Some photos from our trip to Ft. Worth for Turkey Day 2006.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
It's Wime
When we are at church, and it's time for communion, we all head up as a family. David and the kids dip their bread in the chalice, while I just take a sip out of the cup. The kids started taking communion much younger than I did growing up, but then again, everything seems to change over time, and they are doing fine.
Joey has finally started listening to the words while he takes it, and has noticed that they say the cup is BLOOD of Christ. When that first registered, he took a look at the chalice bearer and said, "It's not blood, it's wime". She sort of nodded and moved on. The next occasion that she gave Joey communion, she headed him off by saying, "Blood of Christ, cup of salvation -- but it is really wine", before his dip.
Today he took communion, we went back to our seats, and he turned to me and said, "You know mom, it is actually wime".
OK.
Joey has finally started listening to the words while he takes it, and has noticed that they say the cup is BLOOD of Christ. When that first registered, he took a look at the chalice bearer and said, "It's not blood, it's wime". She sort of nodded and moved on. The next occasion that she gave Joey communion, she headed him off by saying, "Blood of Christ, cup of salvation -- but it is really wine", before his dip.
Today he took communion, we went back to our seats, and he turned to me and said, "You know mom, it is actually wime".
OK.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Waking Joey
Every school day, the big kids get up at 6:30. David and I get them dressed, fed, lunchboxed, and off to school by 7:30. Lately, David's the guy to ferry them to Bryker Woods, and then he just keeps on going to work.
I enjoy a few moments of quiet, then I wander in to wake up Joey. Usually, he has switched over to our bed, and he sleeps very hard in the morning. Recently it occurred to me that this a special little time with him, before he starts "big kid school" next year, so I am savoring every morning of his wake ups. I crawl in next to him, and on these cold mornings, I snuggle up to this little warm lump.
He smells like a little piece of toast.
And that is my best moment of the morning.
I enjoy a few moments of quiet, then I wander in to wake up Joey. Usually, he has switched over to our bed, and he sleeps very hard in the morning. Recently it occurred to me that this a special little time with him, before he starts "big kid school" next year, so I am savoring every morning of his wake ups. I crawl in next to him, and on these cold mornings, I snuggle up to this little warm lump.
He smells like a little piece of toast.
And that is my best moment of the morning.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Girl talk
I've had several occasions to hang out with groups of women lately. I took my Girl Scout troop camping, and there were a couple of other moms. Been to the park, and hung out with the moms there, did an Art Day at a friend's house, and there have been other gatherings recently.
What I've come to realize is that it is very important for women (don't know about men) to have nice talks. Margaritas too, if the occasion warrants. But at each gathering, whether we knew each other very well, or not so well, the talking was almost the same. We listened to issues about other kids, our health, our families, the world. And it struck me that it is almost like building a spider web. I get these little glimmers of shared experience from other women, so that I'm better prepared to be the family counselor, doctor, or whatever. They weave together and then when I need them, they make a nice strong net for me.
I don't know if guys need that. Or maybe they do and they just work past it. But if I had any advice for young women, it would be to get involved in lots of different groups, so that you have multiple places to go to recharge the batteries. And you make lots of good girl friends.
Kind of deep, but that's what's on my mind.
What I've come to realize is that it is very important for women (don't know about men) to have nice talks. Margaritas too, if the occasion warrants. But at each gathering, whether we knew each other very well, or not so well, the talking was almost the same. We listened to issues about other kids, our health, our families, the world. And it struck me that it is almost like building a spider web. I get these little glimmers of shared experience from other women, so that I'm better prepared to be the family counselor, doctor, or whatever. They weave together and then when I need them, they make a nice strong net for me.
I don't know if guys need that. Or maybe they do and they just work past it. But if I had any advice for young women, it would be to get involved in lots of different groups, so that you have multiple places to go to recharge the batteries. And you make lots of good girl friends.
Kind of deep, but that's what's on my mind.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Random Thoughts on Halloween and other stuff
1. This Halloween, even though I was in my Cowgirl costume again, complete with fringe, Joey told me I didn't have the Halloween spirit. When I protested, he said, "Mom, you have to like ALL the Halloween candy, and you don't like sour Skittles." When I pointed out that Joey does not like candy with chocolate, he spun it around so that it was OK, or he really did like chocolate, or somehow he had the Halloween spririt more than me.
