"I Don't Want to Go to School!"

My coworker warned me... she would love school, until it wasn't new anymore. Well, apparently Thanksgiving week at home was the turning point, because today it was all boo-hoo when we got to school! My poor baby. I knew it would happen eventually, but it still didn't prepare me for the feeling of betrayal I felt as I left her in the arms of Miss Shiela and walked out while she cried for me to take her back home to her Daddi. I sure hope this is a once-in-a-while thing, and not a new daily battle.

Mommi, Mommi, Mommi Get All Clean!

Phoebe's doctor recommends a steamy shower as more effective than OTC cold remedies, so we've been taking more than our fair share lately. Phoebe has come up with an adorable little chant/song/diddy she likes to sing as she dabs me in the face w/her purple hippopotamus scrubby - apparently on her own little mission to get me clean. :) She's so cute, and so fun!

Happy Thanksgiving

An all-out get stuffed Thanksgiving Thursday w/my sis, and another 20-person get overstuffed Thanksgiving Friday with lots of family... it was great! I'll add pics later, but just wanted to say what a nice Thanksgiving it's been. :)

Oh How the Mother in Me Weeps!

The article below made me cry, and I mean boo-hoo-hoo, all-out sobbing. That little girl looks to be about Phoebe's age, and the thought of such an innocent little spirit having to cope with her life - I can hardly stand the idea. I found myself wondering if she might have been better off to have not survived her own gunshot. Sounds harsh, I know, but when compared to the life she's got left - a meager wartorn existence full of violence and hardship, with no parents... how can people do this to one another?!

Reports from Iraq

I have often wished our news (local and national, but especially global) was more uplifting and positive. Regardless of your political/economic opinion of the war, I know our men and women are doing good things wherever they go (bad apples excluded). I wish stories like these made major headlines as often as the controversial and despicable.

Global Orgasm

Well now... here's a new approach to the world's problems! This group is actually orchestrating a Synchronized Global Orgasm. From their press kit: "Our minds influence Matter and Energy fields, so by concentrating our thoughts during and after The Big O on peace and partnership, the combination of high orgasmic energy combined with mindful intention will reduce global levels of violence, hatred and fear." If only it were so simple.

Visit www.GlobalOrgasm.org for more info on the event. Enjoy.

I'm an Official Motorhead Wife

We have long marveled that his stock block has survived a nitrous kit, an alcohol system, a supercharger, and a turbo charger, plus a whole host of other performance mods. It was only a matter of time before the horsepower blew the block or internals... and it finally did - the #5 piston and cylinder wall are DONE.

So... all the peripherals get installed on the spare 302 sitting in the corner, he rents an engine hoist (for 4hrs), thinking we'll just pull out the old and drop in the new - piece of cake. Well, the old motor does indeed slip right out - remember it's now stripped. But the new motor, complete w/heads, valve covers, etc, does not slip right in, not even close.

He tinkered w/it for 1½ days before I chimmed in w/my observations about the need for the angles to match (the angles of the dangling motor, and the transmission shaft). Notice I said "observations" because I rarely "help" in the garage. So, he made some adjustments (to the angles), and then I lowerd the engine as he guided it easily into the mounts, in perfect alignment with the transmission housing. We really do make a good team - even if he's not always quick to see it that way.

And then, the nice lady at ABZ Equipment Rental didn't even charge him for the overage for having had the hoist for two days. People here are so nice. :)

A Christmas Poem

The first of the year, but certainly not the last. I love this sentimental patriotic Christmas stuff, but I'd rather post it here than spread it by email.
A Christmas Poem
~
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
~
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
~
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
~
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
~
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
~
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
~
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
~
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
~
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me."
~
"My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am."
~
"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
~
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat."
~
"I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother,
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
~
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money?" I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
~
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
Fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
Stand your own watch, no matter how long."
~
"For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled,
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Who's Not Adjusting Well to Daycare?

Mom & Dad? - we're fine! Phoebe? - she loves it! It's the poor dog. Sydney makes occassional "rounds" throughout the day looking for Phoebe, then settles down to mope herself into a nap - she's such a sweet loyal dog. :)

You Decide 2006?

What exactly has been decided? What changes can we really expect now?

I just can't get excited about politics. Sorry, I know it's not the socially responsible way to be, but they're all so full of it! Me, personally, I'd rather not have to pick a "representative" of my interests - I'd like to cast my own vote on every single item. Ok, clearly not feasible, but still. I'd like to vote on every bill and every budget, knowing that my vote didn't help some absurd greedy pork project. Is there a govt system like that?

Daycare Open - Work Closed!

Oh joy!! Phoebe gets to go to "school" on Friday, while I have Veteran's Day off, woo hoo!! I could nap... craft... study... read... or all of the above! :)

A Christmas Promise

Every single year, I find myself overwhelmed, over budget, and over stressed - all the way up until the last day or so. This year, I vow to get all portraits, cards, and shopping done early!

Happy Halloween - Trick or Treat!


Phoebe & I trick-or-treated for the first time, what fun!! It was a fun end to an already full and fun day - her first full day at daycare. We ran into our little neighborhood friend Ana early, who happened to also be Tigger! The two little cuties held hands, bravely venturing up walkways w/out their Moms, and exploring neighborhood Halloween decorations - until Ana pooped out. Then little Phoebe and I literally sprinted from house to house for another hour - and this before she even ate any candy!


Then she and Dad sorted through all the goodies - she'd never seen fake teeth before - these dracula fangs were her favorite! They were candy - harder to wear correctly than the old-fashioned wax ones I'm familar with. Phoebe sure does help us have some real spirit to our holidays.

All My Byself

Phoebe's done a lot of growing up recently... I think successful potty training marks the official transition to "big girl"! Plus she's enjoying her new daycare environment ("school") at the Y, doing lots of dressing/undressing on her own - and yesterday started on buttons - what a challenge.

And I love that she proudly reports her accomplishments - "Hey Mommi & Daddi - I went poop, all my byself!"

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