Random Music Inspired Memory #4,627,904

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5c2PlgQBaA

(Sorry kids, I cannot embed. Please pause the jukebox and click the link above)
Thursday, June 21, 2001. Eugene, Oregon. Surrounded by family on both sides, I wed Paul Joseph Thuringer Jr. at my uncle's house. It was a beautiful summer day- we could not have asked for nicer. I wore a lovely wedding gown purchased at a bridal consignment shop on Osborn in Phoenix (since then closed, sadly) and altered across the street from PJ's family church on Indian School Road. We shipped the dress and arranged for PJ to rent a tuxedo. We wed on my uncle's front porch that afternoon with my mother, sister,cousin, second cousin (once removed? I don't know how that works, but she is my uncle's cousin and in from Nebraska), and 97 year old grandmother. PJ's mother, stepfather, sister, and uncle were there. My uncle's mother in law and sister and brother in law from Taiwan were there, as was one of their daughters. PJ's friends Donny and Aysia came from Portland with their young son. There were gerbera daisies in small bowls lining the porch railing matching my bouquet. The sun was shining and the minister cleaved us in life together. Afterwards, we went inside to enjoy a beautiful salmon and other lovely dishes prepared by my uncle's amazing wife, Huey Pirn (pronounced whey ping). My grandmother purchased a beautiful, simple wedding cake. As we ate, we celebrated each other and PJ's and my new life together, and listened to the Gipsy Kings.
Driving down State Street on my way to get the kids from school this came on the ipod and transported me back 7 years, the best of my life. Thank you PJ for all you have done and continue to do for our family. And thanks to the Gipsy Kings for bringing this memory to me on this beautiful autumn day.

Random music inspired memory #4,627,891

Moline, Illinois, 1989. Parking lot of the Chevy dealer by Southpark Mall (where I had just gotten off work at Musicland). Waiting at the Service Department for the last of the paperwork on my new ride which had just been detailed. Not caring if there was a full size spare in the back or gas in the tank, I cranked the radio, on 97.9, playing Red Rider. I tested the speakers at that moment and they didn't fail me. A little while ago I was sewing James' cape and Lunatic Fringe came on the ipod and transported me back. Thought I'd share, as I've been a little mia here, suffering from pre-election jitters. On the upside, we have found a lovely job in Canada just over the border from Maine should that become necessary.
I'll be back with Halloween photos in the next couple of days. I have to go now and turn off Roberta Flack and go check the Suns score. (Yippee! We never get Suns games out here- maybe once or twice a year. PJ is in seventh heaven, esp. when I told him we didn't have to watch Obama as he already has my vote, literally.)

Early voting and PJ cuts me off!

Two things- last night we voted. (More on that in a minute.) This morning PJ told me that he invited a friend whose family is out of town to dinner on Saturday, and he originally accepted the invitation only to shortly thereafter beg off as his friend had gotten tickets to see Sarah Palin (shudder). I went off. Ridiculously stupid, mocking her extremely expensive wardrobe(I don't begrudge her the clothes but did they need to shop at Saks and Niemans and call regular people elitists???) and the $22k plus spent on makeup alone the last month and the fact she won't say people who blow up abortion clinics are terrorists or that McCain says he doesn't have a litmus test when it comes to the supreme court but she tells James Dobson that McCain will make sure all the super conservatives will get their way when he gets into the White House? I didn't even get all that out because PJ kindly told me to shut my trap. He doesn't want to hear it any more. Poor gentle reader, you are now literally my only outlet. My own husband doesn't want to hear it. Who can blame him? I think he's lucky to be able to say stop. For me this election cycle has been my crack. My beloved children will be so happy after November 4th to no longer be neglected. (Or if it goes the other way, they will be neglected during my search for a new home abroad.)
Secondly, we decided to join those who vote early. In Fort Wayne, early voting is held at the City / County Building where PJ works, so we decided to do it last night, as they were open later Tuesdays and Thursdays. I fed the kids early, and threw a bunch of snacks in the bag (Yes the children will snack after a full meal) and threw the bike rack on the car and headed downtown. PJ met us in the parking garage, and we went in. We signed a form first, then headed over to where the voting was taking place. There was a line, but it was not too long and was moving with reasonable quickness. There was a person guiding the people in line to a bank of windows where you would give them the signed form and your photo id, and they gave you your ballot. Then there was another person who took each of us to an open machine, where she got it ready for us. I had Ava and PJ had James. I won't say who I voted for, but I will say I didn't vote the party line. (It makes me a little upset that there's that option.) There were some Republicans who received my vote and some Democrats. When we were done I felt so proud to have voted for Obama/Biden. Not because of his race, but because of the two I firmly believe he is the true leader, the one to bring this nation together and do great things. I even got a little verklempt! But one thing I didn't get was a sticker. That's okay. It was still worth it.

