I can't stop looking

I’ve been tagged by Jo over at Tangled Me

Here are five blogs I frequent and hopefully you will begin to do so also.

1. Tangled Me because Jo is one of those people one aspires to be, her strength and resolve inspires me on a daily basis.

2. Tater Tots Thoughts because she’s funny and although she’s on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to the “Mommy Wars”, we agree on all kinds of stuff starting with treating our children like actual people.

3. Daily Dose of Imagery because I can’t stop looking

4. D-Listed also because I can’t stop looking

5. The Calm Before the Sand because Milo is an incredible writer fighting our war in Iraq and as long as I see him posting I know he’s ok.

The rules say the above mentioned blogs are now tagged and need to respond in kind however Jo has already done this exercise and D-listed doesn’t even know I’m alive, Daily Dose of Imagery is a photo blog and I wouldn’t dream of asking Milo to do a meme. That leaves Tater Tot. So, dear tater Tot, you are all officially tagged according to doolittle's rules. Leave comments on five blogs you read and please list them on your blog, for the rest of us to read. Share the love peeps!

Quote

Bush says he didn't intend to insult Democrats
Tue Jan 30, 9:24 AM ET - WASHINGTON, Jan 29

President George W. Bush said on Monday he did not intend to insult Democrats by failing to pronounce their party's full name in his State of the Union address. "I didn't know I did it," Bush told NPR in an interview...

...Bush called it an oversight and said he was "not that good at pronouncing words anyway."

***
(heavy sigh)

A New Beginning

Well, hello new blogger. It finally let me switch over. Looks the same as old blogger so far accept for "labels" and that will be fun. I can categorize everything. I imagine I'll need one called simply "stuff" and a "family" or "toddler runway" maybe a "bad jeans" and perhaps "politics" but today I'd like to start something new called "Grandma DeCori's Recipes".

I recently received a recipe book from my mother that is filled recipes from my Grandma DeCori. My aunt Marilyn and uncle Tony gave it to her at Christmas on disk - all scans of the little worn cards in her handwritting. Today I'll share the most important recipe in the whole book - the one you can feed masses with, the one me and my cousins looked forward to on every important holiday. "Home Made Spagetti". The one that warms my heart just looking at it and the one you should remember should you ever be able to afford only eggs and flour.













Now what do you do with this gooey concoction? Simple - roll and cut and roll and cut and roll and cut. Sounds easy huh?

Well Nee Nee Like It

While were on the subject of mornings, just this very morning I was woken up with a seranade. Ella sang to me:

"Well, nee nee like it,
Rock the casbah,
Rock the casbah,"
repeat 82 times

January Morning

As I opened my eyes sun beams poke through the curtains with such force dust particles dance in the air with every move. I squeeze the blankets up tight to my shoulders and rub my eyes. Tiny fuzzy bits outlined in golden sunshine are wafting from the ceiling all around the bed. With every move they dance back up on air currents swirling, dipping, drifting on the remnants of my dream, slow motion snow flakes. Feathers. Down Feathers. A hole ripped in the comforter in the middle of the night.

What???

I don't get it...

"First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income on payroll tax -- or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills. At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, this proposal would mean a substantial tax savings -- $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making health care affordable for more Americans." -GW Bush State of the Union 2007

Wait they’re supposed buy the insurance they can’t afford to get a tax credit NEXT April. With what?... the money they find in the couch?! How does that level the playing field. It's like offering a belt to a person with no pants.

Dear Bush - Sincerely

Dear Bush,

I want to believe that you know what you’re doing. I want to keep our soldiers safe by either bringing them home or sending in reinforcements. I want to help the Iraqis we promised to help 16 years ago achieve a free and safe Iraq. However, I have suspicion you will escalate the war to include Iran if given the resources and I don’t trust you. Last night you said “…we have a shared obligation to ensure that the federal courts have enough judges to hear those cases and deliver timely rulings.” Yet we still hold prisoners without charges. I can’t watch you say these things and suspend disbelief long enough to put my brothers’ lives in your hands.

