I was shocked today. The kids and I went to a Not Back to School party at the beach. Of course, the conversation came round to politics. Now I love talking politics, but I was shocked at one mother’s response. She was very hard on Sarah Palin. She questioned Sarah’s momness. She could not understand how a mother of five could take on such a large job. In her words, “something has to give”. She figured that the Palin’s must have nannies and other caretakers, and felt that this made Sarah different from her and all the mothers she knows. I was taken aback by her response. She also felt that Bristol’s pregnancy proved that there was some failing in their family. I tried to tell her that Sarah had fired the cook and gotten rid of the Governor’s jet. Unfortunately, I think the fact that she had this to begin with angered her. I told her that I felt for Bristol who had a very difficult time in her life investigated and interpreted by the entire country if not the world. She felt that this was just another example of our society’s acceptance, if not glamorization, of teen pregnancy. I was even more surprised to hear that she has discussed these feelings on online boards and found people that agreed with her opinion. I hope the RNC will get out more about her life and prove that she is like us.
Also, I was very surprised that she was not really aware of McCain’s military passed. Again in her own words, “If you ask me, if the republicans want to win this race, they will introduce America to this part of McCain’s life.” Of course, I have found this very funny since all the commentators could talk about was the waste of time Republicans spent on “introducing” McCain to America. They felt all Americans already knew McCain. Well again, we that enjoy politics sometimes get stuck in our bubble and do not realize that average Americans do not follow politics like we do. She had actually seen the biography of McCain on a History or Biography type channel. She felt that if people could see his character it would override their concerns about McCain’s age.
On the positive side, despite her bad talk of McCain & Palin, she did feel that they would be the next President and Vice President of the United States of America.
Also, note she wasn’t too thrilled with Obama and Biden either.
As for me, I thought McCain did a great job last night. It wasn’t outstanding, but it was very good. I personally appreciated his admonition of political leaders who have sold out and instead of being in Washington to make a change, they become focused on ensuring their longevity in the office. The change that McCain and Palin are talking about is the change that my husband and I are looking for. I think not only will they make a mark on the Oval Office, but they may change the Republican party forever – back to the basics, working for the people!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sarah Palin Hits a Homerun
Did you stay up for the Republican National Convention? Sarah Palin knocked it out of the park last night. There will be quotes from her speech that will live in infamy. The speech was amazing and her delivery made it even better. Here are some quotes that struck me:
“But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country.”
“But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.”
“In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”
“What is the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick!”
You can read a full transcript at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26535811/
Sarah Palin has brough vigor back to the republican party and she successfully made a case for McCain in the process.
One of the cutest parts of the speech did not even happen on stage, but with her daughter Piper. Piper licked her hand and patted down little Trig's hair. The clear love between these two shows that the Palin family is doing something right.
BTW - Thank you Rudy for standing up for all of us mom's.
If you watched it, what did you think?
Nook & Next Blog
I now have a little blogging nook. It consists of the far left of the couch. I’m writing in this picture, but I sit in the same spot.
Have you ever “next blogged” the button on the top to just surf through all that is out there? Sometimes I wonder if anyone else speaks English or wish that I could read other languages better. Hasn’t the internet made us super-global? Amazing! Of course just after I blogged this, I “next blogged” and found a blogger that is practically around the corner from me. The world is shrinking and expanding at the same time.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Talking Turkey - for Real!
Ohhhhh! Get the camera! Get the camera! I walked out to the playroom and out the window, I saw . . .
I called the kids over and tried to quiet the dog. They all looked like mama birds and three little ones. We did not see a male but he was probably lurking around.
Of course, I laughingly though that I should add the picture to our house listing. It’s Lovely! I'll Take it! often shows bizarre wildlife pictures that people think are somehow necessary in their listings. I could add the turkey, deer, and the 5’ black snake that once slithered through our back yard. Who needs to see the kitchen when there is such an exciting array of outdoor animals. Currently, we have a red tail hawk roosting somewhere between our house and the neighbors. I can’t get a good look at him myself let alone a picture of him, but I could take audio of his incessant cry. With all this wildlife you’d think we lived in Yellowstone National Park, not in a small town in CT.
