Things and Stuff

I've been wanting a new vacuum for a very long time. My vacuum was purchased in like, 1998 and even then it was the cheap of the cheap. It's a Bissell that cost <$70 (though I think it was around $50. I know we didn't spend a lot on it). So I've been doing a lot of reading, searching, studying vacuums to find the best bang for my buck. I decided on a Dyson.

After Eric sold his Patent Bar Prep. books, I took the proceeds to my local Bed Bath and Beyond. Using a 20% off coupon, I purchased my Dyson DC25 and took it home smiling and excited.

After the 3 min. assembly (it was SO easy, I tell ya!), I was ready to see what it could really do. (I'd already read too much about it). So I started vacuuming (of course). Can I just say that in the canister when I was done I could see the different particles and I could see both dirt (which looked a lot like sand) AND skin dust! Gross. I know. But, it was coming out of my carpet and that's exactly what I wanted to have happen. Without more details I will let you know, I am happy with my purchase, even if it is considered a "luxury" vacuum. (I feel justified because I saved $100 with that coupon! AND if it lasts at least 10 years, which it had better, it will end up costing me less than the other vacuum I was considering because I don't have to buy filters. Well I think even if it lasts 5 years it would be cheaper than that other one.)

Then there's the matter of my laptop. I don't even know how old my laptop is. What I know is that it's old, slow, cracked, and it blacks out all the time. So to save part of my sanity, I had to get a new one. This time, I used Christmas money, (thank you Dad and Bonnie and Grandma) and some of our own, to land me this baby! Wow, I love it. It's quiet, much cooler (temperature-wise, and whatever you'd describe the other way as, as well.), it doesn't black out on me, it doesn't have an annoying wireless card sticking out the side, is faster, and it does the job well.

Ahh. So nice to not be shopping for those anymore! I find myself a little more content and happy!

And that brings me to STUFF! A couple of months ago the RS Pres. came in to Primary and handed me a script, with "my" part highlighted, and a cd. I had never heard that this was going to happen, nobody asked me anything or even mentioned a musical play around me. And this is what begins "stuff".

I have never been in a play. I am not the best singer (or even close). I am, however, a pretty passionate person and theater is a great venue for that, I guess. Anyway, (the play is the 10 Virgins' story) my part is Adi, who worries too much about what other people think about her and about her appearance, to fill her lamp. So she's foolish. We had microphones at our practice last night (I've never sung a solo in a mich.) and I was the only one that that was criticised. I was told to step back from the mich. So I guess I fit the role perfectly because I was really embarrassed.
After watching everyone else and not hearing them when they sang, I thought I had to stand close to the mich. But before my part they turn the music down and at my part they turn the music back up so I guess I was too loud, let alone the fact that I was nervous and very pitchy...ugh. RS Pres. is going to see when we can practice BEFORE the next practice. Let's say I "stink". Oh well, I guess there's only one way to go from here and that would be up (Better. Improvement.)!!! I really think that if I am not hitting the notes they should include that in their criticism, right? Let me know everything that needs improvement. If they want me to be quiet, I can, but I still might hit the wrong note (I guess you might never hear it then, though). Ha! I'm overthinking it. I know. What's a girl to do, I'm 1/11 of the play!!??!! EEEEKK!

More stuff. Eric's been told that if he has a job to keep it. Lawyers are not in high demand at the moment. Just lovely. Didn't we kind of go through this when he graduated with his Computer Science degree? I guess we'll have to keep our eyes peeled, and ears perked.

Even more...We went to the Cincinnati Tea Party. It was not as crowded as I would have liked. We got there about 1/2 hour-45min. late and we still could manouver our way into the square. There was a stay-at-home mom who spoke and I thought she was awesome. I asked Eric if he could see me doing that. He said "Yes." and I said, "me, too! (As long as I really knew what I was talking about)". (I had just given a talk in Sacrament Meeting and did Sharing Time in Primary, so I think I had my public speaking shoes on that day). Who knows, maybe I really could/would!

A Looonnng While Ago I Promised Food Storage Pictures...

24 Five-gallon buckets of food. And we still need more!

Runnin' out of green beans, but have plenty o' peas!

Tomato soup, anyone?

Yes She CAN!!!

I've been trying to think of something to blog about. (I love it when others have new things so I figured that they'd like to see something new from me, too.)

I decided to see if Emily could tie her shoes. Well...she can!

Right away she was involved with the laces. I guess I decided to let her do it instead of just showing her first. She crossed the laces, pulled the end through the hole, made a loop, wrapped the other lace around, (as I told/helped her do), then when it was time to push the lace through the hole to make the second loop she got a little confused, we finished together. We did this about 3-5 times before she did it ALL BY HERSELF!!! Then she said "I can tie a bow!"

She ties beautiful bows. Just look!

P.S. I have no idea how to turn the picture. Sorry.