Goodbye to a Great Lady

I logged on to the internet tonight to check my email, complete some school work, etc. And the first headline that greeted me was

"Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Dies at 92"

I felt like I was going to cry.



I have always been fascinated by Rosa Parks. I have always thought she was truly a wise and courageous lady ever since the first day that I read about her fateful day and her fateful bus ride that aided in changing the course of history.

Probably because I'm not really a "courageous" person. Oh, I talk a good game. But when it comes right down to it, more often than not - I'm afraid to "act" if I'm "put on the spot". Probably because I'm a "white" girl born and raised in the suburbs - who is 33 years old, born after the major work of the civil rights movement (1972) - including rights fought for and obtained for (and by) women.

After all - by the time I was sexually active it was legal for me to take the birth control pill, I was told from day one I could do anything I wanted to do - including go to college, work, AND raise a family (however - see my earlier rantings about this). I was never told I wasn't "good enough" to sit down on the bus, drink from a water fountain, or use a certain bathroom. When I turned 18 I immediately was granted the right to vote. Let's face it - I've led a pretty sheltered life - maybe that's why I'm not that courageous, brave, wise...and I'm not going to even touch the term "lady". Smile.

But not Rosa Parks - not this great lady. She was born and raised in the deep south during the era of the infamous "Jim Crow" laws. She grew up with signs telling her where she could and couldn't go to the bathroom, eat, and use the water fountain. She wasn't even able to finish high school until later in her life. Not because she didn't want to, but because she needed to go to work in order to support her family.

She was told from day one that she was "less" of a person than her "white" peers. She probably lived in fear more often than not because lynchings and the Klu Klux Klan were very active and very real during this period in history - and murdered many people - whether we choose to believe it or not. In the same year she was arrested and taken to jail for refusing to give up her seat for a white man there were two other women arrested for the same reason, so she probably had a good idea she was going to go to jail (if not something worse) when she decided to remain seated.

What was going through her mind?

She had just finished a working a long day. Her feet hurt and I'm sure her spirit and body were tired. What is that special spark in some people? That spark of courage where some people stand out and stand up for what they believe. They refuse to be trod upon any longer and actually DO something about it. They face their fears head on, face the enemy and say "bring it on - I know I'm right - I'm standing my ground - do your worst". What would have happened in history if this scene had played out differently? As I'm sure it had many times before. The black woman who has worked all day on her feet stands up (with her head down-facing the floor) and moves out of the white mans way. He sits in her seat...the bus keeps rolling...

But it didn't...

One woman - made one decision. She faced ahead knowing the possible consequences and said "no". She said no to this WRONG thing, no to this WRONG idea - no to a rule that treated her like nothing more than a dog - like less of a human being because of the color of the pigment in her skin. She refused. She was very polite, but she refused. She accepted the consequences. She had the courage and the grace to face her enemies and history took a different turn. Thank You Rosa. I always admired you, I always will. This white girl from Oklahoma who was born almost 20 years after that day on the bus. Born after you had lived most of your life through trial and tribulation. Rosa ended up moving to Detroit because she couldn't find a job in Alabama after what had happened. She and her family were threatened and harrassed. Two years after the fateful day on the bus she moved away from family and friends. The negative consequences still following her, and still...she never regretted her decision.

People use words like "hero, lady, and courageous" pretty loosely these days. That's too bad, because there are VERY few people who REALLY qualify. I'm SURE not one of them, but I'm thankful that there have been people who are. Thanks Rosa - You were a true hero, you were truly brave, and truly a lady. I would have loved to have met you, but even though I never did you have influenced my life anyway. My life and countless others. I hope you are reunited with your husband and finally at rest. Rest in peace great lady.