I called the kids over and tried to quiet the dog. They all looked like mama birds and three little ones. We did not see a male but he was probably lurking around.
Of course, I laughingly though that I should add the picture to our house listing. It’s Lovely! I'll Take it! often shows bizarre wildlife pictures that people think are somehow necessary in their listings. I could add the turkey, deer, and the 5’ black snake that once slithered through our back yard. Who needs to see the kitchen when there is such an exciting array of outdoor animals. Currently, we have a red tail hawk roosting somewhere between our house and the neighbors. I can’t get a good look at him myself let alone a picture of him, but I could take audio of his incessant cry. With all this wildlife you’d think we lived in Yellowstone National Park, not in a small town in CT.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Pokemon with PokeMOM
Have you been introduced to the Pokemon nation? DS loves all things Pokemon. He collects cards and plays it online. He begs for later and later bedtimes so that he can see Pokemon shows and movies.
Each character has a name. They are all very strange: Mantyke, Croagunk, Skorupi, Hippopotas. And then some “evolve” into more advanced characters:
Munchlax - - -Snorlax
Gible - - -Gabite - - -Garchomp
Happiny - - - Chansey - - -Blissey
Mime Jr. - - -Mr. Mime
Bonsly - - -Sudowoodo
It is more complicated than I can possibly understand. Some are rare. Each character has HP (health), attack, defense, special attack, special defense, speed. You can even find out their height and weight, type and ability. All this information tells you how they combat each other. I could not explain this if I tried, but it got me thinking that there may be pokemon in my very own home. I know that I have seen a DOGUSHAIRIUS, who can evolve into a UNNYBUSTY if not battle quickly enough and maybe into a TUMBYEEDS. They are very, very dangerous and multiply easily. They can only be combated by SUCKELETROSIS or OOBROOM. I’ve also seen a UNA OKSOC evolve to a NAUDRYL and to its most fearsome form MONTS Y MONTS.
Sometimes it seems there is only one super rare POKEMOM that can save us all. She does have the ability to have babies that can assist her in the battles, but sometimes the hatchlings cause the evolution of the evil that she battles. Without these tiny BABIBS, the evil ones can be kept in control, but with them sometimes the dangers spiral and grow beyond reason.
I think I am really getting this game down.
Well, I think I better throw my Pokeball, “NOCHELEEP SI!” If I’m lucky he’ll get the kids ready for bed and tucked in. He’ll gain such power from his battle that he’ll evolve to WALKI CANINI to walk the dogs and then in his final evolution OUTOUSE LOCSED. He’ll spin his way through the house finishing up the chores so that PokeMOM can retire to her Pokeball.
If this inspires you, let me know about any PokeMOM villains that you encounter in your home.
Each character has a name. They are all very strange: Mantyke, Croagunk, Skorupi, Hippopotas. And then some “evolve” into more advanced characters:
Munchlax - - -Snorlax
Gible - - -Gabite - - -Garchomp
Happiny - - - Chansey - - -Blissey
Mime Jr. - - -Mr. Mime
Bonsly - - -Sudowoodo
It is more complicated than I can possibly understand. Some are rare. Each character has HP (health), attack, defense, special attack, special defense, speed. You can even find out their height and weight, type and ability. All this information tells you how they combat each other. I could not explain this if I tried, but it got me thinking that there may be pokemon in my very own home. I know that I have seen a DOGUSHAIRIUS, who can evolve into a UNNYBUSTY if not battle quickly enough and maybe into a TUMBYEEDS. They are very, very dangerous and multiply easily. They can only be combated by SUCKELETROSIS or OOBROOM. I’ve also seen a UNA OKSOC evolve to a NAUDRYL and to its most fearsome form MONTS Y MONTS.
Sometimes it seems there is only one super rare POKEMOM that can save us all. She does have the ability to have babies that can assist her in the battles, but sometimes the hatchlings cause the evolution of the evil that she battles. Without these tiny BABIBS, the evil ones can be kept in control, but with them sometimes the dangers spiral and grow beyond reason.
I think I am really getting this game down.
