Hi everyone! Not much going on this week. I finally got rid of most of my cold. I do have a horrible cough and a stuffy nose. Work isn't so hot, I really need a vacation or a pick-me-up because I'm tbasically at the end of my rope. I'd really like to get into maternity, but someone has to retire or die for an outsider to get that kind of a job (unless I became a nurse). I don't know, I've just been a bit down lately and it's just a funk I get in once in a blue moon, and it worries Greg.
As I write this, it's snowing out. We are supposed to get close to a foot over the next few days. I personally don't like snow, but I do like it better than ice. Winter is just depressing. I'd like snow for Christmas, and that's it. I know it's still early, but I believe it's worn out it's welcome early!
Greg and I went to the wedding expo and got all kinds of goodies! I booked an appointment with David's Bridal in Nashua, but have to bump the date, because I'm working that day. We are thinking of having the reception at the Yard Restaurant. It's a very nice place, and with the small amount of research I've done, the prices aren't that bad. I had considered a few other places, but after seeing that they won't allow my sister to make the cake, my mom's co-worker to dj, and that a buffet dinner costs $60 a plate, I knew I had to look further.
Greg seems excited about the wedding stuff. We have ideas for flowers. My sister is supposed to get married the January before us, and my favorite flower store, dandy-lions, can sell us flowers wholesale and very very inexpensively. Right now, a dozen roses (which last about 3 weeks) only cost $5. I bought my mom some, and Greg got me some. Carnations are about $3 a dozen. Since carnations are more durable, I'm thinking of using them for some DIY centerpieces.
So, that's it for now, have a great week!

CHANGE

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THIS ENTIRE POST. YOU MUST HOWEVER READ THE “WHY DID YOU MISS YOU’RE POST!?!?!” SECTION AND THE SOLUTION SECTION. MAKE SURE YOU READ THOSE TWO SECTIONS THOROUGHLY!!!!!

My post is coming a bit late, I planned on doing it earlier but then I went to a party and forgot all about it when I got home. Anyways I have lots of bases to touch on so here we go:


YEAH ANNE! Good news, no! Excellent news from our Anne today! I'm not sure whether I can say what it is yet ( It really isn't MY news to tell) So all I'm saying is yea Anne and if you wanna know what it is I'm sure a quick call or IM to her would suffice.


Small random Liz updates:
I'm back at school this week. and it's just...uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have midterms in 2 weeks. Also I just finished watching a hilarious anime about fairies. Oh anime, I forgot how amazing you can be sometimes. Currently reading The Illustrated Man. Which is really impressive. For those that know what Brotherhood 2.0 is: I finished a few days ago! Finally!


Pertaining to the challenges:
Greg mentioned in his post that because nobody vetoed the challenge it was accepted. However Frank made an excellent point that because the challenge post disabled comments we couldn't veto it. And Anne, Frank, and I, missed our posts so we weren't able to say anything. So I'd just like to say I'm opposed to them. Which is kind of explained the important sections.



WHY DID YOU MISS YOUR POST!?!?!?!?!
*sighs* Because I did. Was it really that horrible that you guys needed to freak out? I feel like this blog is so stressful sometimes. It's like if I miss a post suddenly it's like biting my thumb at my family. Like: "She didn't post. Well obviously she doesn't love her brothers and sisters enough to write 5 sentences down. What a slap in the face" And that's probably the truth. We should be able to write 5 sentences down on our day. But...for what? So you know that I love you? If you SERIOUSLY need me to write 5 sentences every friday to prove that that then... that is pathetic. I shouldn't need to do that. You know I love all you guys so much already! And I realize that this project was to bring us together. But it's NOT. It's not working guys. It's generating hate. The hate love ratio is seriously disturbed. So we need to have a sibling council meeting. Not online. But together. Because I don't feel that talking about how our weeks went is connecting us. Some of you guys treasure our posts and I barely see why. Because we make them but what do they say? They explain our day and our lives and all but…they're just words. It doesn't connect us. You say those 5 sentences are important but are they really? Does it really make you guys feel closer? I don’t. I feel like it’s beginning the tear the awesomeness of this family apart. So I have a few solutions for CHANGE. Big changes actually. (Which changing the blog is o.k! The U.S had the articles of confederation at first which sucked and didn't work. But instead of being like well "I quit, this country has no hope" they worked to find something that worked! And we got a constitution. (Which is doing a decent job!)



