Options
When Kathryn got up yesterday morning, she was, as is usual, "Hung-uh-ry." So I ticked off some choices on my fingers: biscuits, waffles, muffins... I trailed off on the fourth finger and said, "Well, what do you want?" She looked at me so seriously, and said, "Wellllll, what's on the other fingers?" ;o)
p.s. If you like dressing up your computer desktop like I do, check out the uplifting and gorgeous (and free!) desktop wallpapers on www.reviveourhearts.com I'm using a beautiful fall one with a Tozer quote~ makes me smile!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Election Day is Coming... and I haven't had my say!!!!
If I don't blog a little bit about the upcoming election, I think I would burst a vein somewhere! I'd like to mention a few of my aggravations with the 2008 elections for your consideration.
1. "The Race Card" ~ oooh, sounds ominous, doesn't it? OK, at this point, I would like to claim I am half-African American, Chinese, or pretty much anything instead of what I am ~ a female Caucasian. Being a "Cauc" means my opinion on racial issues is invalidated prior to being stated, and I must dig myself out by my fingernails to be heard. Ugh! As a recovering racist (see my previous and extensive posts on racism in the South posted on Jan. 19, 20, and 22 of this year), I do have a few thoughts. I live in a heavily African-American populated area. I shop with blacks, do business with blacks, and am friends with blacks. I hear and overhear a lot. Things like "I don't perceive any evil in the man (Obama); I think we should just get him in there and see what he can do." Followed by "Amen, amen!" from the partner in conversation. What is this? A religious rally? And reading an article in the left-leaning Parenting magazine available at all (and I do mean ALL) pediatric offices, the editor (a black female) says that to see "someone who looks like me" in this position is so exciting. All right, folks, step right up. All geriatrics with white hair should be voting for McCain. Poufy hair? Cute business dresses? White females? Palin is your woman. Whatever! Since when do we vote for someone just because they share something so superficial with us. Blech! I understand the desire to feel a connection with a candidate. Special-needs moms feel understood by Palin. Vets feel understood by McCain. Blacks feel understood by Obama. These differences in most cases do represent subcultures of the American people. Once again, the Presidency is bigger than feeling 'represented!' Enough said, I'm afraid.
2. McCain's age ~ The man is 72. OK. I assume that the issue is raised and re-raised for two reasons: life expectancy (can he live out the term?) and relevance (does he have his finger on the pulse of modern-day America?) Life expectancy. Oh, yes. Let's talk life expectancy. Anybody noticed the Founding Fathers' ages when they were leading our country. For example, John Adams was 62 when elected in 1797. I had a hard time finding exact numbers on life expectancy back then, but from what I read, he should have been long dead and buried. Relevance. I think we've seen a lot of elder-bashing in this election process. As long as the general health is good and the mind is sound, I don't care how old any candidate is! And I definitely don't think the wisdom of years and years of public service should be denigrated.
3. The Palin Phenomen ~ amazing, huh? Everyone out there hated McCain to have to be the one we Republicans voted before. But that was b.P. Before Palin. Now EVERYONE loves the ticket. Woohoo! We're all drooling and falling over ourselves to support him (but mostly her~ let's be honest). McCain isn't stupid. He needed to pull that conservative right vote to have a chance at this election. Does anyone remember that he's still one of the most non-conservative Republicans out there? Remember, people~ candidates pull the whole moderate rabbit out of the hat for the election, but the true colors will show soon. President Obama will be a liberal liberal liberal and President McCain will be a liberal liberal conservative. I know more than a few who are hoping the McCain will kick the bucket early on, so the darling Palin Presidency can begin before 2012.
Goodness! I know this isn't a great look at the election, obviously. I am a SAHM to two little ones. But I do have a few brain cells left. I won't be voting FOR either candidate. I will be voting AGAINST Obama. Unfortunately, you know what that means. Ugh. Maybe 2012 will be more promising.
If I don't blog a little bit about the upcoming election, I think I would burst a vein somewhere! I'd like to mention a few of my aggravations with the 2008 elections for your consideration.
