State of Obvious

Joshism: After being shuffled from my bed to his own, still half in slumber: Mom can you get me a glass of Mothra ? Sarah botherism: Watching the "Today" show I was somewhat peeved when a certain exchange took place. Matt Lauer was talking to former US Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, and his wife Janet Langhart who is African American. Matt asked: Do you think the US is ready for a black president, a woman president or even a Mormon president? Well! Ms Langhart immediately jumped in and said that she had a problem with the Mormon church and began listing beliefs to which she objected, including policies which were changed back in 1972 - some 30 years ago. Her husband, thankfully, said something to the effect that it was a quite a long time ago and they have dramatically changed their policy. This bugs me, it leads me to believe that religion is one of the remaining great divides in our country. In the battle for public office it is never a problem that someone is Baptist...

Ok so we haven't really watched tv in our house for a long time. You could argue, pretty justifiably, that this is not a bad thing. Most of our entertainment comes from playing WoW, which could be called a waste of time but I would say is better than mindless TV watching by far and has also led me to meet some of the coolest, most fun, interesting people I know....oh wait, getting distracted. Back to TV. So, we decided to get cable......mostly because Eric misses ESPN and because Carly really enjoys watching YouTube Backyardigans episodes. She's 18 months old, and yes! we're going to let her watch TV. On the Yahoo! homepage it shows recaps of what's going to be on tonight and one of my favorite shows that I do actually miss watching was listed: Gilmore Girls. I click and begin reading the episode recaps for this year, since I haven't seen a single episode of the new season. And about halfway through I am shocked to find out: Loreali married Christopher! WHA...

Let me clarify...after the last blog, my family called me and had all read it...and now they all know I like them! How awful. The only problem is, now I feel so much pressure to write something good! Because they actually read it! None of the normal slop I usually throw up here! Yikes! There is only one thing to be done for it - post pictures instead! So here is Carly, an official University of Arizona cheerleader! The cutest one ever I might add! And to add to her majesty's cuteness, she actually sat still while I painted her finger AND toe nails! She was delighted! I also painted my own toenails because every now and then I like to pretend I'm not a total slob. Josh is also wearing his matching UofA jersey, Carly does have to have someone to cheer for after all! (Note the super chapped lips....Josh is reluctant to do anything about it because he feels it looks like a moustache....sigh.) Special thanks to Bud, Jamie and co for making the cuteness possible....I'm mailing yo...

I love talking to my mom and dad. They may not actually know this. The speed and frequency with which I return their phone calls may have them convinced that I think its some kind of chore. In fact, I love hearing my dad answer the phone with "Yeah?" in that lovely familiar voice that sends safe waves down the phone line and into my soul. And I love hearing my mom relay all the news of home, sometimes for the third or fourth time, and the way her voice quavers when she is particularly missing me. There is something satisfying about missing and being missed. One reason I don't return the phone calls of my family, which I probably have never really adequately explained to them, is the waves of home sickness that tend to wash over me after hearing their voices. Some things I miss about home: The smell of mom's fabric - for Christmas my mom made Carly a sweet little doll in the image of one my sister (and I think I?) had when we were little. The doll is really cute and Ca...

Wishing you and yours the merriest kind of Christmas and love in the New Year! Eric, Sarah, Joshua, and Carly

Imagine my surprise when I glance at the comments for my last blog entry and see a comment from my dad. This is the dad that loves his routine, that won't buy you a Christmas present if he can't find it all Walgreens, who calls Eric to tease him about Penn State even on days they win, who stays up all night worrying about his kids and calls to make sure that no we really don't let Josh play in the dryer - it WAS just that once, the dad who calls my mom when she's visiting here to ask how to use the washing machine. My dad doesn't leave blogger comments, but he did! A few simple words from my dad and I'm all full of the warm fuzzies. And yes, I even laughed out loud with sheer, absolute delight and amusement. A few other things that bring me absolute delight, on a recent scale: ~ Hanging Christmas decorations on my tree that look like some my grandmother always had on hers. (Decorations made of straw that made Eric raise his eyebrows - "you want those ?...

1. I can actually cook a turkey and not only is it edible, but quite delicious! Now, you might ask, why is this a lesson I learned today? I never cook for Thanksgiving...but we will be this year because Eric's mom has been battling an aggressive cancer that requires chemo and sucks the energy right out of her so we are staying home and cooking for her and the rest of the clan. And the last attempt I made at a turkey was at least six years ago, and didn't come out quite as I'd planned. Edible but not "go for seconds". Alas, the turkey for tonight was not ours to keep as it was going to a church function, but sampling it beforehand was quite satisfying. And I'm quite pleased to know I will actually be able to make a good Thanksgiving turkey for the family! 2. I can cook it but man I can't carve it! Who knew carving a turkey was so difficult. I mean I looked at the diagrams and directions, made my first cut and went "whoa!" The mess I mad...