Weighing In

Day two of my weight and body image woes. See I'm trying to lose at least a little weight before we head to Europe in about six weeks, mostly so I can fit in my clothes a little better and be more comfortable in the miniature seats on the airplanes.

So far I haven't had much luck. Today I weighed in, up 1.5 pounds from my last weigh-in two weeks ago. That's the bad news.

The good news, I found two weigh-in partners. A couple ladies like myself who had been regulars at the gym until life interfered. Now we're trying to get back on the horse (or treadmill, whatever =).

I showed them a couple tricks I know with the old fashioned scales to make sure you're getting an accurate weight. While I was fiddling with the scales... the blonde pointed to a sign posted above the scales and read, "The scales are not your friend!"

I looked at her and said, "Know your enemy!"

We've agreed to meet after class every Thursday and weigh in together. Hopefully this will provide me with some of the accountability I need to actually lose weight. I know it's already kept me from buying sweets when I did the grocery shopping. =)

Here's hoping I'll take the down staircase rather than the up-elevator in the weight department in the six weeks I have left.

Nimitz' Lady

Curves vs Sticks

While online looking for some fur winter boots last night, I made the comment, under my breath, "It sucks being a Woman of Curves in a Stick-Figure's world!" A nearby co-worker appreciated the joke, although I had not meant to share it.

Due to mass media in America, this is the Land of the Stick-Figure. Women with no breasts, hips or belly are the ideal, while those of us with the curves God gave us must find a way to nurse our self-images along.

Maybe this is why I married Der Deutscher and not some Amerikaner. Culture differences in what's physically appealing and all. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever dated a "White" guy. Black, Hispanic, Bi-racial and German. But not American Caucasian.

All my life I've fought my weight. The last time I had a flat tummy I was 10 and I can't remember that far back! I have come to some semblance of peace with my looks. I do, after all, have the stereotypical "pretty face".

No, really. You can stop laughing now.

Due to my world travels, having a kid and spending so much time at the gym I've come to realize this is the body God gave me. I should do my best to keep it healthy so I can keep on living and forget about the rest. After all, someone found it attractive enough to marry! =)

Mostly what sparked this self-awareness and acceptance was the birth of my son. I almost immediately became aware of any time I said anything derogatory about myself in his presence. And I most definitely do NOT want to pass on my neuroses to him! If I do, how will I ever get him to marry a nice, athletic girl with lots of curves who can give me lots of grandbabies?

So, I talk about each person's body being right for them and take him to a lot of women's basketball games. Anyone who thinks female basketball players don't have curves needs to take a second, much closer look. So, he thinks a woman with curves and athleticism is normal.

This is a good thing, since the other day when I was working out to a tape at home, he listened to the instructor talking about flattening the abs during sit-ups, turned to me and said, "I want flat abs too, Mommy."

I wanted to cry.

Nimitz' Lady

Photoblog II

Pictures from the Great State Fair! September 2005
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JBP and I arrived a bit early. Most things, like the rides weren't open yet. So, we hit the Rabbit Exhibit Hall. JBP loved the cute little bunnies. The only thing that might've made him happer would've been if he could've held one of the rabbits.


After the rabbits JBP got hungry. So we stopped and bought him a footlong hot dog. He ate the whole thing! On the run. Too much to see and do to sit still long enough to eat a hot dog.


Then we discovered this fountain. The last inch or so of the hot dog was immediately for-got-TEN. I quickly realized it was going to be impossible to keep JBP out of the water, so I made him take his shoes & jacket off. He still completely soaked his shirt.


The only thing powerful enough to distract JBP from the fountain was the TRAIN! If you look closely, he's in the very first row. By this time he was so chilly from his soaked shirt we'd taken it off and he was wearing just his jacket.


After the train ride, we went shopping for a new t-shirt for JBP. Of course the one he picked was purple, his favorite color. The downside, the only shirts we could find were adult sizes. The small still fit him like a nightgown.


Finally, after a two and a half hour wait, the rides finally opened. Oh did JBP have a blast!

Photoblog

These are some of the best and latest photos of JBP. Enjoy. Also, check some of my older posts for photo updates.
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Der Deutscher snapped this shot when I wasn't looking. Brat. But, it's a rare shot of me with BOTH cats. I guess I'll let him live.


August 2005: JBP in the teepee his Grammy bought him. Unfortunately, the structure wasn't sturdy enough to hold up to a 5 year old and busted within two days. But, at least we've got the memories!


August 2005: This is one of my favorite shots of JBP. Taken at the same time as the previous picture. But I love it for the play of light across his face.


September 2005: JBP and my boss' boss working on loading a semi during my TV station's Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive.


September 2005: JBP, junior reporter, ready to do the next cut-in if our anchor doesn't show up in time during our Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive.


September 2005: JBP snuggling with Der Deutscher.


September 2005: JBP and the Giant Ball. Need I say more?


