Ummm . . .

Yesterday we received two wedding invitations in the mail. To the same wedding. From the handwriting on the envelopes, we're guessing that one was written by the groom and one written by the bride. My name was spelled wrong on BOTH of them. But differently.

At the end of last year, we attended a wedding reception and, of course, brought a gift. Several weeks later, we received a thank you note addressed to "Regis & ______ ".

I'm feeling a little hurt.

I come to bury the week, not to praise it

Friends, Romans, countrypersons, this week has not been a good one. Any suggestions on how to make it better would be appreciated.

Stylin'

Abby has decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt, no pants, two pairs of socks, and her mittens today.

Gabby Abby Returns

Those who find fault with the title on the grounds that they "saw a lot of Abigail and heard not much talking" are cordially invited to bite a brick.

Gabby Abby

Brook demanded more videos of Abby talking. Never let it be said that I am not an obliging sister.

Lost, Lost, Lost

Has anybody seen Abby's little gray plastic Fisher Price horse?

Nothing but the Truth

Regis thinks I win all our arguments because I majored in philosophy.

Actually, it's because I'm always right.

News to You?

I was caught out at church today. I was forced to admit, right there in front of the ward librarians, that my protuberant tummy is not merely my attempt to add personal insulation against the winter cold. I'm grateful that the lady who asked insisted that my due date couldn't possibly be in July, since I still look "so tiny," but as I pointed out, I must not be THAT tiny, since she did notice. I must be doing better on that insulation than I thought. :)

At any rate, here are a few things you should know.

1. Do not ever refer to my condition as "preggers." EVER. "In the family way" is fine. "Knocked up" is humorous. "A bun in the oven" is okay. Take note and tread carefully.

2. I reserve the right to be irrational. If randomness is justifiable at no other time in my life, it is now.

3. My nose is very sensitive these days, more so than I remember the first time around. I will always think there is something bad in the fridge. I will gag seemingly without provocation. If you have a Snickers bar in your pocket, I WILL smell it. You'd better just give it to me.

4. I forget.

Eat It or Wear It

Abby likes my cooking. It's delicious and fashionable.

Apparently clam chowder doubles as shampoo.

I love this picture. Maybe because I'm relieved she's not allergic to peanuts.

Winter Reading

I just finished reading Bare Branches: The Security Implications of Asia's Surplus Male Population (which seems an appropriate title to occupy me in the winter). It is probably the most interesting and depressing book I've read in a long time. I think I've written before about my preference for light reads, especially those with happy endings, but I found my local library's "Request a Book" feature and thought this would be a good addition. I was a little surprised when it showed up on my account as a reserved book a few weeks later; apparently if you tell them it's good, they give you first dibs. Anyway, Bare Branches discusses the huge problems caused by India and China's overwhelming scarcity of females due to sex-selective abortions, infanticide, and neglect. The title refers to the resulting men who are left without wives and families, and therefore tend to congregate in groups that engage in dangerous behaviors like drug use, violent crime, fighting, and rebellion against the government. These bands of unattached men become particularly dangerous when driven to desperation by a failing economy. (Did you hear something? Oh, that was just the bell tolling DOOM.) So, an interesting read, and it made me want to find out more about how China has changed their family planning policy and whether India has become aware of the problem.