Not much writing today as I am blogging from my Mother in Law's home. On Saturday a fire started in the hills behind our house. Around 2 am the fire crested the hill behind our house, and the police went up and down our street with a siren asking residents to leave. We are all well, we have all our animals, and I think we have everything that we would truly miss. So far no houses have burned, so I am still hopeful that we will be able to return home with everything still intact. Keep neighbors who have chosen to stay behind in your thoughts.
I hope you all are having a better Monday morning. Take care everyone.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Saturday...
Saturday. A lovely day, all together. The alarm does not go off anymore. I can take the day at my own pace, and enjoy my children. I love Saturdays. And even more when Javier is actually able to be home. Last weekend was wonderful... 4 days of having my husband home and in bed was lovely beyond compare. Sadly, he is at work right now. Such is life. I still have high hopes for Sunday though...
We have lots going on during the week, especially next week. Our shower is half tiled... yard clean-up starts on Monday, there's a dumpster in my driveway that I have high hopes of filling at least 4 times with all the junk hanging around. I think one of the reasons I can never get a hold of the Flylady way is because I don't get rid of the clutter. So clutter! You are on notice! Eviction begins today! I have at least shined my sink every day since Thursday. So far, so good.
I also feel like I'm doing fairly well on the goal I set for myself on ditching my body clutter as well. I'm drinking more water than I think I ever have (as evidenced by my constant attendance at the bathroom). I may actually get my bathroom sparkling soon too, as I try to swipe at something each time I go in there. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good for the day. Just missing my hubby.
Well, off to clean up, shine my sink, and maybe even knit a bit.
Goodnight!
We have lots going on during the week, especially next week. Our shower is half tiled... yard clean-up starts on Monday, there's a dumpster in my driveway that I have high hopes of filling at least 4 times with all the junk hanging around. I think one of the reasons I can never get a hold of the Flylady way is because I don't get rid of the clutter. So clutter! You are on notice! Eviction begins today! I have at least shined my sink every day since Thursday. So far, so good.
I also feel like I'm doing fairly well on the goal I set for myself on ditching my body clutter as well. I'm drinking more water than I think I ever have (as evidenced by my constant attendance at the bathroom). I may actually get my bathroom sparkling soon too, as I try to swipe at something each time I go in there. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good for the day. Just missing my hubby.
Well, off to clean up, shine my sink, and maybe even knit a bit.
Goodnight!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Of this and that....
Where do I begin?
At the end of March it was deemed necessary to destroy my bathrooms. My husband was direly predicting failure for a second year at the American River 50mile Ultra marathon. I went WAY off program on Weight Watchers and I fear the scale come Thursday, when I have promised to step back onto that scale and find out how much I weigh. Again. Even if Jessica Magallanes is the one recording my weight. My home is still a mess. Well, that wasn't really news. But it is a constant source of distress to my husband, and therefore to me.
Sooo. The bathrooms first? For about 6 months now my husband and I have been increasingly aware that there is black mold in our bathroom. It is growing not only in our shower in a manner that is much to forward, but is also growing THROUGH the the drywall and paint. Not happy. We were also told that the toilet needed to be reseated in the communal bathroom, as there was water leaking. Hmmmm. Apparently that was a rosy assessment of the state of my bathrooms. Water was not "leaking" but flowing profusely from both the toilet, and from under the tub. The floor was not properly sealed at the edge of the bathtub. We knew this. We could see the linoleum curling away from the tub. But we blithely ignored it for quite a long time, as we didn't know exactly when my parents will be claiming this house and rebuilding it. Why spend money now when it is only going to be ripped apart in a year or two? So was our thought process, and so continues to be our thought process about much in our home. But my parents have decided (perhaps partially because their current home is being entirely rebuilt due to the recent flood in their home) that they would like to try to live in their multi-level home for as long as possible - maybe up to 10 more years. While on the one hand this is great news, as I would not have to move anytime soon, it also means that things like leaky bathrooms and black mold cannot be ignored indefinitely. So they had someone come over to look. Someone turned out to be no one other Steven Geiselman - a blast from my past as the little brother of a couple a my good friends from high school. I knew he had been doing construction, but I didn't know that he was starting to step out as a contractor.
Well, he came in and looked at my less than stellar bathrooms, and discovered that the floor was nearly completely rotted in the communal bathroom from all the years of water flowing over it. So out it came. The whole floor.
