You Tube Video on the Budget

A friend of mine has an awesome blog with historical facts. Today she posted a YouTube video where a guy sets up pennies to show what our national spending and budget is. It is not bashing on either side but it does give a good view of where we stand. It is also only 1 minute 38 seconds so go and watch it and tell her what you think.
http://thechroniclesofliberty.blogspot.com/2009/05/budget.html

Seriously...get over there! It won't take long and she would love some comments!

Stories

While driving to the Memorial Service on Monday we told our kids about their Grandpas'. I will have Ben post the story of Grandpa Davis who served and was captured in World War II but today I wanted to post about Albert Melrose Williams Jr. or 'Bud' as everyone called him. He was also known as Grandpa Honey Bear because he kept bees in the backyard. I grew up with him and have so many good memories of him playing games (we couldn't play until we were eight and when you are seven it seems like a really long wait!) Monopoly, checkers (which turned into give-away if we started to win) and farkle were some favorites. We rode our bikes to his Chiropractic office every day after school and I use to go with him at nights as his 'secretary' to help with his papers. He was over the missionaries for a long while and he would hand out Book of Mormons with certain verses marked. When we were old enough we were allowed to help. I remember trips to Disneyland, the Hollywood Bowl, and various restaurants. Christmas was huge and no presents were ever under the tree until Christmas morning when it literally looked like it had snowed packages. I think every year he was still alive I got one present from Grandpa and about five from Santa Clause (Santa was suppose to only bring one gift in our house). I remember doing the garden with him and sneaking out of bed at night to hear him talk to the missionaries. I remember Conajo Valley Days where we ran a boy scout trailer selling Indian Fry Bread and going over in the morning where he folded the dough over cheese and fryed it for our breakfasts. I remember seeing a lady bring by milk once and hearing a conversation saying that she couldn't afford to pay for his Chiropractic services and so he told her to pay with what she could. I remember him calling me Dopey and me telling him my name was Happy and me calling him Grumpy and him telling me his name was Doc. The last Christmas before he died he gave me a set of The Seven Dwarves dolls. I still have them.
One thing I did realize in all my storytelling Monday morning was that I had never heard my Grandpa talk about the Korean War in which he served. I e-mailed my Grandma (one of my favorite people in the whole world) and asked her about it. This was the reply,

To tell you a little about your grandpa Williams (honey bear) He joined the Navy the week he turned 16 years old (yes, he lied about his age, but was tall and passed the physical and got in.) He had traveled half way around the world by the time he was 17. His ship was in port in China when the Korean war broke out and the first one to be off the coast of Korea. He was on the Flagship "Helena". He served four years in the Navy and three of those years he was in Korea, China and Japan. He was with the flag Helicopter crew that flew in behind the front lines and took out the wounded. He was wounded himself and was sent to a hospital in Japan to recuperate. He was sent back to the states and stationed in San Diego while he waited for his discharge. He was 20 years old when we were married and a four year veteran, but at that time men were being drafted to go into the service and after he received his discharge from the Navy we went back to Salt Lake to live and he received his draft notice. Since he lied about his age he could have been made to serve another four years, but we appealed his case to our congressman and since he was a decorated veteran, his draft notice was dismissed and he didn't have to go back in.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2009
Since neither Ben or I have family buried close by we decided to take the girls to a Memorial Service in Sugarland Texas. They did a morning flyby with a helicopter that we missed but the girls enjoyed the 21 gun salute, the bagpipe player doing taps, the army guys talking to them, the tanks, and the music. Craig would have loved how many boy scouts were there and Sadie had a television camerawoman film her for awhile. I do want to remind everyone to bring water to these events. One of the soldiers who was helping with the colors suddenly pitched forward. Luckily the soldier next to him caught him but it turned out he was overheated.
Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Getting geared up to look patriotic. There were a few complaints about the heat so a soldier geared her up and told her to walk around with all of that in 130 degree weather.

Inside the truck. There were also tanks and other fancy vehicles that I don't know the name for.

She is so darn cute. (Can anyone explain to me why it is underlining certain captions?)Helping to unfurl the flag while singing "Proud to Be An American" by Lee Greenwood. The guy singing it was awesome. Dad doing a good job of walking around with little kids all day. Seriously, he has got some muscles on those forearms. A weaker man would have buckled.

Decided to get Sonic afterwards and discovering that the Mango LimeAde is just a little sour.