No wonder he thinks we're stupid- some people are!

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/10/gop_groups_head_calls_obama_a.php

He just totally lost my vote

I think they really do think we're stupid! We are not...

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/22/bachmann-souder/

I think he thinks we're stupid

Indiana is in play. I hear McCain is spending some of his own money (not the RNC or various nefarious 527's money) on ads here in the Hoosier State. Then today I received in the mail a flier with a picture of Obama on it and at the bottom of one side it said "Not who you think he is." (I immediately tore it up, disgusted.) What do you guys know that the rest of us don't? Does Homeland Security know? If you've known all this time something viable, shouldn't you have come forward a little sooner that two weeks before the election? If I am a person of reasonable intelligence and reasonable stability, am I going to look at this as well as all the things that are being said regarding Muslim and Socialist/Marxist and say, "Well, gee! I guess that super fat tax break I will be getting as a regular Joe doesn't matter. Or the erraticness and lack of discipline and planning on McCain's part. Whew! I was almost fooled for a minute with newspapers (liberal elitists!) and Republican former Cabinet members endorsing Mr. Obama. Wow. Good thing Mr. McCain is here to look out for me. Maybe he will make his dear friend G. Gordon Liddy in charge of Homeland Security with his tips for shooting ATF in the head since they usually wear body armor. Or maybe Mr. Davis can head up the whole financial "rescue" since he has a) a lot of money and b) a lot of experience taking money from people like Freddie and Fannie. Or maybe his lovely friend Phil Gramm can be the new Treasury Secretary and convince the whole world that the recession isn't real, it's just mental." I have heard plans from Mr. McCains camp, but one I'd like details on is how he's going to sweep the lobbyists out of D.C. when the majority of his lead campaign directors will be going back to lobbying as their day job (maybe they figure it's okay, he'll give them a gov't job. I just hope they can make under 250k working for the gov't, or else the whole tax argument will be shot!) I was driving down the street today and saw a bunch of modest ranch houses. About 1200-1500 square feet, in reasonable condition, with McCain/Palin signs out front. I wondered why. I feel bad for some of these people- the ones saying Obama is a Muslim, the ones saying his tax policies (that McCain at one point agreed with) are socialist, that we have to stay in Iraq and win no matter what the cost- I felt bad that they are so filled with anger that they cannot see the truth. I just hope they get a big fat helping of the truth come November 4, because it will set them free.

Big boy haircut II

This morning we set out to get some supplies at the craft store (cape making and mask supplies, that is) and get the boy a haircut. He was wholeheartedly against the idea until he discovered that there would be a sticker at the end. (Stick) So off we went with high hopes that there would be not issue and he was great! A different lady cut his hair, but she was there the last time and remembered Steve (not by name, though). How weird is this but there was a guy in camouflage there that I could swear was there getting his haircut the last time I took James?

Story Time

Lately we have been loving Llama Llama Red Pajama. So much so that Ava pretty much has it memorized. James demands it with some frequency, so one day when I was downstairs, the kids had their own story time. James would have sat with her for hours. He is loving his super big sister lately. Which makes all our lives better!

Tears of Inspiration

This is MY America.

Please go see this blogger NOW

Seriously, it's like she's in my head, only what comes out is lovely and eloquent, instead of what is in my head which sometimes sounds more like "Blah blah blah grrrr hhmmmphhh blah blah!"
"I am an American lost in her own country." That could not be more perfectly stated. Jen you are a gem!

Spelling it out

1) Obama is NOT a socialist, nor is he a Marxist. (I'll even go as far as to say that republicans aren't facists) Returning tax brackets to Clinton era numbers does not mean he is going to start giving your paycheck to the many who fall below the poverty line.
2) For clairification, the tax cuts do not go to those who do not pay taxes. So the whole "spreading the wealth around" argument that certain people are making is total nonsense.
3) Look at the numbers. Look also at the numbers of the dead, and ask yourself if McCain really thinks that Americans want to win at that cost, even when it's been alluded to by people in the know that there is no real "winning", hence Mr. McCains willingness to stay for even 100 years if necessary? If we do this, can we fight the real war on terror?

