October 2008

October 08

There and Back Again...a REALLY long post...

So I guess I need to rewind a bit.  Getting ready for our trip was a long process, that would have been made easier had Elijah and Grace not gotten sick.  I don't know where they picked it up, but they had a fever and cough and runny nose and it was annoying.  Then the day before we were to leave, Jerry got sick.  Sigh.  I was a little more annoyed.  But fortunately, I didn't get sick.  ANYWAY, before we left, this happened:

That's right, Miss Grace decided that she would sit up a little bit (long enough for me to get the camera and take about half a dozen pics!  It's still the tripod sitting thing, but it's still a big step!  She's excited about it, being able to reach things and whatnot!

Okay, moving on...lots to cover.  We left Thursday morning.  Jerry and Elijah slept until 8-ish (and only because I woke them up.)  So we got on the road around 10.  I was super paranoid about the car trip.  Elijah has just soooo much energy and for him to have to be in a carseat for 6 hours = not so much!  But he did really well, as did Grace.  I have to say that the ride up was helped with this.  It kept Elijah busy for at least 1.5 hours of the trip!  Best of all is that as the pictures dry you can reuse them.  And if anything spills its just water!  LOVE IT!!!  (at least on the way up... but that's for later...)

So we get to my folks house and Elijah is immediately excited to be there and had my folks off and running.  Of course, Grace captured everyone's hearts as well.  So Elijah played and then we ate and then watched the VP debates.  Gotta say... not really impressed by Palin... never was to begin with, but that was her time to shine, and not so much.  Do love Tina Fey's SNL sketch of it though!!!  Then went to bed.

Friday we got a slow start.  My dad was on jury duty pretty much the whole time.  Jerry and I took Grace and met Leah at Barley's for pizza lunch.  Elijah went to hang with my mom at WWC.  We came back home for naps and dinner and then Jerry, Grace, and I went to the homecoming BBQ.  We just went for friendship not for food this year (good thing, since I heard they turned people away that didn't pre-register!)  It was a good evening.  I caught up with lots of friends.  It was really fun.  (side note: we left Elijah with my folks knowing that we would be really late.  So I left them with a movie (a rarity and special treat) thinking that Elijah would fall asleep... ummm, not so much.  He watched the WHOLE freakin' thing! ha!)  After the bonfire was lit, we decided to head up to the theatre since they were having a reception at 10 (at night!!!!!)  Grace had fallen asleep for about 2 hours in the sling, but she was WIDE awake!  So we went up for a bit and it was FANTASTIC!  I love that theatre.  It made me miss the stage (something that I haven't felt for quite a few years now).  I came across this picture in the lobby...not as young as I used to be for sure... I'm the one in the middle by the way:

This is from a (very little known) play called "Film is Evil, Radio is Good".  It is a very odd play, but it was really fun!

So after a late night Friday (for everyone!) we thought the kids would sleep in on Saturday...not so much!  We got up rather early, but dragged our feet for a bit and ended up on campus around 11:45.  We walked around a bit with Rebecca, Patrick, and Dane.  It was interesting to be on the campus and really look around.  It's changed sooo much since we were there as students.  We hooked up with Leah on the soccer field and watched the soccer games, bounced with Elijah in the bouncy houses, hung out with friends, and ate ice cream.  We left for a little rest period.  While we were at home my folks gave Elijah a BIKE!  You would have thought that the world had stopped!  He was soooo freakin' excited.  He jumped on the bike and was off.  He could have cared less when we left to go back to a casual, fun dinner that Katie had put together!  It was amazing what she did!  There was music later, but we were beat, and I really couldn't ask my folks to deal with Elijah two nights in a row (especially since he had had no nap that day.)  So after catching up with more friends at dinner, we went home.

Sunday, I went in to church with my folks and Jerry got the morning off from everything.  Elijah was still clingy and after Sunday school with my mom, had a bit of a melt down, so after I sang the anthem with the choir, I went and hung out with him.  After lunch, I brought the kids home and we relaxed.  At 2, Obama spoke to a crowd of 28000 people in Asheville so we watched on TV.  I was amazed that he was there.  It was REALLY cool!  Katie met me for dinner and then came over and hung out a bit.  It was so nice to see her and just sit and talk.  It was (as always) as if we hadn't really been apart from each other.  I miss her so much!  There are days it seems everything remind me of some inside joke we shared.  I was thinking about my days at WWC and I think that the friends I had there are the best I ever had (exception with Laura and Katrin... knew them outside of WWC and I include them in best category!)  I have very good friends here.  I haven't known them as long.  But my WWC friends (and the exceptions!)FREAKIN' rock.  After all, I did meet Jerry there...

Monday mom and I took the kids to the lake to play and walk around.  It was a nice day and Elijah learned about Geese (or gooses...hehehehe!)  And Grace learned that sand is oh so fun to play in.  We had a picnic in the park on the way home and then relaxed around the house.  I made dinner for my folks (turkey meatloaf...sooo yummy!) and watched HEROS!

Tuesday was a rainy day.  Elijah wanted to play, so my mom took him out for a bit, but it was a little chilly.  Dad finished his jury duty around 2:30 so Jerry and I went out for dinner on our own and walked around the mall (meaningful since we got engaged there...hehehehe!)  Then came home and watched the debates...another blog entry...maybe...  I stayed up WAY to late trying a new pattern on circular knitting needles.  I have been scared of them, but mom had this pattern for a grocery bag and I wanted one, so I tried it (must say that it did not turn out right, but I'm no longer scared of circular needles...still don't really like them, but not scared....)