Hi everyone

Oct 23/2005

Hi everyone in blogland and sorry for the long absence. I've been busy with the usual, kids school stuff, my own school work, housework (although not a LOT of this, lol!) etc., etc., etc. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line and a link to a blog that I recently read. It deals with racism and stupidity (which pretty much go hand in hand). It notes the movie "Crash" and if you haven't seen this movie yet...RUN don't walk to the nearest video store, rent it, watch it. Its one of the best movie's I've seen in a long time. Not just because it tackles difficult questions that deal with race. But also because it tackles every-day lives. It addresses the fact that there's always a story-behind-the-story. I often remind myself this when someone angers me for whatever reason, they cut me off in traffic, another mom in a PTO meeting makes an offhand cruel remark, I meet someone and for whatever reason...they rub me the wrong way. There's always a story-behind-the-story. Maybe the person in traffic just recieved a bad phone call - someone died. Maybe the alpha-PTO mom left behind a fulfilling career to make a home and hearth, raise the children, and just realized her husband is boffing his 22 year old co-worker. There's always a story, a picture-behind why someone "is" the way they "are". Just something to think about. Have a good week...
tmnd

FRIDGE MAGNETS FOR THE MODERN WOMAN

These are SO great. A friend sent them to me. I think THIS one is my favorite...lol!

LONG TIME NO SEE...

9-28-05
Good morning to all of my friends, family, and visitors. It has been about 10 days since my last post due to the usual 24hr chaos filled days + some other developments. Sometimes I wonder if life is just one big tragi-comedy and the creator is some weirded out LA-type movie director who likes to have a good laugh while his gerbils run around their wheels frantically and for no apparent purpose other than for his amusement...but I'm not bitter or anything...;)

Spare me the stories of true human goodness, beauty, and hope right now. Because if I see another Fox hope -filled -creative -hollywood spot...er I mean News segment, I'm pretty sure I'm going to hurl.

Fiction is fun...but now for some reality. This is an Op Ed posted in the Miami Herald. Yes foks its true. And I'm sure there were much worse stories to share-we just haven't heard them. Anyone who has ever been in a crisis situation (and usually for most americans this is the supermarket being out of their favorite brand of Snackwells) will tell you that life is definitely NOT like the movies.

Heroes are usually NOT revealed and in fact what we usually are privy to is the true nature of human beings. Which seems to be usually bordering on evil and depraved if nothing else. Read on...

Crises reveal character

leonard pitts JR.

The women were on the roof of the hotel, calling for help as floodwaters rose. Then a motorboat full of policemen came by.
“Can you help us?” the women cried.
The policemen replied, “Show us what you’ve got!” and motioned for them to lift their T-shirts.
The women said no. The policemen left them there.
I figured that story for an urban legend when one of my students wrote about it in a class I teach. Too crazy to be true, I thought.
But the tale turns out to be an eyewitness account from one Ged Scott, a bus driver from suburban Liverpool, England, who, with his wife and son, was on vacation in New Orleans when that city was swamped by Hurricane Katrina.

Scott’s story has received considerable play in British newspapers. As near as I can tell, it has not been picked up stateside.

Small wonder. Katrina has given us enough homegrown tales of People Behaving Badly without importing new ones.
Meaning the people whose first thought in a time of cataclysm was to smash windows and grab cell phones. And the ones who thought it a good idea to shoot at rescue helicopters. And the ones who used disaster as a cover under which to rob and rape without fear of retribution.
We find ourselves caught in one whopper of a storm season. Indeed, the National Hurricane Center is down to the last four storm names on its list for 2005. And yet, even among all the storms, and even among all the stories they have produced, are producing and will yet produce, this particular tale from Hurricane Katrina stands out.
Show us your breasts, and we’ll get you out of here?
You’ll have to go some distance to find a better illustration of the utter banality of evil.
I’m reminded of a piece of wisdom picked up somewhere along the way: Crises, it said, do not so much build character as reveal it.