September 2005: FU the King Cat in his favorite bathing place... the linen closet!

Basketball Fever

My family has it and has it bad! When Der Deutscher and I were in college we used to get (relatively) cheap season tickets. At first, of course, we followed the men's team.

But, my senior year, we got a new women's coach. He got our attention, so we checked out a few games. In no time at all, we were true fan(atic)s in every sense of the word.

In fact, our son, JBP, was almost born at a basketball game. It was the beginning of that year's NCAA Tourney and our school, ISU, had earned the right to host the first and second rounds. We, of course, had tickets.

The day of the first game, I showed some of the first signs of labor. But, after talking to the midwife, learned they might mean JBP was due any minute or could wait another week or two. Needless to say, we decided to attend the game.

I was actually in active labor during the game, although I didn't realize it. I'd been having some pretty strong Braxton-Hicks contractions for the last two weeks and couldn't tell if I was having "real" contractions or the "practice" ones. Turned out they were real.

Anyway, my water broke shortly after I got home. Although it waited long enough for me to get the Coach's autograph on Der Deutscher's Team Ball! JBP was born Sabbath afternoon after 14 1/2 hours of labor.

Rather than waste the tickets for the Round Two game on Sunday, Der Deutscher went solo and I watched it with JBP on TV. His first basketball game outside the womb.

Needless to say, we've carefully nurtured his love of the game ever since. His second favorite toy was his first basketball and miniature hoop. We've even got a picture of him sleeping with the thing.

He's long since outgrown that little 2 1/2 inch ball. Now, he joyfully heads out to join the big boys at our neighbor's hoop. And he can hit baskets on it with a regulation ball. They're even teaching him to play a recognizable defense game.

Starting in October JBP will officially be part of a baskeball team at the local Y. He can't wait. And the good news is, his "season" will end before the Ladies' season begins in November!

That's when we hit the road and follow our team to about half of its away games. The ones within driving distance (which we define as about 4 to 6 hours on the road). So, come January/February our home turns into a gypsy camp. Stopping off just long enough to work a couple of days and get some sleep before heading out to our next game.


The cool thing is, since there aren't that many wearing the cardinal and gold at away games the team members all know JBP by name, and ask about him when he doesn't show up.

He also usually has at least one "favorite" on the team. One lady who's shown extra attention to him, whom he adopts as his own.
Currently it's Brittany.

How many 5 year old boys can say they've got 11 college women in love with them? Because those ladies do love our boy and he adores them.

We are in so much trouble when he becomes a teen!!!!!

Nimitz' Lady

JBP Chronicles, September

Dear Family and Friends,

The weather has cooled down for two or three days, and it's wonderful! Se, the 14-year-old Black Lab, has been prancing around like a puppy. She and I both love cool weather. Maybe I'm really a Labrador Retriever at heart.

I've been almost keeping up with school tasks while working on my writing and enjoying JBP. He keeps passing milestone after milestone of growth, and each one is fascinating.

Here are the latest. I hope you enjoy them.

Hugs,
Grammy

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005
JBP has begun offering Grammy everything he has. First, he told me one morning, "I will give you $5 of my money, $7, so you can buy anything you need. I'll give you ALL my money."

Today he came downstairs, carrying his leftover chocolate cake from P.F. Chang's and an extra fork. "Dwammy, I'm going to share my take (cake) with you." When I said that I had had quite enough cake this week and couldn't eat any more, he lost interest in eating it, too.

But I WILL NOT eat that cake! I have gained three pounds this week alone.

Last week he told me, "Dwammy, you're not ugly. You're beautiful." I think his mamma has been talking to him.

When I worked on the phone banks for hurricane relief, I didn't want to appear on TV, but they cut to us several times while I was there. At home I complained about it, and JBP said, "You're beautiful." Beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder. Especially if he's five years old.

Monday, Sept. 4, 2005
Yes, here I am in my office on a holiday -- again. JBP protested when I left this morning. "I thought we were all going to stay home."

"Mamma and Daddy are," explained Nimitz' Lady.

"Grammy works every day," I said.

"Not Sabbath." JBP scores again.

Yesterday morning he started to watch "Flubber." When the movie cat batted at the bits of flubber coming through the grate, JBP started to laugh. Then he called, "Mamma! Daddy! Come watch this with me. It's funny!" His parents duly came down to the family room, and we all watched for awhile. Then Der Deutscher (my Son-in-law) decided to go out and wash and detail Nimitz' Lady's car. JBP jumped up, flubber forgotten.

"I'm going with Daddy!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining. "I'm going to help!" Nimitz' Lady and I were left watching the movie until we decided, "We don't have to watch this," and Nimitz' Lady turned it off. JBP never did get back to it; working with Daddy was more fun.

Wed., Sept. 7, 2005
JBP loves Reflections Kids' Club, a casual organization for young kids, which meets after the church potluck sometimes. During the summer, it met twice a month. For the rest of the year, it will meet once a month. The kids play games, hear stories, sing (JBP loves music) and eat snacks (he loves those, too).

