Equal opportunity slaughter....

.....yes, I said these words to the nice kid at the Walmart electronics register. You know the department, it's rarely busy, yet heaven help you find someone with the damn key to the video games. Anyway how a grown woman even broaches such a topic with a minor is just a sign of the times. It was the my son's usual M.O.. Get mom to drive him to the store for a video game, wait until in the store to mention , oh yea it's "mature", will you buy it for me? Rather than immediately leave and return after reading the specifics and some reviews I've limited myself to letting the staff fill me in on the deets. So there I was with the usual "have you played, why is it mature?" etc.. And the possible deal breaker "is it as bad as Grand Theft Auto?". "No m'am, just blow 'em up war games". And, de dum, out spilled "So no degradation or violence targeted at women or a specific group then? Just good 'ole equal opportunity slaughter?" I'm not proud of it. Call CPS, judge me, pat yourself on your back because your kids not only don't play video games but certainly not "those" games, whatever, but at least my kid views all his gamer friends as equally ripe to blow up regardless of age, sex, race or intellect. There's got to be some shred of social consciousness in that.

Not quite ready for springtime....

what a great weekend we just had here in New York. A nice respite from a very cold, snowy February. I have to say winter should've been much rougher this year than usual. We cancelled our plow service, but found shoveling not the problem we'd thought. Our snazzy new shovel helped. Highly recommend one.










We had more snow than we'd had in years but also had many more days with these visitors. I swear one more month of snow and the turkey and deer will be eating out of our hands.














and usually being cooped up with my little girl all winter is not the stuff of dreams, but this year she was quite the independent snow princess. Notice the open collar? She completely dressed herself ( gloves too!) and ventured out while I was shoveling.













Speaking of shoveling.















We're thinking by next year we can rent her shoveling services to the neighbors.

Random thoughts for February...

a day early but what the heck.



It's interesting that the same people who denigrate other races so their kids won't marry them, now denigrate homosexuals so their kids will. That's right folks, force them into hiding so your little princess can marry a queen.


Name some of the most conservative and liberal countries. Iran and France come to mind. I'd choose to live in France.


Why do we tolerate the kind of harassment and abuse from small children that would make us imprison or abandon an adult?

Winter is cold. Summer is hot. Seriously, why make it harder by complaining about the temperature every five minutes. Were you taken by surprise?


I recently read two articles in the same paper. One complained we don't spend enough, one complained we don't save enough.


Why should members of my family keep fighting in wars when most of the citizens in this country don't even want to sacrifice their money to pay taxes?


I'll try to do something warm and wittier next month, the economy is making me crabby.

Now where was I...

...oh, I know, waiting for New Year's to arrive ! It's been a while so bear with me. I admit I've been a bit lost what to write, what with Christmas, the election and something to do behind me. And swim team keeps a person busy, of course not my swim team, why that would mean I was in shape, my son's. My only exercise was retrieving my four year old from the edge of the pool every so often. Which gets me thinking about resolutions ! As in my resolution to get back in shape, having not worn jeans since mid December until TODAY, that's right, I sit comfy as can be in my size 4 Gap jeans. I did it ! Well some of it, still have a little too much extra hanging around the old middle. Old being the operative word. But it's still at least one resolution that's alive and kicking, if jiggly. Anyway this was a simple step back into the blog pool, let's see if I can immerse myself completely soon.

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?!

Civics 101...