Sincerely,
Me

PS Stop using phrases like “death squads” and “the homeland” it sounds like your talking about Nazi Germany and you’re creeping me out.

Beach Scene

Beach Scene - Pen and Ink 2005 JMM

Amerca 2007

I have skating practice so I will record it tomorrow tonight in the hopes that my president has suddenly realized that he totally agrees with me. Instead, I will hear him say:

“Saddam Hussein has been captured and brought to justice. Amerca will show steadfast resolve by making a stand with our brave men and women to honor our commitment. Make no mistake, those that would do harm to us, resources to fight insurgents, terrorism, 9-11, terror at home, 9-11, insurgents, zombies, Saddam Hussein, brave men and women, safer, freedom, freedom, apple pie, Amerca. Strong economy, breaking oil independence, no child left without an i-pod, working families, tax credits, red white and blue speckled puppies and John McCain. Immigration, terrorism, Saddam Hussein, insurgents, 9-11, victory, freedom, long road ahead, God bless Amerca.”

I'll fast forward through the standing Saddam Hussein is dead ovation. Not because I like Saddam, I'll just be sick of the back clapping already.

2006

Who Buys this Crap Part II

While shopping at Target in Machesney Park, IL today, I took photos of two t-shirts designed for 3-6 month old baby girls (because they're pink of course) "Does this diaper make my butt look big??" for those who want to encourage an eating disorder as early as possible. And if you'd like to sexualize your infant but can't find the "I'm too sexy for my diaper" onsie that JC Penny's yanked after consumer complaints Target now has "worth the wait" implying that someday somebody older than the baby will be counting down the days before she can legally show us her knockers. ew.

You can go ahead and drop Target a note with your views here

Warm Fuzzies for Everyone!

I mentioned “Cold pricklies” and Dan said “huh?”

“You know, cold pricklies… what people give when they don’t want to give a warm fuzzy, it’s not as good as the fake warm fuzzy but better than nothing, it keeps your spine from shriveling up…”

He looked at me like I was nuts. I thought every kid in the universe heard this story in second grade but I am wrong and today I share because it’s a good one.

A Warm Fuzzy Tale by Claude M. Steiner

Don't Hate Me Part II

CoCo Key Water Resort in Rockford Grand Opening.

Fire dancers and hula girls!


















This water park ROCKS! I took gobs of photos for you people. Should any of you ever visit Bombadee's Garden from far away THIS is the hotel I will suggest to you. It's about half an hour from my house and the rooms are pretty nice. Dan and I spent our wedding night there 10 years ago, it was a wedding suite with a jacuzzi in the floor and that's all I'll say about that. Anyway the hotel recently decided to remodel and add this indoor water park to reinvigorate it's reputation and I am indeed newly impressed.















The cocktail party: Politicians, builders and local celebs all in attendance a few little kids and lots of hotel people smiling from ear to ear. Free beer and wine and munchies abound; chefs frying scallops right there in front of you with sprinkled sugared toasted coconut on top, Oh. My. God. I could've lived on these alone, also served: crab claws, shrimp, oysters, tiny scallops marinated in mango basil pineapple, shrimp pastries with apricot jam, fruit, fruit and cheese. Fresh fresh fresh! We watched the mayor of Rockford do a hula dance and then proceed to the locker room where he got to be the first swimmer to stuff his socks into a locker, oh and he also got to be the first swimmer down the water slide. (Surreal) Goodie bags included a photo frame and a pic of yourself with the parrot (or on the beach or underwater, yeah for green screens).
































The amusements: The arcade attached to the water park includes Whack an Alien, Skee Ball and Ms. Pac Man and I shouldn't have to say any more. The water park includes three water slides, a giant play area and a place where the toddlers can play while the parents relax in chairs pointing towards the giant movie projector screen against the wall (it's the thing that looks like a ship's sail). Yeah, you can swim AND watch movies, I know! There is an area with basketball hoops in the pool and a bar next to the jacuzzi which includes a tunnel that goes to the outside jacuzzi (yes, open in the winter). There's a 'lazy river' to ride and little cabanas to rent for private parties.



























