Our House

has all kinds of personality.

And even a little bit of crafty stuff.

There are plenty of gifts

from Crafty Friends

Thanks Valerie.

Plenty of Children with Creativity

And there are always

mom's best attempts.

The love of a family

knows

no

crafty

bounds.

It's a good thing.

My Really Important Stuff

As you all know,

I've been posting tidbits of wisdom

from the book

Really Important Stuff My Kids Taught Me.

I still have a lot of bits to go.

But, I keep coming up with my own.

So, I am going to intermingle.

Mine will just be called

Really Important Stuff.

You don't have to be afraid of spiders.

Just decide not to be afraid.

Guest Post - Chad (Facebook Etiquette)

I like making new friends.

In real life and on facebook.

A while back, something I had posted

caught the eye of a real-life friend's friend.

Her name was Daisy.

She will have to be a guest post another day.

She is buried in her book publisher's demands right now.

Daisy and I got into it, back and forth about an issue I call

"underachieving students in our public schools".

After Daisy proclaimed her loyalty and love

for kids who struggle in school,

and declared her position to single handedly

make a difference for all those she could reach,

I referred her to my post about my mom.

Years ago, my mom taught me about

that same kind of love

when she bought some pizza for some gang members.

So, Daisy and I became forever after facebook friends. I call it FAFF.

Well, one day, whilst reading a post from Daisy on facebook

about making jam with some Mormon missionaries

(who she feeds and invites into her home regularly,

even though she is not a Mormon)

I got a good laugh at a comment.

The conversation had turned from the 30 jars of jam

to what it would take to eat it all.

Chad Deal wrote something like this:

"All the bread you are going to have to eat with that jam

will be enough to give a sperm whale a yeast infection."

And, with the click of the mouse,

I found myself laughing uncontrollably,

The next thing I know, Chad is my newest facebook friend.

I am pleased to offer him up

as my latest and greatest guest post.

Here is Chad's bio.

He wrote it himself.

I am so excited that I have a band director on my list of friends.

Abigail was just issued a french horn,

and I know absolutely nothing about it.

Chad Deal is a Music Educator in Georgia. He has directed High School Bands in Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Statesboro, GA. He is married to a wonderful woman (a saint, some say) and is the father of two little boys. He currently exists without his own web address, but only because www.supercrazyawesome.com is taken. His Facebook fan page was taken down after it made Brad Pitt look bad. Don't tell me there wasn't a conspiracy at work. If you would like to contact him, please find something more rewarding to do (he really is quite boring and full of himself), but if you must, please email chadadeal@me.com

Chad's contribution is called

Facebook Funny

I asked him to inform of us

his take on facebook no-no's.

It does not disappoint,

but does have a few

PG-13 references.

But this Mormon blogger

can put up with them

in honor of

making new friends

and celebrating differences.

I am often asked to be funny. Actually, I am nearly always required to be funny. My life as a dad, hubby, and teacher insists that I be funny in order to make the mundane tolerable. Another outlet for my humor is Facebook. This social phenomenon has given me a huge audience (which is good because my wife has grown weary of hearing my jokes over and over on the phone and Facebook allows me to be silently funny). The compensation scale won’t pay the light bill (electric/power bill if you live outside of the South) but it does make me feel great when something I write elicits a favorable reply, “Like” or even a “nice one, Chad”.

It was just such a comment that lead me to this blog posting. I am not a blogger. I enjoy blogs, and have considered writing one, but I am always distracted by things like playing in the backyard, playing in the living room, and once the kids are asleep, doing some playing in the bedroom. So my blogging is limited to Facebook status updates and replies to the updates of others. I enjoy seeking out seemingly normal, mundane updates and finding the humor (or creating it), but I must say that sifting through the endless blathering of some of my friends has lead me to create a system for pruning my friends list.

I will approve nearly every friend request I receive through Facebook. Notable exceptions are 1) current students and their parents, 2) obvious spammers (unless they are super hot models) and 3) anyone from France. Once approved, everyone gets an audition. I keep an eye on their status updates and if I like what I see, they get to keep their coveted spot in my friends list. However, should they fall into one (or more) of the following categories, they are quickly removed, which can decimate someone’s cool point cache.

Category 1- The ‘Villes:

If you are a hardcore participant in any game that ends in ‘ville (Farm, Fish, Drug Cartel, etc.) I think that is fine, but if 90% of your updates are related to that, or other games, you may need an intervention… or a sign that points outside. Don’t get me wrong, I understand addiction… I have an iPhone, but for goodness sake, stop taking pictures of your computer screen and posting it for all of your friends to ignore. Tell me something interesting, like what you had for lunch, or how long your last (or first) orgasm lasted. Pique my interest with something real, something tangible. Otherwise, you will be banished from Chad-Ville.

