I was behind on everything this year. There just wasn't any pressure to get things accopmlished. Cheeseballs and fudge (thanks Paula Deen!) were finally conceived on the 23rd. I have a slight cheeseball addiction: rice crispies, cayenne pepper, shredded cheese, a little flour and butter, they are the seasonal treat I look forward to the most. So if I consumed, oh, let's say 14 of them myself throughout that day, you understand why now. The fudge is the easiest recipe I've ever used. A fourth of a block of Velveeta cheese will make anything taste good, right?
Santa came, of course, this year. She worked very hard on Christmas Eve. Apparently, a little elf told me, she had to put together the much ignored art easel FOUR times before it was right. Overall the instruments are the favored gifts. For Winston, an accordian and harmonica, and a pipe whistle and violin for Wednesday. The boys terms are slightly different. Winston shouted "It's a recordian!!" upon seeing his gift, while Wednesday calls the violin his "aguitah-yee" and the bow his "by-oh-lyn".
There was a short time in the past week when I was worried there would be nothing under the tree for me. I know it sounds selfish, and I guess it really is. But it would hurt if the love of my life completely ignored the gift giving rituals of Christmas while I spent time choosing things for him and his children. He told me not to worry, and after breakfast with a friend and a trip to Grandma's house with the boys so Mrs. Santa could work on the damn easel, he finally left to do some shopping. Breakast, Grandma's, and his birthday all happened on Christmas Eve. Somehow he pulls it out every year with the late shopping. I think he likes the thrill of finding such delectable gifts at the VERY LAST MINUTE.
My husband has very interesting wrapping skills when it comes to presents. Bags are the easiest, but inside each of my "bag ladies" as he called them, I found things like papertowels, empty candy bags, old tissue paper, and target bags. I look forward to seeing what he crams in the bags to cover the gifts, and in one bag, containing a Liza Minelli CD no less, there was a lone Papa-sizd sock! It promptly went on my foot, and flopped around my toes for the rest of the morning. Next year, I'll write a little reminder on it and hang in on the tree. I have a story about socks as tree decor, but that's for another time.
So after Santa and family gifts, I talked to my parents and brother on the phone, and made our traditional Christmas breakfast. Santa always brings big navel oranges and juice in each stocking, which are then part of our morning meal. To complete it, I open a can of huge cinnamon rolls and bake them off, and heat up a couple of quiches. It's fast and easy, but different from our normal eating routine enough to make it special. Winston is very picky, and so to get him to eat the quiche I had to explain that it was like "a frittata and a pot pie mixed together". He devoured it, thank you baby Jesus.
General playtime commenced after breakfast, and then a nap. A much needed nap. Winston only slept for 45 minutes though, so I sent him to my husband and kept sleeping with the baby in my lap. After a shower for Mommy and stripping half the jammies off of the boys, we went outside when everyone woke up. It was ironic, I guess, watching the babies run around in their undies on Christmas Day when I'd been almost jealous of the snow pictures everywhere online. But the joy they felt outweighed everything else. They had a system going; Winston would run around with the hose, and just when he'd get it spraying really high or far, Wednesday would turn off the water. "Brother, do it again!", he'd shout, and Wednesday would turn the water back on and squeal. Watching his big brother until just the right moment, he'd then shut it off again with a little dance. Santa brought a pop-up soccer goal that got a little use, and a golf game that both of the kids enjoyed. Standing behind my sons, showing them how to hold a golf club and spread their feet brought back memories of my Dad doing the same thing with me. I think he'd be proud of my technique, as everytime I set them up, they got a hole in one.
Three rituals were left undone this year. My husband got no gifts for his Christmas Eve birthday. Yes, I realize I was just complaining in an earlier paragraph about my fear of being ingored during the holidays, but if you could have seen his face when I told him, you'd understand. He's not a gifty person, by any means. So announcing the lack of gifts got me the biggest hug I'd had all week from my husband. I done good. This isn't to say that we didn't celebrate. I dressed up and put a bow on my head, I made him a Feast of the Seven Fishes, and dedicated a short post to him at my home place. Gifts, without giving gifts. It was perfect for him.
We also neglected to open the box from my Nanny on Christmas Eve and read the Christmas story. Those were both remedied on Christmas Day. The sock monkies from my maternal grandparents were much loved, especially by Wednesday. "Hi Monkey! You a monkey!", is exactly what he said before he smothered the creature in little boy hugs and kisses. I held my own need to read the Christ's birth story in the back of my mind as we headed to my MIL house Christmas afternoon. She had surgery last week, so I wasn't expecting anything but to share the love of the day with her. Tears were almost spilling by the time we left though. She had precious cards for the boys, and an envelope of cash for us to spend on things of our choosing. But what did me in were the family heirlooms that she gave us. When we walked in she pressed a story Bible into my hands that was given to her as a child. Her mother read it to her, she read in to my husband and his brothers, and I sat on the couch with Winston and read him the Christmas story. That alone was already too much, but then she pulled out the turkey platter, beautifully hand painted, that had belong to her mother and offered it to me. She even said, under her breath, that she was glad it was going to me and not the other DIL. My heart was jumping up and down at being favored, but I kept my trap shut. A cookie plate, that in her words, "Is so pretty it just needs cookies on it!", was also given to us. I was without words. Tears held back as I went to pull Wednesday off the stairs he was trying to climb. I hugged her tight when we left, and getting into the car, I could still smell her lotion on my skin where we had touched. She is a good lady, and I love her dearly.
There are other memories I've left out. We made cookies for Santa, read The Night Before Christmas, all the regular Chistmasy things. But the ones I've recalled here are thes I want my mind to remember as well as my heart. It was a most special Christmas.
P.S. To see the pictures, follow the link to the post at OpenSalon! Thanks my lovelies... http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=69584
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
For Him
Happy Birthday, my Husband. You don't like gifts, my dahling, so this will be short.
Three takes on love that apply to us...
Ayelet Waldman: She got a tremendous amount of heat for writing, and then speaking about, how she loved her husband more than her children. They are 2 different kinds of love, and while I would throw my body in front of a cars for the boys, I would and will endure almost anything if it means we will still be us in the end. I am ridiculously in love with you, and I always have been.
Twilight: hehehehe, see? I can fit it in anywhere. What do they say? "You are the love of my existence." "You are my life now." Those both fit our story pretty well, I believe.
Me: I love you always and always, backwards and forwards, no matter what.
Happy Birthday, Baby...
(the add video option isn't working so I'm linking to them)
She's My Baby- Mazzy Star
Here Comes Your Man
Three takes on love that apply to us...
Ayelet Waldman: She got a tremendous amount of heat for writing, and then speaking about, how she loved her husband more than her children. They are 2 different kinds of love, and while I would throw my body in front of a cars for the boys, I would and will endure almost anything if it means we will still be us in the end. I am ridiculously in love with you, and I always have been.
Twilight: hehehehe, see? I can fit it in anywhere. What do they say? "You are the love of my existence." "You are my life now." Those both fit our story pretty well, I believe.
Me: I love you always and always, backwards and forwards, no matter what.
Happy Birthday, Baby...
(the add video option isn't working so I'm linking to them)
She's My Baby- Mazzy Star
Here Comes Your Man
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Going back one more time
I don't go to church anymore because I still know too much. My father was my pastor until I left for college, and I'm overly aware of the behind the scenes drama and business required to run a church. Daddy is probably the greatest reverend I've ever known, though there is a strong bias. A life-long Democrat, excellent writer and public speaker, and gentle boundary pusher, he will always be a hard act to follow.
So I left all of that behind. Not just the physical act of going to services on Sunday, but most of the memories as well. But despite my best efforts, some of my good bits came from the time I served as resident preacher's spawn. I can't forget anymore, and shockingly, I'm beginning to want to remember. It must be the season, and the bravery of you people here at OpenSalon, for I've never had any desire to write about this before.
Christmas was always especially trying in our household. A minister plays so many roles in a church, and during Advent, those roles are intensified. But my entire family was busy alongside my Dad during those times. I want those stories to be passed to my kids. Unable to facilitate worship induced experiences outside of our own little home rituals, I want to remember enough of what I have learned to pull us all through.
I was a member of the Bell Choir, the Youth Choir, the Youth Group, a soloist, and usually a reader during Advent as a younger myself. Wednesday night was bell practice, and by the time I was in high school I was playing most of the upper octave alone. Sometimes eight bells in spastic coordination. It was exhilarating, and I loved the challenge. Christmas music was always enjoyable to learn and perform, especially with a director who pushed you and pulled out the complicated pieces. The youth choir always did a few songs when we had enough members, and I sang a solo because it made my parents happy. I can't remember the last one I sang, which is saddening, but I didn't really like the song anyway. My favorite piece was always "Breath of Heaven".
For a couple of years in high school the entire youth group did a Christmas play. Legendary for getting laryngitis during December, one year I lost my voice right before the play. I only had a small role, and it was mostly just funny facial expressions made at the right time. My one actual line that year was, "And then, the alien spoke!", and I barely croaked it out, with lost of laughter to follow.
After four consecutive Christmas Eve services, and the build up of weekly celebrations throughout Advent, we would all go back to the house. We never had a Christmas Eve meal, because once home we were weary and finally done. We did always read the Christmas story together around the tree, and from the time I could put a few letters together into words, that was my job. I took it very seriously, and it brings tears to my eyes to remember that little girl reading such a very big story, and understanding more than a little girl should.
My husband and I joined a church after we were married. I tried so hard to redefine my role with a new congregation. It was something I wanted badly, and we had discussed it at length. But sitting in the pew I could only think, "He should have proof read his sermon one more time before this morning. I wonder if he even wrote it before this morning!". "Can't they find a liturgist who can actually read?". "Alright, next comes a hymn, not a good fit with the readings for today". It was exhausting. I wanted to start fresh, be anonymous, and relearn what it meant to be a church member. However, when pushed to join the choir and bell choir I did it. Only 2 bells this time though, I had lost my touch. I was the youngest member of the choir, whose dedicated director was too shy to stand up for herself. When she left, we quit going. Relieved we had a validated reason to end my failed experiment, we've never gone back to another church since.
For A while I entertained the idea of trying a completely different denomination. But the semantics of United Methodism are too far ingrained, I cannot let them go. So my secret wish this Christmas is endlessly complicated and so simple at the same time. To walk alone through the doors of a Methodist church on Christmas Eve is my only desire. While my husband and children wait at home, I want the time and space to remember everything I've tried to forget. Recalling every song, every prayer, when to breath, when to stand. I long to try it one more time. I need for a stranger to bend their candle to mine while the lights are dimmed, and to stand under the protection of darkness and sing Silent Night.
After I learned to drive I would sometimes find myself in the church parking lot without realizing how I got there. If my mind wandered I didn't go home, I went to church. Another singular opportunity is all I need, just a place for my memories to go home. I know I won't be able to go back again any time soon, if ever. But then maybe the reveries I've forced out can come back to me in a way that doesn't hurt, but bolsters the mother and wife and child of God I long to be.
http://www.hopepublishing.com/img/misc/Handbell_Banner.jpg
So I left all of that behind. Not just the physical act of going to services on Sunday, but most of the memories as well. But despite my best efforts, some of my good bits came from the time I served as resident preacher's spawn. I can't forget anymore, and shockingly, I'm beginning to want to remember. It must be the season, and the bravery of you people here at OpenSalon, for I've never had any desire to write about this before.
Christmas was always especially trying in our household. A minister plays so many roles in a church, and during Advent, those roles are intensified. But my entire family was busy alongside my Dad during those times. I want those stories to be passed to my kids. Unable to facilitate worship induced experiences outside of our own little home rituals, I want to remember enough of what I have learned to pull us all through.
I was a member of the Bell Choir, the Youth Choir, the Youth Group, a soloist, and usually a reader during Advent as a younger myself. Wednesday night was bell practice, and by the time I was in high school I was playing most of the upper octave alone. Sometimes eight bells in spastic coordination. It was exhilarating, and I loved the challenge. Christmas music was always enjoyable to learn and perform, especially with a director who pushed you and pulled out the complicated pieces. The youth choir always did a few songs when we had enough members, and I sang a solo because it made my parents happy. I can't remember the last one I sang, which is saddening, but I didn't really like the song anyway. My favorite piece was always "Breath of Heaven".
For a couple of years in high school the entire youth group did a Christmas play. Legendary for getting laryngitis during December, one year I lost my voice right before the play. I only had a small role, and it was mostly just funny facial expressions made at the right time. My one actual line that year was, "And then, the alien spoke!", and I barely croaked it out, with lost of laughter to follow.
After four consecutive Christmas Eve services, and the build up of weekly celebrations throughout Advent, we would all go back to the house. We never had a Christmas Eve meal, because once home we were weary and finally done. We did always read the Christmas story together around the tree, and from the time I could put a few letters together into words, that was my job. I took it very seriously, and it brings tears to my eyes to remember that little girl reading such a very big story, and understanding more than a little girl should.
My husband and I joined a church after we were married. I tried so hard to redefine my role with a new congregation. It was something I wanted badly, and we had discussed it at length. But sitting in the pew I could only think, "He should have proof read his sermon one more time before this morning. I wonder if he even wrote it before this morning!". "Can't they find a liturgist who can actually read?". "Alright, next comes a hymn, not a good fit with the readings for today". It was exhausting. I wanted to start fresh, be anonymous, and relearn what it meant to be a church member. However, when pushed to join the choir and bell choir I did it. Only 2 bells this time though, I had lost my touch. I was the youngest member of the choir, whose dedicated director was too shy to stand up for herself. When she left, we quit going. Relieved we had a validated reason to end my failed experiment, we've never gone back to another church since.
For A while I entertained the idea of trying a completely different denomination. But the semantics of United Methodism are too far ingrained, I cannot let them go. So my secret wish this Christmas is endlessly complicated and so simple at the same time. To walk alone through the doors of a Methodist church on Christmas Eve is my only desire. While my husband and children wait at home, I want the time and space to remember everything I've tried to forget. Recalling every song, every prayer, when to breath, when to stand. I long to try it one more time. I need for a stranger to bend their candle to mine while the lights are dimmed, and to stand under the protection of darkness and sing Silent Night.
