AmandaLand

Book Review: The Frog Prince

2012-03-03T17:51:00.000-06:00

The Frog Prince by Elle Lothlorien
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is a DNF. I did not get past page 2. The author didn't know the proper pronunciation of the word "potable" then had the bad taste to write about it.

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Book Review: Diva Las Veagas

2012-03-03T17:00:00.002-06:00

Diva Las Vegas by Caroline Dries
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I wish I could write a review and give this 0 or negative stars. I downloaded it, and am happy it was free because I got what I paid for. The buzz on this book was Kinsey Milhone (by Sue Grafton) meets Stephanie Plum (by Janet Evanovich). Ummm, not so much. The mystery was fairly pedestrian, and I guess culprit by the third chapter. The author obviously strived to be as outrageous as a Stephanie Plum novel. This just made the main character seem harder, promiscuous, and to have no morals at all. Other reviews have brought out the fact that the main character, Raven McShane, is a stripper. I didn't have a problem with her career choice, however, i did wonder at the author's lost chance of finding clues at her job. With so many men coming in and out of her life, it seemed like the perfect vehicle to further the story. Also lost was the opportunities to create a real mystery within the casino setting. Honestly, this would have been so much better if it weren't so very obvious. Dries committed the ultimate sin in a novel for me, and that is giving into stereotypes. Having one of the suspects turn out to be gay is almost a trite theme in our culture.

I would not read another book in this series. I would recommend that Dries either go back to creative writing, as another reviewer said, or decide if she wants to write mysteries or other kinds of lit because this story just did not work.

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Book Review: Blame it on Bath

2012-03-02T10:11:00.000-06:00

Blame It on Bath by Caroline Linden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the complexity of this novel. First, there is the premise that the hero needs a wife because someone is blackmailing his family. As the youngest son, he does his duty by pursuing the blackmailer, because that is what a son is supposed to do. I enjoyed reading about a hero that is willing to stand up for his family. Second, the heroine grows a backbone at the beginning of the story and decides that she doesn't want to do what her mother or deceased husband's nephew decides for her. I liked her because she finally reaches for what she wants, and that is the hero. Third, I like how the hero whisks the heroine away from her situation, and decrees that they will live together. To me, the intrinsic loyalty that they showed to one another made the story realistic warm.

While I liked the book, and would recommend it, there was one sex scene that I felt uncomfortable with. It felt forced. The hero and heroine's words and actions are consensual, however, that still didn't make me believe it. But, this was one instance I didn't feel it necessary to cost the review a star.

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Book Review: And Then He Kissed Her

2012-03-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first Guhrke novel that I have read, and I will be looking for more of her work. I really enjoyed the Victorian era novel that wasn't steam punk. Having modern conveniences in use--like the train and the telephone--were a nice change from what I usually read. The hero & heroine were strong and funny. I liked how they interacted, and how they managed to get what they wanted from one another. I also really admired the heroine's ambition. She wanted to be a writer, and worked very hard at her craft. I liked how she didn't give up, just because the hero couldn't see her potential. This is a good read. I'll be adding Guhrke to my list of authors to watch.

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Book Review: An Affair to Remember

2012-03-02T09:53:00.000-06:00

An Affair to Remember by Karen Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes in romance, a book with many characters can get lost and a bit overwhelming. However, I really enjoyed such a large "cast" in this book. There are 5 quirky kids, an evil grandma and a meddling jolly grandpa. The plot, the earl falling for the governess, has been used many times, however, the details make this work for me. Frist, the governess had equal footing, as someone who once moved in the earl's social circle then became impoverished and had to go to work. She still had her grandfather with her, meaning that while the responsibility for earning an income fell to her shoulders, she was not so totally alone in the world as to have no moral support. I really liked that she brought her own self worth and self esteem to the table. What made this book extra delicious was how the characters stayed true to themselves. No one had to compromise his or her own moral code to have the happily-ever-after. I really enjoyed this book. While there is a series, this one can be read as a stand-alone.

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Book Review: A Rogue By Any Other Name

2012-02-28T23:54:00.000-06:00

A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a hard story to rate. First, it wasn't like any of MacLean's previous novels. I was very much looking forward to it, but there are some problems that made me give it three stars. I almost gave it two, but I liked the heroine too much for a two-star rating. The first problem is personal. The story line kept reminding me of Lisa Kleypas' book "The Devil in Winter". I don't know why. The only thing these two story lines have in common are a gaming hell and they're both historical romances. The next problem is the hero. I'm all for reforming a rake, and showing a brooding man the light. However, I think MacLean pushed the heroine too far. There were not enough chinks in the hero's armor to begin with, and then when he did figure out that he loved the heroine, it was too late for me. I didn't buy it. At one point, neither does the heroine. This book would have been better served if there was more drawing on a common past that the hero and heroine shared. I think this would have better served the characters.

What MacLean does well is the secondary characters. I believe the main characters succeeded because of the friends and family that surround b them. There was some very witty dialogue and some great descriptions of place. While I have a lot of critiques about this book, I'm still excited to follow MacLean as an author and can't wait for the next book in the series.

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Book Review: An Affair Before Christmas

2012-02-26T20:30:00.000-06:00

An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this out from the free elibrary from my state. I read this story several years ago when it first came out, and liked it then. A couple of years and quite a few other stories later, it was nice to go back and re-read about characters left behind. I forgotten most of the plot and the characters. This is the first in the Duchess series, and really sets the stage for subsequent books. What makes this book special, though, it that the hero & heroine are married. They actually get together. Life and their marriage goes awry, but I really liked how this story was about changing individually and then coming back together with a spouse. I like that they didn't give up on each other, though they did try, and then managed to find happiness.

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Book Review: Stranger in My Arms

2012-02-24T14:13:00.002-06:00

Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this story. It was charming, the mystery was good, and the hero was divine. This one is hard to write a review about, because I don't want to give away any of the plot secrets. The timing was excellent concerning the mystery. The clues were dropped at just the right points. I liked how it ended, and how secondary characters came together to make this an excellent read.

The reason it didn't get four stars: it took too long for the heroine to figure out what she wanted. For a most of the book, she couldn't see past her own nose. Also, it showed its 1998 roots by the hero telling the heroine to basically not worry her pretty little head about money. Her lack of ownership in the family finances bugged me, but I can write it off as being historically accurate.

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Book Review: After Midnight

2012-02-24T14:01:00.000-06:00

After Midnight by Teresa Medeiros
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book started out great, but ended up totally sucking about 3/4 the way through. First, I'm usually a fan of Medeiros. I've enjoyed many of her books in the past, but this one just didn't work for me. It is about vampires and how three sisters stumble upon this, deal with it at a ball of all places, and how the villain gets vanquished. Non-vampire sub-villains include an odious cousin and fat aunt.

I read a digital copy of this book, but, if it had been the paperback I would have thrown it across the room. The sister relationship is tight, but for some reason, two sisters who never openly disagreed suddenly had to have a spat in the middle of a rescue mission. I mean, this is the climax of the book and those two have to start dissecting the past! Really? I guess so. Then, the author writes in that if the vampire brother had killed the third sister by drinking all of her blood, then the wedding between the hero and heroine would be off! Again, seriously? I would have kicked the hero to the curb the minute I found out about his vampire brother because I'd be very leery of marring into a family where the in-laws are un-dead. In-laws are annoying enough without having to worry that one of them is hungary and will drink my blood.

I will read more books by Medeiros, however, I think I'll skip this series based on the first book.

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Book Review: Coming Home

2012-02-24T13:46:00.001-06:00

Coming Home by Mariah Stewart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book for free from my library. Somehow, it got stuck in the section entitled "historical romance". First, it isn't historical. Second, while it reads like a romance, it is on the border of chic lit. It also involves a lot of big, heavy, themes such as domestic violence, grieving widowers, and two generations of people falling in love. The backdrop is a town in the midst of revitalization, a lot of people who get along really well for a small, gossipy community. One of the major problems in this book are diary entries from a senior citizen who has lived in this town forever. While I'm normally on board with different points of view in italics, this didn't work. The italicized parts read like a newspaper, but I don't want to read a synopsis of the previous chapter, I would like a little more insight or some foreshadowing on the upcoming chapters.

The Hero & Heroine....I liked them. They seem like nice characters. But they didn't have a story, really. The book was so populated with secondary characters that the time spent on these two was rushed. This is where it borders on chick lit, because I know more about the relationship between the heroine and her best friend than I do about the hero & heroine. Actually, I was more interested in the best friend and her story, and I kind of lost interest in the heroine's.

This is one of those times that I wish I could give half stars, because really, this is a 2.5 review. I probably won't read more from this author, unless I stumble upon the best friend's story at some point in the future.

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Free Media

2012-02-24T11:14:00.000-06:00

I had a huge epiphany. The Library is still where it's at! Ok, I'm on our local library board, but I discovered an app that I'm sure someone mentioned to me at some point, but I didn't really connect with what that person was trying to tell me. Or I just forgot. One of the two. Or both. While libraries still sport the image of old ladies and a quiet spot to read, study, or otherwise engage in pursuits that many may consider boring, they're doing their best to keep up with the times. The information below is what I have found with my state, and my library system which is geographic specific. So, if you don't live in my area, then this may not apply to you. However, I would recommend that anyone outside my area visit a local library, or explore their web site to figure out what sorts of technology they may offer. This is an ever-expanding and changing field. There don't seem to be any rules concerning how libraries should grow and evolve, and everyone seems to be doing the best that he/she can. Libraries, digital or otherwise, are comprised of collections. A note about collections--the library is not just restricted to books anymore. They have all kinds of things including music cd's, dvd's, blu-rays, two types of audio books (Playaways where the book is loaded onto a device sort of like an old walk-man, but has a jack that you can plug into any audio jack or use earbuds, and the traditional books on cd's), wii and xbox games, and the list can go on forever. In addition to these new technologies, the library is reaching out to make sure patrons like me have access to whatever media we want. For the purposes of this post, I'm going to use "media" to mean the above mentioned things and lump traditional books into this category. I'm sure there are better words out there, but that is going to be my blanket term. There are three major ways that I interact with the library that involves my favorite technologies--my phone and computer.

First, the library has had a web presence since I've been frequenting them. One can always go on line and reserve media, and the library will email when they are in and ready to be checked out. That means I can cruise amazon.com, check to see if it is owned by the library, and then place a hold. A couple days later, a courier will come, drop off my preferred media, and I will just have to drop in and pick it up. No hunting through dusty old card catalogs. No hunting though shelves. It is great. With convenient hours, the picking up and dropping off doesn't bug me.

Second, there are ebooks. Though an app on my phone, I can download the book and read digitally. This method is still in beta testing in my state, and the titles are somewhat limited. But, I have read many a book that is good that I would have not otherwise consider spending money on. Free is still the best.

The final way to interact via my phone is an app that allows me to reserve media on the go. It is connected with the the regional library system. I don't even need my computer, all I need is my library card number and password. One feature this app has: I can scan any barcode on any book, and the app will check the digital catalog to see if the book is available. I tested this on a Curious George book that we already own, and sure enough, it retured the specific library locations for the book and their availability. How awesome is that? Totally awesome.

With all the technological advances that we have, I'm off to the library to pick up my reserved media.

Book Review: Lost in Your Arms

2012-02-22T11:43:00.001-06:00

Lost in Your Arms by Christina Dodd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has all the plot devices I usually hate....amnesia, estranged spouses, a main character who is an invalid for part of the book, an orphaned main character, and there are a couple more. However, all of these devices are woven together into a great story. I found it witty, with a strong hero and heroine, and a strong "supporting cast". While the story was rich and entertaining, it was also a quick read. It gets four stars because I was very satisfied with the ending, and how the hero & heroine resolved their issues.
This novel can be read as a stand-alone, and not a part of the series. I did not realize that it was a part of a large series until I finished the book.

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Book Review: The Revenge of Lord Eberlin

2012-02-21T22:37:00.000-06:00

Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Put the VCR on Pause!

The Revenge of Lord Eberlin by Julia London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was very excited to get this book as the next installment of a series, however this one fell flat. It wasn't a bad story, by any means, but I had higher expectations after the build up of the previous novel. The fine balance between the mystery of the missing jewels and adults reconnecting after a childhood friendship just wasn't there. I wanted more memories, more profound revelations about the mystery than I got. I applaud London for not having the usual setting for the characters to profess their love for one another, however, she seems to pick awkward moments for them. I would also use the term "awkward" to describe the hero & heroine's relationship in general. It never seemed like they got thing ironed out to my satisfaction.

As a side note, the Duchess of Darlington reappears in this novel. Her novel was a DNF for me. She becomes friends over two pages with the heroine. I just don't think friendships develop over two pages, as with relationships. That is why we have whole novels devoted to these things.

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Book Review: Sloppy Seconds

2012-02-20T19:19:00.001-06:00

Sloppy Seconds: The Tucker Max Leftovers by Tucker Max
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never heard of Tucker Max before I found this for free on amazon.com. I missed out on all the warnings before picking up this book. I should have realized that a cover that can't be shown here isn't just graphic art, but is a real picture, though blurry, of the author's peanuts. I didn't pick up on these clues, so it is my fault that I actually read this. Now, I have to give it 4 stars because it made me laugh. I'm the nerd he spends so much time making fun of, and yet I laughed at the other nerds he writes about. However, this nerd agrees with Max that sexting is stupid. Yeah, I liked the book in all of it's offensive glory. But I don't want to.

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Death of Women's Lib?

2012-02-17T08:56:00.000-06:00

It is no secret on this blog that I'm married. I make references to my husband over several posts, and well, we're happy. I don't publicly talk about my marriage because well, it is really no one's business but ours. When my grandma passed last fall, I inherited some things including a piece of land and a decent nest egg in cash. My husband and I talked about this windfall, how we're going to--and are--dealing with it. I don't mind sharing my inheritance with my husband. After all, he stood by me for 12 years of Grandma dealing out her crap. What I do mind? My husband's name being first. Dammit it's MY inheritance! I had many years of experience dealing with Grandma before my husband entered the fray. It may sound like semantics to the rest of you, but I realized entering into a land deal how it looks, and well, it pissed off every women's lib sensibility that I own.

It is no secret that I read a lot of historical romances. In those books, the heroine is generally concerned with money. Whether it be attaining enough to meet a minimum standard of living or keeping her wealth. Authors often point out via the story line that marriage is a risky prospect because if she made a wrong choice a husband could blow through all of her dough and leave her with nothing. I always went, "yeah, that is logical." Further, I also thought: "I'm so glad that I live in the present where I can go out and earn my living should something happen and our family needed support." Well, I think I need to change my tune. With this land deal, my husband has to sign when he is not even on the deed to the land! It is like I cannot enter into a contract myself because we have regressed so far. I suddenly empathize and sympathize with those historical fictional characters. It makes me feel powerless and like I can't do anything without my man!

I don't like being invisible on paper. I am a capable person. I like to think that I have a reasonable degree of intelligence and am able to direct my life. Apparently, the state doesn't think so and well, none of us feminists who chose to enter into a traditional marriage a family role were awake enough to realize what the laws were doing to us. We're being taken care of, just like in the past. And that just chaps my ass to no end.

As of this writing, I don't know what I'm going to do about all of this. My brother was no help. Maybe I should write the broker of this deal and let him know that if my husband's name is first, my bride price just went up. After all, if you're going to treat me like chattel, then I'm worth more than the offer on the table.

Book Review: Six Degrees of Romance

2012-02-16T19:54:00.000-06:00

A Valentine from Harlequin: Six Degrees of Romance by Michele Hauf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book from kindle when it was free. This is a good anthology, although, I skipped the last story which involved zombies. Also, this is not one to read back-to-back, as each author started the story from the same introductory material. I enjoyed the short, compact, quick and easy to read stories. I enjoyed reading the creative twists and turns each author took.

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Book Review: American Sniper

2012-02-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm hesitant to write a review of this book. I'm not a military reader, nor do I usually delve into autobiographies. But, I saw Kyle on a tv interview, and liked how he appeared there. I have come away from the book with a better understanding of what the guys on the ground experienced vs. what the news media has shown us here at home. A long time ago when I was studying political science, I studied a mission that failed back in the '70's. I read first hand accounts from the military commander in charge, all the way up to de-classified White House stuff. I walked away from that assignment thinking that the Colonel who planned the mission and then had to answer to that "failure" had a better understanding of human nature, goals, and obstacles than the politicians even wanted to think about. I walked away from Kyle's book with the same attitude.

I wouldn't classify this book as "literature". Literature implies someone who studies and learns a craft then writes a novel. This book is a story. It's value doesn't lie in big words or fancy phrases. The value is in the fact that is has come out so recently after the events have taken place that memories are still fresh. The value of this book is that Kyle wrote the story himself and did not leave it to historians in dusty libraries. With time, the matter-of-fact approach will be invaluable to all the poor rubes who will study political science. They will have an excellent first-hand account to draw from.

