Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickebly is a delightful screen rendition of Charles Dickens' classic novel. This dark tale is made lighter by the comedic appearance of Nathan Lane.

Opening quote from the movie:

What happens when the light first pierces the dark dampness in which we have waited? We are slapped and cut loose. If we are lucky, someone is there to catch us and persuade us that we are safe. But are we safe? What happens if, too early, we lose a parent? That party on whom we rely for only everything? Why, we are cut loose again and we wonder, even dread whose hands will catch us now.

Weekend With the Kids Visit my web site for info about my weekend with the kids and for a video clip of Benjamin at Chick Fil-A.

Visit Jenn Grover Online I have a web site. It is pretty rudimentery at thisw time, but bear with me.

Martha to the Rescue

This weekend I will be babysitting five children, ages, 5-13. The weather outlook is poor, so I have been scratching my head thinking, "What can we do?" Well, Martha has again come to the rescue!

Last time the kids and I spent a few days together, we were snowed in. To celebrate the occasion; we made home-made peppermint marshmallows and used cookie cutters to make them into fun shapes like snowflakes and stars (a Martha Stewart Magazine idea). After some fun and work (shoveling) in the snow, we were able to enjoy these marshmallows in hot chocolate and our treat rivaled the best peppermint hot cocoa served by Starbucks.

This time it looks as though we will make some peanut butter pretzel log cabins. I am also planning on making a felt board for the younger ones.

I also picked up a new card game on clearance at Starbucks today called Zigity. Between games, movies, and activities, and maybe even a few visits to see Buddy (my dog), I think we will be all set.

Rosa Parks

She “…moved us all from the back of the bus., forward.” – Paul Harvey

ABC Sinks to New Low in Plamegate

ABC News, in an attempt to trick White House staff into revealing information about the CIA leak, told White house officials that they had "double sourced" the existence of indictments that had already been handed down. ABC news told the White House that they were going to air a story on the 6:00 PM news and wanted the White House to respond. The White House called ABC's bluff and the story never aired. I think what ABC did is commonly known as lying.

First Flakes Spotted The Grovers have spotted Pittsburgh's first flakes of the season tonight at roughly 9:30 PM. The flakes were mingled with snow and the precipitation quickly turned back to rain.

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful!

But to Jenn Grover, it sure is delightful! I am not sure if Pittsburgh will be fortunate enough to benefit from this snowstorm, but Accuweather's latest model at least poses the possibility. And just think, I am still holding off on turning the heat on until at least Nov. 1!

Super Storm to Form and Strike Northeast;

Snow Possible

The remnants of Hurricane Wilma, Tropical Storm Alpha, and a strong storm system moving across the Midwest will join tonight to form a super storm that wil produce gale force winds and heavy precipitation. Because of the low temperatures associated with the trough driving Wilma's track and the Midwest storm, snow is possible in some locations.

Accuweather projects the inclement weather to strike Monday night through Tuesday.

Dig out your hat, gloves, and shovel! It could be quite a winter! This has really been a weather fanatic's dream year.

Worship God Live

Debuts

The newest Sovereign Grace semi-live, "Worship God Live" has recently been released. All in all, with the exception of the Awesome God CD, it is the best album Sovereign Grace has published in a while.

It was refreshing to see see Sovereign Grace music return to a style that was more accesible, that is sing-able, for the average person. A pleasant suprise was that the strongest songs on the album come from some of Sovereign Grace's newcomer's.

This question begs to be asked, though: Why have we abonded the horn and only use the pennywhistle (which I belive went out of style in the late 90's and violin for acoustic lead instruments? These songs practically beg for brass.

I was disappointed with Bob Kauflin's version of "God Moves in Mysterious Ways". The words are fantastic, but the melody doesn't quite live up to the strength of the lyrics.

Perhaps the strongest song on the album is "Perfect Lamb of God". It is a great balance of musical and lyrical intensity and the words have a fresh focus.

Diet of Worms...urrr Diet of Bookworms I stumbled across a new site today: Diet of Bookworms. It reviews protestant reformed books. It features reviews for many of my favorite authors like Ryle and Piper. It even included some reviews of Mahaney, Harris, and DDavid McCullough.

I cannot be left at home on Friday nights any more. Tonight, for the second time, I found myself tuned into NBC's Three Wishes, hosted by Amy Grant. It trumps Extreme Home Makeover as tear-jerker of the year. The really sad part is, they probably market the show to fools like me. My only suprise is that they don't show Hallmark commercials during the show. I think I will now have to watch some other tear-jerker like Shadowlands.