There was nothing but joists and dirt below.
A whole new floor was built, my vanity with matching tile to the shower was in pieces, and there were holes that just could not be fixed in the wallpaper.
So...I inherited a vanity from my parents house, delved in the mystic arts of wallpaper removal, and presto change-o, we have a lovely little bathroom in the hall. (Side note - I hate walking on dirty paper for days on end.)
Once that was done we went to Sacramento for the weekend. Really. We did. For up in Sacramento is the American River 50 mile Ultra marathon. The same race that beat Javier last year, much to his chagrin. But he signed up again, determined to finish this year. And they the job trials began. I know that I have blogged about this in bits and pieces, but here it is all together. Last October Javier's company (of the last 8 years or so) was bought by an investment group bent on creating a massive printing conglomerate for the west coast. So... 2 companies became 1. Always a joy. But Javier seemed to be immediately recognized as a valuable employee, was sent for training in Vancouver, Canada on a new software system, and was a major part of the team creating the new workflow system. Then he was offered a management position. (There was much rejoicing). Then his schedule changed to a strange system of 7 days on, 7 days off - but he seldom got his 7 days off - usually there were meetings or more training scheduled in there.
In the midst of this he was having great difficulty finding the time and energy to properly train for a 50 mile run in the mountains.
Finally, we get there. We wander around a little the day before.
Already I'm much happier because for all his worry, he was a lot less stressed out than last year.
We were able to enjoy the time together.
We were able to go to the start line without children ( a good thing when you need to be there before 6am....
And I have to say, I LOVE watching him come running in to the aid stations
... cheering him on as he grabs a bite to eat, gets more water, checks his shoes, and then off he goes. It's kind of like being part of the pit crew for a race car - only runners move a lot slower. The kids like seeing him come in - we're working on the waiting part. I think next year I'll have it better laid out. Anyway, He started off much better this year, making good time - but towards the end he was coming into the stations later and later, but always before the cut-off. At the very end, as we all waited by the finish line (12 hours after the start) I bounced on my toes, watching the runners come in - smiling, crying, shaking, or just plain happy to have finished the race. I watched the clock. I moved. I encouraged the kids to play nicely. I watched. I worried. I began to ask how many more racers were left on the course. 10 became 5. I watched them start to dismantle the finish line. Flags and barricades were coming down. 5 racers became 3. I stopped asking. I stood there, hoping fervently that he would make it across the finish line before the clock turned on the fateful 13 hours allowed to finish the course. And then I saw him come into view around the corner. The kids began calling and shouting "Dada! Dada!" And relief and joy just filled me. He finished - at 12:55:55. That is 12 hours, 55 minutes, 55 seconds. He had finished with 4 minutes to spare. The last racer to cross the finish line. But most important - he had finished. I think that was one of the best moments. Something he had worked so hard to achieve, something he had wanted so badly. It was really a wonderful thing to see him get his finishers jacket. A jacket that only someone who has finished this 50 mile race will have. Really wonderful.
And I was so happy to be there, and happy that his mother got to see him finish too. It was a wonderful day. We celebrated by having chinese food delivered to the hotel room - he wasn't going much farther that day.
It was a nice drive home the next day - we stopped and visited with his Uncle Sonny for a few hours, where the boys were especially excited to have a few acres of yard to run around in and eat a nice home cooked meal for a change (amazing how much you miss home cooked food after a few days of restaurants and fast food).
It was really good to get home again.
Then it was time to start ripping out our shower. Remember the black mold? Turns out the hot mop (read black tar water barrier under your shower) had been leaking for a few years, and the mold has been growing enthusiastically under our house. So, we tear out our shower - or more precisely, Steve tears out the shower and replaces wet wood and puts in state of the art "greenboard" for the walls, and gets everything ready for the hot mopper. The hot mopper came yesterday and filled my bedroom and bathroom ( and the rest of the house too ) with the unmistakable smell of tar. Today we were supposed to be seeing the tile guy - but as it is tax day, he had other pressing business to attend to. I don't mind. It meant that I got to go to Mops (a mothers group) and have a hot breakfast that I didn't have to cook, and tea with lovely ladies and just relax while my daughter gets to play in another room. A good way to spend a morning. Tomorrow the tiling begins, and I am one step closer to getting my bathroom back, and getting construction workers out of my bedroom every morning. Sigh. I miss being able to climb in bed with my husband for a little in the morning. Javier has been sleeping in Maia's room during the day while the construction goes on. But soon, we will have our space back, and it will be better than it was before, and I am grateful.
