tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3066416329411098002024-03-12T21:44:57.842-07:00The OnefourthreeJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-4591604844395677002015-03-26T15:42:00.001-07:002015-03-26T15:42:43.615-07:00Urgent<p dir="ltr">I open the bathroom door after several minutes of frenzied banging from the other side to find this and a delivery of grave news: Connecticut is missing from the United States magnet puzzle. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Some things simply cannot wait for nature's course.<br><br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><u>JEM</u></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vd0NfWYT6ew/VRSLYM-oQoI/AAAAAAAAM6s/iFhhQR-IHqk/s1600/IMG_20150326_173428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vd0NfWYT6ew/VRSLYM-oQoI/AAAAAAAAM6s/iFhhQR-IHqk/s640/IMG_20150326_173428.jpg"> </a> </div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-15303002125828265972014-10-05T07:49:00.001-07:002014-10-05T07:49:16.385-07:00Make-up 101<p dir="ltr">When one has no daughters one must make certain concessions.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9OwmPJs01Zk/VDFaaZdTinI/AAAAAAAAKpM/PrsRFMn-qVs/s1600/IMG_20141005_094713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9OwmPJs01Zk/VDFaaZdTinI/AAAAAAAAKpM/PrsRFMn-qVs/s640/IMG_20141005_094713.jpg"> </a> </div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-7802161970035450882014-09-29T10:12:00.000-07:002014-09-29T10:12:22.719-07:00Atticus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jD3gwrGvxec/VCmLZkZj3mI/AAAAAAAAKg0/nzd_H40CP04/s1600/IMG_20140929_113940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jD3gwrGvxec/VCmLZkZj3mI/AAAAAAAAKg0/nzd_H40CP04/s640/IMG_20140929_113940.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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This is Atticus (aliases: Abacus, @, Flavicus, Fluffernutter, Ace). As
you can see, he is taller than a fire hydrant.</div>
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His first year was a
little rough. “Why?” you ask. “Because he had baby acid
reflux,” I say. Baby acid reflux, for anyone who hasn't had the
pleasure, is this thing which makes cute little babies puke all the time. Like, all the time. Like daily massive laundry loads
and minimum three costume changes for three hours of church for him and anyone within a 3-foot radius of him. Ever had a baby puke down your back in public? I have, lots! And so many cans of carpet cleaner. So, so many. I can't
imagine it was pleasant for him, either, as his disposition for his
first 6 months or so will attest.
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<a href="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-LPFTgxGKW_c/VCmQK1puDtI/AAAAAAAAKhM/LrgwKaq2qY0/s640/IMG_20140927_074942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LPFTgxGKW_c/VCmQK1puDtI/AAAAAAAAKhM/LrgwKaq2qY0/s640/IMG_20140927_074942.jpg" /></a><br />
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But we all made it
through, and in the last year, little Captain Barf (as Jethro dubbed
him) really came into his own. (And he stopped barfing. That's
important to note.) </div>
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He's determined and stubborn and a ham and a half. He has excellent comedic timing, particularly with regard to flatulence, and seems to know it. He's snuggly, loves animals, especially dogs, and tickles. Also, as the younger brother of Jethro, he has a profound appreciation for cars. He's so dang cute right now I just want to eat him most of the time.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fINEGJobGrk/VCmQlk14ebI/AAAAAAAAKhU/dsnsL-VROyg/s1600/IMG_20140926_143326251_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fINEGJobGrk/VCmQlk14ebI/AAAAAAAAKhU/dsnsL-VROyg/s640/IMG_20140926_143326251_HDR.jpg" /></a><br />
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He has started saying some words lately. His favorites include: tree, cookie, bug, car, ba-ba (binky), cracker, fish, tractor, squirrel, and of course, Jethro. He seems to have an innate sense of rhythm that has been noted by others, namely the lead guitar player of the classic rock band that played at our block party this summer, and the woman who does singing time with the nursery kids at church. You may call it the gift of groove. I do. I have high hopes of him being my little drummer, and then I think, why on earth would you be dreaming of having a drummer under your roof? Both my brothers are phenomenal drummers, so I know well the hours of racket involved. But I get such a kick out of watching them, and any good drummer, for that matter, that I think it'll be worth it. I'll just get some of those noise canceling headphones. And I'll get some for the neighbors, too. </div>
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JEM</div>
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And then ... almost 7 months later ... I resurfaced. </div>
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Several things had changed in my world. Nearest to my heart was that my baby had turned into a little boy.</div>
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... who had learned how to draw smiley faces ...</div>
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... and developed an obsession with cars that borders on the clinical (we'll delve into this later).<br />
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His hair had also turned into the most beautiful hair that any human has ever had. I'm sure there's a psychological term for coveting something that you yourself created.</div>
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Also, my darling husband had lost nearly 30 pounds. SlimFast testimonial pending.<br />
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And then he had parted ways with his beard after 2 years of loyal companionship.<br />
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As a family we had become the proud owners of a 2004 BMW 325i sport wagon in alpine white, and I had discovered, for the first time in my life, the ecstasy that can indeed exist behind the wheel of a fine automobile.<br />
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We had enjoyed many adventures. Too many to explore here.<br />
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Including, just last weekend, a solar eclipse over the Pacific Ocean.<br />
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And apparently, I had also done gone and got myself pregnant.</div>
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Right around Dec. 9, 2012, our merry little band will be joined by another, and Jethro's got all his money on a girl. </div>
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JEM</div>
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JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-27380204041774950902011-10-20T17:33:00.001-07:002011-10-20T17:40:16.366-07:00Sci-fi for every guy (and gal)<div>
This is so dang awesome. I can't wait to put it to work.<br />
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<a href="http://m.box.net/shared/static/a6omcl2la0ivlxsn3o8m.jpg">http://m.box.net/shared/static/a6omcl2la0ivlxsn3o8m.jpg</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gya8KhEoI/TqC-mbh7jeI/AAAAAAAACvs/e5PhfaNCBXQ/s1600/SFSignalNPR100Flowchart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gya8KhEoI/TqC-mbh7jeI/AAAAAAAACvs/e5PhfaNCBXQ/s640/SFSignalNPR100Flowchart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-65578102125969567722011-10-18T16:17:00.001-07:002011-10-18T16:54:23.333-07:00This has to up my coolness by at least 3 percent<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" />