It's McDonald's Monopoly Time! The Grovers are excited as McDonald's Monopoly time rolls around. What could be more exciting than the combination of fast food and Monopoly? So far, Chuck only needs one more RR to win and I only need one more of a couple of different colors to win. But then again, isn't that always the way? To date, I have won a breakfast sandwich and a computer game. We have hypothesized for many years that if you travelled around the country collecting pieces, your chances of winning would increase. We think that the pieces are sent based on geography.

Just a picture of Timothy and I taking a snooze

Indiana, Pennsylvania Fighting Party School Reputation It is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, Jimmy Stewart's home town, the fertile crescent of the labor movement, and evidently home to one of America's most renowned party schools. MSNBC reports that officials at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in Indiana, PA are seeking out ways to change the school's image as a party school. Crime is noticeably on the rise in Indiana. Last week while visitng friends in Indiana, I learned that the previous week there had been a stabbing on campus. This year the IUP cheerleading squad was suspended for hazing. Girls hazing? What's next? IUP athletes have been regulalry in the news for violent crimes including a recent event, which led to the arrest of four football players for beating a bouncer at a local bar. Regardless of the crimes that have increased lately, Indiana, PA remains my favorite place on earth. It is more like Bedford Falls than Gotham City. NOTE: No smart remarks from PITT or UT students or alumni who are still bitter because they could not get into IUP.

Another Town on the Verge of

Repeating Johnstown Flood

It looks as though Taunton, MA is on the brink of getting a taste of flooding reminiscent of New

Orleans and Johnstown, PA. Residents anxiously await the receding of the water leaking through the Whittenton Pond Dam.

If the dam gives way, which experts believe is likely to occur, Taunton is expected to see a six foot wall of water invade the Massachusetts town.

Wilma is Here

I have been waiting all year for Wilma. Of all the names on the Atlantic tropical weather name list, Wilma has been my favorite (It is a long story, and I am sure none of you would enjoy it).

Although it is early, it seems as though Wilma's general path will be determined by longevity of a currnet high. If the high remians, Wilma will stay in the Central America region. If the high weakens, Wilma may well head north towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Senator's

Wife Authors

Excellent Book

If I had children, I would love to spend time each night at the dinner table going through this long overdue book. Karen Santorum, wife of rising the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum, has written an excellent book. Everyday Graces: A Child's Book of Good Manners, revitalizes the lost art of manners in our culture.

The Santorum's are a home-schooling family with six children and are well acquainted with the need to instill a respect for manners in their children. Karen Santorum craftily uses the art of story-telling and brief poetry to introduce object lessons related to specific manners. In particular, I appreciate the attention devoted to civic and patriotic themes.

Topics included are:

• Honor Your Father and Mother
• Helping Out at Home
• Loving Your Family
• Loving Your Home
• Please, Thank You and Other Kind Words
• Taming the Tongue
• Telling the Truth
• Be Considerate at the Table
• Eat in Moderation
• Appreciate What You Are Served
• Setting the Table
• Washing
• Dressing
• Appreciating People with Disabilities
• Being a Friend to the Elderly
• Showing Compassion for the Sick
• Visiting Other People's Homes
• The Value of Hard Work
• Following the Rules
• Good Sportsmanship
• Seeing the Good in People
• Sharing in Your Friends' Successes
• Helping Each Other
• Good Ways to Lose Friends
• Writing Letters and Invitations
• Behavior in Church
• Good Citizenship
• Respecting the American Flag
• More

Girl Lagomorph to Have Teeth Pulled My favorite Lagomorph, Rachel is about to have her the teeth in the front row of the front of her mouth pulled. Rachel (almost 7 years old) said she was a bit scared about the prospect of having her teeth pulled, and rightfully so. On a somewhat twisted, yet appropriate note, Rachel's nickname since she was a wee little thing has always been, "Rabbit".

New Attitude I think New Attitude is re-emerging on the web. Check out the site and tell me what you think. The pictures look a bit like Ian Murphy and David Altrogee. Let's hope the speakers are the home-grown kind.

Light-Up Night 2005 It is that time of year again. It is my favorite time of year again, and we can only pray for snow. That's right; Pittsburgh's cherished Light-Up Night is Friday, November 18, 2005.

Meet Jenn Jetson The day of the Jetsons is truly here. Verizon has announced the availability of their hottest new equipment product: Verizon One. Verizon One represents the convergence of traditional telephony and broadband. Verizon One is a virtual command center for today's hi-tech household. Verizon One feature's a touch-screen telephone with on-screen access to news, email, Superpages and my favorite item: weather. Additionally, Verizon One features a fax jack, DSL modem and an 802.11g wireless router that creatures a Wi-Fi hotspot for the owner. Linker together with Verizon's iobi a Verizon customer has on-screen (pc) access to all call information, a phone book that follows them, and the ability to answer, ignore, or forward calls. Finally, there is a way to completely link all of your communications together.

