tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55233562024-02-06T21:22:54.601-06:00Impending DistractionsSomething to keep me amused when I should be otherwise occupiedMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comBlogger890125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-10909646213262563432018-04-04T09:07:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:12:20.477-06:00These movies fuel the absurdly overblown notion that Christians in America are being persecuted.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/4/3/17180138/gods-not-dead-light-darkness-evangelical-christian-persecution-race">How the Christian movie series God’s Not Dead fails to be Christian</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-56624620300541661932017-12-05T09:10:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:11:34.098-06:00<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto" , "robotodraft" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A substantial portion of this article examines the idea of chasing trends. SEO and SMO, in particular, are targeted as scapegoats. To an extent, that's a fair assessment - if news media cover a particular topic only because it's trending on search or social, it doesn't necessarily lead to quality content. The better route is to cover the topics of your own expertise and view search and social as tools for getting your content to an audience interested in it. The "O" in SEO and SMO stands for </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">optimization</i><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto" , "robotodraft" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">, not </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">game-the-system</i><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto" , "robotodraft" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/11/media-apocalypse/546935/" style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Why so many media companies are on the brink of disaster</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-67213842749391290572017-12-04T10:18:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:45:37.457-06:00I often wish I could abandon Facebook altogether. I find Twitter extremely useful for work, but I rarely use it outside the office. Instagram is littered with junk posts (personally, I consider anything that isn't a photo you shot yourself to be spam), and I can't keep up with their stories vs. Snapchat's.<br />
<br />
Social media has become a mostly joyless pastime that we turn to out of habit with the hope that maybe, just maybe, we'll stumble across something interesting.<br />
<br />
As I've argued for years, Facebook's failure is that your friends aren't interesting. However, on the platforms where we follow people based on interest rather than acquaintance, social media works.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/11/the-end-of-the-social-era-twitter-facebook-snapchat" target="_blank">The End of the Social Era Can't Come Soon Enough</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-89869450379323203222017-11-29T09:13:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:13:51.725-06:00<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto" , "robotodraft" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This issue of kids being targeted by rogue YouTube accounts frightens me, but having worked in media, I know the solution is far from simple.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/27/566769570/youtube-faces-increased-criticism-that-its-unsafe-for-kids" target="_blank">Is YouTube's Algorithm Endangering Kids?</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-86710350027554292932017-11-15T09:48:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:49:29.547-06:00Mara Wilson delivers a scathing commentary of the sexualization of child actors that we should be ashamed even needed to be written.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a13532407/dont-sexualize-young-girls/" target="_blank"><i>Matilda</i> Actress Mara Wilson: A 13-Year-Old Girl Is Not "All Grown Up"</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-37313716171787503182017-11-14T09:15:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:15:39.862-06:00Looking back at how ignorant news media were regarding social media in its early days, we should continue to question what aspects of social media newsrooms are neglecting now.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/reports/strategy-studies/reinventing-social-media/" target="_blank">After a decade, it’s time to reinvent social media in newsrooms</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-56240092502252652692017-10-17T14:12:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:52:08.588-06:00Whether or not you supported Bush, it's stuff like this that makes you miss his presidency.