Today we drove home.  It did not go well.  We were all tired, and Elijah didn't get that he couldn't get out of the car and play with the toys on the playground below my folks house...for the WHOLE ride home...sigh... he cried for my folks the whole way...no nap... just whining and crying.  That's not true.  He had periods of clam playing, but not a whole lot.  He kept waking Grace up and it annoyed me...but I was crabby too.  I didn't want to leave and I know now that we have the challenge of trying to get Elijah potty trained while Jerry is home until next Wednesday.

Sorry this has been so long, but I haven't blogged in a long time and this week was so much fun!  I miss the mountains soooo much and I need to write this stuff down to remember.  I'm going to post some pics to an album to match!

October 16

Alone again

during the day anyway.  Jerry went back to work today and he is going to start working through lunch.  This means I'm on my own with naps.  So I tried since Monday to put Elijah and Grace down on my own.  It worked Monday and that was it.  But today wasn't so bad.  We have finally broken the habit of rocking Elijah to sleep for nap.  He gets to watch Curious George, take a truck with him to bed, play for about 15 minutes and then he has to at least be quiet in his room.  We had a little bit of a struggle, but both kiddos are asleep for now!  WAHOO!

So since we got back last Wednesday we have been working on potty training.  I swear I would rather go through natural labor again than deal with this, but I am determined.  Yesterday was a major success in that Elijah stayed dry all day...well I should say that he kept his undies dry all day.  We put him in a diaper for nap and night and both were soaked, but it is the small victories that keep me going.  We are rewarding for EVERYTHING right now.  He gets a sticker for trying to go, a sticker and one skittle for peeing, a sticker and three skittles for pooping, and for staying clean and dry all day he gets to have a glow in the dark bracelet to take to bed.  He was super excited about the bracelet last night. I got a few packs at the dollar tree.  I think I'll have to go back and stock up.  He quasi pooped in the potty once, but I made a HUGE deal out of it, so I'm hoping that he'll go again.  He is however, trying to use the whole "I gotta poop" at naptime to avoid going to sleep.  Not okay with me.  And I let him know that today.  I hope that he gets this soon.  I am refusing to go back to diapers.  We have training pants and vinyl covers, so we are set.  He did have an accident at the park today, but I think it was my fault.  I really think he was trying to get my attention to tell me, but I was trying to sort out Grace and didn't respond immediately.  He did however, tell me he had gone pee...so that's a step in the right direction.

Okay, now... the f!#$ing washer.  They came to fix it three weeks ago.  The motherboard they brought didn't work.  So they ordered one from Kenmore and put it in yesterday.  It didn't solve the problem either.  However, for some reason we ended up having to pay for the part.  Sigh.  ANYWAY, so we go to do another load of laundry and the knob is broken.  We call the appliance place and they can't send someone out to fix what they broke until today between 10-12.  Well, that didn't work as I was going to be gone and Jerry is at work.  So we have decided we are going to buy a used machine and save up for one we like.  However, apparently this isn't a malfunction of just our brand.  Apparently this happens quite often with many front loaders.  Sigh... I don't like this solution, but if we spend even just 70 more bucks on this machine (which is what it would be just to have someone from Sears come look at it) it's the same price as another machine.  It's all rather annoying.  I mean our clothes are SOAKING wet since there is no final spin.  I have been wringing out each item into the washer and then throwing it into the dryer, then running a drain cycle to get rid of the water.  What a pain.  So I'm letting it go.  We'll hopefully something reasonable on Saturday and maybe we can sell this one for parts.

Okay, that's it for know.  The girl child is up and trying to pull my lip off....hehehehehe.

October 20

The Weekend

This is just a short post.  I am in the process of writing a longer one that will (hopefully) be my last political blog for a bit.  But in the meantime...

The potty training has taken a fabulous turn!  Elijah goes when we ask him without (as much) complaining.  He has stayed dry since Friday and as a reward gets a glo-bracelet to take to bed with him each night (thank you Target for offering 15 for a dollar!!)  He gets a M&M candy for each pee and 5 for each poop (which has yet to happen, but at least he's waiting until the nap or night diaper goes on...sometimes...  I understand the pooping is a little harder of a concept.  I'm a little worried about constipation now though.  He is holding the poop.  We try to let him do it his way, but...well, we'll see.

Grace has started solids officially.  Well, bananas anyway.  We will move on to better things just as soon as I get off my butt and make them.

We threw in the towel with the washer.  We went Friday evening to a little whole in the wall used appliance place and purchased a used Whirlpool top loader for 150 (including delivery and installation!)  Much cheaper than having to hire someone else to look at the washer and charge some insane price to fix it.  The guy that sold the washer also gave us the name of someone that might buy the front loader off of us!

So Saturday was spent doing 138927407 loads of laundry.  I still have some to do, but most of it is done, folded, and put away.

Sunday was spent weed whacking the jungle that was our back yard. It still needs to be mowed down, but it looks much better.  Now to kill all the ants that think our backyard is prime real estate for their multi-level condos!  And to do so massive black widow killing (killed three yesterday and I know there are more hiding...Dear Black Widows, there are perfectly good woods right next door...move there or face the wrath of my shoe!!!)

Today we finally got rid of the chair that was with Jerry for many many years.  It's been sitting in our garage since we moved in.  Today the trash people agreed to take it for us!  Tonight someone is coming to look at the exercise bike (that has been out there for almost as long!) and since we took the recycling earlier last week, our garage is looking like, well, a garage!  For some reason this gives me a since of calm.  I mean there is still a lot of organizing that needs to happen out there, but I feel like I can move around and deal with it better.