Category 2- Pundits:

The only thing more annoying than the ville’s is politics. I don’t care if you are a Democrat, a Republican, or an Idiot… I mean, Independent (sorry, Freudian slip). If you think that a single political party has all the answers then you are in for more disappointment than my first Prom date. I understand having a strong opinion about certain issues, we all do, at least, I hope we all do. But please, refrain from trying to assert your superiority within your friend circle by regurgitating the flame-filled ramblings from our current “news” channels. I could write a book about everything I hate about politics and news, but I digress. Save the Soap-boxery for something that really matters, like guaranteeing that reruns of Friends are shown in the order they were meant to be shown and with all of the lead in and lead out jokes intact. Where is my PAC for THAT???

Category 3- Sickies:

Being in pain is terrible. I feel bad for you, I really do. Having spent a period of my life in chronic pain (4 years living in Alabama), I totally get the need to seek compassion, but do we need to hear EVERY single complaint? “I have a headache” “Tummy is upset today...FML”.

FML (F**K My Life)??? REALLY??? For an upset tummy??? Please get some perspective. You can find it at Wal*Mart. Spend 15 minutes watching the endless train of poor decisions coupled to a substandard education and a caboose of Zero fashion sense and you will understand the true meaning of FML. Your aches and pains cannot possibly compare to the despair of these people (which would be 100 times worse if they actually knew what despair was). Save the complaining for your bartender. At least he is getting paid while he listens. Maybe I should start a game called Bar-Ville.

Category 4- Haters:

“I hate my job”, “I hate my Ex”,”I hate my neighbors”. Complaining is natural. We all hate something, and misery loves company. But I simply cannot commiserate with ALL of the hate that comes up in my news feed. Times are tough, and many people are stuck in a job that is unfulfilling, but one thing that I have learned in all my years of punching the time clock is this: Complaining only makes it worse. It forces you to focus exclusively on the most negative aspects of your job. Instead, find the best thing (even if it is quitting time) and keep that in your sights. You’ll be surprised how many more positive things there are when you look past the negatives. Same thing with an Ex-husband or Wife. Something drew you to that person originally. Instead of spending all of your energy hating the person they are, try to remember what you loved about them to start with (even if it was only the great sex. Reliving that in your mind once or twice might temper some of the hatred and allow you to move on). Hate the neighbors? Join the club. Kill ‘em with kindness… or poison, but stop the hate.

So, what next? Well, anyone that falls into one or (god forbid), more of the above categories is placed on a watch list. If the annoying behavior dominates the Wall, and subsequently, my news feed, then I block or delete. I need quality soil to grow the seeds of my humor. I get no inspiration from the ‘ville’s, pundits, sickies, or haters. I need quality material like mundane updates with poor grammar and/or misspellings. I adore people that mix up their attempts at descriptive language and my heart leaps every time someone misses obvious sarcasm. What can you do to make my experience better? Here are some tips:

• Accidentally slip up and reveal juicy details about your private life

• Take lots of pictures when you are out in public (preferably of people you don’t know) and post them.

• Occasionally post something on your Wall that was supposed to be a private message.

As I am not the only Facebook user out there, please feel free to comment with the thing(s) that drive you the most crazy about the Facebook experience. My next Guest Post (if I am invited back) will be about Twitter and why I think we find celebrities so fascinating (PREVIEW--WE DON’T).

Thanks for reading. Stay subscribed and try the veal.

My two cents - Category 5 - The Runners. These people love to post about how busy they are, so they somehow feel important because their declarations so obviously rat themselves out. They feel so insignificant. They also like to talk about how much THEY RUN. 5 miles, 6 miles, 18.5 pairs of shoes, 192 roadkill. Can't go to sleep until I finish up my sprints on my treadmill.

What annoying facebook categories can you guys come up with?

If you aren't on facebook, do you have categories for your blogging friends?

Book Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


How would you like it if I started this review with "Well, they all survived." and then quickly added, "Oh, except the main character?" I am not saying that IS what happened at all. I wouldn't want to write a spoiling review so soon. But, that is what this book was like for me.

Have I ever told you that I am a tidbit emotionally unstable and that I get really really involved with these fictitious characters? I don't like it when authors mess with my stability. It really makes me mad when they get you all happy, only to turn the page and be disappointed or to turn the page repeatedly to a complete WHAM-O in my face. I don't like it all. The jumpy transitions were not only unnecessary but annoying.

Although, this was a chosen life-long favorite for me after reading the first two books, the third one left me re-thinking this declaration. In fact, it left me wanting to rewrite the whole finish. It almost felt rushed. It didn't have as much depth or feeling. There were emotional parts but it is almost as if the author stopped being IN the story when she was telling it...if that makes any sense.

I still enjoyed it and at least there was closure in the end (more than you can say for the first two books) but I just wish so many things were different. And I guess you can say that because I feel that way, Collins masterfully got her point across....humanity sucks. War is cruel. Most people are out for themselves. And, now you can see why this person who likes to see the good in people was thoroughly disappointed.

