"My FOUP is in rocket mode"

Yep.  Direct quote from dad this week.  So funny.  FOUP is an acronym they use at IBM, and rocket mode means top priority, right now, emergency issue.
So he is solving some big problem all week.
I laugh every time I hear him say his FOUP is in rocket mode.   :)
from dad:
FOUP it is an acronym for Front Opening Unified Pod

It is a Pod that carries around all the wafers in the Fab in the automated system.

Mistborn

I finished the third/last book in this series. It has been years since books have affected me like this. The Hunger Games were good, but the two follow up books couldn't keep the momentum (though I enjoyed them!). After reading these books I'd honestly have to say that they belong in a group of books at a much higher level. Like Dune and Lord of the Rings, they create a new world with religion, culture, and a visible world. They made me think more. They made my faith grow. They helped me understand love better. Maybe this is because of the time in my life I read the books they had such an impact on me. Whatever it is, I love these books. Here are a couple of reasons why:

1 - The books are deeply religious without being preachy. In fact, most readers probably wouldn't even pick up the deeply religious and even dogmatic undertones. Good versus evil; opposites necessary for life. A god who gives his life for his people. A truly deep reflection on what faith is and why it is essential for religion. I can't help but think that only a Mormon could have written such deep insights.

2 - A completely unique world and "magical" powers. Enough vampires, elves, and magic. If there is anything else out there with even a similar concept, I have not read it.

3 - Complex relationships and continual new plots to enjoy. I couldn't figure out what was going to happen, nor did I even want to. It just comes.

Though not without some slow parts (mostly in book 2) this series kept me reading late into the nights, made me cry several times, and was shockingly violent at times (e.g. for adult readers, not my 11 year-old). I couldn't help thinking about my dad as I read it as metals play a huge part in this universe. And he is a metallurgist (thankfully not a hemalurgist!).

New Roof

Yesterday I left from home to go to work and saw my house with its roof. When I came back 8 hours later there was a brand new roof on the house. There were no workers, no trash, nothing left for me to do. My old solar panels and swamp cooler were gone. Nobody fell through the roof or was electrocuted. It looks great. Who knew? I thought a roof took like 2 months and included mandatory electrocutions and near-death falls. =)

Calling good deed doers

If anyone feels so inclined, Aunt Doris is starting chemo this week and is a bit down and lonely.
If you would like to send a perky sunny card to make her day, that would be lovely.  Cari, I know you don't even really know her, but Jacob does!  She is my only aunt, my mother's best friend and sister, and lost her husband last year.
Doris Cianciola
Apt 600
3100 Devonshire Rd
Cleveland, OH 44109

I am sure she would love a cute picture of the kids tucked inside.
thanks!

Jessica Pylick married!

Jesse went downtown Cleveland yesterday to get married on Valentine's day in a big group media thing they do there. I heard she was on the local news.
She married the guy I met last time I was there, I believe I sent you all a picture of us. His name is Daniel Pieffer. He goes by Dan.
She now goes by Jessica Pieffer Samalot.  Samalot was her mother's maiden name.  
Michael went down to attend, as did Mary Pylick. Frank had to work.
She word a purple dress, and Mackayla wore a cute little matching purple dress.
If you have facebook, some of the pics, (only a few) were on the news feed yesterday.  I can send them to anyone who wants them.  (Maybe)
If anyone wants to send her a card of congrats, let me know and I will send you her address.
He seems like a nice guy.  I hope all goes well for her.

so much I don't know!

With this new calling to teach Institute, I have had to step up my reading and scripture study.  Just for the lesson this coming week, I have already read sections 43 & 45 of the D & C, the student manual, and now have all kinds of references to look up, an entire Sec H enrichment section that is 7 pages long, 6 recommended talks, and more.  I find things I didn't know all the time now!  Even in the temple the other night, I thought of 2 things that I had never even noticed or questioned before.
I am in awe of the intelligence and knowledge that is out there.
 Many of you served missions, or attended seminary or BYU classes, so you probably know a lot of  these things, but I have to say, it amazes me to see what there is to learn out there!
I am happy for this new opportunity to learn and grow.  Even my vocab is improving after reading more doctrinal stuff than my usual fiction.
You all know how much I love to learn, so I am on a new learning curve and very happy for this push.
I call and invite you all to read more, study more, and learn more.   It truly is a marvelous work and a wonder!

Poem by Bret, 10/06/84

Guess What?
Guess what I got in my pocket?
Not a spaceship, not a rocket-
A one-way ticket to the moon,
I'm going to send my brother soon.

This was written on the first page of one of his school composition notebooks. I don't know if he copied it from a book or if he is the original author.  He was 10.  I would think Jarek would appreciate this poem.

Some Recent Pics

Enjoy!

Cool weather phenomen

After all the snow yesterday, about 3 am, it started dropping ice crystals, which were heavier than the snow. We heard them hitting the window all the rest of the night.
They are still coming down.
It was interesting to see how these crystals formed the snow into all kinds of cool formations; canyons, arches, etc.  Dad said it looked like the Utah Arches.  We even got our own little arch, if you can see it in the pic.
The first picture is how much snow we had before this storm.  Then the little arches and edges and point formations, then how it mad the snow on our table outside form, after knocking down all the lighter outer snow.

arches

Hope you enjoy!  Yes, I have a lot of time on my hands..  Everything is closed today and tonight.  No Institute again. And poor dad left his computer cord at work.  (I know, I know, he should have 2)
Oh oh, the first picture didn't work.  I hope you can see the cool formations!