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-purple-heart-george-bush-perspec-20160803-story,amp.html" target="_blank">Why George W. Bush stood there and took the wrath of a soldier's mom. Listen up, Donald Trump.</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-51282157067334961992017-09-18T11:17:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:21:08.033-06:00Ignore the cruel-sounding, clickbaity headline here. It's not indicative of the content within. The article itself – about poverty vs. privilege – is great.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thinkprogress.org/ketchup-sandwiches-and-other-things-stupid-poor-people-eat-41617483b497/" target="_blank">Ketchup sandwiches and other things stupid poor people eat</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-78772189967646006952017-08-10T09:53:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:53:48.898-06:00Why? Why do kids keep turning to these sorts of anonymous messaging apps? If someone says something mean (which they probably will), you'll feel horrible. If someone says something nice, it'll just drive you crazy not knowing who it was.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/10/sarahah-anonymous-app/" target="_blank">Who needs friends when you have anonymous feedback apps?</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-23942832091160806272017-08-04T09:54:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:55:32.402-06:00An important analysis of a generation born into a world of smartphones.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/" target="_blank">Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-44866213718844661832017-05-22T09:56:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:56:26.875-06:00“Depending on the different filler tapes you find, you end up with a different impression of all those characters.”<br />
<br />
The concept sounds like a gamified version of the "S-town" podcast.<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/21/15670368/escape-room-the-nest-disney-imagineering-interview" target="_blank">How two Disney Imagineers built a better escape room with The Nest</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-40147605401968605682017-05-22T09:32:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:33:57.795-06:00Kendall has been fascinated by capybaras since she read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28587982-the-capybara-conspiracy" target="_blank">The Capybara Conspiracy</a></i>.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thedodo.com/capybara-best-friends-animals-2326399131.html" target="_blank">Capybara Falls in Love With All the Animals on Her Farm</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-89708871587547103772017-05-04T09:27:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:28:41.850-06:00"Now, with more characters like this, [girls] are expected to be there. So when kids are playing Star Wars on the playground, there's characters for everyone to play."<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/why-the-women-of-star-wars-are-the-fandoms-new-hope-according-to-ashley-eckstein-55745" target="_blank">Why the Women of 'Star Wars' Are the Fandom's New Hope, According to Ashley Eckstein</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-81757080078173293492017-02-09T17:35:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:37:33.267-06:00My freshman year of college, I had a couple Spanish classes with a young woman who was homeless. I didn't know it at the time (I expect few did), but I read about her journey a few years later in <i>The Huntsville Times</i> – how friends of hers, also homeless, scraped together money to help her somehow find a way to attend UAH.<br />
<br />
Now working at UAB, it breaks my heart to know that this problem persists. There are homeless students at UAB, too (and yes, we have programs in place to help them). To paraphrase the teacher interviewed in the article: It's invisible even when you're looking.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/02/08/513902272/the-number-of-hungry-and-homeless-students-rises-along-with-college-costs" target="_blank">The Number of Hungry and Homeless Students Rises Along With College Costs</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-55606007287778186772016-12-13T14:40:00.000-06:002019-01-03T09:41:59.261-06:00Sleepy Skunk's annual movie trailer mashup is always awesome. Better than any montage of clips you'll see at the Oscars.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/msrYgp0-4fY" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-75313390871504725972012-12-31T19:01:00.001-06:002012-12-31T19:55:16.633-06:00A date that has lasted ten yearsTen years ago today a woman showed up at my house, and when I opened the door the first thought that went through my mind was, "She's out of my league. Tonight will be the only date I ever get with her."<br />
