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With the risk of having stones cast at me I have a couple confessions to make.
First, I am not a scrapbooker nor do I think I will ever become one. I have been finding it so funny lately that when people find out that I don't scrapbook it's followed with a huge gasp then a horrified "but, but, what are you going to do with all your pictures?" I try to explain that I have a blog and how I will turn that into a book (click on the 2 links below) and that is fulfillment enough for me. Quite often this explanation is deemed not good enough then followed by a "you'll change your mind." Poor Reese. I know I am just robbing her of her entire childhood by only writing down every detail of her life alongside pictures and putting it together on my blog. Somehow though, I think she'll manage. I don't at all mean to say that scrapbooking isn't great. I am honestly very impressed by some of the things people create. People are very talented and creative and I'm just not. In that way anyway. I guess it's just not my cup of tea...or caffeine-free Coke or whatever.
My next confession is that I don't particularly enjoy the Twilight Series. Wait, put your stones down. I'm not saying that I hate the books as some of my friends have been misinterpreting, but I would give them just an "okay" rating. When I first made this statement to a friend her lip began to quiver with anger. Seriously! Before reading them I was told that I wouldn't be able to put them down and that I would immediately want to leave Tom because I had fallen so in love with Edward. I actually find Edward to be rather arrogant and the overall books to be very slow paced. I think what really happened for me was that it was sooooo over-hyped that I ended up being disappointed. You know what I mean? Like when all your friends tell you to go see [enter supposed most amazing movie title here] then you see it and are left at the end thinking, "Was that it?!?!" That's Twilight for me.
(Not me)
While I'm at it, there's a definite possibility I may be voting for a democrat this presidential election. Hey now!
Before you go thinking all is lost for me do realize that I was voted "Most Saintly" in high school. So there might still be hope for me.
Forgive all my cynicism. I think I'm starting my period.
53 comments:
I love stirring the pot by telling people I more often than not vote Democratic. I gave up scrapbooking too. No, I'm not ashamed. But I will admit, I LOVED the Twilight series. Sorry.
Oh, my gosh! I'm so concerned for you. I'm sending over your VT-ers ASAP! So Just kidding! I so hear what you're saying about being a non-scrapbooker. In H.S. I felt like a total rebel because I wasn't in choir! You crack me up!
YEAH! Look, if you get cast out, come hang with me in Florida. If you think your blog was controversial, let me share a few things with you. First of all, I don't scrapbook either. I've tried in the past, but it's WAY too boring for me. Why can't pictures just be slid into those clear plastic sleeves like the good ol' days? Do I HAVE to cut out some cheesy design made out of card stock and perfect my cursive just so I can write some witty remark next to EVERY picture? I'm sure there are better things I could be doing...like, not cooking, for example. Second of all, I made it to about page 53 in the first Twilight book before I just couldn't take what's-her-name's constant whining FOR ANOTHER SECOND. I thought the author was a mediocre writer at best, and the way she describe Bella (or whatever her name was) reminded me of a bird. Thirdly, I'm totally voting for a democrat...are you kidding me? McCain? Good grief. AND, if that doesn't get people riled up, here's something that definitely will; The Works and the Glory books are FICTIONAL. "Based on possible true events" is not reason enough to structure an entire Relief Society lesson around.
So, next time you feel like you just don't fit in, give me a call and I'll make you feel a LOT better.
Twilight wasn't bad. I don't vote. Scrapbooking is an expensive little hobby. Blogging is free.
Ditto...well, I'm not sure about the voting thing yet. I don't scrapbook and I'm never going to read a book about a lovey vampire, even if everyone loves it, which actually just fuels my fire even more not to read it.
I don't scrapbook either. I don't feel like I'm creative enough to make a scrapbook I would be happy with, and I don't care to spend money on that sort of thing. That's one of the main reasons why I started my blog. I also want to make it into a book after I have a year's worth of posts.
I think you know how I feel about the Twilight series. I'm actually reading it again right now.
I'm thinking about not voting at all this election. I feel like our country is going to hell no matter who gets elected from our choices.