Most of all, I've walked away from this book with a sense of gratefulness that I can be sitting here behind my computer with my dog writing a commentary on a warrior's story while my family is safely at work and school. Thank you Mr. Kyle and military personnel.

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Book Review: Cherish

2012-02-14T16:18:00.000-06:00

Cherish by Catherine Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm not usually one for historical western romance. My usual reading vein lies in England with ball gowns. However, this provided a lot of action, graphic details that were emotionally wrenching, and tragedy all too often played out on the frontier. The writing was tight, the characters stayed true to their personalities and natures, which is always a plus. The story flagged and lost momentum about 3/4 the way through, and then picked up in a way I wasn't expecting. According to amazon.com, this title was released in 1998, and has since been re-released. When reading the older romances, it is easy to see the way the genre has changed over the years. There was an almost-rape, that was left over from earlier years where it was common in romances. The hero prevented the rape, and in this book we can see today's archetype hero start to emerge. The hero totally makes the story. His emotional journey through meeting the heroine is a great line in the story. However entertaining this book was to me, the heroine displayed a type of emotional dependency that romance readers today won't tolerate. It was border-line creepy, but given the plot, totally justified. I've read on other blogs that sometimes go retro for reviews that there are two systems of grading. By today's standards, this gets a 2-2.5 stars. By 1998 standards, this would be a 4 star read.

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Book Review: Sizzle

2012-02-14T15:26:00.001-06:00

Sizzle by Julie Garwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this to be an excellent quick (for me) read. The characters were engaging, the mystery held me to the end. I would caution mystery readers that it was pretty easy to figure out the bad guy, but it worked for me in the context of the romance. Overall, this was a nice contemporary romance escape read.

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Option P & No Child Left Behind

2012-02-13T09:38:00.000-06:00

I've worked on this post for a few days. It seems like the delete key is more of my friend than any other keys in writing about education, children, and the No Child Left Behind Act. Writing about this subject is tricky. Laying out arguments and providing examples only proves that education is something intensely personal, can get bulky and go no where fast, but also, judgmental. The fundamental part of this post is that my husband and I don't believe the state is responsible for educating our children. We are not opposed to public schools, but we are opposed to this attitude that education of our child totally falls to the teacher and to the school. So, in that vein, we tried the local public school. While not every public school is like this, we found that the teachers were excellent, and the administration, starting with the secretaries all the way up to the superintendent were of poor quality. We were so disappointed with this model, that we went with the local private school option. It has been in the news that 10 states have applied for exceptions with the "No Child Left Behind" act. While this law was heralded as the crowning achievement of the previous administration, administering to the law has become so cumbersome that I'd be surprised if any state could reach these goals. While goals in education are laudable, and we as adults and parents should push our children to do their best, the sad reality is that this law assumes everyone should be educated in the same way. This is just ridiculous. Like adults, every child is different. Every child has different needs at different times, and while teachers can have a vital impact on a child's life, that impact often translates in unforeseen ways when we or our kids are adults. At this point, I can name all kinds of personal examples, but I think that everyone has some sort of story about how a teacher at the time started a student down a certain path, and that lesson was not realized until adulthood. It just seems to be how we humans in general are geared. So, for once, I support something going on at the national level. Waivers to states are ok in my book. Every public school district faces some sort of challenge. I doubt there is an example of a perfect school in the world. That said, I wish more parents would adopt the attitude that education falls to parent, not to the school. Maybe then, with enough support, we can get the next generation properly educated so that the students today can be the leaders of tomorrow. Gawd, that's trite. I sound like a commercial. But, the commercial just may have a point.

Book Review: Because of You

2012-02-13T09:26:00.001-06:00

This contains spoilers. Please beware.

Because of You by Cathy Maxwell
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I got this book for free from the beta test of our state library's free digital service. This would have earned three stars, however, there were some issues with plot devices. The author built up the hero in the beginning of the story, overcame a marriage based on lies, and then, threw in two foundling children that reads like the part in the movie "Titanic" when Leo is carrying around a kid for no apparent reason. These kids didn't add to the story, nor did they bring any change to any characters that would affect the plot in a significant way. I'm wondering why to even have them there. The story has a great start, but I"m disappointed that the hero couldn't see past his own nose when it comes to dealing with people. He is supposed to be this awesome self-made man, but for someone who is that independent, he threw a lot of fits where his brother was concerned. I'm really not sure how he found the gumption to start his own company. The heroine is another matter. She is written as strong in her own way, but seriously lacks an economic bent. She gives away her medical services to the small community she lives in for free. Dude, girl needs a job! She has a skill, but she will not trade on her skill to make her life a little more comfortable.

These plot devices aside, Maxell is a good writer, and it was a very engaging story. However, it is one that needs serious revision and an editor who is awake.

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Romney v Santorum

2012-02-09T08:27:00.001-06:00

This post is a political commentary. This post is also going to include stuff about religion some people may find offensive. If you're easily offended, stop reading now. This is your last warning. Links to various sites appear below for further research.

It has been a while since I have talked about candidates or non candidates. I'm just as surprised as the political pundits over Rick Santorum's take in three states. This is especially surprising since many stronger candidates have dropped out of the race thus far, and I had never heard of this guy until he won the Iowa caucuses. Equally surprising, is the tenacity of Mitt Romney, his head-to-head combat with Newt and the firestorm there that has fizzled in the past day or two. Mitt & Newt were at one another's throats for so long, that I think they forgot there were other people who considered themselves candidates and are vying for the same coveted nomination. I'm not really sure what to make of these guys and why my fellow citizens are giving different campaigns momentum. But, I have a theory.

The Republican Party is going to be defined by religion this election. The lines seem to be drawn between Mormon, and more liberal Christians vs. the very conservative Christians who will put their support behind a Catholic. Satntorum's political momentum is all because of religion. Right now, the Catholics are pissed because the Oh!bama administration wants to require faith-based employers to pay insurance premiums so that contraception is available to all female employees for free, regardless if this is against a tenant of their faith or not. Well, we all know that the Catholic church says birth control is a no-no, though we all know American Catholics who are with the main stream and have small families due to that same church-prohibited control. But, those who are true believers are fighting mad. In addition to this whole birth control flap, a pretty powerful Catholic Bishop's letter to troops serving over-seas was labeled as "seditious" and not read to said troops who attend Mass. Well, now an infuriated group is totally up in arms, wants to be heard, and is tired of social liberalism being shoved down their throats. While I'm not Catholic, I can see their point.

On to Mitt. Mitt is slick. He has been on this campaign trail before, unsuccessfully. He's rich. He's so bloody rich, that he can write his own campaign checks and spend lots and lots of money on campaigning. Bully for him. A self-made man. But, he's Mormon. Gasp! Mormons tend to go to the beat of their own drummer, and still have somewhat of an insular society. We lived in Salt Lake City, UT, for a few months. Once people figured out that we weren't Mormon and weren't going to join the local ward, then they pretty much had nothing to do with us any more. They weren't rude, they weren't pushy, they just weren't going to waste their time with two heathens that weren't going to be swayed to their way of thinking. In general--and I mean GENERAL because not everyone will fit this profile--Mormons were more socially liberal than the Catholics and other Christians we were used to. Mitt has another hurdle to cross: the stigma of just being LDS. And don't tell me there's not a stigma, because those who convert or are currently a part of the LDS church tend to attract other church members to their organizations. A friend recently told a story about an acquaintance who was the CEO of a fairly large corporation. The acquaintance stepped down from his post and was replaced by a Mormon. Within two years, there was major turnover in the upper management, and all of the new people filling the posts were Mormon. As I understand it, there was a diverse mix of religions in the company before this Mormon was hired. So, a Christian might need to ask, will all the cabinet posts be filled by Mormons, excluding all other religions if Mitt is elected? I don't know for sure, but that is my fear.

I think S*it My Dad Says says it best: "These candidates are dog s*it. All we’re doing is picking out the dick that’s going to f**k us." I would add, that we're drawing lines to choose this dick based on religion. Scary.

-----------------------------
Sources:

Yahoo Politics

AP article via Google concerning contraception

LDS Church Web Site

Catholic.org--Note, this is only a news site for the Catholic Church. There are numerous sites dealing with Catholicism, history, and practice. If anyone is interested, the google-god can find it for you.

Book Review: A Gentleman's Honor

2012-02-07T16:14:00.000-06:00

A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is one in the Bastion Club series. I'm not sure which one, but I believe it is the second. I usually like Lauren's rather heavy style of writing, but this one has too much introspection. Perhaps it was the ereader program I was using, but by the time I felt like I was ready for the story to take off, there it went off into introspection land again. This is one of those reads that if the hero & heroine had a good, honest, conversation with one another instead of bed hopping, then this book would be shorter, have a better pace, and be a lot more satisfying. The plot had excellent tones, and I was drawn to the action. The mystery was good, but with better pacing would have made for a more interesting read. I liked the characters, but I was more drawn to the other members of Bastion Club and will give other stories in this series a try.

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Book Review: Bedding the Heiress

2012-02-07T16:05:00.001-06:00

Bedding the Heiress by Cathy Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story had an excellent plot, however, the female characters' personalities seemed to change about half way through. A spoiled heiress suddenly found honorable backbone instead of whiny recklessness, a step-mother who seemed deep at the beginning of the story suddenly turned shallow. Bigger themes of grief were remarked upon, however, they weren't really explored in a manner where I really believed the hero & heroine had their HEA. There was a villain who was too easily vanquished, and the sibling themes were heavy, when there was no in the story to explore and iron out these differences. While these are the issues with the story, the hero's personality and positive traits stayed true though the whole book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

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Book Review: The Three Silly Billies

2012-02-06T22:07:00.001-06:00

The Three Silly Billies by Margie Palatini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite children's books ever. I love the characters, the illustrations, and the attention to detail.

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I put this on my book shelf because it is a favorite. And, well, I was reminded of the troll in this story today. Nuff said.

The Way We Do Business

2012-02-06T22:01:00.002-06:00

When my husband and I opened our company five years ago, we had a serious conversation about our principles. The rules that we came up with are simple and straightforward, so that they would be easy to follow. At the top is Don't Screw People. Then comes, We Are Going to Charge a Fair Price. Third, we followed the Golden Rule: Do Unto Others... These principles are pretty good ones to live by, and a nice framework for the way we run our lives. Today, I'm reminded of these rules and how they apply to my little corner of the Internet. I got my first negative comment on a blog post. I don't know the person who posted the comment, but it wasn't flattering. It included a personal attack and profanity. The comment got deleted. The comment could have stood on it's own merit without the attack and profanity. I would have left it up just in case one of my eight followers would want to engage the troll, but attacks on individuals won't be tolerated. It goes back to the whole Do Unto Others thing.

This attack made me think. I throw a lot of inflammatory crap out. I like the landscape of blogging and being able to write my opinions about different issues. I do this because writing to an unknown audience is sort of like a catharsis. I can be whoever I want behind my keyboard and use this as a form of self-expression. But, one thing I didn't think through was what would happen when my self-expression drew the attention of those who wanted to lob personal attacks. There are a lot of opinions out there that I don't agree with, however, I don't seek those folks out and personally attack the authors. That is just rude. So, it is now the official policy of AmandaLand to delete personal attack comments. Feel free to disagree. Feel free to point out the error of my ways, as I'm just a human behind the computer. Don't call me names. Don't call any of my commenters names. I delete comments with impunity.

A bloggy friend whom I reached out to for advice in dealing with negativity sent me to a great web site. ProBlogger has some great tips and some common sense. This is a more extensive list than my Short Guide to Frienemies. See, I blog for the enjoyment. If someone wants to take up a cause against me, go ahead. Just don't expect me to participate in your anger. Problogger has a second great article concerning anger and the management there of in regards to blogging. And I think my husband puts it best: Responsibility is the ability to choose your response. My response to all of this? I'm going to echo Bon Jovi's lyrics: Have a nice day!

Red Rover, Throw Facebook Over!

2012-02-03T17:17:00.001-06:00

Regular visitors to this site know that I'm not an advocate or proponent of Facebook. I find their methods invasive, the message misleading and worse of all, I don't appreciate making someone else money when I'm sitting here in my pj's typing out my trite drivel that somehow feeds my soul.

First, Facebook's invasive methods. One of the reasons I quit, was because I didn't want everyone seeing my business. Yes, I'm throwing this out there for the world to see, however, nothing goes out that I personally don't approve. That, and perfect strangers in advertising don't need to know me, what I buy/support, etc. because of my Facebook posts. Google does well enough with that, thank you very much. Plus, Google doesn't change very often so that there is more comfort with their products.

Second, as for misleading messages. When a company goes public, then their assets are open for everyone to see. Facebook started as a Social Network! In my opinion, it is not social when the parent company is data mining me for advertising purposes. Call me old-fashioned, but if I want information on a product or service, I'll as the google-god. The google-god gives me ads that I ask for and doesn't guess as to what I might want. I'll ask people I see in person. Word-of-mouth is still the most powerful advertising tool. And it is word of mouth. People still do communicate verbally. Which, obviously, is my choice since I'm not on the social network anymore.

Third, I like to think that I have a healthy sense of greed. This may make me spoiled, bitchy, or otherwise unworthy. I don't care. I like my money. I don't like Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, or their advertisers enough to want to see my hard earned dollars go to them. They're mining MY data! They're using MY friends! After reading blogs for about a year, I'm amazed by the loyalty out there. Sure, there are the schmucks, but for the most part, people seem like they're not going to throw their friends and family under the preverbal bus to make a buck. Using Facebook is like lying one's self under the bus, then getting one's friends to line up in front of the same bus. Conversely, I'm not going to boycott any company that uses Facebook or advertises with them, because, well if those using the program can get a lead or two and it pays off, well good for them. Still, I don't have to support that rot directly.

No one has contacted me about making money off of this blog, nor do I have that thingy anymore where this blog can be tweeted or Facebooked. I took it off after my last rant. I want people to read my words, however, I'm giving this crap away for free. So, take it for what it is worth.

Sources:

Yahoo finance blog

Yahoo and just about any article concerning how much money Facebook will make

Galt Research (I like John. He is a good egg. No, he doesn't pay me to say this.)

Book Review: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover

2012-02-02T10:43:00.000-06:00

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a free download from amazon.com. Every once in a while, a book comes along that is just good, despite the title. The title and cover leads one to believe that this is a fluffy piece with lots of magic and mainly a witch with love life trouble. It is not. It is a witch with love life issues and a broader plot. For those who have read Kim Harrison's Hallows series--I would call this Kim Harrison Lite. The characters are complex, engaging, but the plot and twists are not as complicated as Harrison's writing. But, the story was tight and enjoyable enough to award 4 stars.

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Book Review: Juliet, Naked

2012-02-01T16:44:00.000-06:00

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is a DNF. I'm half way though and still wondering what the point of it is, and wondering about the plot. I picked up "Juliet" based on a review by some bloggy people who usually steer me in the right direction. Plus, I liked the movies "High Fidelity" and "About a Boy" by the same author. However, this read just isn't for me. I would be done by now if the characters actually did more than introspect for long periods of time, which woud cut the work in half. Some of the internal dialogue is about art and what it means to individual people. Ironic, as this particular work slogs along with no real direction for at least half the book. I'm not willing to waste more time with this book to figure out where, if any, turning point takes place with the characters and the plot. No, I'm not invested in these fictional people enough to really care what happens to them to get to the end.

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Occupy Wall Street?

2012-01-30T14:39:00.000-06:00

Don't tell me the weather doesn't play a part in politics. Back in October, when the gorgeous fall weather was in full swing, people across the country took to their parks and started living like hobos in protest of us working stiffs who managed to accumulate/earn wealth. I, personally, don't understand the motivation to live in a park, in a tent, in winter, to protest those of us who live in homes with climate control. When we first heard about this phenomenon across the country, my husband and I looked at one another, snorted, and said "....they have really bad timing. Winter is coming." Well, winter came, and with it the blizzards of last year stayed away. We've had a beautiful "winter." In fact, we've had such a wonderful winter that those protesting hobos have been able to stay in the parks with no sub-freezing temps to drive them back to climate controlled civilization. The winter has been so mild, that my husband remarked that we couldn't possibly have a "bad" one because January is nearly over, and even if it gets bad in February, Spring is right around the corner in March. I assume that those "in power" figured on the winter to drive hobo protesters back indoors and just let people camp, with the same whatever attitude that we had. But, four months later, the hobo protesters are still out in force, destroying the grass and green space and creating all kinds of problems. So, law enforcement now has to eject the hobos. Like any good squatters, the hobos are refusing to go, causing all kinds of problems.

