Manhattan Short

Every year at the Academy Awards party when we have to vote on things like best short subject, everyone takes a stab in the dark.  Not this year.  Some of the party faithfuls attended the Manhattan Short Film Festival.  Ten short films (10-15 minutes) are chosen from hundreds that are sent in from all around the world.  These films are shown in cities in 200 cities, across 6 continents, on the same week.  One place showing them was The Flicks in Boise.  Everyone is given a ballot which is collected as you leave, and the theater sends their results to the people in Manhattan, and you can check the website for the winners at the end of the week.

The winner told the story of a man running from Nazi soldiers, who hides in a German Shepherd's dog house.  The the farmer who owns the dog discovers him and helps him escape.  At the war's end, the fugitive is able to help the farmer who is in the custody of the American or British army.  That's a lot of story to tell in just 12 minutes.  The dog was a good actor too.

I didn't vote for the winner, but I almost did.  The very last short was filmed during the uprising in Egypt this past spring.  I was swayed at the very end.  I also liked a Swedish film about two bystanders that watch bumbling bank robbers on a moped.  It was a recreation of a real event, and it was pretty funny. 

First Day of School

This was Ty's first day of college.  He moved into a small apartment in Eugene last September on the 19th.  The plan was to work for year to get residency.  It's been one year and eight days exactly.  He's had 3 jobs and talked 3 friends into moving to Eugene too.  But the important thing is he made it.  He's officially a duck!

What a Blessing

Today at church Little Tess was given a name and a blessing.  She was born at the beginning of the year; late January or early February.  She holds the record for being the smallest baby ever born in Idaho - 1 pound, 1 ounce.  Her parents kept a blog that tracked miracle after miracle.  It was faith promoting for our whole ward.  She came home from the hospital in July without any special monitors or apparatus.  She is amazing.  So are her parents.  Needless to say, her blessing was beautiful.  So was fast and testimony meeting.

I wish I could say that RS was, because I gave the lesson, but it was just okay.  I need to work on more questions and class involvement next month. 

All Day Date

Terry and I went down to the Twin Falls temple on Saturday.  We had to leave a little after 7:00 to make our 10:00 appointment.  I had been through the temple at the open house a couple years ago, but I had forgotten how much I liked the decor.  The furniture has modern lines.  The colors scheme has a lot of green, blue, and gold, with a lighter wood finish.  While waiting, I tried to think how I could implement the decor into my house.  It would have to be more casual.  I wouldn't want a house that beautiful.

The session was really nice.  I'd missed not going to the temple.  Actually the drive down and back was nice too.  I read information for my RS lesson, and Terry gave his input.  We also had some lunch at a good Mexican restaurant right on the main drag.  We didn't make it back to Boise until after 3:00.  It was a very nice all day date, but our fun wasn't over.

BSU was playing Tulsa so we went over to my parent's to watch with them.  Our pregame eats included Dad's special burgers.  He remembered his dad making burgers for a fundraiser back in Ashton.  He'd tried his own version of half hamburger, half sausage, and a bunch of cheese mixed in the patties.  They were mighty good.  We also had spicy humus dip with Fritos, dill pickles, Snickers and cinnamon bears.  Awesome eats!  BSU was awesome too.

The Ladies Auxiliary

That's the title of our latest book club read.  I didn't finish it, but we had a great discussion last night in Sue Ann's back yard.  I always love sitting out there.  It's very inviting and she was born to be a hostess.  We had a good turn out.  The book is about a free-spirited woman that has converted to Judaism, and moves from New York into a close-knit Orthodox community in Memphis.  We made a lot of comparisons to Relief Society, and small town communities.  It was an insightful book, and an insightful discussion. 

Since the book dealt in part with teenage daughters that rebelled against rigid society, one of the new mothers asked how you can keep your children from rebelling.  That brought on quite a long discussion.  In the end, you can't.  I personally always liked Ty's determination to be independent.  It drives me a little crazy sometimes, but I want to love and support him as he finds his own way.  We had a lot to talk and think about that night.  We also had some very good carrot cake made by Mary Jo.

I Can See Clearly Now

I have three pairs of glasses that I rely on more and more.  One pair slides down my nose.  One pair falls off my face if I look down, and the last pair has two lost screws so it's actually in three pieces.  Today I finally took them in to be fixed.  It only took about 20 minutes, and now, the quality of my life has vastly improved! 

Logged On and Ready

Last week in Sunday School I signed up for the new Family History class that's being offered.  I'm so excited to get started.  I'm determined to figure it out this time.  I've never gotten beyond filling out a pedigree chart.  I know I'll love this once I get going.  Terry is taking the class with me.  I know Fredee will help me out.  I really need to find a week when I can get with her and go through all the genealogy stuff she has. 

Today at church I got logged in to new.familysearch.com.  I've set up a password and my homework assignment is to watch two short videos and explore the site.  The amazing thing is, Brent starts work at Family Search tomorrow!  I can't go wrong.  I have an inside connection. 

Since I'm on the family history subject, I'll just put down what one of the speakers said in church a few weeks ago.  His mother was very involved with genealogy.  He said if Family Search was like Facebook, his mom would have millions of friends.  That's my goal.