Now if only they would make an adult-sized Sit-n-Spin.Wednesday, November 28, 2007
On hormones after having kids.
How do I know that my hormones were permanently altered after the birth of my son? When I saw that Ginger, Baby, Mel C. and Victoria Beckham -- all of the other Spice Girls -- came to the "Dancing with the Stars" finale to cheer on their mate, Mel B., I started to tear up. I'm serious. And then when I realized that I was tearing up over the Spice Girls, I started actually crying wondering if maybe something has gone totally haywire in my brain.
Luckily, their collective booing when the judges said they expected more from Mel B.'s routine helped bring me back 'round to reality.
Luckily, their collective booing when the judges said they expected more from Mel B.'s routine helped bring me back 'round to reality.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Heartbreaking.
Did you see the NY Times article, "Free and Uneasy" about Jeffrey Deskovic? He was convicted of rape and murder and served 16 years, only to be exonerated by DNA evidence.
My heart broke with the whole story. What can truly compensate a man for all that he's lost in a wrongful capital conviction?
My heart broke with the whole story. What can truly compensate a man for all that he's lost in a wrongful capital conviction?
Prolific.
You know, I read this great article this week. It was really well-written and it pointed out some well-thought out arguments about a controversial topic. It was incredibly thought-provoking. As soon as I finished it, I thought, "You know, I need to blog about this!" I thought it would stimulate some really interesting conversation.
But I forgot what it was or even where I read it. And thought I told myself at the time to bookmark it, I was distracted and did not.
And later, CPT Dick and I had this totally perfect talk that would have been perfect "Conversation" blogging fodder. It was funny, kind of ironic. Just the kind of thing I usually use. But I can't recall a single sentence. You'll just have to take my word on it.
Munchkin has been cute as ever. And he flushed something funny down the toilet but, honestly, I'm sort of blanking on that, too.
And, of course, with the guys back, there is all kinds of FRG-related crazy. But I'm trying to float about it. So nothing to say there, either, really.
What can I say? I'm one of those prolific blogger types!
But I forgot what it was or even where I read it. And thought I told myself at the time to bookmark it, I was distracted and did not.
And later, CPT Dick and I had this totally perfect talk that would have been perfect "Conversation" blogging fodder. It was funny, kind of ironic. Just the kind of thing I usually use. But I can't recall a single sentence. You'll just have to take my word on it.
Munchkin has been cute as ever. And he flushed something funny down the toilet but, honestly, I'm sort of blanking on that, too.
And, of course, with the guys back, there is all kinds of FRG-related crazy. But I'm trying to float about it. So nothing to say there, either, really.
What can I say? I'm one of those prolific blogger types!
So this is how conservatives dress, is it?
Today, a spouse new to the area needed a ride to the PX. Though I really, really wanted to say, "Hell, no! Don't you know it's still Thanksgiving weekend and the place will be packed?!" I obliged. As I waited for our newest arrival to find some cleaning supplies and diapers, I wandered over to the book section. And wouldn't you know, just in time for Christmas, there was a HUGE display of Ann Coulter's new book, "If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans." I'm guessing it's due to Coulter's giving nature and forgiving Christian sentiments. Either that, or they just had to find something to take up the extra-large display table that they bought for the last Harry Potter book.
(Note to readers: Yes, that was sarcasm. If I told you what I really thought of Coulter, we'd be here a long time and you'd probably think I had a potty mouth).
Both in curiosity and disgust, I picked up the book and read a couple pages. It looks like more of the same -- pointless, hate-filled drivel.
But one thing struck me. You know, for a conservative, Ann doesn't mind showing us the cleavage. Or her legs. On the cover of every book I've ever seen, she's dressed more like Carmen Electra than Ruth Bader Ginsburg. What is with that?
Not that I like Ann at all but there might be a slightly greater chance that I might listen to her for a second if she only practiced what she preached. Or at least occasionally appeared to do so.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Tired.
I am bone tired of people expecting me to wave some magic FRG wand and get them help when they won't lift a finger to do anything for themselves.
I just don't understand why people refuse to plan for "what if's" and then expect the FRG to clean up their mess. Case in point, the soldiers were in the field. We had one spouse that was in a car accident and really messed up her arm and back. She has three kids under 4 years including a 5 month old. She couldn't really take care of them or pick them up. So she wanted her husband home.
And you know? The guys were training in country, it was close enough to the Thanksgiving break, so we got him home. And in the couple days before he got back, we got her some help with the kids and brought her a few meals.
But when I called her recently to check up on her, I mentioned that we didn't have an emergency plan in place for her and why didn't I come over to bring the forms to her? I suggested that she and her husband could discuss what they might need if this ever happened again, who they feel comfortable watching her kids, etc. And I told her that I'd also bring her some information about childcare options in the community and other information for the future. 'Cause you know, when the guys are in Iraq, the likelihood of her husband being able to come home is not that high. I said it was probably wise to think of this of the accident as a practice run. What if it had happened when the guys were deployed? It's always better to be prepared.
