the joy of technology

The thing I appreciate most about computer technology is the ability to get inside my kids minds to a certain degree. I know there are those who think computers actually suck the life out of teenage minds, but it has opened my girls thoughts and humorous sides to my viewing via blogs. I enjoy going over to their blogsites and seeing their worlds through their eyes.Often I am quite happily surprised by what I read. It gives me a view of their days that would otherwise go unknown to me. A little slice of school or what goes on in photo booths to make them laugh.
When I see how people, across the board of all ages, spell in this day and age, it makes me cringe. Humanity has come to accept, seemingly, the letter "U" as a substitute for the word "you". This is not okay. "R" is not an english shortcut for the word"are". I read through comments after online articles, and see adult writings spelled with words like, "your" instead of "you're", and "a" instead of "an" in front of a vowel-fronted word. This is offensive to my eyes. Are they just not checking or are they truly ignorant of the proper spellings and usage? It happens so often. And how about using "effect" when it should be "affect" or vice-versa? Or using "their" or "there" when it should be "they're"? Don't they teach this in school anymore? The list goes on and on....
But...when I see my girls blogs and their friends blogs, it gives me hope! For the most part, they all get it right. I visit my friends blogs and see emotions and opinions that otherwise would pass-by unknown. It gives an opportunity to get back to our writing abilities and stretch our brains a bit. Think about it. As an adult, when would I write for enjoyment normally? In school I always enjoyed writing. Once out of class there seemed no reason aside from the occasional letter.
So here, finally, I find my joy in technology. But I will never program a VCR. Never. Oh, no worries there are there? Aren't they already obsolete? Whew! That was a close one....

Thanksgiving starts today

I am cozied up in my chair by the fireplace this morning. I've had my coffee and seen both my girls out the door. One to school, the other to workout at the YMCA. Frigid temperatures swept over me each time they opened the door to exit. I live in hope for snow. I don't ask for major accumulation. In fact, last Friday's ongoing snowfall was fine with me. It flurried all day long with nary a flake staying on land for more than a nano-second. It was simply the beauty of the falling through air that gave satisfaction.
Mornings like this push back worries of economic woes and college acceptance letters for children. Life is good. I'm not looking for any problems today. Every crackle of fire reminds me of the security I have right now. I'm married to a man who I still adore after being together for more than 20 something years, and he's never made any bones about the fact that he stills loves me! I have three healthy, happy kids who don't give me any worries beyond finding money to send them to college. I have roof over my head, food in the cupboard and clothes on my back(and lots of backup wear in my bulging closet).
None of us are guaranteed this in life and its never been promised to last forever. God has given me so much more than I have deserved. But for today, for right in this moment, I'm going to simply sit in this chair and reflect and give thanks for this. It's, after all, the right week for doing so. I think we shouldn't wait till Thursday and bombard God with insincere thanksgiving all in one day while stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie. I want to take stock right now and let my heart fill with gratefulness and burst with happiness while I ponder it quietly....

Midnight Ride

Last night, just past midnight, Annie walked into our bedroom and whispered, "Mom, Jedd wants you to pick him up?" Mother instinct kicks in past the 2 Tylenol P.M. I'd taken an hour or so previously and I swing my legs out of bed. He was staying at some friends out in the country. Not far...it's literally a 12 minute drive.
I know there are those who say, let them tough it out and stay. I''m not one of them and my kids have never abused this fact. Jedd didn't call, he texted his sisters to ask them to get me. Emma,more than half asleep, refused to get out of bed and texted back, "no". (I think that's funny)
When I was little, I would get freaked if I spent the night at someone's house and then wanted to come home. I have always told my kids I would always get them no matter where they were. Whether it was a sleep over or if they were at a party that went wrong and they wanted out...
When I pulled into the long driveway and around the corner, there was his shadowy face in the door. I motioned for him to come, but he motioned back for help with all his stuff. He didn't want to wake the house so he was trying to be very quiet. As I pulled the door closed behind him and we tip-toed to the car I heard a voice from the patio doors. It was Maria, the boys' mother. We re-assured her and she smiled understandingly and wished us well. Once in the car, my boy thanked me repeatedly for picking him up at this late hour. He really doesn't understand that in my mind, this is one of the gifts of parenting. To give "rescue" to a child and let them see in action that we are there for him, even in this tiny way. Our time on that ride home through a dark cloudy night was precious. The huge hug I recieved from him was more than payment. I could have let him "tough it out" and there are times (even at sleepovers) where that is appropriate. But my boy had a different lesson last night. That when I tell him I'll get him, without grumpiness, but with happiness, I mean it and I'll follow through. God is constantly rescuing me from decisions I've made and He has taught me flexibility. What I wanted Jedd to see in this was not simply that I followed through with my word, but that I did it with a smile and a happy heart to see him at that hour. That he wasn't a burden, but a delight to my heart!