1. "The Race Card" ~ oooh, sounds ominous, doesn't it? OK, at this point, I would like to claim I am half-African American, Chinese, or pretty much anything instead of what I am ~ a female Caucasian. Being a "Cauc" means my opinion on racial issues is invalidated prior to being stated, and I must dig myself out by my fingernails to be heard. Ugh! As a recovering racist (see my previous and extensive posts on racism in the South posted on Jan. 19, 20, and 22 of this year), I do have a few thoughts. I live in a heavily African-American populated area. I shop with blacks, do business with blacks, and am friends with blacks. I hear and overhear a lot. Things like "I don't perceive any evil in the man (Obama); I think we should just get him in there and see what he can do." Followed by "Amen, amen!" from the partner in conversation. What is this? A religious rally? And reading an article in the left-leaning Parenting magazine available at all (and I do mean ALL) pediatric offices, the editor (a black female) says that to see "someone who looks like me" in this position is so exciting. All right, folks, step right up. All geriatrics with white hair should be voting for McCain. Poufy hair? Cute business dresses? White females? Palin is your woman. Whatever! Since when do we vote for someone just because they share something so superficial with us. Blech! I understand the desire to feel a connection with a candidate. Special-needs moms feel understood by Palin. Vets feel understood by McCain. Blacks feel understood by Obama. These differences in most cases do represent subcultures of the American people. Once again, the Presidency is bigger than feeling 'represented!' Enough said, I'm afraid.
2. McCain's age ~ The man is 72. OK. I assume that the issue is raised and re-raised for two reasons: life expectancy (can he live out the term?) and relevance (does he have his finger on the pulse of modern-day America?) Life expectancy. Oh, yes. Let's talk life expectancy. Anybody noticed the Founding Fathers' ages when they were leading our country. For example, John Adams was 62 when elected in 1797. I had a hard time finding exact numbers on life expectancy back then, but from what I read, he should have been long dead and buried. Relevance. I think we've seen a lot of elder-bashing in this election process. As long as the general health is good and the mind is sound, I don't care how old any candidate is! And I definitely don't think the wisdom of years and years of public service should be denigrated.
3. The Palin Phenomen ~ amazing, huh? Everyone out there hated McCain to have to be the one we Republicans voted before. But that was b.P. Before Palin. Now EVERYONE loves the ticket. Woohoo! We're all drooling and falling over ourselves to support him (but mostly her~ let's be honest). McCain isn't stupid. He needed to pull that conservative right vote to have a chance at this election. Does anyone remember that he's still one of the most non-conservative Republicans out there? Remember, people~ candidates pull the whole moderate rabbit out of the hat for the election, but the true colors will show soon. President Obama will be a liberal liberal liberal and President McCain will be a liberal liberal conservative. I know more than a few who are hoping the McCain will kick the bucket early on, so the darling Palin Presidency can begin before 2012.
Goodness! I know this isn't a great look at the election, obviously. I am a SAHM to two little ones. But I do have a few brain cells left. I won't be voting FOR either candidate. I will be voting AGAINST Obama. Unfortunately, you know what that means. Ugh. Maybe 2012 will be more promising.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Palin, Pet Peeves, and Miscellany
Things have been hopping around here~ blogging has been temporarily put to one side while we try to keep our heads above water. Anyhoo, I thought I'd update everyone on this exciting life of ours ;o)
Number #1: So many of you are yelling and hollering about seeing Palin, but I guarantee you none has been so close as I. See pics below. Actually, this is my dear friend Paula, who pulled off an amazing look-alike for a recent fall event. How does she do it?! This was clip-on earrings, reading glasses from Wal-Mart, and a hair piece (for the bangs and poofiness) scalped from one of her daughter's old dolls. She is definitely my creative hero!
Number #2: Fall has arrived. I love the glorious cool wetness of it all. We're having drizzly days, accented with the smells of cinnamon and pumpkin (from the Bath and Body Works soap I picked up last week). Hey, at least you know we wash our hands ;o) So, as the holidays approach, so do my annual pet peeve~ inflatable yard decorations. They're lovely at night. Let's see, the black cat holding a pumpkin, a lovely little ghostie, and soon, turkeys and then Santa Clauses and even a nativity scene or two. Does anyone realize that they're most often viewed in the daytime? When they're allowed to deflate into little heaps of colorful plastic all over the yard?!?! Nothing like a few piles of trashy-looking holiday decor for the neighbors to ooh and aah over. No offense to you inflatable-lovers out there. We still love you. Love covers a multitude of sins :o)
Number #3: Goodbye Mr. Chips! We've been searching for a new home for our little mini-dachshund, Chips. Between Alex eating the dog food, and Chips eating any poo diaper he may find (that only happened ONCE, I can assure you!!!), and just the general care of an indoor dog, he's a little much at the moment. I couldn't bear to drop him off at the pound, knowing how anxious he gets at the vet. Whoever adopted him would get an extremely upset and un-potty-trained puppy. So I've been looking high and low for someone to appreciate how much he loves raw broccoli, likes to sneak under bedcovers and kill spiders. Any takers? He's such a sweetie!
