"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!

calorie counting stinks

Okay, so dad I have been counting numbers for 2 full weeks: dad carbs and I, calories.
Dad's sugar levels were up & down throughout the holidays, so he has been much more careful and it really keeps his levels even.
I have stayed under 1,500 calories, no cheating, I promise, for 2 full weeks, and lost 1/2 lb.
And I am exercising.
What the pie am I doing wrong?
How many calories should an old lady like me have per day?  Is 1,500 still too much?
I haven't even had any chocolate at all, or not a single cookie.  I only weigh myself on Fridays, so I don't get discouraged.
Tadah!  Today is Friday, and I am discouraged and ever so tempted to just go buy some m&ms.
Dad says I look thinner, but?
Any suggestions out there?
Why do all these new diets on all the popular TV shows say, "lose 5 lbs in a week"?
That must be when you are young and under 50.
I told dad I would do it for one month, as it is hard to count everything, especially when you cook from scratch  like we do.  We add it all together and actually use measuring cups to see how much we are eating.
Dad is doing great!  And he weighs less than me, so sad.

Pathfinder

I can't even think of the last time that I book I read inspired  me this much!  I am not saying the book was one of those, entertaining- I can't put it down kinds.  
It made me want to be a better person, to discipline myself more, to learn more, to gain more skills and develop more talents.  It encouraged me to keep studying scriptures and gaining knowledge.
It was hard to follow in some cases, (maybe not for some of you, but for me), so I may actually read it again.
I love the was the author throws in deep Mormon doctrine here and there.
I love books about time travel, as I know it is a real concept and just another dimension.
Great read!

Favorites 2011

Yeah, I don't know if these count as 2010 favorites late or what. But here are the results of last night's FHE festivities:

	Bret	Tevia
Color	Red	Green
Animal	Otter	Horse
Actor/Actress	Angelina Jolie	Chris Evans
Food	Chicken Tikka Masala	Mexican Food
Fictional Character	Boba Fett	NOT ANSWERED
Item of Clothing	Basketball shorts	Workout Clothes
Weapon	Lightsaber	Mace
Instrument	Drum	Piano
Candy Bar	Kit Kat	Reeses PB Cup
Media Type	Books	Books

	Jarek	Malik
Color	Red	Ceurlean
Animal	Cheetah	Lion
Actor/Actress	Jack Black	NOT ANSWERED
Food	Homemade Cruchy Tacos	Bacon & Sausage
Fictional Character	Tom Dennis Fitzgerald	Oshawat
Item of Clothing	Turtlenecks	Socks
Weapon	Laser Scythe Three Blaster Extension	M.O.A.B. (Mother of All Bombs)
Instrument	Crash Cymbals	Electricity
Candy Bar	Nestle Crunch	Hershey Bar
Media Type	Books	Nintendo

	Enok	Hazel
Color	Green	Purple
Animal	Sheep	Horsie
Actor/Actress	NOT ANSWERED	Tom Kenny (voice of Spongebob)
Food	Noodles	Fruit Snacks
Fictional Character	Mario	Dora
Item of Clothing	Shirt & Pants	Happy Birthday Shirt
Weapon	Gun	Eek
Instrument	NOT ANSWERED	Drums
Candy Bar	Chocolate Bar	Milky Way
Media Type	NOT ANSWERED	TV

	Jacob	Cari
Color	Orange	Green
Animal	Water Monitor	Tarsier
Actor/Actress	Steve Zahn	Chris Pine
Food	Pastrami	Alfredo
Fictional Character	Boba Fett "Purple Rage"	Meliara (from Crown Duel)
Item of Clothing	Cleats	Cashmere Robe
Weapon	Cerebral Bore	Disk (from Tron)
Instrument	Piano	Oboe
Candy Bar	Charleston Chew	Toffee Bar
Media Type	Video Games	Books

	Jimmy	Kathy
Color	Blue	Blue
Animal	Orca	Dolphin
Actor/Actress	Denzel Washington	Will Smith
Food	Pizza	Pizza
Fictional Character	Maverick (from Top Gun)	Hermione or Yoshi
Item of Clothing	PJ Pants	Hoodie & Jeans
Weapon	Javelin (the missile launcher)	RCP 90
Instrument	Piano	Piano
Candy Bar	Cookies & Cream Bar	Almond Joy
Media Type	Movies	Books

Speed passed due to his non-ability to say anything besides "dada", "baba", and "mama" (which he only says when he's really upset).

Risa also played but I never got her paper and I didn't want to try to just remember them because I'd probably get them wrong and say her favorite fictional character was Bella Swan. And then she'd have to throw a pencil at my head. :-D

agog with the blog

I was forgetting some things about our last desert trips.  Blog at the rescue!  Easy to find the 2007, 2008, and 2009 accounts.  Fun to read. I highly suggest reading them.  Bret used the word saudade to describe the 2007 one.  Cool!  Malik, do you remember Luke and how you became good friends?   Cari, the picture of Hazel peaking out of the tent is adorable.  And who can forget Jacob trying to roast a pineapple, and Millie roasting some  candy.  And Andy's fall, and the rescue.  The pictures, the dirt, the wind, the memories!
Looking forward to it!

Tom

We woke up this morning with this written in the snow.  Ha ha, yes, I miss Tommy so much, but I didn't do it!
It just so happens the neighbors little boy is Tom.

