Rubbing Off

It is clear. Being married to Joey has its advantages. 24-hour tech help and advice can't be beat. I know many of you occasionally check his Double Stamp blog, with his latest recommendations for how to make your life technically easier, more efficient, or down right smart. He has mentioned the topic I'm about to give nods to before, but here goes a computer illiterate, blond version of the subject.

1-800-Goog-411 can't be beat! This free service allows you to call the aforementioned phone number and be connected directly to a company or residential listing. I have used this service three times in the last week. On Friday, I stood outside a business that was supposed to be open at 11 am, but there I stood at 11:15, outside in the cold. I called Goog-411, selected Salt Lake City and then gave the business name. I was connected with the store and found out why they were closed. My sister, who lives in North Salt Lake, needed a phone number in a different city and was able to call the service, make reservations all without a phone book or internet. Lastly, (now this is the part where Joey really started to rub off on me), I entered a business this morning and a man could not remember the phone number of an appointment he had later in the day. The person at the front desk did not have a phone book (how unhelpful was he!) so I politely volunteered this phone service. I told him the number showed him how it worked and reminded him the most important point - it's free! He was floored to be honest, but grateful. I spent the rest of the morning thinking: that was so Joey - sharing technological advice with strangers.

(For the record, neither Joey nor I work for Google, but with the amount of free press they get on our blogs combined, we should be getting paid.)

Mistake

We attended a large family party where Santa made an appearance. He had a bag of treats sitting next to him to give to the children as they left his lap. One boy, who has a strong disdain for anything licorice, hopped off Santa's lap and took the treat Santa gave him. It only took a few seconds before this little boy realized the mistake. He looked at his treat to find a large licorice rope. He let out a shocked cry:

"Santa messed up!" Hopefully he got it write on Christmas day.

Bigger Problem

I have completed all three books in Meyer's vampire series in less than a week and in response to many comments, I report the following:

• Yes, I have dreamed about Edward. I have also had Bella's recurring dream in book 2. Not a good dream. I'd rather dream of Edward.
  
• Yes, I neglected household chores and other necessary activities to find out the fate of Edward, Bella and Jacob.
  
• Yes, I have had to remind myself that werewolves and vampires do not exist when I have met some people this week who might just be from science fiction books.
  
• Yes, I have quit worrying about Bella, for now . . .
  
• Yes, I am extremely put off that I have to wait until fall for Meyer's next installment. I should have started the books when the series was complete.
  
• Yes, I have big problems.
  

Big Problem

I finally jumped on the Bandwagon and began reading the "vampire" books so many of my friends and family have been talking about. A sporadic reader at best, I figured the addiction the book creates certainly wouldn't apply to me.

I couldn't have been more naive. I have passed up very limited sleep opportunities and household chores to find out the fate of Bella Swan. I even acted like I knew what it was like to live in Western Washington (where the book is based) when a friend from Seattle was talking about their yard. Reading a fictional book hardly makes me an expert on Northwestern landscaping. Clearly I have a big problem, but it will probably be here until her last book of the series is complete.

Bad Mr. Noodle

Owen has taken quite a liking to Elmo's World. There is always a minute or two of each episode however that has him in tears. We videotaped all its glory. The first few seconds and last second are my son at his best. Watch it on Joey's blog here.

Merry Christmas!

In an attempt to have Christmas cards completed early this year and subsequently mailed off to many friends and family, I bought all the materials for their making in September. They currently sit on my dining room table, half finished, and certainly not mailed off. This e-greeting will have to do!

In addition to the unfinished cards, I had several candy making sessions that were somewhat hazardous. The English toffee didn't set and looked like what my brother called "a big old mess." The fudge I had hoped to give friends was bitter and let's just label it "inedible." In one last attempt, I made a huge batch of homemade caramels for my sister and I to give. For whatever reason, three of the batches were flawless and just so happened to be the batches my sister walked off with. So here it is Christmas Eve and I am already beginning my New Year's resolution to have it together when Christmas 2008 rolls around. We shall see.

As always, I am completely amazed by the talent and skill of so many friends and family members who have a million balls in the air and still manage to have it all together. Our little family is continually blessed by your friendship, love and kindness. Without you in our lives, this season would be much less meaningful and incomplete.

We love you all - Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Snow Much Fun

Owen and I braved the falling snow early on Saturday morning. It would have been peaceful and calm, but Owen's squeals of frustration rang through the air. He was quite encumbered by the bulky snow-wear. He could no longer run everywhere and was reduced to a slow waddle. He did discover the taste of snow and was pleasantly surprised. This has created a bit of a problem since then however, because he doesn't quite appreciate that brown or yellow snow are off limits.

He was however happy as long as I was pushing him at a very fast speed (more squeals if I tried to walk, not run) in this car. His red cheeks however, made him look very cute and I indulged him until I ran out of gas.