I have a really weird story to tell. Well, not really weird, I guess. I mean, I definitely can't rank it with alien sightings ans such...but in my corner of the universe...definitely bizarre stuff.

So, I'm home with Elliot yesterday. I have a sore throat and he'd slept horribly the night before, had a temp, and was drooling like Pavlov's dog. So he stayed home too. (BTW, he's two and a half). He wanted to watch Ice Age in the morning, so we did, me laying on the couch, he laying on top of me. A rather nice maternal picture I've got going.

If you haven't seen Ice Age, there's this bit of a tearjerker part where the mammoth and sloth return the baby to his dad. Of course, the father is happy and it's a jubilant reunion moment. The mammoth and sloth turn to leave and the baby makes noises to them, so they return back to say goodbye.

I'm laying there, pretty content, when I hear this big shaky sigh/breath go up from Elliot. When I look at him, there are tears leaking out of his eyes! WTF? Usually, when Elliot cries, it's accompanied by a blood-curdling scream. So I ask him why he's crying. Now, I'm not sure I expect an answer...but he started talking and articulating long before our other two did, so I figure he'll tell me "tummy hurt" or "want milk" or something. He never was able to tell me why he's crying.

Now, naturally, I'd like to think he is precociously sensitive. But, I don't even know if that's possible. I mean, can a 2 1/2 year old respond in such a way to external stimuli? Can he watch a movie and emotionally respond to it? It just doesn't seem feasible to me.

It certainly was weird, I'll tell you. I felt like I'd watched him grow right before my eyes.

Mwahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!

I'm back.

Last Wednesday, Brent took the puter in for a check-a-roo. The fan was running extremely loud, but the ol' computer techies said there was nothing wrong with the fans. But, three of the capiljdfjoejm-somethings on the motherboard were fried, which is probably why the fan was too loud...it was working too hard to cool the motherboard down. Uhhhhhhhhhhhh....

Hell, I'm going to leave the high-tech mumbo-jumbo to people who really care.

End of story, we went to Best Buy in Des Moines today. Bought a new computer. Big-ass screen. Keyboard is clean. I absolutely love the new "clack" of the keys. I am practically orgasmic. Maybe this means I will have sex with my husband tonight.

B is still hooking things up, so I will be brief. More from me later.

Brent took the computer in yesterday to replace the fan. It was getting bad. Sounded like trucks downshifting on the highway.

So, naturally, I'm coming to you live from my workplace. I won't be saying much (you all know how it is in this day and age), but I just wanted to let my legions of readers know what's shakin' in my part of the universe.

Oh, had a decent day back to school. Lots of yawning from my freshmen. What they don't know is, the feeling is mutual. At least for today.

Well, here it is, New Years Eve Day, and I really have nothing to say.

We did a Christmas gift exchange at my mom's house last Saturday, which was fun (you end up with one good gift and one gag). We let the older kids play this year, and Spencer wound up with this wig that reminds me of Pedro from "Napoleon Dynamite." A medieval warrior.

Then we did Christmas Eve Day and Eve with Brent's parents, sans the older-and-successful-doctor-husband-and-wife-brother and sister-in-law. Brent and I both commented on how more relaxed everyone seemed. We played more games and were a little more noisy. Of course, I was a bit peeved when Brent's dad decided to go out hunting in the middle of the festivities, leaving us to wait on supper and present-opening because of him. I hope his jerky tastes like poop.

Then we hung about the house for a couple of days, playing video games and whatnot. I can't even really tell you what we did, I don't remember. It must not have been anything major. Kirby and I did travel to Des Moines on Wednesday for an INTERESTING shopping trip - which I will have to report on later.

Friday morning, we traveled five hours to Minnesota. The plan was to stay with friends and go to a New Years Eve party and come back New Years Day and try to relax a day or so before heading back to work. So, anyway, here we are at the friends' house, and it has been lovely. We've not been here in a year, but it doesn't seem like it. Our friends live on a farm and their house is just warm and welcoming. We've chatted and visited and gone here and there, and we leave today to stay with another set of friends (hosts of the aforementioned NYE party).

And there's part of me that feels absolutely worthless. I mean, this vacation should be about accomplishments. I have so many projects I could have been working on...painting, scrapbooking, sewing, etc...and I have done nothing but sat on my fat butt. I can't even begin to think about the weight I've gained.

BLAH! I almost welcome going back to work...at least I'll feel like I'm doing something!

The family and I did a public library field trip yesterday, and Brent and I browsed through the DVD section. I found "Amelie" (won some Acads back in 2001) and "Brokeback Mountain."

I had read the title "Amelie" in a friend's blog, which is why that title caught my eye. I thought to myself, "What the hell? I'm on vacation." "Brokeback," now, I have been wanting to see that for awhile.

Anyway, we watched "Amelie" last night, which I was looking forward to because 1.) Audrey Tautou ("The DaVinci Code") played the title role and she reminds me so much of Audrey Hepburn (v. glamorous and cute) and 2.) the plot just sounded interesting on the back cover. However, I was not sure Brent would like it because 1.) it's all in French with subtitles and 2.) the plot did not have that "manly appeal."

But...I underestimated my husband's film viewing tastes. I mean, this is the guy who introduced ME to "The Sound of Music." He and I both enjoyed "Amelie" immensely. It was clever and intriguing and random. Tautou played the part perfectly and her haircut was fabulous. The traveling gnome was quite hilarious also.

So...movie surprise of the week - "Amelie"!