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OK, so normally the celebrity Mormon thing really doesn't mean anything to me, and usually I think the obsession with it makes us look a little needy. That said, I'm totally geeking out about this "I'm a Mormon" that my dad told me about, which probably means I'm the last person on Earth to see it.<br />
<br />
My other Brandon Flowers connections:<br />
— He's in the same ward as my college roommate (hi, Chelsea).<br />
— He graduated from Jake's high school, but they missed each other by one year.<br />
— I've liked the Killers for a long time.<br />
— I've driven by Sam's Town on a number of occasions.<br />
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So pretty much, we're, like, best friends. He'll call me for a jam session any day now. I'm just sure of it.<br />
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JEMJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-35628623249360140612011-10-04T11:27:00.000-07:002011-10-04T11:27:16.609-07:00The TreksterFor anyone who has ever questioned Jake's and my abilities as parents:<br />
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Your concerns are justified.<br />
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JEMJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-73755054974464424182011-09-21T17:03:00.000-07:002011-09-21T17:03:10.951-07:00JEM waxes emo<div>
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Anyone else feel like their blog is this milk cow that's tied up in your front yard that's always moo-ing at you, like, "Come milk me before my udders burst and you lose all 13 of your followers!" And you're like, "Shut your fat pie hole, cow. I've got stuff to do." But it just keeps moo-ing and you think, yeah, OK, I'll do it. And so you go out to milk her and lo and behold she's got this new format that looks really nice, but you can't find where in the heck her teats are now and by the time you sort of figure it out, Jethro's up from his nap and insisting on a round of hide and go seek, so you give up. But then later, you think, "Oh yeah! I've got this fancy phone now that has this really great cow-milking app that should make this a breeze!" So you start messing around with it and find it to be really cumbersome, so you just put some bright pink lipstick and hipster horn-rimmed glasses on the cow and take a pseudo-polaroid picture of it with your fancy phone and then can't figure out how to post it with multiple pictures in a single blog post?<br />
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Anyone else feel like that?<br />
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So anyway. A summer happened. Did you see it?<br />
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Summers go so fast now. It seemed like, when I was a kid, summer lasted forever. You'd get back in school and see kids you hadn't seen over the summer that you had actually FORGOTTEN about. Like showing up for the fifth grade and saying, "Oh, yeah! I remember you! We sat by each other in the fourth grade!" as though your paths hadn't crossed in 10 years.<br />
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Speaking of which, one of the significant events of my summer was my 10 year high school class reunion. What a strange experience that was. Good to see old friends and fun to dance around in my high school cafeteria again, but strange. I went and participated and mingled and laughed, and when it was all over Jake asked me how I felt and I said "Kind of sad." I couldn't work out why, but the whole thing left me with a bit of a hole in my gut. I think it made a little more sense a couple of weeks ago when I saw this at a friend's house here in San Diego. It's a series called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_Life">"The Voyage of Life"</a> painted by Thomas Cole in 1840. It hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It covers the four major chapters of life:<br />
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Childhood<br />
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Youth</div>
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Adulthood<br />
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Old Age<br />
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The last time I saw most of my high school classmates, we were in youth mode. Everything was wide open and beautiful, smooth sailing to that awesome cloud castle thing. (I love the young man with his hand up in the air like, "Let's rock!") But now we are fairly recent inductees into the realm of adulthood, where the waters are fast and rough and treacherous and the stakes are very high and hope sometimes seems dim. We may be new to the scene but we've seen enough to know that life isn't what we thought it would be when we were 17. Most of the people I talked to seemed to be scraping by. The ones who had families were all desperately trying to make ends meet and do right by their spouses and little children, having let go of their youthful ambitions in lieu of love and survival. The ones who were single seemed lonely and searching for meaning. Boys I remembered as perpetually buzzing with energy and goofiness seemed somber. Everyone had this look that wasn't there in high school, this thing in their eyes that suggested they've tasted a little of life's struggle and heartache. I guess it's the very early beginnings of wisdom. I don't mean to sound like everyone from the class of 2001 is miserable now. If anything, it was the opposite. Most people seemed happy and content with life and themselves. It's also not that our lives are especially rough. In fact, that's the point: the realization that every life, even the best, happy life, is rough. That's the nature of the journey. It's the same realization that hit me right after Jethro was born. I'd always sort of assumed that if I played my cards right, I could lead a virtually painless life. Childbirth made me realize that pain and life are eternally intertwined. A painless life isn't really a life. Maybe I was the only one getting this feeling, but it seemed like there was a silent understanding among us. Sort of an "oh-so-that's-why-our-parents-were-the-way-they-were" feeling.<br />
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Well, enough from emo-JEM. That little person who lives in my house just woke up and is trying to eat my nose, so we'll have to pick this up later. I'll leave you with a few photos that will hopefully reassure you that I think my life is awesome and that I do not require antidepressants:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The "Decorate Your Favorite Bono" craft from a recent U2-themed family home evening.</span></div>
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JEM</div>
JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-55016676488699687162011-07-29T07:43:00.000-07:002011-07-29T07:43:19.902-07:00This is a blog postDue to an exceptionally bad hair month I've been unable to post on this blog. Please accept this as an apology:<br />