2. Joey declares: "Jolly Ranger" candy is best, it is the"most jucier and flavory".
3. Emma bought clothes that she put together to be a Pirate, and my main thought is that I am starting to want to wear her clothes. We got her some black suede boots at Target and I actually wish I could borrow tham. She is already wearing ladies size 7 shoes, so perhaps that time is coming sooner than you'd think.
4. The kids confound David and me when they Trick or Treat. After walking one long block from our house, they report they are done and ready to come home. Even the kid we were trick or treating with told his parents the same thing. What's up with that!? When I was a kid, I don't think we ever asked to stop trick or treating. David confirms this was true for his childhood too.
My only theory is that when I was a kid, you got one piece of candy per house, and it might be something like a roll of smarties. To get any volume, or prize pieces of candy (little candy bars) you might have to knock on many doors, so you were predisposed to want to trick or treat for a long time. Plus it was fun.
Today, children in Bryker Woods get candy by the handful at each door. And every other house has Snickers bars. By the time our kids get to the end of one block, their bags are pretty full.
The other theory a friend proposed, is that we know the other parents in the neighborhood so well that we slow the kids down with our chatting and they get so frustrated that they just want to lug their big bags home and eat.
Fortunately, Max has a love of candy and a streak of greed. After coming home, I convinced him to keep trick or treating with me and we did another block. He came home and carefully arranged his candy into categories. When Emma saw his loot, she got a little jealous, so next year, I don't think we will have the party pooper syndrome again.
5. One of Max's classmates lives about a block from us. His mom gives out margaritas to the trick or treater's parents. That is a great idea.
6. Outside of Halloween, there is a significant achievement to report. I usually have a messy house, and most of my friends know it. No biggie. But one aspect of the mess is that I always have a laundry basket full of stuff that has no home; patches the boys got at an expo, old dice, popped buttons, bits of pieces of paper that don't really get filed but can't be thrown away, and other weird stuff.
I can usually guage the cleanliness of my house by how many baskets I have going. When I have two laundry baskets full of this orphan trash, I am in bad shape. And I only have my last, third, basket for laundry. When I have a half a basket, I am on a roll.
I am pleased to announce that for two days, I used free time to tackle that laundry basket, and I have an empty basket! I've noticed for the days that have followed, I wake up in the morning with a sense of calm. The rest of my house is getting cleaner, and I have dirty laundry sorted into three baskets (whites, darks and colors). Yea me!!
7. Our WORD group is planning yet another party. It will be held this Sunday. We were asked to hold it by the Texas Democratic Party. Apparantly our email network is something to be envied! Go to www.wordtexas.org. If you live in Austin, come hang out with us. I guarantee glorious weather, and even Republicans will have fun with us.
Happy Thursday!
2. Joey declares: "Jolly Ranger" candy is best, it is the"most jucier and flavory".
3. Emma bought clothes that she put together to be a Pirate, and my main thought is that I am starting to want to wear her clothes. We got her some black suede boots at Target and I actually wish I could borrow tham. She is already wearing ladies size 7 shoes, so perhaps that time is coming sooner than you'd think.
4. The kids confound David and me when they Trick or Treat. After walking one long block from our house, they report they are done and ready to come home. Even the kid we were trick or treating with told his parents the same thing. What's up with that!? When I was a kid, I don't think we ever asked to stop trick or treating. David confirms this was true for his childhood too.
My only theory is that when I was a kid, you got one piece of candy per house, and it might be something like a roll of smarties. To get any volume, or prize pieces of candy (little candy bars) you might have to knock on many doors, so you were predisposed to want to trick or treat for a long time. Plus it was fun.
Today, children in Bryker Woods get candy by the handful at each door. And every other house has Snickers bars. By the time our kids get to the end of one block, their bags are pretty full.
The other theory a friend proposed, is that we know the other parents in the neighborhood so well that we slow the kids down with our chatting and they get so frustrated that they just want to lug their big bags home and eat.
