A window into my view of how I want to rear my children

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." Goethe

Cooling our jets

James is very upset every morning when we drop Ava off at school. This particular morning I told him we would ride bikes down to the park and stop at the library to pick up a book I have on hold on the way home, and he just kept saying "Noooooo!" So we are cooling off around here for a little bit until the "No!" becomes less forceful and he decides going to the park is fun after all.
Plus I need to eat as this morning's festivities did not allow time for that. Off for some zucchini muffin homemade with zucchini from the garden. The last one too :-(

A Few Thoughts After Watching the Convention Last Night and Listening to NPR this Morning

And listening to NPR this morning. Stop reading Didi if you don't want to hear my politics. Will blog about the boy next :-)

-I found that watching coverage of the convention was much more satisfying on CSPAN vs. MSNBC. It is distracting to watch all those talking heads (some of whom I like) to try to figure out the meaning or significance of what was said. If I had been watching on another channel, I would have probably missed Senator Kerry's speech as it came after Fmr. President Clinton's speech, and you know they would have had the tea leaves out over at MSNBC on his speech.

-I have a lot of respect for Fmr. President Clinton, not just because of all he has done, but as his skills as an orater. That said, I was fairly disappointed in his performance last night. I felt he did a fine job, but usually I am inspired by his speaking. After his speech, Senator John Kerry came out and did his speech. It was well spoken and inspiring. He spoke about being an American, about how the republicans don't have a corner on the market for being a patriots and certainly don't have the right to question anyone's patriotism. How challenging America's leaders and wanting to make America a better place is not unpatriotic. He spoke very respectfully of John McCain and stated the differences between the Senator McCain he has known for years and Candidate McCain who is vastly different in beliefs from Senator McCain. How he is against policy now that he himself wrote (on VA funding and immigration). I was very impressed that it was not an attack on character but a showing of difference on issues. I was crying by the end. I may as well have been watching Steel Magnolias for crying out loud!

-This morning on NPR they interviewed Rudy Giuliani who spoke about Obama's inexperience. Neil Conan asked about George W. Bush's inexperience when he ran for office. Rudy didn't have much to say about that except that Texas is one of the largest states in the nation. What Neil didn't say and what I was thinking was that President Bush did have some experience- and plenty of people around him to help him out. Like his friends in the oil industry and Enron. Remember them? But importantly President Bush seems to have been inexperienced in a couple of things I find pretty important: the truth, and the constitution of the United States of America. Which leads me to my final point (we're almost there folks!)

-This morning while trying to listen to NPR there was some crying and gnashing of teeth in our household trying to get Ava out the door to school. (Bloody Mary?????) Anyhoo, during one moment I heard them state that John McCain was planning a constitutional ban on same sex marriage. Now, I know there are several views on this, and the point I am trying to make is not whether same sex marriage is right or wrong; it's if it is the job of the federal government to tell us what we can and cannot do. Should that not be a position of the state government? Really if one lets one's imagination run, they can envision all sorts of things that could be constitutionally added and rights that can be taken from any and all of us. And when it starts to affect you and me, suddenly will we take notice? States should have more power in certain instances, and I feel strongly that this is one.

-P.S. TORTURE IS WRONG and the gentleman running for president that experienced it should know that it is inhumane, and doesn't work. Ironic, isn't it, that the man who knows this says nothing about it. Again, for those listening, regardless of circumstances, TORTURE IS WRONG AND DOES NOT WORK!

K, I'm done. Thanks. No more politics for me today. Even after I go to Huffington Post. And even after I hear about Biden's speech (I couldn't stay up for it last night- we are eastern time y'all!)

No more HuffPo for me today

Even more riled up:

But after the two Obama kids scored in their performance on national television last night at the Democratic convention, "we had to do something to give the American people some straight talk on those two brats," Sen. McCain said today. (In reference to his latest "ad")

Attacking children? Under the age of 10? Way to keep it klassy, Senator.

Sir Charles Always Speaks the Truth!!!

A little piece over at the Huffington Post states that our friend the conservative Mr. Barkley has crossed over. Not one to mince words, he speaks some truth. It's short. I highly recommend it.

