10.03.2006

Political Name Calling....

I've absolutely had it up to here with idiotic Americans. Here is a small sampling of first hand comments I've had to listen to today:

"You know, I read that Democrats have a lower birthrate than Republicans do....probably because they're all gay!" - S. a twice married mother of three, who fights daily with her ex over custody issues in front of the kids. She cannot spell "marrier" either. Apparently she's unfamiliar with birth control, as most Dem's I know use it. She's also unaware that children don't always grow up to join their parents political party either...apparently she's never heard of the 1960's.

"I put that 10 foot flagpole in my front yard because I want my illegal immigrant neighbors to know that I'm an American who believes in fences" - R. A boy scout troop leader, who's neighbors aren't illegals, they're immigrants, United States citizens who speak with an accent, and run a yard service business. If he actually spoke with them, and got past his personal stereotypes of those "Mexicans", he'd find out that they are actually from Honduras and have been here for 18 years.

There have been a dozen snippets about GW Bush visiting a nearby town yesterday as well. While plenty of folks in this town believe that it is a special, and singular honor, they fail to comprehend that he showed up in a city of 250.000 people. At an airport that has no commercial passenger flights, just a UPS hub and some private planes. He was within spitting distance of a major metropolitan area with 8 million people, and a state of the art airport with the latest anti-terrorist security features. Within spitting distance the other side of the capital of California, where a Republican Governor sits, but couldn't make the time to see him. Why? Because he is a moron of the first order, and he would be booed and picketed in the Bay Area, and the Governor can't be associated with him because he's up for reelection in November.

We've got a Congressman who should be in jail for soliciting sex from minor boys and using his Congressional title as influence over these same boys, who's in rehab "because alcohol is a major factor" and "I was abused by clergy as a child".

I cannot watch local television nor answer my telephone without being assaulted by political messages from both parties.

I'm not a Republican or a Democrat. I'm just a wife, mother and child who believes that those of us who are lucky enough to have "enough" should share it with others. I believe that government's job is to maintain the union, protect it's people, and educate.

I believe that sometimes, people need to be pushed to do what's right. I believe that morality cannot be completely legislated. I believe that religion is personal, and it isn't anyone else's business. I believe that church is for people who need it. I believe a woman has the right to choose what happens to her own body. I believe that democracy is NOT the best thing for everyone in the whole wide world, and that there should be many governments and cultures. I think the killing in Iraq is wrong, and I believe that the United States should never have gone there.

I believe that terrorists will never win. I believe that intelligent life may exist on other planets, but it's damn hard to find on this one.

9.20.2006

I pledge "ball-e-jance", to the....

Hope is enjoying preschool.

She's already got a best friend, who is also her boyfriend. "We have to be, mama" she says. "We're both the only fours in the class, and Salem pushes me on the swing whenever I want him to!".

I picked her up today, only to watch Salem blow her a kiss goodbye. Not sure how I feel about that. She didn't return the kiss, but certainly felt it was her due. "I love him, and he loves me Mom".

She's taken to calling me "Mom" lately. The boys still call me Mommy or Mama, and I'm spoiled. I don't like it as much, it seems too grown up. She is growing fast right now, and I'm proud of her, but I'd like to squeeze a bit more babying into her.

Right now, she's showing her brothers how she salutes the flag. "It's only a little boring, you put this hand on your heart, and the other hand on your hip, like this". Then you sing a song and pledge some stuff, but I can't remember it all"....the boys actually started to teach her the wrong words....so I had to be the Mom and a "Good American", and stop them. Can you imagine, Friday in preschool, my daughter using potty talk during the pledge?? This town just couldn't handle it.

9.17.2006

Mini-break

So I took the kids out of school for a week.

Because of our track change, they missed out on their regular vacation time. Both are excited and happy in their classrooms, but their next break doesn't come until November. They've been in class since July 10th. It was time for a break.

We wanted to go to Oregon for a few days, but just couldn't swing it. There wasn't a hotel room for 100 miles because of the Oklahoma game (Yell - O Ducks!). David really can't take much time off right now, as his company has been threatening a lockout every week for the past month.

So David took them to the movies on Thursday, and we both took them up to the gold country on Friday. I showed them a candy store in Jackson that still sells all the "old" candies from Sen-Sen to PopRocks to Sky Bars, and jawbreakers as big as a baseball! I let them choose something, and then bought a big butterfly lollipop for Hope (she stayed home with Grandma, because she didn't want to miss pre-school).

On Saturday, we all watched the Duck game on TV, and boy was that fun. It was a real "family" party, with the kids cheering and going wild!! Monday and Tuesday we're going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to see the new Great White Shark. I'll send them back to school on Thursday, Wednesday's only a half day anyways.

We've managed to pack a lot into this mini-vacation, right here at home.