The theme has been nature -- specifically, frogs and insects. Each kid was given a T-shirt with a colorful picture of a tree frog on the front and the logo, "Friends in High Places." JBP got mixed up and called it, "Frogs in High Places." Very logical.

Fri., Sept. 9, 2005
A couple of weeks ago, I went down to the family room and couldn't find the remote. "Where is it?" I fretted.

JBP said, "Hello, it's right here," and he stepped up onto the hearth and retrieved the remote from the mantel. I thanked him profusely -- maybe too profusely. "You're lucky to have me," he said.

"Yes, I am," I said, willing to encourage a good self-image. "Otherwise, you would never find the remote," he said." "Hmmm." "Because you're old." And yet he lives.

Wednesday evening, he, his daddy and I were going to the store. Der Deutscher tries
not to use the ai/c in the car. He says it's hard on the engine. So the windows were open. Trying to get as much air as I could, I had my arm against the oustide of the car door.

"Dwammy, you're in danger!" yelled the little backset driver. "You could get hurt!" I dutifully pulled my arm inside and suffered the heat.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005
JBP and I went to the Cookie Bakeoff at the church last night. I did not want to go. I was especially tired and had slept all afternoon. I just wanted to stay home. Der
Deutscher didn't want to go, and Nimitz' Lady was exhausted from loading semis for the hurricane victimes for 3 1/2 hours each of the last two days.

Nimitz' Lady had made Lemon Tea Cookies. "Why don't we just stay home and eat cookies?" I suggested. "We're GOING to the Tookie Bakeoff." JBP asserted authoritatively. "MY friends are going, and I want to go, so we're going."

So we went. JBP was so happy playing with his friends that he could hardly eat. He took only one cookie the first time thorugh the line, though later I saw one of his mamma's half-eaten cookies on his plate, so he had gone through line again. He also eventually ate a small serving of homemade ice cream with fresh strawberries.

Then he went outside (with adult supervision) and played until it was time to leave.

I ate only a single spoonful of strawberries, and I nursed a diet Papsi throughout the evening. No cookies or ice cream. I played Phase 10, a card game, for the first time, with three guys. I think I lost. Anyway, I had to leave after the third phase.

JBP and I got home about 10:15. JBP threw himself into his mamma's arms, and she carried him upstairs to bed. He went to sleep instantly.

Oh, yes, Nimitz' Lady's cookies won third prize -- a $10 gift certificate at a nut
store.

Tues., Sept. 13, 2005
This morning I had an appt. for a mammogram. To begin with, I went to the wrong hospital -- St. Francis campus instead of St. Joseph campus. It's a good thing I started very early, way ahead of my appt.

So I had to walk back out the long hall, up the ramp and down the aisle to where I had parked Nimitz' Lady's car. Then I had to drive all the way across town from north to south. Fortunately, the interstate makes it easy.

At the correct hospital, they were repaving the parking lot, so I had to park in the overflow lot -- and walk a long way. Fortunately, my leg wasn't bothering me too much this morning.

I got all the paperwork done and changed my blouse and bra for a hospital gown. I sat in the waiting room with four other women. Three eventually were processed, and a fifth entered and changed her clothes. The two of us sat there for a long time. And then the technician came in and told us that the machine had broken down. We had to make new appts.

So by the time I got back home, the whole morning was shot. JBP wanted to watch "Kipper," which the calls, "Tipper." Kipper and his friend Tiger are Brtitish dogs, and they get into the same kind of trouble that little kids get into. JBP loves the stories and when he has a video of Kipper, he watches it over and over. Well, he does that with all his videos.

Lately, he has watched Rescue Heroes, too. He has a Rescue Hero firefighter figure, which he loves.

While I waited for Nimitz' Lady to shower and dress, I lay down on the couch. I think I actually got about 5 minutes of sleep. Nimitz' Lady and JBP dropped me at work on their way out for lunch. (Which never happened. JBP wanted to go to Applebee's, his favorite restuarant. When I said no, that was too expensive. He refused to pick another place and we ended up eating at home. He keeps trying but I've got too much experience at stubborn for him to out-stubborn me! --Nimitz' Lady)

Yesterday evening I made granola from a new recipe that came with my subscription to Vegetarian Times (or something like that). As the first batch was baking, I wondered aloud what I would put it in. I suggested the big, colorful ceramic bowl JBP painted for me for Mother's Day. He objected.

"Now, Dwamma," he chided, "I dave (gave) you that only for tookies (cookies)."

"Well, we're going to put "tooked" granola in it," I told him. "All right," he said, with the same words and exactly the same intonation we use on him, "if you want to ruin it. You'll see. The paint will water." (I think he meant "run.") The granola went into the bowl.

