Lucy Makes Up With Gravity

There's a Gary Larson cartoon that shows a wolf handing a bouquet of flowers to a sheep, with a caption that says something like: "It would never work; Bernie couldn't stop worrying what the pack would think, and Sheila just ate the flowers."

For some reason this image sprang to mind last Saturday as I spied on Lucy's ski lesson from behind a tree. I watched as her teacher crouched down, saying something instructive with a very earnest look on her face...and then I watched Lucy, paying no attention whatsoever, scoop up a big handful of snow and start to eat it out of her mittens. "This will never work," I thought.

So, it is with great pride, and a little amazement that I announce the following:

Lucy, (the Lucy who has been known to trip from a seated position), has learned how to ski!

I know you guys will think I'm exaggerating, so here is video evidence:


And, she even likes it!

Born again?

Hi Ashbygirls this is Jerry. I have requested permission from Vivian to post this video because I think it is something that maybe only an Ashby can truly appreciate.

Every time we shop at BJ's (kinda like Costco, but worse) we walk by this Samsung 3D TV display. One day I walked by and noticed that in the demo video some Michael Bolton style gospel singing trumpeter was being featured. At first I was incredulous thinking "this has to be some other Michael Bolton style gospel singing trumpeter, right?" and then realizing the impossibility of there ever being another one of those I just accepted that this guy has returned from the 80s.

So I would like to reintroduce you to Phil Driscoll. Does watching this video make you want to pull out the old VHS tape and watch "The Young Messiah" from the 80s again?

P.S. - Would you think a guy was crazy if you saw him using his phone to record a 2d video of a 3D TV demo while chuckling silently to himself?

Phil Driscoll from Jerry Thomas on Vimeo.

YOU are my favorite

eric is a sweet boy. he gets the gospel to a surprising degree for a seven year old, gives up the best thing to break up a fight (sometimes), and is a really good big brother. he puts his arm around jack when he is sad, and bends down and talks in a higher pitch when he is talking to him. he jumps to help me, and is fun to cook and work with.

but today he sealed his spot as my favorite child when

this happened.

all the kids and i were playing in the front room. the kids were tying different things on to helium balloons to see what would "float" and what would "sink". the baby formerly known as colin was sitting happily with the string of a balloon. eric turns to me from what he is doing and says covertly, "ppssst, mom! we are all just playing out here with colin. you could go read your book. now would be a good time!"

just the most beautiful thing any kid has ever said to me.

Speaking of Rachel

A conversation with Jerry:

Jerry: We might consider getting a new car sometime in the future. Perhaps something with just a little more space.
Me: I don't know, I don't think we really need to upgrade so quickly.
Jerry: Well we're soon going to have two carseats in the back.
Me: That should be ok, right?
Jerry: Well the last time we traveled it was pretty tight squeeze with Rachel and Levi and all our stuff. If we put two carseats back there, we won't be able to take Rachel. And really, if we're not taking Rachel, then why would we travel?
Me: A very very good point.

Of Course

Yesterday morning Lucy was preening in the mirror, smoothing her hair to one side and looking at herself sideways. As she tilted her chin and fluttered her eyes, she asked me, "Do I remind you of a young Rachel?"

Top 5 Signs

Top five signs at the Christmas party that your company might be not be experiencing the effects of current economic downturn:

1. Menu includes small foods on toothpicks and offered by someone in a bow tie.
2. There is a piano player hired for the evening.
3. The event isn't held in the break room, but in a ballroom.
4. There's an open bar. Unlimited juice???
5. The gift to all employees is a super sweet patagonia backpack, embroidered with the company logo.

a girl and her brains are soon separated...

carrie and i talk pretty regularly, and you just never know how it will go.

sometimes it is silly:

b-"hello?"

c-"hi sister! how are you?"

b- "really good! guess what happened..."

c- "well i just got to lucy's school, i'll talk to you later!"

sometimes it's harsh:

b- i think i might have to vote for mccain

c- are you an idiot?!

sometimes she needs me:

c-ssssooooo i'm coming to visit you!

sometimes it's sweet:

b- it's because you are awesome and i love you!

c- no you're awesome and i love YOU!

b- your the best sister!

c- no, YOU'RE the best sister!

sometimes it is ugly:

b-"and i am soooo sad and tired of being pregnant. i am really having a hard time. i am 2 DAYS over my due date and it is driving me crazy i want to have this baby NOW!!"

c- (cheerfully) "hey i know! i bet they got your due date wrong! maybe your not due till NEXT MONTH! so you can just stop worrying about it!

(silence)

b- *click*

but sometimes, it is wonderful. we are both feeling witty with a tinge of silly, we have a great amount of equally funny things to talk about, and it is gold. we both start laughing and do our best to ignore everyone and keep the conversation going as long as possible. these are times that we are both leaning into the phone, with silly grins on our faces, enjoying that sister pull that goes right to my center.

that was happening today and i was giggly, but the phone call had caught me in a nap, so i was still a little groggy. i was having a hard time remembering the actors name who plays the colonel in the bbc version of sense and sensibility, and i said:

b- "haha my humor is on, but my brain is off!"

c- "that is my favorite beth!"

i don't have a punchline for this entry. i just thought it was a funny thing to say.

i think.