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JEMJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-24254660655963870942011-06-21T22:34:00.000-07:002011-06-21T22:35:57.160-07:00My brush with Mitt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I somehow found myself at presidential candidate Mitt Romney's La Jolla beach house last week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't really explain how it happened. I get this baby shower invite in the mail a while ago for a girl whose name I don't recognize. Facebook sleuthing revealed it was a nice, beautiful, pregnant girl from my ward with whom I've had one actual conversation. I assumed it was a hey-let's-make-the-newish-girl-feel-welcome gesture, and I was happy to take the bait. I got a little gift and couldn't find an attractive box to wrap it in, so I ended up sticking it an empty garbage bag box before wrapping it up with paper and ribbon, figuring it would do the job and get a laugh when she unwrapped it. The day of the shower I looked up the address on Google Earth, figuring it would be somewhere in the ward boundaries. The satellite image revealed a mansion in a neighborhood full of mansions with the La Jolla beach as its backyard. I start feeling like maybe I should've gone with the empty Cheerios box instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I park the car a few blocks away thinking I'll be able to navigate the narrow streets better on foot. As the sound of the ocean crashing into the beach gets louder, the houses get bigger, and I'm seeing other girls with gifts approaching. Really beautiful girls. In dresses. And I'm starting to sweat pretty bad in my battered canvas Airwalks and wishing I'd gotten a haircut so that my do was less reminiscent of a 13-year-old boy miscreant, which is coincidentally also sort of how I had dressed for the affair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I walk in with one of the beautiful guests and tuck my trash bag box gift way back behind all of these adorably wrapped gifts that undoubtedly contain the most en vogue onesies anyone has ever beheld. The house is spacious, though not the enormous mansion you might expect, and lovely and filled with family photos I don't take much notice of. What I do take notice of are the millions of beautiful girls that I do not know. Finally I spot a familiar face, another girl from the ward who whispers to me, "Do you know whose house this is?" Suddenly the patriarch's face in all the family photos jumps out. Sure enough. It's our pal, Mitt. And let me tell you, this guy's got a sensational view from his back patio. But the faucet in his guest bathroom is a little tough to figure out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In case you don't believe me, as I expected you might, I took a couple of sneaky photos with my phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBrsNEdovnA/TgFy68DLtZI/AAAAAAAACck/CaGbJgMZAnk/s1600/1308279609251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBrsNEdovnA/TgFy68DLtZI/AAAAAAAACck/CaGbJgMZAnk/s400/1308279609251.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZD-jQsq8pk/TgFy-s-s87I/AAAAAAAACco/BQwhEna7nBI/s1600/1308279629507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZD-jQsq8pk/TgFy-s-s87I/AAAAAAAACco/BQwhEna7nBI/s400/1308279629507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxm4-i0ikA0/TgFzCC_YOTI/AAAAAAAACcs/iMT4TdfvVts/s1600/1308279659759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxm4-i0ikA0/TgFzCC_YOTI/AAAAAAAACcs/iMT4TdfvVts/s400/1308279659759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You always wonder how you will react to a brush with fame. Turns out I'm one of those creepy people who takes sneaky photos and posts them on the Internet. Did we expect anything more from me? Mitt's two super-chic daughters-in-law who were hosting the shindig probably saw me take them and thought, "Ugh. Why did we have to invite these plebeians? She probably wrapped her present in a trash bag box."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't it great when stereotypes are right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-31040942732819655522011-06-21T12:43:00.000-07:002011-06-21T12:43:38.515-07:00A good time was had by all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQSU0h5RBTI/TebFC_aMF_I/AAAAAAAACcQ/3Pp3xyaeIq0/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQSU0h5RBTI/TebFC_aMF_I/AAAAAAAACcQ/3Pp3xyaeIq0/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My folks came to visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They left miserable, pouring rain weather in Idaho Falls and found us happily basking in the California sun surrounded by these beautiful purple flowering trees that are all over the place and decided it would be OK if we stayed here and converted our garage into an apartment for them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To honor my parents' 29th anniversary we went to the USS Midway again. Because nothing will make two people fall in love all over again like a flight simulation of a fighter plane dogfight that flips you upside down and stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SY52M8ua9hg/Tea9UJCIcaI/AAAAAAAACbw/V8xT-tnUx_0/s1600/1306435704559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SY52M8ua9hg/Tea9UJCIcaI/AAAAAAAACbw/V8xT-tnUx_0/s400/1306435704559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tz6s8RcT44/Tea9SkmMngI/AAAAAAAACbo/Y9966cpCsdE/s1600/1306432305440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tz6s8RcT44/Tea9SkmMngI/AAAAAAAACbo/Y9966cpCsdE/s400/1306432305440.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVMoM_1mbHY/Tea9TrrDz5I/AAAAAAAACbs/2e8AwVZWRx0/s1600/1306434784504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVMoM_1mbHY/Tea9TrrDz5I/AAAAAAAACbs/2e8AwVZWRx0/s400/1306434784504.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb4bRXOdmnA/Tea9UlPM7DI/AAAAAAAACb0/AX0cX2yLdCo/s1600/1306437772482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb4bRXOdmnA/Tea9UlPM7DI/AAAAAAAACb0/AX0cX2yLdCo/s400/1306437772482.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjMpSucmWmw/Tea9VF-WfyI/AAAAAAAACb4/SLwWBCb-STo/s1600/1306438744270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjMpSucmWmw/Tea9VF-WfyI/AAAAAAAACb4/SLwWBCb-STo/s400/1306438744270.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We discovered Coronado, glorious Coronado, together and enjoyed it immensely. This isthmus (say that five times fast), which I mistakenly thought was an island because we drove over this gigantic bridge over the ocean to get to it, has earned many <a href="http://www.coronadovisitorcenter.com/CVC/index.html">illustrious honors</a>, such as the second best beach in the United States, the Great American MainStreet Award, home to <a href="http://youtu.be/V5UOC0C0x8Q">Scott Weiland</a> and also <a href="http://youtu.be/l5zFsy9VIdM">that lady bassist for the Talking Heads</a>, and, U.S. News and World Report named it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronado,_California">one of the most expensive places to reside in the U.S.</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od87D-aCT4o/TebE4dDy8OI/AAAAAAAACcA/Z5JuVYCuDkE/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od87D-aCT4o/TebE4dDy8OI/AAAAAAAACcA/Z5JuVYCuDkE/s400/IMG_1870.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Msx5rSzImRQ/TebEy-dy84I/AAAAAAAACb8/drcxMOEQ6UU/s1600/IMG_1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Msx5rSzImRQ/TebEy-dy84I/AAAAAAAACb8/drcxMOEQ6UU/s400/IMG_1869.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know what the No. 1 beach in the United States is, but it must be pretty phenomenal because Coronado beach is essentially perfect — clean, soft sand, nice water, fun waves, surfers. Jethro, who is afraid of more things than he isn't afraid of (washing his hair, the tree by our front door, stray cornflakes that stick to the corner of his mouth, etc.) surprised me by running, screaming and laughing, headlong into waves that were taller than he was. I believe he had the time of his short life. We actually went back the next day after Sea World was a bust. (We payed the $12 for parking and after 20 minutes of crawling through the totally full parking lot with about 400,000 other spot-seeking vehicles, decided that endeavor would only end in misery and exited the parking lot. Our example was immediately followed by at least five other vehicles.) Our second time to the Coronado beach we were better prepared with our swimming suits. Dad and Jake shed their shirts and dove into the waves like beautiful, glistening, albino dolphins. It was breathtaking. No photos of it, unfortunately. I had my hands full trying to keep Jethro from joining them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We introduced the folks to "Toy Story 3", the ending of which always makes Jethro get teary-eyed when Andy drives away, which, in turn always makes us teary-eyed. I would've thought 2.5 years is too young to be emotionally moved by film, but my child is more sensitive and perceptive than any other child that ever lived probably. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other highlights:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got us lost an average of two times each day. Dad broke one of my guitar strings, bought me new strings, then broke one of my bridge pins trying to change them, so he bought me new bridge pins, too, and then changed the strings with my new *black* bridge pins, which look very sleek and stealthy. He also adjusted the action on the neck of the guitar and it plays very well, Dad, thank you. And Grandma made it the best few days Jethro's ever had in his life by being his constant enthusiastic playmate. Seriously, though, sitting through church with those two I felt like I had two 2-year-olds to reign in. And Mom was the worse-behaved of the two. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eimErZ7GhHo/TebFGfkTfSI/AAAAAAAACcU/8gpknoVbE-I/s1600/IMG_1889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eimErZ7GhHo/TebFGfkTfSI/AAAAAAAACcU/8gpknoVbE-I/s400/IMG_1889.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The boys head to the pool.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8SETq3z67M/TebFLNRtU-I/AAAAAAAACcY/ZZw0XkaQmGA/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8SETq3z67M/TebFLNRtU-I/AAAAAAAACcY/ZZw0XkaQmGA/s400/IMG_1890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Balboa Park.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I unfortunately didn't get any pictures, but we also hit up the sort of creepy <a href="http://kobeyswap.com/">Kobey's Swap Meet</a> held every weekend in the Sports Arena parking lot. An odd crowd, but I guess you assume that going into any swap meet. Mom and I both had our astrological signs involuntarily analyzed by an awfully talkative older gentleman, who abruptly left when my dad walked over. My biggest regret of the outing: not purchasing the life-sized cardboard Jean-Luc Picard we spotted leaning against a chain link fence. Dad bought me a very nice straw hat there:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0JPLNK8JQ/TebFzszs6cI/AAAAAAAACcg/RElP6JoMB5A/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0JPLNK8JQ/TebFzszs6cI/AAAAAAAACcg/RElP6JoMB5A/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jake said it made me look a little like Chuck Mangione.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0mDRrWt2DQ/Tea3DJymIuI/AAAAAAAACas/j25j93mEZQc/s1600/Chuck+Mangione+1977+Feels+So+Good+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0mDRrWt2DQ/Tea3DJymIuI/AAAAAAAACas/j25j93mEZQc/s320/Chuck+Mangione+1977+Feels+So+Good+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>But I keep insisting that it's more Neil Young.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Ko9pg_Dqw/Tea3FXBhCBI/AAAAAAAACaw/qYw-bRSiRHA/s1600/Neil-Young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Ko9pg_Dqw/Tea3FXBhCBI/AAAAAAAACaw/qYw-bRSiRHA/s320/Neil-Young.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks Mom and Pop. We loved having you. You should come back just as soon as your backs recover from sleeping on our futon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-70376466664840705162011-06-01T14:43:00.000-07:002011-06-01T14:45:13.495-07:00Birch Aquarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtEH-4xcQyQ/Tcd8ZADqDhI/AAAAAAAACag/BuwyPA004Lc/s1600/DSC_5122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtEH-4xcQyQ/Tcd8ZADqDhI/AAAAAAAACag/BuwyPA004Lc/s400/DSC_5122.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The morning before Mother's Day we're eating banana muffins prepared by Jethro and yours truly in our pajamas, and Jake's like, "How would you guys like to go to the aquarium today?" and I said, "Hells yeah!" And that was the last bad word I'll ever say in front of Jethro because I want to raise my children in the same profanity-free environment I was raised in. (Harharhar.) But seriously, I'm really trying, so don't anybody suggest an activity as awesome as the <a href="http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/?gclid=CP7lg6_UlakCFQkMbAodAEN7cA">Birch Aquarium</a> to me if my son is within earshot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I was a child I really wanted to be a marine biologist, which is so d*** funny to me now. I can scarce imagine a career I'd be worse at, as evidenced by me screaming in the tidepool exhibit when I reached in the water to touch a sea urchin and a single one of its tiny tentacles stuck to my fingertip. I blame "The Little Mermaid" and "Splash" entirely for my several-years-long obsession with making my future livelihood unduh duh sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx4VMnRsnxE/Tcd8AFURABI/AAAAAAAACaA/P8aYFNw0xl0/s1600/DSC_5090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx4VMnRsnxE/Tcd8AFURABI/AAAAAAAACaA/P8aYFNw0xl0/s400/DSC_5090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rL-ex3xc3C8/Tcd7mb04j1I/AAAAAAAACZg/zvVEusyMSa4/s1600/DSC_5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rL-ex3xc3C8/Tcd7mb04j1I/AAAAAAAACZg/zvVEusyMSa4/s400/DSC_5047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A seahorse (they mate for life, did you know that?) and a startling disembodied human arm cleaning the sand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVA60rtPR20/Tcd7oL84rbI/AAAAAAAACZk/7rhHlUGJ5Y0/s1600/DSC_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVA60rtPR20/Tcd7oL84rbI/AAAAAAAACZk/7rhHlUGJ5Y0/s400/DSC_5051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itn_damCOHE/Tcd74UmxdyI/AAAAAAAACZ4/Gp8eWEXHTXo/s1600/DSC_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itn_damCOHE/Tcd74UmxdyI/AAAAAAAACZ4/Gp8eWEXHTXo/s400/DSC_5076.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1EeAbPx7ec/Tcd8TEKBrMI/AAAAAAAACaY/2c3qHfc06Xo/s1600/DSC_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1EeAbPx7ec/Tcd8TEKBrMI/AAAAAAAACaY/2c3qHfc06Xo/s400/DSC_5117.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>Although I am pretty certain that if I someday become a kajillionaire I will have installed in my kick-a** mansion a blacklight jellyfish aquarium. You're all invited to the unveiling.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_hkvUpNpg0/Tcd7qcIlTmI/AAAAAAAACZo/pyHVUUoNIPk/s1600/DSC_5053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_hkvUpNpg0/Tcd7qcIlTmI/AAAAAAAACZo/pyHVUUoNIPk/s400/DSC_5053.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Jethro has in the last few months adopted his mother's tendency to gasp really dramatically when encountering anything he finds exciting. For him these things range from stop signs and fire hydrants to the following:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK35h7EyOmA/TeavXrBm5dI/AAAAAAAACao/qfXA-_8AD6Y/s1600/DSC_5060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK35h7EyOmA/TeavXrBm5dI/AAAAAAAACao/qfXA-_8AD6Y/s640/DSC_5060.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcG7-XpQht0/Tcd7ty-8v4I/AAAAAAAACZs/564_lLGXpwU/s1600/DSC_5066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcG7-XpQht0/Tcd7ty-8v4I/AAAAAAAACZs/564_lLGXpwU/s640/DSC_5066.