As to weight loss, I need to get back in there again. I have always struggled with my weight, but still managed to be a happy person none the less. But I am feeling less and less able to keep up with my active boys, and I want to go hiking and play soccer, and ride our bikes to the beach, and all those wonderful active things. It is time to put the full force of my being into really getting rid of this extra weight. Besides - it will be fun to make my husbands eyes pop when I put on a dress and high heels again. :D I actually miss that. Shallow? Maybe. But human too, I think. Jen and I have decided to help each other in this - so we are going to start being accountable to each other. In fact, I know that she has some idea up her sleeve, and can't wait to hear what she's got cooking for us. Wish me lots of luck, and lots of lost poundage. Maybe I'll even post a few pictures of me - ugh. That will definitely be some incentive to lose those pounds! Being comfortable in front of a camera would be a good thing too.
Well, that brings us up to date -
I'm still knitting the Wabenschal. I'm working on Liam's Tomten (but slowly) and just for fun I crocheted a little cap for Maia yesterday. It was good to do something a bit different with the yarn. I've been too busy to get into any complicated projects, too tired to think of complicated patterns, but bored with garter stitch right now. I need a really complex lace shawl to start after all this work is done. That will make the garter stitch more relaxing and less boring I think. ;D
And finally, I need to make a pledge to start doing my Flylady again. Anyone want to join me? I have really got to get my house under control. This has always been a struggle for me. And even though I am good at ignoring it, there comes a point where I snap. And that just isn't good because I yell at my babies for not cleaning their toys up. But really, I haven't helped them develop any habit of doing it. I know it's my fault ultimately, but in the heat of the moment, I am still not a happy person to be around. My family deserves better. And especially my husband. He works so hard for us - he deserves a restful home, not a cluttered and dirty one. So I will begin with a true baby step. I will shine my sink each day. I will put a gold star on my calendar each day I do it. And I will tell someone about it, everyday. (Yes, the blog will count as a person.. hehe)
I'll check in tomorrow and let ya'll know how it's coming along.
At the end of March it was deemed necessary to destroy my bathrooms. My husband was direly predicting failure for a second year at the American River 50mile Ultra marathon. I went WAY off program on Weight Watchers and I fear the scale come Thursday, when I have promised to step back onto that scale and find out how much I weigh. Again. Even if Jessica Magallanes is the one recording my weight. My home is still a mess. Well, that wasn't really news. But it is a constant source of distress to my husband, and therefore to me.
Sooo. The bathrooms first? For about 6 months now my husband and I have been increasingly aware that there is black mold in our bathroom. It is growing not only in our shower in a manner that is much to forward, but is also growing THROUGH the the drywall and paint. Not happy. We were also told that the toilet needed to be reseated in the communal bathroom, as there was water leaking. Hmmmm. Apparently that was a rosy assessment of the state of my bathrooms. Water was not "leaking" but flowing profusely from both the toilet, and from under the tub. The floor was not properly sealed at the edge of the bathtub. We knew this. We could see the linoleum curling away from the tub. But we blithely ignored it for quite a long time, as we didn't know exactly when my parents will be claiming this house and rebuilding it. Why spend money now when it is only going to be ripped apart in a year or two? So was our thought process, and so continues to be our thought process about much in our home. But my parents have decided (perhaps partially because their current home is being entirely rebuilt due to the recent flood in their home) that they would like to try to live in their multi-level home for as long as possible - maybe up to 10 more years. While on the one hand this is great news, as I would not have to move anytime soon, it also means that things like leaky bathrooms and black mold cannot be ignored indefinitely. So they had someone come over to look. Someone turned out to be no one other Steven Geiselman - a blast from my past as the little brother of a couple a my good friends from high school. I knew he had been doing construction, but I didn't know that he was starting to step out as a contractor.
Well, he came in and looked at my less than stellar bathrooms, and discovered that the floor was nearly completely rotted in the communal bathroom from all the years of water flowing over it. So out it came. The whole floor.
There was nothing but joists and dirt below.
A whole new floor was built, my vanity with matching tile to the shower was in pieces, and there were holes that just could not be fixed in the wallpaper.
So...I inherited a vanity from my parents house, delved in the mystic arts of wallpaper removal, and presto change-o, we have a lovely little bathroom in the hall. (Side note - I hate walking on dirty paper for days on end.)
