Bribery loot: Bad. Campaign loot: Good
And the corresponding cartoon:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
TD resigns
I am apparently very bad at distinguishing good politicians from bad ones. Sen. Jeff Smith and Rep. TD El Amin were two of my favorites in the building because they seemed so genuine and kind and, yes, trustworthy. TD was always so nice to me and the kids, we even all went to lunch one afternoon and he let the kids hang out in his office when they were bored of lobbying with me. I will miss him in the Capitol quite a lot. And all for a $2,100 bribe. This article makes a great point:
Chilihead
Yup, they call us Chiliheads. Just as bad as an Applebuddy, I guess. Why do chains have to be so corny? Sheesh, can't I just work there for heaven's sake! I am on Day 4 of my training at Chili's. I've only been a server for twenty years, of course, I need FIVE days of training! Argh!
So far, it's fine, I guess. It's no Pirate, that's for darn sure. I miss the Pirate already. :-( I think I can make enough to survive there, but it's going to mean some belt-tightening which I'm NOT looking forward to. I love going out to eat and I love being able to buy little things that aren't just necessities and I love going to fun activities and little mini-vacations to St. Louis or even just Columbia. I'll muddle through and the kids will too, but it's just not as much fun and it's not as easy as when the Pirate is picking up the tab.
So, that's what I've been up to. Not terribly exciting, I know.
And an unrelated quote, but I like it:
Conventionality is not morality.
Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855)
So far, it's fine, I guess. It's no Pirate, that's for darn sure. I miss the Pirate already. :-( I think I can make enough to survive there, but it's going to mean some belt-tightening which I'm NOT looking forward to. I love going out to eat and I love being able to buy little things that aren't just necessities and I love going to fun activities and little mini-vacations to St. Louis or even just Columbia. I'll muddle through and the kids will too, but it's just not as much fun and it's not as easy as when the Pirate is picking up the tab.
So, that's what I've been up to. Not terribly exciting, I know.
And an unrelated quote, but I like it:
Conventionality is not morality.
Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
More Florida
Okay, one more post on Florida and I'll stop bragging. :-) It was so amazing! The drive even went really well. Doug spent 30 hours in a car with us and didn't kill anyone and even still wants to hang out with us, that's really something! Becky and Tim are as fantastic as ever, Mike and Chris look great and are as hospitable as ever. Jennifer took Doyle and Preston to Virginia so we didn't get to see them, but we got to go to dinner with Gileah, Clara, and Mercy. They are sooo adorable! As is tradition, we stopped at the giant Superman statue in Metropolis, IL and got some pictures. I'm so happy to be including Doug in our traditions and to see how well he fits into the family. Everyone loves him!
Without further ado, here is the last batch of pictures:
Without further ado, here is the last batch of pictures:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Destin
No time for captions, I think you can figure out what we've been up to. Now we're off to the Emerald Coast Science Center!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BEACH!!!
We are in Destin, Florida staying at my dad's second home this week. What a life! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Must read books
I am rereading (is that a word, btw?) Raising Cain by Dan Kindlon, Ph.D. and Michael Thompson, Ph.D. and it's amazing how different and more frightening it is now that Levi is at the most "dangerous" age.
For those unfamiliar with the book, it is written by two child psychologists who specialize in boys. They are quite convincing in their argument that boys' (in our society) lack of ability to express emotions causes anger and violence.
I read it the first time when he was a toddler (which happened to be in the midst of a school shooting marathon - he was born in July, 1996 and this is what was on the news all the time: Wiki School Shooting) and it really helped me understand how important it is for him to learn how to express himself emotionally but there is a whole world of difference between him doing that at playgroup and him doing it at football practice. All parents of boys need to read this book at least once, but preferably every few years.
Other must reads - Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher, Ph.D. (about the emotional life of girls) which I plan to reread when I finish this one and Protecting the Gift by Gavin De Becker (about the things you should actually worry about in protecting kids).
This is a VERY short list, I could write volumes on books all parents should read, but these are the three on my mind right now.
For those unfamiliar with the book, it is written by two child psychologists who specialize in boys. They are quite convincing in their argument that boys' (in our society) lack of ability to express emotions causes anger and violence.
I read it the first time when he was a toddler (which happened to be in the midst of a school shooting marathon - he was born in July, 1996 and this is what was on the news all the time: Wiki School Shooting) and it really helped me understand how important it is for him to learn how to express himself emotionally but there is a whole world of difference between him doing that at playgroup and him doing it at football practice. All parents of boys need to read this book at least once, but preferably every few years.
Other must reads - Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher, Ph.D. (about the emotional life of girls) which I plan to reread when I finish this one and Protecting the Gift by Gavin De Becker (about the things you should actually worry about in protecting kids).
This is a VERY short list, I could write volumes on books all parents should read, but these are the three on my mind right now.
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