After I learned to drive I would sometimes find myself in the church parking lot without realizing how I got there. If my mind wandered I didn't go home, I went to church. Another singular opportunity is all I need, just a place for my memories to go home. I know I won't be able to go back again any time soon, if ever. But then maybe the reveries I've forced out can come back to me in a way that doesn't hurt, but bolsters the mother and wife and child of God I long to be.
http://www.hopepublishing.com/img/misc/Handbell_Banner.jpg
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Divine Winter
We had simultaneous brain settling so that we could take a nap together yesterday. Not realizing my husband had come into the room, I startled when I heard his breathing. Sleeping next to our firstborn, I smelled his smell and listened as his breath mixed with our babies' and was deep into sleep within seconds. When the baby and I finally extracted ourselves from the rocking chair it was already almost dark outside. I scooped up my little one and he hugged me tight around my neck. The pressure of the cold air outside, along with the smell of the heater, Wednesday's soft face, swirled together and I finally smelled Winter. I've been waiting since it turned colder for my own personal season to change.
It's always been this way. The right mix of temperature and smell must come together to move my mind forward into a new time of year. As a small girl, I knew winter was coming soon when my Mom would pull out her heavy blue-jean jacket. As soon as she'd get home from school I'd take it from her and curl up in it on the couch. Familiar smells, that I can almost conjure to this day, would surround me and I felt so safe. Big Red gum and Lady Stetson perfume. Always the denim smelled that way.
I wear perfume now because of her, especially when autumn moves out of the way for winter to come. My boys call it "foofoo", the word I used when I was little too. The best time to put it on is early in the morning before I wake up the boys. Winston never fails to say, "Mommy you smell so good! You smell like foofoo!". Sometimes I rub his little forearm along mine so he can take part of me with him to school; a backwards memory in the making from my own childhood ones.
There have been several incarnations of my Mom's "signature scent". And if, for some reason, I was held responsible in the future for remembering what exactly perfume smelled like, it would be "Red", or "Divine", or "Happy". I got a bottle of "Divine" for Christmas when I was a sophomore in high school. I keep some in the tackle box that serves as my spill over jewelry holder, and it's required of me to wear it this time of year. Memories of sweaters, and touring plantations with my husband (specifically Oak Alley and Nottaway) fill my head.
As silly as it seems, I want my boys to remember the way I smell, as I do my own mother. When they're too big to be with me everyday, and when they eventually leave for their own lives, I want that piece of me to go with them. And when they smell winter, and turn to whoever fills their time and heart, they can say, "My Mama wore "Purple Orchids" everyday, but in the winter she smelled "Divine".
Keep me close my babies. Your baby breath will fall away and your sweet feet will turn stinky, but we can save your little boy memories in a bottle. I promise use a little bit every day.
It's always been this way. The right mix of temperature and smell must come together to move my mind forward into a new time of year. As a small girl, I knew winter was coming soon when my Mom would pull out her heavy blue-jean jacket. As soon as she'd get home from school I'd take it from her and curl up in it on the couch. Familiar smells, that I can almost conjure to this day, would surround me and I felt so safe. Big Red gum and Lady Stetson perfume. Always the denim smelled that way.
I wear perfume now because of her, especially when autumn moves out of the way for winter to come. My boys call it "foofoo", the word I used when I was little too. The best time to put it on is early in the morning before I wake up the boys. Winston never fails to say, "Mommy you smell so good! You smell like foofoo!". Sometimes I rub his little forearm along mine so he can take part of me with him to school; a backwards memory in the making from my own childhood ones.
There have been several incarnations of my Mom's "signature scent". And if, for some reason, I was held responsible in the future for remembering what exactly perfume smelled like, it would be "Red", or "Divine", or "Happy". I got a bottle of "Divine" for Christmas when I was a sophomore in high school. I keep some in the tackle box that serves as my spill over jewelry holder, and it's required of me to wear it this time of year. Memories of sweaters, and touring plantations with my husband (specifically Oak Alley and Nottaway) fill my head.
As silly as it seems, I want my boys to remember the way I smell, as I do my own mother. When they're too big to be with me everyday, and when they eventually leave for their own lives, I want that piece of me to go with them. And when they smell winter, and turn to whoever fills their time and heart, they can say, "My Mama wore "Purple Orchids" everyday, but in the winter she smelled "Divine".
Keep me close my babies. Your baby breath will fall away and your sweet feet will turn stinky, but we can save your little boy memories in a bottle. I promise use a little bit every day.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Home
I promised this place a post and here we are. I'm not promising good writing, however. This is the one place where there isn't the pressure to be clever or funny or smart. Thank goodness.
I'm getting sick, I do believe. Cramps, the sneaky kind, came this morning. The sore throat started in the night and now my ears feel full and hot. Blech. I asked my husband to take care of me; sometimes I just need that. He is, thank goodness.
I talked to my Mom when they got back home after being here for Thanksgiving. After going through a long story about how her brother's family isn't sending gifts outside of their immediate family, and saying that my brother told her we wanted a simple Christmas, she wanted to know what that meant. "Are you having money trouble?", she asked. I wanted to say, "uhhh, no, but like, the WHOLE WORLD is?" But I didn't. I tried to be gentle about it. My parents tend to go overboard at Christmas and it makes me and my brother nervous.
I just want to be with them when we go visit, without coming home with a carload of stuff we don't need. I don't want to seem ungrateful for all of the toys my kids got last year but an entire minivan full of toys is entirely too many for 2 children.
They took my poor brother to the Mall the day after Thanksgiving and he all but had a panic attack. My sweet, thrift store shopping baby brother, forced into Black Friday MADNESS. Geez, Louize rentals (our name for our parents).
I'm giving books this year. It's what I always used to do, before I let the pressure of keeping up with my parents get to me. Books, hand painted canvas bags to hold them, and I think some small little photo albums of each person with the boys. Good gifts, that aren't expensive, but still meaningful. Right?
We're doing a generally good Christmas for the boys here at home. But tonight we start Advent time. Last year was our first cycle and Winston LOVED it. We have a book, with doors you open everyday, and books that focus on the real Christmas story. Lots of fun Santa-y books fill out our story times too, but I really tried hard to find good Nativity-related stories to read to them.
I'm thinking of doing a post everyday of Advent. They could be stories from past Christmas's, or links to songs, or whatever my brain spits out. It would, if nothing else, help me remember next year what we did every night, and keep a memory of it for the boys.
Tonight we're hanging up the advent calendar, made of Christmas socks. We're read Olivia Helps With Christmas, and find the website we used last year. I'll link to it tomorrow.
Thanks for being an open space for me. To just talk as I do and love me still.
I'm getting sick, I do believe. Cramps, the sneaky kind, came this morning. The sore throat started in the night and now my ears feel full and hot. Blech. I asked my husband to take care of me; sometimes I just need that. He is, thank goodness.
I talked to my Mom when they got back home after being here for Thanksgiving. After going through a long story about how her brother's family isn't sending gifts outside of their immediate family, and saying that my brother told her we wanted a simple Christmas, she wanted to know what that meant. "Are you having money trouble?", she asked. I wanted to say, "uhhh, no, but like, the WHOLE WORLD is?" But I didn't. I tried to be gentle about it. My parents tend to go overboard at Christmas and it makes me and my brother nervous.
I just want to be with them when we go visit, without coming home with a carload of stuff we don't need. I don't want to seem ungrateful for all of the toys my kids got last year but an entire minivan full of toys is entirely too many for 2 children.
They took my poor brother to the Mall the day after Thanksgiving and he all but had a panic attack. My sweet, thrift store shopping baby brother, forced into Black Friday MADNESS. Geez, Louize rentals (our name for our parents).
I'm giving books this year. It's what I always used to do, before I let the pressure of keeping up with my parents get to me. Books, hand painted canvas bags to hold them, and I think some small little photo albums of each person with the boys. Good gifts, that aren't expensive, but still meaningful. Right?
We're doing a generally good Christmas for the boys here at home. But tonight we start Advent time. Last year was our first cycle and Winston LOVED it. We have a book, with doors you open everyday, and books that focus on the real Christmas story. Lots of fun Santa-y books fill out our story times too, but I really tried hard to find good Nativity-related stories to read to them.
I'm thinking of doing a post everyday of Advent. They could be stories from past Christmas's, or links to songs, or whatever my brain spits out. It would, if nothing else, help me remember next year what we did every night, and keep a memory of it for the boys.
Tonight we're hanging up the advent calendar, made of Christmas socks. We're read Olivia Helps With Christmas, and find the website we used last year. I'll link to it tomorrow.
Thanks for being an open space for me. To just talk as I do and love me still.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A Bunch
I have a new post up at OpenSalon. I'm sorry I haven't posted here, it's just that the picture thing is so much easier over there! I promise to post something for just this little space soon, like tomorrow.... Until then:
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=52913
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=52913
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thankful Twilight
I believe it all started with my Mom watching “Dark Shadows” at her babysitters house as a child. Somehow, that vampire fascination was transferred to me in utero, and fostered later by R.L. Stine and Anne Rice. Passing the heritage on to my children has been successful as well; their favorite Halloween book is Vunce Upon A Time . But through all of my reading, nothing has captured the undead compartment of my heart quite like Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer, and her accompanying series. And now, as if to propel me into full blown “fangirl” mode, the big screen adaptation of Meyer’s phenomenal first book is coming to theatres on Friday.
This culmination of Twilight’s cultural coup has people of all ages breathlessly awaiting there chance in the theater. With the release date so close to Thanksgiving, I think the coming together around this movie will end up being an interesting pre-cursor to Thanksgiving. Many of us will be blushing over Edward Cullen while simultaneously planning our turkey dinners. Although I would probably have to rework my menu if the Cullens actually came to supper; they are vegetarians after all.
The morally driven family that compose “The Cullens” has been cast perfectly for their upcoming debut. Ashley Greene, as the dark-haired, prophetic, tinkerbell Alice, is the spitting image of Stephanie Meyer’s description. Kellen Lutz, who Meyer fought to have cast as Emmett, fits the construct created throughout the Twilight Saga perfectly. As the list goes on we have Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, whose beauty in this role forces me to squelch my own squeals when I think about it. Nikki Reed’s portrayal as Rosalie has slowly grown on me, and I’ve come to think her casting spot on as well. Carlisle and Esme, the vampire parents of the Cullen brood are as warm and loving in the movie clips as they are in written word. Finally, though, we have Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen. I will admit more than my fair share of gawking when it comes to him in character as the beloved Edward. Some fans were slow to see his devastatingly flawless transition from Harry Potter’s Cedric to Twilight’s Edward, but I was enamored from the start. Stephanie Meyer even allowed him inside access into her writing, so that his character could be as exact as possible.
As far as Bella Swan is concerned, the casting director took the illustration out of my mind and made it reality. Kristen Stewart’s face is the actual picture I saw as I read her heart-wrenching love story. The Mamapop review of Twilight describes her interpretation of Bella saying, “Stewart's Bella was [n]either wimp nor precocious teen; she was just as Meyer wrote her and was desperately in love without coming off as desperate “.
The one casting choice I have a problem with is that of Jacob Black. His character is the one I love the most in Meyer’s books, so his mis-casting hurts more than any of the others could have. When they opened up Jacob’s role for the movie, the itinerary suggested that a Native American would definitely fill the slot. The announcement that Solomon Trimble, a Native American from Oregon, would take on the part of Sam Uley was encouraging. Even so, the very young and very un-Native Taylor Lautner was chosen to play Jacob. My disappointment isn’t unfounded, there are many fans that still aren’t happy with his characterization. I don’t know what Meyer’s stance on Taylor’s ethnicity is, but he lacks the ingrained knowledge that growing up in those traditions gives someone like Solomon. It does, however, give me an opportunity to involve my boys in my obsession even further than their Halloween costumes (They were Edward and Jacob to my Bella), as I can explain the misrepresentation of the First Americans in the Thanksgiving story through a Twilight-colored lens.
Even though the Cullens can't actually celebrate Thanksgiving in the customary fashion, their sense of family is very much in tact. Their love for Bella, and subsequently her father, Charlie, is a wonderful example to us all in accepting people in our hearts who we don't expect to find a seat there. Alice and Bella's friendship is the deepest representation of this outside of Bella's relationship with Edward. It helps that Alice could "see" them becoming family before Bella even knew she existed, but their love for each other is healing in a world where women are expected to compete with each other in everything.
I’m hopeful the projected depiction of Bella’s relationship with her father, Charlie, will hold up to the books. Theirs is a slow-to-warm connection but the love between them in always evident, whether it be through Bella infamous gifted truck, or the dinners she tediously prepares for her single Dad. We are witness to the blossoming of a father/daughter relationship throughout Stephanie's books, at a time in a girl's life when paternal bonds are most often ignored or rebelled against. I can’t wait to see them this weekend.
I feel like part of my mind has been privy so someone else’s extended dream sequence. An entire space inside my skull has been overtaken by these books and movie. To quote Mrs. Meyer herself on the dream that started all of this, she says: “I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire.”. My husband, whose read three out of the four books, is taking me to see the film on Saturday. It’s an early Thanksgiving gift to each other; our second movie night in almost 4 years. I wish everyone would place an extra setting for Bella and Edward, and their love story at their feast this year. Just keep one live gobbler on hand for Edward to consume during your festivities.
P.S. This post would not have been possible without the incredibly clever members of the Twilight Saga Fans Group on Ravelry. They are the most witty and creative bunch you'll ever find on the internet. Thanks lovelies!!
P.S.S. An edited version of this is going up on CrabbyGoLightly this morning, I'll post the link as soon as it's available....
This culmination of Twilight’s cultural coup has people of all ages breathlessly awaiting there chance in the theater. With the release date so close to Thanksgiving, I think the coming together around this movie will end up being an interesting pre-cursor to Thanksgiving. Many of us will be blushing over Edward Cullen while simultaneously planning our turkey dinners. Although I would probably have to rework my menu if the Cullens actually came to supper; they are vegetarians after all.
The morally driven family that compose “The Cullens” has been cast perfectly for their upcoming debut. Ashley Greene, as the dark-haired, prophetic, tinkerbell Alice, is the spitting image of Stephanie Meyer’s description. Kellen Lutz, who Meyer fought to have cast as Emmett, fits the construct created throughout the Twilight Saga perfectly. As the list goes on we have Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, whose beauty in this role forces me to squelch my own squeals when I think about it. Nikki Reed’s portrayal as Rosalie has slowly grown on me, and I’ve come to think her casting spot on as well. Carlisle and Esme, the vampire parents of the Cullen brood are as warm and loving in the movie clips as they are in written word. Finally, though, we have Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen. I will admit more than my fair share of gawking when it comes to him in character as the beloved Edward. Some fans were slow to see his devastatingly flawless transition from Harry Potter’s Cedric to Twilight’s Edward, but I was enamored from the start. Stephanie Meyer even allowed him inside access into her writing, so that his character could be as exact as possible.