By the way, "The Chipmunks' Adventure" and "Grease 2" are great choices. I also wanted to put "Strictly Ballroom" on there. Maybe I should change the tag to "7favorite movies".
I am with you on ALL of those things, except I wasn't voted most "Saintly"!! Although I did used to scrapbook, but I'd much rather blog!
I feel the same way about scrapbooking! I would love to do it and I consider myself to be that sort of person but my whole thing is knowing that once i get started i won't want to stop and I have neither the time nor the money to take on such a project.
You are the most saintly! How cute is that!!
Whoops, that last second to last comment up above was from me, Kari, I was accidentally signed in under Laren's name.
I too am no scrapbooker! And I love the idea of being able to turn my blog into a book. Perfect, Journal and Scrapbook all-in-one. I think that you should win Mother of the Year Award for having thought of it! And even better you save MONEY and TIME.
I haven't even read the Twilight Series. Thought about it, but haven't yet. When I do, now I know to have low expectations, and then I'll like the books, maybe!
As for voting democrate, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!! j/k It's still a free country last I checked. As for me I'll probably vote republican until I die!!!
You crack me up...that post was too funny! I was so glad to see a post from you on my blog!!! I love yours...it is so totally cute!!! I will definitely be back OFTEN to check it out!!! Reese is absolutely adorable..we always thought so...Oh, and I guess that you are somewhat (an emphasis on that) normal that you don't like the Twilight Series...I know of some others who didn't like the books either...too bad!!!
Take care and keep in touch!
Jen Evans
i took offense to everything you said here. i was voted best scrapbooker of the year, i wrote the twilight series, i'm voting for Ron Paul!!
Hey I am not a scrapbooker either. I tried bought all the stuff but never got into it. I have never read the Twilght series either.
I don't scrapbook, have never baked bread and I don't have any vinyl lettering in my house. I know, can you believe I'm active!
So funny! I have not read those books but have had a million people tell me I should. I don't know if I will cause I just don't feel like :) I can scrapbook but choose not to, it cost too much takes up too much time and too much space! Although I do use a website called shutterfly that is great for quick little books at a pretty low cost. And the whole voting thing, well I will not be voting democrat but I sure wish there was another option! But really I shouldn't talk about all that cause I get a little worked up! :)
I scrapbooked the wedding sign-in book (well, I had my talented friends make the pages and I just added pictures, ribbons and embellishments). It was actually a lot of fun, but totally expensive and time-consuming. I won't do it again. That's what blogs are for.
I read Twilight before the insane hype, and I no longer recommend it because there's too many "you'll love it or die!" demands.
I'm proud of you for voting Democrat. My biggest leap off the conservative train was to become a registered Independent.
OH, and I don't play the piano. How non LDS woman is that?!
I love this post. It was so fun to read.
This is awesome! I love all your responses. I do have to say that I am not saying that I am 100% sure I am voting for a democrat, but it definitely might happen. I'm as conservative as all get-out on moral issues (and in the end that might be enough to sway me to vote republican), but when it comes to social and economic issues I tend to be not quite as conservative as your average mormon. My major in college was sociology and I think that really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I guess my big issue with it all is when people just vote republican because they're mormon and because that's what their parents did. That's not a good enough reason and I think it's ignorant. If you really have studied it out and know you want to vote republican then I think that's great! It's just the blind following that I have issues with. Tom always laughs when I get heated up about this and says, "My liberal wife."
And as far as the other stuff, I would say all and all I'm pretty Molly-Mormon. I mean I do have vinyl lettering on my walls and I do attend quite a few play-groups. For heaven's sakes I'm in the Primary Presidency. ;) Overall, I just want people to do things because that's really what they like or believe and not just because everybody else is doing it. I've always been super feisty and strong, but it generally tends to be for the right things. Okay, I could keep ranting, but I'll get off my soap-box now.
I scrapbook, I liked Twilight, and I'm voting for McCain. Do you think they'll call me into the general RS presidency now? :) I hear you though. People need to think for themselves. These kids in the Texas FLDS compound that have been on the news so much here lately - they worry me. They have been so brainwashed and told exactly what to think and do. And it bugs me when people get up in fast & testimony meeting and whisper things to say into their kids' ears. NOT how it's supposed to work!!
