As I began typing, my brain started yammering about poetry month. If I had begun this piece earlier in the day, I would have time to weave words together into inspiring verse. As the day is mostly gone, the blog will be saved from such events for now.

I find myself reflecting on the poor decisions of others. If your doctor advises you against something and you risk it a couple of times with near fatal results, what will finally make you realize the doctor really does know more than you? If you are constantly complaining that you can't find enough money to pay your essential bills, how can you afford to pay for trip after trip after trip, particularly when said trips cut into the time you could be working? I tire of listening to people complain when their burdens are light and they should be happy that they have so many blessings in their lives. You sympathize, don't you? That Bella is such a complainer. It's hard being as lucky as I am. It really is.

Rereading my many attempts at writing leads me to believe that I should do more research and keep a notepad close to my bed. I always get ideas that would progress or improve my obsession of the moment when I am about to drift into dreamland. Since my mother-in-law shows avid interest in reading my novel (she thinks I am only working on one), I may want feed her curiosity with something worth the read. What are you waiting for, dear reader? Have you flipped through the fiction blog yet? A new story should be arriving Thursday morning...

As I settled into my most comfortable bed last night, my mind reflected on many concepts that have made me giggle in the past. As I snickered quietly to myself, my amusement was stifled by the realization that the images in my head may no longer be funny because they need explanation. Let's reflect together.

1. The computer with the built in cup holder, which is actually a CD-ROM drive.

2. The interesting images that can be caused by double-exposed film.

3. BSOD.

4. Putting a floppy disk in a zip drive.

5. The iconic image of someone using a corded phone and walking further than the cord will stretch.

6. Making a sandwich (or a five course meal) while you wait for a page to load.

7. Putting a floppy disk in upside down.

8. Children trying to play a peanut butter and jelly sand-which in a VCR.

9. The fun that ensues when a tape player eats a cassette tape.

10. Mobile phones bigger than your head (almost).

Someday, I will have more to say than light ruminations. With piles of paper desiring my attention and a story to get out by Thursday, I shall have to let this be enough. Ruminate, my friends...

I decided to venture into the world of family history again. About ten years ago, I peered curiously up into the branches and decided I couldn't deal with finding the names of that many people. Armed with someone else's research, I printed out a bunch of pedigree charts and started poking the genealogy bear. I actually got further than I expected. I have also discovered a few pointers that I shall record for myself in case I lose fuel and don't get back to this for another ten years. (I may actually have ADD. Who knew?) Some of these pointers are advice from a dear friend of mine that I consider to be a family history genius. I am not sure she agrees, but compared to my meager skills, she rocks.

1. Find as much information as you can before trying to link to other people's data on online genealogy sites. Even names you find odd may belong to many people.

2. Get copies of obituaries, birth announcements, census records, marriage records, etc. that you discover online. When you decide to make family group records later, you will be so happy you have them. (Families were much bigger when your (my?) grandparents were alive. My grandmother had about a dozen siblings.)

3. You will be more motivated if you learn to love these people. You should love them. They are family. Think about each little piece of information as a jewel. Granted, personal stories are better for getting gems. Collect that information now.

I wish I had more to share, but today has not been full of activity. Maybe tomorrow...

I struggle with the concept of friendship on a regular basis. I know this journal contains many treatises on the subject. Friendship should be a two way street. I shouldn't always feel like I am chasing my own tail to be friends with someone, and when I do put forth that much effort, I shouldn't be told that I am still a terrible friend. So what has triggered my annoyance?

I tire of feeling like I have to lie to my friends to keep them happy. I should be able to be completely honest with them and have them believe me. Of course, some subjects are a little touchy. For instance, if I tell a friend that I just want to hang out with them, but not their husband, they should trust that I have my reasons. Some days, I just need a girl date. If they agree that this makes sense, they definitely shouldn't then go ahead and invite their husband and surprise me when I show up.

I am also not fond of ALWAYS being the one to compromise. I understand that things come up. I also understand that every one of us has busy lives. I try to plan around that. In fact, during most of my visits back home, my husband and I have a carefully planned schedule so I can see as many people as possible. Somehow, those friends always make it work. It seems like the people who live closer take for granted that I will always be available later because I have nothing else to do.