Actually, I htink my own "make" of granola is healthier. This one has added salt (why?), honey, syrup, oil and flour. Mine has none of those things. I just toast the oatmeal, dates, raisins, nuts and coconut. We all love it. Of course, this new recipe is very good. It also includes cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, so when it's baking, the house smells like Christmas.

Early this morning, right after Der Deutscher left for work, JBP and I were watching the weather report on Hurricane Ophelia. JBP, who labored mightily to help load a semi of food and diapers for Katrina survivors, said with a grin, "Oh-oh! We're gonna have to give more food."

Fri., Sept. 16, 2005
JBP had a great day yesterday. It was Kid Zone's "Mom's Day OUt." JBP got to spend the whole morning at Kids' Zone, from 9:30 to 1:30. When I saw him in the evening, he chattered about all the fun he had, with games, crafts and other activities. He ate lunch there, too.

Nimitz' Lady said that after she checked him in, he suggested, "Aren't you supposed to leave now?" He's growing up.

After supper, he played basketball "wich Kwamain" and Ryan, from next door. "With," means that he was shooting hoops in Kwamain's basket while Kwamain and Ryan played a game. Every once in awhile, one of them would toss the ball -- a regulation-sized ball -- to JBP, bat it out of his hand, or lift him up to slam dunk. He was in heaven!

JBP made numerous baskets with that big ball, and he even did it one-handed once o twice. The hoop was lowered, but the ball was bigger than JBP has played with before. Soon, he'll be making baskets with the goal at full height.

He and I went to the Dollar Store to pick up some school supplies for Operation Iraqi Children. A Presbyterian church in town is coillecting the supplies. A member will take them to the Big City, where they'll be shipped to Iraq for distribution by U.S. miitary personnel.

JBP took his piggy bank along,a nd while I picked up school supplies, JBP decided on the toy of the day. He chose a foam plastic football. He can't wait to play with it. By the time we got home, it was bedtime, so he had to wait for today. (Although none of us have spent any time watching football or playing it, he sure has a knack for the game. He can throw that ball with a perfect spiral and straight as an arrow. This basketball household is sure in trouble. We know little to nothing about football and care even less! Oy vay! --Nimitz' Lady)

A Quickie

It's late and I need to get home and get some sleep. But, here's a quick JBP moment I just couldn't NOT share.

This happened after a long day with many activities and little Mama-time.

I was getting ready to head back to work after my supper break. I was at the top of the stairs putting my shoes on when JBP rounded the corner at full speed headed up the stairs toward me.

Assuming he was coming to say, "Goodbye", I stooped down to catch his headlong dive into my arms. I grabbed him up and gave him a big bear hug and kiss saying, "You came to say goodbye to Mama!"

He put his little hands over my mouth and whispered, "And to get some grapes!"

As soon as I put him down he scampered off to the kitchen for his grapes, not even a glance back at Mama as she left!

Nimitz' Lady

No, he's NOT in school! ^&%^%$%^&

I find myself saying that an awful lot lately. The cause: JBP is five years old and the "school year" has just gotten underway. Thus, everyone assumes he's in kindergarten. He's NOT.

News Flash: Kindergarten is NOT part of mandatory schooling. At least not in my state. Only 7 states require schooling at ages 5 and 6, and they all offer opt-outs for parents who think their children are still too emotionally immature for school.

Question, why isn't JBP in school yet? I don't believe a healthy child with attentive, educated parents needs formal, early childhood education.

Head Start for low-income children whose parents have a limited education has shown some long term benefits, more in the way of avoiding special ed and remedial classes.

But, studies of preschooling over the last 40 years have consistently shown no long term academic benfits to formal education before the age of 7.

In an age when many politicians are campaigning for mandatory preschool and kindergarten as the panacea for our nation's educational woes, I, once again, an the rebel.

But, during this time a child is busy learning how to operate his body, also called gross motor function, and how the world works. There's plenty of time for he or she to get book learning, time when they're more attuned to the fine motor schools necessary for successful formal schooling.

In fact, studies have shown that children with no formal schooling until age 12 academically catch up within one year to children who've been in school since age 3.

I believe at this age a child best teaches him(or her)self. When JBP introduces subjects we discuss them, often times for more than an hour. I don't force particular topics on him, so he doesn't learn to HATE school as so many students do. Instead, "school" for JBP is a voyage of discovery. Wonder of wonders, he ENJOYS learning.

At the same time, he already knows much more about the world and how it works than many kids twice his age. He may not know much math and reading yet, but he's already got a whole backpack full of common sense and logic, which many of today's youth NEVER get. (side note: He's 5 years old and doesn't always USE that common sense. But, it's there.)

Plus, the early childhood years (before age 7) are when a child's personality is formed. Do I want my son's personality formed by my family or by a Lord-of-the-Flies type society, as I've heard preschool often described?

When it comes right down to it, I want him socialized with MY (and my Husband's) values not some preschooler's idea of Might-Makes-Right or the regimentational values a teacher is forced to impart (stay in line, sit still, be quiet and you're a GOOD boy).