This is so very wrong but I love it

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

More soapbox (just a little bit I promise!)

This morning on my reader was a post from the Momocrats site regarding the people I wrote about yesterday. Here's an excerpt:

At the end I went up to the "Noobama" man and his wife. They are from Houston, TX. We talked. I asked them if the "Noobama" concept meant they would vote for McCain. The woman responded, "Well I'm not voting for Obama, ever." We then had a pretty lengthy conversation, one which I will not relay here except to say it is so clear that this woman and I come from such different perspectives that we will probably never agree. I tried to bring up the issue of race with the woman and was promptly informed that she has black grandchildren and that black people need to stop acting like victims. I hope those black grandchildren saw Michelle Obama speak last night.

After the woman from Houston, I encountered two Oregonians who are going to vote for McCain. (One, historically an Independent, the other, historically a Democrat.) They said Obama has zero experience and is a "racist radical" due to the church he was affiliated with for 20 years. We reached an impasse quickly and they just turned and walked away. To her credit, the woman from Texas was much more cordial.

PJ says to get ready. That McCain will win. (I say get ready to go to Canada, haha-ish.) If he even comes close, this is why. How sad is it that this is how you show your pride as an American- to believe the lies that are spewn about people. Are you the same people who revere McCain for his service to his country yet marginalize the service John Kerry gave to this same country? Is that because he came home and said (before many others did) take care of our soldiers? PLEASE become informed, people. I mean everyone. Even democrats who read stories of how Cindy McCain's story of how Mother Theresa begged her to take home the daughter they adopted is not true as she never met Mother Theresa, or how John McCain isn't sure how he feels about the unfairness of insurance not paying for birth control but for sure Viagra. Or even the houses! It's not about any of that. But as long as these people are as blind as the seem to enjoy being, there's a chance that we may be moving forward into the quagmire of the last 8 years. So let's do what we can to stop that!!!

Is it just me?

This morning when looking out the window to investigate the dogs latest barking, I found my next door neighbor with her trusty tape measure measuring the curb in front of our house (not her own!). Is it just me or would that ruffle your feathers too? I am so fired up I (almost) don't need a second cup of coffee!
Ava is home from school today. There was a regurgitation incident yesterday, followed by another last night. Not sure if it's food or viral. The boy as of this point shows no signs (thank God) so we are on the couch frying our brains with too much tv today. She seems much better but a) we don't want to take any chances and b) they don't want to see your child until 24 hrs after the sickness has passed, so we will hang out around here. Not like there's not plenty to do. Wish us luck!