Cynthia, you know I love your scrapbooking! You really are awesome at all the digital stuff I've seen. Maybe I should pay you to do mine. :)
And to all, it's not that I'm anti-scrapbooking. I just think it's funny that people literally act like I'm doing Reese the biggest dis-service by not making actual scrapbooks for her. I just think that blogging is going to be my way of preserving our family memories.
Oh and Cynthia again, totally agree with you about not whispering in your kids' ears. I specifically remember the bishopric getting up in sacrament meeting and reading a letter about how parents are not supposed to do that.
Now as far as Twilight, I have nothing to clarify about that. :)
Yay! I TOTALLY agree with you about the Twilight series! I feel so good knowing I am not alone! Phew!
You are so funny, a woman after my own heart. Too bad we live on opposite ends of the country. We could sit and not scrapbook together (I am not a scrapbooker either)!
What a hilarious post!!! I agree with the scrapbooking...I don't get spending days on one page that has one picture on it...so shoot me?!?
I can also see how the Twilight series would be too hyped up. I like when I stumble on something good and discover it for myself (books, movies, tv shows) and so I have absolutely no expectation. I read them back when they first came out and had heard nothing about them--so I did like them. But I can totally see how you might not like them. I am also not an Edward fan (I know, I know) and am actually rooting for Jacob. I've met one other person with the same opinion. I also thought Bella was rather whiney in the last book. So there you have it....
I'm also about to start my period and so I understand the fiestiness...I took mine out on my neighbor yesterday :-) (the CRAZY one).
Amen, Amen, and Amen. I agree with all of the above, and I don't cook/bake either. I am bringing a store bought pie to book club tonight. gasp! I'm not even going to add my own whip cream or fruit to it.
And...sorry...but I do have to say to the ambivalent voters out there...there are more choices than 2! I have seen how 3rd party voting can make a significant difference...it's definitely better than not voting at all...
commence throwing stones
Actually, scrapbooking has gotten a little redundant for me since I started blogging. Sometimes I literally cut and paste from my blog to my scrapbook pages. And I intend to make a blog book someday too. But I guess the blog book is for me and will be my journal/scrapbook, and the scrapbooks are for my kids to keep. I don't know, I just do it for fun mostly. I like playing with colors.
The thing I liked about Twilight was that I thought she did a good job of capturing that I-like-a-boy-and-he-actually-likes-me-back part of high school. I didn't like the second book at all, but I read the thrid anyway and I'll probably read the fourth too. I agree Bella is whiney. And it's no Harry Potter. Somebody originally recommended it to me saying "Oh if you like Harry Potter you have GOT to read this book." Yeah, so not even in the same league.
I like that you wrote this before, but just felt fiesty enough to post it now. Funny how our mood changes, huh? I wrote a post about a similar thing a long time ago. It is funny how people expect us to like certain things or do certain things when we are all taught that we have unique talents and that we are different and that is the way God made us. I am not Mormon because I scrapbook or not, I am Mormon because I believe in the Restoration and all that comes along with it. Because you are not conforming to what people think you should makes you a better mom for Reese. And, we have the right to exercise our mind and make our own choices on what to do with our lives. I think that's something a lot of people need to understand.
Ok, I'm a lurker and I'll keep it at that. =0) But...what's wrong with whispering in your little kid's ear during testimony meeting? Lots of times your 4-year-old turns to you and says 'mommy, I want to bear my testimony too' and they're excited about it. So you take them up there and they look out at all those people and suddenly they freeze and get scared and look at you with those pleading eyes that say 'help me!' So you whisper a few words in their ear and they proudly say them in the mic and walk back to their seat feeling like it was a success. I'd rather have that then the people that go on and on about their family vacation or whatever. Just a thought. =0) Oh...and I'm totally in agreement on Twilight. For me it wasn't Bella's whining as much as reading and reading about her heart speeding up and suddenly feeling dizzy and all that teenage romance stuff...it was like 'get on with the story already! We know she's attracted to him, let's move on with the plot!' Anyways...just another thought. =0) Thanks for letting me lurk...I'm a friend of a friend.
