Family

Does Anyone Still Have Waterbeds?

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Remember the waterbeds that used to have a big wooden frame, and a rubber bladder on the inside? The kind that was quite impossible to “make” because it constantly moved, which wrinkled the sheets? The kind that was either so hot it made you sweat, or so cold you (sometimes literally) got hypothermia?

Does anyone still use those things?

I know for a while “softside” waterbeds were all the rage. They were just like a mattress, but instead of springs, there were tubes of water in the middle. I know they also had waveless, semi-wave, full-wave, and who-know-what-else wave options on waterbeds.

Does anyone still use those things?

From what I remember (not much, admittedly) waterbeds were not terribly comfortable, and were not good for your back. Yet, due to the exotic nature of sleeping on water, they were extremely popular for a long time. So I wonder…

Does anyone still use those things?

Vacation Planning

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Turns out, I need a vacation. No, really. I did a lot of amazing things this past summer, but none of them were really vacation. Yes, we just had Christmas break, but anyone that’s ever celebrated holidays knows it’s the furthest thing from a vacation. So, I’m looking to plan a small weekend getaway. This time, the vacation will be technology free. That’s huge for me, but I think I’m looking forward to it.

I’m trying to find a cabin somewhere within a few hundred miles that comes stocked with a fireplace, lots of wood, comfy furnishings, and no Internet access. Oh, and it would help if it were cheap too. 🙂

Anyone knowing of a cabin like that anywhere in Michigan or the states that touch it — I’d love to hear about it. Either way, wish me luck. Homey needs a few days off the grid.

We Have Ice

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No snow really (I mean, there’s lots on the ground), but this morning we woke up to a nice coating of ice. I actually like freezing rain, it’s almost magical the way it puts a complete coating of ice on things.

Yes, it makes for dangerous travel. I realize that.

Still, it’s really nifty to see happen. I don’t have any photos of the ice, because I stayed inside. I’m like that. If I could stay in slippers and a bathrobe all day, I would.

Here’s my prescription for the day: Hot tea. Blankets. Movies. You have my permission to just chill with the fam. Because I’m sure it’s my permission you were waiting for. O.o

Gifts for Weird People

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The weird people being me of course. It turns out, I’m rather difficult to buy for. My hobbies are rather limited, and if I want something throughout the year, I generally just buy it. (No, not like, “Hey, I’d like a Mustang”) This year, however, there were a few different things I wanted, so I wasn’t sure what I’d get. That’s pretty cool. 🙂

Here’s what my awesome family got me:


Sony PRS-505 and Godzilla slippers…


What did you get for the Holidays? Anything cool? (I realize it’s well after the fact, but we’ve all been busy, no?)

Fireflies and Stars

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I’m at Bair Lake Bible Camp this entire week, and I’m actually quite a bit busier than I thought. I’ve been able to keep up with Linux Journal stuff, albeit a day later than I’d like on most things, but blogging here has suffered. A big reason is that wifi is spotty from my room.

Last night I was walking around the campus after dark. Something about the location here in southern Michigan creates a Utopia for fireflies. I think that’s awesome. Last night was particularly stunning, because while I looked over the enormous field of firefly covered clover/grass, the lake behind it was a glass mirror reflecting the stars from above. It was awe inspiring.

Then a mosquito bit me on the leg and ruined the whole thing. Stupid nature. 😀

Green Jelly

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This song was released the year I graduated from high school. What crazy kids we were. 🙂

I was so not cool back in high school. I’m OK with that. Donna, however, was pretty cool. We didn’t go to the same school, and that’s probably a good thing, or I’d have never had the guts to talk to her. And homegirl can dance. 🙂 This afternoon her and the girls were dancing in the living room. I’m so thankful our girls have Donna to show them how to be cool. I’m glad they have me too, but there is so much they’d miss out on if it were for my awesome wife.

How are you?

Are You the Gatekeeper?

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Inspired by Michelle’s post about her hubby, I thought I’d share a dialog that happened this morning:

[Shawn and Donna are walking into the school for work, Shawn has a key to the front door]

Donna: You know, I’m just using you for your key…
Shawn: That makes sense, I am the keymaster. Are you the gatekeeper?
Donna: No, I’m the Lemon Merchant (see below).
Shawn: (in maniacal Ren voice) Don’t worry… I’LL SAVE YOU!

I love that the conversation would make no sense to anyone, and even with the aid of the links above, you may be more than a little confused. But it reminded me how lucky I am to have such a cool wife and best friend. 🙂

[flv:https://www.brainofshawn.com/uploads/lm.flv 320 240]

A Double Poopy Day

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Today stinks. Really and truly. First, when dropping the kids off to school, this happened to the gas stations in town:

Then, the reason I didnt’ stay at work after taking the kids, is because our toilets won’t flush. No mere plunger will do the trick, either. Our septic tank is full. At least, that’s my hope. Getting it pumped out is the cheap fix. Why it filled up when my soil is sandier than the beach is the larger worry. I’m going to try forgetting about that though. It turns out the tank is full, because when I finally got close to the the lid with a shovel, I was met by the foulest geyser you can imagine. I think I shall call it “Olde Crapful” (Yes, I added an “e” to the word old, because indeed whatever died down there has been rotting since that was the proper spelling…)

The poop pumping guy comes in about an hour. Then, I’m going to shower. Hard. 🙂