As far as Bella Swan is concerned, the casting director took the illustration out of my mind and made it reality. Kristen Stewart’s face is the actual picture I saw as I read her heart-wrenching love story. The Mamapop review of Twilight describes her interpretation of Bella saying, “Stewart's Bella was [n]either wimp nor precocious teen; she was just as Meyer wrote her and was desperately in love without coming off as desperate “.
The one casting choice I have a problem with is that of Jacob Black. His character is the one I love the most in Meyer’s books, so his mis-casting hurts more than any of the others could have. When they opened up Jacob’s role for the movie, the itinerary suggested that a Native American would definitely fill the slot. The announcement that Solomon Trimble, a Native American from Oregon, would take on the part of Sam Uley was encouraging. Even so, the very young and very un-Native Taylor Lautner was chosen to play Jacob. My disappointment isn’t unfounded, there are many fans that still aren’t happy with his characterization. I don’t know what Meyer’s stance on Taylor’s ethnicity is, but he lacks the ingrained knowledge that growing up in those traditions gives someone like Solomon. It does, however, give me an opportunity to involve my boys in my obsession even further than their Halloween costumes (They were Edward and Jacob to my Bella), as I can explain the misrepresentation of the First Americans in the Thanksgiving story through a Twilight-colored lens.
Even though the Cullens can't actually celebrate Thanksgiving in the customary fashion, their sense of family is very much in tact. Their love for Bella, and subsequently her father, Charlie, is a wonderful example to us all in accepting people in our hearts who we don't expect to find a seat there. Alice and Bella's friendship is the deepest representation of this outside of Bella's relationship with Edward. It helps that Alice could "see" them becoming family before Bella even knew she existed, but their love for each other is healing in a world where women are expected to compete with each other in everything.
I’m hopeful the projected depiction of Bella’s relationship with her father, Charlie, will hold up to the books. Theirs is a slow-to-warm connection but the love between them in always evident, whether it be through Bella infamous gifted truck, or the dinners she tediously prepares for her single Dad. We are witness to the blossoming of a father/daughter relationship throughout Stephanie's books, at a time in a girl's life when paternal bonds are most often ignored or rebelled against. I can’t wait to see them this weekend.
I feel like part of my mind has been privy so someone else’s extended dream sequence. An entire space inside my skull has been overtaken by these books and movie. To quote Mrs. Meyer herself on the dream that started all of this, she says: “I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire.”. My husband, whose read three out of the four books, is taking me to see the film on Saturday. It’s an early Thanksgiving gift to each other; our second movie night in almost 4 years. I wish everyone would place an extra setting for Bella and Edward, and their love story at their feast this year. Just keep one live gobbler on hand for Edward to consume during your festivities.
P.S. This post would not have been possible without the incredibly clever members of the Twilight Saga Fans Group on Ravelry. They are the most witty and creative bunch you'll ever find on the internet. Thanks lovelies!!
P.S.S. An edited version of this is going up on CrabbyGoLightly this morning, I'll post the link as soon as it's available....
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Not Another One!
I have a fun post up at OpenSalon, and since it's easier to post pictures over there I'm just going to link to it!
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=45793#post_comments
I hope you enjoy...
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=45793#post_comments
I hope you enjoy...
Monday, November 17, 2008
Holy Turkey Feathers!!!
It's almost Thanksgiving! I was sitting here thinking about doing womit laundry (Winston and I both had stomach stuff last night, blech), and The Mr. reminded me that I might want to order a fried turkey from the place down the street. We do this every year, but I just thought I had more time or something!! ACK!
I also need to nail down my menu so I can get crackin on prep work. So let's look at the current plan, shall we?
Thanksgiving 2008 Menu (so far):
Fried Turkey - I grew up, at least partly, in Louisiana, and this is the best tasting way I've ever eaten turkey.
Oyster Dressing - Same concept. it makes my husband very happy, the boys love it. My mom doesn't like oysters, so I'm think of just leaving some oyster-free at the end of the pan for her. It's a Paula Deen recipe. She's a great resource around the holidays!
Roasted Butternut Squash - I used to make Giada Delaurentis's butternut squash lasagna, but when was nine months pregnant with Wednesday (he was born the Monday after Thanksgiving 2006), I switched to Rachael Ray's butternut squash and I like it much better. The left overs can be used in muffins, alongside your left over cranberry sauce (Catherine Newman recipe from last year). So yummy!
Brussel Sprouts- This is a Giada recipe that I've modified a little bit. Most of what my family considers traditional Thanksgiving food is not what my husband and I grew up eating. I did this on purpose so we;d have our own traditions as a family.
Green Beans - I'm doing these this year too. My brother is coming and I think he might knock me upside the head if I made him try a brussel sprout. The recipe I used last year was a mix of two I found in the 2005 Southern Living Christmas Magazine. I might get my Mom to do these in my un-opened pressure cooker to give us more room on the stove.
Cranberry Sauce- Out of the can. The end. :)
Gravy- I made my own last year and put livers and gizzards to make it taste good. This year I'm leaving out the gizzards. It tastes really good!
Veggie Tray- This is a tradition taken from my Grandmother's Thanksgiving table. A bunch of veggies, black olives, pickles, and ranch dip. I usually offer two dips though.
Dessert- This is where I'm stick this year. I try to change it up but still use traditional flavors. Last year we had grits pie (Paula Deen) and Gingerbread Pudding in the crockpot (Southern Living Slow Cooker cookbook). Since my parents and brother are coming I want to do even more traditional things so they don't miss being at my Grandmother's house too much. Pecan pie? It will never be as good as my Grandmothers...sigh... Maybe some kind of bar with pecans? Something in the crockpot would be good because it's easy and out of the way for the rest of the day. Maybe some kind of crumble in the crockpot. I can go searching through the Crockpot Lady's archives and find something delicious, I'm sure.
So there we have it. That wasn't so bad. Thank you for letting me use this space to figure out my plans!! Now I just need to start a grocery list of all the stuff I can buy this week so I don't have to fight the crowds next week!!
I've asked for a solo Target trip to get Wednesday's birthday stuff. And I need a trip to Michael's to get craft stuff for Winston's Feast on Friday. I offered to do the craft. I couldn't bring myself to just bring small corn on the cob or cheese squares!!
I may come back later today to add things here. I'd love to know what your Thanksgiving tradition are as well!! Would you share them with me, please?
I also need to nail down my menu so I can get crackin on prep work. So let's look at the current plan, shall we?
Thanksgiving 2008 Menu (so far):
Fried Turkey - I grew up, at least partly, in Louisiana, and this is the best tasting way I've ever eaten turkey.
Oyster Dressing - Same concept. it makes my husband very happy, the boys love it. My mom doesn't like oysters, so I'm think of just leaving some oyster-free at the end of the pan for her. It's a Paula Deen recipe. She's a great resource around the holidays!
Roasted Butternut Squash - I used to make Giada Delaurentis's butternut squash lasagna, but when was nine months pregnant with Wednesday (he was born the Monday after Thanksgiving 2006), I switched to Rachael Ray's butternut squash and I like it much better. The left overs can be used in muffins, alongside your left over cranberry sauce (Catherine Newman recipe from last year). So yummy!
Brussel Sprouts- This is a Giada recipe that I've modified a little bit. Most of what my family considers traditional Thanksgiving food is not what my husband and I grew up eating. I did this on purpose so we;d have our own traditions as a family.
Green Beans - I'm doing these this year too. My brother is coming and I think he might knock me upside the head if I made him try a brussel sprout. The recipe I used last year was a mix of two I found in the 2005 Southern Living Christmas Magazine. I might get my Mom to do these in my un-opened pressure cooker to give us more room on the stove.
Cranberry Sauce- Out of the can. The end. :)
Gravy- I made my own last year and put livers and gizzards to make it taste good. This year I'm leaving out the gizzards. It tastes really good!
Veggie Tray- This is a tradition taken from my Grandmother's Thanksgiving table. A bunch of veggies, black olives, pickles, and ranch dip. I usually offer two dips though.
Dessert- This is where I'm stick this year. I try to change it up but still use traditional flavors. Last year we had grits pie (Paula Deen) and Gingerbread Pudding in the crockpot (Southern Living Slow Cooker cookbook). Since my parents and brother are coming I want to do even more traditional things so they don't miss being at my Grandmother's house too much. Pecan pie? It will never be as good as my Grandmothers...sigh... Maybe some kind of bar with pecans? Something in the crockpot would be good because it's easy and out of the way for the rest of the day. Maybe some kind of crumble in the crockpot. I can go searching through the Crockpot Lady's archives and find something delicious, I'm sure.
So there we have it. That wasn't so bad. Thank you for letting me use this space to figure out my plans!! Now I just need to start a grocery list of all the stuff I can buy this week so I don't have to fight the crowds next week!!
I've asked for a solo Target trip to get Wednesday's birthday stuff. And I need a trip to Michael's to get craft stuff for Winston's Feast on Friday. I offered to do the craft. I couldn't bring myself to just bring small corn on the cob or cheese squares!!
I may come back later today to add things here. I'd love to know what your Thanksgiving tradition are as well!! Would you share them with me, please?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
National Joy After A Long Winter
Although the euphoria Obama’s supporters felt on the night of his election is slowly wearing off, the historical meaning has not. Since Obama’s election win I’ve seen small, passionate groups of people protesting the war on the street, and had strangers speak with such sincerity to me and my children that it makes my heart swell. Despite the war path of the far right and “Sexy Sarah’s” media blitz, there seems to have been an overwhelming surge of sanity in our country since Obama’s victory. Swept up in the celebratory nature of this space in time, even conservatives are acclimating to their forthcoming commander-in-chief.
We all listened on that momentous night, as John McCain shushed his booing supporters and challenged them to accept Barack Obama as their president, as he himself vowed to do. His speech was full of a long-term comprehension of what the occasion meant, but his comments about the election during his interview with Jay Leno are the ones that gave me the most confidence in the future of our country. Toward the very end of their chat, Leno asked him how he felt about the “hostility” toward him in the media. McCain’s gracious response was perfection: “We're supposed to be able to take this kind of stuff, you know. You know, one thing I think Americans don't want is a sore loser.” It was that gentle reminder that the legacy created by Obama’s success out weighed the grubbiness of the campaign that finally won John McCain my respect.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck is also working hard to be a team player. The View’s token Republican may be busy spouting unfounded claims about Proposition 8 now, but her sentiment toward our next president on November 5th came as a great surprise. My vow of celibacy toward The View was broken that morning; I wanted to see what Elizabeth had to say now that her candidate had lost. She explained sitting her daughter, Grace, on her lap to watch Obama’s acceptance speech that morning. Her little girl immediately recognized Barack Obama and Elizabeth encouraged her excitement, telling Grace that he was our new President. When Grace asked who’d lost the election, Elizabeth told her no one had, because our country had gained such a great leader. Impressed, I continued to be baffled when she said she was ready to get in line behind Obama’s supporters, and that she understands his talent for bringing people together and inciting action. She was right to simplify the democratic process for Grace as she did, especially with this all-encompassing election. No one loses when millions of people rise together to speak with their votes. There are no losers when an African American man makes it all the way to the White House.
It appears even Mrs. Palin is willing to set aside her differences with Obama. Just a few days ago she told Wolf Blitzer she’d be glad to assist the Obama administration any way she could, especially when it came to energy policy and special-needs children. She goes onto contradict her seeming acceptance of Obama’s win with more negative words, but the original feeling isn’t lost. I appreciate her helpful offers, even in they’re superficial in nature.
As a whole, our country appears to be embracing the decision that it’s majority made. While we wait out the lame-duck period between leaders, a new Gallup pole shows an increase in the number of conservatives who believe Obama will make an effective president. Since the final votes were counted, conservative morale for our president-elect has increased to 45%, a drastic improvement from it’s original 23% before the election. The feelings of a Twitter-friend who had hoped for a different outcome this year keep re-playing in my mind. She said that although she was saddened by McCain’s loss, she sincerely hoped that the promises Obama made to our nation were kept.
Smiling was painful by the fifth evening of this memorable month, and my happy tears still come easy as I dream of all the wounds that can be healed by this new administration. I know people like Elizabeth Hasselbeck prayed for an alternate American destiny, but I also desire for the hope of this fresh era to continue to be infectious for all her citizens.
We all listened on that momentous night, as John McCain shushed his booing supporters and challenged them to accept Barack Obama as their president, as he himself vowed to do. His speech was full of a long-term comprehension of what the occasion meant, but his comments about the election during his interview with Jay Leno are the ones that gave me the most confidence in the future of our country. Toward the very end of their chat, Leno asked him how he felt about the “hostility” toward him in the media. McCain’s gracious response was perfection: “We're supposed to be able to take this kind of stuff, you know. You know, one thing I think Americans don't want is a sore loser.” It was that gentle reminder that the legacy created by Obama’s success out weighed the grubbiness of the campaign that finally won John McCain my respect.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck is also working hard to be a team player. The View’s token Republican may be busy spouting unfounded claims about Proposition 8 now, but her sentiment toward our next president on November 5th came as a great surprise. My vow of celibacy toward The View was broken that morning; I wanted to see what Elizabeth had to say now that her candidate had lost. She explained sitting her daughter, Grace, on her lap to watch Obama’s acceptance speech that morning. Her little girl immediately recognized Barack Obama and Elizabeth encouraged her excitement, telling Grace that he was our new President. When Grace asked who’d lost the election, Elizabeth told her no one had, because our country had gained such a great leader. Impressed, I continued to be baffled when she said she was ready to get in line behind Obama’s supporters, and that she understands his talent for bringing people together and inciting action. She was right to simplify the democratic process for Grace as she did, especially with this all-encompassing election. No one loses when millions of people rise together to speak with their votes. There are no losers when an African American man makes it all the way to the White House.
It appears even Mrs. Palin is willing to set aside her differences with Obama. Just a few days ago she told Wolf Blitzer she’d be glad to assist the Obama administration any way she could, especially when it came to energy policy and special-needs children. She goes onto contradict her seeming acceptance of Obama’s win with more negative words, but the original feeling isn’t lost. I appreciate her helpful offers, even in they’re superficial in nature.
As a whole, our country appears to be embracing the decision that it’s majority made. While we wait out the lame-duck period between leaders, a new Gallup pole shows an increase in the number of conservatives who believe Obama will make an effective president. Since the final votes were counted, conservative morale for our president-elect has increased to 45%, a drastic improvement from it’s original 23% before the election. The feelings of a Twitter-friend who had hoped for a different outcome this year keep re-playing in my mind. She said that although she was saddened by McCain’s loss, she sincerely hoped that the promises Obama made to our nation were kept.