Too Melancholy

Last week had me feeling more than a bit melancholy. Besides the 9/11 stuff, my kids are feeling the pain of losing someone they loved, again.

If you're a regular here, you know my FIL died last November. My husband still misses his Dad every single day. He's doing fine, but the pain is there, and it's palpable. Still, he's doing well enough, and setting a great example to our sons about feelings and how to handle them.

Then Steve Irwin died. No, he is not a personal friend of the family. However, my boys literally grew up with Steve on TV. Matthew is the same age as his daughter, and then there is the Eugene, Oregon connection. The boys know that Steve's wife is from Eugene, and my brother (their Uncle) was Terri's neighbor before she up and moved to Australia. Both of them watched Steve on TV regularly and wildlife programming is a favorite.

Let me digress for a moment. The boys TV watching habits were almost exclusively Animal Planet for a long time. They both care a lot about animals and the zoo is still a favorite outing. About 3 years ago, someone gave me free tickets to the circus, so I took the boys. They were excited to see the performers and the animals. The Ringmaster really talked up the Lion and Tiger experience. My sons HATED it. They thought it was cruel to make the animals perform, instead of just having a chance to learn about their "real" behavior. They were 5 and 6 at the time.

Anyways, back to the original point. Steve's death is very, very real to the boys. They are both tying the event back to their beloved Papa as well. The Croc Hunter programming is still all over the TV. Add the promos that Animal Planet and Discovery are running and, well, I've had to put a ban on both channels for a few days, while they both work thru this a bit. I spent last Sunday with Joey sobbing in my arms on three separate occasions thru the day. I would do anything to take away the pain, but I'm settling for him actually understanding that I know what kind of pain he feels.

Matthew is taking the avoidance route, and it's not good. He didn't do well at the funeral last year, and my Mom had to take him home. I made a bad parenting call for the sake of seeing my seven year old in a suit. I still regret it, and have tried to talk to Matthew about it more than once, but he still gets very upset.

My SIL has already scheduled a visit in November, so that we can spread her Dad's ashes. Matthew doesn't know that they are in a box in the living room, and have been for almost a year. He may very well FREAK OUT when I tell him. I haven't a clue what Joey will do either. I just know I have to start talking about this now, so that they will be OK bu the time the East Coast contingent arrives, right after Halloween.

9.12.2006

September 11th

I should probably leave this topic alone, but I'm full of rage.

Monday was a day of significance, a day to honor those who died, and a day to appreciate all the things that make America...well, American. It's a day to remember. Here's what I remember:

George W. Bush sitting in a classroom, with his mouth hanging open like the idiot he is, doing nothing. Then "hiding" on Air Force One while real men and women tried to do anything to help their fellow human beings, regardless of skin color, gender, beliefs or any other reasons.

Watching news footage and thinking that I was seeing a movie promo for something that just wasn't real. Then, the absolute horror of finding out that it was so very real.

Wondering if I knew anyone who was on the San Francisco bound plane.

Realizing that my children should NOT be watching this (they were 3 and 4 at the time).

Having contraction after contraction (I was 24 weeks pregnant at the time). Calling the advice nurse, and having her explain to me that this was serious, and that if they didn't stop, I needed to go to San Francisco, as they had a NICU that specialized in severe preemies. The first realization that this baby wasn't really "viable" if born that day, and that I needed to make it stop...NOW!

The crushing feeling that I'd lost all hope. I HATED that feeling, and resolved not to let it happen again.


This year, it fell on my BUNKO night, and the hostess thought "it would be cute" to commemorate the occasion by using a 9/11 theme on our scorecards. Then one woman wanted to talk about the movie that ABC ran and how "factual" it was. Another launched into a diatribe about "those Muslims and how they are all trying to "kill us good Christians". I finally suggested that we talk about something more appropriate, without actually throwing a hissyfit.

I came home, and looked at my precious, almost 5 year old daughter sleeping, and whispered to her that she truly was "the most beautiful baby ever". I hold Hope in my arms every day, and I thank all the powers that be that she is mine.

No one can ever take that away from me. I just want to love my family, and be left alone by this asinine government, and the idiotic folks who believe anything that comes out of a preacher or president's mouth. Right now, I'd give my left boob for some intelligent leadership...or is that an oxymoron?

9.01.2006

Go fly a kite!

It's Friday!!!!!!

After dinner, I took the kids over to the park so the boys could play with their AirHogs. Toy rating: 4 out of a possible 10. The batteries wear out too quickly and the things don't fly nearly as well as they do on TV.

Hope has a Strawberry Shortcake kite my Dad brought her earlier this week. We put it together, and had it up in about 40 seconds flat. The wind was absolutely perfect, and she was able to hold and fly it really well. I taught her that she could sit down and fly it too. Me? I was laying on the grass, soaking it all in.

Summer nites are just the best!

8.31.2006

Garage Conquest!!!!!!!

I've lived in this house for almost 4 years.