Another thing I don't get. Why call it "Occupy Wall Street". I have never been to Wall Street, New York, or New York City. As I understand it, Wall Street is part of the urban jungle with no place to squat and set up a tent. How can a group "occupy" a space that has no space in which to occupy? Could the hobo protesters be better served by actually protesting on Wall Street? Why are people camping out on the West Coast in this protest when they are thousands of miles away from their offending target? I guess I just don't get their methods. Maybe they should get a job, any job. Or start a company/political action committee/or non-profit to further their goals. Hasn't anyone thought of working within the system to change the system?

I could see an argument being made for the hobo protesters that they're on public land. While I believe everyone has a right to protest in this country, and say whatever they want (I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't, thus this blog), I don't believe that the protesters have a right to squat indefinitely on my grass. And it is my grass. I pay taxes. Do the hobo protesters?

Book Review: Explosive Eighteen

2012-01-28T12:15:00.002-06:00

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another romp with Stephanie Plum. I read "One For the Money" back in 1995, so in the ensuing 16 years, Stephanie hasn't gotten any better at capturing the bad guys, the tension between Ranger and Morelli is still not resolved, and hairspray works just as well as pepper spray. That said, it is another good time that made me snigger, chuckle, and laugh out loud (lol for those of you who text). So, it gets five stars because it is still good fun. Even after 16 years. Wham!

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And This Is Why....

2012-01-25T11:56:00.000-06:00

....I don't do Facebook anymore. I found this Yahoo article stating that all Facebook users have to use Timeline. Dude, do we need to go here again? Yep, we do.

1. Collecting "friends" on Facebook has become a lot like keeping up with the Jones'es. So, instead of belonging to the Junior League or a Bridge Club, we now sit behind our computer screens and see what So & So had for dinner, where they had been, and a bunch of other minutia that I don't give a crap about. Dude, break out the silver and china, put on a dress and invite your frinenemy over for coffee. Verbally dancing around sensitive subjects and trying to out wit her politely will keep your mind in better shape than hiding behind your computer screen.

2. My nephew is in college and taking and intro to Sociology course. Apparently, and this is not first-hand info, he has to "friend" one of the women in his class, search her Facebook page and report to the class all of the embarrassing stuff he can find. This works in reverse, too, as she is supposed to dig the good dirt on the nephew. The point? The professor wants to show that Facebook is dangerous. F-ing Brilliant!

3. Why would anyone want to be part of the program that is not consumer driven? This is the 4th or 5th time that formats have changed that I know about. Facebook changed formats at least three times the year and a half that I used the program. Every change, everyone grumbled. But we all accepted it! There wasn't a mass exodus! It was even justified by people saying that they "wanted to keep in touch." With who? The neighbors? People you kind of know but don't really like? (Ok, for those with close family far away, it is handy, but drop an email! Text! Write a letter!) So, if I'm chatting with you in person, I don't want to hear you complain about the changes. You're the consumer. Leave. Facebook can't sell ads if you're not on there to see them. Cut their profits because money still talks the loudest.

4. Leaving Facebook will affect you social calendar. Yes, you might miss out on the big party. But that's ok. The cops read about it, showed up, and arrested people.

So yeah, I'm going to stick to blogging. It just seems safer, because I know I'm putting this out there for everyone to read.

I'm so Proud!!!!

2012-01-25T11:10:00.001-06:00

Well, she did it! Mini C stood up today in front of a crowd of people and sang a song solo. The kid has got guts. She was all decked out in her '80's get up with her hair off to the side and me with a curling iron trying to get some curl to the bangs. She did have enough hair spray on her hair to transport us back to the 80's. So, we got to see her on stage singing and dancing twice. I'm so proud of her, and so glad that she has the opportunity to do that.

Book Review: On Thin Ice

2012-01-20T21:32:00.000-06:00

On Thin Ice by Eve Gaddy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this for free from one of Amazon.com's daily deals. I found the premise to be somewhat believable, the villan believable, and the heroine well rounded with classical piano training. However, I had trouble with the hero as a perfect adonis. Sure, he had his baggage, but this really didn't add to the story or how the plot unfolded. There was enough suspense to keep me entertained (I have a low suspense threshold) and plenty of romantic pheromones flying. However, the story ended too neatly, and this was an ok read. I would recommend for a rainy day if it is free again.

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Book Review: Falling for Love

2012-01-20T20:26:00.000-06:00

Falling for Love by Marie Force
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the forth book in the series, and while I've read the books in order, it has been some time since I read the last one. That said, Force keeps the characters from previous books alive and well in the series, but, the series must really be read in order to keep from confusing characters. The story was a bit shallow, while the story line was interesting. The teaser for the next book was great, and I will continue reading.

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Update Post

2012-01-19T10:01:00.001-06:00

Just a few updates to recent activity:

Mini C is going to be Queen Elizabeth I for wax museum purposes. Her original request was Harriet Tubman. We obviously need to get out of our homogenous community because Mini C had no idea of the social and racial ramifications of painting her pale porcelain skin black. Not to mention all that long blonde hair getting in the way. And this way she can wear a Halloween costume again and add a whole lot of gaudy bling. Because even back then people wore their wealth and taste had very little to do with it.

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Is colon hydrotherapy the new root canal? Thanks, I'll skip the groupon for that.

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My post about heirloom cooking is still getting way more than its share of attention. I wonder if it is because I use the word "nuker" to describe the microwave? I really don't think all kinds of people are hitting the post for the poorly written spaghetti recipe.

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"Chernobyl Box" is another favorite alternate term for the microwave.

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I wish I could figure out what the dog is allergic to so that he can actually grow a winter coat. The oaf doesn't want to get out of bed in the mornings to go outside to do his dogly duty. Luckily, he has a bladder of steel combined with training that we don't have an indoor accident problem. Knock on wood. Cross my fingers.

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I'm kind of disappointed in the Republican Party. Mitt has risen to the top as the best candidate, and Iowa declared a tie in the caucuses. Dude. That is just weird. How are the big states with large populations going to make up their minds about candidates if the little states with sparse populations don't tell them how to vote????

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I caught a blip on the news last night that Randall Terry is running against Obama for the Democratic ticket this time around. What? No one has blown that little penis up? He's still allowed to run among us spewing his vitriol and hatred when he doesn't even have his very own uterus? I guess this is the same argument used against the Westboro Baptist Christ and Fred Phelps. Makes me feel icky just writing about these nutjobs.

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I need to quit writing here and go switch the laundry. Because really, why would people want clean socks? I think they my be Communists.

The Truth About Grill Lights & Pie Carriers

2012-01-15T17:03:00.002-06:00

Now that we are a couple of weeks away from the whole holiday madness thing, it seems like the time to put together some sort of post about the holidays. December, specifically. I got Bob a light for his grill for Christmas. Since we've been having unseasonably gorgeous weather, grilling is still an option. However, with the dark of short days, one needs a light. I walked into Sears to get a grill steam cleaner, and walked out with the even better gift of a grill light. The night I bought the gift was the night that a dear friend graduated from KU's School of Business. I met this friend when she was 2, and I worked for her mom and dad doing various odd jobs, including babysitting. See my Universal Studios Jacket post for details about what we went through together. I then went to dinner with the family. It was like Christmas that night. Sitting around with the girls and their parents was like coming home. When one has been away from that feeling for so long, one tends to forget what it feels like to be a part of something old, people who knew you when you were a pimply teenager. People with a shared history, who aren't scattered by the winds and changed by life--yet. It was one of those moments that fed my soul and made me happy to be a part of that night with them. It was a bonus night.

A couple of Thanksgivings ago, my mother-in-law gave me her pie carrier. Since I don't use it except at a rare holiday, I have been letting my sis-in-law borrow it. After the glowing night of being with those like family, the real family stepped into it big time. SIL called and asked to borrow the pie carrier for the Christmas holiday. No biggie. I can share. The kicker was that SIL wasn't going to be in my area, and I wasn't going to be in her area. Now, it became my problem. I had to back out of delivering the thing to Kansas City. Kudos to me. Then SIL suggested that the other SIL, Janet, come and pick it up. I believe my exact words were "Are you insane?!? That isn't going to fly." The situation was resolved by Bob, because it concerned his side of the family. He let SIL, who wanted the pie carrier, know in a very clear manner that if she ever made such a suggestion again, she was cut off from our family. Dude was serious. She believed him. I believed him.

Having the two opposite situations centering around objects like grill lights and pie carriers was a message from the Universe. When it comes time to start drawing up important papers next week, friends are going to be named guardians of my kids should anything tragic befall both of us. With the friends, my kids will have an instant family and a support group that they won't be able to grasp right away. Bob's sisters can have all the pie carriers they want, but my kids won't be embroiled in their politics, nor will they be exposed to people that have been referred to as "predators" within the past month. Another bonus.

So, we have installed the grill light and have had some yummy stuff come off of the grill. I'm in the market for a new pie carrier. Life goes on, and so will our legacy.

Option P, part II

2012-01-11T14:24:00.002-06:00

Just got an email today from Mini C's teacher. Mrs. G has assigned a "Wax Museum" project for the students for the "Night of Knights". First, the Night of Knights (NofK) is the annual fundraiser/benefit for the school to raise money to make up for what isn't brought in on tuition. This is what keeps the school in the black and our tuition lower than other private schools in the area. The Wax Museum project is really kind of genius. Apparently, the students have to pick a historical figure, write a 3-page typed report on this figure and include references. Hoorah! We're finally beginning on the basics of writing a report! I'm all about that and think that it is time to set those foundations. After all, the kid is learning her multiplication tables. This will give her great experience on writing and how to put one together. Obviously, I can't wait to be a part of this process and be a support. Here comes the Boo part: the kids have to dress up as the figure and then do an oral report at the NofK. Why am I booing? Well, Brittany Spears is in the wax museum. I don't want my daughter dressing like high-end trailer trash. Brittany is probably off the list, after all, this is a Christian school. Marie Antoinette, probably the most famous wax figure ever, is fair game as well. How does one construct a dress for a 9-year-old complete with hoops, powdered wigs, and diamonds? That is uber-scary. I admit, I'm really scared of the figure that she wants to choose. Obviously, we have not spoken of this, but Catherine the Great of Russia is someone that I would love to dress up as, or Queen Victoria, or Queen Elizabeth the I. Again, the hoop skirts. But, in reality, I have no idea who she will choose. It may be someone as obscure as Eli Whitney. I'll definitely keep everyone updated, but I'm kind of stoked about the chance for Mini C to appear in a hoop skirt. My second Boo is that I'll have to actually attend the Night of Knights. I sent my $5 in last year to offset the cost of food. Then I didn't have anything else to do with the night because I hate crowds. Yes, the volume of people shoved into that small of a space overwhelms me, though I now know most of them. But, I'll just keep thinking about hoop skirts and that will make me feel better.

Book Review: Scandalous Desires

2012-01-10T21:08:00.000-06:00

Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to give Hoyt kudos for this novel. She made a villan from a past novel into a hero. We come to the story prepared to not like him, but he is balanced by the complexity of his character and basic human decency that he manages to hang on to, though raised in the slums. The heroine, Silence, stays true to her convictions and raises Charming Mickey to a higher standard. Overall a great read and one that I would recommend.

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****Spoiler Alert****
Charming Mickey and Silence are intriguing characters. Putting the romance aside for a moment, I want to point out that the characters interact in such a way that they make each other better people. Charming Mickey gives up his life of crime and Silence lets go of old dreams, making both more mature and capable people. To me, that is the gold standard of a relationship. People change for the better. Relationships that drag people down should be dissolved, while relationships that build people up should be celebrated. For that reason, this book is well worth the read.

I'm done on the soap box now, and will get back to my regularly scheduled reviews.

Bood Review: The Wild Sight

2012-01-10T20:32:00.002-06:00

The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a paranormal romance. While I usually don't do paranormal, something about this caught my eye. Perhaps it was the premise that it is an Irish/American story and that crossing the two cultures was easy for me to bridge. I really enjoyed the romance, the plot and sub-plot, complete with a nosy big sister that didn't take well to her brother dating anyone. The paranormal parts were believable. I wouldn't describe the romance as "heavy", but there was a nice balance between tensions, paranormal, and romance.

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Book Review: Unveiled

2012-01-10T20:21:00.005-06:00

Unveiled by Courtney Milan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this read to be good, and to send a modern message set in a historical manner. I found the hero, Ash, to be sympathetic, charismatic, and a guy that I would like to know. Most important, he lets Lady Margaret, the heroine, know that she matters. When someone is forced into duty and not truly able to to choose their own path, one can forget that they are more than the person that shoulders all of the responsibility when putting others' needs before their own. For that reason, Ash makes the perfect hero. I also like the tension of people forced to make hard choices, and then to live with those choices. Overall, this more than a one-dimensional romance read. I would recommend it to anyone.

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Book Review: Sealed with a Promise

2012-01-09T21:39:00.002-06:00

SEALed with a Promise by Mary-Margret Daughtridge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second in a series, and for some reason, this story grabbed me. It is one of my new favorite contemporaries. The characters are intelligent (there was some Amazon discussion about how the author beat us over the head with this fact, but that seems to be a theme with her other titles as well), and faced morally questionable situations. I found the banter witty and I really like how the hero and heroine come out changed for the better on the other side. I found the situation that brought them together in the first place believable. I like how h/h stay together and find out that they really like each other. Sometimes, characters just stick with you, and for some reason, this fictional people and their story have stayed with me.

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Book Review: The Ugly Duckling Debutante

2012-01-09T21:32:00.001-06:00

The Ugly Duckling Debutante by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is a DNF. First, this is a Christian romance. While there is a market for that, I'm not a member. I like my romances gritty and to have some sex in it. Otherwise, what is the point of reading??? Anyway, I am really upset that this was not marketed as having a Christian slant, because I don't think that historical dukes really gave a rat's ass about their immortal souls in that particularly Calvinistic way we have today. I also don't mind heroes looking for redemption/spirituality, but I'm pretty sure the Anglican church at the time wasn't about "saving" people as we are today. In short, the book is preachy, and if I wanted to hear a sermon, I'd actually go to church.

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Book Club?

2012-01-09T00:07:00.000-06:00

I'm on a sabbatical from my book club. And I know that several of my readers also go to the same book club, and we're all somehow connected through these community ties. I want to be clear to everyone that I'm on book club sabbatical first, because I got out of the habit. Once a month, I would check out a book or get it on my Kindle, dutifully read it, and report back to the book club about my feelings of said text. Being a single parent over the summer and not able to attend book club because of the sitter issue, I just completely got out of the habit of going. Second, I read romance. Smut. Bodice Rippers. When I read, that is the fantasy land I love to escape into. I'm a second generation smut reader, and learned to devour books from my mother. Today, there is a lot going on in the romance genera concerning witches, vampires, werewolves, and a whole host of other creatures that I've never met in person before. Well, there was a phlebotomist once that seemed sort of like a vampire, but really, I was more into the Dr. that looked like he just got off of the Dr's Without Borders plane, but I digress. While these are sometimes interesting, they are mostly on a fringe that I'm not necessarily into. Historical romance fiction is where I like to transport my brain when I'm reading. I like the formula of a Happily Ever After, and two people working out a relationship with each other. No, it isn't literature. I'm not going to accidentally raise my social awareness with one of these books (unless I accidentally download another Christian romance and actually read the stupid thing). I'm reading this for the escape into someone else's life, preferably a historically inaccurate one wearing a ball gown. So, it looks like another month of book club sabbatical for me, as the selections reek too much of literature and conform to a higher standard than I want to reach for at this time. Maybe the Ides of March will cure my restlessness. Maybe not. By then, I'll have to be working in the garden. Who knows?

Random Musings

2012-01-03T20:18:00.001-06:00

The following are just some thoughts that I've been mulling recently:

I can't seem to decide if life is too short to not wear cute high heels or if life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes. I haven't quite found that line, yet.

People in Iowa caucus because they're cold and bored. Bob's sister married a DB from Iowa, and, well, college football is over for the season and they're not Hoosiers. Plus, caucuses just give people an excuse to visit with like minded neighbors at a public forum.

In all of the year-end tributes, no one seems to remember the helicopter of Navy Seals that was shot down this past year. Remember the hubbub that it was in retaliation for killing bin Lauden? I remember, even if the national media forgets. I still say bin Lauden's body is stored with Kennedy's brain.

I think that is enough rambling for now.

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-25T10:12:00.001-06:00

This has been the least stressful Christmas season in quite a few years. We have literally not left our home, which is part of the plan. Not that there hasn't been any misadventures, because there have been plenty.
First comes the food misadventures. I forgot the mushrooms in the Christmas spaghetti. Then, it didn't dawn on me that French toast actually takes eggs, and not just cream. Let me explain that last one.....
On my list to Santa this year, I requested a new food processor. The gears stripped on the last one. While not as detrimental of an appliance as the croc pot, once or twice a year only a food processor will do. While shopping for others, we came across the Kitchen Aid mixers. They were on a great sale. But, they didn't have my requisite cobalt blue, nor did I want to make the space investment into a big mixer. But, Santa was good to me, and I got a bright red mixer anyway. (Kitchen Aid doesn't make a cobalt blue one in the professional series, Santa checked). In my glee at having a new mixer, I got a little carried away with the cream and forgot that French toast takes eggs.
Hopefully, there won't be anymore culinary disasters. But, I'm now armed with a mixer just in case there are.

