Month: March 2008

Categories
Personal Reviews

Our New “Pet”

No, we did not actually get a real pet, and I hope we don’t EVER get a real pet. What we DID get is… A Dyson vacuum! Now, I don’t mean to brag; I’m just really happy with the suction and performance of this thing! And don’t go thinking that this was some sort of impulse purchase; I’ve been researching vacuums for months!

See, I actually enjoy vacuuming, but I have been frustrated with our $70 Bissell vacuum that we bought at Wal Mart (over 3 years ago). I’ll just sum it up by stating that it didn’t do much of anything that a vacuum should do. So lately, Pace and I have been searching the internet, asking people about their vacuums, and browsing Consumer Reports. I initially didn’t think that we should buy a Dyson because 1) Consumer Reports didn’t have it rated as one of the best, and 2) They’re so expensive! No thank you.

But as we talked to people, everyone who had a Dyson said it’s excellent, works perfectly, and they love it. Not many people can say that about their vacuums! So I looked on the Dyson website, and of course, they ranged from like $400-$600. I didn’t want to spend that much. I wasn’t sure, but my wonderful friend Cynthia let us borrow her DC14, and it was so awesome! I vacuumed 2 rooms in our house and the canister was full. Gross, yet satisfying! Then it was time to return it to Cynthia, but I wanted to vacuum the house again, because I didn’t know how long it would be before we would get a new vacuum!

We checked out the Dysons at Sears, and found an awesome sale going on. The vacuum we liked best, the DC14, was on sale for $365! Still quite pricey, but we felt (and still feel) that it’s worth it. After some discussion, negotiation, and “niceness” on Pace’s part, we ended up going back and buying it! And it’s great: Easy to use, great suction, not too heavy, 5-year warranty, no filters or bags to buy, effective on carpet and hard floors, and looks cool, too! Hooray! I love our new pet.

Categories
Personal

A scientific discussion of the spirit.

Very interesting stuff here (19 mins long), this lady has a stoke – normal. This lady was a brain scientist when having a stroke, not normal. Then she has a very unique experience, one which I think was similar to Lehi’s dream but based more upon the scientific knowledge that she was so familiar with. Interesting how science is still catching up with the doctrine already provided by God. That we are so much more than just a physical body, but an immense eternal spirit combined with a physical system. Cool things to think about.

What are your thoughts on it?

Categories
Chase

Adventures in Chase’s Sleepyland

I must always check on Chase shortly after he falls asleep for bed or for a nap. Why, you ask? Well, to give me peace of mind, and to keep him alive. This may sound a little dramatic, but read on to believe.

— A few days ago, he fell asleep with the side of his face against the edge of the bed. When I moved him, he had a huge dent in the side of his face that looked deep and painful. But that’s not the worst one, so read on…

–Yesterday it was very difficult to get him down for his nap, and I had to put him back in his bed approximately 50 times before he went to sleep. That last time he demanded to stay on the floor rather than the bed, and I let him do so because I was past the point of caring. So he didn’t fall asleep in his bed; he fell asleep across the floor vent with his head partly on a board book and partly on the wood floor. Imagine the lines he had on his face and arms…

— Then today, I checked on him about 20 minutes into his nap, and he was lying sideways across the bed, with a thick blanket wrapped around his head. I was relieved to find that he was somehow still breathing!

All in all a little disturbing, but I’m always glad when he actually DOES get some sleep!

Categories
T.V.

American Idol Fan?


So I just saw on iTunes that since the top 12 on American Idol, they are allowing the contestants to record the full song to sell. So if you like the minute and a half you see on the show (also for sale as video), get on iTunes for a full 3/4 minute version. Be careful though, live performance and studio recorded performance may vary a bit, check out Eleanor Rigby, the studio one is a lil slower and boring. Almost tempted to get Brooke’s Let It Be. Oh and check out Amanda’s picture, she looks like a vampire/witch.

Categories
Ranting

Cuba lifts ban on computer and DVD player sales


Wow, congrats Cuba. Anyone know Raul Castro, maybe he should tune into the green articles on McBlog to figure out how to start providing cheap energy via poop, wind or sun. I hope this is the first in a series of good news headlines coming out of Cuba.