I've parked the car in the garage a total of about three months.

Our garage is a catch-all. From plastic Aubergine bookends (wedding present) to Zebra beachtowels...it's all in here. Some stuff I sorted thru today?

Birthday cards from my 24th thru 30th birthdays. To me, from many people, some of whom I don't even remember - I tossed these, but kept many other papers I probably should have chucked. There were some notes from guys I used to work with....apparently I was a bit flirty!

I found the vest my husband wore with his tux the day we were married - that got put away in the "wedding memories box".

Old photos - of my nephews when they were small, and me when I was in high school.

My FIL's things - those were a bit tough. I found his hat and glasses, his duffelbag that was at the hospital with him, and his old prosthesis, two of them. It's a bit wacky to be looking at two fake right legs, and not know what to do with them. Yes, several jokes crossed my mind, which Richard would have liked. Still, I need to call someone and see if something can be done with them. It's ridiculous and creepy at the same time to have them still.

It's Ibuprofen and bed for me.

8.26.2006

Why I hate porn...

Today, I walked into the computer room, to find a clip of a woman giving head playing on my 19 inch monitor. My daughter (as usual) was following close behind me. She's 4.

It's impossible to describe my feelings accurately, as it literally punched all my buttons at the same time, and added a few new ones to my circutboard.

Normally, porn is something that I ignore. My DH is an occasional user, and will sometimes receive a link from a friend (?) DH knows that I don't really approve, because, like millions of women, it makes me feel inadequate. I really don't need help to make myself feel this way, and while DH has heard me out on the issue, he's honest about what he does and doesn't look at, and I kinda respect that too.

My child had absolutely no idea what she was looking at, and I was very quick to close the window. "What she did or didn't see" is not an issue here. I do not want her exposed to strangers having sex. Period. It wasn't really anything I thought of before that exact moment, but there it is.

It also punched my buttons regarding women who participate in the porn industry. Yep, I'm one of those people who think they are being objectified and often abused. I don't think it is "normal" to want to have sex with strangers in front of a camera. Call me a prude, I'll deal with it.

Then my mind leapfrogs to the whole..."but that IS somebody's little girl" issue. And I can't let go of that idea. I cannot imagine how my husband, the father of the most beautiful little girl in the universe, can ever look at another woman without realizing that they are all somebody's daughter. This, apparently, is a big hangup for me. I'm wondering what his take is on it.

We haven't been able to have a conversation about it yet because we've had a very busy day. I'm planning on taking him out tomorrow night, just so we can try to work thru it.

I thought that by taking a few minutes to write out my impressions, I'd get some clarity on the issue, but it's just as complicated as ever. Sex is just a small part of this, it's the associations, experiences, trust issues, self esteem, fantasy, and potential for my kids that's all wrapped inside it.

That's why I hate porn.

8.25.2006

Busy Day

Ok, so how's this for incorporating change?

DH got home at 4am. We talked for a few minutes before I slipped back into a deep sleep.

Up at 7am, fed, cleaned and clothed three kids. Decided to wait on a shower for myself. Took the boys to school, then got a call from the Realtor regarding a property I wanted to see for BIL. Went to the grocery store, dropped Hope at preschool...(note to self: Take a shower BEFORE dropping her off...you have to go inside and sign her in, not just drop at the curb like elementary school....looking decent at a distance won't cut it!)

Came home, showered, ironed something that didn't look too housewifey, met the realtor, came home, switched cars, filled the minivan with gas, picked up Hope at preschool, looking MUCH smarter than I did when I dropped her off. Made a bazillion phone calls, took the minivan thru the carwash, came home, made lunch for Hope and I, did dishes, cleaned three toilets and two bathrooms....sat on my ass for 15 whole minutes doing nothing!

Then I picked up the boys, picked up my friends kids at another school, made dinner, and actually enjoyed the rest of the evening with the kids, their Dad, and doing dishes.

I'm beat....

8.24.2006

Matthew made GATE!!!

Yep, I'm bragging...again....

Matthew was tested for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program today....and he made it! I'm thrilled for him!

It's been a tough parenting issue. While I want to encourage Matthew to do his best, and I believe (like all my children) he is a very bright and gifted child, I don't want the boys to compete. No, really....stop laughing....

I know they'll always be a bit competitive, but I don't want it to be because of anything I've done directly, nor do I want to encourage competition. One of Matthew's main motivators was because Joey was accepted into the program last year. David and I have spent the past year telling Matthew that we believe he is just as smart as Joey, but the GATE test isn't something that every smart kid passes. We're proud of Matthew no matter what.

And then, today....he was tested. He was told to keep it a secret because not all the kids that were evaluated made it. The little stinker didn't say anything until we pulled up at school tonight at 6pm for Back to School Night. He just couldn't hold it in any longer.

I'm so pleased and proud of him! His teacher is pleased too.