blogging

When I started blogging a couple of years ago, it seemed like there was never-ending material to use. It was more difficult to end my posts in a timely manner than it was to find something to write about. Lately, finding posting material has been more elusive, and frankly, the lack of comments are disheartening.Which is kind of dumb, because I have always thought that I blog for myself, not for others. Today, over at segullah, the topic, interestingly enough, was on this very issue. I have been wondering what, exactly, comprises an "interesting, compelling" post.  


When I read blogs, I am first of all looking to catch up on the events in the lives of friends and family. Finding humor there is definitely a bonus! Secondly I desire to read something that stretches my brain and brings introspection. Nothing is worse than letting your brain rot in prolonged vegetation. And thirdly, I want to read uplifting, testimony strengthening experiences.


To follow my own recipe, I will briefly summarize the doings of the fam in the past few weeks. We have been trying to refinanace our home for an interest rate that is half of what it currently is. The plan is to get a little extra money to make some much needed improvements- replace the siding, windows, and doors. However, in order to get the refinance money we have to paint our house to cover the peeling paint (which might be lead based) (even though we just repainted a few years ago and definitely is not lead based), in order to remove said sideing and replace it with concrete siding. Are you lost yet?  Paul took last weekend off to do the dirty, and of course it rained ALL WEEKEND! He was able to get the primer on though, so yesterday, after taking another day off, it was finally painted. Hopefully it will pass muster, and we can get the refinanace closed, and the improvements in the works.


After being down to 2 kids at home this time last year,we are back up to 5 kids at home. And along with that we are back up to an inordinate amount of groceries needed to keep the tribe full. It is really strange to be back to 4-6 agallons of milk a week along with 8 loaves of bread, not to mention all the other staples!


Joss is hanging out here at home, looking for work, and being my right hand girl friday. I really love her and appreciate how much she lightens my load. Always willing to help out, she is responsible and compassionate.


Dylan is working 14 hour days, and filling shiffs at the fire department as well. He really loves the fire stuff, and is eager to become a fulltime fireman./paramedic in the future. He is working on his mission papers, and looking forward to getting his wisdom teeth out! ; )  NOT!! He is however very excited to be receiving his mission call in the fairly near future. We attended a farewell in Q-town for 2 of his friends that are leaving very soon, on for Tonga, and one for England. Hearing their testimonies and excitement to share the gospel was infectious and  uplifting. I have known these boys since they were about 3, and have immensely enjoyed watching them grow and mature. They are both fine young men and will contribute much to their fields of labor.


Adam is enjoying being back at Kimber, and is working hard. He is taking group violin lessons as one of his electives, as well as a  STEM(science,technology,engineering, and mechanics) class. They are building rockets, and I hear them constantly hounding their teacher for launch dates. So fun!! He is really coming along as a surrogate big brother for Bri and Brannick, and developing his  inter personal  skills and leadership qualities. He has completed all the merit badges he need s to receive his Eagle award, and only needs to complete a project. His leaders have been very helpful in finding a project for him, and now he only has to get it going.


Bri and Brannick are making a lot of progress, and we are loving having them with us. I have learned a lot about myself, and have learned a lot about how Heavenly Father touches us through those with special needs. There is nothing better than feeling the joy of accomplishment and sharing it with Brannick. He is truly one of those choice spirits. The one drawback to have the kids here, is having the state be so intrusive in our lives. I long for the time when we can just parent the way it needs to happen for the good of the children, without worrying about the feelings of the biological parents.


In between taking care of the kids, and making a  stab at keeping up with the house, I am spending some time doing family history indexing, cross-stitching stockings for Christmas, crocheting baby items for photography props for my sis- in law, and teaching a crafts class at Kimber. We are looking forward to a family sealing session at the temple, where many families will at last  be sealed together.Whew!!


Now for the brain stretcher.  Unfortunatley, I can't think of a thing; this is going to take some n.hmmm.....Oh, here's one!! Spoiler alert!! since this IS my own blog, I can state my political views. So, if you don't like my views, you may want to stop here. On the other hand, it is pretty funny- so there you go!!
                            
                                       DIVORCE AGREEMENT



Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:


We have stuck together since the late 1950's for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.


Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.


Here is a model separation agreement:


--Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.


--We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.


--You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.


--Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military.


--We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and you can go with wind, solar and biodiesel.


--You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them.


--We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street.


--You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless, homeboys, hippies, druggies and illegal aliens.


--We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks.


--We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood .


--You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.


--You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.


--We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.


--You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N. but we will no longer be paying the bill.


--We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.


--You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors
--We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right.


--We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."


--I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine", "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", "Kum Ba Ya" or "We Are the World".


--We'll practice trickle down economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.


--Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.






Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you answer which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.






Sincerely,


John J. Wall


Law Student and an American




P.S. Also, please take Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, Barbara Streisand, & Jane Fonda with you.




P.S.S. And you won't have to press 1 for English when you call our country.