BYU Choir Phenomenon

BYU choirs are very interesting things. If you ever go to choir practice, there are usually at most 10 people there. Choir directors are always begging more people to come. And usually the people who come (at least the men) really can't sing. I've tried to participate in several BYU choirs, but I just get frustrated because there are only 3 bass singers (including me), and I'm the only one who seems to realize whether or not you've hit the right note.

The thing is, anytime a BYU choir is asked to sing, sometimes it seems like half the ward stands up. Like 50 or more people. Yes, that's right - there are "choir members" who really only go to choir practice maybe once (if that), and then sing with the choir in church. It is the weirdest thing. Some BYU students just consider themselves special. I had a roommate once who said if he was ever choir director, he would put pauses in weird places to make all those people stick out and never do it again.

New Roommates

This could be embarrassing if he reads this. Oh well.

It sure is different having to change roommates after 20 years or so. My new roommate talks to himself. A lot. Like sometimes I can't tell when he's talking to me or when he talks to himself. At least when Mom does it, you can tell who she's talking to.

The thing is, I don't think he even realizes all the time when he does it. The other night, I was trying to go to sleep. It was past midnight (maybe 12:30 am?). He was sitting there trying to write an essay or something, and merrily talking to himself while he did it. I finally had to ask him to please stop talking to himself so that I could go to sleep.

Next place I move into, I'm at least getting a private room. I deserve it.

Sometimes I have people call me on the phone because they need some work done on their website. I will pull up the website with them, ask them some careful questions to make sure I understand exactly what they need, and then give them a quote. "This will cost $xxx to do."

Sometimes they respond, "whew, that's less than I thought. Go ahead." But the response that really annoys me: "Wait, but this is just really easy to do!" At this point, my response is usually "Well if it is so easy, why don't you do it?" That doesn't usually help things.

It is interesting when people self proclaim that they know nothing about computers, yet they know exactly how easy a programming problem is to do. Enough to contradict the programming expert. Oh well, I guess it's only a waste of about 10 minutes of my day.

Does Jesus Believe In Candy In Heaven?

While helping in Griffin's classroom the other day, somehow I got into this discussion with a little girl and a little boy:

me: wouldn't it be so nice if we could eat as much cake and candy as we wanted and not get fat?

girl: when you go to heaven you can!

me: really!

girl: yes, that's what heaven will be like!

boy (with a somewhat strained look on his face): nobody is going to heaven!

girl: if you believe in Jesus you will go to heaven!!

hmm, I could see that this could be quite the debate, but it was not the right time for a discussion on the plan of happiness; the teacher was watching; the kids were supposed to be working on their short and long E vowel sounds. So I said:

me: I guess we will find out what happens when we all die!

Be Careful What You Tell A Child

I helped at Griffin's library time at the school yesterday.

I check the books in, I put the books away, I check the new books out. I try to make a little comment to each child just because I like to connect with them.

Griffin came up in line and quickly, he said, "Mom, Hannah's mom hates me AND you!".

Oh my.

For Griffin's valentine's he gave out little fun dips. What child doesn't like fun dips!

Hannah, who was 2 children behind Griffin in line, explained with a smile on her face that while she was eating the fun dip, the sugar got all over her mouth (of course) and some got in her stitches, which are right by the corner of her mouth, and made her stitches sticky.

Oops.

I know her mother. I am sure she would be somewhat embarrassed to know that that little story was told at school.

I thought it funny.

Sorry, or is it Sore-ie

Our sweet Heather should be feeling right at home watching the Olympics and all of the times we hear Sore-ie.

We are quite enjoying it.

And The Winner Is.....

For our 1st Annual Cole Family Prop Bets (see post below), out of 19 picks, those that got the most correct are:

Mom: 9
Jessica: 9
Zak: 8
Quinn: 8
Kerry: 7
Candice: 7
Kylie: 6
Christopher: 4
Steven: 4
Heather: 0

I have e-mailed you the GRID sheet with the correct picks. I did not e-mail Jessica (sorry), I don't have your e-mail address!!

Cole Family Prop Bets!

**Note: the correct answers are in BOLD RED below

Since we know we like to make nice, friendly wagers...here are a few for the SUPER BOWL!

Choose your answers wisely.
Print out the bets and keep track of your correct answers.
Make a comment if you are "IN".
What you win is feeling great about your ability to guess the future.
You can e-mail me (mom) your answers, I can compile them and post them after the game.
Even if you are not a member of this fabulous family, but want to join it; go ahead!


1. Who will win? Saints

2. What will the final score be? 31-17 no one guessed correct

3. Who will be named the MVP? Brees

4. Player to score the first TD? Garcon!
Addai
Reggie Wayne
Dallas Clark
Pierre Thomas
Marquest Colston
Reggie Bush
Peyton Manning
OR pick your own

5. Manning....
Total pass yards: Over/under = 305 Over
(You choose over OR under)

Total TD passes: Over/under = 2.5 Under

6. Brees:
Total pass yards: Over/under = 290 Under
(You choose over OR under)

Total TD passes: Over/under =2 2 exactly

7. Reggie Bush: Under (25)
Rushing yards: Over/under = 30

8. Reggie Wayne: Under (46)
Total receiving yards: Over/under = 78

9. Longest TD of the game: Over/under = 50 yards Over

10. Will the longest TD be longer than the longest field? Yes

11. Will THE WHO smash a guitar on stage during the halftime show? No

12. How many times will Pete Townshend do his famous windmill move? Over
Over/under = 6

13. What is the first song THE WHO will sing? Pinball Wizard

14 Who will win the coin toss? Saints

15. How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem? Over
Over/under is 1 minute and 42 seconds
Remember, you pick over OR under

16. How many times will Kim Kardasian be shown on TV? Under
Over/under = 2.5

17. How many times will Hurrican Katrina be mentioned? Under
Over/under = 3

**Dad did all the research for this fabulous idea!

Rain Doesn't Stop Athletes!

The rain started up again in Sunny, Southern California.
I don't mind. It's good for the earth.
I don't let it stop my activities; and as I told Zak today, "Good Thing You are NOT The Wicked Witch Of The West!"
So, I ran my 4 miles today. Tried to do a light work-out...hoping for a longer run tomorrow. It didn't stop Dad either. He came home early to do a bit of yard work!

Zak and Quinn did their usual track workout in the rain too. After that, they got a group to play football. They had a great time because I wasn't called to come and get them until 5:45pm! When I got there to get them, this is what I saw: Zak slid into the wretched fence (maybe the same one that sliced open Chase's head), and sliced up his knee a bit. Sue was there and fixed him up.

Zak feels bad that the pictures don't really do his wound justice....I guess they are not very photogenic.

Lost and Found

Look what I found in my closet today!

Do YOU know the story behind this t-shirt??

I haven't worn it for 8 1/2 or 9 years!

**story behind the picture:

I tried to just hold the camera and take the picture. I took 6 and didn't like any of them. Then I thought about the timer, but didn't know how to work it. THEN I remembered Steven one time just taking the camera with a "I'll figure it out!" and he did in about 5 seconds....so I figured if he could, so could I. Thanks for the example, Steven.