Smiling was painful by the fifth evening of this memorable month, and my happy tears still come easy as I dream of all the wounds that can be healed by this new administration. I know people like Elizabeth Hasselbeck prayed for an alternate American destiny, but I also desire for the hope of this fresh era to continue to be infectious for all her citizens.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Aw Shucks- A poem
When I was in second grade
and came to fully understand the meaning of
disgusting,
I incorporated into my vocabulary completely.
It took me almost 20 years to find a new word.
If I typed the way I talk
my most resounding word would be
ridiculous.
At least I don't say
"shush up" and "shucks" like I used to.
Now my curses usually start with "God ..."
And end with " ... you"
It's ridiculous.
Sorry guys, I couldn't sleep until I wrote it out. It's meant to be sarcastic and funny :o)!!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Hasselfree Kind of View
Since Obama’s election win I’ve seen small passionate groups of people protesting the war on the street, and had strangers speak with such sincerity to me and my children that it makes my heart swell. There seems to have been an overwhelming surge of sanity in our country since Obama’s win. My strongest example of this is Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s words on the November 5th airing of The View.
Now I know Mrs. Hasselbeck has already gone back into defense mode to some extent. Spouting unfounded claims about Proposition 8 doesn’t improve anyone’s mental capacity. But her sentiment toward our next president was a pleasant surprise. I purposefully watched The View on November 5th. I wanted to see what Elizabeth had to say now that her candidate had lost. She explained sitting her daughter, Grace, on her lap to watch Obama’s acceptance speech that morning. Her little girl immediately recognized Barack Obama and Elizabeth encouraged her excitement, telling Grace that he was our new President. When Grace asked who’d lost the election, Elizabeth told her no one had, because our country had gained such a great leader. Impressed, I continued to be baffled when she said she was ready to get in line behind Obama’s supporters, and that she feels like he has a talent for bringing people together and inciting action.
The relief that the election was over was evident on everyone’s face, but especially Mrs. Hasselbeck’s. It was almost as if she had gone back to her previously non-GOP-crazy self. That version of Elizabeth is one I have always liked. She first came under my radar on the Style Network, where she hosted a really entertaining show called “The Look For Less”. When she began her co-hosting duties on The View I was excited. Not knowing she was a Republican, I saw her as a supremely creative and intelligent young woman. She has a degree in Fine Arts and shared words with the audience after her daughter was born that I still take to heart. Incidentally, they were about remembering to do something creative everyday to preserve that part of one self as a new mother. When the slightly-psychotic behavior over an invite to W’s ball at the White House started I knew she was in trouble. With her intense behavior during the last two elections, not many of her opposing party see her as the clever and inspired anymore.
I’m hoping that the ladies of The View can allow Elizabeth to reclaim her place as the creative leader of the group; exemplifying the bridge between their political parties that we know Obama himself intends to build. As a mother, I think Elizabeth does a fantastic job, and that part of her needs to shine right now. She shouldn’t be demonized for her beliefs, even though she’s more than a little over the top. The View benefits greatly from her argumentative personality; she has brought her show worldwide news coverage more than any other host in the last couple of years.
I smiled so much on November 5th that my face hurt by bedtime, and even now, whenever I think of the places our country will be able to go now I almost cry. I know people like Elizabeth prayed for a different outcome in this election, but I also desire for the hope of this time in America to continue to be infectious for all her citizens.
Now I know Mrs. Hasselbeck has already gone back into defense mode to some extent. Spouting unfounded claims about Proposition 8 doesn’t improve anyone’s mental capacity. But her sentiment toward our next president was a pleasant surprise. I purposefully watched The View on November 5th. I wanted to see what Elizabeth had to say now that her candidate had lost. She explained sitting her daughter, Grace, on her lap to watch Obama’s acceptance speech that morning. Her little girl immediately recognized Barack Obama and Elizabeth encouraged her excitement, telling Grace that he was our new President. When Grace asked who’d lost the election, Elizabeth told her no one had, because our country had gained such a great leader. Impressed, I continued to be baffled when she said she was ready to get in line behind Obama’s supporters, and that she feels like he has a talent for bringing people together and inciting action.
The relief that the election was over was evident on everyone’s face, but especially Mrs. Hasselbeck’s. It was almost as if she had gone back to her previously non-GOP-crazy self. That version of Elizabeth is one I have always liked. She first came under my radar on the Style Network, where she hosted a really entertaining show called “The Look For Less”. When she began her co-hosting duties on The View I was excited. Not knowing she was a Republican, I saw her as a supremely creative and intelligent young woman. She has a degree in Fine Arts and shared words with the audience after her daughter was born that I still take to heart. Incidentally, they were about remembering to do something creative everyday to preserve that part of one self as a new mother. When the slightly-psychotic behavior over an invite to W’s ball at the White House started I knew she was in trouble. With her intense behavior during the last two elections, not many of her opposing party see her as the clever and inspired anymore.
I’m hoping that the ladies of The View can allow Elizabeth to reclaim her place as the creative leader of the group; exemplifying the bridge between their political parties that we know Obama himself intends to build. As a mother, I think Elizabeth does a fantastic job, and that part of her needs to shine right now. She shouldn’t be demonized for her beliefs, even though she’s more than a little over the top. The View benefits greatly from her argumentative personality; she has brought her show worldwide news coverage more than any other host in the last couple of years.
I smiled so much on November 5th that my face hurt by bedtime, and even now, whenever I think of the places our country will be able to go now I almost cry. I know people like Elizabeth prayed for a different outcome in this election, but I also desire for the hope of this time in America to continue to be infectious for all her citizens.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
That Boy
Hunter S. Thompson killed himself on Kurt Cobain's birthday, when I was pregnant with my first child, on the day the men came to fix the air conditioner. Only one of them knew who he was. I ate tostadas and talked to my stomach. He knew who Kurt Cobain was, at least.
When they brought that boy into my room the nurses started talking but I couldn't hear them. He was crying, and I said "Shhh, baby. It's ok..." and he stopped. It was magic. They finally put him in my arms because I was too drugged to pick him up myself. The nurse thought I said I was overwhelmed when I suddenly couldn't talk. What I said was that I was overjoyed. He was born with a mohawk.
He is devastatingly handsome, even at three. He looks so much like his father, acts so much like his father. I catch myself saying, "He is YOUR child", because they are so similar. My heart knows that when his Papa does leave, I'll be able to see him in that boy's face. It's reassuring to know my favorite eyebrows will be preserved for another generation.
"When I grow up, I want to be a King and an acrobat!" This announcement came about a month ago. My little brother wanted to be a Lion. Now that he's been in school for a while he's told me he wants to be a doctor. I was disappointed; knowing what a standard answer that was for such a far off dream. He's also learned that the opposite of skinny is fat. That is an awful word. I never use it and am going to force him to say, "rotund" instead. I remember reading somewhere that Sarah Jessica Parker never used that "f word" around her son. She is noble for that.
In Blockbuster, waiting to pay for movies, he read half of the word "gobstopper". He wants to read so badly. It's right there on the tip of his mind and it's amazing to watch. That world is and always has been so important to us, me and that boy. Reading together is something we've always done. Donovan the cat used to get so mad at me for reading to my huge belly. We had to put her on a sedative so I could read You Are My I Love You as often as I required. He can "read" any book that we've read once. He repeats almost every word, in almost perfect order.
I love that boy. He will be taller than me by the first grade, I'm sure. But for right now he still lets me call him my baby. He has my heart in a way no one else does. That boy; my boy. He's never belonged to me, I know that, but I'm glad he was given.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Ramblings
A warning first. There is nothing important being said here. I can't promise any great reward or understanding in my concluding paragraph. My English teacher's would not be happy with this writing. So please, only read if you want to.
I started blogging in my head months before I actually started Cookiemonks. I actually started it and then deleted it once before I finally committed to making it real. I did the same with Twitter. I joined, and tweeted away in my brain, but didn't say very much. I'm still uncomfortable reducing my word count so that I fit in that box and sound somewhat intelligent. Poetry is something I find impossible to pull out of my head. Without an internal tape recorder in there to catch the phrases, they just leap frantically across my vision. Grammar Gazelles. I did write fast enough to capture one for my husband about a month ago. He says he read it, but didn't realize I had written it. He thought I just found it and sent it to him. I kind of did, but my mind formed the words before my hands typed them.
I am feeling rather unclever these days. There are so many others out there who are so much more than I have time to be. With the election over I feel like my air has been let out slightly. Too much important work needs to be done for me to find value in the trivial things I feel lead to write about. I have something pretty well put together that ties True Blood and Miss Louisiana mishaps together. But who cares? I have to care. Music is something I've needed to talk about for a long time. It's so big though; the smell hairspray on Halloween made me want to perform when I haven't since I was pregnant with Winston.
All of my clothes fit again. It matters only in the fact that I recognize myself in the mirror after seeing someone else for a good 3 years. Close pregnancies were wonderful, but a curse at the same time. I think the hormones have finally settled now that the baby will soon be two. With that part closed for now, I want to see myself as a writer, in conjunction with my permanent Mommy mantle. But mostly I just see too many dirty dishes, and mountains of laundry, and gorgeous yarn for projects I can't complete.
I wonder sometimes what experiences I would have gained if I would have stepped outside the geeky-brain-girl box just a little bit sooner. My family, as it is today, would be much the same. These are my only people in the world. But what would I have gained, if I'd stopped caring about grades for just a little while longer. One of these days I'll finish school. I even missed that for a few fleeting moments when I had to bring The Mr. something at work (he is a professor).
Winston forced me up from here to chase him. It was fun, I'm not good at that most of the time. I chased both the boys, and peeled their sweaty jammies off, and gave them pretend Halloween tattoos, and blew bubbles at the cats with them. "Make an ooo and blow through it". At least I taught someone to blow bubbles in my lifetime.
I'm baking a pumpkin with no plans for a pie. That is my wild and crazy side these days. I've never really had one to begin with. I think I'm going to blend it with some cream cheese and brown some marshmallows on top. It will taste good, if nothing else.
I have to keep writing, even with nothing to say. My brain has come back to me in such huge amounts since I've started that it would never forgive me if I stopped.
So here's to vampires and maybe even Elizabeth Hasselbeck. They're coming. If I stop them they'll kill me!
I started blogging in my head months before I actually started Cookiemonks. I actually started it and then deleted it once before I finally committed to making it real. I did the same with Twitter. I joined, and tweeted away in my brain, but didn't say very much. I'm still uncomfortable reducing my word count so that I fit in that box and sound somewhat intelligent. Poetry is something I find impossible to pull out of my head. Without an internal tape recorder in there to catch the phrases, they just leap frantically across my vision. Grammar Gazelles. I did write fast enough to capture one for my husband about a month ago. He says he read it, but didn't realize I had written it. He thought I just found it and sent it to him. I kind of did, but my mind formed the words before my hands typed them.
I am feeling rather unclever these days. There are so many others out there who are so much more than I have time to be. With the election over I feel like my air has been let out slightly. Too much important work needs to be done for me to find value in the trivial things I feel lead to write about. I have something pretty well put together that ties True Blood and Miss Louisiana mishaps together. But who cares? I have to care. Music is something I've needed to talk about for a long time. It's so big though; the smell hairspray on Halloween made me want to perform when I haven't since I was pregnant with Winston.
All of my clothes fit again. It matters only in the fact that I recognize myself in the mirror after seeing someone else for a good 3 years. Close pregnancies were wonderful, but a curse at the same time. I think the hormones have finally settled now that the baby will soon be two. With that part closed for now, I want to see myself as a writer, in conjunction with my permanent Mommy mantle. But mostly I just see too many dirty dishes, and mountains of laundry, and gorgeous yarn for projects I can't complete.
I wonder sometimes what experiences I would have gained if I would have stepped outside the geeky-brain-girl box just a little bit sooner. My family, as it is today, would be much the same. These are my only people in the world. But what would I have gained, if I'd stopped caring about grades for just a little while longer. One of these days I'll finish school. I even missed that for a few fleeting moments when I had to bring The Mr. something at work (he is a professor).
Winston forced me up from here to chase him. It was fun, I'm not good at that most of the time. I chased both the boys, and peeled their sweaty jammies off, and gave them pretend Halloween tattoos, and blew bubbles at the cats with them. "Make an ooo and blow through it". At least I taught someone to blow bubbles in my lifetime.
I'm baking a pumpkin with no plans for a pie. That is my wild and crazy side these days. I've never really had one to begin with. I think I'm going to blend it with some cream cheese and brown some marshmallows on top. It will taste good, if nothing else.
I have to keep writing, even with nothing to say. My brain has come back to me in such huge amounts since I've started that it would never forgive me if I stopped.
So here's to vampires and maybe even Elizabeth Hasselbeck. They're coming. If I stop them they'll kill me!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Genius
We were standing in line at Blockbuster, waiting to pay for our movies. Winston asked what the name of some candy was and I told him I didn't know. I was busy trying to keep Wednesday from grabbing all the candy and making a huge mess. So Winston goes "Guh, Ahh, Buh, Ssss. Gob-sllj;jfihg" He read half a word people. HE READ HALF OF A WORD!!!! HE IS ONLY THREE!!!! The candy was, of course, gobstoppers. Something we have never bought, so he couldn't cheat by just recognizing the box. The lady in front of us turned around and smiled at him. I am so extremely impressed with him. Holy Majolie!!!!!
He's been doing all kind of serious pre-reading stuff forever, and working with "a-t" and various consonants at school. This is the first time that he's sounded things out and then put the sounds together for a word. I am so excited. Reading is like a whole world opening, and it's coming so close for him.
I love you, Winston. You are an incredible boy, and I am so proud to be your Mommy.
He's been doing all kind of serious pre-reading stuff forever, and working with "a-t" and various consonants at school. This is the first time that he's sounded things out and then put the sounds together for a word. I am so excited. Reading is like a whole world opening, and it's coming so close for him.
I love you, Winston. You are an incredible boy, and I am so proud to be your Mommy.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Pillow Talk
I hate talking on the telephone. In fact, I hate it so much that I rarely even answer it. When I do pick it up, I've been known to lie, repeatedly, to get off as quickly as possible. Telling a telemarketer they just woke up my sleeping baby is my favorite, but I've accepted magazine offers and fibbed about TV surveys as well. This is exactly why I have no faith in a new study that concludes that teens who watch sexually mature "boob tube" tales are more likely to get pregnant. I realize that has nothing to do with a phone. The exception is that all of the data for this inherently flawed study was gathered in exactly that manner. 12 to 17 year olds were asked by phone, over a 3 year period, to give honest recollections of their sexual behaviors in accordance with the kind shows they prefer. Lying is something that all humans learn to do at an early age, but I think it's perfected during the angsty adolescent years.