Okay, Elijah has been really quiet now for a bit, he has either 1) decided that mommy is right and he needs to rest quietly in his bed, 2) up to no good, or 3) taking a poop (finally!)  Whatever the choice, I will go check on him and then get back to work (I am working for a company called ChaCha!  totally crap pay, but the work is really really easy and I can work for 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there.  If I can make a little money, the the daunting-ness of paying for college out of pocket next fall seems a little less, well, daunting...)

October 23

quick update

just have to say that elijah is doing great with the potty training.  yesterday after rest time (not sleeping...sigh) when he is in a diaper and told me he had to poop...he could've gone in the diaper, but he took off the diaper climbed up on the toilet (the potty seat and chair are soooo last week) and with a little trepidation pooped in the potty voluntarily!!!!  i was so happy i almost peed my pants!!   today at the park he peed three times and had no accidents!  i know this is probably not of any interest to anyone, but honestly when we (re)started this process i told jerry i would rather go through natural childbirth again twice than deal with this.  i'm glad we stuck with it.  i knew it was happen, it was just a rough few days.  he's even starting to realize when he has to go pee on his own!

the not sleeping at nap thing is bugging the heck out of me!  jerry and i talked about it and we think that it's just his pattern.  when he learns a new skill he just doesn't sleep as well.  i have taken to putting the gate up and ignoring his whining.  but he wakes grace up and that pisses me off.  i just don't know what to do.  i end up being a total grouch because i'm tired from dealing with them.  when grace doesn't get her rest she doesn't sleep well at night.  i don't need a lot of sleep, but elijah comes to me in the middle of the night and wants jerry, so i have to wake up and take him in there to him.  then come back in and settle grace back down.  and then try to get back to sleep.  i guess my tiredness is my own fault.  i'm exhausted by the end of the day, but i just can't go to sleep.  i feel like i haven't seen jerry in ages (though we did watch indiana jones the other night...not a good movie...but nevertheless...)  we did get to go out for dinner when we were in the mountains.  and i haven't had any time away to myself since i got my hair cut when grace was 2 months old.  this is going to need to change fairly soon i think, or i am going to go crazy.

jerry just came home.  he's early.  i am guessing that he thinks maybe i need some help with the crazy boy child...and he's right, but now i have to go make some dinner.

October 28

No rest for the mommas

The one thing I don't like about being a mom is that you can't call in sick.  I came down with a cold or allergies or something.  I'm not snotty, but I have a scratchy throat and am sneezing like crazy.  No fever... but exhausted.  Nevertheless, my day simply has to start.  I did cancel plans with a friend yesterday and we didn't go on our preschool groups field trip today.  But we will get back into the swing of things starting tomorrow.

Elijah is still boycotting his naps (for the most part.)  I'm not keen on this at all. (yes, i said keen...move on...) but I don't know what to do.  I was making him watch Oklahoma with me (with Hugh Jackman...that man can sing!)  but that only got us through a day and a half.  I have tried sending him to his room and putting up the gate... works for all of 15 minutes.  Today we fought and at 3 he fell asleep.  I woke him up at 4 since that's our house rule.  We'll figure something out.

I have decided that I'm not going to post my political blog.  One, it's waaaaaayyyyy long and not even finished and two, it's not going to change anyone's mind.  It's just going to annoy me.  So, I leave it to this: The Daily Show!

September 2008

September 03

busy days, busy nights....

I feel like we are super busy these days.  But that's okay.  I feel like it makes the week go faster.

SO when we last left our fearless heroes... Erin was fighting the stupid people at the gym....well, I'm still doing that, but I'm much calmer.  Last Friday I went shoe shopping for Elijah.  I went to my usual Shoe Carnival because usually I can find great deals on clearance.  Alas, there was not ONE shoe in his size on sale.  So seeing as we had a little time, we went next door to Marshall's and lo and behold on our way out I found (drum roll please....) Spiderman shoes that light up!!!  Am I the coolest mom or what?  Not that he knows who Spiderman is, but whatever.  Elijah was happy and I was happy and they were on sale!

We then met Angela and went to the Bargain Box to find clothes for the kiddos.  I found some pants and a couple of shirts for Elijah... Grace is taken care of for the most part.  I also found a good amount of things for Christmas presents for Elijah.  But the biggest hit is a little tent house that I found for 5 bucks!!  I actually can't believe that I haven't taken pics of it yet...  Oh well, eventually.

That evening Grace and I went for some of the best ice cream I have ever put in my mouth with some friends.  It was a nice day.

The weekend was hot and I feel like we didn't accomplish all that much.  But that's okay.  Our washer is still not fixed but they say the part is going to be in on the 12th... sigh... We can still wash clothes, but the final spin doesn't work, so they are soaking wet.  I am too paranoid to do the diapers, so we have to take them to the laundry mat.

I don't think that I have blogged about this, but I am planning on going to grad school starting next year.  Well, the undergrad classes I need start next year.  I will take a year of undergrad and then three years for grad school.  I will be doing the whole thing online and I'm going for speech pathology.  My goal is to be done by the time Grace starts kindergarten.  So it's a five year plan.  This is something I thought about a long time ago, but never pursued.  It came up on a board I belong to and I started looking into it.  I know that it will be very challenging  having two kids at home and attending school, but I feel confident I can handle it.  I have superb time management skills!  Also Jerry will be in school (more than likely) so we will be able to both watch the kids and do what needs to be done.  I'm a little stressed about it, but I think in the long run this will be a huge benefit to us both financially and career wise.