Star Trek - I Liked It

Alright, I finally got to see the film and my first thoughts while walking out were, 'was that really two hours?" It's nice to see a film that keeps you wrapped up in it so you don't notice the time going by as opposed to other ones that have come out recently (I'm told Benjamin Button is one) where you feel as though you are watching the grass grow. I loved some of the characters and thought it was smart to make it an 'alternate reality'. If a guy isn't exactly how his older counterpart was...well, it's because he grew up differently in this new reality. Seriously, you could do a whole nature v. nurture on this one. I also loved that they went back to earlier days of the crew. Scotty was awesome, Bones was hysterical, I loved Spock and I had no idea that Leonard Nimoy would have as big a role as he did. There were also moments that made me smile and I am by no means a die hard trekkie so I am sure there were many that I missed. Now, after making fun of others reviews who seemed to take the films too seriously for a summer blockbuster I will say this. I felt like the movie plot was a 'beginner' film. Setting everything up nicely so that future movies could be made. It was interesting with all the backstories just not terribly intriguing. The movie had tons of laughs though and overall I think I will be buying it when it comes out. (I may even pay full price instead of waiting for a Craig 'special')

We are headed out to see Star Trek tonight (thanks Anna!) and I was looking up reviews on fandango. This is one my favorite things to do, especially for movies with huge fan bases. These are some of the 'Oh no!' ones I came across. Say them out loud in an emotionally wrought voice (you have to use the nerdy emotional voice or it's not funny). Also, the red is my own thoughts at the time. And have no fear trekkie fans, I will write my own review tomorrow.

J.J. Abrams should never be allowed around Star Trek again.

Mducky2000

First off let me make it clear that if this were just some random sci-fi movie, it would have been a stellar entry into the genera. Alas, it had to be a Star Trek movie. Abrams has absolutely no idea what Star Trek is about. It's not about womanizing, huge space battles or product placement. (It's not?) It's about the human spirit, and how humanity can rise above its destructive ways and make a difference in the world. Abrams made characatures of the characters we grew up with. Not a single character in that film behaves remotely appropriately. (I am always telling my girls to behave appropriately) They have the personalities of the legends they're based off of, but they don't have the heart, spirit or integrity (yep, I KNOW William Shatner has integrity) that all Trek fans have come to expect. Instead they have one liners and are thrown into a plot that even the tired time travel excuse does nothing to answer the loads of continuity problems. Abrams, I want you to know this if you're reading. STAR TREK IS NOT AN ACTION FRANCHISE! You've completely missed the point of the show.

This is NOT Star Trek

actortoddp2003

I could not stand this movie. Not a Trekkie...I just remember liking the original movies. Also, the Imax screen is simply TOO BIG to watch a movie on. I'll never see a movie on the IMAX Screen again. 18.50? Give me a Break. (You were unaware that IMAX was big when you went to see it?)

As for Star Trek: it's Star Trek on Star Wars Steroids using the documentary style camera shots used by Battle Star Galactica. (Remember, this person is not a trekkie!) These are not the characters I enjoyed from the first movies. One thing is for sure: "Give em the old Razzle Dazzle, Razzle Dazzle em, and they'll beg you for more." A quote from the movie "Chicago".
Whatever happened to storytelling and actors talking to each other. This was about explosions and screen flare, and it left me flat. No matter how many people say they liked this film, count me out, for any future installments of Star Trek, and ANY movies on the Imax screen. I couldn't decide whether I should watch Spock's ear or his eyebrow do the acting. (You should watch his eyebrow, it does much better acting - the ear is just a gag prop)
Star Trek has been ruined. It might be a good action flick, but it IS NOT Star Trek.

This is the worst Startrek Ever!!

Jeffrey1234

Who is JJ Abrams to make a Star trek Movie he has no idea what he is doing, and the only way to make a blockbuster is blowing up Vulcan. THIS Is STUPID! It makes no sense in the ST universe. Romulans again how creative, oh a minor Romulan "stupid". Where is Daniels, or the time ship relativity?? The 22nd century is time Travelable from the 29th century and the 23rd is not?? He negated ALL previous Star treks making them a waste of time, he has no concept of the ST universe and was only in it to make money. (Only I know the true ST Universe!!! Whuahahaha) That is pathetic!

And Now For My Favorite 'Oh No!' Fandango Reviewer (there are a lot of these)

Star Trek

vicar1

The movie, the seating, and the big screen were all great!