Well, I think I better throw my Pokeball, “NOCHELEEP SI!” If I’m lucky he’ll get the kids ready for bed and tucked in. He’ll gain such power from his battle that he’ll evolve to WALKI CANINI to walk the dogs and then in his final evolution OUTOUSE LOCSED. He’ll spin his way through the house finishing up the chores so that PokeMOM can retire to her Pokeball.
If this inspires you, let me know about any PokeMOM villains that you encounter in your home.
Monday, September 1, 2008
God’s Answer to a Dysfunctional Family is Great Friends
Today, we spent a great day with old friends. Bob and Shirley have been friends with us since before we were married. I grew up next to Bob and George was friends with Shirley all throughout school. These are the kinds of friends that join you for the fun times and carry you through dark times. We are very blessed in the friends department, because people are blessed to have even one friend like this and we have many.
Today, we met up about noon and took a hike together. Hiking is something both of our families enjoy doing, but clearly we each have put on a couple pounds and are a couple years older, because we were quiet satisfied with our hike today which was nowhere near as long as we usually take. After a couple mile hike and lots of conversation and laughter, we came home for burgers. It is great to have friends that you can sit down and not worry about a thing. Shirley helped me in the kitchen and Bob and George cooked the burgers.
“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”
-Bernard Meltzer
Today, we met up about noon and took a hike together. Hiking is something both of our families enjoy doing, but clearly we each have put on a couple pounds and are a couple years older, because we were quiet satisfied with our hike today which was nowhere near as long as we usually take. After a couple mile hike and lots of conversation and laughter, we came home for burgers. It is great to have friends that you can sit down and not worry about a thing. Shirley helped me in the kitchen and Bob and George cooked the burgers.
“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”
-Bernard Meltzer
I have / am the trifecta of psychological issues. I am the eldest born child in a alcoholic family who was born under the sign of the Virgo. That pretty much makes me a complete control freak with perfectionistic tendencies that will appologize for all actions whether in my control or out of it. I will organize everything, then still worry if I have everything in order, and if you look at me sideways I will be concerned that somehow I have persoanlly no accomodated you or outright offended you in someway. Sometimes it is frightening how right characteristic traits can be. As my husband often jokes, "You have issues!"
Virgo Traits
You Virgos have the uncanny sense to see what's wrong with a person, a situation or your environment. It's why Virgo makes such natural critics. Virgo practical analytical abilities are second to none. Your mental process may not be the most creative, but Virgo's razor-like thinking is highly effective. Like the maiden pictured in the Virgo glyph, you separate the useful wheat from the unneeded chafe, the good from the bad. Virgo might be a "clean freak," but most Virgos have a messy closet somewhere or a disaster under their bed.
The Virgo motto could be "Perfect is almost good enough." On one hand, this trait makes you very employable, for you're not likely to do shabby work. On the other hand, you can be so finicky that you put limitations on your interactions and experiences before they happen. You'll be happier if you can learn to be selectively less critical, both of others and yourself.
http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/zodiac-central/virgo
First Child Traits
-Is only child for period of time; used to being center of attention.
-Believes must gain and hold superiority over other children.
-Being right, controlling often important.
-May respond to birth of second child by feeling unloved and neglected.
-Strives to keep or regain parents' attention through conformity. If this failed, chooses to misbehave.
-May develop competent, responsible behavior or become very discouraged.
-Sometime strives to protect and help others.
-Strives to please.
http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/birth_order.htm
Children of Alcoholics Traits
Adult children of alcoholics appear to have characteristics in common as a result of being raised in an alcoholic home. Review the characteristics listed. If you identify with these characteristics then seek appropriate sources of support to understand and resolve them. You will find many books at the bookstore on this subject. Additionally, there is Adult Children of Alcoholics 12-Step self-help community meeting, individual therapy, and group therapy facilitated by a therapist.
1 Isolation, fear of people, and fear of authority figures.
2 Difficulty with identity issues related to seeking constantly the approval of others.
3 Frightened by angry people and personal criticism.
4 Have become an alcoholic yourself, married one, or both. A variation would be the attraction to another compulsive personality such as a workaholic. The similarity is that neither is emotionally available to deal with overwhelming and unhealthy dependency needs.
