Going back in time

I'm thinking of renouncing my dependence on our stupid, expensive car. Gas is pricey even when the rest of the car is working, which it soon will not be. Our steering wheel was wobbling, and I took it in this morning, and now it's $534 to get the wobble to stop. It's some reasonable explanation, like our tires are worn out and the tire rods are loose, but still! Alright, so it's really the type of thing that is basic maintenance and we shouldn't be so mad about. But come on car! Don't you know we're poor and could use a few more months before $500 is needed? Sheesh. It's becoming one of those "growing" times where we have to get creative. Here's my idea: to get back to basics and walk/bike everywhere. Like people did in the good ol' days.

R is just fine riding his bike in 70 degree weather to school. He does it anyways. Plus, the only place I really ever drive is the grocery store and the library, which are right next to each other. And around the corner. So M and I could forsake the evil car and walk every day over there. Good exercise, fun for M, and necessary! Possible cons: what if we buy popsicles and then walk home in 80 degrees? What if I want to go to the gym, usually a 10 minute drive? But is that so bad? So I buy icy things in bulk so they won't melt. So I use the apartment elliptical machine from now until May 23rd instead of going to the gym which I kind of hate anyways. I think this could work. Plus out car is getting towed to AZ when we move, and we can figure out what to do after it gets there. More walking to grocery stores, and use of public transportation. Although we may need a car for Ryan to get home from work some days. But that isn't until August when he'll start getting paid. Which means...we can pay for this stupid set of new tires! I think it's a good plan :)

P.S.

The ball run track toy thingy they had in the nursery was perhaps the best toy that M has ever seen. I know this because he sobbed all the way to the car, and halfway home until he finally stopped whimpering the word "balls? balls!" And because I can't think of a real name for it, I cannot find it ANYWHERE online. It's like a little roller coaster for a plastic ball, where you drop it in the top, and then it goes down all the little plastic chutes (like a water slide?!) until it drops to the bottom and you start all over again. Can anyone think of a good name for this? I have tried.

Basically I would like to buy my child's love and I can't do that very well unless you all help me find this bleeping toy. If you actually find it you will be giving M a really great birthday or Christmas present, depending on the price.

Getting to know UU

UU stands for Unitarian Universalist. The full name is Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and was our outing of choice this Sunday morning. Our friends Corey and Taryn belong this congregation, and R was invited to play The Jazz with Corey, who plays bass. So they jazzed it up, and we all experienced a new church.

You can't really call it church, since they changed the name this past year. Corey was telling us that they aren't sure what to say anymore when they "go to church". They've toyed with the idea of "going to congregation", or "attending the worshiptorium", which is my favorite.

Also, I guess there were about four families that stopped going to our ward about seven years ago and now attend the Unitarian congregation. Corey said that he knew one of them, and I was looking forward to seeing some of these folks, just because. But then M needed to make use of the crying room. And then the nursery. So. No nosiness for me.

compulsions

so i'm not sure if anyone else suffers from this affliction, but I cannot shut up when it comes to leaving a voice mail. if my friend Kristen is reading this, she knows from the last 2-3 days that I've had a recurrence of my ailment. twice have i called and just blabbed until my original point was beyond recognition. i'm a moron.

i have been mercilessly teased by a certain spouse of mine because of this. most times if i leave a message on an answering machine (remember those?) i run out of time and have to call back and finish my message. and a few times i've even had to call back twice. r does an impression that can only be done justice if you enjoy it live. you can request it sometime when you see him.

i apologize if you are expecting a phone call from me in the future and have the misfortune of not answering your phone in time. beware.

random things, listed

• I love The Cars. Especially while lifting the weights. Especially "Tonight She Comes". And most especially, the lovely synthesized beats.

• If you're prone to liking brownies, you should try making some and putting Cadbury's Mini Eggs on top about halfway through baking. So tastlich!
  

• M finally said "Hi" yesterday to his little mini-me (a neighbor's child who was visiting and looks quite similar to M at that age), Kurt. He also said "wow" and "choo-choo" and "car" and "ham" for the first time in the last few days. He also continues to say "ball" and "balls" about 200 times a day.
  

• I really like Thomas Hardy. One of my favorite books is Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and now I've picked up Return of the Native. He writes in such a way that I want to savor the words and read a little more slowly.
  

• I watched my friend's baby yesterday morning and it was good birth control. Not because he was bad, or that M was bad, but mostly because I can't imagine juggling two little people simultaneously. I think I'll be ready for this a little later...

• Yesterday morning there was snow and ice on my car. It simply isn't fair to have a week of 70 degrees and then have to go backwards in time to winter. Why? I bought T-shirts at Target for M, and their cuteness keeps getting covered up by sweatshirts.

• At the influence of my well-(dance)-educated pal Robin, I have felt the pull to read Making Connections by Peggy Hackney. I'm rediscovering my inner dance nerd. (In case you're wondering what it's all about, here you go: Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Analysis are discussed in detail in ways to make you rethink the way you use/think of your body. In my case, I've been less slouchy while ellipticalling and now my left knee feels better. Also, I've been stretching and breathing with more focus on enjoying my time. It's rejuvenating, making your body more energized, and I recommend it.)

• Speaking of the previous bullet point, I'm thinking it might be a good choice for me to pursue becoming a movement analyst and bridging it to further study in psychology. Of course, it's one thing to say this, and quite another to have the time/money to do it. Am I crazy to think I can do this? Is it stupid?

• R has a pen. It's a Parker pen. Weirdly, R's grandpa used Parker pens, and Ryan didn't know until after he also got hooked using them back at BYU. So, possible pen gene.
  

• Correction: there didn't used to be snow and ice on my car, now there is snow and ice on my car. Again.

• I love blossomy trees.
  

it's only 9:32 and I can say with certainty that this is the funniest thing i will see/hear all day

M was watching Shrek (i know it's rated PG, but I screen it at some parts) and the scene where Cameron Diaz is singing with the bird was on. as she sang the fateful last note that blows up the cute little bird, i heard M sing along with her. he was shaking his head back and forth and yelling "ahhhhhhhhhhh!"