Calamity, in other words, has this way of knocking down artifice and pretension, the devices people construct to keep other people from seeing who they really are. In a very real sense, you become yourself when things are disintegrating all around you.
And let’s face it, more than levees broke in New Orleans. Social order broke. Police authority broke. Chain of command broke. Communications broke. All the structures we build to restrain the floodwaters of human behavior broke.
Who would you be if there were no rules? What would you do if there were no accountability? What would you get away with if you could get away with anything?
Some people got away with being martyrs. Some did heroic things. Some became heroes.
But some, if we believe Scott’s account, could think no higher than their crotches.
You have to wonder how that request for a peep show fell on those stranded women. Doubtless hungry, doubtless tired, doubtless bug-bitten and sun-baked, and doubtless scared that they might die here, drowned in fetid water or pierced by bullets.
You have to wonder whether they were stunned, angry, appalled. You have to wonder whether they found it hard to believe what was being asked of them. You even have to wonder whether maybe they considered lifting their shirts, figuring indignity a small price to pay for salvation.
But in the end, they said no.
We don’t know what became of them. Scott’s account ends with the boat motoring on and leaving the women stranded.
It is an image of petty opportunism, yes, but also one of quiet integrity, and it’s that part I choose to take with me as a reminder for when floodwaters recede and structures of artifice are put back in place.
Even in a broken time, some things did not break.

©2005 The Miami Herald
Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. To reach him, send e-mail to lpitts@herald.com.

Walking symbol of failure...

This was noted in a recent article in the NY Times about the 45 people found dead in a hospital after being left for more than four days with nothing but temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the wake of Katrina.

"Repercussions from the storm continued to echo in Washington, where the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Michael D. Brown, a walking symbol to many people here of government failure in the crisis, resigned. Mr. Brown was relieved of his role in the day-to-day disaster operations here on Friday. (Related Article)"

Well that's funny...because I guess I would say that the "walking symbol" of failure would probably be good ole dubbya...but then logic doesn't seem to come into play in our "democracy" anymore...

Mike---YOU ROCK...

An open letter from Michael Moore to Dubbya - Just wanted to share...Mike...your my hero.

Friday, September 2nd, 2005

Dear Mr. Bush:

Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.

Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?

Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her!

I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike?

And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ!

On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster. Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that.

There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from New York to Cleveland.

No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30 percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with this!

You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are near Tikrit.
Yours,
Michael MooreMMFlint@aol.com
www.MichaelMoore.com

P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up with them before they get to DC on September 21st.
---

A Good Story For a Change...

Good Morning Everybody

I just wanted to share this story. Its a positive news story in a time that is full with horror and tragedy. Just when I think humans are basically evil...someone restores my faith in mankind...

In New Orleans, human spirit overcomes horror

By Mark Egan 1 hour, 2 minutes ago

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - On a devastated street corner in a gritty New Orleans neighborhood an impromptu shrine stands as testament that even during the horror visited upon this city by Hurricane Katrina, kindness is not forgotten.

Made of bricks from a nearby building destroyed by the storm, the improvised structure protects a body that lies covered by a white sheet.
A cross fashioned of two pieces of wood found among nearby debris marks the site as a grave, albeit a temporary one. On the sheet covering the corpse are written the words "Here Lies Vera, God Help Us."

Before locals built this shrine, the woman had lain dead on the street. Her body was bloated and brutally distorted, untouched and ignored for almost a week by authorities who were working slowly to evacuate the thousands left homeless.
Since Katrina and the floods that followed hit New Orleans, the city has been struck by unexpected hardships.

Looting was rampant, refugee camps became the scenes of rapes, murders and robbery. Many lost everything and lacked even food and drinking water.
But as the worst appears to have passed and most of those left stranded have been evacuated, acts of kindness abound.

Dmitri Kachkov, a 35-year-old man who uses a wheelchair due to extreme physical disabilities, knows about hardship -- his family became refugees from Russia in 1997 and moved here.
When Katrina made them refugees again, they expected to sleep in their van. Just before the storm hit, Kachkov and his parents drove north and took refuge in a roadside truck stop.