What does he think cont'd

With the United States of America (wait, after that crazy congresswoman from Minnesota declared that certain members of congress are unamerican and we should go after them are we still the United States of America?) after the last eight years of having our rights taken away from us (wire tapping, torture, etc) be eligible to join McCains famous "League of Democracies"? At this point if McCain/Palin were in office, I would shudder to think of how much more power they would try to acquire than Bush/Cheney did, and after the purge of all the unamerican people in congress and all the unamerican parts of the country and perhaps even the Alaskan Successionists, really, could we be considered a Democracy?
Do your part, please, and vote. Lots of people are doing it. Consider voting early, even, because there are lots of folks voting for both sides. Lets make sure they all get counted. Nov. 4th is going to be a very busy day. Maybe get out there and vote early to make sure you get counted.
(I am so frigging angry right now at what is happening. It is unconcionable some of the things these people are doing in the name of "winning". Even Colin Powell thinks so. Going to have a nice cup of tea and some Xanax. Need more to get me through the election. Please hang in there with me, reader!)

What does he think?

Does McCain think that after running the sleaziest campaign since the one that was run against him by our current president (using the same people, nonetheless) that ANYONE in Congress will take his hand when he "reaches across the aisle"? I would be surprised if he doesn't get spit upon. If he were to run an honest campaign instead of paying people to make calls that say that Obama is a muslim, instead of having his people calling Obama a "socialist" (besides saying his own comments about Obamas policies being Socialist), instead of choosing a Vice President that clearly is a) not anywhere ready to lead should that be necessary, b) has a husband who's past activities in the Alaska Successionist Party could keep him from having security clearance (would that mean he and the kids would stay in Wasilla and the taxpayers would pay for it like when she was governor?) c) has been caught in any number of lies, you know, honest, then maybe he would be listened to by someone other than Joe Lieberman. But at this point, I would think ( and maybe this is me being disappointed at him and bitter) and maybe hope that he would see more peoples backs than hands being extended back to him. Because that is what he would deserve. And looking at how many more seats Democrats are poised to pick up this year, that would be a lame duck president indeed. Good thing you are just going to do an across the board spending freeze there, John, because the way things look you'll be all by yourself with your well paid sycophants at the playground. You had your chance to do the right thing. You blew it.

Existing

Sorry for the no blogging lately, for whoever is out there reading. Part of it is that I am tied down daily to a bunch of blogs trying to get through this election cycle. Part of it of course is also the kids. I am trying to be a little more hands-on, especially with Ava, as it seems when I am the demeanor is definitely better. I guess that's attachment parenting, although the kids obviously aren't babies, but I think its similar in nature. It's something I am constantly fighting with myself over. I really need to think about it consciously, because it seems that if I can get a moment to myself I will take it, even if it's to do something unnecessary (the Atlantic blogs? O.C. reruns? Please!) And when I think about it reasonably, it seems so ridiculous to be spending my time doing that rather than cleaning or prepping dinner so I can do something with the kids when they are awake instead of having them play while I do the cleaning and cooking. Does that make sense? Is it like the feminine mystique without the desire to get a job? It isn't that I don't love the kids and I am really seriously absolutely grateful to be able to stay home with them. But could it be in the back of my mind that I am afraid of losing my own identity? Perhaps I haven't really worked that out since we had the kids. I would think that it's a process. One I need to think about more. Obviously, I need a therapist.
Things are running relatively smoothly around here. The christmas card idea has been hatched, we have a Santa, and are currently on schedule. No more details, though. Check your mailboxes mid December.
Ava is doing great in school. She is working on her letters and doing quite well with her writing. She's been on a field trip already and has another scheduled for Monday. I would say all in all she is thriving, but there is always a comment made after we pick her up about one little girl in her class or another being mean, and girls seemingly constantly being fickle about friends. "You are not my friend anymore" is a popular catchphrase in kindergartenland it seems. I need to figure out how to help her with that. Right now we are working on keeping her self esteem high, not taking it personally and walking away. It seems so soon to be going through this!
James loves school as well. He is speaking more, and in sentences more often too. He has a great time and is always anxious to grab his bookbag (bopop) and get to school. He loves his teachers, and seems to be tired when we get him so he must be getting all he can out of those 2 hours!
We managed to get sick. It's inevitable. Something is always going around, especially this time of year. And with the weather being as erratic as it's been the last couple of weeks, we knew it was coming. Started with the kids, then PJ, and Sunday I finally succombed. PJ and I have been nursing dayquil to get through the day, and the kids have been healing au natural. There was one night that poor James slept miserably due to coughing, and I found out that honey and lemon juice together is good for kids' coughs, but now that I'm prepared he seems to be better. PJ is going to the doctor this afternoon, I think he thinks it's now a sinus infection. We'll know more later.
The leaves are all changing and it's just stunning. We drove south on Crescent this morning and it seems that all the colors I am trying to fill my house with (browns, golds, reds, greens) were intermingled in all the trees. The trees in the tree lawns seemed to stretch to reach the trees on the other side of the street in kind greeting. The temperature is now in the low 60's, and we covered to tomato plants in fear of frost last night. It's also getting necessary to rake the leaves, as the big oak in our tree lawn is getting ready for winter. The squirrels are super busy hiding their acorns to the dog's chagrin, and as lovely as it is, we know what is coming. But for now I just want to bask in the glow of the changing leaves and the sunlight as it sits lower in the sky.
Will report more when there's more to report. We are well and hope the same for all of you!

