Merry Christmas everyone (Kelly)! Rather than getting the normal witty and picture filled Christmas letter, full of the fun and new things the kids did this year (like getting born) you get this post! It's not that we don't want you to know of what's happened, but events beyond our control have kept it from being written. The most recent such event was an uplifting late-night movie. I don't know the details, or even the title of the movie (unfortunately, I was away from home and didn't catch the sister-discussion) just that it was time very well spent.
Assuming we get the strength to cancel Dish Network (and say goodbye to Jack Bauer) there will be plenty of time to write the letter next year.
So for now, Merry Christmas one and all (...well one)!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
So it's come to this...
I'm beginning to understand the process that it will take for Brett and I BOTH to become prolific bloggers. He will think about it, but not actually do it. He will then remind me to write something, but still not ACTUALLY do anything himself. He will become frustrated by my lack of progression, think about other qualities I have that annoy him, hold me up for public ridicule in a blog he FINALLY manages to shoot off, then sit back and enjoy the backlash that he knows will follow. Very shrewd, and might I say...disturbingly effective.
I regret to admit that I have NOT been grossly misrepresented in my husband's last blog, and therefore cannot accuse him of any kind of malicious slander. However, I am distressed and saddened by his obvious lack of appreciation for real life narrative at its finest. It's true, I do tend to tell a story...refine it a bit through further research, one-on-one consultations, and group forums...rehearse it again, noting my audiences reaction to the new information...and finally, present it completely with props, lighting, and appropriate music. Anything less than this, I'm afraid, would just be irresponsible. We're talking about LIFE here! The beauty of the seemingly unimportant! Nobody can stay in the "big picture" forever! Can they?! Can they?!!!
Sorry, it's difficult to stay composed when we're discussing something this important. You would think, if anything, he would be GRATEFUL for the new and improved memory the repetition of our lives has brought about. The difference has been significant. I no longer have to introduce myself to him every morning, remind him of how many children we have, or draw him a map to work. I still have to show him where he keeps his own stuff, but hey...baby steps, right?
And just for the record, when he refers to events that even I have forgotten, he actually means memories that he shares with someone else, or has entirely fabricated. Like when he insists that he watched a certain movie with me, and cannot for the life of him understand why I am incapable of recalling anything about the film, or the circumstances under which we viewed it, until he suddenly remembers the face and name of the ex-girlfriend that he ACTUALLY saw the movie with. Yeah...details, people...they're important.
I regret to admit that I have NOT been grossly misrepresented in my husband's last blog, and therefore cannot accuse him of any kind of malicious slander. However, I am distressed and saddened by his obvious lack of appreciation for real life narrative at its finest. It's true, I do tend to tell a story...refine it a bit through further research, one-on-one consultations, and group forums...rehearse it again, noting my audiences reaction to the new information...and finally, present it completely with props, lighting, and appropriate music. Anything less than this, I'm afraid, would just be irresponsible. We're talking about LIFE here! The beauty of the seemingly unimportant! Nobody can stay in the "big picture" forever! Can they?! Can they?!!!
Sorry, it's difficult to stay composed when we're discussing something this important. You would think, if anything, he would be GRATEFUL for the new and improved memory the repetition of our lives has brought about. The difference has been significant. I no longer have to introduce myself to him every morning, remind him of how many children we have, or draw him a map to work. I still have to show him where he keeps his own stuff, but hey...baby steps, right?
And just for the record, when he refers to events that even I have forgotten, he actually means memories that he shares with someone else, or has entirely fabricated. Like when he insists that he watched a certain movie with me, and cannot for the life of him understand why I am incapable of recalling anything about the film, or the circumstances under which we viewed it, until he suddenly remembers the face and name of the ex-girlfriend that he ACTUALLY saw the movie with. Yeah...details, people...they're important.
Let's get Started
Blogging isn't for everyone and we're likely to find that I'm notably ill-suited. Being both private and laconic doesn't lend itself well to putting events and thoughts in the public forum. Knowing this of myself I expect I'll often play off Emily posts; as you'll find we are very different when it comes to privacy and our abilities to talk over topics.
One thing I've learned from her is how important repetition is to learning. Following our marriage she began preparing herself to say the "long goodbye" as she was sure I was rutted for Alzheimer's. She'd refer to something we had done the previous week or a conversation we had the previous month and my mind would be blank. But, as our marriage went on, my memory gradually improved and now, thanks to her, I recall information that even she's forgotten. The experiences of the past are fresh in my mind.
How did it happen? Well, thanks to Emily's understanding of the importance of repetition, I hear of conversations or events no less than 3 times. By the third time they're in my head to stay.
For example... say something peculiar happens while Emily and her sister are at choir practice. Before coming home they talk through the event from all angles making sure it's clear in their heads. This generally happens in front of her sisters house while dropping her off. My first exposure happens shortly after she arrives home and calls another sister, sister-in-law or mom to recount the event. During this call comments will be made that shed light on the matter and Emily calls back sister #1 to share the new thoughts (my second exposure).
After finishing the call with sister #1 she is good enough to give me a private screening to the event with all insights from the previous calls (exposure #3).
By this time I can recall the story completely and it's in my head to stay. Of course, having limited gray matter, I may need to squeeze out my study of the nations founding or the cure to cancer to make room but I'd likely forget that stuff in a matter of days anyway.
One thing I've learned from her is how important repetition is to learning. Following our marriage she began preparing herself to say the "long goodbye" as she was sure I was rutted for Alzheimer's. She'd refer to something we had done the previous week or a conversation we had the previous month and my mind would be blank. But, as our marriage went on, my memory gradually improved and now, thanks to her, I recall information that even she's forgotten. The experiences of the past are fresh in my mind.
How did it happen? Well, thanks to Emily's understanding of the importance of repetition, I hear of conversations or events no less than 3 times. By the third time they're in my head to stay.
For example... say something peculiar happens while Emily and her sister are at choir practice. Before coming home they talk through the event from all angles making sure it's clear in their heads. This generally happens in front of her sisters house while dropping her off. My first exposure happens shortly after she arrives home and calls another sister, sister-in-law or mom to recount the event. During this call comments will be made that shed light on the matter and Emily calls back sister #1 to share the new thoughts (my second exposure).
After finishing the call with sister #1 she is good enough to give me a private screening to the event with all insights from the previous calls (exposure #3).
By this time I can recall the story completely and it's in my head to stay. Of course, having limited gray matter, I may need to squeeze out my study of the nations founding or the cure to cancer to make room but I'd likely forget that stuff in a matter of days anyway.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Universe...and how it revolves around me.
Just for the record, this entire project happens to be my husband's idea, NOT mine. He created it, chose pictures primarily of me, and then just posted the first blog as if it was from me (an error, but regardless...and in case you're wondering, irregardless is NOT a word - look it up). The point is, I may be self-absorbed, but to that extent? Although now that I think about it, the question may have merit. We'll have to discuss it in a future blog. Which, let's face facts, will most likely be about me.
The Maiden Voyage
This is the first post for the 2 And Counting blog. We expect most posts to be about life, marriage, kids and other things that interest us. We'll see how it goes. Take it away Emily...
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