Then a stranger -- Diana Cantello of Gramercy, Louisiana -- invited them to stay at her home.
"My mother cried at such unexpected hospitality," Kachkov said. They spent nine days and nights at Cantello's home, where a mother and her two children had also been invited to stay.
"Then yesterday it was my mother's 69th birthday and they baked her a cake and bought her small presents. My mother never expected such kindness, especially during this disaster," Kachkov said on Monday after his family returned to Metairie, Louisiana, to see how damaged their rental apartment was.

Near the Kachkov home is Drago's Seafood Restaurant.
Since the storm raged more than a week ago, five employees of the upscale eatery have lived on the premises to protect it from looters who have destroyed businesses across the city.
Then on Monday the restaurant reopened, serving charred chicken on pasta with a Cajun marinara sauce and ice-cold water -- a rare luxury in this city in recent days.
The food was free to anyone who wanted it.
"We have decided that we will serve free food as long as our resources last, probably until we give away $20,000 of free food," said owner Klara Cvitanovich.
Cvitanovich, 66, who came here from Croatia in her youth, was also shipping food out to poor neighborhoods.
"I can honestly say I have lived the American dream, and now I have to give something back," she said.

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Katrina children seeking parents shown on Web site Reuters

Reuters Photo: Daina (L), a New Orleans resident smokes a cigar outside the Johnny

LOOTING? MARSHAL LAW?OOPS! I MEAN RESCUE EFFORTS...

This is another thing that is just ludicrous. People are "looting" in New Orleans...well hell! I would too! Given the situation - I need to feed and take care of my family including food, water, medical supplies...and we are receiving little or no aid after we were herded into a stadium. People are dying right and left...there is NO running water, food, medicine, there is human feces and dead bodies everywhere I look - possibly one of my own relatives, children, or friends are laying next to me dead and rotting...hmmm....what would you do?

Prayers for New Orleans

Hi everyone - Sorry it has been a while since I have posted. I have been busy with many issues including job searching, getting the kiddo's back in school, and re-establishing my graduate studies. Plus I haven't been able to jog/run due to a back injury which has been depressing. Otherwise...

I have to mention that we should all be praying, donating, and doing anything we can to aid the people of New Orleans. What a horrific mess. Everyone seems so surprised that something like this can actually happen on "U.S. Soil"...I'm not. Look at our "leadership", look at where our country has been headed. If this is our response to a national disaster on our own soil (one where we cannot "blame" another country or "foreign" people) then what will happen in the future? You say we will learn from our mistakes? Oh really? Well it hasn't even been 30 years since Viet Nam ended...what are we doing again?

Anyway, I'm not going to rant. I just want to say that I am as sickened as everyone by what is happening. I can NOT imagine what they are going through. Put your own family into this situation. It could easily be ANY one of us and may still be. We are not protected anymore just by being "on U.S. soil". Our leadership or whatever it is... is not and will not be here "for the people". If they can't "control" us (i.e. push us back and herd us as we watch our children and family members die due to lack of water and disease running rampant in a disaster situation) what can we expect for the future?

The future is grim...the people existing (they are not "living" by any definition) in New Orleans right now are showing us our future. We don't need a crystal ball - just access to a TV or Computer where we can watch it on a live CNN feed.

More beauty...we NEED it.

Well after reading the news (again) this morning I am left feeling depressed (again) so I'm sharing more of my favorite pics...have a good day. Peace...b

Beauty in Our World

Aug 16 ~ 05
I've been thinking today - about some of the sad state of affairs on our planet. People dying in needless wars, the conflict over the Gaza Strip, the genocide in Africa...anyway - you get the grim picture. Anyway...I was cruisin the web and found some beautiful pics...and wanted to share. There is beauty in our world too - even though sometimes we have to look for it.
peace everyone
b

One of my favorite people...and quotes

Mr Rogers ~ He is one of my favorite people...EVER...along with my grandmother, Martin Luther King Jr., Lucretia Mott & Harriet Tubman...anyway...I digress - as usual...

I LOVE THIS QUOTE and wanted to share...
b

On Labeling People...