Michelle & Michael

2011-12-06T19:04:00.001-06:00

Michelle Bachman keeps stepping into it. Apparently, an 8-year old approached her and said that his mommy is gay, and she doesn't need fixed. The kid got hustled away pretty quick. This woman doesn't, nor will she have my vote. Why? Because she is focusing on a social issue and doesn't seem to have a clue what the rest of the country is facing. The "Great Recession" has hit all corners of our country, we have a runaway congress, and cabinet that needs ousted as a whole and stronger people appointed, and foreign issues. Bachman is worried about who is bumping uglies with whom. Lady, it don't matter. If two people can actually live together in some sort of harmony, then leave them alone. Work on the bigger issues. If homosexuality is really a sin against God, then let God mete out the punishment while you mind your own business.

Michael Reagan has been calling the house. He wants us to take a survey. While we all miss Ronnie's vision, speeches, and economic policies, I don't think that cashing in on your name for a weak Republican party is really the way to go. I guess he is hard up in this recession as well. Anywho, quit calling.

Able Defeated Cain and the guy with 2 fist names didn't get the memo.

2011-12-03T18:03:00.001-06:00

Yes, it is that time in our country again when it is election time. No, I'm not going to be quiet about them this time around. All is fair game.

Herman Cain quit the race today. He says he isn't going away, but he didn't have enough money to buy his way out of the allegations of a 13-year affair. Dude. If you're going to have a piece on the side for that many years, you might as well be a running mate with Mitt. It's a lot like polygamy. In Cain's defense, he can commit to more than one thing at a time for a long time.

Ron Paul keeps sending me junk mail and begging for my money. The most recent letter shows a picture of him with some kid and tries to get across that he is pro-life. It makes him look like a pedophile. And, Ron didn't get the message that I'm Pro-Choice and I'm not going to change. It sickens me that we have military personnel dying on foreign shores and we're arguing over those souls that are God's to care for. No, Ron, you're not going to get a dime from me, nor are you going to get my vote with that drivel. We have too many huge problems to worry about for the souls that have managed to be born in our country. Come up with a plan to stop spending federal money, reduce the deficit, and bring ALL of our troops home from foreign shores. That will get my vote.

Newt, ah Newt. It was bad enough that you were Speaker of the House and saddled with a name like Newt. He has been calling me and it shows up on the caller ID as "Newt 2012". If I squint my eyes until they blur, and become slightly dyslexic, then it looks like "Eye of Newt". I don't think I could vote for a man who is an ingredient in a witch's brew. It might stir something up that I don't like. Then again, that is just the nature of politics.

I'm sure as the campaign season progresses, that I will have more fodder and drivel for this blog. Until then, keep your ear muffs on and the news off.

Oyster Dressing

2011-11-20T19:07:00.001-06:00

One of the focuses of this blog is heirloom cooking. And the biggest cooking holiday is right around the corner. I thought I should post a "classic" recipe. This is the dressing that my grandma made every Turkey Day. I would be remiss if I didn't reprint it here.

Oyster Dressing

8 cups dried bread cubes

1 cup chopped celery

¼ cup chopped onion

2 cups chicken or turkey broth

¼ lb butter

2 egg whites, beaten

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 pint oysters (optional)

Saute celery and onions in butter. Add broth and pour over bread cubes. Sprinkle with parsley and oysters over bread mixture. Toss lightly. Add egg whites. Combine. Shape into ball size balls and put on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Amanda’s Twists:Omit the oysters with glee. Use 2 whole eggs. I like to use more onion as well. It all sautes in. Can add fresh minced garlic as well, saute with the celery and onion. If using boxed bread cubes have extra chicken broth on hand. It always takes more broth than the recipe calls for. After tossing lightly, put into your favorite high-sided baker and bake whole. Also can use a muffin pan for uniform balls. Salt and pepper to taste.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Clutter in Context

2011-11-16T08:44:00.001-06:00

I'm into watching science shows about string theory, quantum physics, and physics in general. While not able to work out the higher level mathematical equations, as I still can't add, I find the theories fascinating. We're made up of sub-atomic particles or strings. Our universe may be only one of many other universes and not all that special. Every time I make a decision the universe splits and I'm in another dimension. I guess that means the other me in another reality has a clean house. Because of all the elegant, wonderful and fascinating things in the universe, my reality of a dirty home hasn't changed. Nor can I get those sub-atomic particles to sort themselves out into a tidy home. The particles will only change through my direct actions and not though any powers that I may posses, thus, I may not be omnipotent as a human. I still have a cluttered house and must march forward to eradicate that clutter. But that probably isn't going to happen today.

Slow Crawl

2011-11-15T16:24:00.001-06:00

This is just a list update.#23: Desk. Downsized Gabriel's room and the desk got sent to a cousin.#24: Old cell phone donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers. This is a really great organization and I would recommend it for anyone who has upgraded and has an old phone to give away.

Option P

2011-11-11T15:25:00.001-06:00

My kids go to a private school. Yes, we're that kind of family where we choose to afford our kids a private eduction in addition to paying property tax that supports the public school. But, our public elementary school is overcrowded, and I knew it would not be the best option for my kids. Thus, the private one. Choosing Option P (for Private) has its drawbacks. First, the school is Christian. I don't have a problem with the praying, Bible verse memorization, and a weekly chapel time to my otherwise apathetic views of organized religion. The kids coming home to make sure I'm "saved" is annoying, but better than coming home and crying because of bullies at school. Bringing home crosses is much better than bringing home the bad language and habits that pervade the public school scene.

Mini C, now in 3rd grade is college bound. I know this. How? Because I told her she was just as I was told that I was college bound and I'd better keep my grades up and get myself into post-secondary education. In a small school where parents have to pay for children to attend, I would think that there would be a more strenuous focus on research and a quest for knowledge. Right now, we have a state project that is due in approximately two weeks that I haven't bought the first thing for. Apparently, we need poster board that can be hand drawn on. Dude. This is the age of computers and cheap plotters. Hand drawn? No printed report??? WTF??? Also, this project counts as a history grade. After reviewing the grading rubric, more emphasis is placed on writing the state name out of pasta rather than solid research. I'm still not sure what the kids are supposed to get out of this exercise. I guess that is why I'm putting this out on the internet. While Mini C knows very well that she will go to college, the best way to start teaching her the skills she needs is the main question I have. I still think building the foundation for proper research is more important at this point in education than doing a craft project that counts as a history grade. And, since I'm the one opening the check book, I think my opinion should count toward that.

I think I'm done for now.

Organization: One Drawer at a Time

2011-11-10T16:32:00.001-06:00

I now boast that I've cleaned out the drawer in the kitchen that houses all the random utensils that I use to cook with: spatulas, whisks, cheese graters, various spoons, and most important, the wine corkscrew. They all have a home and they're all organized. All of this organization has caused me to throw some things out:#21: Antique knife sharpener with rotted handle. I didn't know the handle was rotted when I put it in the drawer, but in the bottom, under all the other detritus, it chipped out and created a mess. Probably boasted some good old fashioned lead paint as well.#22: Garlic Press. 12 years old, a wedding shower present, and used. Not "gently used." I mean, I've pressed more garlic through that thing that vampires should quake in fear of the press. Now that I have big knives, I haven't pressed garlic in a couple of years. And the thing that cleans it out went down the disposal four years ago. I made an attempt at ordering a replacement part, but it was so old, there were no parts to be had. Again, it has taken me a long time to part with a tool that I no longer need.While the book I bought has kind of gone by the way side, and I'm really not following the plan, it isn't for a lack of desire. I'm going to hit 50. The problem is the amount of crap to wade through around here. I can probably hit 100 if I keep counting and cleaning out drawers. But, like the title says, one drawer at a time.

Death Be Not Proud

2011-11-03T18:21:00.000-05:00

If you don't want to read about the realities of death, this post isn't for you. Fair Warning: Emotionally graphic and frank.

I haven't written in a while. I've been a bit busy. I had to sit and watch my grandma pass, or cross, as I like to say. Grandma was 96 when she died, and while her spirit wanted to stay here on earth, her body would not allow it. She remembered and knew us to the end, the only weird phrase crossing her was that she "had to go to New York with the volunteers." She was also convinced that she got hung up on the edge of her bed, called for help, no one came, and finally got herself back into bed. I don't believe this part of her story, as she was too weak at the time to even sit up and the nurses at her assisted living facility were watching her like a hawk. But, in her mind, it was real.

Grandma was well loved by everyone in her assisted living facility. Nurses, past and present, made it a point to stop by and see her. Her door was constantly being opened by friends who came to say goodbye. Hospice was called and her pain was minimal. When she did pass, it was peacefully and both my brother and I were there. Her eyes opened wide, she took a last breath, and then she was gone. I was in front of her when her eyes were open, and my brother beside me, but I doubt that she even saw us as that was the point that her spirit was leaving her body.

The Hospice nurses were great. They gave her a final bath before they called the mortuary to pick up her remains. The ironic part of all this was the L&L stopped by for coffee with her as she was passing. L&L were there when my dad passed as well. The Universe must have been in sync then, for them to show up at just the right time to lend support

Being born and dying is painful. I think this is just a part of our human condition. For some reason, we come in pain and die in pain. Thanks to our modern drugs, birth and death isn't as painful as it could be. I'm very grateful for the morphine, and other narcotics that were prescribed to my grandma that made her passing bodily comfortable. At least, I hope it was comfortable. We can't really ask her opinion, nor study those who have passed before to see if it worked.

I know that my dad was there. I can't recall it now, but I remember thinking about him, and wishing I had one final phone call. I heard his voice. Then someone distracted me and the moment slipped away. Which is fine, as that was like a mental phone call. I'm convinced that Dad messed with the thermostat. That thing ran like a top for the 5 years that Grandma lived there. The control to make it warmer or cooler went out and there was a faint burning scent in the air. It got to the point where we had to turn on the unit, let it get to freezing cold, then turn the unit off. The unit might or might not switch off, and sometimes would switch itself on. One could never tell what the thermostat would do.

I'm going to close here with the words of John Donne:

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

Organization.....Scary

2011-10-07T12:44:00.000-05:00

I got my junk drawer cleaned out. It got to the point where I could no longer open it without dragging on something in there and it getting stuck. I don't have any throw-aways to add to the list, other than some real trash that hit the drawer instead of the can. Also, I don't think testing pens and then throwing out the ones that don't work count. However, I did throw away some pencils that no longer sport erasers. There is no point keeping a pencil that can't erase homework mistakes in the house.

The scary part of all this? I made drawer organizers out of boxes! Yep, 2 boxes later, I have the perfect drawer system. No money spent, a functional drawer, and voila! no more pens running around in there creating organizational havoc. Our school saves Boxtops for Education. I have a bad habit of generally ripping off the box top, stick it in the drawer, and then cut it down later. I'm now the proud owner of many box tops, neatly cut, ready to be handed into the office next week. I also dug out all of the tools that I have on hand for my personal use, and not get stuck in the company tool boxes. It is always best to be prepared for a wrench emergency and actually be able to find the wrench.

While the list didn't grow, my peace of mind did. I believe I need to go find something else to clean.

Twisted Quotes

2011-09-28T21:54:00.000-05:00

You may think that I complete you, but that doesn't mean you're any less of a douchebag. Just sayin'.

Perhaps you should go find "your own personal heroine" instead of me. I'm going to go be the heroine of my own real romance novel.

#20

2011-09-23T19:41:00.002-05:00

I just threw away Facebook. Yep, cold turkey. I've been thinking about it for a while, and I want to see how my life will change without it. So, that is the exciting news and entertainment from AmandaLand for now.

Home on the Range

2011-09-22T14:43:00.001-05:00

I started this post two months ago, and while it has been put on the back burner for now, it is something that we're actively planning for and still talking about....

When we got married 11.5 years ago, I knew that one day we would build our own house. It is an inevitable fact of marrying into a family of builders. It is now time to start the building process. The purpose of these blog posts are to document our house building journey for posterity, and to say "I told you so" in the years to come when there arises disagreement between parties of the first and second part as to how certain events unfolded.

September 22, 2011 was the first official day of the building project and process. Land acquisition is the usual first step. But, we get a pass on this one, as our lot is one that was set aside years ago by Bob's parents. All we had to do was go down to the county courthouse and look at flood plain maps. Best be sure that the plot we're looking at won't be in a flood in 500 years. A simple task, right? Well not so. Years ago, when the county modernized and put everything on the internet, the lot we were looking at was erroneously attached to the home lot that Bob's parents built their house on. After a search though microfiche, and a giddy lady in the registrar of deeds office to prove someone else wrong, that lot was broken off in the 1980's, when the rest of the lots were sectioned. There is no problem regarding our lot at the county level.

Now we just have to figure out the rest of the timetable of building. Which is still under discussion.

The list continues

2011-09-13T11:40:00.001-05:00

After dropping more stuff off, I think I've regained some momentum....

17. Broken ice chest. Went to the blue can. Nuff said.

18. Decorative pillows. They were already in a box. Dude, how could I not donate something that was already conveniently boxed??? If it is in a box, I, obviously, don't need it anymore.

19. Throw blankets. Had to make room in the cedar chest. So, out went the throws that I haven't used in years. In went the quilt that I didn't want hanging in my room anymore, but doesn't get thrown away. I set one baby quilt aside for the new addition to the family this December.

I'm getting real close to the half way point. I'm very excited about that.

Still at it....

2011-09-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

I'm still cleaning. It has gotten a little side-tracked due to illness, and well, plain depression concerning the amount of garbage just in my bedroom. Plus, the counting has made it difficult. I've donated more clothes, shoes, and books. But, since I've already listed those items, they can't be listed again. So, I'm still trudging, finding things to throw away, recycle, donate, and sell.

I'm toying with the idea of redecorating my bedroom. It was painted 5 years ago when we moved in, and things like the window trim has never been painted. I want to get that done, and the walls need to be freshened. Frankly, I'm very tired of this gray-blue. I need a different shade in here. Plus, being in the northeast corner of the house this room doesn't get very much natural light. I think I need a lighter shade of color with my trim panted to match the doors. Maybe I could wheedle some top crown out of someone. Or, I just might need to watch more HGTV. Either way, it is time to stop blogging and throw something away.

16. Universal Studios jacket

2011-09-06T03:58:00.000-05:00

I want to be really careful about how I tell this story. It is kind of a tragedy, but then again, a lot of good things came out of the ashes of this story. I happened to be a part of this story, but then again, it isn't really mine to tell. After much debate and pondering how to frame this, I'm just going to sally forth and hope I don't create any more clutter. Yet, my part of this clutter needs to leave, as the main players in this story have already moved on. So should I.

In 1994, I was a junior in high school and working for John Dalt. You can find him today at www.galtstock.com, as we're still friends. Back then, I was his office assistant, baby sitter to 4 of the most wonderful little girls, and found one of my best friends in his wife. I learned more working in John's basement than I ever did in high school, and still rely on his advice today.

March & April of 1994 was one of those icky, rainy, cold springs that brought all kinds of storms to the area. One early April morning (I think it was April. Could have been late March. My memories are kind of hazy), lightning hit one of the chimneys to John's house. This was one of those freak strikes that ended up burning down the whole house. Being a lazy Saturday morning, I was supposed to be there working, but didn't leave my house on time. Instead, I chatted with my mom and dad and hoped the rain would ease a little. A friend of my dad's called and said I had better get out there, because they would need me. By the time I reached the house, it was already gone. The bright spot is that they escaped the house with their purses, wallets, cars, and the clothes on their backs. What could have ended in a major tragedy only ended with the loss of an entire house and business. One can always buy more stuff.

Within a week, John got a semi trailer parked on part of the land. This was a nice trailer, as it boasted both a heater and a/c. What it did not boast was plumbing. While I worked to help John get the business running again, there was a tree that I was partial to. Also, there was Country Burgers. Yes, I have to digress to go on about the greasy burger joint in a near by town. Not only did they have indoor plumbing, they also had the best burgers I have ever eaten. This place closed a year or two later, and to this day, I can still remember the taste of a Country Burger. Anyway, John and his family put their lives back together. It was not easy. And it took a couple of years to rebuild their home. I am thankful to them for being an example of perseverance during hard times, and an example of unity in a marriage. It was an example of overcoming adversity in business as well. These lessons have stuck with me.

