an awkward christmas parade

This past weekend I attended my hometown Christmas parade. I was excitedly awaiting the middle thru high school bands, scout troops, and classic autos. I did see those and it was terrific to see them. I hope each child involved had a great time.

Another thing I saw left a very bitter after taste in my mouth. I saw politicians using children as pawns to pass out the propaganda. In truth this may have been from both sides but only the GOP was clearly labeled. I was appalled. I did my best to say "no thank you" as children ages 5-9 excitedly ran up to me to give me the flier for their candidate.

The teabaggers were there in full force. Spreading their filth in the form of 'fact'. All the while carrying protest signs and wearing stern sullen faces- all which served to make them look like a mob of angry townspeople.



Now I don't know about you but that does not make me feel confident in that cause. Of course that may have something to do with the fact that I research something before I run and jump on a bandwagon.

I'm sorry did I miss something? I thought Christmas was for the children. The children who cant vote. The children who just want to see pretty things and familiar faces in a parade.

The way I see it is this: if it is not for the kids like a public school bond issue. So long as the groups participating are nonpartisan charity or religious group that's fine but keep these adults from mucking up a wonderful tradition! And for the love of god do not make children a part of the adults dirty work!

eep, 22 crafting days till christmas

Oh-Boy...

Trying not to hyperventilate.

22 days to get all these gifts done! I need to get cracking! Grant's 30th birthday is coming up so I can exactly bur the house in crafts for days on end! Today is for addressing cards and locating the kitchen table.... ahhh someone slow down time!

a word of advice

If you are ever driving home and happen to glance up and see this in rear view:



There are some things you need to consider at once.

- We need police and they are only doing their job.
- I cant think of a job where you get more attitude daily, do you want to contribute to that?
- look for a safe place to pull over.

now for the love of god do the following.
- place both hands on the top of your steering wheel.
- sit still
- DO NOT EVER go diving for you license and registration while the cop is pulling you over / walking up to the car
- wait until the officer is next to your window and can see your hands to roll down the window.
- do not grab anything until instructed to do so.
- be honest even if it sounds dumb don't make excuses

For example this past week I was zipping along at a decent clip while listening to it's beginning to look alot like Christmas and was completely unaware I was speeding until I was pulled over. The officer got a chuckle and even made a little joke about the lack of snow.

I try to not be upset when getting pulled over the officer is putting his life on the line just walking in the road to talk to you. He has no idea what is in store for him once he hits the drivers side window. Ultimately he his working in a career where he is daily in jeopardy, just like the men and women in the military. We need to respect one as much as we do the other.

Once the officer is done with his paperwork I make it a point to thank him and wish him a safe evening.

Since I adopted this mind set in 2002 I have been pulled over three times. Each time I have gotten only a warning. (knock on wood)



I hope that the next time you are pulled over you will think of this and maybe, just maybe it will be a more positive experience for all involved.

Holidays with the family

Holidays with the family are such a mixed bag. Since the time my parents divorced I have spent most - almost all the holidays with my Mom at my Grandmas.

Each holiday I get so excited to spend this time with my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Each holiday is a reminder that I am basically a only child and that often our family can be tiring and occasionally a afterthought.

I always arrive early to Grandmas to help. Since my Grandad passed away it seems that our meal times have gotten later and later with each holiday. I lay out grand plans in hopes that when meal time arrives lunch will happen on time. Often these plans are in vain. My Aunt and Uncle arrive somewhere prior to the meal to drop off food and then continue on to my Aunts parents home along with my cousins. Thus begins the long and melancholy holiday. From here out it is declarations that the kitchen was only built for one person to work in. It seems nothing happens for ages until I loose my temper and declare that it is time to eat and if the food isn't done by now then who cares lets eat what is done. After eating it is time to resume the vigil of waiting till the remainder of my family returns. Typically after 5 or 7 hours the family I have been waiting to spend time with breezes in for left overs (that must be left on the table to avoid hurting any ones feelings) and desert. Often at this point my cousins and Aunt and Uncle stay for a hour and then need to get on home. Each year I find myself quoting a Bugs life - "they come, they eat, they leave". Reminding me what lonely occasions holidays can be. Then typically my Aunt Cindy, Grandma, and Myself are left cleaning the kitchen for hours on end (tho I was unable to assist this year since Grant had to get to work that evening).

Were it not for a handful of extended family popping in the day would seem unending.

This was not the case when I was younger - before my Grandad died. This part of my family would trade off eating lunch at my Aunts parents house every other year. I miss this. I miss feeling like my cousins wanted to be around me and looked forward to it. This is a feeling I try to recapture mostly with little success. To be honest it leaves you feeling drained once the holiday passes. Each year I think things will be like they were when I was little that if we do not eat with my whole family on Thanksgiving we will on Christmas. Each year is a sobering reminder how much has changed in 13 years.

come rain or come shine

This past weekend Grant and I had the great privilege to attend one of the most sincere and honest weddings I have known of in the form of a commitment ceremony.

This was a wedding that was unusual in many ways. The guests helped to prepare the meal, the wedding location and the bride and groom for the wedding. The wedding was preformed by a friend of the couple who stressed the need to work thru good times and bad. And remind them that no matter what happens the friends they have will be there for them.

The ceremony ended with everyone in attendance singing:

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter Spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend

I have never seen so many huge smiles at any wedding I have ever attended. It was beautiful, joyous, and perfect.

honey, baby, sugar, sweetie....

- honey - baby - sugar - sweetie -

These are the things I am called in the local auto parts store.

I go in, I say "I need to get a idler arm, part number FA1013." Pretty straighfoward right? To me this says I am someone who knows what I am talking about.

These condacending terms of endearment are a non stop playlist each time I need to pick up parts. It makes me want to scream. I am not a novice at car repairs. Granted I am not a wizard either. But basic routine stuff I can do. I do not expect any diffrent treatment than any other human in the store. I am not there for a date. I am married. I am there for a car part! I am not a fragile person who cannot carry the said part on my own - for chrissakes I have likely worked on just as many cars as the moron calling me these names.

The sad thing is I honestly think they have no clue just how rude they are being. It is almost sickeing the look you get in a automotive store if you are a woman. Why oh why cant we all just be equals in the automotive world? Base how you treat me on how I treat you, not because it is socially acceptable for me to wear heels and for you to go shirtless....

The new addition to the family.

Little Ruby came to live with us yesterday. At five weeks old she is still in need of attention. This of course leads to commotion around the house. We are trying to avoid the urge to hold and snuggle her at every moment. As a result we just had the first of many long nights to come.

I cannot express just how tiny she is. The photos were taken with kitchen items to give an idea of scale. She weighs about a pound and seems to be well on the way to house broken. Being a Labarottie (lab / rottie mix) we anticipate her growing to be 75 - 80 lbs.

Sammie, Neko, and Buster are not quite sure what to think of the latest addition. When she approaches the cats they run away luckily she is not very fast yet. Sammie has snapped at Ruby about 3 times so far and wants nothing to do with her. We will be taking her to the vet after the first of the month for shots and worming. All in all it appears we have a small rolly polly ball of fun, sleep, poop, and noise.