On my soapbox for a moment **

Okay, I know I have been m.i.a. It started out as slacking a little, then there were preparations for out of town visitors (hi Didi and Papa!) and then we were having fun. Plus Ava started school. So I have a whole lot to get on the blog, but first I have to start with all the news I have been hearing about the convention and Hillary Clinton and where her votes will go.
There are several news reports speaking about Hillary Clinton's loyal supporters and their sitting on a fence on whether to vote for Barack Obama or John McCain. Puhleeeeeze. (Get ready, here I go~) If all these Clinton supporters don't know if they want to vote for Obama or are automatically going for McCain, it seems to me that her strategy of trying to be an agent of change failed miserably. Plain and simple, if you are voting for McCain as a consolation for voting for Clinton, then you really didn't hear what she was trying to say. And you were simply voting for her because she is a woman. It is really sad to hear these people saying that they were so strong for Clinton and now going towards McCain, because if you looked at her policies, then you would see she is a lot more in line with Obama than McCain. She would be pro choice. McCain not so much. She would be looking out for the disappearing middle class in helping out with taxes. McCain would be bewildered to learn that there is a middle class, disappearing as it is, and continue with the corporate tax cuts that behoove companies to send more jobs overseas. Really. Look into it. And there's the whole healthcare thing. She gets it. So does Obama. John McCain, not so much. There is not one day in his life or one person for that matter that would worry about filing bankruptcy or losing their house (one of seven, sorry) because of overwhelming medical bills. Even when they have "health insurance". Which brings to mind my friend Suzi who toiled at a job that made her sicker because she couldn't change employers as she had a preexisting condition. And then everyone thinks McCain is the military candidate. Yes, he is. He was in the military and is very fond of looking towards military rather than diplomatic solutions. And with Russia being a total bitch because they want into NATO, do you want someone who would rather send in troops without the help of our allies than seek some kind of diplomatic solution with the help of our allies? (Again, really, look into it. One should be completely informed and vote based on smarts. Please do your research no matter who you are leaning towards!)
Back to the whole Clinton thing. I am a Gen X'er. But I am early enough on that train to remember feminism. And while I barely can stomach Femenazis, I am grateful to all who went through what they did to get women to where they are today. We still don't get equal pay. Can you imagine where we would have been without the work of all those women to get us where we are? I remember my mother working hard to take care of us kids because my dad did not send child support. She was one of thousands if not millions of women who worked the same or similar jobs as men to make less money for reasons such as "the men are head of household- they need it more to take care of their family" as if single women who had the extra expense of day care didn't. That said, I don't think that this gives us reason to vote Clinton simply because she's a woman. That would be like saying you were voting McCain because he's a baby boomer, or Obama because he's (actually) African American. Really! If you ladies want to take your ball and go home, so to speak, and vote for McCain, go right ahead. But think about how we will remember you and Clinton when she tries again. And tries to be an opposite of the republican machine that you sided with instead of using your vote for the hope of a better future. Who will we believe?
**If you don't read this that's okay. Really. I do go on and on. But I love me some convention, bitches notwithstanding.

A Little Free Association re: Mad Men!

This weekend is choc full of stuff to do. PJ golfing. Ava's first sleepover. James needs a haircut. Bills to pay. Laundry to do. But what I will be doing with complete quiet and no interruptions at 10 p.m. on Sunday evening is watching Mad Men on AMC. Last Sunday they ran a marathon of last season, of which I had to watch a bit to catch up. PJ watched a little with me and asked me why I liked it. I stared at the screen with a little bit of drool at the corner of my mouth and said "prrrettttyyy!". Really. But it's so much more. The characters are amazing. Betty Draper trying to fit into her life as a housewife and not sure how to do it. Going to a therapist and finding out he's talking to her husband behind her back. Her beautiful philandering husband who is not who he says he is. Literally secret identity. Which is found out by the nefarious Pete. Who messes around with the up and coming Peggy who has to fit in with the boys as she works her way out of the secretarial pool and into the boys club of copywriters who resent her and objectify her. And she gets pregnant! And refuses to even acknowledge the baby! Will she tell the slithery Pete who is getting pressure from the little missus and inlaws to procreate of his son? And Roger Sterling who is still charming even when he is drinking vodka with the cream his doctor ordered to help his ulcers and being misogynistic. And Joan! That woman is nearly thirty and a knockout. Not married yet, although she could have anyone she wants (and does have Roger Sterling for a while) but enjoys the power she wields. And what I would give for her wardrobe! And so much more! And of course, on top of that, there's the preeeetttttyyyyyy. Really pretty. Set in 1960. Great show. Watch it with me, won't you?

PJ Starts a Blog!

PJ had an idea a while ago to begin a blog, mostly a photo blog I think, about the things he sees along the rivergreenway on his way to/from work each day. Then we was briefly part of a committee that addressed bicycle commuting, and got the bug. He's no longer part of that committee but he has some thoughts and ideas to share nonetheless. And he's doing it here in the Blogoshpere! So I proudly introduce my bicycle commuting husband's new blog:
http://fwbikecommuter.blogspot.com/

It's still in the beginning stages. He is finding his voice. And will be adding as he goes along. Hopefully keeping some of the original idea of pictures from his commute, as I am sure I'd like to see some of the stuff he encounters. So keep it on your rss feed. He's a smart one, that husband of mine.