This week is an exciting week.  Yesterday was preschool day.  We met and talked about musical instruments and made drums.  It was lots of fun!  Today we met Kristie at the park and played and walked down to the river where we saw and ALLIGATOR!!!!!  Big excitement... Glad that we were on the boardwalk and the alligator was in the river!

Tomorrow Grace has her four month check and shots and Jerry...sigh...is getting a vasectomy.  This is bitter sweet, but a good thing.  I don't want to go through labor again (not that I'm complaining) and I feel it's the right thing to do for the environment and for my sanity.  If we want more in the future, I am more than happy to adopt!  This also means Jerry will be home on Friday, so it feels like a short week!

Okay, that's all for now!  I hope that you enjoy the new pics!  I added some today... the baby legs that Grace is wearing is my newest design.  There are some glitches that I want to work out before I start to sell them, but I think for making up something off the top of my head they came out very cute... and I'm in the process of making a matching hat... hehehehehe!  Oh yeah, please help me convince Mother Nature to keep Hanna away from here.  I really don't want to be trapped inside all weekend with two kids and a recovering husband with no power... Thanks!

September 04

Grace's four month well baby check

So we went to the doctor's this morning.  Grace is weighing in at 15.4 pounds (90%) and is 25 inches long (75%) and her head is in the 50% (can never remember that number.)  She is very healthy and is growing as she should.  The doctor was a little concerned with her eczema and he said that she may have to go to a dermatologist this winter, but we would discuss that at her 6 month check up.  She also is having some yeast-y issues in her elbows, under her neck, and under her arms, so she got a script for that.  She was a very good baby and handled her shots (all four of them!) very well.  She got some baby Tylenol in her and she's as happy as a clam.  So yea!!!  We got back in two months and then not again until 1 year!  I can't believe how fast time is flying here!

September 07

And this is all that needs to be said about the RNC... well for now...

WARNING: may not be appropriate for young viewers.  I get all my news from the Daily Show...seems to be the only reliable news source lately!

I was going to post the actual video, but the traffic on the video is so heavy that it can't upload... so here's the link.  Check it out!

Remember I am a liberal...

September 14

A Week of Stuff

It seems like I'm only having time to blog every once and a while lately.  I can't imagine what would be keeping me so busy! HA!

This week was okay.  The weather was really humid and hot.

We went to the park with some friends on Monday and got eaten by the biggest mosquitoes I've seen since I was in Alaska.  I started out with the non-deet stuff and moved to the real stuff and still got eaten.  The only one that was spared was Grace and that's only because I had her baby legs to show off and I put them on her.  We ended up at Kristie's house to eat lunch and chill out.

Tuesday was preschool day and we talked about the great outdoors.  Along with that came marshmallows because that's what you eat when camping!!!  Elijah really liked them.  He's so funny when I give him a candy treat.  He takes forever to eat it!  We left school just in time to get caught in a huge downpour!

Wednesday we ended up at Kristie's again and she had all kinds of craft projects and stuff to do with us for Patriot's Day.  She is from NY and 9/11 has had a great impact on her life.  Not to say that it hasn't had a impact on everyone's life, but sometimes I feel like I was simply a bystander.  After two days of watching the news, we turned to DVDs of FRIENDS to help try to get the horrible-ness out of our everyday life.  There is only so much one can take.  But she was there in NY in the Bronx and I think that being that close to everything sticks with you a lot longer.  ANYWAY, we did crafts and hung out.  And when we left we got caught in the worst rainstorm I have ever been in.  I couldn't see anything.  I was so worried about the roads flooding that I continued on home instead of pulling over.  It turned out fine (obviously) but it took us FOREVER to get home.  Katie gave us a Johnny Jump Up Thingy to use because Grace's favorite thing is thing is to jump on us.  Some might say that these things are bad for kids that aren't sitting yet, but Grace is oh so close to sitting on her own (can do so for about 1-2 minutes before falling over) and oh my goodness she gets SOOOO freakin' excited when we put her in it, so THANKS KATIE!!!

Wednesday afternoon I got a call from the stupid people at the gym.  Not good news and I really don't want to talk about it because it makes my blood pressure go up.  So all I'm going to say is it looks like we may be up a creek without a paddle.  Rest assured, I am contacting the news paper and the local TV stations as these people are opening a new facility right up the road and people need to be aware.  Also am filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau...JERKS!

Thursday we ended up at playgroup at a different park than usual.  It was nice to have a change.  We all thought that it was going to rain, so we wanted somewhere where if it did rain we could get inside.  It was nice.  I brought some of the pear/apple butter that I made to share.  It's really yummy.

Friday we stayed home all day.  It was sorta nice to be home.  Elijah and I cleaned around the house and in the afternoon we made some cookies.  All the while I got irritated with people's irrational response to gas!  I mean seriously, you can't stay home for a freakin' weekend?  Whatever.  We had a quarter tank of gas and that's really all we need.  Sigh... Our local gas station ran out of gas Friday afternoon but they got more in yesterday evening.  Our gas prices (at that store) never went above 3.79.  When I was teaching I remember that some parents went insane when Katrina came through and shut down the refineries and everyone was freaked out about a gas shortage.  These moms came in with gallons and gallons of gas stored in the trunks of their cars and were comparing how much they had hoarded.   It's ridiculous.  Sigh... we got some gas this morning and will fill up later this week.  But seriously people...