Fortunately, Max has a love of candy and a streak of greed. After coming home, I convinced him to keep trick or treating with me and we did another block. He came home and carefully arranged his candy into categories. When Emma saw his loot, she got a little jealous, so next year, I don't think we will have the party pooper syndrome again.
5. One of Max's classmates lives about a block from us. His mom gives out margaritas to the trick or treater's parents. That is a great idea.
6. Outside of Halloween, there is a significant achievement to report. I usually have a messy house, and most of my friends know it. No biggie. But one aspect of the mess is that I always have a laundry basket full of stuff that has no home; patches the boys got at an expo, old dice, popped buttons, bits of pieces of paper that don't really get filed but can't be thrown away, and other weird stuff.
I can usually guage the cleanliness of my house by how many baskets I have going. When I have two laundry baskets full of this orphan trash, I am in bad shape. And I only have my last, third, basket for laundry. When I have a half a basket, I am on a roll.
I am pleased to announce that for two days, I used free time to tackle that laundry basket, and I have an empty basket! I've noticed for the days that have followed, I wake up in the morning with a sense of calm. The rest of my house is getting cleaner, and I have dirty laundry sorted into three baskets (whites, darks and colors). Yea me!!
7. Our WORD group is planning yet another party. It will be held this Sunday. We were asked to hold it by the Texas Democratic Party. Apparantly our email network is something to be envied! Go to www.wordtexas.org. If you live in Austin, come hang out with us. I guarantee glorious weather, and even Republicans will have fun with us.
Happy Thursday!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Vote for Bell
If you are one of my legions of readers, and you were contemplating voting for Kinky, please read this.
And if you'd like some information about Chris Bell, who I plan to support, please email me. I feel strongly that he is the guy to get behind to rid our state of Rick Perry.
I had this letter published in the Statesman today responding to their endorsement of Rick Perry for Governor....
I can't believe how soon the Statesman is willing to forgive and forget.
Tom DeLay didn't force redistricting on Austin without the local help of Rick Perry. Many of us attended numerous hearings at the Capitol, trying to protect our city's right to a locally based representative in Washington. My democratic rights, and those of the citizens of Austin were trampled by the DeLay/Perry assault, when Austin and Travis County were drawn and quartered into four gerrymandered districts stretching across the state.
Chris Bell, the Democratic candidate to replace Rick Perry as Governor, started the ball rolling with an ethics complaint, which eventually led to the downfall of Tom DeLay. As an Austinite who would like once again to have one D.C. Representative based squarely in Austin, I'm doing everything I can think of to help Chris Bell replace the other half of the dastardly duo.
And if you'd like some information about Chris Bell, who I plan to support, please email me. I feel strongly that he is the guy to get behind to rid our state of Rick Perry.
I had this letter published in the Statesman today responding to their endorsement of Rick Perry for Governor....
I can't believe how soon the Statesman is willing to forgive and forget.
Tom DeLay didn't force redistricting on Austin without the local help of Rick Perry. Many of us attended numerous hearings at the Capitol, trying to protect our city's right to a locally based representative in Washington. My democratic rights, and those of the citizens of Austin were trampled by the DeLay/Perry assault, when Austin and Travis County were drawn and quartered into four gerrymandered districts stretching across the state.
Chris Bell, the Democratic candidate to replace Rick Perry as Governor, started the ball rolling with an ethics complaint, which eventually led to the downfall of Tom DeLay. As an Austinite who would like once again to have one D.C. Representative based squarely in Austin, I'm doing everything I can think of to help Chris Bell replace the other half of the dastardly duo.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Saturday: Company Picnic
David's office is very cool. Actually they are just a bunch of big kids, so their company picnic is pretty fun. The had a bouncy house, kegs, bar-b-que, two luscious cakes from Whole Foods, a homemade train ride, and all the body painting you can handle. Oh yea, horse shoes too.
The perfect weather was just a bonus.
One of Max's classmates, Sadie, also has a parent who works for the company, so he had extra fun.
Kids on the train. The man who owns this party ranch built the train out of barrels, and the opening of the barrels have garden hose lining the edges. The ingenious locomotion system is a series of hand trucks sort of bolted end to end. The whole thing is pulled with a yard tractor.... oh yeah, the seats in the barrel are boat seats. Any ideas Grandad?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Women Organizing to Revive Democracy!