starts in the home. Read the following Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Americans struggle with civics test and then consider what the root of the above problem might be. The article blames the schools and media, neglecting to mention the ready tools at our disposal to easily find information. What would I blame? The number one reason our citizens are resoundingly ignorant about our government and political process is manners. Yep. Manners. We're told it's impolite to discuss religion or politics, yes? Inappropriate dinner conversation, best to stick with Aunt Myrtle's gall bladder or cousin Bonnie's new BMW. Nothing helps the digestion like gallstones or Bonnie's ability to show off. So what are our children, our littlest citizens reared on? Materialism and ailments. Throw in some choice comments about another race, religion or nationality and you've covered family values in America. Unless of course everyone agrees, hell then, when we all agree we're political geniuses !! Discoursing about just how much WE love Bush, Palin or Obama ! Why the sheer brilliance of us all as we nod knowingly content in our little universe. Every problem is the result of the other guy just not seeing the world like we do ! So after a couple of generations of "politics and religion a no no" (not in Europe by the way, Europeans would never fall for that crap, your average Greek one year old could talk about what's going in the Balkans), we are now faced with a citizenry that doesn't know it's collective civics ass from it's congressional elbow. Unless of course, and this is rich, you go to church. Why where else is it FINE to discuss politics AND religion within the same hour? Why CHURCH, of course ! Duh. Now there's a place to go to really get to a broad working knowledge of political issues. Why just the other day our local bishop was saying how much he'd love to marry two guys but the Pope hasn't come around yet.
So let's recoup about what's missing among our citizenry, civics classes? Well yea, but really they include all that stuff in other subjects. An intellectual media? It's there folks you just gotta look for it, better yet reach your own conclusions. What's really missing is your least favorite cousin stumping the hell out of you at Thanksgiving dinner while defending his own candidate. So you, in a fit of piqued rage sneak off to Grandma's laptop to find out just what the hell Keynesian means and why did it make you feel like you're an idiot. Hence a new politics buff is born and suddenly, what's this? You realize there a whole world out there that matters and it's your civic duty to give a damn. For all of us that really don't want to send our children to war or over pay our taxes it's the least we can do.

Happy Thanksgiving Redux!

Better late than never. What a great time to spend appreciating our blessings and expressing our gratitude, why not carry it over to another day? Especially since I'm cooking an entire turkey today at home after a grouchy morning. So in honor of Thanksgiving Redux, our favorite simple prayer of gratitude :)

thank you for the food we eat,
thank you for the world so sweet,
thank you for the birds who sing,
thank you God for everything

Rough day !

I tell ya, when it rains it really does pour. What a day ! I'm not one to complain but sometimes too much is just too much and a mother has to let it out, so forgive me and please don't let today make anyone fear for having children. I should've known things weren't going to go well when the nanny arrived AFTER my daughter woke up. Needless to say I had to hold her off with a banana until the cook could prepare a proper breakfast. Boy, after 10 minutes can I say my relief at her nanny's arrival was so great I decided not to dock her pay after all. After the chore of the morning I only had an hour to myself to shower and dress before the housekeeper showed up to wash the bathrooms. I loathe Thursdays, it's deep cleaning day and so draining to have the entire cleaning crew all over the place rather than just Rita happily vacuuming. She's such a dear too, she barely flinches anymore when a dust bunny frightens a scream out of me. I would've gladly gotten right out of the crew's way but once again I was held up for my spa appointment by the nanny ! OK, I can tolerate a lot of adversity but this was the breaking point. By the time she had my daughter dressed and ready to present to me for inspection I barely had time to warm up the Jaguar. Hate cold leather ! I'm rethinking her Christmas bonus this year. Oh well, perhaps some afternoon champagne and a decent pedicure will perk me up. Tommorrow has to be better, right?

My thoughts exactly...

Maybe now I won't feel so bad shouting "I AM NOT A CIRCUS ACT" at my kids.

Omaha.com Living Section

4+1= I'm five...