What does this have to do with the title, you ask? Well, the business was dependent on UPS deliveries, as we put video departments in grocery stores. Back then, I got a lot of great movie schwag. One of the first, if not the first, box I opened in the new trailer-sans-plumbing was a promotions box. It had three nice jackets with Universal Studios embroidered on them. I got one, John got one, and his wife got one. They were a welcome blessing to people who had lost everything. I remember thinking at the time that I would keep this jacket for the rest of my life. Well, it went to the donations box in this round. I know John & his wife already donated their jackets. They moved on and got new ones. But, I still wore mine. It was comfortable and the perfect weight for spring and fall. It also had black on it, and I enjoyed wearing it on campus, feeling the fall heat soak into it as there was a brisk breeze, or wearing it in the spring while watching campus come alive again after our harsh winters. I finally quit wearing it approximately five years ago. I ordered a new red, denim jacket to wear to New Mexico when we scattered my dad's ashes. The new red jacket fits better is the perfect weight for both spring and fall. So, the Universal Studios jacket is going. While I don't dwell on that time in my life, the jacket serves as a symbol and a reminder. Every cold, icky, April--like the one we had two years ago--I'm reminded of the fire, and will probably remember it every icky spring we have. I'm going to take away the stories, lessons, and memories, put them to good use, and not be weighed down by stuff. The main players have moved on, so am I.

*******Update******

As for the best 4 little girls....The oldest graduated from KU and is a career woman now. The second is due to graduate from KU this December, and I'm looking forward to going to her graduation ceremony. The third is a sophomore (or Junior? I've lost track) at KU, and we're due to have breakfast/lunch again this month. The forth is a senior in high school, and I'm looking forward to her graduation next May. John's wife is the Activities Director at my grandma's assisted living. It is so nice to have someone I know and trust looking in on Grandma. John runs the website linked above. (For the FCC bastards, John is my friend and taught me there is no such thing as a free lunch. There are however, free links to his site).

50 Things Lighter

2011-09-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

Well, we've hit a stall in the bedroom. Making clothes as only one thing doesn't feel like progress. But, I can see the bottom of the closet floor.

Things Found:
Long, multi-layer hanger for several of the same things with clips. I put my winter slacks and a couple of skirts on it, freeing room in the closet.

A beautiful dark red lace cami. This was on the closet floor and obviously just fell off the hanger. I didn't meet the "year" test, but it deserves a second chance on a better hanger.

Donated
14. Shoes--actually several pair that don't fit anymore/hurt my feet now

More clothes. Random t-shirts that are too good to throw away yet, I haven't worn them all summer. I also parted with a dress that doesn't really fit anymore and is out-of-style.

Thrown Away:
15. 1 winter mu-mu, 1 summer mu-mu. The winter one has a broken zipper, but I wore it last winter anyway. The fabric is course from years of washing. The summer one is paint stained and see-through after years of abuse. Because I willingly parted with my favorite "hang around the house" wardrobe, it gets its own line.

Paint-stained t-shirt. It advertises a casino that I inherited, and I've become morally opposed to gambling. To the trash!

Turned 2 other t-shirts into rags. Along with the socks, they're doing well.

Things that stayed:
Vintage dress that fits. I threaten to wear this on our trip to Hawaii, even bought a pair of shoes to go with it.

Out-of-style dress that fits. Hey, one can't have too many dresses in the closet.

Long johns. It was a cold, cold winter last year without any under-layers. I'm anticipating a long, cold winter again.

On to some errands and sorting more clothes.

AmandaLand will be 50 things lighter

2011-09-03T14:15:00.000-05:00

I'm tired of the clutter. I'm really tired of the junk I feel compelled to keep around for some reason. Dailycheapreads.com listed the book "Throw out 50 Things" for $2.99. After reading the synopsis, I bought the book. I'm not usually one to read self-help or non-fiction books, but this one looked different. And for the cheap price, if I threw only a few things out, then that would be ok with me. But, this self-help book struck a chord. First, the author points out that she is a disorganized "piler" like me. While she can't find anything in her piles, I would like for everyone to know that I know exactly where everything is in my piles--mostly. And, this isn't only about throwing away the physical junk, it is about throwing out the emotional crap as well. I'm ready. Physical and emotional crap, you just got an eviction notice.

The book starts in the bedroom. So, that is where I started. I started on the top of the dresser where my jewelry boxes are. I had 4 of them, and got rid of two. The two that got kept were the one Bob made me for our first Christmas together. It got dusted, a coat of lemon oil, and only things I actually wear go in it. The other jewelry box is taller with one of those spinny necklace things, and drawers. I put all my pins and rings in the drawers and put the delicate necklaces on the spinny thing. I'm especially proud of this parting. I gave away a jewelry box that my grandma gave me. She found it at a garage sale. It is not a family heirloom. It is a pretty box, but it wouldn't be something I would hand down to Mini C and tout it as something her great-grandma made. Yeah, me!

The dresser drawers were easier. The book gave me permission to throw away worn out socks. I didn't realize I had such a volume of socks that needed to go. With all of the crappy socks out of the way, I matched the colored ones. I did keep a couple of old socks for later dusting purposes, as the book suggested. I don't need a bazillion dust rags....yet. Why did it take a book to give me permission to unload stuff I didn't need??? Obviously, the clutter must go.

Next on the list: the closet. My rule is if I haven't worn it this summer, it is going. If I didn't wear it last winter, it is going as well. No need to have clothes around that I don't wear.

Purged List
Trashed
1. Socks
2. Expired household flea spray
3. Old compact mirror (had brittle plastic cover and mirror turing black)
4. Holy Underwear, Batman!
5. Pictures (seriously, I didn't need my entire first grade class. I don't even talk to anyone from that class anymore, and they're not my FB friends, either)
6. Ripped mattress cover. One of those icky cheap-o ones that couldn't even be cut up for rags.
Donated
7. 2 decorative pictures
8. 2 jewelry boxes
9. Baggie of costume jewelry that Mini C didn't want (Gave some to her to play with)
10. Kids clothes
11. Books--some to library, some to others who will like to read
12. Hot/cold NASCAR beverage bag
13. Watering can I didn't like

Things that didn't go in round 1, but aren't safe here, either:
A cross with the linked wedding rings we received as a give from the Sacred Heart Alter Society when we got married. The books says if I'm spending this much time on this item then it should go, however, I feel like I should consult with the other half of the wedding ring. However, there is no more room for it in our bedroom.

Now, to quit blogging and move to closet cleaning.

Water Lilies

2011-07-29T00:28:00.001-05:00

Everyone needs a little culture sometimes. That is what I told myself as I drug my kids out of the house on a super hot day and to the Nelson-Adkins art museum. Three of Monet's huge Water Lily pantings are in one place and on display. They've done an excellent job advertising this, so I'm sure most of my 7 readers have already know about the display. I'm very glad I took the time to trek all the way over there, fight for parking, and try to make my kids understand that they would probably never have a chance to see this display again.

The display itself is wonderful. There were quotes from Monet on the walls, a picture of his garden as it looks today, and history and biography of the artist. We mostly skipped this part. First, as any great artist, Monet wasn't a saint. They didn't need to know about his checkered history with women. I thought it prudent to not give my kids total culture shock by giving them too many details.

This was my first time actually seeing a true impressionist masterpiece in person. I went to the King Tut exhibit in Denver last year and saw what the ancient masters were capable of in gold, alabaster, and stone. While the Egyptian cartouches and massive monuments are wonderful to see and realize that they were made so many thousands of years ago, Impressionism is so much different. It is the way the colors change with the light. It is the emotion that it evokes when you first look at it, and it is the knowledge that something as mundane as a pond of water with some flowers in it inspires someone to paint something so beautiful. The paintings themselves are massive. While sitting back and staring, the colors seemed to change. Details that went unnoticed upon first glance became clearer after studying the work for a bit. Walking back up to the paintings, the different colors and brush strokes become visible and the realization that the painting seems to grow and change evokes emotion.

On the other side of the masterpieces, there was a very nice display that explained about the technology of art. X-rays showed what was under the canvas. A paint chip was shown and explained how technicians gleaned information from it for the preservation and more insight to the piece. Again, we skipped most of this. I glossed over this part because I didn't want to take away from my awe of the paintings themselves. While knowing how something is made and how an artist worked is wonderful information to have about a painting, it takes away some of the magic and mystery for me. I wanted to walk away with that awe and mystery in my memory, and not the facts and figures of how Monet painted.

I don't think my kids quite "got it". There was some "shhhh. You can't talk to Mommy right now because I'm looking at the paintings..." and "...the more you ask when I'm going to be ready to leave, the longer this is going to take...." But they hung in there and amused themselves by dancing in front of the security cameras for the entertainment of those who watch over the crowds and paintings. We then went and viewed several other rooms in the museum. Mini C liked the horse made of mud, straw, and sticks. Mini G liked the Zen garden and wanted to stick his fingers in the water. In the end, it was a worth while adventure. We all walked away impressed by something.

Family Matters?

2011-07-26T09:48:00.000-05:00

This story starts back in 1983. Mom & Dad loaded up a U-Haul and pick-up truck, 2 kids, a dog and one pissed cat. They drove us and all of our stuff 550 miles to from Clovis, New Mexico to Clearwater, Kansas. The cat eventually settled in, lived a long life climbing trees after witnessing the bounty of birds Kansas had to offer, while the dog eventually died of old age. As for me and my brother, the two kids, we grew up, went to college, got married and are generally living a normal life--well, I am. I can't speak for my brother. The day we pulled out of the lane in Clovis marked a radical change in life. It has only taken me 26 years to identify the change and certain implications.

Back in 1983, my grandma, uncle and aunt were still living. My cousins were all newly married and had yet to start their families. I was the darling of the family. I was treated like a princess, doted upon, and spoiled with love. My life mattered to these people, and I loved them back. But, on Moving Day, that all changed. After we moved, I was a lonely kid. My great-aunt from Maryland started writing me letters, and I started writing to my grandma. While other kids dreamed of movie stars coming to their house, I had elaborate fantasies about my cousins coming to visit me. I even had a plan about UPS-ing myself to my grandma's house. Those plans were dashed because I couldn't figure out how to overcome the plumbing problem. No running water and no toilet freaked me out. As the years passed so did my fantasies. Once a summer, we would go spend a week with Grandma and visit. These visits always included the extended family. But, they were raising kids and had no time for me anymore. In 2006, my uncle died just a month after my dad. By this time, I had Mini C and Mini G. They were still little enough, that they went to my in-laws rather than make the 13-hour treck back to Clovis. A year later, my aunt died. Grandma and Grandpa stepped up again and took the kids while I made the road trip from hell with my brother and sister-in law. While in Clovis, I fielded the question several times as to whether I missed my kids or not. Duh. Of course I missed my kids. But, they were safe, happy, and hanging with their grandparents at the lake, just like the cousins used to do back in the day. Everyone kind of missed the point that my kids had a whole family.

Fast forward 5 years to this past weekend. We went to Houston to one of the younger cousin's weddings. It was at midnight, on a jetty, and DRY. That's right, there was no alcohol to soften the edge of over-exposure to family. It was at this event that I realized that time stopped for them. The cousins had to fill us in on every detail of their lives while ours, apparently, stopped when the U-Haul pulled out of the lane way back in 1983. I don't know have an answer of why no one was interested in our lives. But, I know all about: a proposed moved to Germany; the number of cakes that went out of one cousin's bakery; a condo in San Diego and purple as an accent color for the new baby's layette; teaching; cookies that went out of the bakery; the trip to KC where no one called me to visit (in their defense, it was a high school trip and they were the chaperone); the punch that went out of the bakery; cupcakes baked for the wedding; and cake displays and servers that the bakery provides. So, I'm up on the recent news.

Another occurrence took place. My dear mom admitted that she has finally come out of the "grief fog" and feeling somewhat "normal". The look of shock on the cousin's face would have been priceless if it weren't so sad that they were that dense. While they lost their parents in 2006 and 2007, it was time. Meaning, the proper time for my aunt and uncle to cross the River Styx came. We lost my dad too early. Yes, death was a relief from the cancer and it was truly his time, we just weren't ready. For my mom, losing so many family members in so short of a time wrapped her in a deep grief. While she handled that grief with grace and aplomb, there were still a few years in there where day-to-day living was just one foot in front of the other.

I ask, when does family matter? I've come a long way since 1983, as my seven readers probably know. It seems time to make a choice. I'm going to choose my 63 Facebook friends over 12 cousins that don't call, write, or Facebook me. Should one of the said cousins actually read this, which I highly doubt, just know that the door isn't permanently closed. You'll just have to meet me half way though it.

Book Review "Thirteen Reasons Why"

2011-07-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think Asher did a great job researching and understanding the common threads that make us teens. It brought back a lot from high school, and in some ways, I was Hannah. I think he channeled my parents when Hannah states that she "....needs to trust people more...." and "....quit being pessimistic..." I want to highlight that it is the quiet ones that you have to watch out for. Being a former quiet one, I think he nailed it.

I had trouble with the whole audio cassette thing. A twenty-something friend started a conversation with us last spring about cassette tapes. The conversion started with "do you remember?" Remember, Yes! What progressed was a description of the technology, the importance of mixed tapes, and the inconvenience of the tapes coming un-wound in the player and the annoyance it was to reel them back in. That said, I don't know that a kid today with all of our technologies would have thought or even conceived the idea of leaving a message on audio tapes.

Other than the whole tape deal, it was a well thought out and great read. I think this one is going to stay with me for a while.

View all my reviews

Shine

2011-07-12T23:53:00.002-05:00

Shine by Lauren Myracle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished this book in one sitting. It is a YA, and it is great. There are many emotional topics facing teens (and the rest of us humans) today. It had raw descriptions of drug abuse and the effects on the family; small town small-mindedness, and homosexuality. There are many other issues addressed in the book, and it is done very well. I know it has gotten a lot of bad press about the issues addressed, and all I can say is that it seems like kids today are already seeped in these issues and it is nice to have a novel about finding strength.

An aside....the only other YA I've read recently is "The Hunger Games". The only similarity between the books is the heroine who are named "Cat" and "Katniss". They both have extraordinary experiences, but it is nice to read a YA that doesn't take place in an alternate world.

View all my reviews

4th of July Weekend

2011-07-06T17:33:00.000-05:00

I've decided that the term "holiday" is relative. I think it is just a day where I'm forced to travel to a non-exotic destination and spend my time wishing for a more exotic locale. In order to celebrate our Independence, we traveled west to Russell. Bob is in the area working his cabinet magic and putting in some unique stuff for the people building the house. The job site is in the country and it is a beautiful setting. I hope the homeowners it get lots of enjoyment from the house and the property. But, a road trip destination it isn't. It started off with an over-eager husband just waiting to see the family and numerous cell phone calls as to our departure time and itinerary. After convincing him that I would be there when the car pulled in next to the camper, I finished loading and we hit the road. We set out on our epic weekend adventure with a box of Oreos and a couple of bottles of water. As any of us vagabonds who have zipped though the I-70 corridor of Western Kansas know, there ain't much out there. Sure, there are little oasis along the way that offer one or two attractions, and a lot of cows grazing in pastures, but just getting through the rolling hills to the high plains takes grit and determination. It is still boring even when the monotony is broken by passing semis.

Our first full day in the area started at the Sternberg Museum in Hays. We were pleasantly surprised that it turned into a Free adventure because of our current membership to Science City here at home. I like doing science museums because I have to deprogram our kids from the dose of anti-evolution crap they get in a private school. Seeing the rocks, and evolution, and explaining that our house was once beach-front property helps set the kids straight in science. After our museum excursion, it was back to the camp site to grill, have the kids play on the playground, and work on their mini golf skills.

On a side note, the kids figured out how to feed and water a baby bird. This baby was a meadowlark and was only a few days from flying. Poor thing got out of the nest and couldn't get back in. Sadly, it got too cold at night and said baby didn't make it. We were sad. The momma bird was sad, and it was a life lesson to the kids about the fragility of life in general.

Otto seemed to enjoy the weekend, especially at the end. We left steak out to thaw (a serious dog-owner Fail!) and Otto helped himself to a very nice cut, and flavored the rest of his kibble. He didn't eat again for an entire day. Though we lost a steak to the dog, he didn't get carsick after eating that much raw meat.

Thank goodness I-70 has decent rest stops. We stopped at quite a few and Otto left his mark. It is great to get out of the car and walk around the woods for a bit before getting back in for the long drive.

I'm glad to be back, and really don't want to make the Western Kansas treck unless I'm heading further West to the mountains.

More rule breaking

2011-05-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

So, after the depressing post about the family, I'm going to gush about my kids. Last year, we made the decision to move our kids to a private school. It was a long and emotional process, and was the beginning of embarking on a new journey for us. Bob and I both are graduates from public school, and really weighed the options of a public vs. private education. But, last night was the awards ceremony and Mini G's graduation from Kindergarten. We were right. While we're not very religious around here, nor do we necessarily believe that a private education is the only way to go, it was the right choice for us. I'm also very happy that we made it.