Who of us is not cringing at the reports we hear daily about the cost of rising energy costs, in particular, heating costs. I have been frantically stripping and refinishing storm doors and preparing to use weather-stripping and plastic to try to keep heating costs at bay this winter. In addition, visitors to my home can expect to dress warmly. My thermostat does not usually rise above 65 in the winter, and more often than not is around 63. This winter, it may be set to an even lower temperature. I found an article on MSNBC that you might find helpful.

Family Interest in Music Traced back to Finn Immigrants My Grammy Grover's family immigrated from Finland to Monesson, PA in the last part of the 19th century. Monesson was home to a fair sized Finnish community and offered jobs in the Western Pennsylvania steel mills. One day I googled the name "Knuuttila", which was Grammy's maiden named and hit a link for the Louhi Band. What I learned, was that the Louhi Band was a world famous Wind Band that was compromised first of Finns and later others during the heyday of the Wind Band. The Louhi Band toured world-wide, including Finland and even performed for Sebelius. My great-uncle Jacob (Jale) Knuuttila is shown in the photo above seated in the front on the left. Both he and my great uncle Johan (John) were memebers of the band.

Just a couple of pictures of my nephew, William.

Right Wing Conspiracy Subway has found itself in a classic case of hoof and mouth disease facing public outcry from the French as a result of a recent ad campagin. "France and Chicken. Somehow it goes together." was the caption found underneath a picture of a chicken dressed as Napolean. Obviosuly, it was considered as another right "wing" conspiracy, crusading against the insipid French snobbery that has recently again caused Americans and French to clash. Rumor has it that the French want to tar and feather (not really) Subway for the ad. Whatever it may be, I found Subway's ad absolutely hilarious and it left me clucking.

"Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys. "

- J. C. Ryle

J.C. Ryle is without question, one of the best, if not the best author on Christian living. After some discussion this week on friendship, I was delighted to find out what Bishop Ryle had to say about it when I came accross "The Best Friend". It was so refreshing to be reminded of the merrits of my friendship with Christ. It is a must read if you wish to have your eyes raised towards Heavcen's Joy. You should read it if you want to build your faith in who your friend is. You should read it if you want to see how Jesus models friendship. You should not read it if you:

1. Want sympathy because your freinds have failed you.
2. Want to feel good about how good of a freind you are.

Actually, you should read it if either of the above fits you, it will help you raise your esteem of the risen Christ and lower your esteem of yourself.

I leave with this quote:

This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys.

A real friend is scarce and rare. There are many who will eat, and drink, and laugh with us in the sunshine of prosperity. There are few who will stand by us in the days of darkness, - few who will love us when we are sick, helpless, and poor, - few, above all, who will care for our souls.

Fast, Faster, FiOS Today was THE day. After checking for Verizon FiOS availability on a daily basis for three months, last week I punched in my number at the Verizon FiOS website to see that after a long wait, FiOS was finally available in my part of Mt. Lebo. As an employee, I had the opportunity to tag along with Fiber tech, Mike to observe the installation from start to finish. Mike did fantastic work with both jobs he completed today (the first job was for my friend Nate's new place, and mine was the second). I spent about ten hours in all with Mike. These Verizon Fiber techs do great work and take pride in delivering quality service to Verizon customers. As for the FiOS, I have chosen to start with the 5/2 speed, but may well upgrade to the 15/4 speed. I want to give the 5/2 a chance to work first. After programming the free D-Link router, I plugged in my wireless Lynksis G router and everything was good to go. I am hanging on the the D-Link in case I need it for troubleshooting down the road. Mike verfied the connection speed at Bandwitdthplace and we found that I was actually connecting at 5.3! Fantastic! I mainly notice the difference for downloads and streaming media. Movie trailers are awesome. Enthusiasm is building among both employees and customers for Verizon's next great FiOS product, FiOS TV. Stay tuned!

Wabbit Hunting Click here to visit my favorite new search site of the day. You are in for a real treat.

SSSH! Be bewry quiet...we are hunting wabbits.

Meet Buddy

Meet Buddy. Buddy is my Black and Tan Coonhound. I adopted Buddy in August through the American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue Organization. Buddy is a happy, sweet dog, who loves to make people happy. Buddy weighs about 65 lbs. and his age is estimated to be between 2-3 years old.

Buddy loves all of his walkers: Chuck, Bethany, Greg, Sarah, Rachel, Benjamin, Joshua, Andrew, and his newest friend, Nate.