Robbin's gift to me was this wonderful photo of my assistant sales manager, Max. Love you buddy.
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
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Joey Turns FIVE!
Happy Birthday Joey!
Right after Joey was born, when the kids came to meet him at the hospital, Emma told me they had decided a good name for the baby was "Zilkie," like Zilker Park. So when Joey decided to have his party this year at Zilker, we knew it was an inspired choice.
We had a two part-party planned and the weather couldn't have been lovelier... it was beautiful, clear and sunny, high 80's. For the first phase we had invited 5 of Jojo's classmates from the preschool. They got superhero capes and masks and played on the playground, running tireless David ragged. Next, we all took a bathroom break and then rode the train at Zilker. Cupcakes and ice cream and presents were next. After a little more play on the playground, those kids and their moms went to pick up big brothers and sisters from various elementary schools.
We hung out at the park waiting for our reinforcements to arrive. Joey's big friends from the Bryker Woods came next. We ended up with about 5 more kids in phase two. So we played more, ate cupcakes and ice cream, rode the train again and had more fun.
We got to the park at 1:15 and left around 6pm, worn out and happy, and Joey declared it a great party.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Joey's Haiku
This morning, Joey turns 5! I can't believe time has flown so fast.
This. I thought of last night:
curled up together
midnight steals away from me
my last four year old
This. I thought of last night:
curled up together
midnight steals away from me
my last four year old
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
not a prude, but....
I've only got time for a teeny-weenie thought today, because I spent the whole morning shopping for Joey's birthday party (he turns 5 Friday!). I was at Party Pig, and made a quick check of the childrens' Halloween costumes offered this year. Actually, I'm pretty taken by how few kids costumes there are, and how the grown-up section is encroaching, but that is another post.
As I looked over the girl costumes, I noticed that there were probably 30 to pick from, although many were variations on a theme, pirate girl, cheerleader... Then I noticed, for the girl market, aged 6-16, the 30 costumes could easily be categorized as "sweet enough for a pentecostal" and "trampy." There were a couple of the trampy ones that were actually disturbing, one looked like a baby doll/hooker, there was a cheerleader of the damned/hooker, and witch/hooker. I'm not even categorizing the midriff bearing divas in the trampy category, I mentioned I'm not a prude, but it struck me that someone designed these costumes, and photographed them on 12(?) year old models, and their minds were not completely on kids having fun on Halloween.
Lucky for me, Emma is trending toward tomboy right now. My first stop of the day was Target to get Joey some Ben 10 toys and to get Emma "boy clothes." I was sort of sad about her abandoning her dresses a few years ago, but you know, maybe that's not so bad. I wonder if the tomboy label which lots of the girls in her grade and my scout troop are seeking, is because they are not ready to be mini teens.
As I looked over the girl costumes, I noticed that there were probably 30 to pick from, although many were variations on a theme, pirate girl, cheerleader... Then I noticed, for the girl market, aged 6-16, the 30 costumes could easily be categorized as "sweet enough for a pentecostal" and "trampy." There were a couple of the trampy ones that were actually disturbing, one looked like a baby doll/hooker, there was a cheerleader of the damned/hooker, and witch/hooker. I'm not even categorizing the midriff bearing divas in the trampy category, I mentioned I'm not a prude, but it struck me that someone designed these costumes, and photographed them on 12(?) year old models, and their minds were not completely on kids having fun on Halloween.
Lucky for me, Emma is trending toward tomboy right now. My first stop of the day was Target to get Joey some Ben 10 toys and to get Emma "boy clothes." I was sort of sad about her abandoning her dresses a few years ago, but you know, maybe that's not so bad. I wonder if the tomboy label which lots of the girls in her grade and my scout troop are seeking, is because they are not ready to be mini teens.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The Memorial Service
It's been really hard for me to get a coherent line of thought about the Ann Richards memorial service. It was held here in Austin on Monday, and it was wonderful and funny and inspiring, and bits and pieces of it keep floating to the top of my mind.
I was planning to head over by myself, but ended up going to the service with a good friend, which was even better. It was a beautiful Austin day, a day that wasn't 100 degrees in the shade, so everyone was walking together, enjoying the idea that summer might actually end someday. People were filing in from all directions, and we wandered up, into the Erwin center, and up the ramp to the arena space. The first thing I saw as I walked through the gateway into the seating area, was a huge projected image of Ann with her arms held up and a huge smile. There was a stage on the floor with giant flower arrangements, some bleachers, chairs, piano and podium, all surrounded by 4000 of my closest friends. It was almost like a concert getting ready to start, except the lights were more dim and the crowd was dressed nice.