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ytZPLUKZ4E/Tcd7xNHWeTI/AAAAAAAACZw/DphbePrkSzs/s1600/DSC_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ytZPLUKZ4E/Tcd7xNHWeTI/AAAAAAAACZw/DphbePrkSzs/s400/DSC_5071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNhiu5Cb4H0/Tcd70c0OWYI/AAAAAAAACZ0/YZqBTdWwQeY/s1600/DSC_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNhiu5Cb4H0/Tcd70c0OWYI/AAAAAAAACZ0/YZqBTdWwQeY/s400/DSC_5074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For me, this lionfish was gasp-worthy:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvk6HUl4GMQ/Tcd78Kz21jI/AAAAAAAACZ8/ZNEVpiSzbek/s1600/DSC_5087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvk6HUl4GMQ/Tcd78Kz21jI/AAAAAAAACZ8/ZNEVpiSzbek/s400/DSC_5087.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because do you remember who else has a lionfish? That's right. Captain Jean-Luc Picard in his office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96_43XX1ffQ/TceDjbC-5DI/AAAAAAAACak/LhCA8KL9zMg/s1600/50415_260311545078_7169564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96_43XX1ffQ/TceDjbC-5DI/AAAAAAAACak/LhCA8KL9zMg/s1600/50415_260311545078_7169564_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Q and Picard's lionfish, Livingstone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there was this fish-less exhibit all about how you're killing the environment pretty much just by being alive. As evidenced by Jake's expression we were sobered and disgusted with ourselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YD3_BE_mx3c/Tcd8DuWSC5I/AAAAAAAACaE/dXSRCn3IjAc/s1600/DSC_5093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YD3_BE_mx3c/Tcd8DuWSC5I/AAAAAAAACaE/dXSRCn3IjAc/s400/DSC_5093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Jethro and I delivered a sobering newscast on wildfires or something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0dbCDyndnI/Tcd8HNDr63I/AAAAAAAACaM/yo2pRsYD96g/s1600/DSC_5105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0dbCDyndnI/Tcd8HNDr63I/AAAAAAAACaM/yo2pRsYD96g/s400/DSC_5105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAA6b9Y2l5c/Tcd8LKQ09SI/AAAAAAAACaQ/tpmKig_sf2E/s1600/DSC_5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAA6b9Y2l5c/Tcd8LKQ09SI/AAAAAAAACaQ/tpmKig_sf2E/s400/DSC_5108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_0uSqi5TC8/Tcd8O4Zz-SI/AAAAAAAACaU/JzNDy5Y6boA/s1600/DSC_5114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_0uSqi5TC8/Tcd8O4Zz-SI/AAAAAAAACaU/JzNDy5Y6boA/s400/DSC_5114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Jethro found this sobering learning device more exciting than seahorses. KNOBS AND BUTTONS!!! OMG!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb1K8XlJk5Q/Tcd8WgykafI/AAAAAAAACac/9ubzJbLcYEc/s1600/DSC_5120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb1K8XlJk5Q/Tcd8WgykafI/AAAAAAAACac/9ubzJbLcYEc/s400/DSC_5120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>But I loved you, seahorses, with your good posture and your curly tails and your mating for life and your males-having-the-babies. I hope to visit you again. Almost certainly before Jethro's third birthday so that we don't have to spend $8.50 on a ticket for him. Yikes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXhL3vi1M-w/Tcd8El3zL9I/AAAAAAAACaI/qBhrd81JQik/s1600/DSC_5096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXhL3vi1M-w/Tcd8El3zL9I/AAAAAAAACaI/qBhrd81JQik/s400/DSC_5096.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-23208702485165048752011-05-22T18:37:00.001-07:002011-05-22T18:37:46.444-07:00hjjhhhjjj<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-40043591641494771562011-05-09T23:55:00.000-07:002011-05-09T23:56:04.526-07:00An historic momentJust wanted to make sure everyone was up to speed.<br />
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<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_4b3afc5c2f"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=4b3afc5c2f" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=4b3afc5c2f" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_4b3afc5c2f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:left;font-size:x-small;margin-top:0;width:512px;"><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/4b3afc5c2f/president-bush-reacts-to-osama-bin-laden-s-death-with-will-ferrell" title="from Will Ferrell, Adam "Ghost Panther" McKay, dannyjelinek, Brian Lane, Chris Kelly, Zach Zdziebko, Colton Dunn, BoTown Sound, Shauna O'Toole, and FOD Team">President Bush Reacts to Osama Bin Laden's Death with Will Ferrell</a> from <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/will_ferrell">Will Ferrell</a></div><br />
(Thanks for keeping us informed, John. Hope your back's feeling better.)<br />
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JEMJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-50712192431238926712011-05-08T22:03:00.000-07:002011-05-08T22:05:35.487-07:00Let's hear it for moms<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/osWuWjbeO-Y" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Jake actually drew a picture of a mitochondrion on the front of my Mother's Day card. A direct quote from the card: "I think it's fitting that we get the thing that is our sole source of energy from our mothers. Mothers are the foundation of movement and progress of our race."<br />
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I love geeks. <br />
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But, really, it is pretty amazing. To my own sweet and beautiful mom: Thanks for the mRNA, the warm cookies after school, and the endless words of encouragement and praise. I love you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpJ5wuELZoQ/Tcd1S-9H3SI/AAAAAAAACZY/_USJRgqy1G8/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpJ5wuELZoQ/Tcd1S-9H3SI/AAAAAAAACZY/_USJRgqy1G8/s400/DSCN0854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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JEMJEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-68791735774747665492011-05-07T21:56:00.001-07:002011-05-07T21:56:27.637-07:00Guess that covers it<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_SUztmympaA8/TcYidy08jWI/AAAAAAAACZQ/7pRIxFYvvC4/1302545960659.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_SUztmympaA8/TcYidy08jWI/AAAAAAAACZQ/7pRIxFYvvC4/s400/1302545960659.jpg' /></a></p>After weeks of vehement prayer hating, Jethro volunteered to give the family prayer tonight. With zero parental promptings, his prayer was as follows: <br/> <br/> De-o Heavenwy Foddo, <br/> So fankful for Mom and Dad and dat we o healfy. In da name of Jesus Chwist, amen. <br/> <br/> Amen. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> JEM<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-70309840599150810132011-05-06T16:02:00.000-07:002011-05-06T18:00:17.376-07:00All hands on deck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcLR3D8AaWg/TcRiaGKaFmI/AAAAAAAACYo/HQjqvYI2yuM/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcLR3D8AaWg/TcRiaGKaFmI/AAAAAAAACYo/HQjqvYI2yuM/s400/IMG_1765.