The main reason I haven't added anything new to this blog in a week is that I'VE BEEN BUSY! What a week, I had a meeting at church on Tuesday, I hosted the PTA's teachers' lunch on Wednesday, my scout troop met Thursday and our first ever W.O.R.D. (see the title above) met last night. And what a meeting it was!
After Ann Richard's memorial service, I really felt charged up, but since it was a funeral, no one really seized the power of thousands of pretty politically interested mourners and told us to do anything.
I have wanted Rick Perry gone since redistricting. Ever since Austin was split into four parts, and my representative lived west of Houston, I've been pretty pissed off. I mean, you expect some dirty politics, but when my district was so badly drawn that no Democrat even entered the race, my voice in national politics was basically taken away. That is serious and wrong. So all these years, I've hoped Tom DeLay and Rick Perry would get what they were due.
One down, one to go.
Anyway, cut to last month's memorial for Ann. A couple of days afterwards, I saw a mom-friend at the grocery store. We were both feeling antsy. She told me she had decided to "drink the Kool Aid" and work on getting Chris Bell elected. I made the decision right there, that instead of only trying to get Rick Perry out, I wanted to get my guy in. Chris Bell does not want to build a useless wall along the Mexican border, he does want us to stop coming in 50 among the states with regard to getting kids health insurance coverage. He wants to stop putting so much emphasis on testing in public schools (Hallelulia!) And I want it all.
So within a two week span, we started a little email revolution, planned a party, and held it last night. And it was a success. We had a couple hundred people show up. They had fun. We cheered, we laughed, and we inadvertantly raised over $2000. We didn't even appeal for money, but at the last minute thought we'd better bring something to put donations in. So one girl slapped a Bell sticker on a coffee can and brought it along.
We might do more in the future, but for now we are basking in our success.
After Ann Richard's memorial service, I really felt charged up, but since it was a funeral, no one really seized the power of thousands of pretty politically interested mourners and told us to do anything.
I have wanted Rick Perry gone since redistricting. Ever since Austin was split into four parts, and my representative lived west of Houston, I've been pretty pissed off. I mean, you expect some dirty politics, but when my district was so badly drawn that no Democrat even entered the race, my voice in national politics was basically taken away. That is serious and wrong. So all these years, I've hoped Tom DeLay and Rick Perry would get what they were due.
One down, one to go.
Anyway, cut to last month's memorial for Ann. A couple of days afterwards, I saw a mom-friend at the grocery store. We were both feeling antsy. She told me she had decided to "drink the Kool Aid" and work on getting Chris Bell elected. I made the decision right there, that instead of only trying to get Rick Perry out, I wanted to get my guy in. Chris Bell does not want to build a useless wall along the Mexican border, he does want us to stop coming in 50 among the states with regard to getting kids health insurance coverage. He wants to stop putting so much emphasis on testing in public schools (Hallelulia!) And I want it all.
So within a two week span, we started a little email revolution, planned a party, and held it last night. And it was a success. We had a couple hundred people show up. They had fun. We cheered, we laughed, and we inadvertantly raised over $2000. We didn't even appeal for money, but at the last minute thought we'd better bring something to put donations in. So one girl slapped a Bell sticker on a coffee can and brought it along.
We might do more in the future, but for now we are basking in our success.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Just got home from the Fall Festival at our church. I sold my pillows, greeting cards, and Elisa's purses and accessories. Lots of browsers, and visiting and conversation. Not so much by way of sales, but I was next door to my buddy Robbin, and I had a whole day of just sitting in a chair, avoiding all my chores. So that was worth it.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Talk about exciting! Guess where I was today. At Liz Carpenter's house. I'll have to take the time to fill in some details, but a few of my friends are holding a little party for Austin Democratic Women. We just thought it up, and this party is taking on a life of it's own. My friend Anne, told Liz Carpenter about it, and she offered to give us some advice. We met at her house today, and she gave us pointers, and even ended up pulling out her Rolodex, so we could have contact numbers of some of her buddies. What a kick!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Good Read, Good Watch
Very quick post, since I've been BUSY. I'm sewing like a crazy lady, trying to get my pillows ready for the big Fall Festival at our church. I'll be holding forth at my "funky pillow booth" next door to Robbin's "funky painted stuff booth". And I'm trying to get 40 pillows ready before Saturday -- I'm up to 26 tonight, which is cool, even if that's all I get.