Aug 15 ~ 05
Hey all...just wanted to bring up something that has been bugging me. Its late and I'm tired so I won't rant for too long. I was talking to one of my good friends this evening and she brought something up that I've wondered about before. She mentioned that she hates filling out the school forms for her children because of the "ethnicity" labeling question.

In her family she is descended from predominantly Hispanic relations while her husband is predominantly "white". So what box does she "check" for her children? They are not just "white" nor are they just "hispanic". She mentioned that this kind of irks her and I can see why.

Yes I've heard all of the blah blahing of the bureacrats about "funding sources" "affirmative action" etc., however, I think a lot of it just boils down to the fact that we humans as a species LOVE to label things...especially people. Why is that?
Why must we be able to "fit" everyone into a label that we specify? Does it make us feel more comfortable if we can "categorize" everything in our world...including human beings? I mean think about the labels in our daily lives..."stay-at-home-mom" or "working mom"...I just LOVE the latter one because I have met VERY FEW "non-working" mom's....in fact I don't think I every have...including "career housewives". We are labeled at our jobs, our neighborhoods that we live in are labeled...the "burbs", "hood", "in the sticks" (where my 12 year old thinks we live...lol!). Anyway ~ of course this whole "what label are your children?" got me to thinking...

My grandmother (paternal) is descended from a native american tribe and so is my husbands maternal grandmother. My paternal grandfather is full on Norwegian. I have NO IDEA where my mother's family hailed from although I suspect that there is more than likely more native american and possibly african-american lineage from that side as well...even though I look like the label of "white". What does that make our children...are we just classifying by skin color here or are we ACTUALLY classifying by ethnicity? How can we when some families are SO DIVERSE!

I have another friend who has mentioned the same problem when filling out forms. She comes from a white/asian marriage and her husband hails from an african/white marriage...what does that make their children? Should they "check" all four boxes? What label should be "attached" to their children? Should the parents go ahead and label their children as "ethnic" so the school recieves more money and they recieve a better chance at a scholarship?

This raises some interesting questions ~ especially in light of our rapidly evolving diverse culture in North America. Maybe its time to shed some of the "labels" ~ maybe that's okay. I'm not saying we should all start abandoning our own unique cultural heritage and/or family histories...but maybe its time we stop trying so hard to label everyone. Maybe its just time to take a big collective breath and realize that whether we're "Hispanic", "Black", "Asian", "White", "Native American"...maybe we're just all human beings-living in the same geographical area-ultimately carrying on with our very human, very average, very messy/beautiful lives every day. That's it...we're just humans. Irregardless of how our skin and/or eye color managed to turn out in the genetic crap shoot.

Oh - btw-the family that hails from four different "ethnic labels" - their little boy is a blonde headed/light eyed very "white" looking child. So what should go on his school forms?
Other?
Seriously...
Maybe its time for a change...change is scary...but it is certain. We have come a long way in the past century in letting go of racial, ethnic, and religious stereotyping. Maybe its time we start letting go of the labels too.

Hi everyone! sorry for absence...back problems!

Hi everyone ~ So sorry for prolonged absence. I've been having some lower back problems...major pain on various levels. Anyway...just checking in. We're gearing up for bts here...kids are NOT happy...but MOM is ready! lol! Hope everyone is well...more later...
b

A Zen Poem

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge.

The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man then saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other.

How sweet it tasted.

Zen Poem

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENNER!

Good Grief ~ I'm REALLY feeling old today. My "baby" brother turned 22 today. Happy Birthday Benner...does anyone still call you that? I was 11 when you were born and Dad almost tore the door off of the camaro backing out of the garage he was so nervous!

Helen was in so much pain and it scared me! When we got to the hospital there were too many laboring women and not enough hospital rooms...so helen and many other women were "parked" in the hallway to labor. I remember that there was one lady who was screaming obscenities akin to the movie "Excorcist" and it scared me.