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm ill-suited for military life for so many reasons. Namely: I hate exercise, I'm lazy, I don't handle chastisement well, I'm not brave, I have zero killer instinct, and I really need my unstructured "me-time". That said, for whatever reason, I'm sort of a junky for military stuff. I don't have any practical knowledge to show for it — I know nothing about weapons or fighter planes or warships or tanks. But I just like it. I like the wet-leather, dusty-tarpaulin smell of it and the cut-the-crap-and-do-your-job grit of it and the idea that there are people out there who <i>are</i> brave and tough and honorable doing these really hard and amazing things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also a huge fan of the documentary series "Carrier"(which is really phenomenal, every American should watch it — and not, like, out of duty or anything, but because it's just really excellent, riveting storytelling and scene-setting that also happens to be REAL):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBombtcMJSg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and I'm also a "Battlestar Galactica" freak (there, I said it), which deals heavily with military life on an aircraft carrier-spaceship that's one of the few remaining human strongholds in the UNIVERSE after the evil cylons destory, like, 99 percent of the human race, which ironically <i>created</i> the cylons to begin with and— what's that? Cylons look like humans now? And some are on onboard the GALACTICA? And they might not EVEN KNOW THEY'RE CYLONS BUT BE PROGRAMMED TO DESTROY HUMANS ANYWAY???? WHAAAAAAT???? Frak me, there I go again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4xpcq6lsk/TcRsAwZGs1I/AAAAAAAACYs/UWECMcDRX4c/s1600/battlestar_galactica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4xpcq6lsk/TcRsAwZGs1I/AAAAAAAACYs/UWECMcDRX4c/s400/battlestar_galactica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, anyway, there's this decommissioned aircraft carrier, the <a href="http://www.midway.org/">USS Midway</a>, sitting in the harbor here that's been turned into a museum, and we went to it and, not surprisingly, I loved it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuRSA2toZeA/TcRiAQ_IhEI/AAAAAAAACYQ/smJ2LCzf5AY/s1600/IMG_1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuRSA2toZeA/TcRiAQ_IhEI/AAAAAAAACYQ/smJ2LCzf5AY/s400/IMG_1748.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYuYwf6Iy_4/TcRzA2iBY-I/AAAAAAAACZE/0KKCedocf_Y/s1600/DSC_5016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYuYwf6Iy_4/TcRzA2iBY-I/AAAAAAAACZE/0KKCedocf_Y/s400/DSC_5016.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HLmBfvpcxE/TcRxNzYSX0I/AAAAAAAACY0/Syf7wAxv7X4/s1600/DSC_5025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HLmBfvpcxE/TcRxNzYSX0I/AAAAAAAACY0/Syf7wAxv7X4/s400/DSC_5025.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmZB0GEx-DY/TcRh4Faub7I/AAAAAAAACYI/d5CjnwEcRk4/s1600/DSC_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmZB0GEx-DY/TcRh4Faub7I/AAAAAAAACYI/d5CjnwEcRk4/s400/DSC_5038.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7XMyprMqfE/TcRiEsr0g6I/AAAAAAAACYU/onaguNVIQ3k/s1600/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7XMyprMqfE/TcRiEsr0g6I/AAAAAAAACYU/onaguNVIQ3k/s400/IMG_1757.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wszH6sD9NRs/TcRiJU7NaPI/AAAAAAAACYY/KGPtVxNXSpc/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wszH6sD9NRs/TcRiJU7NaPI/AAAAAAAACYY/KGPtVxNXSpc/s400/IMG_1758.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W4vdTA0j8k/TcRiN64MHQI/AAAAAAAACYc/x84XCcflddI/s1600/IMG_1759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W4vdTA0j8k/TcRiN64MHQI/AAAAAAAACYc/x84XCcflddI/s400/IMG_1759.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHR_fjNJFII/TcRiSjY-NII/AAAAAAAACYg/0MKeUyJZ_Ns/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHR_fjNJFII/TcRiSjY-NII/AAAAAAAACYg/0MKeUyJZ_Ns/s400/IMG_1761.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--A53GRqP0c8/TcRiWjSbrRI/AAAAAAAACYk/obbtIMaty5o/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--A53GRqP0c8/TcRiWjSbrRI/AAAAAAAACYk/obbtIMaty5o/s400/IMG_1762.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1c6AmW7XVgK9n0zfMuNCyEhIReoHyXgxX48JxhWBMQS9SM6KyfNGdHfLI-1wyoUESHQU561x2WzKLEBRGPQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And I wasn't the only one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzVob-etkIU/TcRy-RhG9fI/AAAAAAAACZA/BRGH1JVX00A/s1600/DSC_5014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzVob-etkIU/TcRy-RhG9fI/AAAAAAAACZA/BRGH1JVX00A/s400/DSC_5014.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qx1e4eFo9M/TcRhq2zEusI/AAAAAAAACX4/36FLTmDdVAk/s1600/DSC_5011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qx1e4eFo9M/TcRhq2zEusI/AAAAAAAACX4/36FLTmDdVAk/s400/DSC_5011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weF5MovR4sc/TcRy69JtiZI/AAAAAAAACY8/5R_0dHYY1yA/s1600/DSC_5013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weF5MovR4sc/TcRy69JtiZI/AAAAAAAACY8/5R_0dHYY1yA/s400/DSC_5013.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3ADDfiBF_A/TcRhkYgDCWI/AAAAAAAACXw/jHegh3BUrIU/s1600/DSC_5005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3ADDfiBF_A/TcRhkYgDCWI/AAAAAAAACXw/jHegh3BUrIU/s400/DSC_5005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxzOCgW6naM/TcRwebslxBI/AAAAAAAACYw/DKpOEfzHCiE/s1600/DSC_5024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxzOCgW6naM/TcRwebslxBI/AAAAAAAACYw/DKpOEfzHCiE/s320/DSC_5024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">"Launch the nukes."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3JoSJxiUvE/TcRhxfKZqhI/AAAAAAAACYA/MLFe-fD_4c8/s1600/DSC_5020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3JoSJxiUvE/TcRhxfKZqhI/AAAAAAAACYA/MLFe-fD_4c8/s400/DSC_5020.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">"Alert the amphibious squadron."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNBNhSXjjN0/TcRhtypjPBI/AAAAAAAACX8/bvlx_-PSSY0/s1600/DSC_5019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNBNhSXjjN0/TcRhtypjPBI/AAAAAAAACX8/bvlx_-PSSY0/s400/DSC_5019.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li706MXAGJg/TcRhnt6IVDI/AAAAAAAACX0/RbLQFlv4ESQ/s1600/DSC_5010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li706MXAGJg/TcRhnt6IVDI/AAAAAAAACX0/RbLQFlv4ESQ/s400/DSC_5010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were accompanied by Jake's brother Adam, his lovely wife Summer and their six beautiful, Aryan children (one of which was AWOL in this photo, for anyone who's counting, like I was, constantly):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5WZ-j5YGos/TcR2HglLVhI/AAAAAAAACZI/BP_VusUVgUQ/s1600/DSC_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5WZ-j5YGos/TcR2HglLVhI/AAAAAAAACZI/BP_VusUVgUQ/s400/DSC_4995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8AXf4jy_BM/TcRhhNBIUbI/AAAAAAAACXs/WS3YMF9Gn84/s1600/DSC_4999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8AXf4jy_BM/TcRhhNBIUbI/AAAAAAAACXs/WS3YMF9Gn84/s400/DSC_4999.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Jethro and his beautiful, unflinching co-pilot (and cousin) Starbuck, I mean, Naomi</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jethro would've happily made his permanent home in this helicopter:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ptDi2wdThc/TcRh1PMLtMI/AAAAAAAACYE/ueSpjVSastU/s1600/DSC_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ptDi2wdThc/TcRh1PMLtMI/AAAAAAAACYE/ueSpjVSastU/s400/DSC_5029.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The good news is that in our 2+ hours there we still didn't get to the mess deck or the chow line or the bomb elevator or the enlisted sailors' bunks or the brig or the forecastle, whatever the crap that is. So our next visitors get to take us back. Whether they like it or not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KEa9hlq9Qs/TcRxV-YpE-I/AAAAAAAACY4/-jo9dL-1XGE/s1600/DSC_5027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KEa9hlq9Qs/TcRxV-YpE-I/AAAAAAAACY4/-jo9dL-1XGE/s400/DSC_5027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So say we all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-45219384200562990692011-04-19T15:14:00.000-07:002011-04-19T15:20:24.882-07:00The beat goes on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRAXh8Ue2ms/TaOCwutemmI/AAAAAAAACW4/AAh8VFtPFv0/s1600/IMG_1697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRAXh8Ue2ms/TaOCwutemmI/AAAAAAAACW4/AAh8VFtPFv0/s400/IMG_1697.