Back in the Habit!

So we're back. Well, John's been home since last Wednesday. But I've been home since Saturday afternoon. It was such a nice vacation. Not overly exciting, but we had a lot of fun and relaxed a lot. Plus we did a lot of shopping we all have new attire! Yeah!

The highlights were definitely Silver Dollar City and Celebration City. They really are neat places and if you're in Branson, you might as well go! We also ALL (including grandparents) went to a dinner theatre on the Branson Belle, a riverboat and that was a lot of fun. Visit www.funnydog.com to see our show entertainment....Hilarious!

And one of MY biggest highlights was something John and Julia missed out on. On Friday, Mom, Aunt Linda and I went to see Alison Kraus and Union Station in concert. Two words: A MAZING. (Warning: soapbox, in-depth thinking coming). You know, I am just as guilty as the rest of the world in becoming part of this commercialism, pop-crazed music world. I sing loudly in my car to the likes of Kelly Clarkson. But, then when I go to concerts like Alison Krause and Union Station I realize that there is nothing better than pure, true music. I mean, there were no light shows or dance moves or synthesizers or opening acts....they just walked out on stage and started playing. And she sounded every bit as amazing as she does on her records. Her voice is so clear. When they came out for an encore she sang "My Ain True Love" and "Down to the River to Pray" completely acapella for THOUSANDS of people and didn't crack her voice once. Sent goosebumps all over! I think about her and Union Station and their amazing talent, and then about the Josh Groban concert I went to and his amazing talent and I'm blown away. I think I will boycott Kelly Clarkson and friends for at least a week and try to absorb myself in true talent. That unpopular writing your own music. And involves playing your own instruments.

And I will wait one whole week to buy the new Faith Hill album that's coming out tomorrow. That is my vow.

Now on to the other new news...I am sucking it up and admitting I am wrong. Yes, it's true. Cox Communications does not suck....SBC/Dish Network does. Many of you have heard our cries. We have to change the channel in the living room by walking into our bedroom. And they want us to pay $99 to fix it! I don't think so....I've never been charged for a house call for Cox to come fix something. So, we are officially switching this week. So, mark off the new phone number....a new one will come next week. And don't order SBC/Dish network. Cox is not always great, but at least they fix your problems as part of SERVICE. My friend Brooke figured out that we pay like $1600 a year or something to Cox--that's a lot of money! Kind of ridiculous and certainly not necessary....guilty pleasure I suppose.

We saw "Wedding Crashers" this weekend. Oh my gosh--SO FUNNY. If you know us at all, you know John and I have a mature taste in movies--our favorites include "Zoolander", "Old School", "Dodgeball", etc. Anything with a Wilson brother, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller or WILL FERRELL and we're hooked. "Wedding Crashers" like the others is quite crude, but absolutely hilarious in every sophomoric way. Quite a great cameo by Will Ferrell as a funeral crasher. Seriously, if R-ratings and crude humor don't bother you, go see it! And if they do bother you, please don't judge us!

Anyway--back to work. Also, thanks to Dad (even though he was slightly confused about our address. we have great neighbors) sent us a new digital camera since our last one was fabuously broken on the Las Vegas strip last month. So now we can post pictures!!! I'll try to get that done this week. My hydrangea in the flower bed is finally blooming. Very exciting--maybe if I can keep plants alive there is hope for children one day!