Random thoughts for 2008...

The first random thoughts post back in August was entirely impulsive, now it feel like a chore. And to be honest, with the news lately, rather depressing. Besides, Uncle Jay did it so much better than I ever could ! I wonder if he's really an uncle?

YouTube - Uncle Jay Explains: Year-end! 12-22-08

Happy New Year ! Baby 2009 has some high expectations on those newborn shoulders, may we all do our part to relieve the burden.

Role models...

who were literally playing roles ! Some of us are lucky enough to have a plentiful supply of amazing women (and men) to emulate as we grow. Some of us aren't so lucky and it's probably best to just hide under the bed until we come of age. I managed to avoid dust bunnies most of the time and got to grow up with some incredible women (and men) but face it, some of those that influenced my formative years the most came courtesy of our 13" Zenith. So I got to thinking, who were my TV role models? And there were so many I started to get dizzy. So even though I'll never have super powers, or bio-robotic limbs, or have to face a snowstorm in the Great Plains while blind (well I hope not) I did manage to pick the top three !


Wonder Woman- 'nuff said.


The Bionic Woman- She was smart, pretty, could toss Steve Austin half a mile and tore a phone book in half.


Mary Ingalls- Laura was just another goofy kid, but Mary had it altogether, even going blind caused barely a blip on her calm demeanor radar.



There's more of course, lots, but those were the first three that came to mind. I wish I could say I wanted to be Eleanor Roosevelt or Madame Curie, but yea, nope. And then there was one I came to identify with quite by accident, Marilyn Monroe. My mom bought or borrowed her biography and I was stunned to find photos of a plain Jane in family photo whose own mother was as lost and mysterious to her as mine was to me. So Norma Jean became a somewhat kindred spirit, except I have to say I never went for the whole bleached hair, breathy voice persona. By the time I was engaged it was Jackie O, really Jackie Kennedy, I even requested my engagement ring resemble hers.

So many more, so many more. But today's musing really just went to the TV's influence. I once read a wonderful poem dedicated to the women in the poet's life who'd guided her, including those who showed the paths better avoided. I wish I could remember the author or the title but I can't. I do know it's probably in a literature anthology (Norton's perhaps?) from the late 80's because I distinctly remember reading it in a classroom. So that's that, if any come to mind do share, you never know !

Homespun...

is so often the most cherished. CA Girl in 10-OC has a beautiful holiday post, this blog isn't nearly so poetic, but I couldn't resist the inspiration.

My daughter's Christmas stocking for her first four holidays. Made by her brother just for her and no fancy store stocking could convince me to replace it...until...






...she spotted this little baby.








Yep, it has twinkly lights. :sigh:



So I consoled myself with some new Christmas crafts...








...aren't they divine? Ky worked so hard, those are for her cousins, this one is just for her.







Storemade is full of wonder and love too. Our surprise Christmas Eve guest...




... fresh from Texas ! Thanks Laz and Andrea ! I know I said I'd get his pic in snow, but it just didn't do him justice.



Here's what you're missing ! Check out the fancy new shovel.



Is it too much to ask for Christmas that Texas be moved a bit closer to New York?

All I want for Christmas...

is to live the simple life. With prosperity in our past, recession in our present, and an uncertain future it really is time to get to basics. So here are some early resolutions to get back to basics and live simply...


Our family will get rid of most of our clothes. Two outfits each are plenty, combined with one bath a week (shared bath water of course) we'll never have to worry about the cost of entertaining.


No more elaborate dinners served on fancy Correlle, from now on we sit around the fire gnawing on marrow and then just toss the bones outside the cave, er, house.


Root vegetable are just that, roots, and if we want to eat anything green we'll just find some old bread on clearance.

No more expensive electronic music boxes, if my teen wants to get lost in music he can hit himself in the head with an iRock untils he hears ringing and sees stars.

And $275.oo for three months of contact lenses for my husband and son ! In the old days no one knew the word blur, who needs to see each leaf on a tree? They all look alike anyway.

If someone has something I want, and I'm bigger, I get it. If someone wants something I have they better be able to beat up my husbands. Yep,that was plural, we'll need all the protection we can get ladies. They should probably be really young and healthy too.

No more overpriced video games, from now on they can rent a war movie from the library and use their little index finger gun to shoot at the TV. Better yet go outside and play cowboys and Native Americans.

Have a great holiday and may all your Christmas wishes come true too :)

Just say no...

to Caroline Kennedy's overt attempt to replace Hillary Clinton as our junior senator. She should be shame faced for even trying to squeeze by solely on her family name. There are plenty of unknown monikers that come to mind that have earned that coveted appointment. Kirsten Gillibrand is one, she ran one heck of a race to win her house seat and I bet isn't nearly as press/publicity shy as Kennedy. A Kennedy appointment is no better than Palin getting hand (of one, McCain's) picked for VP, and at least had to run in an actual election. It reeks of aristocracy and hasn't this country had enough of 3 families running our nation for generations through name recognition, corruption and favors? These stories make for great movies of the week, but lousy politicians.

Smoke and mirrors...

and sleight of hand. The entire nation watches as the media and congress focus in on the...........auto industry. Meanwhile out the treasury trap door drops hundreds of billions of taxes and new money into the waiting hands of greedy bankers, CEO's and other executives. Maybe it's time for the citizens to crush them instead and let an economy that truly encourages innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit to take hold. Boycott people. Everyone. Boycott them all. We can all ride out the winter on some sun soaked island with low living expenses and come back in the spring to rebuild. Seriously, aren't we all sick and tired of the Ponzi scheme we call the stock market and our best and brightest not standing a chance at patent rights? Much less a small business being driven out by the big guy who drops prices to nothing then takes a nice tax break on the loss. Maybe someday when we're all working for peanuts, beholden to the company store, and the only opportunities for our children are as cannon fodder we'll stop shopping.
Recommended reading: The Jungle-Upton Sinclair
The Grapes of Wrath-John Steinbeck
You'll need the information to navigate the new economy.

Random thoughts for...

the first day of December. I forgot to cap off November.

Obama won !!! Still can't believe it, but it's a nice thing to try to wrap my head around for a change.


Unlike the Walmart nightmare where a wild eyed mob, hopped up on the thought of spending their pennies on junk, killed a man.


After 2 years of incessant complaints and concern about Obama's lack of experience and judgement, he's surrounding himself with experienced staff. Now there are complaints and concerns that his staff are too experienced.


We got away with some great weather this season, that's over.



Hillary's back ! Maybe she should consider sending Bill off to the Iditarod for a while.



And the best thing about November after the election and a great Thanksgiving?
CHOCOLATE NEWS !! YouTube - Chocolate News Barack Obamas Wardrobe
Who said Obama was the death of late night political comedy?!