Don't knock the man for doing the right thing you idiots

Last night after Bill Moyers I was channel surfing to find something to tide me over till my ball of yarn ran out (it was almost done). I landed on Keith Olberman's show, and the host (David someone- I can't remember his last name but he's the guy whose face shows almost no expression but when he speaks his mouth makes up for it) was speaking with a political observer, and they were almost making fun of McCain standing up to this crazy woman with crazy hair who, at a McCain rally, stated that she was afraid of Mr. Obama because he is a muslim. McCain politely took the microphone from her, and told her that Mr. Obama is not a muslim, is a decent man, a family man, but the two men have fundamental differences. The crowd started booing. (Am I elitist when this makes me feel better than these people?) He stood up to do the right thing, and on the MSNBC show they were commenting about the strategy- if he gives up the attack (really? Look for more on Ayers and Wright to come-I hope they hit back with Hagee, Muthee, the leader of the secessionist party and the fact the Cindy McCain continued to do business with Keating 11 years after the whole Keating 5 thing) what does he have left? How about his dignity fellas? Give the man some credit for having principles and dignity.
Now, as for questionable characters, I agree that Ayers once was one. The prosecutor for his case has recently come out saying he is surprised at the hubub this whole thing is as Mr. Ayers has worked hard to earn his status as a respectable member of the community. And the misrepresentation that Mr. Ayers and Mr. Obama had a personal relationship is a lie. But the membership in the Alaska Secessionist Movement and Pastor "Witchcraft and get Jews out of Banking" Muthee is not something to be taken lightly either. If the McCain camp doesn't want any (more) dirty laundry aired (see Troopergate report) then maybe it behooves them to dismiss the man who told reporters that if they focus on the economy then they lose and decide to look at issues. Because that is one of the few ways either man can earn peoples respect (earn it back in some instances) is if they speak to the real future and the real issues.

America?

This is happening in America? What are we going to do about it? The President saying that legalized phone tapping won't happen to regular folks when the people monitoring conversations are laughing about phone sex and sharing conversations with each other? Nuns put on terrorist watch lists? People at rallies yelling death threats and our republican nominee is saying nothing? As Americans we should not be standing for this. We should be shamed into taking some action.

Irony

Why are we supposed to look at Sarah Palin with any seriousness when she asks what do we really know about Barack Obama? Well, Sarah, he's been at this through the primaries, for something like 20 months. I think in the last 20 months the people who are inclined to wonder these things have had plenty of opportunity. They might even read something, and be able to tell you what those publications are. But now that you mention it, who are you? You've been around for a matter of weeks, and for someone with the raw ambition you have shown (really interesting reading) it's ironic that you would bring up the question of Obama and his ambition. (There's probably a dictionary around somewhere if you need help with the word "ironic")

