Question #4

Do you feel that you have much impact on the lives of people you come in contact with, excluding family? Who, if anyone, significantly influenced your life?

Question #3

If you could change ONE THING about your life, what would it be?

Question #2

If you could take a one month vacation anywhere in the world and money was not a consideration, where would you go and what would you do?

Question #1

Every time I call up our blog, Bryce's blue and white face startles me. I am going to fix that now.

I have heard, "Small minds talk about people, good minds talk about events, but great minds talk about ideas." I know that all of you have great minds. I also know that we are not together enough to enjoy the chance to talk, and even when we are there is always a baby to take care of (like Piko). I would like to hear what you think. So, I am going to post a question/task each week for your response. Anyone is invited to participate, even son-in-laws! I will also participate later in the week.

Describe the three year period that you experienced the the most personal growth and change, since adolescence.

by popular request

So apparently I am supposed/required to keep up with the family now. So, as far as the semester goes....everything is awesome. I am a physics ta, I grade papers for 2-3 hrs a week, but since I have been hired to work 10 hours a week, they pay me for 10 hrs of work, so I am not complaining, and I get to pick my own hours. The semester is seeming to be extremely easy for some reason, so I am enjoying that aspect. The only problem is that this week I have 3 tests, and one of my teachers is ridiculously meticulous. And I got a text message as I was walking into my easiest test today saying that the girl I have been chasing has been caught, so my mind was messed up for the test adn I got about 20% less that what I shoudl have, but I will see what I can do to redeem that misfortune. I also received an assignment today that I will not be living in San Jose over summer, but in Modest (I think taht was it) which will move me 1-2 hours closer to home, so I am excited and this means that I might be able to visit mroe often. That is about all, so now for pictures: this is of our volleyball game, our ward luau with my assigned date Shelley, she is awesome, and some swing dancing that I did with my friend kimmy kim. K, that is all, I hope it is satisfactory. Talk to you all later

The Colbert Report

As some of you may know, I have a deep and abiding love for Colbert. While all of his videos make me laugh, this one actually got me to laugh so hard I cried. He's interviewing a lady about Barak Obama's "black"-ness. Enjoy.

http://colbertondemand.com/videos/Guest_Interviews/Dickerson

flips

The Romance Lives On

Just so none of you think that the romance has to die as you get older, I want to share with you how your mom and I spent Valentines Day.
I got up at 6am to get your sisters off to Seminary. After that experience I usually am too hyped up to go back to sleep, so I went to Home Depot for some plants. On the way home, I bought your mom a rose (wait, it gets better).
Brian dropped off Davin and Kea just as I was leaving for work. When I came home for lunch of pita and guac, Sue told me that Kea had diarrhea and that she had been cleaning up and bathing her from several mishaps. I expressed my undying love for your mom by kissing her and rushing back to work so I didn't have to deal with it.
When I came home that night, I was told that Kea had been throwing up all afternoon. Krista had to take care of it one time and there was a bowl of vomit on the counter in the hall.
Krista told me that she was too sick to do the dishes, so she was really suffering until Cassie called and said that they should go to the YW activity. A Valentine Miracle happened. She was instantly cured.
Your mom took the kids to put them in bed at the Skinners while Brian went to LA to pick up Laura (from Hawaii). I took Krista to YW and Tawna played whined enough so she was allowed to go out on a school night. "It's Vaaaaaaaaaalentiiiiiiiiiines Day."
I was going to join your mom at the Skinners so we could enjoy the night together. But, I had to wait for Krista and Tawna to come home so they could go to bed on time for Seminary. So, I called your mom and told her that I needed to go to bed at the same time and expressed my undying love.
Your mom got home after midnight. She came to the bedroom and said, "I am so sick that I am going to sleep downstairs."
She is still recovering from Valentines Day, but she does have all of those wonderful memories. As I said, the romance lives on.

