Seeing Red

Hello, yes it's been awhile, not much, how 'bout you?

Dear hubby sent me another gem I have to share with you if you haven't already seen it.

In the current atmosphere of accusations, smears, and flag pins, I thought it was important to remember no matter what your religion, your race or your color, we are more similar than different. All it takes is a guy named Matt doing a dance to make your day. Enjoy your summer!

!

Failure.

At this time of year, I get pretty bitchy. There are school functions every night, which if you are a GOOD parent, you will attend each and every one. On those same evenings, there are countless school projects to complete and between sports and general neighborhood stuff, there is HYPER-competitiveness everywhere. Forget "keeping up with the Joneses", it is more like "kicking the Joneses ass". It does a number on me every spring. So along comes dear husband with this feel good video. He sent it for our son, but I'm the one who really needed it. And while it may have the feel of a Hallmark card, secretly we all like to be reminded of these things, so I hope you like it too. (Take a look, Hillary...) Or when I'm done with the Joneses, I'll have to come kick your ass next. Have a great day!

Do you use all the crayons in your box, ladies?

If you've already seen Sex and the City, you'll know what I mean. Call me trendy, predictable, girly--I've already seen the movie today and loved it (At least I didn't drag out the Sex and the City trivia cards and quiz my girlfriend like the ladies behind us did). The reviews are mixed, but I thought there were plenty of euphoric scenes and gut wrenching (especially Charlotte) moments. I always thought that if you stripped away the flash and drag queen fabulousity there were plenty real life issues in the show, done with an unflinching eye that we don't normally see in American society. The movie was satisfying at over two hours, with lots of storylines crammed in. If you see it, I promise you won't be left hanging as most ends are tied up. YES! YES! YES! Go see it.

Here is another one I am looking forward to opening in July--Pierce Brosnan AND Colin Firth and Abba music? Oh the Gloria Gaynor of it all!

I'm an auhn-tie

I've been an aunt (through marriage) for a while, but yesterday I became a direct auhn-tie. My sister had an adorable little girl with a super cute cleft in her chin and dark, curly hair.  In honor of that and as a belated happy mother's day greeting, I thought I would include this video of sibling bliss. This is EXACTLY how photo sessions in our house go. Enjoy!

All that needs to be said.

I never thought a revamped Twisted Sister song would speak for me, I guess a new day IS dawning.

All that needs to be said.

I never thought a revamped Twisted Sister song would speak for me, but here is all that needs to be said. Have a great day!

In a slump

I had a whole blog entry written for today and then basically wadded it up and threw it in the virtual garbage can. Just can't quite put things into words and when I do, I pretty much fall asleep reading it. Which would mean it would be mind-numbing for you. So I won't. Instead I will post this adorable animal video and you'll thank me that I didn't write more today or you'd be in the same boat.

Roller mamas

Had a great girls' night out last night! Went to the roller derby with a couple of good friends.

They hold it in Seattle in a giant airplane hanger and it was the coolest (thinking about that, literally as well as figuratively) atmosphere. The crowd felt like a big family, young and old. With some seriously tough chicks replacing Aunt Sarah.

I just sort of stood there, looking around, taking it all in. It was COLD, we are still having SNOW here. Yes, here, in the little old northwest. Where we never get snow. So yes, it was cold in a giant hanger with the doors open at either end. I fixed that with a hot cider. There may have been a little Captain Morgan in it, but only in the interest of survival.

We cut through the huge crowd to stand at the far end as the first bout began. Derby Liberation Front vs. the Socket Wenches. The DLF's corner was right in front of us, so we got an up close and personal look at some women that easily could have snapped us like twigs. I was surprised to see there were others who were very tall and thin. One of our favorites was a tall redhead (of course!) who went by Mama Cherry. Her rebel-green uniform complete with a frilly, floral apron. I bet HER kids don't give her any back talk.

The camaraderie between the skaters was fun to watch. On the track, they were fierce and fearless and I'm sure, sore. But I also saw skaters from different teams laugh and chat animatedly. I thought it was a great to see women compete and respect each other and have fun at the same time.