According to the study, the kids interviewed were twice as likely to become pregnant when their visual vices tended toward the raunchy than those who watched more wholesome programming. That seems clear enough until you look at the actual numbers in the experiment. After losing an unreported quarter of their participants, more of the 1461 remaining people were dismissed if they didn't share their sexual activity, or were sexually inactive. In total, 64% of the original teenagers are either invisible within the findings, or never finished the process. So the information we've been fed covers 36% of a group of teenagers who spoke on the phone 3 times over the course of 3 years with researchers they didn't know personally. Whether they were honest or not ceases to matter when such an enormous amount of data is thrown away. The statistics are irrevocably skewed with such a small sample size. Would you lie? I might if I knew in doing so I would cause such absurd observations to get so much news coverage .
There was only one saving grace in all of this scientific hullabaloo. It was suggested that parents sit down with their young adults and explain a realistic perspective of the intimate encounters they view. My own Mom spent entire weekends watching "My So Called Life" marathons with me on MTV. She taught sex ed at the time, so that helped. But what was most comforting was just having her there; not so much talking as simply being present to answer questions and appreciate the program for the reasons I loved it, not the reasons I shouldn't be watching it.
I think we have to be smart enough as parents to realize that our kids don't learn everything from us. My 3 year old spends his entire time on the playground at school pretending to be Spider Man or a Power Ranger when the only experience he has with either of those is a pair of baby-sized boxer shorts. Instead of demanding he change his play habits because he's not old enough to watch those cartoons at home, I've tried to explain, as best I can, the most interesting and useful parts of both Peter Parker and the Red Ranger. With that knowledge he can imagine more confidently on the playground and still be the big small boy he's meant to be.
Clarity of mind for anything beyond girl cooties and Mama-love is almost a decade away for me. I don't know exactly how I'll deal with regulating television while remaining open when the time comes. However, I do know I'd rather be sitting on the couch with my boys, watching Degrassi and pointing out the realities and over simplifications, than banning them from watching at all. Intimacy will, as one commenter said, be their choice in the end. I want them to have the most balanced knowledge of any situation possible when they reach it. Maybe I should start watching Gossip Girl for the sake of future research. It would give me a good reason to take the phone off the hook!
According to the study, the kids interviewed were twice as likely to become pregnant when their visual vices tended toward the raunchy than those who watched more wholesome programming. That seems clear enough until you look at the actual numbers in the experiment. After losing an unreported quarter of their participants, more of the 1461 remaining people were dismissed if they didn't share their sexual activity, or were sexually inactive. In total, 64% of the original teenagers are either invisible within the findings, or never finished the process. So the information we've been fed covers 36% of a group of teenagers who spoke on the phone 3 times over the course of 3 years with researchers they didn't know personally. Whether they were honest or not ceases to matter when such an enormous amount of data is thrown away. The statistics are irrevocably skewed with such a small sample size. Would you lie? I might if I knew in doing so I would cause such absurd observations to get so much news coverage .
There was only one saving grace in all of this scientific hullabaloo. It was suggested that parents sit down with their young adults and explain a realistic perspective of the intimate encounters they view. My own Mom spent entire weekends watching "My So Called Life" marathons with me on MTV. She taught sex ed at the time, so that helped. But what was most comforting was just having her there; not so much talking as simply being present to answer questions and appreciate the program for the reasons I loved it, not the reasons I shouldn't be watching it.
I think we have to be smart enough as parents to realize that our kids don't learn everything from us. My 3 year old spends his entire time on the playground at school pretending to be Spider Man or a Power Ranger when the only experience he has with either of those is a pair of baby-sized boxer shorts. Instead of demanding he change his play habits because he's not old enough to watch those cartoons at home, I've tried to explain, as best I can, the most interesting and useful parts of both Peter Parker and the Red Ranger. With that knowledge he can imagine more confidently on the playground and still be the big small boy he's meant to be.
Clarity of mind for anything beyond girl cooties and Mama-love is almost a decade away for me. I don't know exactly how I'll deal with regulating television while remaining open when the time comes. However, I do know I'd rather be sitting on the couch with my boys, watching Degrassi and pointing out the realities and over simplifications, than banning them from watching at all. Intimacy will, as one commenter said, be their choice in the end. I want them to have the most balanced knowledge of any situation possible when they reach it. Maybe I should start watching Gossip Girl for the sake of future research. It would give me a good reason to take the phone off the hook!
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Hot Topic
The trip started out innocently enough; or as innocent as a shopping expedition specifically to acquire vampire paraphernalia can. My 3 year old son and I traipsed into our local Hot Topic to pick out a Twilight t-shirt for me and a friend. After we’d chosen out shirts (mine, and hers), I went looking for a store employee to ask about some lapel pins I’d seen on their website. I found both a you man and woman having a heated discussion as they arranged various body piercing decorations. I was going to interrupt, but then I tentatively overhead “Obama....liar....”, and I couldn’t not listen. The young woman, who, if I was judging strictly by appearance, should be an Obama supporter, went on to say that Obama was not an American, and that’s what we needed for a president. That was ridiculous enough that my face started feeling hot, but she continued. She said, “Someone should really just kill him before the election”. My face was so heated that I was starting to sweat when I heard the young man say, “If you gave me the right tools I’d do it myself!!”. I pulled my son closer to me and asked politely for assistance with something, but then I couldn’t speak.. I was so appalled and baffled when they made eye contact with me that I just stood there, holding my baby’s hand, looking dumb.
After a good 20 second I asked about the pins. The man led me to the counter with a much too stern look, and I walked around to thumb through the pins. I wanted so badly to say something. I wanted to admonish them for speaking that way in front of my child, especially when most of their customers are in essence still children themselves. Greedily, I dreamed of asking for an accurate count of the bands represented through t-shirts and albums who actually supported John McCain. In my own head, I ask if they knew their lifestyle was a direct opposition to everything McCain stands for. Did they think that he would appreciate their painstakingly crafted tattoos that ran up and down their arms? Was their carefully culled persona of a “punk” or “goth” something they were willing to just throw away?
When we got home I searched under every possible topic for other McCain supporters who fit the profile of the employees in the Mall. My searches all came up empty, with maybe two random single sentences of support by someone who called themselves a “hard rocker” or an equally anti-establishment label. I did, however, find this quote from McCain 2002 memoir, “ ‘A rebel without a cause is just a punk. Whatever you're called - rebel, unorthodox, nonconformist, radical - it's all self-indulgence without a good cause to give your life meaning’ ”. In this instance, Mr. McCain was actually right. I know that with very few exceptions, McCain supporters would be as disgusted as I was by my experience. A self-indulgent outer facade doesn’t make up for a lack of understanding of what this election truly means to all citizens.
After two days of inner-dialogue, I opened the sack from Hot Topic to pack a Halloween gift for my friend. I picked up the pin and the irony was so funny I couldn’t contain myself. I ran to tell my husband my discovery, laughing and slapping my hand across my forehead. In two days I hadn’t been able to understand how those people felt cared for or bolstered by McCain’s policies when their choices are something that McCain himself clearly wants nothing to do with. Looking at the pin I understood. It read: “Stupid Lamb”.
After a good 20 second I asked about the pins. The man led me to the counter with a much too stern look, and I walked around to thumb through the pins. I wanted so badly to say something. I wanted to admonish them for speaking that way in front of my child, especially when most of their customers are in essence still children themselves. Greedily, I dreamed of asking for an accurate count of the bands represented through t-shirts and albums who actually supported John McCain. In my own head, I ask if they knew their lifestyle was a direct opposition to everything McCain stands for. Did they think that he would appreciate their painstakingly crafted tattoos that ran up and down their arms? Was their carefully culled persona of a “punk” or “goth” something they were willing to just throw away?
When we got home I searched under every possible topic for other McCain supporters who fit the profile of the employees in the Mall. My searches all came up empty, with maybe two random single sentences of support by someone who called themselves a “hard rocker” or an equally anti-establishment label. I did, however, find this quote from McCain 2002 memoir, “ ‘A rebel without a cause is just a punk. Whatever you're called - rebel, unorthodox, nonconformist, radical - it's all self-indulgence without a good cause to give your life meaning’ ”. In this instance, Mr. McCain was actually right. I know that with very few exceptions, McCain supporters would be as disgusted as I was by my experience. A self-indulgent outer facade doesn’t make up for a lack of understanding of what this election truly means to all citizens.
After two days of inner-dialogue, I opened the sack from Hot Topic to pack a Halloween gift for my friend. I picked up the pin and the irony was so funny I couldn’t contain myself. I ran to tell my husband my discovery, laughing and slapping my hand across my forehead. In two days I hadn’t been able to understand how those people felt cared for or bolstered by McCain’s policies when their choices are something that McCain himself clearly wants nothing to do with. Looking at the pin I understood. It read: “Stupid Lamb”.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Vestments: Off My Chest
I am awaiting the dawn of the "Prada Politicians". Their arrival is imminent, and some have already begun to infiltrate. They're slow moving, like zombies, to keep us from catching on too quickly. Seriously though, I feel like the women involved in this year's political campaign are turning into bad replicas of Sex and the City characters. All of them land somewhere between Charlotte and Samantha on the fashion Richter scale. Additionally, I don't recall the outward appearance of any recent male politicians making such big news, outside of a few bad hair jokes. The detailed review of the physical, and therefore strictly female, spectra of these women is one of the most sexist and dirty political tactics I've seen throughout this entire campaign.
Hillary Clinton has always received a good amount of attention for her personal style, but the point at which this entire concept "jumped the shark" was when she was persuaded to leave off a diamond ring her husband gave her in order to display a more respectable amount of bling. Whether your platform focuses on family values or not, a ring on your hand from your spouse shows nothing but commitment. The irony here is that Sarah Palin's role in her daughter's pregnancy and inevitable engagement has been so highly celebrated . Even though the GOP won't acknowledge the ring's existence, it's being used to bolster the wholesome image of the deeply damaged Palin family .
But accessories aren't the only source of contention is this campaign. The main culprit is the clothes themselves, and not only due to Sarah Palin's recent shopping spree. Absurdity of apparel began, for me, when someone priced the clothes that Cindy McCain and Laura Bush wore to the RNC. Mrs. McCain's total came to over $300,000! To use one of Mr. McCain's preferred euphemisms, “Joe the Plumber” could certainly not afford to buy his wife a similar outfit. Additionally it is not lost on me that Mrs. McCain and Samantha Jones from SATC could exchange wardrobes and no one would be the wiser! Mrs. Bush's ensemble was more on par with her standard of living, costing somewhere between 3 and $4,000, which I appreciated at the time of the report, and still value today. If Mrs. Palin's desire is to come across as an ordinary hockey mom, then following in Laura’s footsteps would have been the wisest decision for her and her party.
Just as jewelry isn't singularly responsible for the fashion faux pas’ on this journey to November, neither are the Republicans alone in their gluttonous glamour. As much as I respect the Obama family, I was saddened to realize that Michelle had the help of Oprah's makeover team to polish her appearance for major events ( I can't find this link anywhere!, can you help, please?). I want all of these women to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience that the expedition to the White House brings, but not at the expense of their humanity. They are, after all, supposed to represent all Americans, and more specifically all American women. Hillary's stylist was quoted as saying that clothing someone like these ladies would normally be an honor for any designer.
She found it strange that Sarah Palin hadn't been given more business-couture clothes for free! That, for me, is even more outlandish that the GOP spending all of that money on beautification of Mrs. Sarah.
There is a crisis of vanity in America, and the women of the 2008 Presidential campaign have not escaped it's clutches. As our economy continues to falter and we await some sort of saviour, the American delusion of what a politician is to look like stands in the way of financial competency. I don't believe this is what's important to women in this election, and yet it receives so much news coverage that it's hard to ignore. I guess you can only re-do a suit and tie so many times, but I feel like this issue of fashion is just not worrisome with male politicians. On the contrary, maybe I'm just naive, or just a woman, so I'm noticing all of these things more often. Perhaps it's because we are still unused to seeing women in this role, so the box we want to squeeze them into hasn't quite been hammered down yet.
Moreover, it's sad that I made a comment about Sarah Palin needing to wear her hair down, and the next day read somewhere that she'd been advised to do exactly that . Her hair shouldn't be a main issue, and I shouldn't put weight into the subtleness of her mane. It's ridiculous that Michelle's beautifully arched brows are probably the result of Oprah coveted eyebrow guru. I don't want them to be another "bridge to nowhere". It's sickening that the GOP made such a stink about Sarah Palin's lack of retouching on her Newsweek cover . I don't want these women to be "retouched". Who they are, as mothers, citizens, and females, is drastically more important.
My Mom is a minister's wife. She married my Dad knowing that a certain persona would be expected of her wherever we lived. She adamantly refuses to fill the mold. Always herself, she supports him in his job as he supports her, and doesn't give into the pressure or the low level glamour that could come from the variety of dinners and events they attend. In the same manner, I wonder if Jackie O's style was something cultivated by a team of high paid stylists, or simply her own style exemplified. In a way, Megan McCain's greatly publicized tattoo she plans to get if her father wins says it clearly, "Life Free, or Die". I know, very well, that she wasn't talking about clothes or even the death of self, but that's what this microcosm of vestments is causing right now. Unconscious and grandiose decisions like these continue to deflate the credibility of the election process and the American dream.
A co-authored version is here: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sellingperfection.html
Thanks!
Hillary Clinton has always received a good amount of attention for her personal style, but the point at which this entire concept "jumped the shark" was when she was persuaded to leave off a diamond ring her husband gave her in order to display a more respectable amount of bling. Whether your platform focuses on family values or not, a ring on your hand from your spouse shows nothing but commitment. The irony here is that Sarah Palin's role in her daughter's pregnancy and inevitable engagement has been so highly celebrated . Even though the GOP won't acknowledge the ring's existence, it's being used to bolster the wholesome image of the deeply damaged Palin family .