The plot wasn't as exciting as those found in Books 1 and 2. In fact, to me, the main plot may have just been as dull as "Nobody gets what they want. Everyone is just surviving the events of their life." This book almost took more of a political turn. Like true-life anti-war propaganda or something. Although, in a round about way, at the end, you were left to think that war was actually necessary and justified for a better society.

I don't feel the author gave the proper burial to minor characters. Heck, she didn't give a proper good-bye for major characters. It felt like a rush to the publish date book. I hate that. Why can't everything be as masterful as Harry Potter from start to finish?

View all my reviews

Love Hate Relationship

I won't tell you who constructed such a fine piece of artwork.

As they might have morning after regret.

But, I will tell you

that karma is a bummer.

And for all the times I said this exact thing to my mom

I want you to know

that I always knew you didn't hate me.

If helping you to learn to clean your room

so you can have

a nice home of your own someday

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If disciplining you for

disobedience

so that you will learn

that actions have consequences

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If reading scriptures with you every day,

so that you will know

the love of God and Christ

means I hate you,

then I must hate you.

If sitting down with you to

do your homework

every day after school

so you won't be a procrastinator

means I hate you

then I hate you.

If telling you to hurry

because you are going to be late

for soccer again,

so that you will learn to be responsible

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If asking you to remember

and wash your face every night

so you won't be scarred

by the effects of

adolescent acne

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If taking your phone away

so that you can learn to

have a real conversation

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If requiring you to wear

modest clothes

so that you will

have self-respect

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If limiting your TV time

so that you won't

turn into a couch potato

means I hate you,

then I hate you.

If asking you to help

with household chores

so that you will learn

to be a contributing member of society

means I hate you

then I hate you.

Now,

go back,

and read

every one

of these stanzas

over again.

And where they say,

"means I hate you

then I hate you"

please replace with

"means I love you,

then I love you."

And then add this last one.

If laughing

when you make a sign like this

so that you will

learn not to take

yourself too serious

means I love you,

then you must know

that I really love you.

Because I am still laughing.

Jesus, Take the Wheel.

Now I know

where Carrie Underwood

got her inspiration.

But, seriously,

the song has a true message,

and I guess the

church sign

does too.

We have to surrender our will.

And, yes, that was said

very Southernly,

so it almost sounded like

We have to surrender our wheel.

Weakness

In my church we have modern day scripture called

The Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon is compilation

of Native American prophets.

The climax of the book is when Christ

appears to the Native American people.

Here is a powerful video depiction

of this written sacred event.

You can read about it here.

One reason, many Christian religions

say that Mormons are not Christian

is because of this Book of Mormon.

It pains me

because The Book of Mormon

brings me closer to Christ.

It helps me learn of Him.

One of my favorite verses from

The Book of Mormon

is

2 Nephi 25:26.

The words of Nephi, the prophet, are this:

"And we talk of Christ,

we rejoice in Christ,

we preach of Christ,

we prophesy of Christ,

and we write according to our prophecies,

that our children may know

to what source

they may look for a remission of their sins."

Another of my favorite verses is

Ether 12:27

"And if men come unto me

I will show unto them their weakness

I give unto men weakness

that they may be humble;

and my grace is sufficient

for all men

that humble themselves before me;

for if they humble themselves before me,

and have faith in me,

then will I make weak things

become strong unto them."

How powerful is that?

It's a beautiful promise

that soothes the soul

of this imperfect woman.

And I am not the only one

who has felt the power

of this verse.

I can't wait to show this video to my family tonight.

If this embedded video is not working

try this link.

Heroes

Who is your hero?

It's a simple question that when answered tells a lot about a person.

I have lots of heroes.

Jesus Christ.

Parents of special needs' kids.

Teachers who love what they do.

Servicemen and women and their families.

Anyone who stands for what is right, even if they do it alone.

A friend of ours, Derek Hinckley, has a song called My Hero.

It talks about heroic Christlike qualities and the love for a parent.

Every mom and dad should be a hero.

My Hero from Milestone Pictures on Vimeo.

If any of you know happen to know Kenny Chesney personally,

or his agent, or someone who knows his agent,

maybe you could turn him on to this page on facebook:

My Hero should be a Kenny Chesney song.

It's an amazing song.

Its video was chosen my Sean Hannity to be a finalist.

For now, here's a Kenny Chesney video that I just enjoyed immensely.

I want to drag LG out to a High School football game

and see if I can get "that feeling" back.

I couldn't help but think of my brother Erick

while watching.

He loves the game of football.

And gets to hold on to THAT FEELING

while coaching in Rexburg, ID.

Here's a link to Kenny's song

The Boys of Fall.

The video makes the song even better.

Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me #18

Once your mother finds your broken glasses,

you can't keep saying they're not broken.