Anyway, to the book, I just finished Gilead. I was trying to get it done for a book club, and ended up missing the discussion to wait for a locksmith to visit me and re-key the house Friday. (another story) It was a hard book for me to follow, as it is written without chapters, but worth the effort. I can tell I'll be thinking about it for a while. Lots of beautifully written paragraphs in there. It is the story of an older, ill preacher, mid 70s, who has a young son (7 or 8). The book is a letter written to the son. Some of the thoughts about God, prayer, and love, took my breath away.
The bigger recommendation I have for you is this: Please make time to see An Inconvenient Truth. I will pay for your rental fee. I will pay your Netflick fee. It is that important.
I saw the movie at church last night. I think only one person admitted to being a Republican during the discussion session that followed, but I really think this is the kind of movie that needs to be seen by people who think the current administration is doing a good job. The facts about global warming, and they are facts, are impossible to ignore. It makes any other issue you might hinge your vote on, pale in comparison.
Before and after shots of glaciers, snow capped mountains, and then endless graphs of historical climate data make a methodical case. Laid down one after another, the facts just kept on coming. Al Gore narrarates, and I'm sure there are people who will discount the movie, just because they hate him, or Democrats. But I invite anyone to watch the movie and then convince me that global warming is just some sort of theory dreamt up for some reason to scare/bankrupt/spoil our fun. I'm eager to hear anyone question the premise that we are on a disaster course, because it would be wonderful if Gore and countless scientiets are completely wrong about this.
The movie addresses the idea that there is somehow controversy in the scientific community over the notion of global warming. It examined over 900 peer reviewed studies about climate change and the percentage of them that show global warming to be unrelated to human action are ZERO. But the press stories studied showed over 50% to have reference to a "controversy in the scientific community."
The rate of change, the rate of effects that are being seen right now, are astounding.... and scary.
The movie might not be out on DVD quite yet. I think our church got a copy that was pre DVD release, but please go see it when you can.
Anyway, to the book, I just finished Gilead. I was trying to get it done for a book club, and ended up missing the discussion to wait for a locksmith to visit me and re-key the house Friday. (another story) It was a hard book for me to follow, as it is written without chapters, but worth the effort. I can tell I'll be thinking about it for a while. Lots of beautifully written paragraphs in there. It is the story of an older, ill preacher, mid 70s, who has a young son (7 or 8). The book is a letter written to the son. Some of the thoughts about God, prayer, and love, took my breath away.
The bigger recommendation I have for you is this: Please make time to see An Inconvenient Truth. I will pay for your rental fee. I will pay your Netflick fee. It is that important.
I saw the movie at church last night. I think only one person admitted to being a Republican during the discussion session that followed, but I really think this is the kind of movie that needs to be seen by people who think the current administration is doing a good job. The facts about global warming, and they are facts, are impossible to ignore. It makes any other issue you might hinge your vote on, pale in comparison.
Before and after shots of glaciers, snow capped mountains, and then endless graphs of historical climate data make a methodical case. Laid down one after another, the facts just kept on coming. Al Gore narrarates, and I'm sure there are people who will discount the movie, just because they hate him, or Democrats. But I invite anyone to watch the movie and then convince me that global warming is just some sort of theory dreamt up for some reason to scare/bankrupt/spoil our fun. I'm eager to hear anyone question the premise that we are on a disaster course, because it would be wonderful if Gore and countless scientiets are completely wrong about this.
The movie addresses the idea that there is somehow controversy in the scientific community over the notion of global warming. It examined over 900 peer reviewed studies about climate change and the percentage of them that show global warming to be unrelated to human action are ZERO. But the press stories studied showed over 50% to have reference to a "controversy in the scientific community."
The rate of change, the rate of effects that are being seen right now, are astounding.... and scary.
The movie might not be out on DVD quite yet. I think our church got a copy that was pre DVD release, but please go see it when you can.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
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