Ramblin' Rod updates

What is Ramblin' Rod anyway and why do I know that name??? hmmm... I'm gonna google it real quick... hold on.

OK, according to Wiki it was some Oregon morning show??? I'm assuming Shane was talking about how cool it was at some point and somehow it got through all the white noise in my head.

Anyway, so I thought I'd ramble a little bit today.

First, to answer Jessica's question... I decided not to go private or anonymous. Marlena basically called me a chicken butt for even thinking about it and I am swayed easily by her opinion.

Second... I am not even close to finishing that stupid sock. I'm so bored with it. Apparently this is a normal phenomenon in the sock knitting world to only knit one sock, be bored with it, and then move on to another sock. I'm totally considering it. I'm about half way done and maybe if I actually worked on it more than once a week it would get done. I'm too tired.

Third.... I'm thinking of starting a new post called "Tasty Tuesdays". It's not a very cool name and probably copyrighted already. I'm taking it anyway. See, here's my rational: I've been disturbed by the whole "Food Network" phenomenon. Oh my gosh... I just used "phenomenon" twice in one post... weird. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Ever since the arrival of the Food Network and Rachel Ray, everybody wants to be an amateur chef. Now don't get me wrong, I think it's way cool to learn how to cook like the pros and learn cool new tricks in the kitchen. However, we have lost the art of "home cooking". And I'm sorry, Paula Dean does not count as home cooking. Home cooking consisted of simple, cheap meals that made up the majority of meal times. I think spectacular meals or fun flavors really should be left for once a week or special occasion times. We are spending too much money on groceries trying to recreate these meals that require a lot of effort. I love these types of meals, but they take away from the simpleness of the regular family meal. Now I'm not talkin' casseroles-a-plenty. In fact, I don't really care for casseroles. But at the same time, I think they deserve a place on the table once in a while. I would love to hear what you guys think. I would also love to see your simple nutritious recipes that don't require ingredients that can only be used for that meal. I'm talkin' $5 or less to feed a family of four.

So get this... I even created a separate email just for Tasty Tuesday recipes! (you know, 'cause I can!) Anyway, I really want to hear about your $5 or less meals for a family of four. So yeah, send 'em my way!!! The address is: tastytu@gmail.com

Let's see what we can come up with!

For Christa

Here's an example of the movie cuts that I was talking to you about. There's this one really neat feature where you can pan in to a picture so it looks as if it is getting closer and closer. That is pretty cool. That's about as snazzy as I get. Also, I have found that the music is really key to making a decent movie. The music choice can totally ruin everything. Since we almost always make these movies for my parents, I generally choose music that they like. (i.e. my dad is really into "folksy" type music or a good Louie Armstrong is always good). For the rest of you reading this, you have no idea what I'm talking about... but the video is cute to watch anyway!

Let me know if you have any questions Christa!

Going private

So I've been doing some thinking lately (as scary as that may seem). I'm thinking I want to either set my blog to "private" where only invited readers can access it, or go "anonymous". I'm starting to get a little paranoid about sharing names and such (thanks Jessica!). Anyway, what do you guys think? Which way should I go? If I go anonymous I will just assign all of us "nicknames" and then go back through all of my old blogs and change them. This way I can still stay private, but I feel a little better about sharing events. Any suggestions?

Easter every where

My mom and my nephew Isaiah

I figured I should probably post some pictures of the Easter festivities. Shane's parents and his sister Britney came down for the Easter weekend. On Saturday we drove to my hometown for our annual Family easter egg hunt. My mom always does a fantastic job getting everything together and making sure things run smoothly. She's pretty much a well oiled machine. Here are a few pictures that I was able to get....

Seriously... could Kelly be any more like me???

Isabelle showing off her amazing OCD skills

The kids had a lot of fun and way too much candy. But hey, what can ya do? Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, a quick clip of what we do at every family gathering down here in bluegrass: That's right ya'll... praise the Lord!

Perfect weekend

Me, Shane, Henry, Diana, Hermana Bowers, Hermana Caulderon
(The sister missionaries that baptized Diana)

Last Saturday Shane and I had the opportunity to be the escorts for our friends Diana and Henry Hopouy at the temple. Henry was already a member, but Diana had been baptized just the year before. It was really neat for us to see how much they had grown in the gospel and changed over the course of the year. I really got to know Diana well when I was helping her plan her wedding last year. Just so everyone is clear, Cuban weddings ROCK. Anyway, back to the story. So they planned on going through the temple for the first time and get sealed all in the same day. It was so exciting seeing Diana just glow the whole day and enjoying every minute of it. That afternoon when they were sealed, I had never seen them so happy before. It was a sweet and amazingly spiritual experience to be a part of. I feel so honored that they wanted us to be a part of it.


P.S. In the first picture, Shane is having to bend his knees in order to get into the shot! That's what happens when you're the tall guy among a bunch of shorties!

Are you a blogger stalker?

So I admit it... I'm a HUGE blogger stalker. It's like the old fashioned "people watching" on crack. Highly addictive. (Remember "people watching"? Where you sit on a park bench and watch everybody that goes by trying to figure out what they are doing and what they are like?) So it got me thinking, who's stalking my blog? For all I know it's nobody. I do tend to think rather highly of myself and assume that everybody reads my blog. 'Cause you know, I'm cool. A couple of weeks ago at church I finally had a chance to meet Collette and told her that I had actually been stalking her blog for quite some time. She was quick to inform me that she had been doing the same! So come on all you stalkers out there, reveal yourself! Let it be known to all the world -- I AM A BLOGGER STALKER AND PROUD OF IT!

Besides, I've probably already been stalking your blog for a long time now!

P.S. Phil... this means you have to actually leave a comment! I know you read this blog every chance you get.....

Snow?

So last thursday we had the most BEAUTIFUL weather! It was so nice, in fact, that the kids and I walked to pick Kelly up from school that day. It was so warm that I really didn't need the coat I had on. Later that night the kids and I went out for a walk again and we STILL weren't even close to being cold! Then, since we live in Kentucky, it decided to snow -- a LOT! Can you believe this??? Kentucky weather is so weird!

Shane teaching me and the tree a thing or two!

Psst..... don't forget to check out the post below this!!!