Hi lurker! I'm glad you commented. I see what you're saying about whispering. And I definitely don't think there's anything wrong with encouraging and helping if you're child gets stage fright. I mean heck I wish somebody could help me sometimes when I'm up there. I think the letter was mainly talking about parents who just get their kids up there every month and always tell them verbatim what to say. I just remember the letter encouraging parents to have their children practice (I don't know if that's the right word) bearing their testimonies at home during family home evening or other places like that. Sorry if I offended you on that.
And yeah for another person who wants the story to get going in Twilight. I really think each of the books could be about half the length they are. We know already that every time you say his name the whole in your chest just gets bigger and bigger. Gag! :)
If you vote democrat I'll never talk to you again. DO NOT get me started.
Love, your brother
(p.s. mom and dad are both registered democrats so you're the one just following your parents. boom in your face.)
Hey Brother, Dad is actually a registered Republican now. So boom back in your face! And you know which way they vote anyway so don't get me started. And I'm actually a registered republican myself, but that doesn't mean I always have to like those candidates. Did everybody miss the key word in this sentence "there's a definite POSSIBILITY I may be voting for a democrat..." I haven't made up my mind yet. Geesh! Can't a girl have an opinion?
Okay, I totally understand the situation stated by Lurker. But . . . "Younger children should learn to share their testimonies at home or in Primary until they are old enough to bear an appropriate testimony unaided in fast and testimony meeting." (Russell M. Nelson). I also completely agree about hearing about people's vacations and what not. And Thankamonies. From the same talk, members are invited "to bear brief, heartfelt testimonies of the Savior, His teachings, and the Restoration." Why do we have such a hard time sticking to that topic?
Okay, sorry to turn your blog into a message board, Rachel. :)
So one year out of the past 30 he's registered Republican and that proves your point?!What...ever! And no you can't have an opinion if it's wrong. I'm not allowed to talk back to my wife like this or I'm in the doghouse so I just need to vent every once in a while and sound tough. (in fact she's telling me what to say right now)
I love all the posts! I especially love Emily's. . .our country is going to hell. . .everytime I look at everyone's blogs it makes me laugh and therefore I am happy:)
Anyways, I am definitely not a scrap-booker, I have never had the interest in reading Twilight. . .but I am definitely not voting democrat! I thought we were twins until then:)
Okay, a couple bits of clarification before I end this fun little discussion. First of all, my dad has never actually been democratic in his views. Years ago, he accidentally went to register to vote at a democratic place and was too embarrased once he was there to register as a republican so he registered as a democrat instead. Funny huh? But he has always voted very very republican. And as for my mom, her parents were democrats so she ended up registering as one years and years ago too. But she has actually never voted democratic either. Although I have had some fun conversations with her lately where come to find out we actually do think a lot alike. We both are 100% coservative on moral issues, but when it comes to certain social issues (like helping the poor) we both think that the way things are now isn't quite working so maybe we need to try something else. Maybe I should register as an Idependent! THE END! :)
Wow! You can get people going! This was fun! I'd love to read a post where you discuss some of your political ideas. I get tired of hearing it from politicians. I want to hear what someone like me has to say. That I can understand. Politicians just confuse me and make me angry.
Last night I had a scrapbook night with some girlfriends. I didn't take ANY of my stuff. I'm having a hard time scrapping now that I blog. I'm POSSIBLY quitting.
Twilight....there is no POSSIBILITY there. That I QUIT. I read number one and that was enough for me. You are right. The best word for that book is, "GAG!"
I do have a big garden and I'm hoping that will get me through the pearly gates!!!! ha ha. Think I have a chance?!?!?!?
After all these years I'm still able to get under my little sister's skin. Yesssssss!!!
You definitely have always been good at being a mean older brother. :) I'm a little better at holding my own now though I would have to say. I mean I didn't repeatedly call mom and cry this time around. Well, come to think of it I did talk to mom today and I told her she needed to read your comments because they were funny. I really did get a kick out of them, but I definitely had to clarify for others reading so I didn't sound stupid...punky!