A Little Mushy - You Were Warned

Last night I went to bed later after staying up too late. The baby woke up right as I was laying down. Two hours later I was still awake with her and finally put her on the bed and said rather loudly, "I quit. I don't want to be a mom anymore!" Then I took a pillow and blanket and went to sleep on the couch. I didn't hear her for the rest of the night. Ben had calmed her down and put her back to bed then woke up early (as usual) to get up and go to work. Today he called and asked if I would like to go out to lunch. He thought I might need the break.

Today is not our anniversary, birthdays, or any other special holiday but I am listing reasons why I love being married to Ben.

1. He has never yelled at me. Not once. Actually he almost never gets mad at me. The only times I can really think of are when I'm mad at him first and start yelling at him. Then he takes the kids, gives me a break, and tries to talk to me about it later. I think the only exception might be when I let the kids eat outside of the kitchen.
2. He always comes home after work. He gets invited to play poker, hit the gym, etc. but he feels like he already spends too much time away from us so he comes home.
3. Once he gets home he immediately takes the kiddos. He never gets that in between break. Abbey secures herself to his leg the second he walks in. He then plays baseball with them outside, gives them math problems to do, reads to them, or takes them to the playground.
4. Ben plays. He is never the Dad that is sitting on the bench watching. He also attracts other kids. Next time you are out with us just watch...he is like the pied piper.
5. Contrary to popular belief he is usually the one who cleans the kitchen.
6. He is also the one who puts the kids to bed at night. He reads them scriptures and geology books. They go to sleep pretty fast.
7. He is a really good kisser (see what you get for reading down this far?)

Parked Cars

Growing up in Utah we had a place called Squaw Peak that was the established pot smoking and make out spot. I personally had never been there 'after hours' and I guess some subconscious part of me was feeling a tremendous void from missing out on such a mature and life changing experience. Last night I decided to remedy that (well, take out the drug part and add a husband). Ben had been gone for about seven days on a work field trip (I think I need some of those) and I had left my kiddos with my sister and brother-in-law to pick up Ben by myself (and no, I was not having those thoughts right then so get your mind back on the story). I was thinking of taking him out to see the new Star Trek (which I hear is awesome) but Ben was pretty tired and had work the next day. We figured we did have a bit of time however and were discussing getting a drink somewhere when Ben pulled into a deserted parking area. (Funny how he was tired a second ago). We had only been there about 3 minutes and were starting to get into some serious conversation (the economy, our parental responsibilities etc.) when a giant spotlight came swooping into the car. If we would have been in a field I would have thought we were the victims of an alien invasion. Ben cast a hand over his eye and said, "cops". (Had he done this before?) The nice police officer waited a good 5 minutes or so before approaching the car (which he didn't need to do, we were fully dressed) and then shined the flashlight into our faces. He then asked us what we were doing (it probably does not help that he was closer to Ben who looks like he is 12 years old....well, maybe 15 tops). Ben asked if he wanted the truth (pretty gutsy) and the policeman answered in the affirmative. Ben proceeded to tell him that he had been on a business trip and was here with his wife talking before we went to pick up our four children. The police officer asked to see Ben's driver's license. He glanced at it awhile and commented that we were from Katy. Ben answered that we were from Katy but that his family lived in The Woodlands. He then shined the flashlight in my face and asked to see my driver's license. (Could I pass for a minor, cause that would really make my day :) He asked Ben where his parents lived and Ben replied 'Panther Creek'. He then shined the flashlight into the back seat and beheld the interior of the eight seater mini-van complete with three car seats and crushed crackers. I guess that did it for him because he got a lot friendlier. He apologized and explained that a lot of teenagers park in that area to 'do things they shouldn't be doing' and sell drugs. He asked if we could 'move along'. Besides being totally embarrassed I did learn a valuable lesson.

If your kids don't interrupt then someone else will.

Eliora Riding A Bike

Paige and Eliora are only a few months apart and are great friends when they get together. It's awesome to have a cousin to learn stuff with.

Be glad I didn't post the one of me running along side. It wasn't pretty

Only a few spills but in the end they were still smiling!

Enchanted Rock

The girls ran up the large dome to watch the sunset. They were troopers.

Ben enjoying his rocks

Amigos

Abbey trying to walk around

Abbey sleeping

Great New Blog

I love anything to do with early American history, especially the Revolutionary War. Not too long ago a fellow homeschooler started a blog that I have really enjoyed reading. She posts interesting and often little known facts about American history every few days. Awesome if you want to feel intelligent or you need a little inspiration. The site is called Chronicles of Liberty and I have it as one of my blogs on the right.