Brother Ben

Ben spent his Saturday at the Motion Picture Studios down in Utah County. He was an extra in a full-blown revival of the Joseph Smith movie.  It was kind of last minute; the church was having a hard time finding members with long hair and a beard.  Go figure. Needless to say, Ben was a shoe-in and put up front. When he got there, he was outfitted, bow-tied, parted, pony-tailed and partially shaved.  

He had a great time, but said it was a long, long day.  

Can you spot him?

1 down, 19 to go.

The next morning, Ben just went ahead and took her tooth out. 

No drama.

Good Day for Us, Bad Day for Rocco.

Wednesday mornings Ben teaches a typography class at a college close to our home.  We love it because he stops by the house for lunch just as Aves gets off the bus.  Today Avery was going on and on about her loose tooth and all of the possible things that could go wrong (ie. swallow it or lose it in her covers at night).  She was explaining - in great detail - today that if she does lose it, she will have to write a super-tiny note to the tooth fairy, because she is so tiny and can't read normal size print.  

Anyways, we love our 20 minute lunch break with Ben on Wednesdays.

Now, on the other hand, Rocco HATES Wednesdays.  He gets left at home with me for the morning (the one who finally broke his spirit, remember?).  And to make matters worse, Ben showed up today and couldn't take him back up to work.  If dogs can get their hopes up, Rocco's were soaring this afternoon until Ben crushed them as he held Rocco back with his boot and shut the door. Even I almost felt bad for him.  Luckily, there's "The Rocco Sauna."  He smashes himself in the corner by the heat vent and cooks himself until his troubles quite literally melt away.

And if you know Rocco, you know I am completely serious.  

I'm Sorry.

I'm sorry. I know this post is dumb and pointless.  

But this ad I came across is dumb.  And pointless.  

Ok seriously what?  What is this?

If you were out in the woods, and apparently in a loungy mood, would you lay in a bed or in a tree?  Does this mean the bedding is more scratchy than bark? Do you frolic through the woods in a fur majorette hat, sheath dress and moccasins? Do you now wish you did? Why is a tree growing out of the bed? Do the sheets come with a hole in them for the tree trunk?  What if your bed doesn't have a tree trunk growing out of it, can I get the sheets without the hole? Is this her bed or did she just come across it?  Does she have other furniture out there? A couch? Does she lay in a tree above that? Is her therapist aware that she's back out there again?  Did someone have to pitch this idea to the manufacturer? Did more than one person think this was a good idea?  Do these people have friends who are honest with them? Was there a vote?  Did this idea win?

Yes, yes it did.  Is this bedding now on clearance?  Yes, yes it is.  

Baffling.

Things really do get better, I promise.

Téa and Avery, 2003.

The Blatant Plug

SERAPH has bags! Ben has been working and reworking these bags for what seemed to be ages. We finally have them and I love them. Totally unisex (I love that word) and multi-functional. Purse, Man Purse, Diaper Bag, Gym Bag, Computer Bag, Travel Bag, or just "Bag." They are padded, tons of pockets, and - my favorite - the cell phone pocket on the very front. They will be retailing in stores for $60, but our website is selling them right now for $40. You can get them here, or. . .just call me.

New Years