2002

I believe that last year we ended with 2001.

Here, for your viewing pleasure, are way too many pictures!

How do you beat your older brother at Duck Hunt?
Stand six inches from the screen, of course!

Having fun at Grandma and Papa's 40th Anniversary party!

Legoland!

First year of T-Ball; John made an unassisted triple play. 
I'm totally not kidding.  

This sums up Matthew's childhood personality perfectly.
His award too much too long to arrive.

John and a classmate at Kindergarten Graduation.
This one has always killed me.

Camping with Daddy and Granddad. 
There was an American flag within sight
of the outhouses, so every time they came out,
they would pause and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trying to clean some of the dirt off...
rather uncharacteristic for John.

Monterey

Knott's Berry Farm

Turning 5 at McDonald's

I threw this in for my friend, Carol. 

Grandma and her boys

Bate's Nut Farm

Playing with Rolie Polie Olie

Merry Christmas

My Inner Sally Albright

Watch this clip.  Please, watch it. 

Last night, I asked my husband if he thought that I was a high maintenance person.  After a few witty and sarcastic remarks, he admitted that yes, I am indeed high maintenance.  I'm not particularly proud of it, nor am I ashamed of it; it's who I am.

It rears it's head most often in restaurants.  Like Sally, I always have to use a lot of words when I'm ordering.  Honestly, I can't think of any entree that I order anywhere which I don't have to customize in some way.  Maybe pizza; I generally leave pizza alone.  But typically it's add this, take this off, put that on the side...I always have to do something to it.  Andy is so simple when he orders that most often we probably do look like Harry and Sally.

Just when I thought that I couldn't make restaurants more complicated, something new came up.  I have now become that person at the Mongolian Grill.  You know, the one who holds up the entire line by asking the guys to clean off the grill before they cook your food.  Yep, from now on that will be me.  I'm not really trying to be difficult.  It's just that last night, I paid $11.95 for a plate of food that was presumably delicious, but I was unable to taste anything after the third bite.  Seriously, someone before me must have gone heavy on the Dragon Oil because after a couple of bites, my mouth was on fire and I had to guzzle water just to make it through my meal.

So, I (sort of) apologize to waitstaff everywhere.  I know how I want my food and I'm going to order it that way.  I (sort of) apologize to the people in line at the grill - I know that you're waiting for your meal, but I'd like to be able to taste mine.  Apparently, I really am high maintenance.  Perhaps I'll just say that I'm confident in what I want.  Yeah...that sounds better.

One Final Thought

 

 

My grandfather flew his flag upside down following an election twenty years ago.  

Today I honor him by doing the same.

America is indeed in dire distress.

Oh Yes I Did...

Last night I had to go to a meeting at 6:30pm.

It was dark outside when I left, I had closed toe shoes on, and I had a sweatshirt with me.  

I stopped on the way for a pumpkin spice latte.  

I couldn't help myself.   

While I promise not to put out any decorations until the appropriate time, 

Christmas music season has begun!

My Civic Duty

In case you've been under a rock somewhere, you are probably aware that tomorrow is Election Day.

Like every good American should, I plan to stop at my polling place on the way to work and cast my ballot.  I must say, I'm a bit annoyed with the whole process though.  In fact, I honestly question why I should bother.

Oh I know, there are the propositions and the various state and local positions to be filled.  In these areas, my voice will be heard.  In fact, the props are quite easy:  if they cost money, I will vote no.  Honestly, the state hasn't instilled in me any confidence that if they have even a dime more, they will use it wisely.  I'm through voluntarily giving them more money.  I don't care whether it's for schools or food labels or anything else aimed at pulling on my heartstrings; I want to keep what's mine.

It's the presidential part that I have a problem with.  Why should I, a conservative in the People's Republic of California, wait in potentially long lines to vote when the outcome (of my state) is a foregone conclusion?  It's ridiculous.  With or without my vote, my state is going to go blue.  I hate that.  I hate the Electoral College and our whole system.

My simplistic brain things that we should go to a popular vote; then each and every vote, across the whole country, would make a difference.  Andy, who is far wiser than I am, tells me that it wouldn't work.  I'm not sure why not, but I generally trust him.  If not the popular vote, is there no other equitable way to elect a president?  There's got to be a better solution out there.  I just need to find it.

Not Your Typical Girl

I've never been a girlie girl.

My earliest and best childhood friends were a pair of boys and a girl who was a bit of a tomboy herself. I had a few token Barbies that I played when when I was alone, but I spent most of my time playing Star Wars and Super Heroes with the aforementioned boys. At recess, while the rest of the girls were prancing around in their made-up Unicorn Club (I'm not kidding), I was the 4-Square queen. In junior high and high school, I did use my fair share of cosmetics and hair products, but I never really did embrace all things girlie. I think the Lord knew what He was doing when He made me a boy mom.

That being said, every now and again I do wish that I enjoyed a few more feminine things; it would be convenient. While I do love a good spa treatment, that's about where my girlie side ends. Whenever my lady friends have a girls movie night, it's never something that I want to see; I'd much rather sneak in to men's movie night.

This weekend, another example of my non-traditional views popped up: shopping.

So many of my friends love to spend time at the mall; I can't stand it. I had to get some coordinating clothes for our Christmas photos and I'd put it off until the day before the shoot - I really couldn't wait any longer. I spent several hours at the mall yesterday and I hated every second of it. Since I was up there, I had a few other things that I needed and I actually considered skipping them so that I could leave! Thankfully, I soldiered on and took care of what needed to be done. 

Afterward, as I was rushing back to my car thankful to be leaving the crowds and the clutter, I had a terrifying thought: It's time to start Christmas shopping! Perhaps I'll spend a little extra time with Amazon this year. 

So Wrong

Really?  Are you kidding me?  

I know that I spoke about my Star Wars feelings just two days ago, but seriously, this is important.

I saw this at the store tonight.  It's just not right.  

And not three minutes after finding this, I saw a t-shirt with Vader riding a motorcycle! 

Is nothing sacred anymore?