<br />
Today we picked out colors to repaint the exterior of our house.<br />
<br />
Ten years ago I was living in Huntsville. I worked at AL.com, and I owned a comic book shop called Haven. Misty and I met online (as much as I hate to admit it). We weren't looking for a date -- it just worked out that way. When we realized that neither of us had plans for New Year's Eve, on a whim I asked her if she wanted to do something together.<br />
<br />
The two of us went to a concert from the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra where they were performing a tribute to John Williams. I was sure that she was itching to escape as soon as the orchestra stopped playing, yet when it was over, I asked if she'd like to walk around Big Spring Park, and she agreed.<br />
<br />
We circled the pond talking until the cold rain drove us away. But miraculously our date didn't end. We decided to head to the home of some friends of mine who were having a New Year's Eve party. When the midnight hour arrived and everyone kissed, we didn't really know what to do. A first kiss is awkward enough without an audience.<br />
<br />
It must have worked out OK, though. Ten years later, our date is still going.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I miss Huntsville. I miss my friends who lived there. I miss my store. But the one constant in my life that has lasted though the past decade is that woman who showed up on my doorstep. She and I have been through so much together, and I'm happy to know that she'll be by my side to experience whatever else life throws at us for decades to come.<br />
<br />
I love you, Misty.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-90407562632812073252012-12-22T08:06:00.000-06:002012-12-26T12:53:37.875-06:00The 'end of the world' turned out to be a pretty good day, after all<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rOGHIDLVuYlnUSsljNStBfK79UvzWAtnvJNceCDy_Yo_KvevFb6sTlSx4UdFaZO0D5MzCFf4c54zGjHkxFkTtwv_v0V4A6TPVKLlnNROhparEIdaA57Etz5EstCSishYHGEW/s1600/uab-logo-blaze.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rOGHIDLVuYlnUSsljNStBfK79UvzWAtnvJNceCDy_Yo_KvevFb6sTlSx4UdFaZO0D5MzCFf4c54zGjHkxFkTtwv_v0V4A6TPVKLlnNROhparEIdaA57Etz5EstCSishYHGEW/s320/uab-logo-blaze.gif" width="320" /></a>A fortune cookie I opened last week predicted: "Next Friday will be an exciting day for you." Meanwhile, everyone else seemed to be talking about the supposed Mayan prediction that the world would end on 12/21/12. Had doomsday actually come to pass, I suppose that would have been pretty exciting.<br />
<br />
Instead, yesterday I received and accepted a job offer from UAB. I'll be starting January 2 in the school's office of Customer Service & Quality Improvement with the title "Web Communications Manager."<br />
<br />
Take <i>that</i>, Mayans.<br />
<br />
Being out of work has been incredibly stressful. There's the worry over what you'll do next and whether it will come in time. There's a surprising amount of boredom in not going to work each day. But most of all, there's a <i>lot</i> of waiting. Any time I wasn't actively seeking a job (filling out applications, networking, interviewing, or just scouring the internet for openings) I felt like I was squandering the clock. There's only so much of that stuff you can do each week though, so the house stayed clean and I caught up on a lot of movies on Netflix.<br />
<br />
I cannot begin to express how much it has meant to have had the support of my family and friends over the past three months. So many people have told me that they've been praying for me, and it has truly touched my heart and helped me feel cared for. Several others have passed job leads, recommendations, advice, or endorsements my way, and it has been exceptionally helpful. To all who have reached out to me, you have my earnest thanks.<br />
<br />
Whenever someone starts a new job, they say something along the lines of "I'm excited to be joining x company," so it may sound cliched. However, I really am excited about this opportunity. The work I'll be doing is something I believe I'm going to enjoy, and the people I've met so far have been a welcoming bunch. UAB just feels like the sort of place where I will thrive. That's something to be excited about indeed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-37117179857158560242012-12-18T08:20:00.000-06:002012-12-18T08:20:00.793-06:00Eddie the Elf falls in love - twiceEmily lost a tooth last week. She came upstairs to show us the bloody gap in her mouth and announced, "I pulled out my tooth! It felt like I got shot in the face, but I didn't even even cry a bit!"<br />
<br />