With the new age of friendships, I find an easier gauge for how important people find me. If I send you a message to see how you are, and you don't want to reply that is your choice. However, I can see when you post long treatises about everything and anything. When you refuse to reply to me, I can only assume you don't want to talk to me. Don't be surprised when I don't answer your next question, particularly if it isn't "How are you?"

That brings me to another habit that bothers me. I don't like conversing with people about other people, exclusively. If you don't care how I am doing, don't ask me for information on someone else. Talk to them. If you don't want to talk to them, why do you want to know about them?

Essentially, however, all of this irritation came to a head because I do have some true, honest friends. Though we're busy and live hundreds of miles from each other, we still make time for each other occasionally. We respond to each other's messages. We care about each other enough to offer insight into our own lives and ask about theirs.

I actually got to visit with one of these friends last night. I was super excited because I've been excited about her birthday present for two months and I finally got to give it to her. We also made spaghetti and meatballs to go with the rather flat Italian bread I made. Then we made big, moist, delicious, soft sugar cookies in the shape of hearts. We even shared with my husband, so everyone was happy.

Having other obligations, she didn't get to stay for very long, but it was wonderful to talk and listen without feeling the weight of needing to be a little less me. We also played with my poor neglected guitar, so I have spent some time today strumming the strings and forcing my stubby fingers into the correct position to make G major, which is no small feat, I can assure you.

So now that my rant and reflection is over, I think we can all agree that I need to focus a little less on being a friend to people who honestly don't know what friendship is and focus more on my other great loves: writing, sewing, and learning about things I know very little about such as playing guitar and steering clear of haters.

I celebrated my fourteenth rebirth day yesterday. My darling husband went along with my shenanigans. He even took me out for dinner and bought me a slice of rich, delicious chocolate cake. Color me one lucky hobbit, eh?

I should have spent part of the day reflecting on what led me to be baptized. My scrambled brain and stuffy nose stabbed that possibility in its lovely heart. Luckily, my nose feels clearer today. This means the flood that normally pours through my mind has been unleashed again. I am trying to catch a few ideas that will bring joy and happiness to the world around me (as opposed to just me).

Have you been reading the fiction blog? I have been duteously posting to it every Thursday. Of course, the last time I was sick, I just posted to let my readers know I was not going to be able to post a real story for their reading pleasure. Guilt has set in on that one, so I am working on a make-up story. Teasers. Everyone loves a teaser...

My life continues to flow along at a slow pace. Sadly, I accomplished very little this weekend. Just like everyone else, I have my reasons. The main reason centers around the fact that I still haven't mastered sleeping.

I woke up Saturday morning to find that a nerve in my neck was pinched. This meant that every time I sat up, I got woozy. This didn't deter me, so I started stumbling around the house. That made me nauseous. Needless to say, after a detour to the restroom, I found my way back to bed and slept off my inability to sleep. The day was halfway over before I worked out the kink in my neck, so I spent the rest of the day indexing some records for family search and clearing some movies off the DVR with my husband.

Sunday, as it should be, found me focused on church. Since we've been teaching some of the eight year olds, we searched our house for items to be used in the object lesson of the day. Finding items the kids won't want to play with is tough business, but we succeeded. Every time we teach them, I almost remember having that much energy. One of the boys was more focused on kicking his chair and bouncing up and down on the lesson. I hoped he'd wear himself out, but I finally had to ask him to stop. This is one of the many reasons I laugh when people suggest I bring treats for the sweet, little children. I am not adding to their unending reservoir of energy because I'd have to eat a whole bag of chocolate chips to be able climb up on the ceiling after them.

On the way home from church, we did have an experience. When we were stopped at a red light waiting for it to turn green, we heard a slight crunching sound. Apparently the person behind us got rear-ended. As those who know the laws of car physics will assume, this means we got rear-ended as well. Luckily, there didn't seem to be any damage, but it serves as a reminder that we really should pay attention when we drive. Trying to drive through a parked car rarely works out.