Why I'm voting Democrat

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending MY MONEY than I would. I think when you spread the wealth around it is good for everybody! It’s Patriotic!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. All profits are evil and should be confiscated for Government Redistribution.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that MORE Government regulations and higher taxes on Business will stop Business from exporting their jobs to Countries with LESS Government regulations and lower taxes.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe terrorists should be allowed to have trials in American courts. And be able to subpoena top secret documents, soldiers, government officials, etc. to cross examine for their defense. They should have ACLU lawyers who can help intimidate Americans who serve on the juries!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe Gay Marriage should be the law of the land and will probably produce better children.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe English should not be the official language of the United States. I don’t mind pushing one for English when I use the phone.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe partial birth abortion is okay but water boarding a terrorist is disgusting.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe having a domestic terrorist like Bill Ayers as a close friend is a good thing. It allows for great relations with foreign terrorists.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe in a FREE government health care system. I believe doctors, nurses, hospitals, drug companies, etc. will gladly donate their time, products, services, facilities, etc. for FREE and that will be a better system.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe in and support trial lawyers, frivolous lawsuits and outrageous jury verdicts.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe 9/11 was an inside job to con the American people to go to war for oil.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe social security is solvent and that there is a social security lock box and I don’t believe social security is a Ponzi scheme.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe MOST AMERICANS are bitter and cling to their guns and religion. Let’s rid our country of guns and religion!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe illegal aliens deserve all the rights of ordinary Americans plus some additional rights Americans do not have.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe corporations should pay higher taxes! I believe higher taxes on business will make the price of their products and services LESS EXPENSIVE.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe groups like ACORN who register felons, drug addicts, wino’s, homeless drifters, illegal aliens, dead people, children, fictional Disney characters, etc. makes my vote count more.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe celebrating the winter solstice shows compassion for the small minority of people that do not celebrate Christmas.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe hard core criminal murders and rapists deserve life and that the innocent unborn deserve death. It’s a choice I can live with.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe Bush caused Hurricane Katrina and he blew-up the levies in the ninth ward of New Orleans.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that any one who is not partaking in one of the many wonderful government programs obviously has too much money and should pay higher taxes.
I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq the terrorists will be happy and now think of us as good people.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe our soldiers are AIR RAIDING villages and killing innocent people.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe sex in the Oval Office with an intern is a private matter and that everybody lies under oath about sex.
I'm votin Demokrat becuse I wus edumkated at a publick sckrool. I lik da Natsionel Edukatshun Assoseeashun!
I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as it does not offend people. Can’t we all just get along?
I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits are wrong. I believe higher taxes on oil companies will produce lower prices at the pump.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe we need to rid ourselves of dependency on foreign oil, BUT I AM AGAINST offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, drilling in Anwar, building nuclear power plants and clean coal technology.
And finally, I'm voting Democrat because I believe Reverend Wright when he said “G-DAMN AMERICA” and “OUR CHICKENS ARE COMING HOME TO ROOST”. Hey let’s make a comfortable nest for those chickens!

(I didn't write ,this some mom did on a response I was reading to Joe Biden today. Mr. Biden said that if elected they would be forced into unpopular decisions due to some kind of attack on our country within six months of being sworn into office. He said noone would be happy with the choices they were going to make and that their poll numbers would be down in single digits, but to please remember this day and this warning and stick by them. They know what they're going to have to do even if we don't think it's right). I thought she hit the nail on the head in her sarcasm, so I'm sharing it with you....)

A New Day, A New Heart

After days of ridiculous warmth I awoke to a fine chill this morning. Emma was already up and readying herself for school. I remind her to take a cardigan. My morning cup of coffee feels better in my palm today. Like it has real purpose for being there. When I was little we walked about a mile to school every day (can you imagine that today?) Of course we complained about it. Especially on very cold New England mornings. My grandfather, Poppy, used to lovingly scoff at my complaints ( he lived just a few doors away from us) saying he walked at least 3 miles each way. He would tell me that, in the winter, his mother would pull baked potatoes from the oven and wrap them in a cloth and stick them in his pockets where he would stuff his hands for warmth on the long walk. Then at lunchtime he would eat his "handwarmers" for his school meal. The point of this little story is that my hands wrapped around this warm cup of coffee today reminds me of my Poppy's hands wrapped around his baked potato then.
Yesterday, I was having a bit of a freakout day about the economy. I was ordering inventory for the store and stressing about it. We sent in the deposit to Covenant College to save Annie's place there for next year and I was worrying about finding financing for that. My mother called and said 4 people at my brother-in-law's workplace had been laid off and my brother, Chris, called and said there was no work in N.J. (he's an electrician) for him or his friends (plumbers, etc.) and he wondered if Thom had work still. All this together led my mind to melt.
This morning is fresh and new. God has cleared my mind and reminded me that He will provide and protect for all my needs. I have always given donations to everyone who walked through the shop door and asked for them. These past weeks the amount of people asking has multiplied and I've started asking people to leave their "cause's" paperwork and I'd go through them and decide which ones I wanted to give to. Wildlife Turkey Federation, La Leche League, Maryland Charities, local schools, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, every local police department, each local fire department, every church in the county. The list goes on and on. There have been days where I've had more folks ask for donations than I have had sales.
This morning I realize this is not the way. God has given to me and I need to give back to the community as I always have. The economy doesn't make a difference. I'm using that as an excuse not to give abundantly. This has lifted my heart. God promises He will continue to provide for my family as he always has. No matter what happens. It's just that my vision tends to get blurred. Fortunately, neither I, nor you, ever need worry that the Lord's vision will blur...