SO that brings us to yesterday.  We went to Costco in the morning to get stuff for the Cookout for Change (sponsored by the Obama Campaign) and some other things for around the house.  During nap I made the kids t-shirts that said, "My Mama is an Obama Mama!!!" (I'll post pics in the album!)  They turned out quite well if I do say so myself.  The cookout/potluck itself was, hmmm, interesting?  There were a few local campaigns that showed up and kind of took over the cookout and I was a little annoyed about that, as it wasn't for local campaigns, and also I don't think a lot of the local campaign people brought food.  It was fine, but odd.  Not what I expected at all, but whatever.  My kids looked cute!!

Today, we are relaxing around the house.  There are definitely things that need to get done, but I honestly am beat.  Grace is having some issues with itching at night and wakes herself, and in turn, me up about every hour.  She seems to only be soothed by being held chest to chest or nursed.  Friday night she actually slept 5 hours straight and I woke up feeling rather refreshed, but last night...not so much.  I know this will pass, but I really just want to go back to sleep right now and that's just not an option.  I will try to nap with her this afternoon though.

Okay, I guess that's it.  We are counting down the days until we leave for the mountains (first of October.)  And I am super ready for that!!!

Totally forgot...

thanks to my great friend Angela, we are the proud owners (finally!!) of the Wii Fit and it is totally kicking my butt... in a good way.  it's my new favorite thing!!!!  Thanks angela!!!!!!!

September 17

READ THIS NOW!!!!!!

What Is White Privilege?

via My Feet Only Walk Forward by Brandon Lacy Campos on 9/16/08

Hey folks:
As much as possible, I try and do only original content on my page. But sometimes, as with Rocki's letter and this blog post, there shit that needs circulating. The following is one of those things.
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise / September 13, 2008
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a "light" burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain…
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White. He has contributed essays to seventeen books, and is one of several persons featured in White Men Challenging Racism: Thirty-Five Personal Stories, from Duke University Press. A collection of his essays, Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male, will be released in fall 2008.

September 18

Check this out!

I'm really worried about this election.  I'm really worried that the women in America are even thinking about voting for a President that is quite old and who has chosen such a woman as Sarah Palin as his running mate.  I'm worried for my children if these two should get into office.  I'm worried about privacy issues that could ensue.  I'm worried that women every where will suddenly be pushed backward instead of forward.  I'm just plain worried.  So I found this article (thanks to a link sent to me by my good friend Laura) and it gave me a little peace that maybe there are Alaskan's that aren't completely 100% behind this woman.  I really don't like to blog about politics.  But this woman has me really really worried!!!!!!!   Any woman should be scared.  Anyone with a daughter should be scared.

September 20

Gotta Love the Dollar Tree for Halloween Costumes...

hehehehehe!!!  Elijah is going to be a dragon-slaying, fairy butterfly warrior in a sheer blue tutu for Halloween.  hehehehehehe...  (not enough hands for the magic wand....)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 23

what a weekend! (and a week so far!!) a picture post...

Saturday:

saw Curious George...warped boy child with huge rendition of favorite cartoon and maniacal laughing...

made it up to him by taking him to the park.

finished new babylegs design (made from socks this time) and forced (obviously) girl child to model them... she's still pretty freakin' cute!

Sunday:

in order to do mowing had to put girl child in carrier (don't know what was going through my head here...) and carried her while pushing the reel mower (kinda bad ass....)

girl child got to nap...

while boy child played.

Monday:

watched the train go on the track at Kristie's house

fixed the flannel to the wall for BIG flannel story play

and had some fun wrecking the play room and entertaining each other!!

Tuesday:

GOT TO GO TO THE FIRE STATION!!!!!

December 2005

December 01

staying home

I really thought that I would be bored staying home.  But so far, I feel like I have been busier than when I was working.  I have been cooking for Jerry...which is huge, because I don't cook, I bake...not cook.  But so far, no disasters.  I have been working on the house.  Not that I can move big things, but I can organize and hang stuff.  I went grocery shopping by myself.  This was weird as it is something we usually do together.  I felt almost like I was eating out by myself.  I got the plates, cups, and napkins for our cookie social on the 10th.  That will be next weeks project.  I will be making lots-o-cookies and a cola cake!  mmmmmm....
ANYWAY, my point is that I have remained rather busy.  I need to get to the gym to swim or walk, but I haven't done that this week.  I am more concerned with the house getting unpacked and situated.  I will go at least once next week!  My parents are coming in three weeks!!!  WAHOO!!!  It's amazing that they will be here and then a month later they will be back.  I can't believe we will have a little one so soon!  Speaking of which, I went with my friend Rachel to a childcare center I used to read to when I worked for a different department in the library (she works there now) and the center is going out of business.  The owner (who is the sweetest woman ever) let Rachel and me come over and pick through all the stuff she is selling.  Rachel got lots of stuff.  She is planning on keeping a couple kids after her baby is born.  I got a few toys and a crib and brand new mattress!  The crib has been only a few times and the mattress has never been used.  We got both for 75 bucks!  The crib turns into a toddler bed as well!  It's not exactly what we wanted, but it is something.
My cousin brought my crib up over Thanksgiving but lots of hardware was missing, so we needed to get something.  We are now set.  I need a breast pump and a couple bottles.  But baby stuff is taken care of!
Okay, well the washing machine repair guy is here repairing our washer.  Boy is he a grouch!  He came in and looked at the detergent we use and immediately said that was the wrong kind.  I turned the detergent over and there was the HE symbol.  He was like "well it usually says it one th front."  I told him my parents have a front loader and I was aware of the type of detergent we could use...thanks.  I must look like an idiot.  I know that it's early and all, but customer service has a place in my book and people should look into it!  I was awfully nice at 7:15 this morning when he called for directions...he could try to be nice considering this is his JOB to fix stuff!!!!!  Okay, enough. (By the way it was the drain pipe that wasn't hooked up properly... go figure... at least it's under warranty and I don't have to pay for this guys attitude...)
Okay, I'm almost done with the painting in the nursery....back to work!
December 05

what do you mean I'm having a baby?