Once that was done we went to Sacramento for the weekend. Really. We did. For up in Sacramento is the American River 50 mile Ultra marathon. The same race that beat Javier last year, much to his chagrin. But he signed up again, determined to finish this year. And they the job trials began. I know that I have blogged about this in bits and pieces, but here it is all together. Last October Javier's company (of the last 8 years or so) was bought by an investment group bent on creating a massive printing conglomerate for the west coast. So... 2 companies became 1. Always a joy. But Javier seemed to be immediately recognized as a valuable employee, was sent for training in Vancouver, Canada on a new software system, and was a major part of the team creating the new workflow system. Then he was offered a management position. (There was much rejoicing). Then his schedule changed to a strange system of 7 days on, 7 days off - but he seldom got his 7 days off - usually there were meetings or more training scheduled in there.
In the midst of this he was having great difficulty finding the time and energy to properly train for a 50 mile run in the mountains.
Finally, we get there. We wander around a little the day before.Already I'm much happier because for all his worry, he was a lot less stressed out than last year.
We were able to enjoy the time together.
We were able to go to the start line without children ( a good thing when you need to be there before 6am....
And I have to say, I LOVE watching him come running in to the aid stations
... cheering him on as he grabs a bite to eat, gets more water, checks his shoes, and then off he goes. It's kind of like being part of the pit crew for a race car - only runners move a lot slower. The kids like seeing him come in - we're working on the waiting part. I think next year I'll have it better laid out. Anyway, He started off much better this year, making good time - but towards the end he was coming into the stations later and later, but always before the cut-off. At the very end, as we all waited by the finish line (12 hours after the start) I bounced on my toes, watching the runners come in - smiling, crying, shaking, or just plain happy to have finished the race. I watched the clock. I moved. I encouraged the kids to play nicely. I watched. I worried. I began to ask how many more racers were left on the course. 10 became 5. I watched them start to dismantle the finish line. Flags and barricades were coming down. 5 racers became 3. I stopped asking. I stood there, hoping fervently that he would make it across the finish line before the clock turned on the fateful 13 hours allowed to finish the course. And then I saw him come into view around the corner. The kids began calling and shouting "Dada! Dada!" And relief and joy just filled me. He finished - at 12:55:55. That is 12 hours, 55 minutes, 55 seconds. He had finished with 4 minutes to spare. The last racer to cross the finish line. But most important - he had finished. I think that was one of the best moments. Something he had worked so hard to achieve, something he had wanted so badly. It was really a wonderful thing to see him get his finishers jacket. A jacket that only someone who has finished this 50 mile race will have. Really wonderful.
And I was so happy to be there, and happy that his mother got to see him finish too. It was a wonderful day. We celebrated by having chinese food delivered to the hotel room - he wasn't going much farther that day.It was a nice drive home the next day - we stopped and visited with his Uncle Sonny for a few hours, where the boys were especially excited to have a few acres of yard to run around in and eat a nice home cooked meal for a change (amazing how much you miss home cooked food after a few days of restaurants and fast food).
It was really good to get home again.
Then it was time to start ripping out our shower. Remember the black mold? Turns out the hot mop (read black tar water barrier under your shower) had been leaking for a few years, and the mold has been growing enthusiastically under our house. So, we tear out our shower - or more precisely, Steve tears out the shower and replaces wet wood and puts in state of the art "greenboard" for the walls, and gets everything ready for the hot mopper. The hot mopper came yesterday and filled my bedroom and bathroom ( and the rest of the house too ) with the unmistakable smell of tar. Today we were supposed to be seeing the tile guy - but as it is tax day, he had other pressing business to attend to. I don't mind. It meant that I got to go to Mops (a mothers group) and have a hot breakfast that I didn't have to cook, and tea with lovely ladies and just relax while my daughter gets to play in another room. A good way to spend a morning. Tomorrow the tiling begins, and I am one step closer to getting my bathroom back, and getting construction workers out of my bedroom every morning. Sigh. I miss being able to climb in bed with my husband for a little in the morning. Javier has been sleeping in Maia's room during the day while the construction goes on. But soon, we will have our space back, and it will be better than it was before, and I am grateful.