Jessica from BP again:
1)totally agree
2)kind of agree
3) don't agree, but LOVE when people THINK about what/who they vote for. Good for you!
(Which of the Jones girls do you know? I am close friends with Carie Skinner and I noticed the keeping up with the Jones' comment and am pretty sure that's a blog she and her sisters have done.)
Geez! What happened to the sweet little girl I used to know? Are you going to start taking the sacrament with your left hand now? You apostate!
Post pad!
BTW, what ever happened to your fellow "most saintly" winner? I haven't heard from Josh since he streaked through our high school graduation ceremony wearing nothing but his tassel.
Drew, I totally took the sacrament with my left hand today just to continue on with my wild ways. ;)
As far as wild streaker Josh, I have no clue what's going on with that boy. (Oh if that poor innocent boy only knew we (actually you) were painting this scandalous picture of him.)
I also once heard you say "you" instead of "thou" in a prayer. You were once 3 minutes late to seminary. You used to watch "The Buttercream Gang" on Sunday. It may be tough to hear, but I think that all of these people who think they know you need to know how you really are!!!!
In all honesty though, I do remember the one and only time I heard you cuss. Now THAT was funny.
I am just a random blog stalker through the Bybee's blog. I can honestly say if I actually knew you, we would surely be best friends (don't file a restraining order just yet... I'm really not that psycho). Here's why: I have yet to pick up a single book in the Twilight series... Mostly because it's so freaking mormony; I got thrashed for posting a blog about those creepy floating fetus tickers that show up on so many Mormon blogs; and I almost declared myself an independant after McCain won the republican spot (and then I remembered who he's running against); I really hate tuna noodle casserole, which I think is one of the questions they ask during temple recommend interviews, "Do you prepare a decent tuna noodle casserole for your ward linger-longer?" and I ABSOLUTELY took the sacrament with my left hand today!
So thank you for being gutsy enough to cry out against the Mormon cultural police that lurk the perfect blog sites. Here's my take on the subject:
http://vancleaves.blogspot.com/2008/03/perfect-blogs.html
Feel free to lurk any time, since we'll be best friends and all.
:-)
Rachel your blog is so controversial!! I love it!! I'm trying to think of something that I could post on my blog that would get me 41 very opinionated comments:)
Would you two kids quit fighting! Adam leave your sister alone! I found out about this post at the ward talent show the other night when Annette Davis was shocked that I'm a registered Democrat. I am just like Rachel, conservative on moral issues and more liberal on the social issues. I think I'm going to vote for Ralph Nader, like Dorothy. All the other choices are a little scary. Dad's having a fit that I might vote for a Democrat(not Billary!!!) It's a good thing for secret ballots. I'm feisty and I can't even blame it on my period anymore.
George, it's a good thing you and Rachel didn't end up together, you would probably kill each other.
By the way what the heck is the Twilight Series? Also, does anyone want all my scrapbook paper? I also had the "Mormon guilt" when I was younger and thought I should get into it. Luckily, Dad bailed me out by doing his picture albums on the computer. He's great at it!
I am also a lurker:)
1)- I am not a scrap booker... but hopefully you don't contradict yourself by telling people that they need to blog and that blogging is the way to go. Are you that person???
2nd issue: I hope your friend doesn't read this one.
3rd issue: If you want to vote democrat I would like an explanation why you want to vote democrat... and not just because they are against the war. Maybe that's the only reason you have? HMMMM... If you don't want to explain yourself that's fine.
It looks like you have many fabulous friends that seem to be on your side. At least you haven't offended any of them. Good luck with everything!
Hmmm...interesting comments lurker #2.
1)I think if you want to scrapbook then great! I also think if you want to blog then great! And if you don't want to do either then great! I'm not trying to make up anybody's mind. Do whatever you find enjoyable.
2) I don't think my friend would care about that comment. I would hope that my friend would actually think it was funny in hindsight.