Do you know what she did then? She yelled at me! She said no one watches her kids but her and that the Army needs to keep its promises about taking care of families. If she needs her husband home, that should be all it takes to get him there. She told me I could take my emergency plan form and shove it up my ass (literally). Apparently, she has also been rather unkind to some of the ladies who helped her prior to her soldier's return. She told all of her neighbors that the meals made for her "sucked" (and of course, it was brought by one of her other neighbors) and complained about the way others watched her kids.
Note that this was a totally different attitude from before -- when I was arranging help and assisting her with the Red Cross message, she was real sweet. And I can't help but shake my head because if she had filled out her stupid emergency forms, she'd be able to tell us who she wanted to watch her kids. Heck, there is even a space on it to write down food preferences and allergies, so she could have gotten a meal more palatable to her personal taste. But why bother? She got her husband home. Who needs the FRG after that?
Although she might. Her husband will be returning to the field with the others for the second half of the training exercise. Should make for some interesting phone calls.
I just don't understand why people refuse to plan for "what if's" and then expect the FRG to clean up their mess. Case in point, the soldiers were in the field. We had one spouse that was in a car accident and really messed up her arm and back. She has three kids under 4 years including a 5 month old. She couldn't really take care of them or pick them up. So she wanted her husband home.
And you know? The guys were training in country, it was close enough to the Thanksgiving break, so we got him home. And in the couple days before he got back, we got her some help with the kids and brought her a few meals.
But when I called her recently to check up on her, I mentioned that we didn't have an emergency plan in place for her and why didn't I come over to bring the forms to her? I suggested that she and her husband could discuss what they might need if this ever happened again, who they feel comfortable watching her kids, etc. And I told her that I'd also bring her some information about childcare options in the community and other information for the future. 'Cause you know, when the guys are in Iraq, the likelihood of her husband being able to come home is not that high. I said it was probably wise to think of this of the accident as a practice run. What if it had happened when the guys were deployed? It's always better to be prepared.
Do you know what she did then? She yelled at me! She said no one watches her kids but her and that the Army needs to keep its promises about taking care of families. If she needs her husband home, that should be all it takes to get him there. She told me I could take my emergency plan form and shove it up my ass (literally). Apparently, she has also been rather unkind to some of the ladies who helped her prior to her soldier's return. She told all of her neighbors that the meals made for her "sucked" (and of course, it was brought by one of her other neighbors) and complained about the way others watched her kids.
Note that this was a totally different attitude from before -- when I was arranging help and assisting her with the Red Cross message, she was real sweet. And I can't help but shake my head because if she had filled out her stupid emergency forms, she'd be able to tell us who she wanted to watch her kids. Heck, there is even a space on it to write down food preferences and allergies, so she could have gotten a meal more palatable to her personal taste. But why bother? She got her husband home. Who needs the FRG after that?
Although she might. Her husband will be returning to the field with the others for the second half of the training exercise. Should make for some interesting phone calls.
Another thing to take up with my therapist.
Did you hear? Sesame Street episodes that aired back in the 1970's may not be suitable for today's pre-school child.
You know, because Alistair Cookie's penchant for eating pipes may make us want to smoke (or eat pipes, too!). Oscar may be too depressing. And any merchandising possibilities without Elmo just weren't worth the bother.
We actually bought both Volumes 1 and 2 for Munchkin. And I gotta tell you -- he loves it. He likes to count along with the Count. He digs the Ladybug Picnic and seeing Bert ice skate. He sings the songs. And God forbid, it is helping him to learn his letters, numbers, shapes and colors.
I'll let you know if I notice any lasting damage.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Homecoming.
Yes, you've used my towel even though I put out a clean one for you. My toothbrush, too, even though yours was just in the rucksack that you threw on the floor of our bedroom, stinking of mud, sweat and way too much nicotine. And you complained about the kind of beer I bought and forgot to thank me for making you a special dinner even though you never bothered to specify what time you'd be home exactly.
But home, you are. Our son is thrilled. And as I see you teaching him how to use a hockey stick (and in doing so, making even more of a mess than usual), I find that all the irritation may be worth it.
But check back with me in a few days, just in case.
But home, you are. Our son is thrilled. And as I see you teaching him how to use a hockey stick (and in doing so, making even more of a mess than usual), I find that all the irritation may be worth it.
But check back with me in a few days, just in case.
Serendipitous.
Someone posted Mary Oliver's The Summer Day on an online forum I frequent. I've been experiencing a bit of family drama recently so it fit my mood perfectly. And as I read it, I took it for what it should be, even if in reality it is just coincidence -- one of those weird karmic gifts. Thank you.
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
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