As to weight loss, I need to get back in there again. I have always struggled with my weight, but still managed to be a happy person none the less. But I am feeling less and less able to keep up with my active boys, and I want to go hiking and play soccer, and ride our bikes to the beach, and all those wonderful active things. It is time to put the full force of my being into really getting rid of this extra weight. Besides - it will be fun to make my husbands eyes pop when I put on a dress and high heels again. :D I actually miss that. Shallow? Maybe. But human too, I think. Jen and I have decided to help each other in this - so we are going to start being accountable to each other. In fact, I know that she has some idea up her sleeve, and can't wait to hear what she's got cooking for us. Wish me lots of luck, and lots of lost poundage. Maybe I'll even post a few pictures of me - ugh. That will definitely be some incentive to lose those pounds! Being comfortable in front of a camera would be a good thing too.
Well, that brings us up to date -
I'm still knitting the Wabenschal. I'm working on Liam's Tomten (but slowly) and just for fun I crocheted a little cap for Maia yesterday. It was good to do something a bit different with the yarn. I've been too busy to get into any complicated projects, too tired to think of complicated patterns, but bored with garter stitch right now. I need a really complex lace shawl to start after all this work is done. That will make the garter stitch more relaxing and less boring I think. ;D
And finally, I need to make a pledge to start doing my Flylady again. Anyone want to join me? I have really got to get my house under control. This has always been a struggle for me. And even though I am good at ignoring it, there comes a point where I snap. And that just isn't good because I yell at my babies for not cleaning their toys up. But really, I haven't helped them develop any habit of doing it. I know it's my fault ultimately, but in the heat of the moment, I am still not a happy person to be around. My family deserves better. And especially my husband. He works so hard for us - he deserves a restful home, not a cluttered and dirty one. So I will begin with a true baby step. I will shine my sink each day. I will put a gold star on my calendar each day I do it. And I will tell someone about it, everyday. (Yes, the blog will count as a person.. hehe)
I'll check in tomorrow and let ya'll know how it's coming along.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
GASP!
Okay - I'm up for air.
I have been totally submerged in Ravelry. Totally. I know.. this usually happens right after you sign up. But I was good. A little here. A little there. Add to my wips. Then I discovered the forums. Totally addicting. I don't get a whole lot of adult conversation as a SAHM of 3. It sort of comes in spats with my husband, when he is home and conscious enough to have a conversation of any length. Ah, but Ravelry.... I can talk about yarn. I can talk about religion, or the lack of it. I can talk about Harry Potter, or the Princess Bride, or my new love for the design world of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I can talk about lace, I can talk to designers about how I might get something I'm working on actually published. I can talk politics, or I can talk about the home. Instant conversation. Lovely. Dangerous. Time sucking vortex... ahhhh.... must escape pull of black hole....
Whew.
I think I just missed the event horizon there.
Anyway, realizing that Friday was the official start of spring, it is time to re-enter life and actually pick up my knitting needles again (and maybe clean the house).
So Happy Spring Everyone!
And Happy Easter as well. Enjoy a beautiful day. I promise I won't disappear for so long any time soon.
Just for fun, check out the new apocalypse....
I have been totally submerged in Ravelry. Totally. I know.. this usually happens right after you sign up. But I was good. A little here. A little there. Add to my wips. Then I discovered the forums. Totally addicting. I don't get a whole lot of adult conversation as a SAHM of 3. It sort of comes in spats with my husband, when he is home and conscious enough to have a conversation of any length. Ah, but Ravelry.... I can talk about yarn. I can talk about religion, or the lack of it. I can talk about Harry Potter, or the Princess Bride, or my new love for the design world of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I can talk about lace, I can talk to designers about how I might get something I'm working on actually published. I can talk politics, or I can talk about the home. Instant conversation. Lovely. Dangerous. Time sucking vortex... ahhhh.... must escape pull of black hole....
Whew.
I think I just missed the event horizon there.
Anyway, realizing that Friday was the official start of spring, it is time to re-enter life and actually pick up my knitting needles again (and maybe clean the house).
So Happy Spring Everyone!
And Happy Easter as well. Enjoy a beautiful day. I promise I won't disappear for so long any time soon.
Just for fun, check out the new apocalypse....
Monday, March 3, 2008
Can I get you some Asbestos with that?
For those of you following the saga of my parents home, ravaged by rain and the stupidity (lazyness?) of a roofer, there is yet another development. For anyone who knows us, you know that my father is a "collector." Many people might be moved to say pack rat, but we can all agree that there are many layers to the things in my parents home. Many. So many that it is taking more than two weeks to pack up their home by professional packers. And more than 1200 boxes. They haven't even started on the garage.
