Still bring earplugs

I spoke too soon, I'm pretty sure they're getting the broom handle again tonight.

A Mr. Roberts Moment

The last scene of the film 'Mr. Roberts' remains one of the most inspiring moments in movie history. Okay, maybe its not that great, but I grew up with the movie and it has always inspired me. After learning of his mentor's (Mr. Roberts) death, Ensign Pulver overcomes his fear of the tyrannical captain and fulfills his potential. A clip of the scene can be seen here:


Our neighbors above us have pounded, hammered, and stomped for months, as many a visitor can attest. Today, amidst the stomping, I could bear no more and ran up the stairs and knocked on their door to inform them of our feelings. Of course he was really nice and it appears they weren't aware of the problem. Months and months of bitter plotting (on my part, which included holding a crying MD up to the vents or taking a broom handle to the ceiling in the early morning hours) could have been avoided by a simple conversation. In fact, I think we'll invite them over for dinner.

So the experience didn't match up exactly with Ensign Pulver's but the feeling of accomplishment is the same (and our broom handle will only be used for sweeping now).

Sunday thoughts

Mary Deane says "just say no" to bad things 

What we are is the sum total of our good and our evil actions and desires.

Dallin H. Oaks - From his book 'Pure in Heart'

Also of note today was from Ann's lesson.  She read a talk from Elder Faust that pointed out that Jesus called his apostles as they were working.  Idleness only opens us up to temptation.

Outside the Box

Marines are learning how to use pack mules to take the fight to the Taliban.  I read the thin air isn't ideal for helicopters and neither is getting ambushed with 100 pounds on your back.  Mules cost $5 in Afghanistan so they're cost effective, but it looks like it takes three Marines to run one.

Eventful Weekend

We finally saw our snapping turtle.  It looks something like this.  That neck stretches out really far.  Apparently it is a fan of multi-grain cheerios and banana puffs.

MD's first daiquiri ice.
Lots of pool time lately.  The water is finally warm enough.
MD is oblivious to any and all obstacles in her life.  
.  

Never ceases to amaze

Country

Country was the music that we made fun of growing up.  Secretly I never hated it as much as I let on.  Now we live in an area that has very few radio stations, and most of it is talk radio.  The country station reliably plays music all the time.  More and more I find myself listening to that station and not minding at all.  

Happy Left Handers Day!

Ann told me that it was left-handers day.  We left-handers have come a long way, didn't they used to 'put us down' back in the day?

Happy Birthday Karlie!

Ann took the good picture of Karlie that we had on the computer, so I had to improvise.  Karlie is a fun to be around.  She can talk to you about anything and it will be a fun conversation.  Happy Birthday!  

PS - We're praying for her to get a job this week.

Nap

Right now MD is still sleeping.  She has been asleep for at least two hours.  She is still a little sick so I stayed home with her today.