Mini G had a full little graduation ceremony. When that DVD comes in, we're going to down load it to the server to be sure that we have it for future bribing needs. They were so cute on the stage, and I was very glad that his teachers took the time to put it together. His award was "a friend to to others." I am very proud that I have a compassionate and caring son.

Mini C also had her time in the spotlight. After singing a couple of songs, the older kids got awards, too. She got the "Kindess" award. I am so pleased with her, and with the grace that she handled the transition from public school to private school.

As well as the kids did in school this past year, we're ready for summer. We've got summer reading programs to participate in, swimming lessons to go to, and road trips to take. By next August, we'll be ready to start the school year. For now, back to more TV watching on this dreary day.

"Say what you need to say"

2011-05-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

I've been inspired by John Mayer's song "Say what you need to say." I'm also breaking a personal rule. I'm going to talk about the time five years ago when my dad died from cancer. It was one of those moments in life where death came roaring though the door like a freight train. Those moments turned out to be some of the most defining moments of my life, and my family's life. When one lives through a tragedy, one finds out exactly who one's friends are. People who are considered mere acquaintances stepped up to the plate and offered kindness and emotional support that was needed at that exact moment. Those folks have silently, or loudly, faded away though the intervening years. But, at that moment they were there. I still think that says a lot about those people.

The people I want to talk about are those who were there before, then were gone when I needed them the most. Bob's sister, J, is that person. On the day that I made funeral arrangements, she called to figure out who in Bob's family was going to be attending the funeral. Like I effin sent out effin invitations. I should have known at that point that things weren't going to end well. But, Bob's parents showed up to the funeral, and no one else from his family. (A sister got lost when she was a mile from it, but turned around and went home. Kudos to her. She made an effort, regardless of her lack of sense of direction). J's desertion hurt the most. There we were, close. We shared holidays, birthdays, and in general had a good familial relationship. We watered one another's gardens and watched each other's kids.

The bottom line is, at the worst of times she jumped ship on a decent relationship. Her kids no longer came around. My kids lost a whole support system. The fallout from this, along with the grief of losing my dad, nearly drove me to the looney bin. I mean, who deserts family when the chips are down? Obviously, J does. There was no fight over this, either. Just gone. They didn't want anything to do with us anymore. There is no closure. There was no name calling, nasty texts or emails, or other ways of expressing vitriol that us humans engage in. Poof. Gone.

Bob's other sister got married this past weekend. Her groom's family seems very nice. But I need to warn the groom. While J and her family are sitting at the brunch table, being all happy and joyful, just realize that when the chips are down and you need their support, they won't be there. From one in-law to another they will be gone. Just gone. I give this warning because I don't want him to be like me--losing twice in one swoop. I lost my dad, a friend, and family.

Five years have passed. In that time, the grief has lessened, and we've found ways to cope without my dad here. But, one of the changes I'm making is that I'm not going to be nice anymore. I'm tired of pretending that it is all happy when it isn't. J betrayed me. One must always watch one's back around her, because when one's back is against the wall, the knife she shoves in there only goes deeper. And that knife really, really, hurts.

I've said what I needed to say.

Do Better, Kansas City

2011-05-15T13:55:00.000-05:00

We have a subscription to "Kansas City Spaces" magazine. This local publication usually showcases the latest in boring trends, though they sporadically have a few original ideas like floating bathroom vanities and fences made out of aluminum (genius, that aluminum--no maintenance and s*it won't grow up or on it). But, every once in a while, "Kansas City Savor" magazine comes out with the magazine. I realize that this is an advertisement. The purpose of the publication is to get me to vist a KC Originals restaurant. Which is fine. I have been to several of the places listed in the publication, and well, have had a great dining experience at each of them. In this magazine, there is a blurb about the chefs and the owners at specific restaurants. It is a good way to put names and faces with my food. There are also beautiful pictures of the food that is served by the showcased restaurants. Under the food pic is a recipe of how to make either the whole dish, main dish, or side. That is pretty cool, that a high--end chef will share one dish of the restaurant. Pretty genius marketing, because I would want to know if my dish tasted like the one the chef serves.....but now we get problematic.....

I know my food. It is no secret on this blog that I learned to cook from both my grandmothers, who were excellent bakers and cooks. Imagine my surprise when a restaurant--suspiciously named the same as Britain's Prince who recently became the world's "most eligible bachelor"--called for an Idaho potato when the picture clearly shows red potatoes. Dude. Your reading public isn't stupid. We know the difference between our spuds, especially when you picture it. If that weren't enough, the main ingredient is listed in ounces, and spices are listed in fractions of tablespoons. Even me, who can read and actually follow a recipe, will have a very difficult time getting this one right because of the screwy proportions. Besides, judging from the picture, I'm not even sure that an experienced cook can make this recipe, because several ingredients were left out. There is green onion garnish on the dish in the picture, but none listed in the recipe. I say again: We're not stupid. I don't think I'm going to deign to dine here in the near future. That's right, your advertising backfired.

Above I mentioned my grandmas. Well, one of my grandmas lived in Clovis, New Mexico. The fastest way there from our home in South Central Kansas was through Hereford, TX. Hereford is in the Texas Panhandle and boasts cowboys, ranches, drawls, and people who know their steak. Follow the link to the Wikipedia entry about the folks in Hereford, TX. Now, being out in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, there is one thing that beef ranchers out there know: How to make a steak. I'm talking about the kind that is perfectly salted and peppered, grilled over an open flame and as a result, is tender, juicy, and practically melts in my mouth. I'm drooling over the keys just writing this. Anywho, no self-respecting Hereford, TX rancher will take an expensive cut of meat and place it in the oven to "broil" at 350 degrees. It just doesn't happen. Not in Texas. Not in my kitchen as a recipe in the "Savor" magazine suggests. I'll just take my steak seared over an open flame with a little mesquite thrown in for that authentic taste of Texas.

So, "Savor", do better. Your restaurants are quality places. When advertising in your magazine, have the same standard for recipes that they have for food. Trust me. A quality recipe will have me in trying the dish after I made it at home to see if it tastes the same. Otherwise, don't waste my time.

Wedding & Funeral Conspiracy Theories

2011-05-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

There is nothing new and exciting to read on my blog reader. No one has set down any words of wisdom to live by or offered any new perspectives on world events. Therefore, I'll sally forth and pick up the slack.

************
In Royal Wedding news, I'm let down by the hype. It is kind of like Christmas. All the packages have been opened, and there's not much left to do other than pick up the wrapping paper. The wedding was perfect. Will and Kate looked like the perfect couple. The dress was perfect. The cake was perfect. The couple kept and keeps perfect secrets from the press and the rest of the world. Is it too perfect? How much perfection can one expect at one time? Take "America's Royal Family" the Kennedy's, for example. Patriarch Joseph groomed Joseph, Jr. to take over the reigns as the head of the family, be President, and otherwise outshine and carry on the family fortunes. Younger brother John F. (of Presidential fame) went to WWII, was a good sailor in every sense of the word, even making a name for himself on his PT boat. Stop the Press! Can't have younger brother John having a better military career than big brother. Off to the Army Air Corps for Joseph Jr. at the behest of Joseph Sr. to continue his ascent in life and show little brother how its done. Unfortunately, Joseph Jr. was killed in WWII Europe in his bomber, dashing all of Joseph Sr.'s big plans and great expectations for his son. Read a short blurb of Joseph Jr.'s military details from Wikipedia here. The family fame, fortune and expectations fell to John and Bobby. Those lives, too, ended in tragedy in a very public way. Fast forward to last week's wedding. In all of it's glory and perfection, is it going to last, or will Will & Kate get caught up in the same game as the Kennedys? After all, Will does search and rescue, flies a chopper, and works in the military. Period. There is no hype to his career, and no one has publicized just how many people/things he's rescued. Younger brother Harry has distinguished himself, despite his royalty, in the Army. Reports indicate that he has seen combat in Afghanistan, and would go back in a heartbeat if it didn't endanger his comrades. Once again, we have a case of younger brother outshining older brother in their respective military careers. While the Princes' dad doesn't seem to be the ambitious type Joseph Sr. was, the throne seems to be a substantial power behind them and does dictate their lives, in much the same fashion Joseph Sr. dictated to his sons. In one report of wedding coverage, and I don't even remember which show or channel I was watching to give proper credit, the reporter stated that Diana once said Harry was better suited to be king. It was a very brief mention. But, again, younger brother was called out over older brother. Diana's statement could just be an opinion said at the wrong time. Or it could be a very bad omen. Just check with the Kennedys about multiple tragedies.

Despite all the conspiracy theories above, I want to let my 7 readers know that I hope Will & Kate have a very long, perfect life and no more tragedies take place.

***********
In funeral news, Public Enemy #1 Osama bin Laden has been shot, killed, and buried at sea. I don't know that I believe the sea burial part. Why would our government not keep his body? After all, John F. Kennedy's brain is missing (read all about the conspiracy here. It isn't long, but does go into a lot of medical stuff). This is making my conspiracy theory-addled brain go into overdrive. Body, no body? Why now, after 10 years, is this just happening? Who are these guys from the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) that were finally able to locate and kill bin Laden? Why am I just now hearing about JSOC, and what, exactly is their mission? And the scariest question I can possibly ask: Why is there a branch of the military that is under the sole direction of the President, and not Congress? This raid stinks to high heaven. Yes, the mission that the soliders and others performed was a success. What is the price of their victory? I think we Americans need to stop and ask ourselves if the cost of getting bin Laden was worth the price of giving up our freedom and skirting the Constitution. Yes, bin Laden was the mastermind of the attacks. But look at all we have lost because of him. Because of the 9/11 attacks, our voluntary military is no longer controlled by the will of the people through our elected representatives. To me, I would have rather bin Laden die by natural causes in obscurity and eaten by vultures than to have a military branch not subject to Congress. That is how a nation goes from a democracy to a police state. Being a police state is no way to honor the sacrifice that so many made on 9/11. I'm not going to rejoice in this death, because this instance seems like a good opportunity to take more of my freedoms away under the guise of victory.

What to do?

2011-04-04T23:12:00.000-05:00

"'Twas the Night Before"

'Twas the night before a vote, and all through the town, everyone was worried about how a bond issue was going to go down.

Some said "Vote Yea! and get us a new school so our kids can take over one day."

Others cried "Vote Nay! Our kids don't have any roads to go that way."

I sit here undecided, no knowing which way is right,
My kids' lives are on the line and it is such a fright;
Yea will gain me grand facades and higher taxes;
Nay says I'm tight fisted and my duty is lax.
What to do?
What to do?

It is my kids that I hold most dear,
Neither choice is clear;
I still wonder:
What to do?
What to do?

Jim & Jo's Adventures

2011-02-16T15:56:00.000-06:00

The day after Valentine's Day, Bob showed up with a new phone for me. It is 4G, fast, sleek, and a great upgrade from my old phone, which isn't that old and not totally obsolete yet. We played with ring tones, and I started downloading my apps that need transfered. Of course, I downloaded my Kindle app, and now have my reading library with me at all times. One of the downloads that came with the app was a free copy of "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published as a children's serial in a magazine beginning in 1883. This month, our book club selection is "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. It was first published in 1868 and 1869, as two separate volumes. Both were popular in their time and enjoyed critical success. After reading the beginnings of both books, the disparages between boys and girls and how they are treated are astounding. In my current spot in "Little Women", Jo, the strongest of the four sisters, is trying to master her anger issues. She doesn't get to travel away from her home city. There is no immediate reward for her successful anger management, only a suppression of feelings that would be described as "unhealthy" today. Jim, the child in "Treasure Island" is preparing to depart on an exotic cruse and treasure hunt. He admits to being mean to a peer with no consequence, nor does he want to change his behavior for the sake of "being good". These fiction novels, published within 20 years of each other, show just how far we have come as women in society. Now, we expect women to travel, fight our wars, and generally take on traditional "male" roles. I'm not sure what this says about us as a whole, nor do I have any opinion on what our society will look like in 20 years. All I do know, is that I want to throw "Little Women" across the room and sail off on adventure in "Treasure Island".

I feel another post coming on about these two books, as I want to finish them both. Little Women, I would like to finish again, as I read it when I was in high school. At the time I liked it, and wonder just how much I have changed to not like it today. I want to finish "Treasure Island" because after one page, I was hooked, and want to find the treasure just as much as Jim does. This isn't the end of the reading journey, just a pause in the middle to take stock.

Don't Panic

2011-02-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

A couple of bloggy friends have been on song kicks. Cagey over at Rancid Raves has been enjoying Pink Floyd while Billy Joel inspired khreed over at calm and chaos in a post. Me? Well, I've been on a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" kick. My Facebook page has reflected this:

When traveling the galaxy, please don't forget your towel.
January 22 at 8:06am via Android

In the event you forget your towel for inter-galactic travel, your snuggie is sufficient. Be sure it is emblazoned with symbols denoting your favorite college or team. If you return to your home planet, the symbols may help determine your drop off point. After all, who wants to land in a gulag in Siberia?
January 23 at 5:27pm ·

Sources around me have been feeding this quiet obsession. John over at Galt Stock wrote a great post about being prepared for the worst in the face of recent events in Egypt. While the article said nothing of towels, the sheer practicality was astounding. John makes some great points, and we have taken his advice about a meeting spot, or "rendezvous point", as it is called in sci fi. He also brings up the issue of communications. We all depend on our cell phones now. Cell phones require a satellite, towers, and a grid that will deliver the signal to one's phone. If one component of this grid is knocked out, will we be able to find our loved ones? Or would we be at the mercy of the aliens that have attacked our little planet? I'm not sure, so I will focus on not being abducted and getting myself to the rendezvous point to meet with the rest of the family.

We went to the movies and saw "Green Hornet" a couple of weeks ago. One of the trailers to the film was "Battle: Los Angeles". The basic premise of the movie looked to be about Earth being colonized by aliens. There were lots of explosions, hunky actors dressed like soldiers, and menacing looking aliens. The lesson I'm taking from the trailer: In the event of alien invasion, find a real hunky soldier with a big gun and lots of ammo, preferably near my rendezvous point. Run around, scream, and shoot something.

Finally, from shitmydadsays: "No, Ailens exist, I just don't think they came millions of light years just to see earth. Be like driving 1000 miles to go to an Arby's". I have to respectfully disagree with the Arby's part. We're more like a Stuckey's. We pesky humans have pointy angles, pop up everywhere, push nuts to new heights, then soon become obsolete. In rural areas along highways, empty Stuckey's dot the landscape. Many have been bought, their familiar architecture painted, then turned into seedy porn stores. Time Magazine ran an article about neighbors in Abilene, KS trying to shut down their Stuckey's porn store, but the neighbors lost the battle. I'm thinking that maybe aliens have already infiltrated us and are currently in the porn industry. The rural locations are perfect for hiding a ship and no one would notice that an alien is really behind the counter. There is no proof of this of course, just a theory I developed while researching the fate of Stuckey's.

If any new developments take place on the extra-terrestrial front, I'll be sure to post it here, if the grid is intact. If not, grab a towel or snuggy and Don't Panic.

The Reason for the Season

2011-01-29T19:20:00.000-06:00

Author's Note: Found this lurking in my "drafts" section. It was good enough that I made a few edits and decided to post anyway, though it is nearly a month late.

At a typical Christmas program for my kids, the Nativity was completed with chickens texting, cows talking to one another, and a young clarinetist who had no facial muscles judging from the constant squeak of the instrument. That aside, we were able to watch our children as they "performed in honor of Jesus." Whatever. I sat in the back row and my two nearest neighbors were texting and Facebooking during the show via their cell phones. No matter, the kids did great. We got good picks and ordered the DVD for future bribing needs.

At the end of the show, the pastor of the church gave his annual "Get Saved" sermon. I send my kids to a private Christian school because the public school sucks. I know the Three R's are better at the Christian school, however, the whole saving thing gets a little too much. This is the forth year we've heard this sermon, and well, I think it tops all the past Christmas programs. This year, the pastor publicly called his wife ugly, and the whole room gave a gasp. It was classic, and I'm sure it will be on my DVD for posterity's sake. The pastor's new state of celibacy after that sermon aside, I want to talk about the real "Reason for the Season." While the congregation was encouraged to be saved in general, I think I'm going to go shopping. While the holiday's religious overtones are significant to our history and society, I would prefer to pray to the god of Commerce. While I am out spending the hard earned money that my husband made, the things I buy as gifts are supporting a whole network of people who are also buying. We're supporting the manufactures, shippers, and store clerks. I'm sure everyone knows of someone who works and pays bills from some form or this extensive system. These small jobs are a part of the wider network of what it takes to make our communities run. I'm not advocating a Christmas of gluttony and a horde of things that one really doesn't need. I'm talking about the extra package of underwear for the stocking. Or perhaps adding a bag of individually wrapped candy to a box to make it rattle weird. Or, an extra box of crayons for a kid whose might be worn out at school. Personally, my kids are getting clothes for Christmas. They're looking like ragamuffins and need new duds. Santa is bringing hair product for my daughter. Needed. Inexpensive. Appreciated. Christmas means a lot to many people, but appreciated is how we do things around here.....and to all a good night.