So our birthing class went on a tour of the hospital yesterday.  Talk about a wake up call.  I got home and totally freaked out.  It made it all so real.  I mean I have been to the hospital before and visited new moms, but wow!  Side note: We learned that December is a busy month because people want to be induced to have their baby as a tax write off.  How cynical.  ANYWAY, the rooms are nice enough.  I mean really am I going to care about room decor whilst trying to get a wiggle worm out of me?  Today I had a doctor's appointment.  I really like our doctors.  The practice has four women in it.  All of them are all about supporting what ever decisions we make and giving us all the information we need.  Of course my health and the baby's health come first.  We will take our birth plan the next time we go.
I must say, though, during our tour a nurse came and spoke with us.  She went through the whole shpill about staying in the hospital for 24 hours after the baby is out and told us we couldn't check out AMA when we wanted to go.  I personally am all about staying 24 hours and making sure the baby is healthy and I am ready to go.  But there are some people in the class who are adamant about leaving as soon as possible.  They were getting really upset.  My point of view is that the nurse is required to say things like that.  It keeps them from getting sued from yuppy rich people that check their baby out AMA.  I mean really come on.  To each their own, but if they felt like what the nurse said was a scare tactic, what do they call the first class we had?  I mean according to the first class I am going to give birth to a child with no brain cells.  Jerry brought up the point that it's only a scare tactic is you believe it is.  I guess if you all about "organic" everything, then I can understand how being in the hospital could make you nervous.  However, I am all about gaining knowledge to make sure I am going to be a good mom and know what the heck I'm doing.  I, of course, want my baby with me to room in, I want to breast feed, I want to know that my baby is healthy.  I will not give my baby the hep B vaccine.  I think that's going a bit overboard.  But pricking his little foot to have tests run is fine.  I mean the teacher kept saying we could go to the ped. after the baby, but then in the next breath she says we shouldn't be doing much moving for the first two weeks.  They will still have to prick his little foot in 10 days and it will still hurt...
Sometimes I feel like this class is so anti-medical profession.  I personally trust that my doctors have our best interests in mind.  We go in for another ultra sound on Wednesday...sure hope I don't hurt the baby's ears (yeah they told us that...whatever!  In fact a chiropractor came in and told us that ultrasounds were radioactive...sigh)  anyway, I am excited to see our little guy.  He has got to be huge!  his legs are sure powerful!  He is jamming away right now....Maybe I am giving birth to the first male rockette?
Okay, I am off to make the dough for our cookie social this Saturday!

December 07

ultra sound

we had an ultrasound today.  everything is fine.  the kidney problem has resolved itself.  we found out that our baby is about 5 pounds.  they said they couldn't tell how long he was, though i thought they could if they knew the femur length.  anyway, we are glad that he is okay.  the ultrasound tech said that the profile looked just like jerry... she is the third person to say this...hmmm....
i'll leave it up to you to decide!  of course finding a picture of jerry is a bit hard, but maybe this one will do....
December 10

sweet success

We had our first annual Christmas cookie social today.  All the baking realy paid off.  People from Jerry's work and  some of our friends stopped by.  It was lots of fun.  I ate way too many cookies and ended up eating eggs and bacon for dinner to balance out all the sweets with some protein.  This morning Jerry and I busted our butts to clean the house and hide the boxes and junk that still doesn't have a place.  No one was allowed to open the closets or look in the garage.  There are cookies that were very popilar and ones that will not get made next year, but that's how you learn right?  I think that everyone had fun.  It was the perfect amount of time (2 hours) and everyone cleared out by 4.  Very nice.  Maybe in the summer we'll have a BBQ that can go longer, but I wouldn't want everyone inside for much longer.  Outside has so much more room.
We both talked with our folks tonight and everyone seems well.  Good luck to Mama Jones on a potential job with a school!!!  WAHOO!!!  My folks will be here in a mere 11 days.  I can't beleive that Christmas is just 2 weeks away!  I have one more gift to get and then I'll be done.  I did most of our shopping on-line this year, so I didn't have to deal with the crowds.  This last one though I will have to go out.  I just have to remember to be patient and not rush.
Next Friday is my last day at the library.  I told them they could call if they needed a sub through the end of the year, but I'm just not sure I could do it.  I admire the women who work until their water breaks, but I was beat this past Friday.  Everyone at the library looks after me and makes sure I am not on my feet all day, but I think emotionally it is harder.  You deal with lots of people who are annoyed or angry at something they don't think is fair and they yell at you and hang up on you and I feel like the whole time I am fighting not to cry.  I refuse to be mean to people, but that doesn't seem to matter.  For example, this one woman called me to renew 4 children's books she has out.  I went to renew them and the renewal limit had been reached.  (You can only renew things 3 times.)  She proceeded to get angrier when I wouldn't check the books in (this is on the phone you see) and then check them back out to her card.  She didn't understand why she needed to be present and shy she needed to have the books.  She also claims that she didn't know that there was a renewal limit and that she never received any literature about the library's policies.  I mean did she really think that we would just let her continue to keep the books indefinitely?  She ended up hanging up on me after yelling a bit.  I remained calm and apologized for and inconvenience that I really wasn't sorry for.  I mean it's not like she was reading four 3000 page books.  She had had these books since October 9th.  None of them is longer than 20 pages.  If your kid likes them that much maybe you should look into purchasing these books!
ANYWAY, it's getting harder to deal with these people and it's getting sadder to see how many homeless people come into the library for shelter as the weather gets colder.  Also, I'm ready to be at home and finish the stuff that needs finishing before the baby comes.  I swear I am going to go to the gym at least once this week and swim...hopefully....
Wow I've rambled for a long time ...it is way past bed time....night night
December 13

