Progress

February 3, 2009




June 23, 2009


Doesn't E look so much bigger with the piggies? Also, this video needs the Top Gun theme song playing in the background. That was the only thing I could think of when I was watching her in the harness.

The Girls I Love

Making the Connection

Yesterday, I was doing some work at the computer, Little Peeps was napping, Big Daddy was out in the garage cleaning out the attic and Big Peeps was playing in the front yard.

Big Daddy brought down the retired Barbie golf set that hadn't been received as enthusiastically as imagined. Because we don't have a ton of garage space, it was stored away. It's reappearance yesterday prompted some interest which was relayed to me when Big Daddy came in laughing and said:

"So I was telling M the names of the clubs and she pointed to the wedge and I said it was a wedge, the same for the putter, but then she told me she knew what the big one was called. When I asked her, she said it was the Beatermeyer."

This cracked us both up. Now, M does have a talent for labeling things (globe=world ball), but neither of us could figure out where Beatermeyer came from. Regardless, we thought it was a great name and Big Daddy has rechristened his retro driver to the Beatermeyer.

Today, M and I were at the table and she was looking at Ottoline and the Yellow Cat. We were chatting about Ottoline and her friend, Mr. Monroe, and various story elements when she said something about the furniture in the book. Now, this book is really, really clever. I can't imagine the time the author and illustrator, Chris Riddell, has put into this book. Part of the book, though, involves the furniture in the apartment where Ottoline lives. Furniture such as a Biedermeier chair, ottoman, rocker, etc. Riddell's drawings of each piece are stylized, simplistic, oversized images that dwarf Ottoline and Mr. Monroe.

So, while the driver isn't really a golf club of prodigious power; I do have a six year old who is correctly able to associate and label her equipment in proper stylistic periods.

First Socks

Why knit socks when you can buy them cheaply?


















Because it's a great feeling to wear them on your feet as you go through your day. Kind of like when you're wearing delicate, hand-washables under your everyday clothes.

These are the second pair that I've knit for myself. On the first pair (details to come), I made one too long and have to rip it out. On this one, the one on the left is a bit long, but I'm not ripping out because they were a toe-up construction. Details at Ravelry.

Typical Man

Recent conversation:

M: how old do you think Santa is?

Me: I don't know. How old do you think he is?

M: [thinking...] 32

Me: Oh. Okay.

M: And I think that Mrs. Claus is 23.

While I May Suck at Blogging.....

Clearly, I have it goin' on in the making girls department.

Hoping for Vegetarian Robbers

or at least non-Cannibal ones.

Scene: Me, working to upload kids music for M to take on trip; Big Daddy, in kitchen (next room) getting dinner ready; M wandering between.

M (to Big Daddy): Did you know there are other states where there are robbers who kill people?

BD: Yes, there are.

A few minutes later, to me:

M: Mom, did you know there are robbers who sometimes kill people?

Me: Yes, honey, unfortunately that's true.

M: Why?

Me: I don't know.

M: I think robbers want to kill us for our meat.

Me: Okay.

M (returning to kitchen): Dad, do we have meat?

BD: What do you mean?

M: Like animals, do we have meat?

BD: Yes

M: Oh. I think robbers want to kill us for our meat.

BD: No, robbers usually want things, not meat.

M: No, they want our meat.

Sickened

I'm so sick of politics, but I was so annoyed at the Republican's lock-step rejection of HR1, that I wrote the following to my Representative:

Dear Representative Latta,

I am heartily disappointed in you and your Republican colleagues' vote against the Economic Stimulus (HR1) Bill. While I appreciate that we may have difference of opinions on how to improve the economy, your listed reasons to vote down a bill that would help me and my community, seems more like a fit of pique than anything else. The NEA, census, etc. spending is part of the government doing business and, while it would be nice if government employees could drive their car for another year, a large automobile purchase could also help the struggling auto industry - something from which my family, neighbors, and the entire region would directly benefit.

Regardless of whether we agree that the funds are appropriately allocated in this bill seems a bit disingenuous when you were in support of the massive bailout of banks and financial institutions. While trying to use the "pork barrel spending" cry against HR1 was a nice try, it is shameful for you (and your Republican colleagues) to pretend that your previous support of the biggest trough for the free market ever was anything but pork barrel spending. Given that we now know that those recipients gave themselves bailouts, planes, and retreats, it's disgusting that you voted against a bill because there were monies to ensure an accurate representation of the population (census), to support national arts programs, and for capital improvements? Really?

People are more discriminating than you think, and we know that a) there's a reasonable amount of pork that will occur, it's part of doing business in Washington; b) pork barrel spending is something in which you will be engaged as a way to ensure your continued re-election, and c) is not the one-way street that Republicans like to tout. People are able to distinguish between pork handed out as routine business, and that done to line pockets of friends and donors. Your (and your Republican colleagues') vote for the banks and financial institutions and against HR1 certainly seems like the latter.

I am repulsed by the Republicans' position on HR1, not only because of the hypocrisy of their (your) support of the first bailout, but also because I find a lock-step approach to politics to be one that benefits the politician and not the constituents. Obviously, I am a Democrat, but I believe your position hurts those of us who you represent, and given that the Republicans are in the minority and that your plan has no change of succeeding into law, your vote against HR1 may hurt you most of all.

I hope you will represent all your constituents in Washington and break away from the petulant, group-think that seems to be happening among Republicans.

Sincerely,
JMO

I'd like to rant and rant more, but it's late, I was due in bed an hour ago, and little E has been sick and not sleeping.
Hmmmm, perhaps sleep deprivation is driving the political rant.

My Girls

Because it still makes me sad to see Pooka's face. We miss her. These bright, shining faces, though....how can you not smile?

Tears

Of Sorrow and Grief

















Bailey Jane
June 25, 1996 - January 15, 2009


Of Amazement, Humility, and Gratitude












The hope was for 5,000 scarves to give to the 2009 World Winter Special Olympics Games (February 6 - 13 in Boise, ID). Any extras would be given to volunteer workers and dignitaries. Word on the street is that over 26 ,000 (and maybe more) were received. My three seem very humble, but it proves small things add up to make a big statement.

Of Joy, Hope, and Excitement
















I'm so happy to see this day while still young. I can't wait to see what barriers will be broken by a man of mixed race as President. I am encouraged and hopeful about the future, despite the bleakness with which the prior administration tried to grind into the populace.