It's been a while.....

2011-01-27T17:32:00.001-06:00

....since I've been here. Life has been hectic. There has been a lot of business stuff going on, on a couple of fronts. Grandma's bank is changing hands, and my house of cards is falling in. There has been some activity concerning her wheat field that has required my attention. And, best of all, we're in the final push on a major project for our company. That all being vaguely said, I'm still leery of sharing specific details on Facebook or the internet....

That said, I was thinking of starting a book blog so I could keep all my books straight. It has amazed me how much stuff I have bought and read on my Kindle. It would be nice to have some notes separate from my Amazon account. Amazon reports on books how many things have been highlighted when looking in the comments section. Speaking of sharing, I've been reading several book blogs. Two of them state on their home page that the books they read and review are advanced reading copies, or ARC's. Huh. I just wonder how fair their system is since they didn't have to pay for the book. Do the publishers have them in their pockets? Though, one blog has held publishing companies' feet to the fire and has been very critical of publishing practices. But I still wonder. I don't have a spiffy way of denoting how much I liked/didn't like a certain title. There will be our book club selection thrown in between a lot of romance. Not sure how many other people out there will enjoy my eclectic tastes between ~~smut~~ entertaining literature and just literature.

I'm not enamored of Facebook anymore. Apparently, if I "like" a page, then Facebook will show that like to all my friends. I am against this practice. Why? Not everyone needs to know that I like "Bones", or all of my other favorite shows. One "friend's" name keeps popping up on the right about how she likes a certain show, trying to get me to click the all-powerful "like" button. While this is a great tool to keep in touch with friends and family, and to dish about this blog, I'm not so sure I'm in agreement with them using me as advertising. After all, there are no royalties attached to it. If I'm going to advertise, I want paid. So, I'm considering dropping Facebook and my 63 friends. The down side of this mean I will not be "in touch" with my favorite authors, though I'm considering dropping several of those. I will also lose connections to distant relatives, but hey, I talk to them infrequently anyway. As for the authors, I'm only in it for the release dates of their new stuff, and everyone seems to be on a 6 month cycle. Just watching new publication dates should be sufficient. The up side is my 6 blog readers will be my only audience. Something worth considering.

We Rock as Tourists

2011-01-06T15:44:00.001-06:00

Note: Updated this post after publication....forgot to include a details....

So, in my last update, I told you all how we made it to or vacation destination and well, what a destination. Corpus Christi, Tx is a great spot to take the family. This is going to be the first of two or three posts--whatever I feel like writing about--on the places that we visited.

Our first tourist stop was the Texas State Aquarium. Being Christmas break, and getting there earlier in the morning, soon after opening, we were able to watch the staff feed some of the animals, get good seats for a dolphin show, and have the guides talk to us and answer questions about interesting fish in the tanks. I especially enjoyed seeing how starfish were fed. A piece of meat (fish, I assume) was speared on the end of a pencil-sized piece of plastic. The staff person stuck the end with the meat under the center of the star fish, waited a second or two, then pulled the plastic back out of the tank. I watched as the center of the star fish got taller and rounder as the piece of meat was ingested. It was cool. Mini C was into holding the hermit crabs. She was the only one at the tank and the volunteer there showed her how to move her hands so that the crab would walk along it. Mini G had several great experiences. He finally got to see a big shark. There was a large exhibit showing how the sunken part of the oil rigs in the Gulf provided shelter and got turned into a habitat by marine life. There were two kinds of sharks, giant turtles, and other big fish that I no longer remember. I can see why people in the open ocean would be scared of sharks, after all, even in the tank behind lots of glass and water they still looked menacing. Mom was impressed with the flounder. When a flounder hatches, it swims as a regular fish. As it ages, it flattens and one eye moves to the top of its head. It is also the color of the bottom sand. What a cool way to age. Bob went to the aquarium and enjoyed seeing the birds. I have to agree, seeing a bald eagle sitting in its nest watching out the bay was an impressive sight, which I enjoyed as well. We all enjoyed watching the dolphins play in their tank after the dolphin show. There isn't enough time to detail about the otter habitat, or the manta ray petting tank. We all got to touch the rays. If anyone is in the Corpus Christi area, I would highly recommend the Texas State Aquarium for a family vacation. There really was something for everyone to see there. Plus, the gift shop was having a sale. We all have tourist-y aquarium gear now :)

It Looked a lot Like Christmas....

2011-01-04T19:35:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I've been here in front of my computer, jotting down thoughts and generally sharing on the Internet where I shouldn't be. With the last two weeks of December packed with all sorts of stuff to inspire holiday cheer, it failed miserably. There was no snow, thank goodness, and the lights twinkled merrily despite my lack of spirit. But, for the amusement of my 5 followers, I have compiled a list of 5 things one doesn't want to hear during the holiday season:

1. Grandma died. Bob's grandma passed away. They were not close, nor was she a part of our daily lives. While we wish her well in the hereafter, the impact of grief didn't hit our household like a reindeer at full speed, but it did change some plans. Grandma and Grandpa were home and came for coffee. I sent a plant to the funeral, and we stayed on our holiday schedule followed the plan.

2. My sister-in-law was/is having a emotional affair via email. Dude. How lame is that? Even more lame: pretending everything was fine at Christmas time. Huh. Good thing we were only together for approximately 4 hours and won't have to see them for a while.

3. Your name and "Final Boarding Call" in the same sentence. Due to a connection being late we were almost stranded at the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. But, after running, and rounding the troops up, we made it on the plane with glances of ire from other passengers who were already seated and ready for takeoff. Whatever. We made the flight and still arrived at our vacation destination on time. One major traveling hurdle avoided.

4. The rental car shutting it off with just enough coasting power to make it to the curb. After being belligerent with the rental company, a taxi ride for the family, and a different rental car, we were back in tourist business. We put quite a few miles on the different car, and it never shut itself off. (An aside, I sat on a tomato slice that apparently fell out of the burger when the taxi driver threw it in the back to come pick us up. yuck).

5 and final....Hotel neighbors doing "IT". Yep. Sound effects traveled though the bathroom ventilation system, and well, those noises were lamer than my sister-in-law.

There is a final thing not to hear on vacation, but I instigated this one: being blackballed from driving the rental car by the passengers. Bob had a little trouble adjusting to the new rental wheels. I inquired if he wanted me to drive. He, of course, said no. I then quietly asked if he wanted a vote on that. The kids heard me anyway and immediately raised their hands in the back seat and shouted in unison "I want Mom to drive!" So, I drove the rest of the vacation. We had a great time and I got a lot of posting fodder for the weeks ahead.

Appreciation

2010-12-13T23:45:00.000-06:00

Ok, so the next prompt is kind of good, and I have something that is easy and dear to me to write about.

I appreciate my kids. Mini C and Mini G are at an age where they basically take care of themselves. While they still need guidance and parental supervision, they can go to the fridge and get their own snack out. They take care of their own restroom needs. They buckle themselves into the car. While many other parents are probably going "well, yeah," it is monumental for me because Mini C and Mini G are only 18.5 months apart. That is not quite having twins, but having 2 kids in diapers at the same time. In 2004, I did not sleep. When one child slept, the other was awake and hungary. Throw in one exhausted husband working a lot of hours to support our new family and needed to be fed, I was one tired momma for about three years. In fact, I'm still grateful for a full night's kid free sleep. Having them older, mobile, and independent is a great feat that I'm proud of.

I show this appreciation to them by playing, feeding, and telling them how much I love them and how proud I am of them. That is the Truth to me. There are no better kids on the face of the Earth than Mini C and Mini G. I really love being a part of their little lives. One day, their lives won't be so little, and I know I'll miss this age. In the mean time, I have to go to bed to wake up two kids for school in the morning.

Action!

2010-12-13T23:36:00.000-06:00

Today's prompt is about taking action. Doing the next thing. I'm going to take action by not taking action. I'm tired of of these deep, self-examination posts, and honestly, I'm not actively looking to make major changes in my life right now. I just want to hang on for the ride and see were life takes me. I don't consider myself stuck in any sort of rut, nor is my life boring. I'm just going to watch the colors whiz by as the merry-go-round of life spins and see just where it stops for now. One day in the future, it will be time to take action, and when that day comes, I plan on jumping in the deep end, feet first and fully clothed. Until then, hang on!

Day 12, a day late...

2010-12-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

So yesterday's prompt was about being one--mind and body together. I have to say, the closest I've ever come to being "just me" is in the privacy of marriage. Those private moments are good. Very, very, good. Nuff said.

11 in 11

2010-12-11T19:44:00.000-06:00

Today's prompt: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

I have to say, that I can't come up with 11 things that needs to go. My life is pretty great, and I'm not looking to make major changes to myself. My main goal is saying flexible enough to grow and change with my family. I'm sure that will include more than 11 challenges and changes to my life.

Education Wisdom

2010-12-10T23:03:00.000-06:00

Today's blog topic is on wisdom, and the wise choices that have been made in the past year.

The best decision of the year was to move Mini C to private school, and keep Mini G in the same school as his preschool. I've droned on about the issues with our public school before, so I won't go over it again. I do know that Mini C is more open, happy, and seems to be doing better. Mini G transitioned to Kindergarten great, and is getting the foundation to reading and math. The change in schools was the wisest thing we did for our kids.

Party on, Wayne

2010-12-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

Today's prompt talked about a party that I totally rocked my world in 2010...hmmm... I'm an Aquarius. I don't do a lot of social activities, especially large parties. However, there are a couple of events that stand out.

Book Club is always a fun time. I really enjoyed reading "The Help" by Katheryn Sockett. The discussion was held at Holy Field Winery. The winery has a room with tables that is open to the public for such things as book clubs. They allow outside food, and are more than happy to provide glasses for the wine that we purchase there. It was a great venue, discussion with a large crowd, and one of my favorite book clubs of the year. But, the winery dogs stole the show. They jumped into a chair and tried join us, with snacks and all, and join the group. It was very cute and I believe, enhanced the discussion.

Last September, Cagy over at Rancid Raves hosted a wine/cheese/game night. That was the best social gathering. It was great to partake of the wine, cheese, and play games with her friends. While I met some of her social circle before, it was great to get to know new people over wine and cheese. That was the largest party that I attended in the past year, and by far, the most fun.

Well, it is walking morning and lunch day. My social calendar today is full, and I'm looking forward to a great day. Party on, Garth.

Beauty

2010-12-08T13:48:00.001-06:00

Today's Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

Reflection posting kind of makes my skin crawl. Madonna said it best: "Beauty is where you find it. Vogue."

As for how I light people up, well, I have good friends that can laugh at me and with me. I have a family who adores me. I have a dog who loves me and 2 cats that stoically tolerate my presence because I feed them. I boast 5 followers. That is beautiful enough for me.

Community--Part II

2010-12-07T10:13:00.000-06:00

Today's prompt is about where I have found community and what communities I want to join next year. I posted about community last February. The first post can be found here.

When it comes to the idea of Community, I am always inspired by Emily Dickinson's "The soul selects her own society." As I said in the post last winter, the soul knows what it needs to survive and thrive. In life, I'm grateful to be a part of several different communities. The most important one is my family. As it has been said on many mommy and other parent blogs, my kids are my life. While this may be a trite statement, nothing could be truer. Once the kids got past the baby stages, and are just now starting their journeys in life, I love hearing their opinions, chatter, and in general, what they're thinking. Now that the tough work of potty training and buckling them in the car is over, having them sit and eat with them and tell me about their lives at school is pretty interesting.

My other community is my library community. I believe everyone should do some sort of service, and the Tonganoxie Public Library fulfills that need. I enjoy working with the director, the board and the Friends. There are many interesting people that make the library run, and I'm happy to be a small part of it.

My book club has opened many doors. I have met new people, started blogging and have read a lot of great books I would not have otherwise picked up off of the shelf and read. Hats off to the book club.

For 2011, I'm not actively looking to expand my community. I want to continue to be a good member of the communities I'm already a part of.

Made to Order....

2010-12-06T09:23:00.000-06:00

Todays topic is Make: What was the last thing that I made, or is there something I want to make that I need clear time for.

Today's topic is somewhat vague to me. "Make," to me, means that I have physically produced something from raw materials. In our world of craft stores, big-box hardware stores, and ever other instant gratification store imaginable, "Making" becomes a lesson in patience and starting from scratch goes they way of gravy. However, crafting and being creative about crafting falls under my definition of "make." I love decorating Christmas trees and, this year, wreaths. Every year, the Tonganoxie Public Library holds a Festival of Mini-Trees. This year, we opened it up to wreaths. I don't have a photo of the wreaths I made for them, since they were donated and someone might not want to see their wreath or tree on the internet. This year, I put a Christmas tree in the center of a wreath and ornaments around the wreath. For the other project for the library, I junked up a wreath with a lot of ornaments in a tasteful manner. I think both turned out cute, and hope that they will bring in a lot of money for the library. My favorite project this year was my "White Wreath". While in the craft store last fall, I had the brain storm of a "White Witch Wreath". Not being able to find a small enough angel, nor any white velvet ribbon that could be burned, it ended up with silver ribbon, and white accents. The wreath is pre-lit with white lights, that gives it a glow. It is hanging above the Christmas table, and gets plugged in with the rest of the Christmas stuff.

The second part of the writing equation is what materials I used. On the wreaths for the library, I used ubiquitous Christmas-y materials. I wired pre-boxed and decorated ornaments to the wreaths. With the "White Wreath," the bridal section was good to me. I used crystal-ish beads and pearls to decorate the wreath. All the ribbon I used this year came from bargin bins at the end of last year, and everything was bought at some sort of a discount.

While the materials are interesting, it is the tools that deserve the praise. Christmas crafting is not for the feint of heart. This year, I had to go get the file out of the tool box. A file is about 2 feet long, and is like an old fingernail file on steroids. Dearest Husband used to use them to file the edges of countertops back when he was building them. I used the file on the tree I put in the center of the wreath. After cutting the plastic edges, they were sharp and still a little long to fit in the center of the wreath, thus the file softened them and then took off just enough plastic so the bottom could be glued to the wreath. In addition to using the file, I have three separate pairs of pliers that cut wire. The largest pair is called "lineman pliers," for it is what electricians use to cut the really heavy gauge wire. Some of the wires that hold craft things together will cut with no other tool. I also have needle-nose pliers that cuts small to medium wire like butter. They're my favorite pair. Beside cutting they're a sturdy enough metal that crimping stuff together is a cinch. The smallest pliers cut the thinnest of wire, and I don't use them much. But, these pliers live in my Christmas stuff because I never know when I will have to use them to fix something when decorating my own house.

"Making," for me, also involves cooing from scratch. I like taking the raw food materials and turning them into dinner. I love to bake, as well, but have not set aside a lot of time for it recently. Cooking goes in phases, for me. Right now, I'm in a phase of easier and faster. A couple of years ago, I was in a phase of slower and more complex. I'm sure I'll get back to baking, but right now, it is nice to have a little vacation.

I need to go to the store so that I have the ingredients to make a meal tonight. The cooking part of making never ends....

Its all gravy....

2010-12-05T08:52:00.000-06:00

Today's topic is what (or whom) did you let go of this year, and why.

I let go of making home made gravy at every meal. For years, I experimented with broths, flour, and corn starch. I strove to make the perfect sauce to go over my mashed potatoes and compliment meals with it. One day last winter, I had a pack of gravy mix in the spice drawer for a croc pot meal that I never made. So, I made up the packet to go with the meat loaf because I was short on time and didn't have any drippings to make from scratch. The family loved the packet gravy and then lauded me with praises. Dude. I spent all that time stirring and getting right consistencies when perfect gravy comes out of a pouch for less than a dollar??? Needless to say, I keep a couple of packs on hand. While I love cooking from scratch, modern conveniences are really hard to pass up.

Wonder of Wonders

2010-12-04T21:43:00.000-06:00

Day 4 of the blog challenge. Today's topic is about how I cultivated a sense of wonder this past year. Well, the short answer is: I didn't. For some reason, seeking or cultivating wonder in the world is not in my DNA. It is not that I don't find wondrous things, but I'm not one to consciously seek them, and usually must have someone point them out to me. I'm lucky enough to have a husband and mom who find wonder in the natural world around them, and are kind enough to share. My mom is almost an expert on the Monarch butterfly. She's my go-to person when examining the abundant insects in our garden. My husband loves sunrises and sunsets. He will call on his way home when a sunset is particularly beautiful to point it out to me. I'm lucky enough to have kids that are little explorers, and when their curiosity drives me to consult the Google-god, I learn new things and find wonder though their eyes. But, for me to go out and seek wonders, well, that's just not how I roll. However, I'll be open to the wonders that come my way.