big belly

well in case you thought there is no way that i could get any bigger...HA!!  i just added a new belly pic.  we are 33 weeks and 4 days today.  i can't believe we have less than 7 weeks to go.  all i dreamt about last night was being in labor...never had the baby in the dream...just really long labor.  needless to say that i woke up exhausted.
my friend rachel called this afternoon and we went out and ran some errands.  it was really fun.  i am glad we are preggers together.  she is really reassuring to my franticness about becoming a mom.  i'm glad we met!
okay, that's really it for now.  jerry made yummy pork chops and stuffing and veggies for dindin...yummmmmy!
oh yeah the only picture i took of the cookie party was just of the little snow people i made...anyway they were cute.  and i love our christmas tree.  i think it's very pretty!
okay food.....

almost chirstmas

Jerry is off shopping at the mall.  Our car needed inspecting amd he wanted to make sure we got it in before the new year when the inspection prices will go up.  We are really hoping the car will make it for another year or so.  There are definite set backs to having only one car, but we work it out.  It helps that Jerry only works six miles from home and he can leave when ever he needs too.  Anyway, he decided that he was doing all his shopping in person and not over the web, so while the car is getting inspected he is going to shop.  He said he wouldn't be long...HA!  So I am still in my jammies and I think I will make some cookies to have around the house when my folks get here.
Yesterday was my last official day at the library.  I almost called in.  Thursday night the baby got the hiccups at 4:30 in the morning.  This is usually not a problem except that his head is right against my pelvic bone (this one is really ready, he hasn't changed positions in weeks except to kick and tickle and flop from left to right...very alien like) SO whenever he hiccups my whole pelvic bone shakes...  Not a pleasant feeling really.  So then I couldn't go back to sleep.  I got up and peed and swayed and lay in bed forcing my eyes shut for two hours.  I finally got up and ate at 6:30 and then took a long shower.  Jerry (whom I did not disturb...what a nice wife I am...) got up and told me to call in pregnant.  I immediately started crying (ahhh pregnancy hormones) and told him I couldn't since it was my last day.  So I went in and stayed the whole day.  Though I think that the staff was relieved that it was my last day.  I really think they thought I might go into labor at any minute.
One of the women in our birth class was due yesterday.  Our teacher said she would e-mail us as we each had our babies.  I feel quasi-prepared for this birth.  I think the biggest thing I have to remember is to relax and breathe.  Jerry is so good at staying calm and that in itself is calming.  I checked out 3 books from the library.  They are by Dr. Sears and his wife (a nurse) and they are really good at explaining everything and giving the pros and cons to ALL situations.  I refuse to feel guilty if I end up getting the drugs, but I have faith that I make it through. Anyway, what I was going to say about the books is if anyone out there that's reading this and is pregnant, they are the best books I have read so far.
My goal this weekend is to write our birth plan.  My next doc appt. is on the 28th and I would like to be able to talk to the doctor about it then.  It sorta hit me yesterday that really I could have this baby anytime and he would be healthy.  I would (of course) prefer he stay nice and warm for at least another month.
So, this has not been about Christmas at all.  My parents are coming in on Wednesday!!! They will be here for at least a week.  It will be good to see them and for them to be here.  The weather is supposed to be nice.  Warm for them.  They had bad ice earlier this week and are supposed to get ice and snow tonight and tomorrow.  Our weather is so weird.  Today 55 tomorrow rain and 44.  Then by Wednesday back to the mid to upper 50s.  Ahh December at the beach.
Okay, I need to make cookies or I won't do it....
December 17

holiday controversy

I know that I have already written once today, but I am a little annoyed by this whole "holiday" bull.  First of all if you are that insecure in your beliefs that someone saying "Happy Holiday's" is offensive, then you need to re-examine what you believe in.  Secondly, maybe I missed it but is there somewhere in the Bible that states that the meaning of Christmas is found in shopping at Walmart?  I mean really is that what Christmas is all about?  Consumerism?  I mean really, get a grip.  Is it such a slow news day that we have to hear about how we should boycott stores that have "Holiday Sales" instead of "Christmas Sales".  I really wonder if how Christ feels about "putting the Christ back into Christmas" by shopping.  This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.  I try to never presume that everyone I see on  a daily basis is a christian.  I mean I guess some people can tell by looking at you if you celebrate Christmas or not.  We have friends who celebrate AGG day (Annual Gift Giving Day).  I seriously doubt they are offended when people say Merry Christmas to them though they choose not to celebrate "traditional" Christmas.  I mean are we going to change Santa Claus back to Saint Nicholas?  This is getting as frustrating as Halloween and all the horrible things that apparently happen to little kids who go trick or treating.  Get a life.  You don't want to go shopping because they say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"?  Go for it!  I am sure that Target and Walmart will be crushed.  But in the mean time maybe we should think about what Christmas really means and what it has become.  I enjoy giving presents at Christmas just as much as the next person and I am sure that I will not stop shopping anytime soon.  But really before you go off on something take a look at what you are really bothered by.  To really "put the Christ back in Christmas" shouldn't we all stay home and get rid of all our symbols of Christ and go out and help the needy?  Or attend a birth in a stable?  While we're at it, why don't we look up the edimology of the word "holiday".  It comes from the Old English word haligdaeg meaning "Holy Day". hmmmm...  In case you were wondering Chirstmas comes from Old English as well: Cristes maesse meaning Mass of Christ.  So those of you non-Catholics out there need to run out and join so you can go to Mass next Sunday and literally put the "Chirst back in Christmas."
December 21