I can't quite get by that one yet. 1200 boxes. Not done yet. Head explodes. Pick up pieces.
Well, as if that weren't enough, true to form for this house, whenever you poke a hole in its walls it reveals a string of dirty secrets that end up costing huge money. Thankfully, this time the insurance company will be dealing with that end this time, because now they have found asbestos in the ceiling. That's right folks. Tearing down walls, ceilings, and floors is not enough. Now we have a Hazardous Waste Clean up to boot. Joy.
I am so glad that I'm not living there. And equally glad that my parents had insurance to cover this and a hotel room for 3 months. I keep thinking about how tight my house would have been with everyone living here. My kids were all gung ho on the idea. They LOVED the idea of Nana and Papa staying in their very own home. Treats would fall from trees, and movies would play day and night. I certainly wouldn't have minded... but it would have been tight. And very little quiet or privacy for my parents.
But seriously, I keep telling my mom that this is a really good thing, in disguise. Now, perhaps, they will find the last of the skeletons in the closet. The things that really need fixing will get fixed, and not hidden behind the walls. The floors needed replacing, especially the carpets, and everything will be clean and new - in a few months. Oh, and my brother actually moved out! Figures it would take a catastrophe to move him out of his black hole paradise. A young man without a job, and a substantial savings account could not have asked for a better set up than what my brother had. Complete autonomy. A dark room for him to hide from the daylight in. Food at his fingertips. No restrictions to his time. Computer/internet access. TV and stereo system. And, bonus, a girlfriend who didn't mind that he didn't have a job to speak of. Hehe. I love my brother. Not many people could understand why he was so content. But in my secret heart of hearts, I knew exactly why he isn't so keen on finding a job that would dictate his sleeping schedule and thought processes. Sigh. But the other half of me is terribly excited for my parents that he is moved out, and they now actually have a house to themselves. Well, they will, once it is finished. And then watch out! If I know my parents it will be a 2nd (or maybe 4th... 5th...) honeymoon.
Ahhh, love. Oh, and would you like some asbestos with that?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Finito!
That's right. Done. Stick. A. Fork. In. 'Em. Done.
I have finished the V.2 of the Monkey socks for my Dear MIL. I began these socks sometime last July? Eh, somewhere in the middle there. I had nearly completed them for my MIL birthday in August (Grumble) When I discovered that they did not fit over her heel. It has been a long process. I knew I had to rip those socks. I made myself a promise that I would not work on any other socks until these were done.
Snort.
That kinda back fired in that I didn't work on ANY socks at all. For months. Finally, sometime in February I bit the bullet, pulled back the sock I was working on and began to rework the sock. I had decided to make the heel flap stretchier, and a bit longer, hoping that that would fix the problem. And that went well. I really enjoy the heel, odd as that might sound considering that most people complain about that part more than any other. I just find it exiting to see a tube turn into a sock. But as I was working my way down the foot, it occurred to me that maybe the problem wasn't with the heel at all... maybe I was measuring the length of the foot wrong... maybe, jut maybe, I needed to make the foot longer.
I measured the socks in my house, measured my feet, and came to the conclusion that I was losing nearly an inch in the what I thought was the length of the sock, and what the actual length of the sock was when someone put it on. I needed to measure from the edge of the heel flap, not from the center. Sigh. Okay. Make it longer. Then I needed to pick out the toe of the finished sock, and redo that one too. Finally, finally... done.
And I think they are beautiful. My son Brandon happily modeled the finished sock (his foot is nearly the size of his grandmothers...) and if they don't fit her this time, they are going to charity.
Happy (Belated, uh, REALLY belated) Birthday Anita!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Political Drivel on blogs, Obama, and primaries...
Today I had an interesting experience. Some one told me on my blog that I was mindless. Gotta love the virtual living room. Lots of space there to put up your muddy shoes, and speak a foul mind if the notion takes you.
I have to admit, I still find it amusing that I am not speaking solely to the 4 or 5 people that I know read my blog. And really, when I posted about my new found interest in the political happenings of the Democratic Primary, I expected it to go completely unnoticed. I was really writing for myself. But I have now been called out, so to speak, so here I am, to answer to my previous post.