5 Perpetually being the victim and seeing the world from the perspective of a victim.
6 An overdeveloped sense of responsibility. Concerned about the needs of others to the degree of neglecting your own wants and needs. This is a protective behavior for avoiding a good look at yourself and taking responsibility to identify and resolve your own personal difficulties.
7 Feelings of guilt associated with standing up for your rights. It is easier to give into the demands of others.
8 An addiction to excitement. Feeling a need to be on the edge, and risk-taking behaviors.
9 A tendency to confuse feelings of love and pity. Attracted to people that you can rescue and take care of.
10 Avoidance of feelings related to traumatic childhood experiences. Unable to feel or express feelings because it is frightening and/or painful and overwhelming. Denial of feelings.
11 Low self-esteem. A tendency to judge yourself harshly and be perfectionistic and self-critical.
12 Strong dependency needs and terrified of abandonment. Will do almost anything to hold onto a relationship in order to avoid the fear and pain of abandonment.
13 Alcoholism is a family disease which often results in a family member taking on the characteristics of the disease even if they are not alcoholics (para-alcoholics). Dysfunctional relationships, denial, fearful, avoidance of feelings, poor coping, poor problem solving, afraid that others will find out what you are really like, etc.
14 Tendency to react to things that happen versus taking control and not being victim to the behavior of others or situations created by others.
15 A chameleon. A tendency to be what others want you to be instead of being yourself. A lack of honesty with yourself and others.
http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/subabuse2.htm
Where did this come from today? My dad’s house was broken into. Why? Dear brother, the youngest in the family, exhibits other issues of alcoholic parents and has battled with his own abuse demons for years now. Of course the killer is that as the “responsible” one in the family, I am the one that gets shit on repetitively. Every time I think that I have extricated my family from craziness that swirls around that part of the family, we get drawn in yet again. With both of them gone, who do you think was down bringing in the mail and feeding the fish – yes, the responsible ones. So guess who found the break-in and got the joy of working with the police. As I told them and still maintain, somehow this will all become my fault. Sure enough, as I called my father to discuss the issue, “We don’t want to jump to any conclusions”. Let’s see the tv’s are there, the dvd players, china, silver, but every top drawer is pulled out. Hair clipper boxes are popped open. A first aid kit is rummaged. Social Security cards are still there, blank checks, and credit cards. “It’s like last time just kids in the neighborhood.” A few years ago, he was broken into and coins were taken. This time full jars of coins are still sitting there. This was not local kids and these people found whatever they were looking for and it was small. Of course, as I tried to put drawers back in dressers I came across items that indicate that dear innocent brother is on more of a downtrend than an up. But according to my father, I always think the worst of my brother----Hmm! He must have been warming up dinner - One spoonful at a time.
But in my typical fashion, I feel responsible for something I have no control over. I want to make it better and solve the problem and can’t get over my obsession to get to the bottom of it. I am hurt by my father’s response and frustrated by husband’s feeling that I am making it about me and not my brother. I want to escape and get away from all this and I am so happy that we are moving.
I have decided that the best gift that my father can give me is to write me explicitly out of the will. I really, really don’t ever want anything to do with my brother again. And I'm actually glad that my mother is not alive to go through this all yet again.
Virgo Traits
You Virgos have the uncanny sense to see what's wrong with a person, a situation or your environment. It's why Virgo makes such natural critics. Virgo practical analytical abilities are second to none. Your mental process may not be the most creative, but Virgo's razor-like thinking is highly effective. Like the maiden pictured in the Virgo glyph, you separate the useful wheat from the unneeded chafe, the good from the bad. Virgo might be a "clean freak," but most Virgos have a messy closet somewhere or a disaster under their bed.
The Virgo motto could be "Perfect is almost good enough." On one hand, this trait makes you very employable, for you're not likely to do shabby work. On the other hand, you can be so finicky that you put limitations on your interactions and experiences before they happen. You'll be happier if you can learn to be selectively less critical, both of others and yourself.
http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/zodiac-central/virgo
First Child Traits
-Is only child for period of time; used to being center of attention.
-Believes must gain and hold superiority over other children.
-Being right, controlling often important.
-May respond to birth of second child by feeling unloved and neglected.
-Strives to keep or regain parents' attention through conformity. If this failed, chooses to misbehave.