What a Girl Wants

No not that. Not any of that fancy stuff. Not even a cocktail. (*Yet, anyway!*) But things done! Getting things DONE! And I'm not even talking laundry here people. I have books to review on Goodreads, and I want to link here so all of my reader (hi Didi!) can see what I've got on the bookshelf. Pictures, including a cat in a tub, and a book review on something strange and fun we got at the library. And Ava and my afternoon yoga sessions. Another library find. And I want to start holding myself accountable for what we are eating, and posting our csa bounty and what we've done with it, along with the garden. (Tonight it's tomato and egg gratin with tomatoes from the garden, and maybe a salad, although I think PJ took the last of that for lunch today. Maybe instead I'll add zucchini and call it a vegetarian dinner!). And L and L had their second child 2 days ago- a beautiful girl whose name is yet to be made publicly available. I am so happy for them. L says she's a mini version of her big brother. So precious. I can't wait to hold her. I got to hold Shannon last weekend. She was AWESOME! Sleeping, eating, laying quietly. I was almost ready for another child right there.
But not now. We have a list to work on. Including walking the dogs, poor things. So off I go. With good intentions. More blogging and pictures soon. I hope...
Ang

Wordle Fun

How About Orange? Posted about a site called Wordle- where you
can type in words, or link to something (like your blog?) that
arranges the words all pretty like and makes a picture. Yes,
it is a waste of my time as it were, but zen like to me. Like
the Dutch house I spend time decorating occasionally. It's less
fat and calories than the margaritas I'd otherwise be consuming.
 At 10:30 in the morning.

Come On Over

Come on over and check out my gazillion fotos of the Three Rivers Festival Parade. It's at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28584467@N06/
If I have a ton of pictures to share and can't put them all up here I'll link there. Have at it!
Ang

Recap from last week plus more!

Last week was both eventful and uneventful. Monday PJ had off for the holiday, and he was able to golf a lovely 18 holes with a friend he's been trying to coordinate a golf outing with for quite some time. Unfortunately, Tuesday was back to work for him, and the weather matched the kind of mood one has going back to work after a nice 4 day weekend, even if one loves their job! In the early afternoon the weather got really dark, and I went upstairs to check the radar on the computer. PJ called while I was doing that and asked why we weren't in the basement. I told him that we have yet to go to the basement when the weather was like this, and besides, the weather radio hadn't even gone off yet. Cue weather radio downstairs. The kids go down to take care of it and I see on weather.com that there's a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch for our area. Meanwhile, PJ tells me that he heard the tornado siren go off (which I didn't like thinking about him on the 7th floor of an 8 floor building!) and I read to him the warning on the computer that stated GEORGETOWN AREA! So off the kids and dog* and I went to the basement. I brought their beanbag chairs down and the little video player so they'd have something to do. I had laundry going, so I folded clothes. It lasted about 20 minutes, and as the winds were moving 60-75 mph (oh yes they were) the storm blew past pretty fast and we were back upstairs in no time. Good thing too, because that boy was ready for his nap. (*As far as dog goes, it was Fred. Belly was upstairs cowering under the guest room bed from which I could neither coax her or drag her. Lionel was not going to come down unless it was of his own volition, so I left the door cracked, and hoped he would do what he always does when I leave the door cracked which is come down to investigate. He did. Till Fred chased him back upstairs. It was all I could do to keep Fred down there. It wasn't pretty. It will be much better when the family room is finished!)
Wednesday we did some more stuff around the house, it was still pretty wet from the day before, so we didn't play outside. Thursday though the kids were going stir crazy so my friend L and her son and the kids and I all went to Shoaff Park. That's where Ava plays soccer (or as James calls it Ava RUN!) and there's a new splash pad there. It's pretty nice! The only bad thing is either due to it's proximity to the river, or due to the heavy rains we had it was pretty wet and muddy. It was fun tho! James didn't find much interest in the splash pad. He walked around pondering whether or not to get wet. Ava and Henry went crazy and had fun. After a while we had a picnic lunch and then played on the playground right next to the splash pad for a few before going home to take a GREAT nap. It was really nice for the kids to be able to run some of that pent up energy out of their systems. The next day we went to Target for a few things and one thing we acquired during that trip was 2 of those water shooter things like Paul and Jennifer have. When we got home I found an old rubbermaid tote in the basement and took the water cannons and some cheap plastic cups out to the yard. Bathing suits and sunscreen were donned, and the water play began. The kids washed (Ava her Barbie car and James his new digger) and shot water and watered the hosta. After a little over an hour the water was gone, so we decided to go in and have some lunch. It was a lovely way to spend such a hot morning. That evening Jennifer came over and we attended the Northside Neighborhood Home and Garden Tour. There were more homes open this year, and we were able to get to almost all of them! It was really fun and we saw some stunning homes. The last house was owned by the guy who was asking the police neighborhood liaison officer about suspicious activity at a neighbors house at the neighborhood association meeting I attended. I asked him and he said it's gotten better. His house used the greatest colors, and the backyard was stunning. He even had a bougainvillea out back, and I asked him about it. He said he's prepared for it to be an annual, but he's going to try to winter it in the basement. It was all lovely. Saturday morning, we had to be downtown at the West Central neighborhood for PJ and Ava to be in the Three Rivers Festival parade!!! More on that next. I took over 225 photos (!!!) and have whittled it down to about 85. Who needs 75 pictures of marching bands? But there were some fun ones. I'll probably upload them all to flickr but post a few on here. If/when I do, I'll link from here. I'm off to get those pictures onto the computer so you can see our girl in the parade!