I logged into my mail today to find this in the comments of "On Hillary, Obama, and Presidential Things":
Posted by Anonymous: "I have yet to hear Barack Hussein Obama say anything of any substance. You have been inducted into the cult of Obama...mindlessly following and worshipping him as though you have no will of your own."
Oh the horror! How could I have not known! I always wondered where my will had gone. And I am so obviously in need of something to worship, my life being devoid of meaning these days. I only have my incredible husband (infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time) and my children, who lead me to new discoveries about life, the universe and everything daily (also infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time... I doth detect a pattern). I must have needed a cult! And so conveniently, there was Barack Obama, so utterly unimportant to my daily life and well being. Yes, that must have been what happened.
Snort
Okay, enough sarcasm. I went back and re-read my post. And considering that I was really talking to myself, and the 4 or 5 loyal readers that stumble onto my blog on occasion, it was really good! So I tell myself. It was also a little vague as to exactly why I think that Obama is not only a charismatic leader, but has it in him to be an inspirational and EFFECTIVE leader.
First of all, he is, without a doubt, charismatic. He inspires loyalty. He inspires hope. He makes people WANT to believe him. This is a talent that every politician in the world wishes they could drink for breakfast every day, and if McCain and Hillary were so blessed as to have this, you had better believe they would be using it to pave their front walk in gold. Then we would all follow the yellow brick road to the White House, and reap what mindless following sows. This is exactly what happened when Reagon was elected. The only thing that he actually succeeded in doing that had any lasting benefit for the United States is that he engaged in the ultimate game of one-up-manship that eventually put the USSR into bankruptcy and ended the cold war. Good on ya, mate! But considering the dismal failure to help the USA in any other capacity, and that he nearly bankrupted us as well, I refuse to vote for another Reagon. So, charisma aside, what is Obama made of?
Genetically? He's a little mix-up boy. A 50/50 bar, that is both white and black, all at once. Personally, I love this. My babies are little mix-up babies, 50/50 bars that are both hispanic and white, all at once. I refuse to not be counted here as their mother, and I think that Barack and his mother (were she still living) would not like the way that he is only black in the eyes of the media. He is what he is. A bridge, across nations and ethnicities. I think that the world can use a lot more of that.
He is a thinker and a believer - raised agnostic, he found God and a church that allowed him to think, did not compromise his ability to reason, and which could help him achieve his goals. Brilliant.
He has been "there". He grew up poor in Hawaii and Indonesia. He lived a middle class life when he moved in with his grandparents. He came from a broken family - his father left him when he was only 2. His mother's second marriage didn't last either. He lost his mother to cancer. He has been discriminated against, likely his whole life. He grew up feeling like he didn't belong. He admittedly used drugs. He walked a path that few find their way back from. But he did. And when he came out of that dark tunnel, he found himself an idealist, building on old fashioned values - faith, integrity, and honor. And he decided that being an idealist did not limit him to hoping and dreaming, but that he could do something about it.
He is an organizer, and an agent for change at the community level. He has worked with people in need for over 20 years, worked not just at putting band-aids on fatally flawed systems, but at making real changes that help real people. He is not afraid of making an unpopular stand. He is a first in my experience - a politician who is not concerned with how to be elected/re-elected, but with what he believes is right. I have more respect for that than just about anything else.
He fights for things I believe in. Health Care/Insurance that is affordable for an average working family. Child Welfare. Sane placement of troops, and using diplomacy before force. Ending dependence on foreign energy sources. (This might end all of the insane wars all by itself...).
Finally, he gets things done. He has been in the US Senate for 4 years, and in that time has passed a significant amount of legislation, addressing global topics, and making bold strikes at fixing what needs fixing in a flawed and overburdened law book. He has authored/co-authored more legislation that HIllary Clinton. He has passed more legislation than Hillary Clinton. He gets bi-partisan support on his proposals. She is the sole author of many of hers. I think that makes it pretty obvious who has the ability to get it done in the White House. HIllary Clinton wants to be the first woman President. Barack Obama wants to change the world. I know which is more important to me.
Should you want more information - if you care at all - here's a little light reading.
I Refuse to buy into the Obama Hype
Barack Obama, Wikipedia
"Change We Can Believe In: Meet Barack"
Barack Obama, U.S. Senator for Illinois Website
I have to admit, I still find it amusing that I am not speaking solely to the 4 or 5 people that I know read my blog. And really, when I posted about my new found interest in the political happenings of the Democratic Primary, I expected it to go completely unnoticed. I was really writing for myself. But I have now been called out, so to speak, so here I am, to answer to my previous post.