But accessories aren't the only source of contention is this campaign. The main culprit is the clothes themselves, and not only due to Sarah Palin's recent shopping spree. Absurdity of apparel began, for me, when someone priced the clothes that Cindy McCain and Laura Bush wore to the RNC. Mrs. McCain's total came to over $300,000! To use one of Mr. McCain's preferred euphemisms, “Joe the Plumber” could certainly not afford to buy his wife a similar outfit. Additionally it is not lost on me that Mrs. McCain and Samantha Jones from SATC could exchange wardrobes and no one would be the wiser! Mrs. Bush's ensemble was more on par with her standard of living, costing somewhere between 3 and $4,000, which I appreciated at the time of the report, and still value today. If Mrs. Palin's desire is to come across as an ordinary hockey mom, then following in Laura’s footsteps would have been the wisest decision for her and her party.
Just as jewelry isn't singularly responsible for the fashion faux pas’ on this journey to November, neither are the Republicans alone in their gluttonous glamour. As much as I respect the Obama family, I was saddened to realize that Michelle had the help of Oprah's makeover team to polish her appearance for major events ( I can't find this link anywhere!, can you help, please?). I want all of these women to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience that the expedition to the White House brings, but not at the expense of their humanity. They are, after all, supposed to represent all Americans, and more specifically all American women. Hillary's stylist was quoted as saying that clothing someone like these ladies would normally be an honor for any designer.
She found it strange that Sarah Palin hadn't been given more business-couture clothes for free! That, for me, is even more outlandish that the GOP spending all of that money on beautification of Mrs. Sarah.
There is a crisis of vanity in America, and the women of the 2008 Presidential campaign have not escaped it's clutches. As our economy continues to falter and we await some sort of saviour, the American delusion of what a politician is to look like stands in the way of financial competency. I don't believe this is what's important to women in this election, and yet it receives so much news coverage that it's hard to ignore. I guess you can only re-do a suit and tie so many times, but I feel like this issue of fashion is just not worrisome with male politicians. On the contrary, maybe I'm just naive, or just a woman, so I'm noticing all of these things more often. Perhaps it's because we are still unused to seeing women in this role, so the box we want to squeeze them into hasn't quite been hammered down yet.
Moreover, it's sad that I made a comment about Sarah Palin needing to wear her hair down, and the next day read somewhere that she'd been advised to do exactly that . Her hair shouldn't be a main issue, and I shouldn't put weight into the subtleness of her mane. It's ridiculous that Michelle's beautifully arched brows are probably the result of Oprah coveted eyebrow guru. I don't want them to be another "bridge to nowhere". It's sickening that the GOP made such a stink about Sarah Palin's lack of retouching on her Newsweek cover . I don't want these women to be "retouched". Who they are, as mothers, citizens, and females, is drastically more important.
My Mom is a minister's wife. She married my Dad knowing that a certain persona would be expected of her wherever we lived. She adamantly refuses to fill the mold. Always herself, she supports him in his job as he supports her, and doesn't give into the pressure or the low level glamour that could come from the variety of dinners and events they attend. In the same manner, I wonder if Jackie O's style was something cultivated by a team of high paid stylists, or simply her own style exemplified. In a way, Megan McCain's greatly publicized tattoo she plans to get if her father wins says it clearly, "Life Free, or Die". I know, very well, that she wasn't talking about clothes or even the death of self, but that's what this microcosm of vestments is causing right now. Unconscious and grandiose decisions like these continue to deflate the credibility of the election process and the American dream.
A co-authored version is here: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sellingperfection.html
Thanks!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
In Reply
This post is in reply to my officially crowned Bloggy Godmother's recent post. There are at least 3 other things I should be writing right now, but I WANT to write this. I figured that was a good start, maybe I'll want to write the other things soon.
Six Random Facts About Me:
1. I can sing the pants off any just about any Jewel or Sarah McLachlan song, excluding their newest albums. I was a voice major, at least for a little while. I have papers!
2. My favorite TV show of all time is Ally McBeal. My current affliction in True Blood.
3. I have an unnatural love of Twilight. I am of the Jacob persuasion.
4. My children each have one name that came either from a Neil Gaiman book, or a dream I had while pregnant.
5. I have never dyed my hair. Ever. I did have quite a few perms as a child though!
6. I was chastised in Sunday School as a child for saying Away in A Manger was my favorite hymn. Apparently it was only reserved for Christmas. It's still my favorite, even though I am a wayward church-er.
EDIT! I forgot to tag anyone!
Ummm...
1. Emblita, because she just sent me the most amazing package I have ever received. And the circle must never be broken!!! ;)
2. Constance (the first), because I H-E-A-R-T her.
That's all I can think of right now...
Six Random Facts About Me:
1. I can sing the pants off any just about any Jewel or Sarah McLachlan song, excluding their newest albums. I was a voice major, at least for a little while. I have papers!
2. My favorite TV show of all time is Ally McBeal. My current affliction in True Blood.
3. I have an unnatural love of Twilight. I am of the Jacob persuasion.
4. My children each have one name that came either from a Neil Gaiman book, or a dream I had while pregnant.
5. I have never dyed my hair. Ever. I did have quite a few perms as a child though!
6. I was chastised in Sunday School as a child for saying Away in A Manger was my favorite hymn. Apparently it was only reserved for Christmas. It's still my favorite, even though I am a wayward church-er.
EDIT! I forgot to tag anyone!
Ummm...
1. Emblita, because she just sent me the most amazing package I have ever received. And the circle must never be broken!!! ;)
2. Constance (the first), because I H-E-A-R-T her.
That's all I can think of right now...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
It's my Bloggy and I'll Write What I Want To!
So, Halloween. It's coming. My house is decorated, not the extent it was last year, but pretty done up none the less. My boys costumes are almost finished as is mine and my husband's. I found out this week that the Festival at my husband's school (he's a professor, ooh lala!) is actually on Halloween night. Our plan is to take the boys Trick or Treating around the neighborhood early (5-6ish) and then head over to the "Festibul" as Winston termed it last year. So my question is, do I keep my costume on to go to this thing? Or do I take it off? The last time I went in full costume I was Frida Khalo and won second in the costume contest. This year I'll be Bella a la Prom from Twilight. What do you think?
Also, Wednesday's birthday is ON Thanksgiving this year. My parents are planning on coming, which I'm actually excited about. Usually it's just me and my boys, hubby included, on Thanksgiving. We usually see my MIL at some point during the day and even eat at her house some years. Even so, I've never gotten to share the traditions I've started for my own little family with my parents and I'm so looking forward to it. We have our own food traditions that I've established in the past few years, on top of all the fun things I want to do for Wednesday's birthday.
I was having trouble coming up with a theme, and then it hit me that I can do over the top Thanksgiving stuff! In the newest Parents magazine they have a pattern to cut out Turkey feathers to put on the back on a kid's high chair. I could do that for everyone! And the new Martha Stewart Living has a recipe for Candy Cornucopias which is so freakin cute. I already have a lot of Fall/Thanksgiving decorations, and can continue to find/make things before the party. I want the boys to do a big collage again this year. Last year it was Halloween themed, but this year I want it to be Thanksgiving/Birthday/Winter so we can hang it up for Wednesday's party! Also, instead of part hats I thought I could make a bunch of pilgrim hats. No head dresses as I can't bring myself to be THAT historically inaccurate! Dream catchers might be nice to have for everyone. Happy wishes for everyone after a Happy Birthday!
To make things extra special for him, I was thinking of doing a birthday meal either the night before or after, depending on when my parents are here. That way we can continue our every-Thanksgiving eats as usual, and still have a fun meal for birthday time. I'm thinking butternut squash lasagna, turkey meatballs in the crockpot, and green bean casserole that has chips on the top instead of the onion things. I want to make my appley cake I made for Winston's class at camp and maybe a pie as well!
Also, Wednesday's birthday is ON Thanksgiving this year. My parents are planning on coming, which I'm actually excited about. Usually it's just me and my boys, hubby included, on Thanksgiving. We usually see my MIL at some point during the day and even eat at her house some years. Even so, I've never gotten to share the traditions I've started for my own little family with my parents and I'm so looking forward to it. We have our own food traditions that I've established in the past few years, on top of all the fun things I want to do for Wednesday's birthday.
I was having trouble coming up with a theme, and then it hit me that I can do over the top Thanksgiving stuff! In the newest Parents magazine they have a pattern to cut out Turkey feathers to put on the back on a kid's high chair. I could do that for everyone! And the new Martha Stewart Living has a recipe for Candy Cornucopias which is so freakin cute. I already have a lot of Fall/Thanksgiving decorations, and can continue to find/make things before the party. I want the boys to do a big collage again this year. Last year it was Halloween themed, but this year I want it to be Thanksgiving/Birthday/Winter so we can hang it up for Wednesday's party! Also, instead of part hats I thought I could make a bunch of pilgrim hats. No head dresses as I can't bring myself to be THAT historically inaccurate! Dream catchers might be nice to have for everyone. Happy wishes for everyone after a Happy Birthday!
To make things extra special for him, I was thinking of doing a birthday meal either the night before or after, depending on when my parents are here. That way we can continue our every-Thanksgiving eats as usual, and still have a fun meal for birthday time. I'm thinking butternut squash lasagna, turkey meatballs in the crockpot, and green bean casserole that has chips on the top instead of the onion things. I want to make my appley cake I made for Winston's class at camp and maybe a pie as well!
So in honor of all things Halloween and a Thanksgiving birth, here are some links to the crafts I'm talking about and the Halloween websites I love:
Thanksgiving Crafts: Pilgrim Hats Arts & Crafts - and More Great Family Fun Craft Ideas Pilgrim Hats for my little turkeys!
Make a Dream Catcher for Kids Dream-Catchers.org Dream Catchers for Wednesday's B-day.
A Nostalgic Halloween Just beautiful inspiring artwork.
Bella's Prom Dress by ~Erynne-L on deviantART My ensemble is based on this dress, because it's the one Stephenie Meyer had in mind when she wrote Twilight. Mine is not so releaving, and actually a sleeveless dress with a lace shirt underneath.
http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/ So many good craft projects from all over the interenet!
http://www.shadowmanor.com/blog/ The Art of Darkness, I read here everyday!
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2008/10/halloween-extravaganza.html An online Halloween Fete, so gorgeous!
http://community.livejournal.com/twilight_crafts/ Twlighty Goodness
http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/candy-cornucopias?autonomy_kw=cornucopia&rsc=header_6 Candy Cornucopias
Not so Fantastic, Scholatstic!
Two weeks ago my son brought home his first Scholastic book club order form from pre-school. Just the smell of that flimsy paper sent hundreds of memories from my own elementary experience flooding back to me. I started Scholastic's book club in Kindergarten, and continued in the classroom and by mail until about 6th grade. I immediately sat down with a pen and put stars by the things I wanted to buy for my boys, just like I used to for myself. I even let Winston, the pre-schooler, mark his own choices with the pen. We ordered far too many books; on Halloween, and Jewish holidays, and monsters, and school. They came in last week and I think I was more excited than the boys were!
But there are two stories in the news that are clouding my positive outlook on Scholastic's book club. First, because of a massive campaign by parents here and in Canada, Scholastic has decided to pull the Bratz books from it's pamphlets. Now, I don't like Bratz Dolls or anything else that goes with them. Just the name of the doll itself is enough to turn me off, not to mention their horrendous make up, clothes, and general attitude. What bothers me about Scholastic pulling books is that they, well, pulled the books. There is a fine line that parents have to walk between protecting their children and sheltering them too closely.
Part of the joy, for me at least, of the Scholastic book club program was the ability to pick my OWN books. On the whole, looking at the order form my son brought home, the books in the program are not generally what a parent might choose for their child. There are a few classics interspersed among the titles, but they’re really books that appeal to KIDS. So let you child choose their own book! And if, upon inspection, there is something you don't feel is appropriate, then talk about it with your individual kid. I don't think the entire collection of Bratz literature needs to be pulled. My son gets to pick his own books at the library, and even today got to "wish list" two books from the Scholastic book fair going on right now. He chose a book based on the Littlest Pet Shop toys, which is generally marketed toward girls. Scholastic’s own original defense for including Bratz dolls seems to encourage the focus on the child’s choices stating that their mission was to, “ “offer materials that appeal to children where they are, not where we would like them to be." “
Some of the most gruesome YA fiction I've ever read was ordered through the Scholastic book club. Should R.L. Stine's books not be included because they promote violence? What about Skippyjon Jones? He is ever so slightly, culturally insensitive. Does he need to go too? If the implications of the parents who wanted the books pulled are true, then everything read on a school campus is a direct reflection on the values of the school.
After reading about the Bratz dolls I remembered another Scholastic news story I'd heard about recently. The gorgeous Dana Loesh of Mamalogues posted about Scholastic's denial of homeschooler participation in a contest they were running along with Subway back in May. Essentially, Scholastic and Subway determined that the prizes for their contest would be better fitted to a state sponsored school because they could reach more children that way. They completely ignored the large homeschooling groups, who may purchase their products, and could benefit from the athletic equipment they were donating. Their later apology promised to include homeschoolers in future contests but they were still left out of the current one. So it's alright for Scholastic to pull an entire collection of books from it's clubs because of parental outrage, but it's not ok for parents dedicated to educating their children to participate in their contests?
This, to me, is a very slippery slope that Scholastic is walking on. They're censoring children and parents alike, when they're motto is ""... to provide quality, affordable books that meet the wide range of reading levels and interests of today's students and help every child develop a love of reading." How can children develop a true love of reading when the books THEY might choose to read aren’t available to them?
I will continue to participate, for now, in the Scholastic program at my child's school as a support to him. But I plan to order the most taboo books on the form next month, and to be conscious of their label when book shopping elsewhere.
FYI: This is about a month old, but I thought it deserved to be posted....
But there are two stories in the news that are clouding my positive outlook on Scholastic's book club. First, because of a massive campaign by parents here and in Canada, Scholastic has decided to pull the Bratz books from it's pamphlets. Now, I don't like Bratz Dolls or anything else that goes with them. Just the name of the doll itself is enough to turn me off, not to mention their horrendous make up, clothes, and general attitude. What bothers me about Scholastic pulling books is that they, well, pulled the books. There is a fine line that parents have to walk between protecting their children and sheltering them too closely.