There's something a bit poetic about having a baby at 36. When she's 4, you're 40. Five years old and you're 4+1, six and 4+2. The poetry isn't in the math so much as in the reawakening middle age can spark in a person. Forty is a huge milestone, half your shelf life is gone, face it who doesn't go for the fresh milk way in the back? Add still raising a young child and it's a faltering reawakening. You take stock in what's left on your shelves, but it's a halting, constantly interrupted, slower process than the unencumbered 40 year old with more self sufficient children. Or no children of course, but that's entirely another matter. I imagine their stock is filled with shelves of entirely different experiences and accomplishments, easily categorized by earned income, books read, movies seen in movie theaters, restaurant dinners, perhaps travel brochures?
Anyway not to digress, it's a much more twisted road back to coherent sentences 20 years after your last final exam. (In my case 11 years since my educational process has been long and still neglected today) Wander off path and suddenly you're reminiscing about some decades old crossroad with three still uncharted roads. So back to the poetry. Rather than flail around with frustration or (heaven forbid us mothers ever admit to feeling this so shhhhhhhh) resentment because I'm unable to focus on other accomplishments besides child rearing, I decided I'm going to have a do over ! While my little girl is four I'm going to be four ! Preparing to head out into the world of buses and elementary school without the comforting apron strings of home ready to snap me back within 3 hours. I'm going to play and jump and eat only when I really want to and if I'm not too busy, so as to keep body as well as mind healthy and young. When she's five I'm going to be five ! Dipping our toes in that great big bureaucracy of rules, schedules and learning we call public education, only mine will also include some reducation along with some new credentials. And six, oh six will be huge ! First grade, 8 hours straight with perhaps even an after school activity to keep us far from the advice and encouragement of each other as we navigate our days. And so on as long as our our ages are a symmetric equation ! By the time I'm 50 the poem will be over, she'll turn 15 and mom will be banished, only brought out for audience participation, hair emergencies and when some life event has given her visceral knots of doubt or fear worthy of dusting mom off for some guidance. From now on I'm choosing to be as freed up as my child, unable to predict what the future will hold or what direction will call out to us. The next decade is going to be such a wonderful ride :)

Out goes the lamb...

in comes the lion. When I started this blog I intended to change the pic in the side bar to reflect our current season. I feel so blessed to spend my life with the seasons. I don't remember when it clicked billions of other people don't and get along just fine, thank you very much, but I know retiring to Florida or some such just wouldn't cut it without a lengthy visit with snow and evergreens. Despite never updating my home sweet home pic rest assured we've enjoyed our warmer seasons immensely, all the more knowing how quickly they'll pass. The four seasons are the perfect metaphor for our lives, the joy of rebirth in spring, the intense activity and growth in summer, the reflective beauty of autumn and the solemn, quiet, peaceful respite of winter. Even small children seem to hunker down and take life more seriously in the cold evenings of hearth and home. Winter is the time to process the experiences of birth, life and death during the rest of the year into wisdom, and gain a whole new appreciation of spring.
While well aware there's still a full month before the official start of winter, I won't be changing the pic. Just as I craved spring at the start of this blog I now find myself craving the first mystical snowfall of winter.

A new day and it's OK to pray now...

Today I woke up to the same messy home, the same dog banging against the back of my knees, the same daily errands ahead with no surprises, I figured of course it's too soon for the promised "change".

But then I thought about it, I remembered how I'd feel when the words democrat and liberal were invoked with scorn by our President and Vice President. I remembered the last eight years and telling my son it's OK to be "liberal elite" and earn money but still care about the poor,and it's OK to talk pretty and develop a decent vocabulary. It's OK to be articulate and well educated, even an intellectual if you choose and what they're saying among the RNC set is just wrong. And for eight years I've defended the best of conservative and liberal values by example and modeling our own chosen conservative lifestyle. Which in the conundrum that is life is really liberal since liberals embrace all healthy lifestyles.

Now I have another toddler entering her next phase of childhood. Just like her brother pulled the lever for Gore eight years ago, this little one pulled the lever for Obama. Unlike her brother she won. And within seconds I realized nothing feels different but everything has changed. The White House will reflect our values, our President will be held as an example of what can be accomplished with a healthy mind and caring family, even if the money isn't always there. And as those successes are accomplished to remember the less fortunate, and even less deserving but in need, as it's our moral responsibility to provide those basic needs and encouragement.

A few posts ago I stated I don't pray for politicians to win. Nothing less godly or christian in my book. To be fair though I have wavered and taken the more corporeal road on that one lately. I do however fervently and openly pray those politicians elected by the people stick to their promised paths and waver only in the best interest of their countrymen, not just themselves. I pray for them to be safe and may God keep them and theirs from those that would wish them harm. And that's not so bad since it's my general prayer for all people. Be the people your dogs and small children think you are :)

Squeeze the middle class enough....

and you get a revolution.

We're here !

I have absolutely nothing to add to the blog voting frenzy out there. I just wanted this date in history on my blog. :)