And the hallway smelled bad. So I crawled under Helen's bed and hid. I remember thinking..."why would ANYONE WANT to go through with something like this?" "This is horrible! This is awful!" (At 11 years old I had only vague notions of what human reproduction entailed ~ and for the most part ~ except for "Magnum PI" ~ I thought boys were gross and annoying. I remember thinking "I will NEVER have children." Ahh yes...humans make plans and god laughs...

Anyway ~ I remember that I hadn't wanted any siblings. I was happy by myself thank you very much, so I was highly offended at your birth debut. I figured that if you had the gall to be born you at least had better be of the female persuasion, because a sister wouldn't be SO bad.

You were a boy (of course). And I was PISSED! But that passed. I remember when you came home and we were all so tired from lack of sleep. But it was a different kind of tired. An exciting kind of tired that possibly only siblings experience when they find each other. I wasn't really responsible for you...but you were my brother. I didn't have to actually raise you. But I got to play with you. I learned how to help change your diapers and how to heat up your formula. I was determined NOT to like you from day one. When I first looked into your eyes and realized that we actually shared genetics it was a powerful emotion. I can't describe it now because my 11 year old self didn't understand the emotions then.

You changed the whole dynamic of our family...but in a good way. You were really my first real "experience" with a baby. I decided that MAYBE someday when I was in my late 30's and done traveling the world, I MIGHT want to have a child. But the first time you smiled at me and responded to my words, you had my heart forever.
As with every thing else fading, dropping, and aging on me my memory has faded. But there are some things I remember from when you were little.

*I called you "benner"
*You liked Peter Rabbit and I would read to you
*I talked to you when you were just a small infant but I could SWEAR by the look on your face that you understood me
*You liked to "ride" around the vacuum when I vacuumed (or for that matter when ANYONE vacuumed) ~ eventually you got too big and the vacuum actually broke
*I used to pick up both of your feet in one hand and hold your butt off the floor while I changed your diaper ~ so I wouldn't get poop or pee anywhere~ and you would giggle (don't you just LOVE my memories...LOL!)
*I would play "walkie man" with you and you would giggle and laugh
*Your 2nd birthday at Chuck E Cheese when it was just you, me, and Helen. I think Dad had to work that night. I remember following you around the restaurant because I was worried you were going to get hurt ~ you were so excited. I still have a picture of you riding on one of the rides. You have pizza on your face and your smiling.
*When you were a baby you liked to growl at people
*Dad used to work the night shift ~ I think (or maybe mids?) anyway ~ we used to go for walks around the neighborhood during the day when you were a baby. Dad and I would take turns pushing the stroller. I felt really important. And I was really proud of you.
*I remember when I was in 9th or 10th grade and you came home crying because some bullies were picking on you and your friend. I was SO ANGRY ~ that someone had hurt you. Of course being the sensible and level-headed adolescent that I was (HA HA HA) I immediately "confronted" the school yard bullies (with my adolescent best friend "cyndie")~ AND made you promise not to say anything to Dad & Helen. They never bothered you again ~ but every time those boys saw me they would "hightail" it in the other direction...lol!
*I remember when I left home (not under the greatest circumstances). Of everything I missed, I missed you and Alex the most. I didn't want you guys to think I was "leaving" you. It was really hard but I tried to act like it wasn't. When I was in basic training and later in technical school I would show a picture of you and alex to everybody. I was afraid that you both were going to forget about me.

Anyway...just some memories I was rehashing earlier. I get nostalgic on birthdays. Other people's birthdays...lol!

I just want you to know that I'm so proud of you ~ and that I'll always be your sister ~ and I'll always be here to stand up for you or just to listen. And you can always come to me...with anything.
kisses and hugs
bran

I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON I SUBSCRIBED TO NEWSWEEK...

TELL IT LIKE IT IS ANNA...

THE MOM NEXT DOOR...WITH THE KIDS NEXT DOOR...