Part of the joy, for me at least, of the Scholastic book club program was the ability to pick my OWN books. On the whole, looking at the order form my son brought home, the books in the program are not generally what a parent might choose for their child. There are a few classics interspersed among the titles, but they’re really books that appeal to KIDS. So let you child choose their own book! And if, upon inspection, there is something you don't feel is appropriate, then talk about it with your individual kid. I don't think the entire collection of Bratz literature needs to be pulled. My son gets to pick his own books at the library, and even today got to "wish list" two books from the Scholastic book fair going on right now. He chose a book based on the Littlest Pet Shop toys, which is generally marketed toward girls. Scholastic’s own original defense for including Bratz dolls seems to encourage the focus on the child’s choices stating that their mission was to, “ “offer materials that appeal to children where they are, not where we would like them to be." “
Some of the most gruesome YA fiction I've ever read was ordered through the Scholastic book club. Should R.L. Stine's books not be included because they promote violence? What about Skippyjon Jones? He is ever so slightly, culturally insensitive. Does he need to go too? If the implications of the parents who wanted the books pulled are true, then everything read on a school campus is a direct reflection on the values of the school.
After reading about the Bratz dolls I remembered another Scholastic news story I'd heard about recently. The gorgeous Dana Loesh of Mamalogues posted about Scholastic's denial of homeschooler participation in a contest they were running along with Subway back in May. Essentially, Scholastic and Subway determined that the prizes for their contest would be better fitted to a state sponsored school because they could reach more children that way. They completely ignored the large homeschooling groups, who may purchase their products, and could benefit from the athletic equipment they were donating. Their later apology promised to include homeschoolers in future contests but they were still left out of the current one. So it's alright for Scholastic to pull an entire collection of books from it's clubs because of parental outrage, but it's not ok for parents dedicated to educating their children to participate in their contests?
This, to me, is a very slippery slope that Scholastic is walking on. They're censoring children and parents alike, when they're motto is ""... to provide quality, affordable books that meet the wide range of reading levels and interests of today's students and help every child develop a love of reading." How can children develop a true love of reading when the books THEY might choose to read aren’t available to them?
I will continue to participate, for now, in the Scholastic program at my child's school as a support to him. But I plan to order the most taboo books on the form next month, and to be conscious of their label when book shopping elsewhere.
FYI: This is about a month old, but I thought it deserved to be posted....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ty's Got Milk
Ty Pennington has most definitely been “Trading Spaces”. Instead of building fantastical homes, he’s the new spokesperson for Similac’s SimplePac . Quite frankly, the formula company’s choice strikes me as slightly odd. I am fully supportive of the men involved in raising children feeding them when able, but Ty Pennington has no children. Therefore, technically, he really isn’t the correct kind of “design expert” required for revamping a can of formula.
I find the tone of both the video and the print ads ( as seen in Parents Magazine) for this Similac SimplePac condescending. First we have a childless man surrounded by supposed mothers who cannot for the life of them function with a regular formula can! As far as I know it’s never been overly difficult to measure out formula. It is because he’s so good at opening a paint can that he has the knowledge necessary to understand an infant’s feeding schedule? The feminist in me balks at the entire notion. Mothers in the ads crowd around Ty as he explains the stay-put scoop, looking like groupies. We don’t, as women, need a Man to help us feed our children. In the same vain, a father doesn’t need a woman to tell him how to shake a bottle up. Ty’s placement in these spreads feels like another shot taken at the empowerment mothers, and parents in general, seek in their roles as caregivers.
Ty does actually have a degree in the design field, having gone to Kennesaw State University and spent numerous years working as a carpenter before his stints on Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover. Still, that doesn’t give him the “street credit” to revolutionize formula feeding. In reading his Wikipedia bio, I found it much more interesting that his mother, a psychologist, worked so tirelessly to help her son through his struggles his ADHD. Rather than pulling the strong-man-carpenter charade in these new ads, I would rather him have taken the route of wanting to make something easier for moms since he was so much trouble for his own. That would have been genuine and relatable. Formula doesn’t need sex appeal.
The women playing the mothers in the advertisements are almost worse than Ty himself. I truly believe they make all mothers look stupid with their revelations over snapping lids and firm grips. Honestly, Similac, could you have made motherhood seem more mundane and ridiculous? Concurrently, the only bottles I thought of when seeing Ty in these pictures were the ones that landed him with a DUI in 2007. I know he apologized sincerely and paid his dues, but it just proves further that Similac did a poor job with these commercials.
Maybe his agent thought he needed an even more wholesome outlet after the reports of Extreme Home Makeover house foreclosures . He should have considered returning to Trading Spaces alongside Paige Davis; their ratings would go through the roof! Basically he seems to be a good guy appealing to the wrong fan base.
FYI:
There's a slighty edited version of this going up at Crabbygolightly today: www.crabbygolightly.com/tysgotmilk
And I'm post it over at opensalon.com right now as well! Come over and read, join if you want, and leave me some comments!
I find the tone of both the video and the print ads ( as seen in Parents Magazine) for this Similac SimplePac condescending. First we have a childless man surrounded by supposed mothers who cannot for the life of them function with a regular formula can! As far as I know it’s never been overly difficult to measure out formula. It is because he’s so good at opening a paint can that he has the knowledge necessary to understand an infant’s feeding schedule? The feminist in me balks at the entire notion. Mothers in the ads crowd around Ty as he explains the stay-put scoop, looking like groupies. We don’t, as women, need a Man to help us feed our children. In the same vain, a father doesn’t need a woman to tell him how to shake a bottle up. Ty’s placement in these spreads feels like another shot taken at the empowerment mothers, and parents in general, seek in their roles as caregivers.
Ty does actually have a degree in the design field, having gone to Kennesaw State University and spent numerous years working as a carpenter before his stints on Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover. Still, that doesn’t give him the “street credit” to revolutionize formula feeding. In reading his Wikipedia bio, I found it much more interesting that his mother, a psychologist, worked so tirelessly to help her son through his struggles his ADHD. Rather than pulling the strong-man-carpenter charade in these new ads, I would rather him have taken the route of wanting to make something easier for moms since he was so much trouble for his own. That would have been genuine and relatable. Formula doesn’t need sex appeal.
The women playing the mothers in the advertisements are almost worse than Ty himself. I truly believe they make all mothers look stupid with their revelations over snapping lids and firm grips. Honestly, Similac, could you have made motherhood seem more mundane and ridiculous? Concurrently, the only bottles I thought of when seeing Ty in these pictures were the ones that landed him with a DUI in 2007. I know he apologized sincerely and paid his dues, but it just proves further that Similac did a poor job with these commercials.
Maybe his agent thought he needed an even more wholesome outlet after the reports of Extreme Home Makeover house foreclosures . He should have considered returning to Trading Spaces alongside Paige Davis; their ratings would go through the roof! Basically he seems to be a good guy appealing to the wrong fan base.
FYI:
There's a slighty edited version of this going up at Crabbygolightly today: www.crabbygolightly.com/tysgotmilk
And I'm post it over at opensalon.com right now as well! Come over and read, join if you want, and leave me some comments!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hay, Graceful...
I had an envelope come in the mail today from New Zealand. I knew what it was and was so excited I could hardly stand it. It's the picture that JustHay let me choose from her incredible Flickr photostream in honor of her 30th birthday. It's called "Ritual", and shows her baby's curls and towel bib around her neck.
It already means so much to me. She will hang next to Georgia O'Keefe's apples in my kitchen as soon as I find the perfect frame. Her curls remind me of Wednesday's, and it was Winston who wore so many bibs when he was a small little one. That's him in his newest sweater vest, one day into his 3rd ever haircut.
After I opened the envelope from Hay, Winston looked up at me and said, "Mommy, what does graceful mean?" So, Hay, this is for you. Happy Birthday!
4 dictionary results for: graceful
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
grace·ful
–adjective
characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech; elegant: a graceful dancer; a graceful reply.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME; see grace, -ful] —Related forms
grace·ful·ly, adverb
grace·ful·ness, noun
—Synonyms limber, lithe, lissome.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
grace·ful
–adjective
characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech; elegant: a graceful dancer; a graceful reply.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME; see grace, -ful] —Related forms
grace·ful·ly, adverb
grace·ful·ness, noun
—Synonyms limber, lithe, lissome.
(Edit: This isn't the answer I gave him. After thinking about it I told him graceful meant a person who moves or dances very beautifully without being clumsy or rough. He also knows what sustenance, ferocious, mysterious, and paleontologist mean! He keeps me on my toes....)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Madonna No Child
In Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses , she tells the story of a beautiful girl named Binah, whose beauty makes her the envy of four girls in her class. The four young ladies proceed to speak badly of Binah and ignore her at school until a fairy godmother comes to them in a dream and shows them the hard life that Binah lives everyday. Now, in the revelation of yesterday's news of the Madonna-Ritchie split, I'd like for us all to replace Binah with Cynthia Rodriguez, and remember Madonna's own rosy message that we shouldn't assume that someone else's life is better than our own. Specifically when your own life, and the one you're considering, both involve marriages and children.
I am beyond riffled by Her Madge-esty’s choices for multiple reasons. Having never been a great fan, I’ve always respected her music and mastery at reinventing herself. This time, though, I think her reinvention has finally gotten the better of her. This is mostly because of the three small humans that currently call her Mama, or something like it, everyday. I wonder, as she assumes a new character once again, if her chameleon-like behavior has affected those kids the way it has her past relationships. Was her inability to simply be herself what lead to her past and present divorces? Her move from sexpot to intergalactic hippie after Lourdes was born was encouraging, and I thought maybe she'd finally gotten it. Children are usually very good at upending one's vanity. The fake British accent she donned after marrying Guy Ritchie and moving to London was contemptuous as best, but she seemed stable, if not overly strict, for her kids. Now that entire span of time comes across as just another page in her book, or maybe a documentary considering her recent endeavors!
When the news of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez divorce came out, I was sure Cynthia was to blame. With the rumors of shopping sprees in Paris and affairs with Lenny Kravitz (chastity much, Lenny?), I confidently presumed that Madonna had been nothing more than a surreal spiritual guide to Alex as he went through a marital rough patch. Perez is reporting now that none of the former rumors about Cynthia are true, and that it's nearly fact that Madonna and ARod have been having an affair. He is also saying that Lourdes wants to spend more time with her Dad, Carlos Leon, in New York. Thinking of the other kids, I can't imagine Guy Ritchie just letting them move across the ocean to NY with no ramifications. It was my understanding as well that it was Guy's constant presence in their lives allowed baby David to call them his “forever family”. Considering what this could mean for that sweet boy heartbreaking. The former Mrs. Ritchie faces the loss of serious time with each of her children, on top of the destruction of two family unions.
Overall Madonna is really just too old for this current stunt. I'm not sure we care to see her newest metamorphosis if coming out of the cocoon means sloughing off responsibility for her children. But then again, maybe she has never known who she is at her core to begin with. It's a mystery. Maybe she could hire Sherlock Holmes to figure it out for her, I hear he's coming to theaters soon with the help of some Guy.
At least if she does end up in a tangled love affair with Alex Rodriguez she has some on the job training to fall back on. I mean, she did star in "A League of Their Own", and looking at pictures from her latest tour, I bet she could give excellent pointers on the protection of his nether regions during a game!
So there you have it! Crabby GoLightly and I co-authored a version of this same article up at Crabbygolightly.com (http://www.crabbygolightly.com/madge.html), please go read it too to get her feelings on this split as well! Also, I', posting this original at opensalon.com if you'd like to come nake comments over there: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=30401!
I am beyond riffled by Her Madge-esty’s choices for multiple reasons. Having never been a great fan, I’ve always respected her music and mastery at reinventing herself. This time, though, I think her reinvention has finally gotten the better of her. This is mostly because of the three small humans that currently call her Mama, or something like it, everyday. I wonder, as she assumes a new character once again, if her chameleon-like behavior has affected those kids the way it has her past relationships. Was her inability to simply be herself what lead to her past and present divorces? Her move from sexpot to intergalactic hippie after Lourdes was born was encouraging, and I thought maybe she'd finally gotten it. Children are usually very good at upending one's vanity. The fake British accent she donned after marrying Guy Ritchie and moving to London was contemptuous as best, but she seemed stable, if not overly strict, for her kids. Now that entire span of time comes across as just another page in her book, or maybe a documentary considering her recent endeavors!
When the news of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez divorce came out, I was sure Cynthia was to blame. With the rumors of shopping sprees in Paris and affairs with Lenny Kravitz (chastity much, Lenny?), I confidently presumed that Madonna had been nothing more than a surreal spiritual guide to Alex as he went through a marital rough patch. Perez is reporting now that none of the former rumors about Cynthia are true, and that it's nearly fact that Madonna and ARod have been having an affair. He is also saying that Lourdes wants to spend more time with her Dad, Carlos Leon, in New York. Thinking of the other kids, I can't imagine Guy Ritchie just letting them move across the ocean to NY with no ramifications. It was my understanding as well that it was Guy's constant presence in their lives allowed baby David to call them his “forever family”. Considering what this could mean for that sweet boy heartbreaking. The former Mrs. Ritchie faces the loss of serious time with each of her children, on top of the destruction of two family unions.
Overall Madonna is really just too old for this current stunt. I'm not sure we care to see her newest metamorphosis if coming out of the cocoon means sloughing off responsibility for her children. But then again, maybe she has never known who she is at her core to begin with. It's a mystery. Maybe she could hire Sherlock Holmes to figure it out for her, I hear he's coming to theaters soon with the help of some Guy.
At least if she does end up in a tangled love affair with Alex Rodriguez she has some on the job training to fall back on. I mean, she did star in "A League of Their Own", and looking at pictures from her latest tour, I bet she could give excellent pointers on the protection of his nether regions during a game!
So there you have it! Crabby GoLightly and I co-authored a version of this same article up at Crabbygolightly.com (http://www.crabbygolightly.com/madge.html), please go read it too to get her feelings on this split as well! Also, I', posting this original at opensalon.com if you'd like to come nake comments over there: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=30401!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Boober Juice
or "Bjoo Bjoo" as Wednesday says it. I could never get Winston to call it a name, but I wrote my most favorite thing yet all about it over at CrabbyGoLightly.com
There's some Angelina, some Jamie Lynn, and some ice-cream for everyone! Please go read it, I'm really proud of this one....
www.crabbygolightly.com/breasts.html
There's some Angelina, some Jamie Lynn, and some ice-cream for everyone! Please go read it, I'm really proud of this one....
www.crabbygolightly.com/breasts.html
Monday, October 13, 2008
The two we've lost...
Olive and Lucas. One this year, one last year. There aren't any words for how much they were loved. I love you babies...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bushy CrabbyPatties
I'm over at CrabbyGoLightly again this weekend if you're interested.
www.crabbygolightly.com/Bushed.html The permalink isn't working for me, but it's the top story at crabbygolightly.com Today (Sunday). If it doesn't work tomorrow, I'll post the actual piece.
