Digital cameras were the gift of choice for the Bennage ladies. Both Sandra and Adah have wanted a digital camera for a long time.

Sandra's gift was a rather spontaneous decision late in the present purchasing season.  In my ignorance I bought a lensless camera (which explains the stellar price).  Sandra said that's actually the preferable way of buying a camera, because you can pick out the exact lens you want.  She has a Canon Digital Rebel, SLR.

Adah's camera is not so high end.  :-)  I started researching "children's camera" and found out that they are all junk.  Various reviewers suggested purchasing a "real" camera, just a beginner level.

I gave Adah an assignment of photographing each person in the house on Christmas day.  Here's a preview, but the entire set can be viewed here. 

Labels: adah, life

I've been annoyed for most of last week. I committed to play bass guitar for our Christmas Eve service, and then I realized afterwards (a good deal afterwards) that I am missing my family on Christmas. Adah and Ranen will be going to bed about the time the last service is ending. I'll be at the church from 3pm to 8pm on the 24th.

It's my own fault. I'm a Yes Man. As Darcy Walworth recently told me: Overcommitment is a sin. My annoyance is really just about the single commitment. I mean, come on, deal with it. It is more about the pattern of my life. It's a pattern of agreeing to too much. It's a pattern of wanting other people to be happy. Only the problem is twisted, because I end up neglecting those closest to me in order to please those who are further off. I think this is a common problem. ("We always hurt the ones we love.")

I like being there for people. I like being a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, a friend in need.

It never helps to help. Actually, sometimes it does.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Labels: life

"You want more broccoli? You need to eat more meat and potatoes first."

- Sandra addressing Ranen at dinner tonight.

"Mom, your bottom is growing just as much as your belly!"

-Adah's pre-breakfast observation regarding the progress of the pregnancy.

"Play bass; play 'tar"

-Ranen likes music (and semicolons, too).

Sandra and I have been a little scattered lately.  I cannot begin to enumerate the times in the last 30 days that I've walked into another room and forgot why I was there.

Sandra's contract with VR Systems ends this month.  It was a little unexpected, but I can't say that I'm disappointed.

I'm coauthoring a book with Rob Eisenberg on Windows Presentation Foundation.

We're continuing to work with the high school seniors at church.

Oh yeah, and in case you haven't heard, we're expecting a 3rd.