The Scrapbook at Firstnephi.com

Family Home Evening Milestone

2008-05-12T23:05:00.001-05:00

There's not really a picture to go with this, but this is to announce that Andrea read directly from the Book of Mormon tonight for the first time. She read the entire first chapter of 1 Nephi with very little assistance.

Andrea preceded the reading by saying, "I have an announcement to make." We had no idea Andrea would do this, it was entirely unplanned.

Emotions 101

2008-05-04T19:41:00.001-05:00

Andrea (from a classroom exercise): "This is how I look when I'm angry."

A Dramatic Call

2008-04-30T20:24:00.001-05:00

"My stomach is empty but my brain is full. I cannot sleep with it."
--Andrea, demanding a final snack before bedtime (just moments ago).

Unclear on the Concept

2008-04-24T18:38:00.002-05:00

Common sense tells us that if you put a perishable item in your grocery store shopping cart, and you later change your mind, it ought to go back to the refrigerator or freezer. So what possessed this person to put the lowfat milk on top of the salsa next to the roasted chicken? That's plain disgusting.

I'm not THAT old!

2008-04-23T12:01:00.001-05:00

Just one day after my birthday, I received a cordial invitation from the AARP to join their esteemed organization. (For the record, the minimum age to join said organization is 50.) Computer glitch or April Fool? You decide.

Good Morning!

2008-04-20T11:59:00.001-05:00

Andrea created this drawing and placed it in front of Melinda's bed when she was not feeling well a week or so ago. --SJR

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2008-04-08T18:46:00.001-05:00

No, it's not that Andrea is on the video game (it seems to be family-friendly). But the game is blocking the fire exit at a local mass-merchandiser. Safety first!

Is the Shopping Impulse Genetic...?

2008-03-22T01:51:00.002-05:00

All we can say is: You be the judge. Andrea was attempting to lay her hands on nearly everything in sight at J. C. Penney. Among her remarks: "I like this, it is so pretty. I'm the only one, and it is a need." She is very brand particular. And to think that her stated objective was to visit the Easter Bunny. :-)

High Definition TV, Circa 1933

2008-03-20T16:29:00.006-05:00

This image, which comes to us through the Steve Restelli collection, has GOT to be the oldest surviving screen image of a electronic test pattern ever captured. This RCA photo was taken in 1933, at a time when radio itself was relatively new, non-electronic (mechanical) television was still being experimented with, and 150 lines of resolution was already considered high-definition. Sadly, TV would remain experimental throughout the 1930's and 1940's because of the Great Depression and the Second World War.

Another Good Sign

2008-02-22T09:36:00.002-06:00

Who would have thought I'd win something? But I stuck my business card down in the drawing bowl at the local Shoney's last Saturday, and sure enough, I found out on Monday that I won a free lunch! Seems to be legit...no telemarketing calls so far.

Paradise for Booklovers

2008-02-02T14:35:00.001-06:00

Andrea not only knows how to read, but it has become one of her favorite pastimes. Here she is seen selecting books at a used merchandise store. She even passes by all the toys to get to the books!

Accident Report

2008-01-27T11:34:00.001-06:00

On 26 January 2008, another party rear-ended our vehicle just after we had made a left-hand turn from a major road onto a side-street.

The officer who responded to take the accident report kept rebuking me for not keeping my description of what happened simple. Perhaps he has a point. Hopefully his accident report will be at least as accurate as Andrea's drawing. It pretty much states it all without even a single word. --SJR

Last Sunday...

2008-01-16T23:26:00.001-06:00

Andrea gave a talk in her Primary class at Church. It was not her first time in doing that, but what was remarkable was that she read the talk all by herself. In fact, she is getting good with her reading already--she reads books at every available opportunity.

Clarification

2008-01-15T10:56:00.000-06:00

I probably ought to go back and clarify an entry from last November 18. Someone who looked at the photo thought I had left on my desk a "tip jar," similar to what might be seen at some hair stylists and restaurants I've been at. And that's a pretty good guess. Actually, what our family did was to leave a leave a small jar of money in the office as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. I've since moved it away from the desk. :-) --SJR

A New Year Brings a Good Sign

2008-01-12T13:36:00.001-06:00

My landlord installed a new sign for my office this week. As busy as I was, I managed not to discover it until only yesterday. Never mind that I walk by there every day to get from the parking lot to the door. --SJR

Memorandum No. 1

2007-11-23T12:55:00.001-06:00

I am not the first to say the following...far from it. But I think this is worth repeating:

1. The most important time to pray is when you feel least inclined to pray.

2. The most important time to forgive is when you feel least inclined to forgive. --SJR

The Dawning of a New Era

2007-11-18T01:09:00.000-06:00

Pictured above is my new office, as it appeared shortly after the lease was signed. Beginning Tuesday, I will be situated just north of the courthouse in historic downtown Columbia, Tennessee.

Success!

2007-10-19T18:19:00.001-05:00

See below for a link to the official bar exam results announcement:

http://www.state.tn.us/lawexaminers/success.html

19 October 2007: The Moment Approaches

2007-10-19T09:50:00.002-05:00

The wait continues for the bar exam results to arrive. At last report, they will come in on or after 12:00 noon CDT. In the meantime, it is a beautiful morning in downtown Columbia, as seen from the General Sessions courthouse on the third floor.

View from the Bench

2007-10-04T11:27:00.001-05:00

This is Judge Sands' courtroom during one of the quieter moments (between dockets). In Maury County, General Sessions Court operates up to five days a week, handling many matters ranging from minor traffic tickets, all the way to a preliminary hearing for someone accused of murder. I witnessed the latter event only a couple of days ago. --SJR

The Many Faces of Andrea

2007-09-19T13:15:00.001-05:00

From a recent ballet class, from last week. --SJR

Fil-Am Bored Meeting 2.0

2007-09-17T13:08:00.001-05:00

Andrea's main agenda item was potato chips as arrangements for this year's Christmas party were being discussed by board members, including Sandy and Melinda.

"While You Were Out..."

2007-09-10T09:52:00.001-05:00

While Mom and Dad were busy cleaning a portion of the chapel in preparation for last Sunday, Andrea was busy too. Shown above is the picture she wrote on the chalkboard in the ward clerk's office. --SJR

From Kindergarten to Ballet School

2007-09-07T23:13:00.001-05:00

Starting this month, Andrea begins her second year in ballet school.

As this photo goes to press, there's late word this afternoon that Andrea has taken quite an interest into the piano. We will look into that further.

Before or After Consuming Chocolate?

2007-08-26T14:20:00.001-05:00

The correct answer: Andrea didn't have any sugary snacks this time. She's just being naturally energetic! --SJR