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Hey. I know, I know...I'm waaaay behind in blogging. But that keeps this totally random, right? Anywho, if you know me, then you know why. If you know me but don't know why, join me over on Facebook. I update there more regularly than here.
Is it too early to start thinking about & planning for Christmas? I've started gift-shopping. And thinking about traditions and recipes. Evan will know more about what's going on this holiday season. So, I'm considering and re-considering our traditions. And I'm wondering about recipes...not the usual cookies and snack mix type, but the meals that the 3 of us will eat together. Like Christmas morning breakfast or dinner the day after. Any readers want to share their family's traditions or recipes? C'mon! :)

Manners and stuff

So for some reason I'm thinking about manners today. Maybe it's because I'm raising a little boy, and wondering what it looks like for him to learn manners. (He's only 14 months old.) But all I can think of is what it doesn't look like. Seems like the "experts" on manners just want you to know that they are the experts. To me, manners are simply about making the other person feel comfortable. It isn't correcting them if they say "couch" and you wanna call it a "sofa."

And the eczema update is that I got it on my face, so insurance had to fill my Elidel prescription (it seems that you can't/shouldn't put a steroid cream on your face!). My face cleared up, then flared up. My shin seems improved, but it has fooled me before. It's been dang hot, so I've been wearing shorts regardless. If you see me out, don't look too closely at my legs! Now I'm wondering if I'll have a permanent scar on my leg. Oh, well. Nothing I can do about that. As long as I don't itch...

I'm so not cutting edge...here I try my 1st blog, and now I learn that folks are vlogging. (sigh)

compact fluorescent lightbulbs

On this Independence Day, I want to express my freedom as an American by using incandescent light bulbs. At least, while it's still legal. I won't be able to get them after 2012. Then we'll be forced to switch to fluorescent. Why are these bulbs being heralded as the savior of our planet? Did you know that if you break one in your home, you'll need to call the haz-mat team? That's right, there's mercury in them there bulbs. And if it breaks, mercury vapors are released - dangerous mercury vapors. Just google it. Here's one guy's story: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_061308/content/01125109.guest.html. And here's the litany of what to do (and what not to do!) if you are unfortunate enough to break a fluorescent bulb in your home, courtesy of our own "Environmental Protection Agency" (ironic, huh?): http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent. I don't believe that dumping more mercury into our planet is somehow going to save it. I'm crazy that way. At least until 2012.

My 1st Random Thought...

Gee, I've never "blogged" before. I never thought I would. Alice inspired me to try. (Thanks, Alice!)

Well, it's hard to think about anything but my eczema right now. Looks bad, feels bad. And my insurance denied my prescription for Elidel cream. It was bad enough on my shin. Living in the South with our hot summers, I long to wear some shorts or a skirt, but my leg looks so bad I just want to hide it. But now it's on my face, too. It's especially itchy there.

On a more positive note, I've also been thinking about John Eldredge's Epic. (I highly recommend any of his books. This is a good introductory one, as it is pretty short.) In talking about Paradise being restored, he asks, "What would you like to do first? Paddle a canoe down the Amazon? Learn to play an instrument?...You'll have plenty of time for that and more." I think I'll play a big drum solo...no inhibitions. And maybe visit wine country in Italy. What would you like to do in the restored Eden?