New On The Spence Family--Random Thoughts From My Thirty-First Birthday

http://fourspences.blogspot.com/2010/03/random-thoughts-from-my-thirty-first.html

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New on The Spence Family--Babysitter

Usually, hiring a sitter makes a dinner date a lot more expensive.

But with our way,
the sitter actually gives us a gift card for dinner,

. . .

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New on The Spence Family--Self Checkout

Really, what is the deal with those stupid self checkout lines? They're somewhat tempting from the get-go, simply because the lines are shorter, but in the end, they always take longer and cause me much more anxiety.

On Orcas Island in Washington, the grocery clerks were appauled that we were unloading our own groceries onto the conveyer belt. There, they actually unload your cart, ring you up, pack up your groceries, and I think even deliver them to your car. They couldn't believe that in Utah we were starting to have self checkout lines. Where has service gone?

So who actually wants to use those lines? J, that's who. And T. They are in cahoots. The other day we went to Ikea. Just me and the kids. The weekend lines were long, and after a long (but successful and rather fun) trip through the winding maze of the store we were ready to be done...

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New on The Spence Family--Sunday Comics

We stopped the daily paper when J was 4.

He had been sneaking reads about a boy getting nearly cut in two from a stray 4th of July explosion, fires in Provo Canyon, and other scary news. Plus, I never did the crosswords, so why pay for a paper? But for some reason, we kept the sunday paper. Roger likes the ads and the news, and J, he reads the comic pages.

So Sunday mornings around here are often like this, while he reads the whole section aloud, whether he gets the "funny" or not (today there was only 1 which eluded him, not included here due to the fact that he mumbles nearly incoherently when that happens). He's not always sitting around in a bathrobe, crossing his legs, and wearing a crown, however:

video

*Please be advised the word "stupid" appears twice during this video.

*Please note T sneaking a short turn with J's lantern while he can.

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New On The Spence Family--Good Painter, Bad Painter

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New on The Spence Family--Which One?

Since I am probably the last person in the world to read the Twilight series, I am curious about something. From ages ago when Janssen talked about these books/characters on her blog, I've been aware of her absolute favoritism towards Jacob, even though I didn't know who the character was. Since then, I have heard several people speak highly of Jacob vs. Edward. I'm afraid I just don't get it. While reading Eclipse, I thought I might get more fond of him, but no. Even with Eclipse ending the way it did, with Jacob full of pain and Bella kind of torn up about her decisions, I was just relieved that she didn't choose him over Edward. The last book worked for me. It made sense for Jacob to imprint on the daughter. It made sense to me that Bella was still only slightly torn over Jacob until she was immortal; she was over him completely even before discovering about the imprinting. I am glad she got Edward.

Am I the only one who prefers Edward? I wonder.

So if you've read the books, vote for your favorite:

Jacob or Edward,
and if you feel so inclined, say why.

New on The Spence Family--Valentine's Day

This year I hadn't locked down on a menu for Sunday's dinner. I didn't print up cute little menus. I didn't even have a proper Valentine's gift for Roger. I was kind of lame. But Roger, he took over the menu planning. He made me dinner (so good!: an Indian/Asian inspired *Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Basmati Rice Pilaf with Apricots.) He gave me roses and a new shirt. He's the right kind of Valentine, though he claims I am wonderful. I did manage dessert, but that doesn't equal wonderful to me.

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