A very lucky lichen!

I just can't handle seeing my face like that first thing on our blog. I had a paper due tonight at midnight and finished early (its 11:25 pm) so I thought I would change things up a little on our blog. I'm a TA for a freshmen biology class at BYU and have a hard time getting the students excited about biology. So I thought up the perfect way to motivate anyone to get into biology. Bright and early one Saturday morning I drove down to southern Utah with my kid brother Wayne, did a really cool hike on an 11'000 foot plateau looking down into Capital Reef National Park, and collected a bucket full of lichens to give to these kids. Not just any lichen, but Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa (the Navajos use it as a cure for impetigo and to dye wool). Anyway, I professionally curated these things and prepared to give them out to my students. I made a huge deal out of it before handing these things out to the students. I told them I had a very special gift for them. I explained the sacrifice I had made, the joy this gift would bring them, and even explained that the gift contained a certain amount of luck. Needless to say as I began distributing packets of lichens to these kids most were less than thrilled. I explained if they didn't want it they could send it home and at least let their families get a good view of a tumbleweed lichen, they could take it to church and pass it around in Elder's quorum of Relief Society when things got a little dull, or in worst case scenario(or best case) they could use it to ask out someone they've had their eye on by given this lichen to that someone with a note include saying 'I'm lichen you'. By now they were getting really excited. I told those who were married that they could give it to their spouse with a little note saying 'I'm really lichen you'. By now the married students began to blush and I offered the class a final challenge before ending the entire issue. Whoever shows there lichen to the most people, explaining that a lichen is a fungi and an algae teamed up in a symbiotic relationship (the inside of the envelope must be initialed by all viewers), wins a copy of "Common Lichens of the Rocky Mountains" signed by the author himself. The whole thing was actually really funny. I don't know why I wrote this all, but I think that I'm just glad to have my assignment off my back (remember the paper due at midnight that I mentioned at the beginning of the blog?) Sorry to have wasted your time.

Mr. Perfect

Yeah, I think it was this morning that Steve was explaining himself to me. You can't get more perfect than perfect. Oh I agree. This was right after he honked the horn at two different people who were "oblivious to the world around them." That's right, we are just spreading the holiday cheer!

This picture is from Thanksgiving. I had a moment to reflect on this perfect man and realize how blessed I truly am. Steve, this is for you!

Stevie Jr.

We are so relieved to see that Jack is taking after Daddy and not me. Here he is (of his own doing) trying on Dad's garb.

What do you do with lichens?

Enjoy the video. While I'm at it I'll do my 'tagged' thing (I not good at following directions so I hope this is along the right line).

1-When I was a teenager I set myself on fire. I accidentally spilled gas over my clothes and turned into a raging inferno. Stop drop and roll didn't work and I had to tear my burning clothes off. The following days were the most painful ones I've ever experienced.

2-If I could live my dream I would be a rock and roll star. I love shouting and screaming, but can't sing or play guitar. I was part of a band called 'the painted ninnies' and have a poster of the band in a swamp covered in mud. We never played a single song.

3- I dropped out of college my first semester and lost a full-ride scholarship to UVSC. I still don't like college.

4- I'm on an ineffective crusade to stop infant circumcision. It doesn't do any good and is a wicked tradition of our fathers. However, I couldn't even convince Hailey to let Jack chose when he was old enough.

5- I have an extremely sensitive head (including nose, ears, cheeks, etc). Fabric, skin, hair, punches, etc all have an extreme effect on me and I try to avoid these at all costs.

6-?

Tagged???

This is a different tag, so here are the rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 little-known facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I didn't even know what about bloggy tagging. I kind of feel like Junie B. Jones. I had to read the directions like three times and look at Lindsey's blog a couple more times.
2. I learned about "blogs" this year. Someone was talking to Steve about "bloggers" and I was sure it had to do with the bathroom.
3. I still sing and dance in front of the mirror.
4. I think church should be about an hour and a half.
5. I wish my handwriting was nicer. I am a teacher, afterall.
6. I have to have a HUGE cup of water by my bed and tic tacs and if I wake up at night I usually like to brush my teeth. Bad breath stinks.


I am tagging...
1. Amy Starkey
2. Rachael Howell
3. Amanda Corbett
4. Erin Wiemers
5. Steve Leavitt
6. Amy Newby

Laney's New Apron

Nothing is too tacky, if you're family, right? Here is a cheesy cousin picture of me. Oh, yeah and I'm wearing the apron that I made for Laney. It only took me about eight months to finish the apron and deliver it across the street. I really won't be humble, I love this dang apron!

Leavitt's Halloween Evolution

The motivation


The result


The Peter Pan/Captain Hook showdown (Hook has his guardian rooster)