The Solutions
-get rid of the assigned days. Yikes. "But I like having my own day!" Yeah me too, but think about how much easier it would be if you could post when you had time or just felt like saying something?

-Instead of just talking about our days: each week we have a certain topic. And everyone discusses that topic in their post. This isn't replacing the other blog stuff. It's an addition to. You can still talk about how things are on your end (Which I like! love! I want to know what's going on with everyone but it can't be the only thing. This blog needs a different fuel) You can also still talk about random things and post a video. Heck the video could be the topic of discussion. And every week someone new gets to pick that weeks topic. Like a cycle.

-Banish challenges and punishments. The discussion topic would be the challenge and punishments only tear us apart.

Before you do anything just let me say a few last things. Do you understand why the topic idea is important? Because it creates discussion, communication, and most importantly connection between us. And with the assigned days gone it will be easier for it to be a discussion. Also maybe making it so you can post more than once a week? Like turning the blog into a miny forum. So what if we have 120 blog post for one week? It's our blog we can do whatever the hell we want. Oh and if we keep our assigned days I easily see people throwing in last minute posts with something that really doesn't contribute to the discussion. Like a weak response. I see me doing it. You probably see you doing it too. With freedom of post (ha ha another u.s history reference) People will have a whole week to form an opinion or reply. Obviously some small rules will have to be placed down as to avoid serious mean arguments (usually over politics and religion). Which isn't to say we can't discuss those topics or that we can't disagree with each other on those topics. Just to merely avoid what happened between Frank and Greg this week. All of this will be discussed at our family assembly of awesome. New ideas and opinions are encouraged.

CHANGE IS NECESSARY.

That just about finishes my post.
Love, (which I hope you know is there)
Elizabeth

Frank: Kick'em while they're down

Apparently insulting and berating is the language of the blog. I miss one post, after seven months of problem-free posting, and I'm berated in two separate posts and several comments.
If you want any hope of this blog continuing, change your tune. I'm ready to stop posting, and I'm not the only one. This was an experiment, a challenge, to see if we could make it one year, posting once a week as brothers and sisters. And it's getting close to the point where we can safely say, we can't.
I'm sick of being insulted because of my political and religious beliefs. I thought it would end once the election was over, but it keeps coming up. I could bring up a certain sunburn post every week, but I don't. So thanks again, Greg, for insulting my decision to exercise my right as an American citizen.
I'm proud of being Catholic. I acknowledge the Crusades seem barbaric and horrific to our modern sensibilities, but I do not mock the belief and sincerity of the Catholics who gave their lives for their faith. At least they weren't afraid to stand with the Church.

I want to see the rules for the blog revised. This current system sucks. The day posting is not flexible enough for people with changing schedules. My work schedule changes from week to week, as does my social commitments. Last Thursday, I spent the day playing D&D at Mark's and then playing video games till 2 in the morning. I would have gladly shared that with everyone on the blog, but it was now Friday, and I was forbidden to post. I can't condense my week into one entry, I don't remember all the cool and exciting stuff I did last Friday, or Sunday. I'd rather post as cool and exciting things happen. Or we need a solid deadline for each day, the post has to be up by 1 PM, or something. Since we can write ahead of time, and set it up to post later, there's no reason we can't make it so every post comes at 1 PM every day. Then it would make checking the blog much easier on the non-posters, since you would know exactly when the new post would be up by. The blog must adapt to the needs of the people running it, not the other way around.
That's it for me for this week. I'll probably post next week. Depends on a lot of variables.

According to facebook, I am marooned. Which is to say, I am no long dating anyone. And before you ask, no I don't want to talk about it. I am just keeping you informed.

I should find out about another job by this weekend, so keep your fingers crossed for me. It would mean all sorts of good things for me.