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's incredible the things you find when unpacking. We were shocked upon our return to America to open the storage unit in Idaho Falls where we'd stashed a bunch of our crap pre-Germany to find it full of stuff we had no recollection of keeping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was thrilled and delighted at the extent of kitchen stuff we had. Pre-Germany I did not cook. At all. We had all these great kitchen things from our wedding that I never used. Strangely, it was in Germany, where we had hardly any kitchen stuff (one casserole dish, two mixing bowls, and a whisk) where I finally decided to attempt self-domestication. It was dicey for a while, Jake will tell you, but we came out the other end OK. I can now say, without reservation, that I can kind of cook a little bit. Thing is, since I learned without the gadgetry, I'm sort of scared to use it. I still haven't plugged in the electric hand mixer. I figure mixing with a spoon/whisk/hands helps to burn off a couple of the calories I'm bound to take in eating whatever is I'm preparing. I didn't say I was a very healthy cook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another treasure was the boxes of letters I kept from the days when I was a good letter writer. There were lots of letters from friends and a number from my grandmother who passed away last summer just shy of her 95th birthday. I couldn't come back for the funeral and that ate me up a great deal. On the beautiful summer day that it was held, Jethro and I went for a bike ride through Dresden's glorious Großer Garten and played among the flowers and squirrels and birds, which, considering her love of nature and beauty and quiet and solitude, seemed appropriate. She would've probably preferred that everyone do that in lieu of a funeral. Still, it hurt to miss that. I opened one of her letters at random a day or two after our arrival in San Diego, when I was still very much missing Dresden and feeling a little lost in our new home. She was responding to a letter I had written in which I had apparently expressed my stress and exhaustion from work and college. She closed by saying, "Honey, stay happy and I will tell you what I used to tell my children when they would wake in the night and say, 'Mom, I'm scared.' Think of flowers, butterflies, and all lovely things. I don't know if it worked, but I kept telling them that!" Gosh, I miss her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were a lot of reasons leaving Dresden was hard for me, but among them was that Dresden was such a gorgeous place. I've loved every place I've lived, but Dresden was the first place I ever lived that was really, certifiably a beautiful city, and I got so I liked being surrounded by beauty. I was dreading returning to the land of endless parking lots and box stores and strip malls. There is that here, but there's also this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_SdqebMs0/TaOO9ugpnJI/AAAAAAAACXU/u9ZKXl_5lWo/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_SdqebMs0/TaOO9ugpnJI/AAAAAAAACXU/u9ZKXl_5lWo/s400/IMG_1675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">What the canyon near our apartment looked like in February</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N112fvwbE2o/TaOCS7y4t1I/AAAAAAAACWc/Y6mMH0JLY_c/s1600/DSC_4966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N112fvwbE2o/TaOCS7y4t1I/AAAAAAAACWc/Y6mMH0JLY_c/s400/DSC_4966.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxRrVBChwfs/TaOCWFHSIhI/AAAAAAAACWg/XHwKloojPXo/s1600/DSC_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxRrVBChwfs/TaOCWFHSIhI/AAAAAAAACWg/XHwKloojPXo/s400/DSC_4970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eWryMf-orPo/TaOCaRPdeNI/AAAAAAAACWk/HqqlzIXTaHA/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eWryMf-orPo/TaOCaRPdeNI/AAAAAAAACWk/HqqlzIXTaHA/s400/IMG_1662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6AU1I4mImE/TaOCPSw60jI/AAAAAAAACWY/r_gM3nJIYs8/s1600/DSC_4961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6AU1I4mImE/TaOCPSw60jI/AAAAAAAACWY/r_gM3nJIYs8/s400/DSC_4961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DI047tkdESA/TaOCgcg4i1I/AAAAAAAACWo/0aUHuFSrMj0/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DI047tkdESA/TaOCgcg4i1I/AAAAAAAACWo/0aUHuFSrMj0/s400/IMG_1678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLrp0u9VtGU/Ta33dISOziI/AAAAAAAACXY/2Whk_onCHpU/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLrp0u9VtGU/Ta33dISOziI/AAAAAAAACXY/2Whk_onCHpU/s400/IMG_1782.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIyB1a9SJk4/Ta33kddXCrI/AAAAAAAACXc/DlH6NLT8lVk/s1600/IMG_1785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIyB1a9SJk4/Ta33kddXCrI/AAAAAAAACXc/DlH6NLT8lVk/s400/IMG_1785.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FAT-gZlgdSc/TaOCLvbmIkI/AAAAAAAACWQ/X6IKohP94ZE/s1600/1302393741298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FAT-gZlgdSc/TaOCLvbmIkI/AAAAAAAACWQ/X6IKohP94ZE/s320/1302393741298.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We arrived in San Diego in early February. It should be noted that our road trip began in Idaho Falls with an outside temperature of 6 degrees below 0 in order to fully appreciate what we beheld as we neared our destination. The world was green and sunny. We saw crops growing in fields. People wearing shorts and sandals. Palm trees. Exotic flowers in full bloom. When we stumbled out of the truck at our new apartment after dark, the air was fresh and perfumed. The air was comfortably cool and moist. We felt as though we'd entered another dimension. Surely this place couldn't exist on the same plane of reality as the frigid, snow-entombed world we'd left two days before. In our two months here, we've learned that it does, in fact, rain here sometimes. It does get cool enough that you need a jacket. But for the most part, those things you hear about San Diego, about it basically being the Garden of Eden reincarnated — those things are true. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As if we weren't surrounded by enough natural beauty, San Diego, and in fact our little neighborhood, is also home to this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBh6Th4zEw/TaOCkHS1GmI/AAAAAAAACWs/4XDtCQdTEyE/s1600/IMG_1691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBh6Th4zEw/TaOCkHS1GmI/AAAAAAAACWs/4XDtCQdTEyE/s400/IMG_1691.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7grU21uq9Qw/TaOCsYyZNgI/AAAAAAAACW0/yRMh0y2nH9o/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7grU21uq9Qw/TaOCsYyZNgI/AAAAAAAACW0/yRMh0y2nH9o/s400/IMG_1696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <a href="http://sandiegomormontemple.com/8/about_the_san_diego_temple">San Diego LDS Temple</a> is a 15 minute walk from our front door. From the outside it's breathtaking. We nearly ran off the road when we passed it on the freeway for the first time. The inside is even more amazing. I think I gasped audibly when I stepped into the spire that contains a wide sweeping staircase. Sunlight poured through the towering glittering windows onto all the white and gold and I was briefly blinded by it. It was like dying. I can't believe more people don't join the LDS Church here just to get a peek at this place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp3N6iTi5KQ/TaOCozNi58I/AAAAAAAACWw/tBaL0kL9UBo/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp3N6iTi5KQ/TaOCozNi58I/AAAAAAAACWw/tBaL0kL9UBo/s400/IMG_1694.