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SOME OF MY FAVORITE MOVIE QUOTES

Hi everyone ~ today I'm taking a break from ranting and recording daily info ~ and sharing some of my favorite movie quotes/scenes, etc; and the site that provides them ~ enjoy


MONTY PYTHONS: THE HOLY GRAIL

The Black Knight: Have at you!

King Arthur: You're indeed brave sir knight, but the fight is mine.

The Black Knight: Oh, had enough, aye?

King Arthur: Look you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left.

The Black Knight: Yes I have.


King Arthur:
Look!

The Black Knight: Just a flesh wound!



FROM WILLY WONKA
We must remember there are many more important things, many more important things . . . off hand, I can't think of what they are, but I'm sure there must be something.



WILLY WONKAThe suspense is terrible . . . I hope it'll last.


FROM "THE PRINCESS BRIDE" Westley: Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.

FROM "THE PRINCESS BRIDE"Buttercup: We'll never survive. Westley: Nonsense, you're only saying that because no one ever has.


LARRY FLYNT
I think the real obscenity comes from raising out youth to believe that sex is bad and ugly and dirty. And yet, it is heroic to go spill guts and blood in the most ghastly manner in the name of humanity.

With all the taboos attached to sex, it's no wonder we have the problems we have. It's no wonder were angry and violent and genocidal. But, ask yourself the question, what is more obscene: sex or war?

ALEX ISAACMAN
(LAWYER FOR LARRY FLYNT)
I'm not trying to convince you that you should like what Larry Flynt does. I don't like what Larry Flynt does. But, what I do like is that I live in a country where you and I can make that decision for ourselves.

I like that I live in a country where I can pick up Hustler magazine and read it if I want to, or throw it in the garbage can if that's where I think it belongs. Or, better yet, I can exercise my opinion and not buy it.
I like that I have that right.
I care about it.
And, you should care about it too.

SUMMER FUN AT 4 ISLAND PARK 

Kayaking And Canoeing On Rivers, Oceans and Lakes

Kayaking And Canoeing On Rivers, Oceans and Lakes

BRAN ~ JUL 05 

BACK IN BUSYNESS!

Well after being infected (our computer) with a VERY bad virus we had to buy a complete new system. Which was bad for our budget but is oh so much nicer - and faster! Of course I've had to re-load all of my software and stuff. I never realized how much of my "life" was on my computer! Its kind of scary. This week was pretty eventful, I was sick most of the week with a weird flu-bug and kat woke up Tuesday morning complaining that her back hurt. Of course being the "sensible & calm" mother that I am I immediately decided it was meningitis. To make matters worse I had to drive in a fever-induced delirium to our pediatrician in bakersfield who calmly informed me that our daughter was suffering from nothing more serious than a strained muscle. Probably from the "mommy&me" gymnastics class we had attended the previous day. DUH. Of course I probably would have thought of this had I not been sick. Luckily, we've had the same pediatrician for 6 years now so she knows what a crack-pot I am...LOL!
In other news on the slicer-front - Haden & Tristan are taking skateboarding & rollerblading lessons (respectively) @ Woodward and Kat and I are TRYING to participate in "mommy & me gymnastics". Of course this usually ends up being me chasing her around the gym saying things like "no..no..don't touch that...oops...be careful!....no...no...OH NO!" lol! By the time we leave I'm wondering who has had the better work-out.
Other than that nothing else really knew. The kids are looking forward to school being over (pool time!) and my next door neighbor and good friend (Veronica) had her 3rd child about 2 weeks ago. Its a baby boy and they named him "nicholas". He's a keeper! Of course now she's struggleing with post-partum depression, breastfeeding issue's, etc., plus the added pressure of being a new mama of 3 children instead of 2. Her oldest is 8 and her m iddle is 4. I told her she'll just have to lower her standards like I have and that from now on her house will look like mine! hee hee...I don't think she was comforted

Okay, I figured out the editing my bio photo...of course I now have this huge ugly pic of me in my blog...lol! ANYWAY - I love this pic of Kat too, it was taken last month (1/05). She's getting ready to "go down" for her nap...you can tell because she's sucking her thumb which is a dead give away that she's goin out :) so cute. Anyway - her brother's (who she calls HADEN) (both of them) were wearing bandana's as was her daddy (they were cleaning out the garage and for some reason suburban males like to dress up like they are guest appearing on American Chopper when they do this sometimes)...ANYWAY - I digress-of course she had to have a bandanna too...here is the result...to cute.  