Those of you who know me have probably already heard part or all of this rant before. To you, I apologize. But, obviously it's something that's ruling my life right now. Hopefully in a few months the questions will cease. Until next "Back to School" year.

Nimitz' Lady.

It's a Great State Fair....

And JBP and I quite enjoyed ourselves exploring it this morning. In a matter of 3.75 hours we managed to eat gobs of unhealthy food, ride lots of sickening rides (literally) and check out all sorts of different animals and crafts. JBP was especially taken with the canned goods for some reason.

The only problem, not enough time. We arrived around 8:30 to give ourselves lots of time to explore. Unfortunately, most of the shows, rides and booths open around 10 or 11 am.

So, we spent an hour and a half checking out the rabbits, playing in a water fountain (JBP only!) and taking an 8 minute train ride around the fairgrounds.

Then, because JBP had soaked himself in the fountain but wasn't air drying fast enough, we bought him a purple t-shirt with unicorns on it. He liked it cause it's purple. But, the smallest they had was an adult small. Needless to say, on him it was more like a nightgown than a t-shirt

After all that fun, we headed for daycare and work completely pre-exhausted.
Have a great weekend and Happy Sabbath.
Nimitz' Lady

Tagged!

I've been Tagged so here're my responses. Enjoy. And, if you haven't been Tagged yet, consider yourself Tagged.
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10 Years Ago... I was in Valladolid, Spain, finishing up the Spanish major part of my college degree. I still had two semesters after that to wrap up the Journalism major part. Age: 21

5 Years Ago.... I was getting used to new motherhood and becoming a member of junior management at my then T.V. station. The final tally: I love motherhood but HATE being an Assignment Editor. Never Again! Age: 26

1 Year Ago... I was officially promoted, again, to junior management at my new T.V. station. This time, Executive Producer. Much better. Age: 30

Yesterday... I was cleaning house, trying to buy groceries on a budget without shopping at Wal-Mart, and mourning my Mommy promotion to Just the Chauffeur. Age: 31

5 songs I know all the words to:
Livin' on a Prayer, Bon Jovi
Young Gun, Jon Bon Jovi
How do you like me now? Toby Keith
Right Here Waiting, Richard Marx
Independence Day, Martina McBride

5 things I'd do with a $100 million:
Help build temporary cities along the Gulf Coast
Start a FREE daycare for low income parents trying to get job training/education
Endow a journalism scholarship for Seventh-day Adventists at my university
Pay off the bills and set aside a college fund for JBP
Pay for all planned improvements at my Church

5 places I'd run away to:
Europe
Latin America
Asia
Africa
Gulf of Mexico/Carribbean

5 things I'd never wear:
String bikini
Nipple rings
Chador (or any other sort of Muslim total body veiling for women)
Blonde hair
Paisley

5 favorite T.V. shows:
E.R.
West Wing
Stargate
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Little House on the Prairie

5 biggest joys:
My son
My family
The feel of an infant in my arms
My pets
Reading/Traveling

5 favorite toys:
My video camera
My still camera
My cell phone
The internet
Books

Write your Congressional Rep!

The following is a letter I just received from one of my yahoo groups. It's about important legislation that would increase the adoption tax credit from $10,000 per child to $15,000.

If you care at all about adoption, whether as an adoptive or prospective adoptive parent, as a family member of adoption or a friend, this is important legislation we can't let die just because some legislators don't understand the real issues.

- Nimitz' Lady
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As you all know, the adoption tax credit is currently $10,000 per child. The “Childhood Adoption Act of 2005”, H.R. 1561 has been introduced and is currently pending before the House Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee has not yet taken any action on the bill, which would increase the adoption tax credit from $10,000 to 15,000.

My wife and I wrote to our Georgia Representative, John Linder, to urge him to support the bill. Shortly thereafter we received a reply, in which Congressman Linder stated that families who choose to adopt children provide those children with “stable and financially secure homes.” He expressed hesitation to support a bill that “creates additional benefits for selected taxpayers” and makes our tax system even more complicated than it is. My wife and I were not only insulted by the implication that paying for an adoption is some sort of luxury problem for people who are so “financially secure” that they don’t need any help. It’s one thing to pass the home study and show that you can put food on the child’s table; it’s another to come up with the means to pay for the adoption itself. An already strained family economy, perhaps after years of infertility treatments, could use all the help it can get. Our communication with our Representative will continue.

I would like to urge everyone on this message board to consider contacting your Congressman and inquire about where he or she stands on this issue. Your representative in congress is just that – your representative. They are dependent on your vote and should be open to the views of their constituency. If you have concerns about the passing of the bill in Congress, please make your voice heard. An e-mail, or a letter and a stamp, is all it takes. I also suggest you express your concern not only to your own Representative but also to others. As a community we can become the big squeaky wheel.