No Maverick, No Gentleman

In reference to politics, I consider myself an independent. (Stop laughing!) Even with his faults, at the beginning of this election I considered McCain to be a man of some integrity. No more. I am not speaking of the negative ads against Obama in which he tries to tie him to a man who was involved in a questionable organization in the 1960's (when Mr. Obama was 8. Seriously). I am speaking of his lack of speaking out regarding remarks made at recent rallies. There were 2 young men spotted at a Palin rally wearing Obama tshirts with red paint x'ing out Obamas face, and on one there was writing. On one shirt you can also see a "n" and a "g". When putting Mr. Obama's character into question and rhetorically asking who he is, we hear something stunning. At one rally, we hear "Terrorist!". At another, we hear something chilling: "Kill him!" At Palin's rally where we hear "terrorist!", one is not surprised that she does not respond. I believe that one of two things could have happened: 1) that she heard and didn't respond and was secretly glad to have accomplished her "goal" of putting his charachter into question, or 2) that she is so self involved that she didn't hear. Either way, for her I don't expect anything. She does not have the smarts or charachter to stand up to this. But the McCain that we all thought we knew- the one we are having a hard time believing is allowing the campaigning to go the direction it has, especially in light of the character assasination put upon him 8 years ago by the people he now employs, that McCain I expected more from. I ask you- for a man who touts himself as a man of the people, a man of character and a man worthy of your respect, I ask you sir, where is the outrage? How do you pause at hearing that horrifying remark and yet pass on as if it didn't exist? How can you stand there (with your loyal base) and by saying nothing basically not only allow but condone this message? When looking for a leader, I believe that beyond the issues, people are looking for someone with strength of character- someone who stands up for what he believes. And someone who is willing to rebuke things that are wrong, even at the possible cost of a few votes. That is a gentleman. That is a maverick. You sir, have shown you are neither. And I know I am not the only one who is disappointed. (p.s. Don't even get me started on "That one.")
Edit: Sorry, I got so angry that I confused the remarks / rallies. The terrorist happened with McCain, and "Kill him" happened with Palin. Regardless, unacceptable that nothing was said.

Burgle Update

We got most of the stolen items back from the property room tonight. PJ went down to the cop shop and met with the crime scene technician and brought home everything short a couple of things. I will be calling the detective tomorrow to inquire into the missing items.
We also received a letter from the prosecutors office in reference to our burglar. Even though there were three involved (there were witnesses!) only one has been charged in our case. Another one was charged in our friend's case, and the third guy hasn't been charged. That's not to say he won't ever be charged, but seemingly at this time they aren't too interested in him. Our guy, let's call him Mr. Thug, is no longer a candidate for my pity. Just last night my friend Jennifer and I were talking in her car after coming back from the Vera Bradley presale (there's a story there I'll share in a minute) about maybe the people who broke into our house weren't looking for drug money- maybe they were looking to feed a family. Maybe they were really desperate and couldn't get gainful employment. Then today, in the letter, I find that Mr. Thug has a record. In addition to the charges related to our burglary, there were three additional unrelated felony charges. They have sent him a plea offer, and the number of years on it is substantial. I was told that most offers are not accepted prior to pretrial hearings, so be prepared to continue as normal, and be prepared to go to trial. If he accepts the proposal, and is a good boy in prison (the term DOC was used) Indiana law says that for every good day you get one day taken off. So if he's sentenced to 40 years, and is really good, he can be out in 20. But he has to stay out of trouble for a long time. (40 is not the actual number stated. I made it up.) Regardless, it's still a lot of time. I no longer wonder at the motives. Judging from the charges on the plea agreement and the fact that he was on probation as well, it's safe to assume they were nefarious.
Okay the story from last night- we finished shopping the pre-sale, and Jennifer was dropping me off. We were talking in the car- about racism (and adjusting to living in Indiana and Fort Wayne), and about the kids mostly. Time got away from us and as I was getting ready to go into the house, there was a bright light behind us. At first we thought it was just our neighbor coming home and parking her car, but it turns out that it was a policeman who had received a call about a strange car with people sitting in it for a while. I was stoked! I had my i.d. out and gave it to him, told him we were just chatting and that I lived across the street. He said one of the neighbors had called and I told him I was glad- that we had recently been burgled and I was happy the neighbors were keeping an eye on the goings on. He looked at me like I was insane. But I really was happy. Everyone looking after each other and trying to keep each other safe. It's pretty cool.
I don't think I can watch the debate tonight. I am exhausted, and can find clips online tomorrow. I already know that Biden knows a lot more than she does about running the country (not a dig necessarily- he's been a Senator for a long time) and I don't have the energy to try and figure out what she is saying when asked a question. She will be ready with an occasional jab and her folksy stories and that crazy ass accent, and will do her darndest to answer the question with a non answer. I kinda wish I wasn't so tired- it would be interesting after all.
Good night all!

Why?

Why is it on days that I feel so lucky to be home with the kids, and keep my patience at unbelievably high levels, and do fun things with the kids (including not blogging unless they are asleep) and do extra fun pain in the neck things like watercolor, that the boy insists-despite all the fun and patience- to go on an unexplained crying and wailing jag that makes me want to hurl myself to unconsciousness from the attic window? Why? This is not the glamorous life. But it is mine.