3) The war is probably the last thing on my mind when it comes to why I would vote for a democratic candidate. I don't claim to know a lot about politics and I have much to learn, but my main reasons are taxes, health care, and education. I'm very much of the belief that not everybody in life has been given a fair chance. And I want to pick a president that can best help those who haven't. I'm not positive that Obama or Clinton have the right answers, but I am very interested in their ideas on helping those who can't afford health care or getting a good education. In my opinion helping people and not judging whether they really need it is the more Christian like way. Like I said though I haven't made up my mind yet on who I think has the best answers.
Thanks for your comments though.
P.S. Lurkers are welcome, but don't be scared to just say who you are. You're not quite as anonymous as you think. I have a tracker on my blog that tells me a little info. about who's visiting my site.
Ok, I hate to admit this...but I am a scrapbooker.....BUT!!!! Not for long! I do believe I am quitting.....WOW! That was a load off of my shoulders! I have to agree, it is a very expensive and time comsuming HABIT (I choose not to call it a hobby:) And blogging and digital memory books are extremely fast and much cheaper! Also......TWILIGHT WHAT??? Seriously, everyone must think I am inactive or something! I have never even heard of the Twilight series. LOL!!!
And last, with the choices I have this year, I think I am passing on the whole voting thing.....or maybe I'll just vote for Mrs. Hillary herself......NOT!!!! Hahahaha! Hey, have a great day!
-Jenn
Rachel-
Hi. I am one of Emily's friends and I totally agree with this post. I just printed my blog into a book through BLURB and it turned out fabulous and much cheaper than a scrapbook.
And Twilight was never my thing. I didn't think it was interesting at all and that was probably because I heard all the hype first.
Democrats aren't excommunicated, either!
WOW...what controversy you have stirred...ha ha!! SO FUNNY! So...I really want to be a scrapbooker...but alas...no time and too stressful. I LOVED the TWILIGHT Series and will probably be in line for the fourth book due out in August. HA ha...SORRY! And...this years elections...quite the bummer...I don't like anyone really. Loved your post...I think more people need to speak their minds sometimes!!
wow! Rachel haven't checked your blog in a while. I bet you didn't expect 50 passionate comments. I'm going to have to chime in. Item #1 scrapbooking is so 1990s. Hey I don't do it. can't be that great. Item #2 Where have I been, Twilight what? Item #3 I love, love, love politics, ;I read Newsweek cover to cover every Thursday BUT!, things just aren't the same since the dynamic former Governor from Mass. suspended his campaign. Still sticking with the GOP though Item # 4 Nothing beats a testimony that goes like this "I feel my Saviors love when..." or "I know the gospel is true because...." We all know what a testimony is. I love that you and Josh were the most saintly.
Rach, what tracking software do you use that tells you WHO is visiting your site? I can get a number of people, but no other information than that?
Hi! Thanks for stopping by...
I loved this and agree with you on the scrapbooking and the Democrats (I've voted both sides). We Mormons don't all have to think alike. Amen!
I'm sorry I'm so late to comment on this fun post! I didn't read everyone's comments, so maybe I'm repeating things here. But I am not shocked or upset that you don't scrapbook. And I AM NOT trying to convert you to digital scrapbooking. But, I'm just saying, it feels different than scrapbooking. It feels more like making a blurb book, which is fun. Or creating your blog page layout (which, by the way, yours is so cute!). I just love being on the computer, so being creative on the computer is my ultimate.
You do disappoint me about Twilight, though. :) I guess you're not invited to the opening night, midnight showing of the movie in December. I'm just teasin! I do see your points on the books, but they still consume me. And the movie is even worse. I'm searching YouTube all the time for 'stalkers' on the set who have behind the scene footage of the filming. And now I am re-reading the books imagining the movie characters as the main characters and loving it. And, because I'm a grown-up, I don't have to make a homemade "I Love Edward Cullen" t-shirt. My professional one is in the mail. :) (For the book signing in May, of course!)
And, lastly, I don't really care whom people vote for. I do know that this election feels way different than past elections, so I think normal voting tendencies aren't applying for a lot of people.
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