The nitty gritty: The locker rooms have lockers that are activated by waving your wristband in front of the sensor, lots of private showers, complimentary towels and a little machine that spins the water out of your swimmy suit. Passes for the day $30.00 per person, during the week.

This message has been brought to you by: Bombadee Needs Free Tickets to your Water Resort.

Don't Hate Me

I rolled out of bed about 8 or so, Dan had already made coffee and breakfast for Ella. She and I will hop in the tub to have a good bubble bath soak then we'll be off to the mall for a hard day of shopping, riding the carousel and sushi. Then we'll jet home to change clothes and pick up Dan, stop at Grandma's where Ella will get to hang out and watch Cinderella when Dan and I are at the Grand Opening of Coco Key Resort Cocktail Party. We'll sip Meitei's while watching Fire Dancers and listening to a steel drum band. If all ends well, Ella will go to bed early.

Some days are better than others.

First Day

We rushed into the building carrying Ella through snow; sat down, whipped pink cowboy boots off and crammed feet into slippers. We barely had time to tell her to ‘break a leg’ before she was standing on the yellow line waiting for the teacher to ask her name. I fretted she would run behind my leg and hold on tight like a starfish in a tutu. She was last in line so the young lady leaned down and said “You must be Ella.” She replied “I sure am!” and ran whole heartedly into the studio. Dan and I along with the rest of the 30 something parents stared at the girls biting our lips and hoping our girls would listen well and dance a miracle. Turns out little girls adore ballet teachers and obey every command as if she were the Queen. She coaxed them into first position, charmed them to bend their knees and enticed them to skip and jump. The mamarazzi standing in the hallway went wild with flash-less photos while comparing cameras. Soon the girls were returned to us in the tiny hallway where we returned the pink cowboy boots and pulled a sweatshirt over a smiling face.

No Means NO

Dear George,

You’re not getting any more money or support from us. We told you it was over last November, you need to accept that this relationship is beyond repair. We know that we let you do some things we weren’t proud of in the past but hear us now when we say No means NO. We don’t want any part in your drama anymore, no not even one last time for old times sake – it’s OVER. If you continue to persist Pelosi will get the mace out of her purse and make our point up close and personal, we don’t like what your doing, we told you no, and we are done, go home and sleep it off. If you don’t stop we’ll be forced to get a restraining order. No means NO!

The Voters

These Faces

January 11th I received and reposted this message on Myspace:

“Please read & repost :)Body: ***If you have any information about the disappearance of William “Ben” Ownby, contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 636-583-2567, or the Missouri State Highway Patrol or the FBI. Ben is 13 years old, 4 feet 10 inches tall, 100lbs, brown hair, blues eyes. He was wearing a hooded St. Louis Rams windbreaker and blue jeans. He was also wearing glasses.***Name: William OwnbyDOB: 1993-12-06Age: 13Race: whiteGender/Sex: MHair Color: brownEye Color: blueHeight: 4' 10"Weight: 100Clothing: st louis rams hooded windbreaker and blue jeansOther: wears glassesVictim got off bus after school approx 1530 hrs and was walking home and did not arrive. White Nissan pickup with camper shell seen in the Beaufort area.”

I really didn’t know how timely the message was but I figured if it were my kid I’d like people to repost it until found, even if it took years – so I reposted. Today I opened the news and read:

"Two Missing Boys FoundA 13 year old who vanished from the gravel road near his home five days ago was found alive Friday, along with a 15 year old boy missing since 2002.William "Ben" Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck were found in a Kirkwood, Mo., home belonging to Michael Devlin, 41, who has been charged with one count of first degree kidnapping.Sheriff Gary Toelke said the break in the case came Thursday night. Kirkwood police officers were serving a warrant on an apartment complex when they noticed a white truck matching the description of a vehicle sought in the Ownby investigation."