Of course, the extracted tooth meant a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Apparently during the night she met Eddie, our Elf on the Shelf, and left quite an impression. Emily woke to find not only her tooth gone, but also Eddie holding a heart-shaped sign he'd made with a marriage proposal.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB7lGDWMNEyG3zCg7vKZ0_jWVZ_zVVe1SdwDH3SV4xx6B5bhLB8tzv5tJ53y-y3_tc9dNKyLonAml0gquZEG0LJknkV10N-D78EgNt6BZwA-VLo8eTuM5cF31oYWzJ7fcenX5/s1600/P1020390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB7lGDWMNEyG3zCg7vKZ0_jWVZ_zVVe1SdwDH3SV4xx6B5bhLB8tzv5tJ53y-y3_tc9dNKyLonAml0gquZEG0LJknkV10N-D78EgNt6BZwA-VLo8eTuM5cF31oYWzJ7fcenX5/s640/P1020390.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Within 24 hours, however, Eddie had broken off his engagement. The next morning we found him sitting next to a box that had shipped from the North Pole and been stamped in countries all over the world. The box had a note on top that read: "Dear Emily and Kendall, I think Eddie needs some help. Love, Santa."<br />
<br />
Eddie was holding a note of his own that read simply: "Dear Tooth Fairy, I changed my mind."<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XxBIMkhUu0xew3gyEwefS_eyYvW3dnZ0FbZiNjkeJjayhSg4tzNOATg56jvaoaCs2DHG0Isc-qwqnqVv0OrbjPIdiaeAj1bsiBXcOh9sLf7JWWcihfMEBIVsmt7W4iAf9-ET/s1600/P1020391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XxBIMkhUu0xew3gyEwefS_eyYvW3dnZ0FbZiNjkeJjayhSg4tzNOATg56jvaoaCs2DHG0Isc-qwqnqVv0OrbjPIdiaeAj1bsiBXcOh9sLf7JWWcihfMEBIVsmt7W4iAf9-ET/s640/P1020391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Upon opening the box, it became clear what prompted Eddie's fickle heart to break off his brief romance. Inside was a new Elf on the Shelf, and this one was a girl!<br />
<br />
After much deliberation over names (suggestions included Betty, Elf-vira, Mistletoe, and Catherine [like cousin Eddie's spouse in the "Vacation" movies]), we settled on Holly.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxeYetGxVcLOnVKGTuo1r7GnKxoTr0aUb05NHBilagg9OPqgFFtLIWh6JTCcAgamhcpgzr8xF_Pk3aFskFmJuYS6wSZSvW6aJztKcVlZVm7WDbL0MuXUnx2FgTVTEk-9y6U0W/s1600/P1020394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxeYetGxVcLOnVKGTuo1r7GnKxoTr0aUb05NHBilagg9OPqgFFtLIWh6JTCcAgamhcpgzr8xF_Pk3aFskFmJuYS6wSZSvW6aJztKcVlZVm7WDbL0MuXUnx2FgTVTEk-9y6U0W/s640/P1020394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
With a new girl elf in the house, Emily and Kendall set about making her feel welcome. They got some shoe boxes out of the garage and constructed a play house for our elves using doll furniture. The next morning they were very pleased to find Eddie and Holly sitting in the chairs they'd set up, but the elves had also extracted an array of desserts from the fridge and added them to the table.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8pFX9WnWEp-pCesXWehojEFV6xTe6gppXA0TEoPzrdn2m6Cc3wxOBTgBulpxmmJtXZzQHVP2uE36AFmXd1Qfe_h2cvHtjyysADu2JsDYmhI3txW5dTrxMkrUqxvaQ_W2BDYu/s1600/P1020395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8pFX9WnWEp-pCesXWehojEFV6xTe6gppXA0TEoPzrdn2m6Cc3wxOBTgBulpxmmJtXZzQHVP2uE36AFmXd1Qfe_h2cvHtjyysADu2JsDYmhI3txW5dTrxMkrUqxvaQ_W2BDYu/s640/P1020395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At first it seemed that Holly might help keep Eddie in line. If he was looking to impress her, he'd be on his best behavior, right?<br />
<br />
The next day though, that theory was proven wrong as we came downstairs to find our Christmas tree looking like the Toomer's Oaks after an Auburn victory (well, maybe not that dramatic).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yBXNiG8lkRn0QoPXz9Zg_-n4NB_1nIMecS-b2_Yv_IHi1j5D_2qhGfzTR-ZyDhc-wR_6IBDDXdRI1ATRLt_uWQvocvg7c0lZnTZksuiwVCrHPeD6lf6w1DfMSxA44vekZkh2/s1600/P1020403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yBXNiG8lkRn0QoPXz9Zg_-n4NB_1nIMecS-b2_Yv_IHi1j5D_2qhGfzTR-ZyDhc-wR_6IBDDXdRI1ATRLt_uWQvocvg7c0lZnTZksuiwVCrHPeD6lf6w1DfMSxA44vekZkh2/s640/P1020403.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The toilet paper trailed off from the tree, leading down the hall and into the bathroom, where it was still connected to the roll on the wall. And sitting there grinning together were Holly and Eddie.<br />
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So the question is now: Is Eddie a bad influence on Holly, or is she just as mischievous as he? And what would the Tooth Fairy think of all this?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-76489642705136635862012-12-15T21:30:00.000-06:002012-12-17T10:53:14.026-06:00A jolly holiday all over town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I couldn't bring myself to eat breakfast today, I was still so full of pie from last night's Christmas party for the church office. There were at least six varieties, and our hosts Rick and Lisa encouraged us to sample them all. I won't disclose how many pieces I ate, but I will say that despite the temptation, I was unable to fit them all in.</div>