I suggest the following:

1. Write to your Representative and find out if he or she plans to support the adoption tax credit bill.

2. If the answer is yes, express your appreciation. If the answer is no, or wishy-washy, express your concern and explain why it would be important to you and your family to see a $5,000 increase in the adoption tax credit.

3. Share names and addresses with the members of this message board of those Representative not in favor of the bill and urge your fellow adoptive parents to copy and paste their own letters to send to other Representatives as well.

At last count there were 435 Representatives. If our grass roots lobbying can change the minds of just a few of these people then that might make a difference come bill voting time. While you’re at it, send an e-mail or letter to Georgia Representative John Linder, who does not think you should have an increased adoption tax credit:

Thomas & Shannon
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Here's where to go to find your representative.
--Nimitz' Lady

Just the Chauffeur

Well, the moment has finally come. I am no longer "Momma! Momma! Momma!" I am now Just the Chaueffeur.

JBP is a very independent young man. Always has been. I mean this is a kid who could hold his own head up less than 24 hours after birth! So, I knew this moment was coming.

Today, JBP started attending "Mom's Day Out", a morning-long program for 3-5 year olds at the YMCA. This session is all about SPACE!

Anyway, we were the first ones into the room, with another mom and her little girl right behind us. I got JBP signed in and he immediately started rolling out the playdoh with a miniature cookie dough roller.

The other mom left. JBP looked up at me and said, "Aren't you supposed to leave, now?!"

That's when I knew it had happened. My baby boy had grown up and I was now Just the Chauffeur.

Fast forward a few hours. I'm getting ready to go back to work after my supper break. JBP is out in the court playing basketball with the BIG kids, including his hero Q, who lives next door. (To put it into perspective, Q is a 6 foot plus tall, skinny high school senior.)

I tell JBP, "Momma's off to work. Come give me a hug."

No response other than a wave. I say, "Give me a hug, I've got to go."

Still nothing. I turn to the car and say, "See you later."

JBP yells at me, "Bye Ma!" as he shoots (and scores, by the way).

Nimitz' Lady, Just the Chauffeur

Book Dreams

This is a list of books I've been compiling over the last few months hoping someday to actually be able to find/read some of them. Hope they spark an interest in you as well. But, as always, caveat lector. I haven't read any of these, yet, so I can't vouch for what's in them. I refuse to take responsibility!
-Nimitz' Lady
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"At All Costs" by David Webber, release date, Nov. 2005.

"The Dance of Time" by Eric Flint and David Drake, release date: Feb 2006

"The Grantville Gazette, Vol 5" by Eric Flint, et al.

"Even After All This Time" by Afschineh Latifi, with Pablo F. Fenjves

"Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement" by Rodney Rothman.

"Finding God in the Evening News" by Jody Dean

"Joy at Work" by Dennis Bakke

"The Plot Against America" by Phillip Roth

"Snow" by Orhan Pamuk, translated by Maureen Freely

"Living Well with Hypothyroidism" by Mary Shomon

"God's Politics" by Jim Wallis

"40 Ways To Raise a Nonracist Child," Barbara Mathias and Mary Ann French (Harper Collins)

"Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice," by Caryl Stern-LaRosa and Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann (Scholastic)

"The Skin I'm In: A First Look at Racism," by Pat Thomas; illustrated by Lesley Harker (Barron's Educational Series)

"Bein' With You This Way," by W. Nikola-Lisa; illustrated by Michael Bryant (Lee and Low)

"Life Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good" (published by Emmis Books)

"The Lost Daughters of China"

"A Passage to the Heart"

"The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices"

"Red China Blues"

"River Town"

"Snow Flower and The Secret Fan" by Lisa See

"Saved: The Daughters Left to Die, From China with Love" by Emily Buchanan

"Girls in Trouble" by Caroline Leavitt

Ahhhhhhhh! Another Near Miss

Once again it looks like I'll miss out on the fun of a Bon Jovi concert!

I just learned they'll be playing in Des Moines' new Wells Fargo Arena on Wed, Nov. 2. That's waaaay too close to our Europe trip, so.. no go!

That's the closest they'll get to us! By several hours travel time. OK, it's serious chocolate time now!

Nimitz' Lady

Religious Rant

This is a post that's been brewing for a few days. It comes down to a few biblical truths, such as "Judge not, lest ye be judged" and "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

In many ways my religious beliefs are pretty conservative, one might even call them fundamentalist. If I can't find it in the Bible I don't go there. At least, I try to avoid going there and repent when I do. I am a sinner after all. =)

Unfortunately, there are too many conservatives and/or fundamentalists who give the terms "conservative" and "fundamentalist" a bad taste in everyone else's mouth. This isn't what Jesus wanted.

Time and again, he told the Jews he wasn't there to change the Law, meaning the Jewish Law set down by Moses in the first five books of the Bible, but to fulfill the Law.