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've found some other cool places, too. Like the San Diego Natural History Museum:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-YhtSyZnSA/Ta3_AxvxjgI/AAAAAAAACXg/NljNd8BDCAE/s1600/1301074957634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-YhtSyZnSA/Ta3_AxvxjgI/AAAAAAAACXg/NljNd8BDCAE/s320/1301074957634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UFeqYEgQhI/TaOCI3QEu6I/AAAAAAAACVw/CBEptXxuTo0/s1600/1301075370478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UFeqYEgQhI/TaOCI3QEu6I/AAAAAAAACVw/CBEptXxuTo0/s320/1301075370478.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZF6lU7Lmpc/Ta3_DAsKZ2I/AAAAAAAACXk/l8tzXJH66Wc/s1600/1301075404544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZF6lU7Lmpc/Ta3_DAsKZ2I/AAAAAAAACXk/l8tzXJH66Wc/s320/1301075404544.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMpqfJ66wUE/TaOCJQNchII/AAAAAAAACV0/y3AfNtj5Yn8/s1600/1301078818855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMpqfJ66wUE/TaOCJQNchII/AAAAAAAACV0/y3AfNtj5Yn8/s320/1301078818855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">"Wook at dat big doggie!" —Jethro</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--33IoJ7dXNY/TaOCJgzom0I/AAAAAAAACV4/DMFxMiAGbYA/s1600/1301078998717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--33IoJ7dXNY/TaOCJgzom0I/AAAAAAAACV4/DMFxMiAGbYA/s320/1301078998717.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the New Children's Museum:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpPK_15-3ZU/Ta3_F_mnaDI/AAAAAAAACXo/SECUAyItbNI/s1600/1301593530897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpPK_15-3ZU/Ta3_F_mnaDI/AAAAAAAACXo/SECUAyItbNI/s320/1301593530897.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4f7Kd3UK5pY/TaOCKAfVVgI/AAAAAAAACV8/wXWPHJ4o9VU/s1600/1301593335908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4f7Kd3UK5pY/TaOCKAfVVgI/AAAAAAAACV8/wXWPHJ4o9VU/s320/1301593335908.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifHU6zphvtQ/TaOCz-Vkd9I/AAAAAAAACW8/34_kTegEB-8/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifHU6zphvtQ/TaOCz-Vkd9I/AAAAAAAACW8/34_kTegEB-8/s400/IMG_1704.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vSxjC3T5aQ/TaOC4mCPXJI/AAAAAAAACXA/TI62v3cYeQI/s1600/IMG_1707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vSxjC3T5aQ/TaOC4mCPXJI/AAAAAAAACXA/TI62v3cYeQI/s400/IMG_1707.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mkKXjk4LXY/TaODOeo1PWI/AAAAAAAACXQ/CQcJrcz1JXM/s1600/IMG_1714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mkKXjk4LXY/TaODOeo1PWI/AAAAAAAACXQ/CQcJrcz1JXM/s400/IMG_1714.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCX-PIlsPGw/TaOC9C8V22I/AAAAAAAACXE/GhplT9OrBrE/s1600/IMG_1708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCX-PIlsPGw/TaOC9C8V22I/AAAAAAAACXE/GhplT9OrBrE/s320/IMG_1708.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--l5eRq1vj3E/TaODDpJjGJI/AAAAAAAACXI/QiEPrXTZZ0Q/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--l5eRq1vj3E/TaODDpJjGJI/AAAAAAAACXI/QiEPrXTZZ0Q/s320/IMG_1711.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyt6wee0_2s/TaODJQ8pZlI/AAAAAAAACXM/7KcfExiCups/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyt6wee0_2s/TaODJQ8pZlI/AAAAAAAACXM/7KcfExiCups/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJJR0-tkC7Q/TaOCKeK6dlI/AAAAAAAACWA/SyOAlzKIeBA/s1600/1301594105247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJJR0-tkC7Q/TaOCKeK6dlI/AAAAAAAACWA/SyOAlzKIeBA/s320/1301594105247.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LL6A2R7RJvA/TaOCKpilTuI/AAAAAAAACWE/4g3z6qkhUPs/s1600/1301594869007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LL6A2R7RJvA/TaOCKpilTuI/AAAAAAAACWE/4g3z6qkhUPs/s320/1301594869007.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And plenty of parks and playgrounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7C-CzMcLUM/TaOCFZP8zKI/AAAAAAAACVo/_Crq184gePA/s1600/1299517627986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7C-CzMcLUM/TaOCFZP8zKI/AAAAAAAACVo/_Crq184gePA/s320/1299517627986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3uoY78uIpM/TaOCIjmx_VI/AAAAAAAACVs/G7kITlxlwiE/s1600/1299518117514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3uoY78uIpM/TaOCIjmx_VI/AAAAAAAACVs/G7kITlxlwiE/s320/1299518117514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWDt7sVXE34/TaOCLPjhU9I/AAAAAAAACWM/qWn1Yzok6dw/s1600/1301939736582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWDt7sVXE34/TaOCLPjhU9I/AAAAAAAACWM/qWn1Yzok6dw/s320/1301939736582.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're regularly the only English-speakers at this park, and the most prominent language isn't Spanish, it's Chinese.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite all San Diego has to offer, it was a tough adjustment for a while. It still is sometimes. As we expected and dreaded, our years in Dresden are beginning to feel more and more like a dream. I can feel my already rough German slipping away as Jethro plays "Straßenbahn" with his cars more and more seldom. Jake and I realized that when we're not surrounded by a foreign culture, everyday life seems to lack novelty and romance. We're not as observant of the world around us. I worried about starting a new blog because I wasn't sure what I'd talk about living in America. But it feels like home now. Last Saturday as we cruised through downtown with the windows rolled down and the ocean sparkling between the skyscrapers Jake and I acknowledged how much we like it here and how lucky we are to have landed here. But I expect we'll always be a little homesick for Dresden. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">JEM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5McMunBDFI/TaOCKxYsBPI/AAAAAAAACWI/IDveSes4iCI/s1600/1301628415834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5McMunBDFI/TaOCKxYsBPI/AAAAAAAACWI/IDveSes4iCI/s320/1301628415834.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306641632941109800.post-28199152321037823202011-03-20T20:55:00.001-07:002011-03-31T07:19:54.992-07:00Meet the cast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just in case we haven't met before, I'm JEM. I'm 27, married, mother of one. I grew up in Idaho. I like writing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Jake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxJ-j4c68ek/TZOtauJtU7I/AAAAAAAACVc/4g9x82c-T40/s1600/DSC_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxJ-j4c68ek/TZOtauJtU7I/AAAAAAAACVc/4g9x82c-T40/s400/DSC_4619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He's my husband. He's 30. We've been married for 8 years. He grew up in Las Vegas. He likes science.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Jethro.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8NiQc5oNY/TZOsZS2Ps-I/AAAAAAAACVU/kA_VcgKwqj0/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8NiQc5oNY/TZOsZS2Ps-I/AAAAAAAACVU/kA_VcgKwqj0/s400/IMG_1681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> He's my son. He's 2. He was born in Germany. He likes trains.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tYIEGH0wZ0/TZOsfkEEb1I/AAAAAAAACVY/k6QqCX9FsVs/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tYIEGH0wZ0/TZOsfkEEb1I/AAAAAAAACVY/k6QqCX9FsVs/s400/IMG_1665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We just moved from <a href="http://americandresdner.blogspot.com/">Dresden, Germany</a>, to San Diego, Calif., where Jake's working on a post-doc putting his computational biology Ph.D. to work in the world of psychiatric genomics. I'm continuing my independent research in diaper changing and nose wiping with a new emphasis on potty training and the ABC song. Jethro is currently writing his master's thesis on counting to 12.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm glad you came to visit us, and I hope you'll be back. There will be more to come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JEM</div>JEMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478029884241953092noreply@blogger.com12