy when his attention time last night got sucked up by me finishing invitations to Sarah's baby shower in 2 weeks.

Answers to Mom's questions ... My baptism was on November 1, 1980. I remember opening my eyes under the water and seeing blurred images of a row of kids looking over the edge of the font at me. Everyone said that my eyes looked really huge. "As big as saucers!" And I remember during my confirmation, I looked out between the men standing in front of me (there were a lot of men in the circle but I have no idea who) to see Becca Shaw, who was my best friend.

What I enjoy now that I enjoyed as a kid is READING. My reading tastes have changed, particularly in the last 2 years. When I was a kid, I read all kinds of stories and young teenager novels (I'm sure they've changed and are rather smutty now, but they were mild then). I didn't read consistently for a long time during college, at least not for fun. The first couple of years after college, I didn't read a thing that I can recall. When I got back to Oregon from Montana, I got into reading biographies and other non-fiction. In 2004, I read 14 books and only one was fiction. I'm mixing church books and history and political science stuff. Right now, I'm reading Jesus the Christ and a biography about Theodore Roosevelt.

And, I like playing on the swings at the park.

Update from Brooke

Yesterday when we were all at choir practice, Brooke tripped on the stairs and sprained her foot. She's okay, but it still hurts her at times. She can hobble a little bit, but sometimes she'll resort to hopping or to crawling on her knees. She went to school today in a stroller because we don't have any crutches or anything like that. Don't worry, it really is just a minor injury. She'll be fine.

On The Road Again

Well, For those of you who didn't know, I came home this weekend. I surprised the fam by showing up on the couch Thursday morning. I'd been asleep for maybe an hour when I heard Clarissa in the kitchen. She didn't see me at first, but then she looked over and noticed a foot sticking up over the edge of the couch. She came over and looked at me and said "What are you doing here??!!??" I laughed and told her that I'd clicked my heels together and said, "There's no place like the couch." And then I magically appeared there. Which she could have believed, because my car isn't in the state of Oregon. I'll be leaving with Annie tomorrow morning and driving back out to Provo. The weekend has been nice. I've relaxed, watched a few movies, not had to cook, and got my birthday presents and birthday cake 20 days early. It's been quite enjoyable.

I should go to bed since I have to be up at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Love,
T

Time for a new question

Since nobody has posted in the last couple of days it must mean it's time for a new question. This is the one I pulled out tonight and it should prove rather interesting: What things do you enjoy doing today that you also enjoyed as a child?

By the way, just because I post a new question, it doesn't mean you can't answer the old ones. We'd love to hear your responses to any of the questions, or anything else you have to say for that matter. Let's keep the conversation rolling.

Love ya,
MOM

Answers

I have posted my answer to the baptism question on my page. I wish I had a picture from my baptism but none exist that I'm aware of.

As for Trina's question - I was trying to think of places we went to earlier that we haven't been to in the last 10 or 15 years and there are a few. The ones that come to mind are Phoenix, Arizona; Seaworld and The Redwoods. I'm sure there are probably others but, yes, we have done quite a bit of travelling in the past 10 years or so. It's something that I enjoy and we haven't always been able to afford it. I'm going to travel all I can while I'm healthy enough to do it. No I haven't been EVERYWHERE yet. I'm working on it.

Love ya,
MOM

January 3, 1989

I think that was the day I was baptized. It was either the second or third, about a week after my eighth birthday. Katie Potter was baptized at the same time. I remember that I had to be baptized twice, since the first time I didn't go all the way under. And I remember shivering while I got dressed, and everyone was singing "Because I Have Been Given Much." I don't know what else was sung or who spoke, but I do remember that I requested that hymn.

Emily

Title

So, yeah, what's up with the cold's going around this year? I've actually been sick for a little over a week. I got a blessing last night, and now I'm feeling tons better. But Amy's still pretty sick.

Anyway, I am looking forward to my extended weekend. Only a half day of school tomorrow, and it's going to be a pretty easy day. We're having a school wide "reading day" due to it being Dr. Seuss' Birthday. My class is having a medival banquet. I'm very excited actually. It will be fun. I'm borrowing Annie's guitar so I can be a minstrel. hehe. Of course that means I need to practice a ton tonight... along with doing my laundry.

My baptism was also a rather long time ago... 19 years almost. I remember that I wanted to ride home from church with Grandma Passey and I didn't get too, so I was in my room and really upset before going to get baptised. I remember that I got some flowers... for some reason I think I got lilacs. I remember being in the changing room beforehand and being dressed all in white. But that's about all I remember.

T

Feb 4 1984

My baptism was a long time ago. I distinctly remember my prep discussion - I think it was with the home teachers - and I'd never heard the word "renew" before but I figured out what it meant all by myself. I don't have any specific memories of the ceremony itself, but I do remember I had the choice of which building to get baptized in, and I selected the old stake center (the one that's now a law office or something) and I was the last person baptized in that building. I don't even remember anybody else's baptisms at all except for Mindy's and Clarissa's.

In other news, I officially graduated from DeVry University on Sunday, but I still have a bunch of financial aid stuff to figure out. They have a regular habit of screwing everything up really bad, and this time they completely outdid themselves. Instead of not distributing all my money, they distributed to much, and when I asked them to fix it, they took back too much. It's really quite amazing how badly they can mess up and not get fired.

I guess that's all for right now.

spinning spinning spinning

I don't know what the deal is, but the insanityinc loads REALLY REALLY slowly now ... I just typed a whole string of questions about that, but I'll just email them to Eric and Jared, and not bore the rest of you with it.

I do have a question for Mom, which I will pose publicly ... Have you been EVERYWHERE in the last 10 or 15 years? For example, I don't think I knew that you went clear from Texas to South Dakota the year you dropped off Mindy in Rexburg. One day, Adam and I will get to all those places too. We do have the advantage of actually living on the East Coast, but sheesh - I've been here for almost a year and a half, and Adam and I have been together (engaged and all) for over a year. And we've been hardly anywhere. And I can't say that I wish winter would go away so we could do things, because there's plenty of indoor stuff at the Smithsonians and other museums. We have our list of DC stuff, and I'm looking around at other things to do further outside the city. We just need to DO it. It's easy to be "all talk and no action" since we live here.

Among other things, we're planning a little jaunt through the South in May en route to Pensacola for Clara's wedding (Adam's sister who was not able to attend our wedding) ... we've got some details figured out of what we want to do, but we won't be able to take as much time as I was hoping. We realized last night that it would be just a couple weeks before Adam takes the LSAT, and he needs to study. So we'll see.

More updates

If I didn't know better I'd say Eric gave me his cold over the phone because I've had a miserable day. I stayed home from work because I didn't get much sleep last night. I probably got it either from Clarissa or the kids I work with. Anyway, since I was home I got another vacation all done. It's 1991. Check it over and correct me if I got the facts wrong.

I hope everyone is getting well. This has been an awful year for colds and such.

I love you all.
MOM

WOW!!

Mindy,
You did a super job on Trina's page. I really enjoyed it. I also love the new background you added to the soap picture on your page. I was going to post, on the blog, the pictures you fixed for me but I couldn't get it to work. Is that what you're going to put on "before and after" on your page?

Is everyone ready for another new question? By the way, my answers are posted straight to my site. You can check them out there. Our new question is "What do you remember about your baptism?"

I have names ready for everyone who needs them and it worked out great taht I have couples for each of the couples. I thought that might make it a little more special.

I'll get those in the mail right away.

Love ya,
MOM