This past new year's was a quiet one for me, and therefor I have no excuse for not posting. But I did realize that I've come a long way in the past year, so here's hoping I continue to improve.

Right now, however, I want a beer. Peace out sib-to-the-lings!

close

So this was close to missing the post. Sorry it is so late but I told Greg, that I would post so here I am after forgetting about it. First of all I'm not ready to write a short story, or Tracy is not ready to come out for an encore. Pick one. Secondly it's really late and I have to hurry to not be late. I'll do it some other time. Anyway there are some things that are going on but this being the internet, I will not post them for all to know. But I made beer on Friday, it's still fermenting as of tonight, so it looks like it is going to be strong. I'm making a Imperial Russian Stout with raspberry flavoring. Yum, Yum. should be ready in 6 or 7 weeks, but by then I'll have something else ready I think. Let me know if you want any flavors, I'm thinking something light and crisp like a golden ale but if you want I can make a chocolate almond flavor beer.

Bill

And the kitten is cute

WHAT THE FRACK?
Anne, Frank, Liz... No Post?

It's okay... 1 can't vote, 1 prob didn't vote, and the last one is an idiot. Idiot you and everyone else who told me who joined you to vote for McCain can can feel good about yourself standing on the sideline when the Country is going to hell in a hand bag. Feel good about making a pro-life choice when the same pro-life people believe in torture. I get it... torture is in line with christian values. I'm surprised that we haven't heard about the whips, crown of thorns, and crucifixions by Americans. Oh, Wait... I get it. We're doing a throwback to the 12th and 13th Century here. Let me polish up my shield and sharpen the sword for a crusade through the middle east. Ya, that's so damm cool, we can update with our new weapons and plow the infidels... Or you can turn on CNN and watch the Jew go to house. At least the have a reason to be pissed off. ... Go ahead... Tell me I'm wrong in the comments.

--------------------------
Since no one said anything against the challenges, they're going forward.

I talked about "In a wicked age" in a previous post. I'm using a setup from that game for my short story. Wow, IaWA is awesome for story based games. I'm looking forward to finishing up the story for next week!

Good luck picking your tracks! ;)

--------------------------

This weekend, Jess and I went out to Stonewall Falls. This is over in Dover NH on the seacoast. I picked up several dishes at 70% off! It's a design I like, so it was worth it. On the way back, we stopped at the Tripoli bakery. It's a pizza shop that has some of the best pizza I've had in a very long time. I picked up a tray of several pieces to bring home and store.

Thank you Bill for the crock pot... We've used it twice already. Jess made a batch of home made slow cooked beans. The second thing she made is an awesome pulled pork. It was made with a homemade BBQ sauce and simmered in root beer. MMM it was go good!

RCIA classes start up again tomorrow. I've quickly become the go to guy for a good answer. I told the Parish Decon that Mom and Dad used to be in Opus Dei. He understood exactly, and rolled his eyes a bit and said he should be a bit more careful. The Decon admited to me that he'll go see what the Protistants might say about certain scripture. He claims they're better scripture scholars historically cause they've been doing it longer. Something about know one knowing what scrupture ment in the Pre-Vatican II church hindering scripture study. Yea, I might be getting myself a hard copy of the catechism so I can study up. It is free on the web at http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

So Jess is telling me to wrap this up. Just before I do. The next picture is for her.



I made it with The Kitten Game! :)

NH

Hey all. So I sliced the tip of my finger at work the other day, and it hurts to type. So I have to type weirdly. Anywho.
So Frank and I decided to take a vacation in Salem, New Hampshire. It's pretty fun so far. Although we just got here and went out to eat, and I changed the bedsheets cause they looked used and it freaked me out.
Not really much to write about today. I'm not feeling as babble-y as usual. Oh, Hollyann and I have been working on a story since mid 2007, and on New Year's Eve, we finally finished chapter seven! It was very exciting. We did start the story over about a year ago, and we went on hiatus in the spring cause she was busy with finals, and again in November-December because of NaNoWriMo (which I failed) and Christmas. So yea, very exciting.
Guess I'm more babble-y than I thought.