–source

Categories
Tech

Hulu.com = HD youtube

That’s right TV fans, Hulu.com is out of beta, anyone can set up an account and check out both short clips or full length episodes of many TV series and movies. Unfortunately the HD library is still limited to just movie trailers but while we wait for more 720p Adobe Flash content to hit the site, maybe the backing of FOX, NBC Universal, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Sony Pictures Television will provide something interesting to watch, with even more content on the way from Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, NBA and the NHL. We’ll see how successful this experiment is, but go ahead and take a look, because we both know you don’t have anything better to do than watch 34 episodes of Airwolf in a browser window.

I haven’t checked this out yet, but it sounds promising for when I miss those NHL games or HD tv episodes

Categories
Ranting

Is there really an Easter Bunny? …I don’t care!

Is anyone else as uninspired as I am by the festive decor that accompanies this time of year? I mean, I’m all about celebrating holidays and springtime, don’t get me wrong. But a couple days ago, when I walked into my favorite store (Rodworks) and felt the urge to buy nothing at all, I knew that I was just plain uninspired. I love decorating for Christmas, and even for Halloween/autumn! But right now, I just don’t like bunnies, chickies, eggs, or even four-leaf clovers! Maybe I feel that these items seem too “grannyish”? …Therefore, I have nothing in my home to show for the St. Patrick’s Day and Easter holidays that will be taking place this month. (Weird that Easter is so early this year, too!)

Having said all this, we will be having a small Easter egg hunt for Chase, just for the fun of it. To keep it somewhat religious, included in the eggs will be small pictures of Jesus, temples, the Prophet, etc. I got that idea from the Ensign, and we’ll try it out this year. I figure it’s one more fun way to teach him some good stuff!

Categories
Personal

Chase is a Big Boy Now!

Well, I think we’ve already established that, but I feel like it’s official now that he’s sleeping in a big bed (as of one week ago)!

Background info: Chase has not been sleeping well (again) for the past several months. We noticed that he kept rolling over and smacking the sides of his crib in the night. So I thought, we might as well give him the upgrade to the big twin bed in the other bedroom. Maybe the roominess would help, and couldn’t hurt–I figured that he couldn’t sleep much worse than he already was, so why not??? And the good news is, he’s been sleeping a little better since he moved in there! He’s only been getting up 1-2 times per night now. Hey, every little improvement in that area helps!

Fortunately for us, the TParents had already bought Chase some car sheets, comforter, lamp, etc. last time they were here. We love them (the sheets AND the grandparents)! Chase has been so excited about this new bed and the new sheets and all. Every time I talk to someone about his new big bed, he says "Cars!" He is doing pretty well at sleeping in the bed– he hasn’t rolled out yet! Sometimes it’s hard to get him to stay in bed and calm down enough to go to sleep, but we’ve been following the Supernanny technique (from one of the most helpful tv shows ever) and it really works. What a cute boy this Chase kid is! He is a great talker and we have a lot of fun with him. He will be two years old next month… Can you believe it!? I can’t!

 

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Categories
Personal

Adios brother


Jason Graham was nice enough to stop by last night before he takes off today to meet up with his buttercup (Laura that was a Princess Bride reference not a direct quote of Jason) in Boston. It was good seeing ya J-lo, we wish the best for ya, and you’re always welcome in our house. Don’t hesitate to call if you need something. I still owe you for driving all my wedding presents back from CA.

Categories
T.V.

Yackity yacking


Hello, is this thing on? Lets get some yapping going on here. It’s a blog not a billboard. Therefore here’s a topic: Television- entertaining, informational, or waste of time. Discuss.

I’ll start a piece on LOST, seeing as it is LOST night. I was pleasantly surprised with last weeks Penny distraction. It helped me realize that true love goes on forever as long as you fight a lot and act crazy. Meanwhile, tonight I hope we see some more info on where the group of others are, and why Locke can’t get any more island inspiration. Plus, was anyone else surprised at the shear shabbyness of the “not Penny’s boat” boat? I was expecting a high tech classy yacht kinda thing. Thoughts?