I logged into my mail today to find this in the comments of "On Hillary, Obama, and Presidential Things":
Posted by Anonymous: "I have yet to hear Barack Hussein Obama say anything of any substance. You have been inducted into the cult of Obama...mindlessly following and worshipping him as though you have no will of your own."
Oh the horror! How could I have not known! I always wondered where my will had gone. And I am so obviously in need of something to worship, my life being devoid of meaning these days. I only have my incredible husband (infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time) and my children, who lead me to new discoveries about life, the universe and everything daily (also infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time... I doth detect a pattern). I must have needed a cult! And so conveniently, there was Barack Obama, so utterly unimportant to my daily life and well being. Yes, that must have been what happened.
Snort
Okay, enough sarcasm. I went back and re-read my post. And considering that I was really talking to myself, and the 4 or 5 loyal readers that stumble onto my blog on occasion, it was really good! So I tell myself. It was also a little vague as to exactly why I think that Obama is not only a charismatic leader, but has it in him to be an inspirational and EFFECTIVE leader.
First of all, he is, without a doubt, charismatic. He inspires loyalty. He inspires hope. He makes people WANT to believe him. This is a talent that every politician in the world wishes they could drink for breakfast every day, and if McCain and Hillary were so blessed as to have this, you had better believe they would be using it to pave their front walk in gold. Then we would all follow the yellow brick road to the White House, and reap what mindless following sows. This is exactly what happened when Reagon was elected. The only thing that he actually succeeded in doing that had any lasting benefit for the United States is that he engaged in the ultimate game of one-up-manship that eventually put the USSR into bankruptcy and ended the cold war. Good on ya, mate! But considering the dismal failure to help the USA in any other capacity, and that he nearly bankrupted us as well, I refuse to vote for another Reagon. So, charisma aside, what is Obama made of?
Genetically? He's a little mix-up boy. A 50/50 bar, that is both white and black, all at once. Personally, I love this. My babies are little mix-up babies, 50/50 bars that are both hispanic and white, all at once. I refuse to not be counted here as their mother, and I think that Barack and his mother (were she still living) would not like the way that he is only black in the eyes of the media. He is what he is. A bridge, across nations and ethnicities. I think that the world can use a lot more of that.
He is a thinker and a believer - raised agnostic, he found God and a church that allowed him to think, did not compromise his ability to reason, and which could help him achieve his goals. Brilliant.
He has been "there". He grew up poor in Hawaii and Indonesia. He lived a middle class life when he moved in with his grandparents. He came from a broken family - his father left him when he was only 2. His mother's second marriage didn't last either. He lost his mother to cancer. He has been discriminated against, likely his whole life. He grew up feeling like he didn't belong. He admittedly used drugs. He walked a path that few find their way back from. But he did. And when he came out of that dark tunnel, he found himself an idealist, building on old fashioned values - faith, integrity, and honor. And he decided that being an idealist did not limit him to hoping and dreaming, but that he could do something about it.
He is an organizer, and an agent for change at the community level. He has worked with people in need for over 20 years, worked not just at putting band-aids on fatally flawed systems, but at making real changes that help real people. He is not afraid of making an unpopular stand. He is a first in my experience - a politician who is not concerned with how to be elected/re-elected, but with what he believes is right. I have more respect for that than just about anything else.
He fights for things I believe in. Health Care/Insurance that is affordable for an average working family. Child Welfare. Sane placement of troops, and using diplomacy before force. Ending dependence on foreign energy sources. (This might end all of the insane wars all by itself...).
Finally, he gets things done. He has been in the US Senate for 4 years, and in that time has passed a significant amount of legislation, addressing global topics, and making bold strikes at fixing what needs fixing in a flawed and overburdened law book. He has authored/co-authored more legislation that HIllary Clinton. He has passed more legislation than Hillary Clinton. He gets bi-partisan support on his proposals. She is the sole author of many of hers. I think that makes it pretty obvious who has the ability to get it done in the White House. HIllary Clinton wants to be the first woman President. Barack Obama wants to change the world. I know which is more important to me.
Should you want more information - if you care at all - here's a little light reading.
I Refuse to buy into the Obama Hype
Barack Obama, Wikipedia
"Change We Can Believe In: Meet Barack"
Barack Obama, U.S. Senator for Illinois Website
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