Please add a small shout out to Molly Ivans while we're at it, ok? She was the original...
Sukkot Sanity
Alright, my friends. Winston is out of school for 3 days again next week! I have no problem with him getting extra days away because of where he attends, but it makes him CRAZY! Somewhere inside his very intelligent brain he has convinced himself that it is MY fault that he doesn't have school on certain days.
So I've spent the last 2 days thinking up and planning things for the boys and I to do so that Winston won't turn into a screaming, hitting, uncooperative demon.
Today, we are going to attempt breakfast at Denny's, then the Farmers' Market (I do not like the Farmer's Market, b/c of the people who "attend" every Saturday, but I have to do SOMETHING). After that we have fresh movies from Blockbuster, apple butter to start in the crock pot, a back-of-the-door basketball goal, a tunnel, new library books.... It's going to be a long day...
I have today all planned out on a piece of paper somewhere, I should really find that. Paper found! My writing skills are on serious display this morning. Please forgive me for my poor grammar and unfinished sentences. So on top of all those other things, I have written down that we are playing dress up and dancing to the Halloween music on the TV, possibly going to Hobby Lobby, and painting with apples. Right now, none of this seems possible, but I'm trying to become cheerful and perky.
Sunday is looking like this: Breakfast picnic in the backyard, obtain the newspaper to read comics/look at the ads, ....Well CRAP. Apparently I can't remember anything this morning. Hold on, I'm going to get THE NOTEPAD... Barnes and Noble! That is what's next on the list. I need to get some books for my Mom's birthday anyway, so the boys can come and eat sugary crap and play with trains, etc. After that, please Lord, let there be naptime. Then whatever I can figure out that won't take away from things to do for THREE DAYS after that.
Ugh. It's not that I don't want to do all of these things with the boys. This is just what we used to do before Winston started school. But now that he's into a routine, he gets very defiant about not being in it. Here's hoping that I can make all of this work without killing myself.
Next week he doesn't have school because of a Teacher In-Service Day and Sukkot. I'd like to set up their little play tent and talk about what Sukkot means. I'd also like to take them to the pumpkin patch and on a 3 stop nature walk. Besides that we have Target, Pet Smart, Library, Half-Price Books, WalMart, Park, and very many other things planned for three days of schoolfree time.
That's seriously enough rambling. I'll come back and edit this when I'm awake....
So I've spent the last 2 days thinking up and planning things for the boys and I to do so that Winston won't turn into a screaming, hitting, uncooperative demon.
Today, we are going to attempt breakfast at Denny's, then the Farmers' Market (I do not like the Farmer's Market, b/c of the people who "attend" every Saturday, but I have to do SOMETHING). After that we have fresh movies from Blockbuster, apple butter to start in the crock pot, a back-of-the-door basketball goal, a tunnel, new library books.... It's going to be a long day...
I have today all planned out on a piece of paper somewhere, I should really find that. Paper found! My writing skills are on serious display this morning. Please forgive me for my poor grammar and unfinished sentences. So on top of all those other things, I have written down that we are playing dress up and dancing to the Halloween music on the TV, possibly going to Hobby Lobby, and painting with apples. Right now, none of this seems possible, but I'm trying to become cheerful and perky.
Sunday is looking like this: Breakfast picnic in the backyard, obtain the newspaper to read comics/look at the ads, ....Well CRAP. Apparently I can't remember anything this morning. Hold on, I'm going to get THE NOTEPAD... Barnes and Noble! That is what's next on the list. I need to get some books for my Mom's birthday anyway, so the boys can come and eat sugary crap and play with trains, etc. After that, please Lord, let there be naptime. Then whatever I can figure out that won't take away from things to do for THREE DAYS after that.
Ugh. It's not that I don't want to do all of these things with the boys. This is just what we used to do before Winston started school. But now that he's into a routine, he gets very defiant about not being in it. Here's hoping that I can make all of this work without killing myself.
Next week he doesn't have school because of a Teacher In-Service Day and Sukkot. I'd like to set up their little play tent and talk about what Sukkot means. I'd also like to take them to the pumpkin patch and on a 3 stop nature walk. Besides that we have Target, Pet Smart, Library, Half-Price Books, WalMart, Park, and very many other things planned for three days of schoolfree time.
That's seriously enough rambling. I'll come back and edit this when I'm awake....
Monday, September 29, 2008
Carried Away, Kisses, and Kitsch
I watched the Sex and The City movie last night. I didn't realize how much I had missed those girls. Even Samantha's escapades were reasonably entertaining. Was it cheesy? Oh yes, but I love Carrie Bradshaw. I love her... And Charlotte and Miranda are tied for a close second. Favorite parts, let me see: New Year's. when Miranda kisses Brady instead of Steve, Charlotte crapping her pants, Carrie taking Big's glasses to read the love letters.... There were others, but those are the ones I still remember this morning.
Also, I finally heard "I Kissed A Girl" by Katie Perry on the radio yesterday and I sort of loved it. Her voice is so fun, and the song is very danceable but still raw enough to win over many different kinds of listeners. I think her album, along with A Fine Frenzy, and Joanna Newson, will be on my Christmas list for my brother (He's in college, and CD's are relatively cheap :)).
An enormous amount of vampire books were purchased yesterday at Barnes and Noble (No "s", Erica! hehe). Dead until Dark, Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, and Outlander, which isn't about vampires, but was a book club choice for the club that lead me to all the other ones too! Whew, I have a lot of reading to do...
I made a wreath last night. I will try to link to the inspiration I used after I look it up in the magazine. I think it's in Micheal Mead's Halloween mag this year. It has ravens, pheasant eggs and feathers, Twilight colored feathers, and I'm going to add some braided black ribbon in a couple of places. It looks innocent until you realize that obviously the eggs on the wreath don't belong to the birds, hence the vampire colored feathers...Muhahahaha.....
A Shadow box is in the works next, with a Day of Dead inspired cover from last years Houston something.....(I'll figure this out later too!).
Winston needs a haircut; he is getting called a girl again. The good thing is that his face has changed enough that all it takes it for him to look at the person and they realize he's a boy. Seriously people, just because someone has long hair does not make them a girl, and vise versa...
I have to go make breakfast and change a dirty diaper now. Bye!
Also, I finally heard "I Kissed A Girl" by Katie Perry on the radio yesterday and I sort of loved it. Her voice is so fun, and the song is very danceable but still raw enough to win over many different kinds of listeners. I think her album, along with A Fine Frenzy, and Joanna Newson, will be on my Christmas list for my brother (He's in college, and CD's are relatively cheap :)).
An enormous amount of vampire books were purchased yesterday at Barnes and Noble (No "s", Erica! hehe). Dead until Dark, Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, and Outlander, which isn't about vampires, but was a book club choice for the club that lead me to all the other ones too! Whew, I have a lot of reading to do...
I made a wreath last night. I will try to link to the inspiration I used after I look it up in the magazine. I think it's in Micheal Mead's Halloween mag this year. It has ravens, pheasant eggs and feathers, Twilight colored feathers, and I'm going to add some braided black ribbon in a couple of places. It looks innocent until you realize that obviously the eggs on the wreath don't belong to the birds, hence the vampire colored feathers...Muhahahaha.....
A Shadow box is in the works next, with a Day of Dead inspired cover from last years Houston something.....(I'll figure this out later too!).
Winston needs a haircut; he is getting called a girl again. The good thing is that his face has changed enough that all it takes it for him to look at the person and they realize he's a boy. Seriously people, just because someone has long hair does not make them a girl, and vise versa...
I have to go make breakfast and change a dirty diaper now. Bye!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
A Mom's Eye View (and exciting news!!)
I am slightly addicted to the Celebrity Baby Blog. I first began reading there to find out what Elizabeth Hasselbeck would name her first child, but that is another story. If it weren’t for that strange inquest, my ear would never have been tuned to the name Sarah Palin. The pregnancy and birth of her 5th child, Trig, were both reported there and my original thoughts about Mrs. Palin are completely different now than they were then.
At the time I thought, “Wow, what an inspiring woman! To conceive another child with so many other responsibilities, and then return to them so completely, even with her son’s disability.” I didn’t know anything about Sarah Palin except what I read at the CBB and her general appearance. Her decisions then seemed to be those of a modern, working mom making good choices for her family.
Then John McCain nominated her for VP, and I realized she was a Republican. Almost immediately afterwards, it was speculated that her baby was really her daughter’s. That’s a lot of drama already, Mama! Next, was the announcement that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. Up until this point, although she would have never had my vote, she still had my benefit of the doubt. Being a mother is challenging, and you can’t be with your children all the time.
Another confession of sorts is that I also frequent Perez Hilton’s website, where I had easy access to numerous pictures of Bristol Palin holding varying bottles of liquor with her scantily clad friends. The rumors, all over the internet, of Track Palin vandalizing school buses were pretty disgusting as well. Levi Johnston’s MySpace page being made public was the icing on my mommified-cake. My faith in her as a mother was all but lost at that point. Sarah Palin’s views on sexual education, evolution, and religion as a whole (link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/29/sarah-palin-says-she-open_n_122519.html) didn’t improve my evaluation.
If I’m trying to look at Sarah Palin as just a mother, these things are more than enough for me to form a strong impression of her choices. How do the church going kids of an American governor have the time and space to participate in underage drinking, vandalize school property, and get pregnant? Where was Sarah Palin on the weekends when all of this was happening? The lack of communication and understanding required for a family to bring about that much drama is highly astounding in my book. Dedication to your job should never outweigh dedication to raising competent adults that can serve our country, in what ever manner, with kindness and wisdom.
I do feel badly that her children have been forced into the spotlight as they have, although the oldest two didn’t make it very difficult. I also understand, from my own teen years, that your parents cannot control you, or even know you completely the way they do when you’re small. But at the same time, I feel a mother who represents America has a responsibility to have done a better job. You can preach abstinence and promise rings all you’d like, but when your child is old enough to have sex, there needs to be something more. Maybe Mrs. Palin could talk with Bristol about the fact that Track was actually conceived before she was married? You can strive to raise strong boys, but when they act out violently, something has gone wrong. The sacrifices of so many other wars (link: http://www.asiaing.com/poems-by-wilfred-owen.html ) mean nothing when you leave to serve our country because you destroyed school property.
I would never doubt that Sarah Palin loves her children more than her own life. For the sake of her younger children I hope that she has done and continues to do the best she can. For this mom, however, it’s not good enough.
Exciting News! This piece has been posted over at Crabbygolightly.com! I'm writing over there whenever they need/want me to! I'm really looking forward to having some of my stuff up over there soon! Here's the link: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sarahpalin.html
At the time I thought, “Wow, what an inspiring woman! To conceive another child with so many other responsibilities, and then return to them so completely, even with her son’s disability.” I didn’t know anything about Sarah Palin except what I read at the CBB and her general appearance. Her decisions then seemed to be those of a modern, working mom making good choices for her family.
Then John McCain nominated her for VP, and I realized she was a Republican. Almost immediately afterwards, it was speculated that her baby was really her daughter’s. That’s a lot of drama already, Mama! Next, was the announcement that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. Up until this point, although she would have never had my vote, she still had my benefit of the doubt. Being a mother is challenging, and you can’t be with your children all the time.
Another confession of sorts is that I also frequent Perez Hilton’s website, where I had easy access to numerous pictures of Bristol Palin holding varying bottles of liquor with her scantily clad friends. The rumors, all over the internet, of Track Palin vandalizing school buses were pretty disgusting as well. Levi Johnston’s MySpace page being made public was the icing on my mommified-cake. My faith in her as a mother was all but lost at that point. Sarah Palin’s views on sexual education, evolution, and religion as a whole (link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/29/sarah-palin-says-she-open_n_122519.html) didn’t improve my evaluation.
If I’m trying to look at Sarah Palin as just a mother, these things are more than enough for me to form a strong impression of her choices. How do the church going kids of an American governor have the time and space to participate in underage drinking, vandalize school property, and get pregnant? Where was Sarah Palin on the weekends when all of this was happening? The lack of communication and understanding required for a family to bring about that much drama is highly astounding in my book. Dedication to your job should never outweigh dedication to raising competent adults that can serve our country, in what ever manner, with kindness and wisdom.
I do feel badly that her children have been forced into the spotlight as they have, although the oldest two didn’t make it very difficult. I also understand, from my own teen years, that your parents cannot control you, or even know you completely the way they do when you’re small. But at the same time, I feel a mother who represents America has a responsibility to have done a better job. You can preach abstinence and promise rings all you’d like, but when your child is old enough to have sex, there needs to be something more. Maybe Mrs. Palin could talk with Bristol about the fact that Track was actually conceived before she was married? You can strive to raise strong boys, but when they act out violently, something has gone wrong. The sacrifices of so many other wars (link: http://www.asiaing.com/poems-by-wilfred-owen.html ) mean nothing when you leave to serve our country because you destroyed school property.
I would never doubt that Sarah Palin loves her children more than her own life. For the sake of her younger children I hope that she has done and continues to do the best she can. For this mom, however, it’s not good enough.
Exciting News! This piece has been posted over at Crabbygolightly.com! I'm writing over there whenever they need/want me to! I'm really looking forward to having some of my stuff up over there soon! Here's the link: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sarahpalin.html
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Bidness
There are two parts of my IOU list I'd like to take care of this morn.
First, I won Emblita's contest! I am so excited! My husband and I have talked about visiting Iceland for years, so to receive a package from the beautiful Emblita is very special.
That means that I won 3Giraffes first contest, Emblita won their second, 3Giraffes won my second contest, and I won Emblita's third! Seattle, South Texas, and Iceland. Who would have thunk?
Alright, the other thing I put off telling you, as it is not at all deserved, is that Chris and Kim at 3Giraffes gave me an award. It 's the Arte Y Pico award, and I was speechless then and still am now. Thank you again. I think I am supposed to pass it along, if I've read the rules right. SO here are the rules:
1) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of language.
2) Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog, so everyone can view it.
3) Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given the award.
4) The award-winner and presenter should post a link to the "Arte Y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) Please post these rules.
(These are the rules as listed on 3Giraffes)
Since it has taken me so long to post this, I've pretty much gathered my list. Firstly, though, I would give it back to 3Giraffes a million times over. I love those ladies, and they are fabulous.
1. JustHay at Where Karma.....Meets Camera
2. Whimsy at The Creamery
3. Elaine at Wannabe Hippie
4. Glenna at Knitting to Stay Sane
5. Jenn at Breed'em and Weep
So there you have it! All of those ladies are wonderfully clever and creative and inspiring. Go see!
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