Good old Orson Scott Card

The last 3 books I read, I just could not get into them.  I didn't finish 2, and forced myself to finish the Sisters Grimm, which I was given for Christmas.  It sounded like it would be creative and fun. I could have written it better myself in 2 days.
So, I am between book club books, so I picked up the book Bret or Jacob got dad, Pathfinder. (Sorry, I forget who, and dad is not here to ask)
Now we're talking!  I have only read 2 chapters, and I am enjoying it.  I must like Orson's style.  He already brought out time/space travel stuff, which I always enjoy.
And a new secret skill that I have not seen before!
And, a new concept to me about how they kept a calendar,  which has totally intrigued me.  I want to do it!
So happy again to be reading a book I like.
Our book club was picked by Bruce Hawks, for the couples month in Feb, so husbands are to join us. Dad read it. I couldn't  make it through.  All Quiet on the Western Front.  War, sadness, horrible graphic details, ugh.  Several men in our ward have told me to finish it because it is quite philosophical.  Too bad. They can just tell me about it without me having to read it all.
Our next book I get to pick, and I am choosing Fablehaven, even though I read it. We need a nice, easy read after this, and most of the mothers have wanted to read it anyways. And dad wants to also someday.
He has started the book by the Historian of West Point, who is a Mormon, and on our high council. He wrote one of those fictional histories, called "Called to Serve".  I think it is about the Mormon battalion.  He is liking it so far.

Kindness

Monday Tevia was not feeling well so I decided to work from home in order to help support her andgive her more opportunity to rest and get well. One way to help was to take the boys to school. We don’t live too far from the school, but because school starts so early (7:30) and our boys are a little slow, we often drive them to the corner so they don’t have to walk as far. They always walk home, but mornings can be tough so early.

I drove the back way up two streets and we laughed as we talked about the day and how they should be good and kind, etc. As usual they were so full of energy and love and we kissed and hugged and I watched as they started towards the school. After a few yards I noticed Malik was having some struggles carrying his violin case. He had a big jacket on and his backpack and trying to keep the violin in hand and walk quickly to the school was a challenge for him. As I watched I thought of how such a simple task can be so difficult for some people. But he wasn’t complaining or crying, but you could see he kept adjusting it and trying to find the best way to hold it. I wished that I could get out and carry it for him. But I didn’t think he would appreciate his dad getting out of the car and then taking his violin. Maybe he would have liked that – but I didn’t.

And then I saw Jarek walk over to him and without a word take the violin case out of his hand and carryit for him. This small act of love nearly brought me to tears as I watched Jarek – who isn’t all that much bigger or stronger – sacrifice for his little brother. He did it with a smile as they walked up the sidewalk. I marveled at the kindness of the gesture – and at the ability Jarek had to even notice an opportunity to help. I was touched that our children care for each other and despite their weaknesses look for opportunities to serve. Jarek didn’t know I was watching him. Carrying the violin would have been nearly as difficult for Jarek as it was for Malik. But he did it to help his brother and show his love for him.

As I drove home I was grateful for that small experience. I thought about it often as I went through the day and decided I need to look for more opportunities to serve those around me. You can learn a lot from your kids.

Thought for the day

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Hazel's Christmas Gift From Santa

This was Hazel's first fun game on her Crayola Computer Santa gave her for Christmas. We were amazed at how fast she learned to use the mouse.

New Year stuff, predictions, goals, and favs

A year or 2 ago, we made some pretty cool predictions; like where Tom would go on his mission, if Jake or Bret would move, etc.
Let's try some for this year.  Any predictions out there?
I know people are guessing when Tommy will get married, and who.  I personally think he will take plenty of time and have fun dating for awhile and not hurray things along.  I don't think he will be married till at least the very end of 2011 or later.
Will we move to AZ?
Any other babies coming?
Will the world end?
Any other big events to look forward to?  Jarek gets the priesthood.
Will Cari or Jacob quit their job?

Next:
I miss doing favorites- 
Let's all do favorite books and movies they saw and read this year.
Tev & Bret, ask Jarek his too.

If anyone wants to share any good goal ideas, feel free.  I still have to figure them out, so it will be a week before I formulate them into a plan.

A Great Day!

I had a great day on Monday. First I had a great and restful sleep. I knew it would be our last sleep in Kathy and Jimmy's home on Carol Ann Way. Thanks to them for the nice stay we had there. It was so restful and accommodating. Very much appreciated. Then I went right over to Jake's and up on the roof. I skipped breakfast. Did not want it! I had been so concerned because I had estimated the project poorly, and I felt bad that things were askew with essentially no time remaining. But we did have another day. Then I had a great day working with Tom. What a treat and a pleasure that was for me. Thanks Tom for the great day and also all the other days on the roof. But this day was especially great because, we knew it was the last but more importantly, we made so much progress and saw all our plans coming together. It was a perfect day on the roof. So much fun, we just skipped lunch. How often do workers do that? Only on a great day. Thanks again to everyone that gave time during the important Christmas season to help. Jacob, Jimmy, Bret, Tom, and even Cari worked on the house lights, and Karen made some trips to the store. Sorry for the pain it caused. I really did not think it would be that big of a job. Then I had a great evening. I felt physically good! Better everyday. I think our bodies are amazing to respond to our needs so quickly and well. Except for my tooth ache (unrelated to the roof) I was feeling good. We had some good food brought by Karen and Cari. Thanks so much, my taco's were great. Finally, we got a great lift to the Air Port by Bret and Tev and a warm good bye. Oh yea, and a great ride home through the peaceful night of the great day. It was a great day. Thanks to all for making it happen for me. Strange that such would be great, when it was so full of work and responsibility. But I would not change it for a thousand movies, or naps, or meals. It was great all by itself.