11 years ago

Here is an assignment from whatever grade I was in 11 years ago (pre-caramel burgers), the assignment was to write a letter to your parents to try and persuade them on an issue, then they could write a reply. It should be noted that I got a "FANTASTIC!" stamp from my teacher and 45/45. Also, I chose a font that used all caps, because I have a tendency toward Excessive Capitalization, and I thought it would disguise that fact.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie

When I go on walks and such, I can't help but notice all the loved and cherished pets along my way, and I can't help but feel left out because all I've got are some stupid, scary ol' chickens!
There is only one way to cure this dreadful disease, and that is to buy me some Sea Monkeys! With Sea Monkeys I could be the envy of all my friends. They would soon beg for some Sea Monkeys so that they could be as cool as me.
Besides, Sea Monkeys are the perfect pets for the kid who has almost everything. They live in small areas, they don't need much, just a person to watch and make sure they aren't dead. As long as you pay for them, I will purchase their Sea Monkey food, toothbrushes and little sea monkey handkerchiefs.

Furthermore, when you were a young 'un, didn't you want your own Sea Monkeys? When your parents wouldn't let you, didn't you think they were cruel and unfair? Would you like the next several generations to feel like that, just because you had to? And you made your kids?
Anyway, Sea Monkeys don't vandalise or kill or ruin things. They just sit and be their little Sea Monkey selves. they would be well cared for I would even name them. They would be called Henry and Duke and Joe and Elmira. And we would live forever together like happy little monkeys from the Sea.
But if you are only worried about where the nearest dealer is, I hear the prices for Sea Monkeys are going down on the black market, as well as various other anonymous dealers. Also the pet shop down the street has some for slightly higher prices, if you prefer that approach.
In conclusion, Sea Monkeys have been known to lengthen a persons life span and lower their blood pressure. Because if you suffer a heart attack while caring for them, they would also die, and after a while they would be extinct. So I strongly suggest this purchasing of Sea Monkeys for my benefit as well as yours.

Asking For a Chance,
Toni Gillespie

Here is the reply I got:

Toni, Toni,
Do we need to continue this conversation yet again? Haven't I explained the dangers of sea monkeys enough? They are vicious little critters when they aren't fed on time and they kind of stink if their bowl isn't cleaned. And there's the whole evolution thing - what happens when some of their offspring are mutated and decide to leave the consistency of the sea and move inland to inhabit the trees? Why we would have an infestation of "former" sea monkeys in all of our house plants, under the beds, and hidden away in various cupboards. Besides the obvious problems of trying to keep sea monkeys alive and happy, you must realize they just can't be trained to do anything. They just sit in the water, hanging in suspended reality hour after hour. You can throw them a stick, ask them to fetch, or sit, or roll over, but all you'll get is blank stares (unless you hit them with the stick) as the float and float and float.
Now chickens on the other hand produce something of worth. They make their existence worthwhile everyday in eggs and as early morning alarm systems. They aren't a threat because they run away when anyone gets near, they are chickens after all. And if you get tired of them they fit right into a roasting pot. But what good are sea monkeys?? When you are older you'll realize that I was right, and if you don't you can buy all the sea monkeys you want in your house, but don't invite me over, unless it's for a sea monkey barbecue.

Dad

So when Anna asks for a puppy, I will surprise her with some Sea Monkeys, and she will forget all about puppies. At least it will be better than some chickens.
Did we persuade any of you?

If you're going to Jan Francisco's...

...you will have so much fun!

Thanks Franciscos, we miss you already.

Garth, Barack and Jay

When I heard that President Obama was going to be on Jay Leno, I was immediately impressed. While some may think that it is unsuitable for the President to appear on popular television, I think that is the medium that will get him access to the American people. That is one of the missing links between the number of votes on American Idol and votes on election night. And, he had to get access to the people to explain what is going on, and what he can do for them.
Whether or not you agree with his politics, you have to agree that this was a brilliant political move, for 2 reasons.
a) approval ratings - If we can relate to our elected officials like we do our movie and television stars, we are going to like them, if he can be as smooth and entertaining on a talk show, we will feel more comfortable with him doing his day job.
b) As I mentioned before, it is the best way to reach out to the public that they are comfortable with. I admit that I haven't watched the presidential speeches, even when they are on 8 different channels, but I did go on Hulu to find this interview, because I wanted to hear him at my level. And press conferences may be happening almost daily, but as far as I know, there isn't a Hulu channel for those, and I don't think they would tell me what I, as a middle American, want to know.

Thus we see, I thought it was a brilliant move for the President to go on The Tonight Show to explain what is going on, and to show us that he is still quite similar to the man that sat in that chair just a few months ago during his campaign.

another Dead Bird

That makes 4.

Remember that time?

Remember that time when I lived in Salt Lake and our singles ward decided to have a dinner date?
They had us all fill out a questionnaire and the bishopric was going to go through and fix us up with whoever they thought would be an appropriate date. "One date for an Eternal Mate" they said.
We had no idea who our date was until we showed up, then, like some kind of cattle show, we all stood in the gym while they called out names. I was nervous but felt bad for the people who's "dates" hadn't come, or were late. Luckily that didn't happen to me. My date was a young buck with dark hair and a black leather jacket. I don't remember his name. So we found our seats, I don't think I knew anyone at my table. My one real friend in the ward was sitting at the table in front of us and she was paired with Leather Jacket's friend.
They made us take pictures, like at a formal, but the props were a veil and a black tophat.

The program was a dating game, or maybe it was like the newlywed game - those participating might have actually been dating and were the obvious choices for playing. One of them looked just like Dr. Cox.
In the end, Leather Jacket spent the evening throwing the little chalky hearts at his friend on the other table.
Ah, memories...

Dress up

Anna has been a little under the weather, so we stayed in yesterday and played a little dress-up

This is Babushka Sveeter-Glossi

Gardens and Wagons

Yesterday was awesome, there is nothing better than doing a little yard work on a Saturday in Spring. And we did a lot of yard work. The boys came down from Logan (Bret, Thad, Harrison) so we hung out for a while then I guilted them into helping me. Bret did more work than I could have done in 2 weeks by myself. He raked out a big flower bed, pruned ALL the vines on the fence (both sides) and cleaned them up. Thad and Harrison helped cut down more of the peach tree, we didn’t get it out because we lacked a hatchet, which apparently will solve all problems. It was great to have so much willing help, they were also more than willing to watch the baby while I pitched in to get stuff done. So anyway, I feel like we are definitely on the right track with the yard and will be able to get it all ready in time.
Thad also got out the little red wagon that was left behind and gave Anna some rides, she loved it, and we went on another one today.