wiggle worm

if the movement of our little one is any indication of how mobile he will be after birth, boy are we going to have our hands full.  i know it's just because he's getting bigger and there is less room in my tummy, but man he can move!  i've been playing a little game with him and his foot.  it's really bizarre to be able to actually see his foot through my skin.  anyway, i tap his foot and he'll tap back.  it's rather entertaining.
yesterday i went with my friend amy to this mothering meditation at her church.  it was just four other women and myself.  i was the youngest and the only one without children.  the woman who led the group is getting ready to be ordained.  she had some great prayers ad poems and readings.  it was really peaceful and nice.  i felt very welcome.  i also felt that much of the stories were related to me and our little one.  it was very nice.  i think it is so important to not only read books and what not about bringing a child into the world, but to also hear other people's stories about birth and raising children.  it's really neat.  it also helps me to realize that i can indeed do this and with any luck i won't screw up too much.  i feel that with jerry by my side we will be fine and will raise a wonderful child.
my parents are coming today!!!!  i need to go clean, though it shouldn't be too much.
jerry's getting ready to leave for work, so i must be off to give him kisses...
December 25

Merry Christmas

What a great day!  It has been raining since about 4:30 this morning, but it is super warm outside.  Yesterday we sat outside and I even got a bit of sun on my chest and shoulders.  What odd temperatures for Christmas.  Oh well I can't really complain.  Last night we went to the 9:00 Christmas Eve service and it was very nice.  We came home and went to bed.  The rain and a thunder storm woke me up this morning but I stayed in bed until 6:40 and then got up and put the french toast mom pre-made last night into the oven to bake.  So after everyone had breakfast (taking WAY TOO much time) we  went in to open presents.  My parents got me a boppy!!!  Very exciting.  Jerry got me two new board games, a statue I have been lusting over at World Market, and (the sly boy) a MP3 player.  All very nice indeed.  Jerry had already guessed his presents except for socks.  He got slippers from mom and dad and I gave him the socks and a flat screen monitor for the computer.  It was a very nice Christmas and I feel extremely lucky to have gotten such nice gifts.  We have come a long way from our first Christmas together, wondering if we could pay off the credit cards, to not ever using credit cards.  Sure we have debt, but it's mostly college loans.  I also feel very fortunate that my parents came down to visit.  They are so excited to be grandparents.  Next weekend we will go up to visit Jerry's folks.  I understand they had a very nice Christmas as well.  We are very very lucky to have family that love us very much!  Mom was just saying we should make a list of all the things that will be different next year.  We probably won't be able to sit through a whole meal without a little fussing.  There will probably be toys (did you know they actually sell just boxes for kids to play with because that's thing most kids go for first?) all over the floor.  The tree will probably be tied to the wall and no ornaments will be on the lower branches, because if he's not walking he'll be pulling up for sure.  But even through this listing and laughing, I can't wait!  I think it'll be great!  And I think Jerry and mom and dad are just as excited!
I am trying to finish knitting a hat that mom wants before they leave.  I think that if i put my mind to it, I can finish it by tomorrow sometime.
It is really hard for me to believe that really any day I could possibly go into labor.  It's just wild!  It's even odder to think that within a month we could have a baby in our house....WOW!
Okay, so I can't think about that too much, it freaks me out a little.
So Merry Christmas to everyone out there.  I hope that yours was as Merry and special as ours!
December 29

it's about that time

We went to the doctor's yesterday.  We gave them our birth plan and they thought it was great!  Always a good thing.  We love our doctors.  They are really kind and totally involved.  They will work with us to make our birth what we want.  She told us yesterday that we could feasibly have a baby within the next two weeks.  EEKKK!!!  She also said that more than likely we would not be able to go past our due date.  Our baby is rather large.  I am measuring just right, but the baby's head is farther down than where they measure from and he is taking up pretty much all the room in my tummy.  If we go past our due date I could feasibly have a ten pound baby!  This is not a bad thing, but I would rather not go through that at all.  He has a strong heart beat and is healthy.  I have been sleeping lots more than I normally do.  I think my body is getting ready for this whole ordeal.  We got a bassinet last night to solve the whole where is the baby going to sleep for the first few months dilemma.  So now he can sleep with me or Jerry.  We sleep separately because of Jerry's snoring.
We also choose a pediatrician.  We went to this new parents meeting and we really liked this guy.  He is very knowledgeable and seems to be very open to new ideas and whatnot.  He made a lot of really good points and took time to answer any questions.  He is the only full time doctor in the practice and he will only hire one more full time doctor.  So it's nice to have that checked off our list.
The only thing we still have to purchase is a diaper pail.  We'll do that today or tomorrow and then Jerry just needs to finish the changing table.  The nursery is done!
So I am off to walk and do some laundry and then maybe take a nap.  We'll keep you posted!