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http://www.nytimes.com//interactive/2009/07/31/business/20080801-metrics-graphic.html

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I saw a new Pho restaurant opening up on State street in Orem. If it doesn’t open before we head back home, then we’ll just have to try the Thai restaurant across the street. Thai Village really soured us on Thai food for a while (even me — it was that bad!), but I think we’ll be ready soon enough.

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Grace from Brian Elcock on Vimeo.

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I keep reading that this is one of the nicest Junes ever here in the desert, and I have to agree. We’ve been running about 10 degrees below average which, after the brutal May that we had, has been a nice break. We even find ourselves complaining that the pool has cooled off too much. My how the blood thins.

Lucy has decided that she loves to clean. Most days we’ll find her dragging the vaccuum out, cleaning up under the bar. She’ll pull the chairs out and everything.

I’ve found that when she decides to clean my bathroom that I find my glasses in interesting places. She does a great job and we’re just happy that she seems to enjoy cleaning. Now if we can just convince her little sister. Speaking of Lucy’s little sister, she’s for sale. I’ve even dropped the “to a good home” requirement.

Lucy also recently “graduated” from preschool. She really enjoyed her teacher and we’re all looking forward to having her in Kindergarten next year. Except there’s that little thing about her little sister being home without her. Not sure about that.

Henry continues to grow. And continues to find himself dressed in awesome things.

I try and dress like him to see if I can get some attention.

Sometimes it works. Most of the time it does not.

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http://www.tgifridays.com/promos/JuneBogo.aspx?source=prospect

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So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with Jewish businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn’t found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they’re hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.

Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality Jewish businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for Jewish businesses and an annual convention.

“We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems,” Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. “We have to believe that Jewish businesses are just as good as everybody else’s.”

Or:

The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with purple businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.

One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown’s Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing purple clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many purple consumers lament.

“When we were a community of purple folks who could not go to the red stores, our community of purple stores flourished,” Brown said. “When we were given the opportunity to go into the red store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the red store, regardless of what the purple store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (purple businesses) in the same way.”

Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a purple neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn’t think to spend his money with purple businesses until a friend told him about the project.

To each his own, for sure. But I sometimes wonder what happened to the idea of equality? I thought we didn’t care what the owner/proprietor/whatever looked like/acted like/believed? Or are only certain groups held to those standards? I would think that if a particular store had “the same or better products” then that would be enough for me to support it?

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Smooth and subtle just like her father.

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The loot:

We all had a good time at Grandma and Grandpa’s place for some food. The mashed potatoes were extra fatty (and good!) thanks to yours truly.

Lucy’s birthday is coming up soon. She’ll be 5, believe it or not. And we just got the invitation for her “Kindergarten Roundup” where we go and learn about how kindergarten will never be the same once “the hoo” walks through the door. She has been going over her list of friends to invite to a party that we’re not quite sure is really going to happen. She counts and orders and announces. She has also let me know the many things she’ll be expecting for her birthday. We got them a swingset for the backyard. I’m going to have to remind her of that many times I think.

We decided one day during spring break that it was time to take her training wheels off. It took her about 29 seconds to figure it out. After 3 minutes she was comfortable enough in the bedazzled shoes and hot bike that she would pose every time she passed by. It’s all about looking good to Lucy.

Henry continues to grow (not enough according to his doctor) and continues to be loved and spoiled. He’s really enjoying the sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, chocolate, etc., in addition to his adoring sisters.

He sure thinks he’s pretty big stuff.

Click here for more pictures.

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