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21 NIV) Jesus told the Galileans at temple at the beginning of his pastoral career.

The Oxford dictionary defines "conservative" as "opposed to great or sudden social or political change; having traditional attitudes and values". It defines "fundamentalist" as someone who believes "everything in the Bible is true and should form the basis of religous thought or practice".

That's me.

Many Christians today have a different view of "conservative" and "fundamentalist". It's no longer based on preserving the Bible. It's based on preserving social mores, whether or not they follow the Bible.

Things like trying to force non-Christians to pledge allegiance to our country "under God", despite Jesus' own words in Matthew 22:21, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; And unto God the things that are God's," instead of trying to share the Message of Salvation with them.

This is the same sort of "conservatism" Jesus fought in his days.

One Sabbath He and his disciples had been preaching all night and were hungry, so on their way to the synagogue, they walked through a wheat field. There, they pulled off some of the wheat heads and shucked the grains out by rubbing their hands together.

Someone saw them and reported them to the religious leaders who, in modern language, reamed Jesus out for allowing his disciples to "break" the Sabbath No Work laws.

Although based on the 4th commandment (Ex. 20: 8-11), these Sabbath No Work laws had long since been hijacked by men and no longer reflected God's common sense of having a day of rest. Instead, they made life more difficult for the common man.

In essence, Jesus told these religious leaders to take a "chill pill" and use a little common sense. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Matt 12:8 NIV) He went on to say,"If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." (Matt 12:11-12 NIV)

And that brings me to the point that started all this. Just because someone does something different than you, doesn't make them unsalvable or even un-Christian. And it doesn't necessarily mean they're breaking biblical law.

So many of the differences, and arguments between Christian denominations or between "conservaties" and "liberals" are over cultural differences. When checked against the Bible, they become meaningless.

God could care less whether women wear pants, short skirts or long skirts in church or whether men are dressed in a three piece suit, a shirt with a collar or t-shirt and jeans. What he cares about is our relationship with him.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and ith all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Luke 10:27 NIV)

Yes, there are many things the Bible preaches against, mostly for our own good. But, beating people over the head with their "sins" and telling them they're "going to hell" and "God Hates" them violates the Bible as much as any of the sins it preaches against.

"For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, KJV) This passage is so important it's re-stated a multitude of times, in different ways, throughout the New Testament.

The important wording here is "whosoever believeth". John didn't say, whoever follows the longest list of the most convoluted rules will go to heaven. He said, whoever believes in God will have eternal life.

All of us are at different points in our Walk with God. None of us is perfect. That's why God had to send Jesus, the only perfect man, to this polluted earth to save our sorry butts from OURSELVES.

God will meet us wherever we are in that Walk with Him and help guide our steps. It's not for us to try to "guide" each other's steps. That's for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So to say that because someone worships on Sunday instead of Sabbath, eats unclean meat instead of following the dietary laws in Leviticus, wears jewelry and makeup or has tattoos... means that person is going to hell, is just plain.. well... un-Christian.

Instead of fighting over details, why don't we all just sit down and read the Bible, then try to share HIS message with the world instead of our own.
---------------

Well , not the rant I sat down to write, but... God works in mysterious ways.

Nimitz' Lady

The JBP Chronicles, by Grammy

Dear Family and Friends,

August is over. It's September and still hot! Outrage! I will never get completely resigned to living in a hot place.

On the ohter hand, JBP is here, and he's a real cool kid. Just read on, and I think you'll agree.

Hugs,
Grammy


Fri., Aug. 19, 2005
School started for me today. I have met the 7:30 class and have another at 10:30. JBP saw me dressed up this morning (I've been going to work in shorts all summer) and asked, "Is today Sabbath?" Come to think of it, I LIKE going to work in shorts in the summer. If only I didn't have to teach and could make a living from writing alone...

Today is the day his mamma has off. For the last two days she has had to do double shifts for the Serial Killer's sentencing. (Good news -- he is not eligible for parole for 175 years.) Listening to the testimony in the trial of this confessed serial killer was bad enough. In the sentencing phase, a lot more stuff came out about his sexual fantasies and treatment of his victims.

After the first day of it, Nimitz' Lady said, "I need a bath." I wasn't able to stand to listen to more than a few minutes. And, of course, we didn't want it on when JBP could hear.

JBP came to work with me last Wednesday. I say "work," but I wasn't working. I was typing the church bulletin. JBP brought some toys and promised that he would not be bored. Within minutes he had reduced his Dollar Store golf club and ball to ruins.

He didn't want to play with the other toys he had brought. I made enlarged photocopies of some of the pix in his mini-coloring book, and that kept him busy for awhile. Then he kept running into the hall and departmental office to talk to people who were trying to work.

Finally, I found some bagels in the workroom, left over from Tuesday's meeting with the Teaching Assistants (TA's). After that, JBP, who hadn't eaten much all morning, happily munched bagels. At one point he raised his head long enough to say, "I'm so busy eating, I don't even notice that I'm bored."