-May develop competent, responsible behavior or become very discouraged.
-Sometime strives to protect and help others.
-Strives to please.
http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/birth_order.htm
Children of Alcoholics Traits
Adult children of alcoholics appear to have characteristics in common as a result of being raised in an alcoholic home. Review the characteristics listed. If you identify with these characteristics then seek appropriate sources of support to understand and resolve them. You will find many books at the bookstore on this subject. Additionally, there is Adult Children of Alcoholics 12-Step self-help community meeting, individual therapy, and group therapy facilitated by a therapist.
1 Isolation, fear of people, and fear of authority figures.
2 Difficulty with identity issues related to seeking constantly the approval of others.
3 Frightened by angry people and personal criticism.
4 Have become an alcoholic yourself, married one, or both. A variation would be the attraction to another compulsive personality such as a workaholic. The similarity is that neither is emotionally available to deal with overwhelming and unhealthy dependency needs.
5 Perpetually being the victim and seeing the world from the perspective of a victim.
6 An overdeveloped sense of responsibility. Concerned about the needs of others to the degree of neglecting your own wants and needs. This is a protective behavior for avoiding a good look at yourself and taking responsibility to identify and resolve your own personal difficulties.
7 Feelings of guilt associated with standing up for your rights. It is easier to give into the demands of others.
8 An addiction to excitement. Feeling a need to be on the edge, and risk-taking behaviors.
9 A tendency to confuse feelings of love and pity. Attracted to people that you can rescue and take care of.
10 Avoidance of feelings related to traumatic childhood experiences. Unable to feel or express feelings because it is frightening and/or painful and overwhelming. Denial of feelings.
11 Low self-esteem. A tendency to judge yourself harshly and be perfectionistic and self-critical.
12 Strong dependency needs and terrified of abandonment. Will do almost anything to hold onto a relationship in order to avoid the fear and pain of abandonment.
13 Alcoholism is a family disease which often results in a family member taking on the characteristics of the disease even if they are not alcoholics (para-alcoholics). Dysfunctional relationships, denial, fearful, avoidance of feelings, poor coping, poor problem solving, afraid that others will find out what you are really like, etc.
14 Tendency to react to things that happen versus taking control and not being victim to the behavior of others or situations created by others.
15 A chameleon. A tendency to be what others want you to be instead of being yourself. A lack of honesty with yourself and others.
http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/subabuse2.htm
Where did this come from today? My dad’s house was broken into. Why? Dear brother, the youngest in the family, exhibits other issues of alcoholic parents and has battled with his own abuse demons for years now. Of course the killer is that as the “responsible” one in the family, I am the one that gets shit on repetitively. Every time I think that I have extricated my family from craziness that swirls around that part of the family, we get drawn in yet again. With both of them gone, who do you think was down bringing in the mail and feeding the fish – yes, the responsible ones. So guess who found the break-in and got the joy of working with the police. As I told them and still maintain, somehow this will all become my fault. Sure enough, as I called my father to discuss the issue, “We don’t want to jump to any conclusions”. Let’s see the tv’s are there, the dvd players, china, silver, but every top drawer is pulled out. Hair clipper boxes are popped open. A first aid kit is rummaged. Social Security cards are still there, blank checks, and credit cards. “It’s like last time just kids in the neighborhood.” A few years ago, he was broken into and coins were taken. This time full jars of coins are still sitting there. This was not local kids and these people found whatever they were looking for and it was small. Of course, as I tried to put drawers back in dressers I came across items that indicate that dear innocent brother is on more of a downtrend than an up. But according to my father, I always think the worst of my brother----Hmm! He must have been warming up dinner - One spoonful at a time.
But in my typical fashion, I feel responsible for something I have no control over. I want to make it better and solve the problem and can’t get over my obsession to get to the bottom of it. I am hurt by my father’s response and frustrated by husband’s feeling that I am making it about me and not my brother. I want to escape and get away from all this and I am so happy that we are moving.
I have decided that the best gift that my father can give me is to write me explicitly out of the will. I really, really don’t ever want anything to do with my brother again. And I'm actually glad that my mother is not alive to go through this all yet again.
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