Seven Snippets: March 23, 2012

— 1 —

I’ve updated the Seven Snippets Button to reflect the addition of yellow to the blog design AND I’ve decided to tweak the name a bit. I’ve always left the linky open all week long, but calling it Seven Snippets Friday was a little restrictive, you know? Feel free to publish your Seven Snippets whenever you want! If you’re using the template to create your posts, go here to get the updated version with the new button.

— 2 —

Remember the snippets about the electric lineman who was injured here in Mayberry? Go here and here if you want to read back. Often in cases like his, the lineman dies. Of those that survive, significant long-term injuries are the norm. I’m happy to tell you that he not only survived, but actually returned to work with no restrictions a couple of weeks ago. Modern day cowboys they are.

And a side note: Mr. Andi wrote a piece about “linemen as cowboys” and submitted it to Powerlineman magazine as a letter to the editor. They used it as a feature article and have asked him to become a regular contributor.

— 3 —

The quality of the photos on this blog is declining. Nathan is on the move, and it’s nearly impossible to keep up. Not that I am complaining – I never had this “problem” with Sarah Kate, for obvious reasons.

— 4 —

Reader (and IRL friend) Donna saw the Sun-Beams link about the two women with Down syndrome who were attempting the Los Angeles Marathon and wondered how they did. I checked the results page on the LA Marathon website: Antoinette Mendoza’s chip time is listed as 7:25:12. Angela Armenta does not have an official time, and neither do her brother and sister who were reported as planning to run with her.

But never fear, we may see her name on a different results page one day – not everyone completes the marathon the first time they set out to run one. cough cough

— 5 —

Anyone going to see the film October Baby this weekend? I don’t usually jump on the “churchy movie” bandwagons (Fireproof, Facing the Giants, etc.) because – being honest and superficial here – the production quality usually honks. Mr. Andi and I did go to see The Spitfire Grill back in the day, but it had Ellen Burstyn, Marcia Gay Harden, and Will Patton in it so it we had a little bit higher expectations. But I digress…

I tried to see October Baby when it premiered here in the fall (it was filmed in the area) but couldn’t, and I’m looking forward to seeing it now that it’s in broad release. Here’s the synopsis:

As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before she can utter her first lines, Hannah—unscripted—collapses in front of the stunned audience.
After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she then learns from her parents: she was actually adopted … after a failed abortion attempt.
Bewildered, angered, and confused, Hannah turns for support to Jason, her oldest friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past … and find hope for her unknown future.
In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned.

Bonus: A percentage of the profits from the movie will go to frontline organizations helping women facing crisis pregnancies, life-affirming adoption agencies, and those caring for orphans.

— 6 —

Have you noticed there’ve been a lot of get to know me/get to know you posts here over the past week-ish? Um, yeah…I took the easy way out during spring break. Although ironically, it wasn’t our spring break – it was everyone else’s spring break and they all came to see us. But I’ve loved writing them, and I’ve especially loved learning about your lives. If you haven’t yet responded to the “Enough About Me, Let’s Talk About You” post, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join in the fun.

— 7 —

I’m thankful for friends today. “Imaginary friends” like many of you that I haven’t met in real life but who shared your stories here yesterday, and “in-real-life” friends who know how to have fun when we’re together.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m The Responsible Friend – the one back in college who kept you from doing anything (too) stupid, and the one who, at age 42, chose to decline the ride in the back of the El Camino for my friend Anna’s birthday last night. I’m The One Who Worries, but that doesn’t mean I won’t sometimes let my hair down a little and carry a donkey piñata into the local Mexican restaurant with a bag of Funyuns sticking out of his rear end for a friend.

And Happy Friday to ALL of my friends, near and far, imaginary and real.

Have a great weekend!

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