Number #4: We're still recovering. I'm doing much, much, much better. All the iron I'm taking is wreaking havoc on my poor tummy, but that's to be expected. Unfortunately, Nathan's broken toe wasn't healing (the bones had a gap/tissue/? between them and couldn't heal correctly). So they kind of rebroke it, wiggled it around and reset it. So, he started over. But, now he should be fine.
Number #5: The real reason I haven't been blogging is I've been sewing costumes for the fall festival. Kathryn has been begging to be Little Red Riding Hood for months. And Alex ~ well, it has been decided that he will be a monkey. I labored over the hood (pics coming soon), gave it to Kathryn, who promptly declared, "I don't want to be Little Red Riding Hood; I want to be a skinny cow!" In my infinite maternal wisdom, I said, "OK, you can just give this to your friend, Brenna, at church." So. She's Little Red Riding Hood and quite happy about it. For now.
Things have been hopping around here~ blogging has been temporarily put to one side while we try to keep our heads above water. Anyhoo, I thought I'd update everyone on this exciting life of ours ;o)
Number #1: So many of you are yelling and hollering about seeing Palin, but I guarantee you none has been so close as I. See pics below. Actually, this is my dear friend Paula, who pulled off an amazing look-alike for a recent fall event. How does she do it?! This was clip-on earrings, reading glasses from Wal-Mart, and a hair piece (for the bangs and poofiness) scalped from one of her daughter's old dolls. She is definitely my creative hero!
Number #2: Fall has arrived. I love the glorious cool wetness of it all. We're having drizzly days, accented with the smells of cinnamon and pumpkin (from the Bath and Body Works soap I picked up last week). Hey, at least you know we wash our hands ;o) So, as the holidays approach, so do my annual pet peeve~ inflatable yard decorations. They're lovely at night. Let's see, the black cat holding a pumpkin, a lovely little ghostie, and soon, turkeys and then Santa Clauses and even a nativity scene or two. Does anyone realize that they're most often viewed in the daytime? When they're allowed to deflate into little heaps of colorful plastic all over the yard?!?! Nothing like a few piles of trashy-looking holiday decor for the neighbors to ooh and aah over. No offense to you inflatable-lovers out there. We still love you. Love covers a multitude of sins :o)
Number #3: Goodbye Mr. Chips! We've been searching for a new home for our little mini-dachshund, Chips. Between Alex eating the dog food, and Chips eating any poo diaper he may find (that only happened ONCE, I can assure you!!!), and just the general care of an indoor dog, he's a little much at the moment. I couldn't bear to drop him off at the pound, knowing how anxious he gets at the vet. Whoever adopted him would get an extremely upset and un-potty-trained puppy. So I've been looking high and low for someone to appreciate how much he loves raw broccoli, likes to sneak under bedcovers and kill spiders. Any takers? He's such a sweetie!
Number #4: We're still recovering. I'm doing much, much, much better. All the iron I'm taking is wreaking havoc on my poor tummy, but that's to be expected. Unfortunately, Nathan's broken toe wasn't healing (the bones had a gap/tissue/? between them and couldn't heal correctly). So they kind of rebroke it, wiggled it around and reset it. So, he started over. But, now he should be fine.
Number #5: The real reason I haven't been blogging is I've been sewing costumes for the fall festival. Kathryn has been begging to be Little Red Riding Hood for months. And Alex ~ well, it has been decided that he will be a monkey. I labored over the hood (pics coming soon), gave it to Kathryn, who promptly declared, "I don't want to be Little Red Riding Hood; I want to be a skinny cow!" In my infinite maternal wisdom, I said, "OK, you can just give this to your friend, Brenna, at church." So. She's Little Red Riding Hood and quite happy about it. For now.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Our Nephew, Stephen Nathaniel Brown, has arrived!!!
See pics of the handsome little guy and updates here. Congrats to Phil and Marianne!!!
See pics of the handsome little guy and updates here. Congrats to Phil and Marianne!!!
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