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While Misty and her mom went out grocery shopping today, I took the girls out to run a few errands of our own. We had lunch in SoHo Square, and Emily and Kendall insisted on posing for a photo in front of the huge Christmas tree there. After lunch, we spent a couple hours at McWane Science Center, where the third floor was decked out with their "Winter Wonderland" theme. The girls played in the artificial snow (which was even cold), rode a miniature train, looked at the model train exhibits (we particularly liked the Hogwarts Castle set), and slid down the giant slide decorated with white Christmas lights.</div>
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When we finally returned home, we only had a few minutes before heading right back out again -- this time to see Santa. As is our tradition, we visited Santa at Colonial Brookwood Village mall. We've never had to endure a long line there, the setup is nice, and almost every year we see the same guy (which helps reaffirm the magic). Plus, the line lets out right by the See's Candy kiosk where they give out free chocolate samples.</div>
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As we drove home, we avoided the highway, instead detouring through neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights. By that time though, the girls were starting to crack from a full day of holiday stimulation, and they entered their silliness mode that snowballs into absurdity. Sometimes it doesn't matter if Santa is watching or the Elf on the Shelf is keeping notes -- they've just gotta blow off steam and act like a couple of Tasmanian devils who've been knocking back Pixy Stix.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-10296297012787525412012-12-14T10:47:00.000-06:002012-12-14T10:51:09.145-06:00Kendall's first holiday music program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greenwood Elementary's holiday program was last night. Kendall and her kindergarten classmates, in matching shirts painted with reindeer made from hand prints, sang "Hanukkah is Here" and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."<br />
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To help alleviate overcrowding in the gym and cut down on time, the holiday music event now includes only kindergarten through second grade (with the exception of the "Gator Sounds" Choir), so Emily sat with us in the audience this year.<br />
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I was surprised by how excited Kendall seemed during the event. In the days leading up to it, we'd tried to talk to her about it, but she'd repeatedly act like she wasn't interested. Even right before we left the house last night, when Misty requested a preview performance Kendall was very hesitant. She only agreed to sing for us with Emily's help, and even then she acted shy and reserved.<br />
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Once we got to the school though, her demeanor changed. She showed no stage fright at all, and was just happy to be around her friends. She even smiled while looking at the camera -- an act that's usually nearly impossible to coax out of her.<br />
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We're proud of Kendall's performance and very pleased that she had fun.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-23065614415659888572012-12-12T08:06:00.001-06:002012-12-12T08:06:34.488-06:00Elf adventures: Half over or half begun?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As today is December 12, our elf's visit is at the halfway point (he travels back to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas eve).<br />
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So far, Eddie's adventures have included dumping out one of my Christmas Lego sets, drinking maple syrup, getting stuck in the ceiling fan, turning Misty's car around backwards in the garage, reading his "Elf on the Shelf" book to a group of toys, and making himself an elf-sized serving of cookies and milk. Here's the <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/106104952602946221902/albums/5818124186082789249">photo gallery chronicling his activity</a>.<br />
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Today, Eddie brought the girls a note from Santa encouraging them to continue to be good and warning of Eddie's mischievous nature.<br />
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Santa has a valid point. Yesterday was probably Eddie's most elaborate prank yet, when he used yarn to create a system of elf zip lines through the kitchen, effectively tying up the cabinets, the chairs, and the refrigerator door. The girls were very impressed, as they seem to derive more enjoyment from the more mess Eddie makes. Also, the yarn made for a fun obstacle course in navigating the kitchen.<br />