Dangerously Delicious Pies

It's 6.20 and the sun is quickly setting on this fall evening. I drink a large cup of decaf pumpkin spice coffee after being a glutton on aproximately 20 lime-tequila chicken wings. Yeah, that's right...20...at least. yum.
I am reflecting on the fun of this past weekend. Thom and I left the kids to their own devices and went to Baltimore where he played with friends at the Patterson Theater as an opening band for Ann Watts and Boister's new album release show. (Jedd and Emma were home and Annie was in Georgia at Covenant College) We had a hotel room at the...I don't really remember what the place was called actually. But it was nice. The next morning we went to Howard Markman's house in Hampden where we also met up with Kevin and Judy Diaz. He lives in a fabulous row house on top of a hill (a hill!) where each house has its own bit of personality. In front of Howard's home there is a giant shrub which has been kept manicured as a topiary. It's truly like a giant bonzai tree. We walked further up the hill and into town and had brunch in the parking lot behind Dangerously Delicious Pies. There was a band playing Hank Williams Sr. ...(they were great and there's an entire small-world story attached to that)! It was so much fun! The pies were truly delectable. Flaky, flaky crusts. As the Scottish would say, this guy has a dab hand at pastry! My chicken pot pie was oven roasted chicken and fresh carrots, corn, peas etc. Thom has steak and onion. But passing by our table are chocolate cream and custard pies along with what I originally mistook for apple, but which was really a potato tart. The chef is some big, burly, tatooed, bald guy who walks around the tilting parking lot from tilting table to tilting table asking if we're satisfied. Oh yeah...we are! Apparently, "Rodney" (the chef, his bowling shirt says Hot Rod) was just signed by the food network to a series on his food. I hope it's true and you can experience this place vicariously through television.
After brunch we shop hopped. Judy finds a palm sized skull that pops out its eyeballs when you squeeze it. Worms come oozing out. I had to have one! I know, it's gross, disgusting. But captivating! (in a sick way) I picked up some great ideas(not gross and disgusting ones) for inventory in my own store . I can't wait to come back here with the kids. There are so many little restaurants and stores. Apparently, right around the corner from the pie shop is Ace's Cakes. It's a Baltimore bakery that excels in works of art in cake baking. Also run by a tatooed bald guy. Jedd loves this program. Well, that is the story of our happy weekend. Hope yours was as fun.

the color of fall

I will walk with a smile on my face for weeks now. Why? you may ask. Because it's autumn. Which means it's the season of autumnal colors once again. (plus, for a short while I can toss around the word "autumnal"). Start casting your eyes around as you go about your day. It's in the trees and flowers sure, but it is also draped over people's bodies. It seems a natural choice in the morning for people to gravitate towards rusts, chocolates, mossy greens and goldenrod in their clothing choices. I stood in the hallway of church on Sunday and delighted in the coordination of colors on the worshipers. Pumpkin was dotted on almost everyone, whether in a cardigan on a woman or a tie pattern around a gent's neck. It's warm and cozy. It creates cravings for pies and warm quick-breads fresh from the oven. It inspires one to curl up in a corner with a good book and a throw around the knees and toes.
The shadows of autumn cast long fingers and seem to reach in through windows to dull natural light early. We switch on lamps and push those shadows into the corners. Candles are lighted for scent and ambience. It's time to pull down soup and stew recipes from books on the top shelf. Root vegetables will start making their appearances on our tables once again. And Christmas catalogs are filling the mail basket en masse. My son is circling his heart's desire and leaving pages open so we can't miss them. The countdown from this lovely season to the next has already begun in his mind. But not mine....I love these days...