My Leprechaun Name

Your Leprechaun Name Is:

Freckles Bottlesipper

What's Your Leprechaun Name?

Some Gratuitous Photos of My Children at the YMCA Splashpark

The Economy is so bad. How bad is it?

We shopped at Wal-Mart for a few camping supplies. This is the first time we have been in a Wal Mart in years. (cue groans)
photo courtesy of Google images
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25417408/

First Fruits of the Thuringer Garden 2008

We harvested a head of broccoli from the garden last week. It was the tastiest broccoli I have ever eaten hands down. There was something about the florets that were fuller in flavor and softer in texture. Really tasty. Ate some raw, then I steamed the rest for dinner. Incredibly good. No salt, no butter, no cheese sauce necessary. Just unbelievably good broccoli. Even the kids liked it !
(Garden update: There are tomatoes on the mystery tomato plant but we are not sure which ones they will be- PJ's latest prediction is orange, which would be quite great. There are lots of tomatoes on the red cutting tomato plant, still green, and there are tons of sweet yellow tomatoes starting to turn yellow-I predict some straight from the garden snacking in the next few days!)

Lahnoohr (Translation: Lawn Mower)

We recently suffered the loss of the Black and Decker electric corded mower we have moved with us since Mesa. In researching the best mower for a replacement, it was decided as we have a relatively small lawn area, a reel mower would be our best option. A real reel mower is the old fashioned kind- the kind that works on man power, not horse power. There is no engine to start, no cord to take care to not run over, no huffing of gas fumes, just some blades and some pushing. We got the Scotts brand, as it received good reviews online and was cost effective. We have yet to obtain the grass catching bag that catches some of the clippings- after first mow I decided it was necessary, but after the last mow I am not so sure. Not as many made it into the house, so it isn't a priority. I have mowed the back twice and the front once. The main thing I like about it is that the kids can be in the yard with me as I mow (or PJ as the case may be). It is not any more difficult to get the hill in front of the house than the old mower. I am still getting used to it and will have to find a "system" as it were for mowing, but altogether it works well. The only thing that really drives me nuts about it is that if there's a piece of mulch or a small stick of any kind it will get caught up in the blades and have to be removed before one can continue mowing. And I think (and perhaps this will change once I find a flow with it) that there may need to be more trimming or edging as it doesn't get too close to certain areas. And I am not sure if it's due to rain or just the way it is, but the yard seems to grow at a rate that requires mowing twice a week. That is perfectly fine as it's good exercise. And while we could cut the grass lower, it really is better for your lawn to keep the weeds out if you cut it a little higher and more often.
Altogether, I give the Scotts Classic 20" Reel Mower a positive review. It will become more positive if PJ mows more than me!
image courtesy of homedepot canada