I would love to give it a try, but I think my 40+ body might have complaints about it. So, for now, I plan to stay in the stands watching. At least until they make a senior league. I might be able to hold my own with 60 year olds. Maybe. I'm thinking about the name Red Alert just in case.

Have a great week!

The roller mamas ready for some action!

Rules of engagement

A few days ago I got back from some hybrid scrapbooking/arty classes in North Carolina. I love taking classes that force me to look at things in a new way. If I didn't, I don't know if I'd still be scrapbooking. I get bored too easily. So occasionally I travel clear across the country to find inspiration.

I do have some simple guidelines I follow for these expeditions:

1. No roomate. I can only be social for so long.  I'm not interested in finding out that my "new friend" snores like a lumberjack or gets calls from her husband every half an hour.

2. Access to alcohol/eating in the bar. When I'm off the mama clock, I don't want to be someone else's mama. You don't want me to be either, trust me.

3. I share my stuff. If I've got it and you can use it, I'll give it to you. Gladly. No questions asked. No strings attached. I'm going to die someday and there is no way I'm bringing my crown charms with me (although my wing charms may come in handy, because I'm not sure I'm ever going to pick up a pair of those...)

I'm quickly learning that's not the case with everyone who takes classes. Even if it's only a little paint or a piece of thread.  I feel very badly that some ladies are living paint bottle to paint bottle. I think I am going to start a non-profit organization to provide paint to women who cannot spare a dollop of paint from their 8 ounce bottle.

4. I am not interested in becoming a stalker or a paparazzi. I read all the scrapbooking idea books and magazines like everyone else. I have my favorite scrapbookers. I will never however, scream when one of them enter a room. I won't go into cardiac arrest when one of them sits down next to me at lunch. I won't take photos of their kids, or name my children after them. Even though they can create a visual triangle in a layout, they still put their pants on like everyone else--one leg at a time. They may just photograph it.

Now don't cry for me Argentina, I am always lucky enough to find a few fun loving "Breakfast Club" types and this time was no exception. And you know where you'll find me. Having a drink. In the bar. I may just photograph it.

Almost.

In a nutshell...hurry up and wait. The life of a delegate. The wining, the dining. The 3AM calls from Hillary. Yes, it's tough being a delegate.

Saturday was our Legislative District's caucus. We were supposed to get there at 10AM. I got there at 9:30 and the parking lot was jammed. By 9:40, there was a traffic jam to get into the parking lot of the high school where the caucus was being held. The line snaked around, like a line at Disneyland, but moved much quicker. Once inside, we waited in another line to get our credentials, "political cred". There were chairs as far as the eye can see and beyond the stage, there were two tables, one set up for Clinton gear (buttons, yard signs, bumper stickers) and one for Obama. I headed over toward the Obama table to stand behind a group of people, only to realize that wasn't the end of the line. I struggled my way through the crowd searching for the elusive end of the line, which snaked in and out. Out of breath, I finally found the end and began chatting with a couple of ladies.

"Some line, huh?" I commented.

"A lot quicker if you want Clinton stuff." The lady replied.

I wished I'd had my camera. In front of the Clinton table there was a couple of older ladies arranging and rearranging literature. There was no one else.

"Gee, I almost feel bad for them." I grinned. "Almost."

Then we settled in for HOURS while volunteers struggled to get all the delegates seated and counted. The local party politicians came up and preached to the choir. A Hillary speaker from New York took the stage, telling us that since we were tired of hearing about issues(?????!!!), he would speak about Hillary as a person--what a nice person she was, what a big heart she has, how she always asked after his partner. It was rousing. Almost.

A man from our city got the crowd on it's feet, cheering in response to his speech about Obama. He encouraged the two sides to put their anger aside to work together and get involved in the process of fixing the problems our country faces.

A lady with hair sprayed purple and blue got up to remind us Hillary has more experience. She stressed that there needed to be more people to get up and speak for Hillary. No one volunteered.  A few clapped. Almost.

Finally our credentials were confirmed and since I wasn't running for delegate at the state level, I gathered my things and headed out. I saw a couple of Hillary delegates in the back row. They were awake. Almost.

I am really trying to be unbiased. Almost.

Have a great week!