Now, I encourage you to take a minute and go look at these faces

Photo Album

This is what I worked on this morning. I took over 300 photos last night. I've taken over 1000 since Christmas. I think I have a serious addiction.

It’s E! – L! – A!

“It’s fun to be big because I can spell my name now and it’s E! – L! – A!”

“Let’s be mermaids together”

“My teeth are all brushed and dressed for bed”

Don’t you just love a good mail week!

I received a package from Cameo (I'd link but she's moving) that included cookies! Thank you dearest – we love them. I received my first copy of USA Roller Sports Magazine which made me pour over each add while mentally building my dream skates. I received a letter from Grandpa and Grandma that smelled like their house when I opened it (Estee Lauder, Oak and Green Olives) and last but not least we received a tiny oblong box containing a bottle filled with sand and shells and a message. It’s an invitation to a cocktail party. Dan went to get the mail today and there wasn’t any. All our good mail karma is spent.

I Don't Wanna Grow Up

Most kids look forward to being a “Big Girl” and I botched the idea totally. We hyped Big Girl status about as well as Bush sold our brand of freedom to the Iraqis, without regard for their feelings. I defined being a Big Girl with going potty, sleeping in your own bed, no more nursing and going to work in a coal mine to earn pennies for gruel. She took to the mine immediately declaring the other kids and the canaries “ever so much fun to play with” but the other three exciting milestones have reduced my daughter to a sobbing mess. She hangs on to me pleading “I don’t want to grow up, I just want to be a little girl” and “I’m not three” at which time I shake her off my leg and tell her to go back to work stitching tennis shoes for more privileged children.

I’m trying to sell her the benefits of being Big with the “List of Things You Can Do When You’re Big”. The list includes; cracking eggs into the pan, squeezing the chocolate into your own milk, ballet school, using paints, holding the dog’s leash while out walking, using markers and getting in and out of the tub on your own. I’m not sure why that last one is a big thrill but I figured it was an easy concession even if it means wet foot prints all over the house, besides the “List of Things You Can Do When You’re Big” was painfully short and was missing things like; driving, drinking coffee, having chocolate for breakfast and holding the remote.

Ella Turns 3

Ella's Big Weekend

Happy 3rd Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday Kiddo,

This year we've decided you have too many toys and so we are not giving you any for your birthday. Instead we've signed you up for ballet. You are going to love it, I know because you tell me all the time "I'm gonna be a dancy girl" and you spend gobs of time in tutus prancing around the house performing pirouettes. Classes start in a week.

Love, Mom

Thursday Three and Mr. Silly

1. Run to the City and shop like crazy
2. Play at the Indoor Kids Museum
3. Derby Practice















Mr. Silly on New Years Eve

Olives, Pies and Oranges

First thing this morning Ella had a knock knock joke for me and it wasn't the usual
"Olive"
"Olive who?"
"Olive you!"

It was one she made up all on her own and I laughed hard because it was so unexpected and then she told it again. It's the first joke she ever made up on her own. It reminds me of the one my little brothers and I told several hundred times from the back seat of the car on the way to Colorado on vacation. Ours went:

"Knock knock"
"Who's there"
"Pie"
"Pie who?"
"Pie in your face! - Bwaaah Haa Haa Haa!"

We thought it was rolling on the floor hilarious every time we told it and even our dear parents played along and laughed too the first hundred times, after the second hundred they started pleading with us to give it a rest already. Anyways, without further hubbub Ella said to me this morning:

"Knock knock"
"Who's there"
"Orange"
"Orange who?"
"Orange that I want you to peel for me for breakfast."

After much laughing and retelling I peeled an orange for her.

Resolution

I resolve in 2007 to Appreciate.




















Baby BlahZeeBlah 2007