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What will Eddie do next? Only time will tell.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-58376512217482000892012-12-05T08:18:00.000-06:002012-12-05T16:00:25.496-06:00Recent KendallismsKendall has been sick a lot lately. She had strep throat, and after she finished her medicine she stayed well for a week, then got strep again. When she recovered from her second bout of strep, she got her FluMist vaccine and wound up with a few days of flu symptoms. Then this week she had a couple days of fever, keeping her home from school again.<br />
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All of this illness has come with congestion and a runny nose. But Kendall refuses to blow her nose. She insists she can't and snorts her snot back up into her sinuses instead. Misty and I keep trying to explain that her body is trying to get rid of the snot, and that she needs to blow it out or she'll continue to feel sick. We've explained that wiping her runny nose instead of blowing is only making it red and sore. Kendall is not interested in our advice, though. She prefers to wipe and snort.<br />
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Last night as we pleaded with her to at least <i>try</i> to blow her nose, she exclaimed, "It's not the snot that's making me sick! It's because one time at school I was eating a cupcake, and I accidentally ate a little piece of the wrapper! <i>That's</i> why I keep being sick so much!"<br />
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Other notable Kendallisms this week...<br />
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After she passed gas at the dinner table: "Wow. That sounded like a motor."<br />
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To Misty: "Something smells like a ham sandwich that's been cooked in a dirty garbage can. It's either your perfume or my armpit."<br />
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To me: "Daddy, that shirt makes you look pregnant."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-59446471255203710882012-12-03T08:45:00.000-06:002012-12-04T11:27:01.566-06:00Emily cooks dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This may appear to be an ordinary dinner, but that's hardly the case. What's special here is that Emily made the whole thing! There's Salisbury steak, rice, broccoli, field peas, and rolls.<br />
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Misty insists that her own contributions were extremely minimal (such as turning on the burners) and keeps saying how proud she is of our little 8-year-old girl. As Emily plated the food for us with a big smile on her face, you could tell she was proud, too. And she should be -- because everything was really good.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-5976277679569539402012-12-02T18:07:00.000-06:002012-12-04T11:07:55.428-06:00Afternoon in the Botanical Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a pleasantly warm weekend, so today we headed outdoors to walk around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Even though there isn't a whole lot in bloom right now, it's always a pretty place to visit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-15560932626317381292012-12-01T12:55:00.000-06:002012-12-04T10:56:26.296-06:00Elf on the Shelf, in a tree, and who knows where else<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Elf on the Shelf returned this morning. And thank goodness, because the girls have been driving me crazy mentioning his absence every five minutes as if the repetition would somehow make him materialize. Emily had even begun incorporating our elf into prayers: "God, please let Eddie come tonight."<br />
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Apparently, some kids at school have been talking about their elves, who showed up just after Thanksgiving, and Emily and Kendall are eager to be part of the fun. They even did some detective work, pulling out the <i>Elf on the Shelf</i> book and examining Eddie's original arrival certificate which noted that he first showed up November 30. Of course, last year didn't make his appearance until December 1, and it looks like that tradition is holding.<br />
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Now that Eddie is here, the girls are very concerned with what he's up to. He tends to get into mischief, but usually doesn't make <i>too</i> much mess. Today we found him atop the upstairs Christmas tree, watching the girls as they slept in the playroom. I'll be <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/106104952602946221902/albums/5818124186082789249">taking pictures of his adventures each day</a>.<br />
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Unfortunately, Eddie's presence has not inspired the girls to curb their arguing with one another. Even with him sitting on his usual perch in the kitchen, they'll keep bickering right below him without regard for his nightly reports to Santa back at the North Pole.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.com0