I DIDN'T DO IT... 

Sad State of Affairs

Well I just finished reading a news article about bush's latest antics. I can not believe it. Major budget cuts or even elimination for health care programs, education, law enforcement, education reform, veterans benefits, and homeland security. All so his administration can fund more war-mongering...sorry...guess I just have to vent. Anyway, check out the following link for some humor. I guess in times like this it doesn't hurt to laugh...
http://www.allhatnocattle.net/

Also, you can check out what Jim, Haden, and friends are doing today (snowboarding) at Shirley Meadows...
http://www.shirleymeadows.com

Everything else is pretty much the same in the Slicer household this weekend. We had Haden's sleep-over last night and survived that! The boys had 5 pizza's, 3 order's of breadsticks, various chips and snacks, and a 1/2 sheet of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake (with a picture of Bam Margera on it;) and of course numerous glasses of soda. Then they watched "Out Cold" a hilarious snow boarding movie which we have watched about 84 times now. Jim sounded the "wake-up" call this morning around 5:00 AM and they sounded raring to go! Even though they stayed up until at least midnight! AAAHHHH to be 12 again!

This is me, Haden, & Tristan snowboarding at Jay Peak in Vermont (I'm really not this fat...I swear-its the 15 layers of clothes I had on because its FREAKING COLD THERE!) Anyway, about snowboarding...if you try to learn in your 30's its a VERY humbling experience. We all had a great time and the kids and Jim are good snowboarder's...however, I'm still learning. But it is fun and a lot of exercise. My muscles hurt for about a week AND I had to fly back to California (non-stop) with a donut pillow behind my neck and taking about 5 extra strength aspirin every hour...but it was worth it *smile*. Our 12 yr old (Haden) indicated "God Mom...you look PATHETIC!" Ah yes...the innocence and sweetness of children - don't worry...I found a way to ground him from his skateboard later *evil laugh* 

Engebretson Family at the OKC Zoo 

This is my and my fam in OKC...from left - kat, moi, alex (my 16 yr old bro...yes our parents spaced us apart quite a bit), my dad, my mom, my other bro (ben 21) and bottom row...tristan and haden. I love this picture because everyone is in it...besides my poor sweetie jim who has to work and doesn't get to go on many trips :( 

Me & our boys...Tristan (age 8) is in front of me and Haden (age 12) is on the right. This was taken in Newport VT visiting Jim's family during Christmas 04...its cold up there! I think we'll stick with southern california! *Smile* 

Princess Kat with the caketoppers from her 2nd birthday party - Spongebob Squarepants & Patrick or as she calls them (spongebobby!) 

New to Blogging & Intro

Well I loved the idea of creating a "family journal" for our children and I got the idea from the hilarious blogger Tinsley so here I am. I'm a 32 year old transplanted okie living with my dear-hubby and 3 kiddo's in Tehachapi, CA (pronounced TAHAACHOPEE). Its a small mountain community about 2 hours north of LA-LA Land (LA). My husband Jim (36) is a transplanted Vermonter and we met while we were both in the Air Force stationed in South Dakota (long story which I may or may not relay later). We have 3 children (2 boys and 1 princess) - Haden (12) - Tristan (8) - and our princess Katherine (2). I am crazy-busy most of the time so I'm not sure yet how I'm going to find time to add another activity...but I'll try. I really like the idea of journaling for future generations. I really wish I had something like this to look back on my younger years as well as my parents, grandparents, etc. Tinsley's story about his grandfather brought tears to my eyes (seriously) as it reminded me so much of my visits to my paternal grandparents in Oklahoma. Well, here I go...