Ron Kirk, the former mayor of Dallas led the event. He was eloquent and funny. He said something I liked very much, about how "the good 'ol boys weren't asked to move out of the capitol, just move over" for the New Texas Ann was building. There was a gospel choir, and I felt the lump in my throat when the soloist sang. Jessye Norman, the opera singer, was there and I saw her look at the choir with admiration. They were fantastic.
Other bubbling memories included Erika handing me a Kleenex, just in case.
Liz Smith telling (cleaned up) antidotes about hanging out with Ann. She said that Ann was the most alive person she had ever met, and that we should keep her that way by living life with as much gusto as she would have. There were no tears, only laughter with her stories.
Henry Cisneros spoke, Jessye Norman sang twice, the gospel choir put out another powerful piece, and then Hillary Clinton got her turn.
She said, that when she met Ann, she felt like she was meeting a force of nature, and that it surprised her because she was already living with one. She said Ann told her, that she would have to figure out what to do about her hair, it either needed be completely unremarkable or go REALLY BIG. While she spoke, I sized her up as a presidential candidate. I've never figured out why the Conservatives hate her so much. She was controlled, and poised, and a leader, but I feared it might actually take an Ann Richards to open that door-- some sort of Texas Tornado, bigger than life, who would charm more than she offended and sweep us into a new era of politics. Hillary did say one thing that perhaps more than anything else has stuck in my mind.
She said when she was considering her run for Senator of New York, Ann was one of the people she sought for advice. Ann asked her what was it Hillary wanted; did she WANT to be Senator of New York? Then Ann told her that whether it was hard or not was irrelevant, anything important would be hard, wanting it was the key.
The service was nearing the end, and soon it was time for the last speaker, Lily Adams. She was the 19 year old, oldest granddaughter of Ann Richards. I feared, from the moment I noticed her on stage, that she must be quivering about having to speak. This was a friendly crowd, but we were a crowd.... a big one. And not too many people have the stage warmed up by a world famous opera star, two mayors, a gospel choir, and the lady who might make a serious run for the presidency. But it was her turn. She got up to the lectern and spoke. And she was strong, and poised, and funny, and ready. She told us about her Mammy. She talked about the lessons that Ann gave her, at basketball games, on campaign trails, in private moments. And while she spoke, Ann was our grandmother for a few moments, just like we always thought she was.
And Lily's stories, and the stories of a black mayor from Dallas, and a brown mayor from San Antonio, and a brash lady from New York, and a lady who might be president, all wove together and reinforced each other.
Ann Richards had pulled everyone along with her. The Texas Tornado expected people's best, and while I sat there, I felt like I had to do something, be governor, be a teacher, fight for a cause, be someone that makes a difference. Instead of feeling settled, I felt all wound up, and I realized I hadn't even cried, and no one around me had, because we were called to get out there and DO something.
After the service we were all given paper fans with a sly photo of Ann on one side, and a story on the back. It says:
"At the end of the State Treasurer's race in 1982, the only remaining campaign materials were masks of Ann's face made previously for her birthday party, so she passed out these masks at her last campaign rallies.
'When we left LaJoya's Senior Center and pulled onto the dusty road, I looked out the back window and saw a tiny little woman who couldn't have been more than four and a half feet tall who was probably in her eighties. She was in a cotton print dress that hung straight to her ankles, standing there waiting for a ride...
And she was wearing my face.
For me, the image of that woman is like a beacon in the storm.
Because that small woman is what the business of public service is all about.
I imagine seeing what she sees. She probably doesn't see much connection between the government and what goes on in her life, but you and I do.
There are real people with real lives who are counting on us.
And we will not - we cannot - disappoint them."
Ann W. Richards
1933- 2006"
I was being spoken to, a whisper in the ear, that being involved is our job. Fighting for what we think is right is worth the energy, and what makes our lives work. It's time to get to work, now I'm just trying to figure out what I'm being called to work on and what I want to do.
I was planning to head over by myself, but ended up going to the service with a good friend, which was even better. It was a beautiful Austin day, a day that wasn't 100 degrees in the shade, so everyone was walking together, enjoying the idea that summer might actually end someday. People were filing in from all directions, and we wandered up, into the Erwin center, and up the ramp to the arena space. The first thing I saw as I walked through the gateway into the seating area, was a huge projected image of Ann with her arms held up and a huge smile. There was a stage on the floor with giant flower arrangements, some bleachers, chairs, piano and podium, all surrounded by 4000 of my closest friends. It was almost like a concert getting ready to start, except the lights were more dim and the crowd was dressed nice.