It's Friday night and my family is sprawled out on the big, red couch. Thom is in the center with Annie on one side and Jedd and Emma on the other. It started with Thom checking his e-bay sale. (He's selling a telephone booth!?) Kids gravitated towards him and now there is nonstop laughter and groaning as they peruse Youtube together. Right now, it's apparently "french beatboxer", there's been narcoleptic babies, Weird Al Yankovitz doing Nirvana, really bad skateboarders having accidents here in Cambridge, Roly-poly fish-heads ( a classic from my 20's) and people doing the hokey-pokey. It is truly astonishing how much time can so quickly dissappear once engrossed in this mindless exercise. But, I'm really happy right now at the sight and sound of my little huddled family next to me. Although I'm a bit concerned at the now ongoing search for the exploding whale....oh geez...really? Go search this one out for yourself...eeewww......you just get sucked into this. The fish category alone can keep you going for hours. Apparently I'm wrong. They're off again. Someone is playing a saw...

cold coffee, heated blood

My coffee cup sits beside me going cold while I listen to the radio and peruse the Drudge Report. I checked my e-mail, but there are just hate-Palin links from my mother. I sent her a quick e-mail to remind her that I am not talking politics with her. Isn't it interesting how a candidate that gives one person such excitement can make the other want to spew vomit across the room? Well, that was graphic! But I'm leaving it, because frankly I believe that peoples' feelings are that strong.

Emma just left for school, but before she did she asked how the market was doing this morning. (side note: Emma's volleyball team won their third game of the opening season last night. They stand 3-0 now, Em's the co-captain with her friend, Rachel)) I explained that while it isn't open yet, yesterday there was a huge rally. Then I explained that means nothing in reality. That's the wise buying of those who have money to get into a buyer's market. I foresee a huge crash in our near future. I think this is truly the tip of the iceberg.

I know I've been ranting about storing food and toilet paper, but if you haven't, please start. Food prices have soared, but they're going higher yet. Toilet paper, feminine products have all doubled in cost in the past two years. I see it doubling again. It's not as though it will go to waste, if you don't for some reason use it all, you'll have some to share. And people will need it.

Now, just a bit of politics...(I like to talk about it, just not with my mother)

Chris Dodd, Joe Biden and Barack Obama are the top three recipients of political donations from Freddie Mac. Hmmm...... John McCain was down at number 72. Why were any of them getting money from Freddie Mac?

N.Y. Congressman Charlie Rangel is in deep trouble for the tax evasion findings for his vacation home( he claims he didn't know he was supposed to pay taxes on income generated from outside our country), house sales (apparently didn't know he had to pay taxes on income generated from inside our country either), and ownership of 4 NYC apartment leases which are only for low income people. 4! He also sits on the Ways and Means Committee which writes the tax code for the rest of us. No one in the Democratic party is asking him to step down. Where is Nancy Pelosi on her "most ethical party" stance now?

shuttles and service

What a week! We took the kids to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for an fantastic family getaway. While there are Chateaus and Lodges to stay in we booked a townhouse where conceivably we could have cooked some of our own meals. But... we didn't. There were restaurants all over the grounds and once we parked the car, shuttles picked us up and took us anywhere we desired on the resort, so we never had the urge to go to the market. It was too simple really...all we did was lift the phone receiver and dial "0", and someone on the other end would answer, " How may we serve the Huntington Family?". (It was tough driving myself to work yesterday!) The girls and I had hot stone massages one day and did the water path ritual. The next day we had facials. Aaaahhh... Jedd, Thom and I shot sporting clays the first morning. The boy's arm is black and blue from the shotgun he used and nothing could make him more pleased! I think he ended up shooting 75 rounds. That was enough gun-time for me so I backed out of "combat paintball" the next day. Actually, I forget my sneakers and they wouldn't let me go in sandals. So the girls and I rented bikes and rode throughout the hills and animals (there are bears, buffalo, zebras, moose, lions, mountain goats, hyenas and more throughout the resort). Actually I'm so out of shape I walked my bike up most of the hills. They were steep! It was a great time, but 3 nights and 4 days were enough for four of us(not Jedd). We were pretty much ready to come home and back to reality.
We returned home in time for Annie to start her fist history class at Chesapeake College.
Thursday was back to work as usual. Friday brought the unbelieveably happy news (in my opinion) of Sarah Palin being chosen as McCain's running mate. For the first time in this election, I am excited! I mean sparks of thrill coursing through my veins. I feel hope about the future of politics again. I have no idea how she can pull this off with all she has on her plate and I hope her family can withstand the pressure, but I'm sure many others will join with me in praying for her on a daily basis.
I am so thankful for the time spent with my family this week. Bonding time is good. I am thankful my husband got to truly rest. I am thankful for a taste of that good life, which I know pales in comparison to what awaits us in eternity. I ask that God would help me to heed His call daily and that I would willingly answer, "How may I serve you,Lord, today?"