Tawna's tired

Well, after 2 years of taking Tawna to the doctor to find out why she was tired, after numerous tests and doctors, we have an answer. After Christmas, Tawna said her leg was numb and she blacked out when she screams or stretches. Our family doctor put a heart monitor on her for 24 hours, nothing showed up. So, he said take her to a cardiologist which was simple because we know Roger's - except Tawna is not 18 years old yet so needs a pediatric cardiologist. There are non in Bakersfield, so we called UCLA. Today we saw the head of pediatric cardiology at UCLA. He said she has classic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which is a virus. He sees it because some of its symptoms are heart related. The sleeping for 36 hours about once a week was the best clue. (She did that about 2 years ago, not so much anymore). He did an echocardiogram to rule out anything else because it is a disease of exclusion.

We are thrilled to know what has been going on! He said it lasts about 18 months, when I said she has been tired for about 2 1/2 years, he said he has heard of that, she must be nearly done. She does have more energy this year than she has for years. There are 3 kinds of chronic fatigue, hers has no medical treatment though sometimes nutrition or yoga or meditation or something helps. He said basically you are tired and sleep a lot so do what you have to do when you are less tired.

Now I can't figure out whether to feel bad for yelling about grades and chores and putting her on restriction for poor performance. Though really, the restriction probably helped because it allowed her to rest. The way I see it, she could have a whole new life when this is over. I am very happy to have an answer that has an end to the problem! Gale Ajootian had this and Rick knows a lot about it, so I am happy about that. I am also relieved that it is not her heart.
I really do wonder why no one in Bakersfield said she had it, probably because they had not excluded enough causes of tiredness. I am very excited to have this news!

Volume Last

Brielle and folks
Aiden
Is Christmas over now?

Volume 3

The tree, or most of it. Trying out the manger.
Find the happy person.

Volume 2

A new Star Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the nanny
He has the touch with the grandkids

How I Spent My Christmas Vacation - In Photos

A truely appreciative audience

Boys are the best The Wise ___________

Christmas morning

Corn Tomalito Recipe

This is the sweet corn pudding recipe. It is my signature recipe here. Every time I make if for someone they just love it.

• 5 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup masa harina ( I always use cornstarch instead of this. It is easier to find.)
  
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 can of corn undrained
  
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons milk

1. In a microwave safe medium bowl, mix together the margarine, masa flour (corn starch), and sugar until light and fluffy. In a food processor or blender, blend can of corn with the water and cornmeal just until smooth. Stir into the masa mixture. Mix in the baking powder, salt, and milk until the batter is smooth.
2. Cover the bowl with saran wrap, and place in the microwave for 7 minutes at 30% power, take out and stir, and put back in for 4 minutes at 100% power. Stir again, and serve. Don't eat immediately after microwaving it. We learned the hard way that it gets super duper hot.

Enjoy and tell us how it turned out.

Anybody?

Once when we were in Bakersfield someone made a sweet mexican corn pudding and I would love the recipe! Does anyone remember that or am I making things up?

FIND THE BIG, PUFFY, PINK MARSHMALLOW

OK, so the last time we played this game Teresa complained about the quality of the pictures... my pictures will look better when I can find a USB connection for my real camera.
Laura complained that she couldn't find the elephant. I thought the contest was pretty easy but I guess Laura needs a hint because she is not all that good at games. Afterall, she lost to the Master of Catan last night who drew 9 soldiers. (Hint: It's a Utah marshmallow)

Christmas

I have loved reading your blogs and seeing the pictures of our Christmas together!!! I had a wonderful time, too, despite the dead tree and not doing everthing I had planned. I cannot remember ever not making sugar cookies for Santa. I am so happy that everyone was here and comfortable. I think as a parent, when your children are happy, you are happy. I also think that I have finally reached the age where it is not so stressful to have company and I have realized that I don't have to keep everyone happy - maybe it is because you have grown up and can now keep yourselves happy and I am not the first in line to keep grandchildren happy.
Thank you for making the effort, sometimes large, to be here. I love having everyone together and watching you interact as adults. I love being with my sisters and their families and Dads brothers and their families, and for you to see your cousins. It was a perfect Christmas for me, too. I am happy that everyone is safely home and starting their lives again.
Evan will be home in two years.

All because two people fell in love...

Proctor Family Party

This is a photo of the Proctor sisters' family party. The only one that was playing Waldo is Sue.
We had a great time together and appreciate the sacrifice of those who had to come long distances to be at our home.
Please notice the well-behaved grandsons in the foreground.
You can also see that our black & white baby joined the festivities, much to the delight of our daughters.