One Moment in AmandaLand

2010-12-03T11:16:00.001-06:00

Today's prompt is to pick one moment in the past year when I've felt truly alive.

My moment happend last July, while we were on vacation. We pulled into our campsite in Marble, Colorado, and set up camp. After the grueling 2 day journey across Kansas and Colorado, I was happy to be in our vacation spot. The kids spent the evening happily clamoring over the huge marble boulders that dotted our campsite, while we set up camp. I don't remember what we had for dinner, we were just too excited to be in the mountains and ready for adventure. I remember falling into bed, cold, and grateful for being in the high altitudes with my very own furnace of a husband beside me.

At 2 am, the dog needed to go out. Being cooped in the car with us for two days, his regular schedule was off as well. As my five followers know, Otto is the third child around here. He went on vacation with us, drops off the kids and picks them up from school with me, and is generally treated like canine royalty around here. So, being the lightest sleeper, I leashed him and we went out. While he sniffed every blade of grass at the edge of the zippy leash, I looked up and shivered. Not only did the 40 degree weather strike me as really cold in the middle July, the stars were breathtaking. We were in a rural area with little light. My eyes adjusted so that I could more stars than I ever could at home. The dark sky seemed blacker, and the stars brighter. Spirals from the Milky Way were even visible. I just stood in awe. This must have been how the ancient Greeks observed their place in the universe, and the many stars that ancient mariners followed to navigate. Having to pick out just one diamond in the sky was either very brave and calculating, or bordering on insanity. Finally, Otto found the branch of shrub he wanted to mark, and we went back in. Mom heard us leave, and was about ready to call out a search party. I assured her that we were fine, and it took Otto a while to find the perfect spot. Yeah, blame it on the dog....

This story has a P.S. to it. Turns out, there was a moment two nights later where I felt fully alive again. There is nothing like a huge brown bear attacking one's ice chest to make one face one's mortality. But, Otto and I got to see the stars, oblivious to the dangers of the natural world at the time. In the end, that was worth the cost of a couple of pork chops stolen from the ice chest.

Reverb10, day 2

2010-12-02T15:48:00.000-06:00

Reverb10 topic today: What stands in the way of our own writing. Can it be eliminated?

What stands in the way of my blogging and writing, well, me! I am my own worst critic and enemy. Due to a bad experience in high school, I quit writing every day back then. Due to scathing remarks and comments from a "teacher" (this woman belongs in an asylum for she was--and probably still is--crazy), I've been gun shy about taking chances and truly writing for myself again. When I started this blog about a year ago, I was committed to doing a good job, proper research, and putting an air of quality to my drivel. I also just didn't want this to be another "mommy blog" where I rant, rave, and try to convince everyone that my parenting choices are correct. Being self-employed, there are a lot of things that go on that I want to brag about, yell about, and otherwise call people on the carpet about. But, as we have all learned, the ass you kick today is going to be the one you have to kiss tomorrow. So, putting my opinions on the web for everyone to see seems like a very bad idea. With my criteria narrowing, writing, posting, and blogging becomes a chore. Without endangering my livelihood, cooing obnoxiously over my children, and generally kicking my own ass, I stay quiet. I am doing better. With my "I'm pro-choice" post, I've felt more honest with the world at large, and am quite content to take my time to produce quality posts that truly reflect me, my opinions and values. I want to keep that in mind as I continue to write. Be honest with myself and the rest of the world. Then, nothing should stand in my way.

Closing the Old Year

2010-12-01T21:47:00.001-06:00

It has been a while since I've been here. The last time I sat down to write, I ended up a accidentally deleting a perfectly good post....so, Average Jane has unwittingly drug me back into the writing scene. On her post today, she wrote about one word that she wanted to describe her new year, as with the prompt from reverb10. Exploring the reverb 10 site on a whim, I signed up as well. Part of signing up is reflecting on the old year and putting intentions out for the new year. The site asked me to Tweet, which I don't do. Facebook is my social network of choice. So that, it out the window. The site also asked people who signed up to put a badge on their blog. Huh. There goes that one because I can't figure out how to add it, and don't understand the directions that the two help sites I consulted provided. I'm not starting off very well here. But, will troop along down this path anyway.

The one word that describes 2010 is upheaval. The year started off with a christening that brought up all sorts of tensions in our mixed religious household. As soon as those were settled, I started reading the minutes of our school board and realized a gaggle of geese would be better at running a school district than those folks. At the same time, we had a moving scare. In the midst of worrying about a possible move, I changed the kids' school. Those issues were put to rest. We weren't going to move, and the kids got enrolled in private school. Now we were all set for a summer full of fun at in the sun---Not! On June 1, Grandma fell and broke her hip. Due the the age and mileage on my car, my husband drug me to the dealership and in three hours, I was driving around listening to satellite radio. I've posted about this before. Grandma healed. She is back in assisted living and still trucking. There was a big Facebook/blog brouhaha concerning evolution. I'm not entirely sure why or what meaning I am supposed to take from all the arguments batted back and forth one weekend, but it upset many people, called into question many beliefs regarding religion and social networking, and really put a bad taste in my mouth for my current city. The kids are almost half way through school, and we're looking forward to Christmas break. Being self employed, there will always be some upheaval floating in the perimeter of our lives. However, I am ready for the old year to close. Next year, I want my word to be serenity. I think serenity is a prettier word than "calmness", but those two go hand-in-hand. Serenity embodies grace to get through the tough situation with dignity. That is what I want for next year. Just let me be serene.

Post Mortem on Elections

2010-11-07T21:58:00.000-06:00

Whew. What a mid term election. People were lining up to vote like it was a Presidential election year. Though it is two years away, I'm dreading the next federal election. It is obvious, to everyone except the current administration, that people are really ticked off about the way the country is going. Nothing is said about our foreign wars that we have let linger as long as Vietnam, and is in danger of going longer than that fiasco that left our country broken. We're spending money we don't have expecting the Fed to bail us out, and no one wants to take any responsibility for it. And everyone from the EPA to local bloggers wants to tell their neighbor how to live and what to believe. What a mess of problems, and this short blog has not even scratched the surface of campaign ads we're going to see in the next two years.

In the mean time, I want to see some changes come to my political party. It is no secret that I am a Republican. I joined the party when I turned 18 and registered to vote. I have never been swayed to the other party. I'm a firm believer in capitalism, small government and private industry. As part of the "small government" in the previous sentence, that means I expect those I elect to stay out of my business--namely the social policy of conservatives. It seems that being fiscally frugal means being pro-life, anti-evolution, and having a regular seat in the "Amen Pew" at church. Well, as my Five Followers know, I don't have a regular seat at church, wrote a post that proclaimed to one and all that I'm pro-choice, and I accept evolution as a scientific theory. Suddenly, my party has three huge social planks that I don't conform to. Now, add the brewing brouhaha concerning gay marriage, and I don't fit in with any of those folks, as I don't give a rat's a** who wants to file a joint tax return with whom.

If anyone knows any Republicans in power, please let them know I want a balanced budget, our troops home, and the government out of my business. This can be accomplished though economics, diplomacy and the simple creed of: "mind your own business". Perhaps we should ponder this until the next election.

Philosophy 101

2010-11-03T10:03:00.001-05:00

I've been stewing about this post over a month now. Awhile back, there was a big Facebook and blog to-do about evolution. It took up a weekend, made many people angry, and had people with advanced degrees--even doctorates--going at it like undergrads. Kara, who wrote the original blog post that started it all, left the door open for those who disagreed with her opinions. She clearly stated it as an opinion, and just put it out there. Many people weighed in on her original post and kept things humorous, light and politely disagreed. Then things went awry. There was one person who couldn't let the whole thing go, disagree quietly, and move on with life. Instead, different blogs were posted as "evidence", the Bible was touted as a scientific document, and others were chastised for their belief in God/evolution/whatever over this issue. Most of the folks who added fuel to the firestorm, to my knowledge, have post-secondary educations. These are not stupid or uneducated people. However, those who most vehemently defended their argument either slept through or skipped their Philosophy 101 class. The following is the most important sentence I memorized in college, and incidentally, from Philosophy 101:

An Argument is valid if and only if it is not possible for all the premises to be true and the conclusion false.

I still use this benchmark in my every day life. It helps me wade through the rhetoric of life and come to logical conclusions. When applied to the evolution debate, it is even handier. I found that those who were arguing for creative design used circular arguments, analogies that didn't make sense, and were on the steepest slipperiest slope while assuring the rest of us that they had the best of solid evidence. The truly fascinating thing was they were so sure of this position that they could no longer take a deep breath, let go of the rhetoric, and see the issue from a different point of view. To me, the truly amazing part of any debate or dialogue are those who are so assured of their "perfectly correct belief and argument" that they fail to hear any of the points that others are making, and, more importantly, fail to see the flaws in their own logic.

After telling all five of my followers this, I've only more questions than answers. When did going to church, tending one's private spiritual garden, become an exercise in rejecting scientific beliefs? When did evolution become so explosive again that we're still arguing like our great-great-grandparents did when "The Origin of Spices" was first published? I thought the Scopes trial settled most of these questions, yet religious persons are going at this like it is new news and has never been argued before. With all of the other issues surrounding us concerning our future, president, and global politics, why are we wasting time and energy here when we could be electronically yelling at our elected officials to ease the national deficit?

I stated on Facebook that I don't expect my drivel to change anyone's opinion, nor did any of the arguments sway me. I was wrong. Instead of those arguing for creative design sway me to their way of thinking, I have put up defenses and barriers to avoid listening to their arguments. Why? I don't see a problem with being scientific and religious at the same time. When I need to find God, I go to the garden alone. The joy I share while I tarry there, none other has ever known. That is all I need to know.

Modern Health Care

2010-11-02T22:16:00.000-05:00

For the first time in my life, I went to an Urgent Care Center. I plopped down my health insurance card and said, "MY ANKLE HURTS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY!!!". Ok, so maybe it wasn't that dramatic....let me backtrack....

Today is Mini C's birthday. As a treat, we had a friend over who goes to a different school. We picked her up with no problems, but on the way home, I tripped over the edge of one of our glorious streets because we have no curbs, gutters, or sidewalks. My ankle sent intense pain and distress signals to my brain, who really wanted to start swearing to relive the pressure, but didn't because we had a guest along. I limped home and started dinner, because, really, the troops must be fed.

Bob came home in good time and fixed the best steak of his grilling career and the troops got fed. We had a quick piece of cake, dropped our birthday guest off, and then it was on to KU Med West. We arrived an hour before closing, and I got my very own wheel chair. Apparently they saw me hobble in. 3 x-rays and an ace bandage later, we were back on the road to Walgreens. Cruches were suggested, but I got a cane.

Before the ice on my ankle reaches my brain and I forget the most important part: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MINI C!!! Because she was the one who got to spend her birthday evening in Urgent Care waiting on mom.

One Remodeling Step Forward

2010-09-24T08:15:00.001-05:00

This has been a most interesting week. I had lunch plans my friend Cagy on Monday. However, The All Powerful Google failed us and I went to the wrong location. We did not have enough time to connect, and will have to try to reschedule at a later date. But, I got out of the house and took a nice scenic drive that I would not have otherwise had. Tuesday, the kids got sick. Well, Mini C got sick and Mini G managed to convince me that he needed to stay home as well. I later revised my opinion and promptly sent him back to school, however, he did not dodge the illness that is going around. Mini C is ready to head back to school, but Mini G gets a 4-day unplanned vacation. Eh, it is only Kindergarten, and he isn't exactly studying for his college finals.

Today. Today has been a doozy. The backsplash was installed in the kitchen, and if I knew how to upload pics to this program, or even download my camera, I'd put some snappy shots of the new marble here, however, everyone will just have to know that it looks great. I'm so glad that another big project is crossed off of the list. Now, when I (actually, the kids, yeah, we're going to blame the kids) get a little happy with the egg beater and baking project, miscellaneous batter should wipe right off or blend right it. The backsplash is a brown-ish marble with lots of color variation, some crystals, and a whole lotta character. It should hide baking mishaps very well.

For the rest of the week, I'm going to admire my new marble. Bake something as the counter tops got cleaned off and look great, and start dreaming about paint colors. Paint is the next big project on our list, and must be done before Christmas. I foresee a Christmas party in our future......

A Short Guide to Frienemies

2010-09-20T19:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks to our modern technologies that have evolved, there should be some rules and guides when dealing with the very new animal of "frienemy". This new animal is cross between a friend and enemy. Those that are considered "frienemies" are usually highly motivated and annoying individuals. They should be treated with respect and handled with care. Below are four things I've learned along the way to dealing with such a new animal.

1. If others are speaking in support of the person who originally commented, it is probably time to move away from the conversation. While open, honest debates and discussions are good to keep the mind sharp, stirring up the masses who don't share the opinion is rude. Conversely, if there is some sort of statement that expresses an "agree to disagree" opinion as the 20th comment on a post, then leave it alone. People are tired of talking about the issue and reading the evidence. Anything more just pisses people off. Don't devalue your position by being the one person that couldn't let it go.

2. Don't wage war on frienemies unless they say something stupid. While frienemies are now a fact of everyone's life, thanks to social networking, one can lull them into a sense of security by letting some comments go and only commenting when your frienemey says something really stupid. It is always good to take someone by surprise and keep them off balance. Try to do this in a humorous way. Humor injected into serious discussions at appropriate times relieves the stress.

3. Writing on Facebook is like taking a chance on a Vegas roulette wheel. The house always wins. The original post always trumps. Always. Therefore, be selective of frays. Don't argue that the sky isn't blue just because someone annoys you. Hide them, and live a calmer life.

4. It is ok to unfriend someone. It is a fact of life that we're not going to like everyone, and everyone isn't going to like us. We should have learned to deal with this on the playground, but, in our age of no-bullying and parental intervention, some of us may have missed out on these lessons (which is a different post entirely). However, like we learned on the playground, let it go. Be the bigger person. If hiding that person doesn't solve the problem, fo ahead, unfriend. Unfriending is the best option when someone won't stop pushing your buttons or making unhelpful comments. This will make life and Facebook a much calmer place to be.

All of that being said, I'm ready for the next intellectual discussion that comes along. Don't worry, the sky IS blue, and life will go on regardless of frienemies.

Just me and the dog....

2010-09-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

After my past negative blogs, things are looking up.

It has been about a month since we've started school, which has been the overwhelming force in our lives this. We're getting a routine established, and things are clicking right along. Changing schools for Mini C was the right choice. She is actually coming home and talking to me. I don't have to drag details out of her, and she seems to be a much happier spud in general. After a week of school, Mini G started telling me that he needed a day off, and didn't want to go to school. He has since quit asking and seems to be enjoying Kindergarten. Yesterday, his teacher let him lay down with his stuffed Bolt dog at rest time. This made him happy, and he seems to be settling in well. He is also volunteering information about his day at school, and I don't have to drag it out of him.

Grandma has moved back to assisted living. She has finished her therapy and is on to just exercises. She let the wheel chair go and is now just using her walker. While her health and mind still continue to fail little by little, she is much happier. I've learned that one can order Depends from Amazon.com, have them drop shipped to the assisted living, and then collect the kudos for taking 10 minutes to shop on the internet. Grandma is old enough that she does not grasp the internet, or the implications it has on modern life. To her, computers are still stored in big rooms and are something of science fiction. I'll take the kudos, as I pound out this post on my lap top that is stronger than the computers that put man on the moon.

Our company is in the final phases of a construction project. Everyone is on site, including the office guy. That's right, no kid is lurking in the basement to spy upon my boring life. It is just me and the dog.

I'm Pro Choice

2010-08-14T23:29:00.000-05:00

I feel the need to shout to the internet and the world that I'm Pro Choice. I'm not going to change, either.

My shout came into focus at the county fair last week. The Pro Life booth is an anchor at the fair. They're in the same place every year, and usually the same folks are at the booth handing out literature and filling balloons with helium for the kids. I usually just gloss over this booth, and am gone as quickly as possible because again, I'm Pro Choice and I'm not going to change. No, I don't want any more literature. The candidates hit my literature quota with all the paper they're handing out. No, I don't want a magnet with a grusome image of a fetus on it. Squeemish people like me have magnets with flowers on them. No, I don't want to be on your mailing list. You crashed my mother-in-law's email with the sheer volume of stuff that you sent out. I had to ask you to politely remove her from your list two years ago. She says thank you.

All that being said, I don't expect anyone else to change opinions. These are ingrained opinions that for some reason society has told us we need to think about and care about. Well, society, with all of the issues going on in the world, I don't care, and I'm not going to tell others how to live life.

I'm Pro Choice. I'm not going to change.