Ron Kirk, the former mayor of Dallas led the event. He was eloquent and funny. He said something I liked very much, about how "the good 'ol boys weren't asked to move out of the capitol, just move over" for the New Texas Ann was building. There was a gospel choir, and I felt the lump in my throat when the soloist sang. Jessye Norman, the opera singer, was there and I saw her look at the choir with admiration. They were fantastic.
Other bubbling memories included Erika handing me a Kleenex, just in case.
Liz Smith telling (cleaned up) antidotes about hanging out with Ann. She said that Ann was the most alive person she had ever met, and that we should keep her that way by living life with as much gusto as she would have. There were no tears, only laughter with her stories.
Henry Cisneros spoke, Jessye Norman sang twice, the gospel choir put out another powerful piece, and then Hillary Clinton got her turn.
She said, that when she met Ann, she felt like she was meeting a force of nature, and that it surprised her because she was already living with one. She said Ann told her, that she would have to figure out what to do about her hair, it either needed be completely unremarkable or go REALLY BIG. While she spoke, I sized her up as a presidential candidate. I've never figured out why the Conservatives hate her so much. She was controlled, and poised, and a leader, but I feared it might actually take an Ann Richards to open that door-- some sort of Texas Tornado, bigger than life, who would charm more than she offended and sweep us into a new era of politics. Hillary did say one thing that perhaps more than anything else has stuck in my mind.
She said when she was considering her run for Senator of New York, Ann was one of the people she sought for advice. Ann asked her what was it Hillary wanted; did she WANT to be Senator of New York? Then Ann told her that whether it was hard or not was irrelevant, anything important would be hard, wanting it was the key.
The service was nearing the end, and soon it was time for the last speaker, Lily Adams. She was the 19 year old, oldest granddaughter of Ann Richards. I feared, from the moment I noticed her on stage, that she must be quivering about having to speak. This was a friendly crowd, but we were a crowd.... a big one. And not too many people have the stage warmed up by a world famous opera star, two mayors, a gospel choir, and the lady who might make a serious run for the presidency. But it was her turn. She got up to the lectern and spoke. And she was strong, and poised, and funny, and ready. She told us about her Mammy. She talked about the lessons that Ann gave her, at basketball games, on campaign trails, in private moments. And while she spoke, Ann was our grandmother for a few moments, just like we always thought she was.
And Lily's stories, and the stories of a black mayor from Dallas, and a brown mayor from San Antonio, and a brash lady from New York, and a lady who might be president, all wove together and reinforced each other.
Ann Richards had pulled everyone along with her. The Texas Tornado expected people's best, and while I sat there, I felt like I had to do something, be governor, be a teacher, fight for a cause, be someone that makes a difference. Instead of feeling settled, I felt all wound up, and I realized I hadn't even cried, and no one around me had, because we were called to get out there and DO something.
After the service we were all given paper fans with a sly photo of Ann on one side, and a story on the back. It says:
"At the end of the State Treasurer's race in 1982, the only remaining campaign materials were masks of Ann's face made previously for her birthday party, so she passed out these masks at her last campaign rallies.
'When we left LaJoya's Senior Center and pulled onto the dusty road, I looked out the back window and saw a tiny little woman who couldn't have been more than four and a half feet tall who was probably in her eighties. She was in a cotton print dress that hung straight to her ankles, standing there waiting for a ride...
And she was wearing my face.
For me, the image of that woman is like a beacon in the storm.
Because that small woman is what the business of public service is all about.
I imagine seeing what she sees. She probably doesn't see much connection between the government and what goes on in her life, but you and I do.
There are real people with real lives who are counting on us.
And we will not - we cannot - disappoint them."
Ann W. Richards
1933- 2006"
I was being spoken to, a whisper in the ear, that being involved is our job. Fighting for what we think is right is worth the energy, and what makes our lives work. It's time to get to work, now I'm just trying to figure out what I'm being called to work on and what I want to do.
Laugh now
A white house secretary walks into the oval office to deliver a message to President Bush while he is talking to some White House officials.
"Mr. President I have some bad news....."
"What is it?" he asks.
"Three Brazilian people were just killed in a car bombing."
Upon hearing the news the president hangs his head and begins to cry deeply to the shock of everyone else in the room. Finally, a few moments later, he lifts his head, wipes his tears and asks....
"How many is a Brazilian?"
"Mr. President I have some bad news....."
"What is it?" he asks.
"Three Brazilian people were just killed in a car bombing."
Upon hearing the news the president hangs his head and begins to cry deeply to the shock of everyone else in the room. Finally, a few moments later, he lifts his head, wipes his tears and asks....
"How many is a Brazilian?"
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