Tues., Aug. 23, 2005
JBP has a habit of talking about things he has known or wanted "for a long time, since I was a little tid (kid)."

Last night I woke up at midnight and couldn't get back to sleep. I turned on the light and began to read. Eventually -- about 3:00 -- I started to get sleepy, so I rolled over onto my side. I felt what I thought was a cat climbing up onto the couch (I sleep on the recliner in the family room -- can't sleep in a bed yet, since my accidient). It wasn't a cat -- it was JBP. He snuggled against my back and finally fell asleep about 4:00. I then transferred to the longer part of the sectional couch for the rest of the night. Even that is not very good -- I woke up stiff. JBP was still snoozing when his daddy and I left for work this morning.


Speaking of leaving for work: usually, JBP is eager to give us hugs and kisses, even demands to do so. Yesterday, he just sat on the couch, watching TV, and said a casual "goodbye." It's scary. If an active kid like JBP can be so mesmerized by TV, what about less active children? I'm so glad his mamma limits his TV-watching to 1 1/2 hours a day.

Nimitz' Lady and JBP have found the a/c in the church so chilly that they have started taking light shawls with them. (I find the a/c just right.) JBP co-opted his mamma's green-and-burgundy shawl for himself. When he got home, he kept having us tie it around his neck like a cape. Then he raced through the house, making the cape fly out behind him, calling, "I'm a super hero!"

Wed., Aug. 24, 2005
Poor JBP woke up sick this morning. He vomited two or three times. His mamma has to go to the dentist in a few minutes, and I have class, so I couldn't stay home with him. I hope he will be all right, poor little tyke. He complained about his stomach yesterday.

My Son-in-law thinks it's the last watermelon I bought. He said he had some for breakfast, and he's nauseated, too. But I didn't get sick from it, and if anything will make anybody sick to their stomach, it will get me. So I think it's just that they both have a bug, and eating bothered it.

Thurs., Aug. 25, 2005
Yesterday afternoon I went home to stay with JBP. He was feeling better, but his mamma didn't think it was a good idea to send him to daycare.

On the way home, we discussed the watermelon theory. Since my Son-in-law thinks it made him sick, I said, "Great. That's a lot of watermelon for me." "I already threw it out," said Nimitz' Lady, ruining my day.

So after Nimitz' Lady went to work, JBP and I started to make chocolate chocolate-chip cookies. Then he stopped helping. "It's too hard," he said. "You know what the Little Red Hen said," I reminded him. "When it was done, she didn't want to share," said JBP glumly. "He who doesn't work, doesn't eat, you know," I pontificated.

"Hello," said JBP the lawyer, "when she got it ready, she shared it with her chicks. I'm part of your chicks." He had me there.

Fri., Aug. 26, 2005
JBP had a good day yesterday. He got his quilts back from the sewing place. Our friend Jenny had given him two lovely handmade quilts, but they weren't hemmed yet. We finally got them done, and JBP is thrilled. He used the Spiderman quilt last night, and he's taking Animal quilt with him to Germany. Unless he changes his mind and switches.

He also got the use of his bike again. For a long time, I've meant to take it to the bike shop and get the front tire replaced. We got there just after 6:00. They had already closed, but they opened up for us (they are so nice!) and put in a heavy-duty tube. The guy said that's all that we needed.

We went home, and JBP spent the next hour and a half riding like crazy up and down the cul-de-sac with three other kids in our neighborhood. He was a happy boy!

Now he wants me to buy his mamma a bike for her birthday (I wish I could), "so we tan ride 'em together."

Monday, Aug. 29, 2005
JBP had a great Sabbath. Six-month-old Nathaniel and his mamma, Veggiegrrl, came to dinner. Pastor Jay was away at a retreat. After Sabbath School, I went to the Kindergarten classroom, to have JBP run in and call urgently, "Grammaw, tum to Miss Tendra's room!" So I crossed the hall to the pastor's study. Veggiegrrl had Nathaniel on a blanket on the floor, where he had been napping. He was awake now, and JBP was playing with him.

JBP wore his shawl cape-style when we went into church. But when he went to his Sabbath School class, we had him take it off.

JBP was very good in church, except near the end of the sermon. He was in the bathroom (we meet in the gym of a former school, so the restrooms are right off the meeting room), and just as he started to open the door, another little boy entered. Startled, JBP screamed bloody murder, which set the other little boy to screaming, too. It rather startled the preacher. It made Nimits' Lady and me want to sink through the floor.

When Nimitz' Lady came, she had to transfer JBP's carseat to Veggiegrrl's car, so JBP could ride home with Nathaniel.

After Sabbath dinner, JBP played with the baby, and they had a great time together. In Korea, Nathaniel had an older foster brother who played with him. I actually got to hold him quite a lot, and I thoroughly enjoyed that.

JBP freely and correctly uses words like "survive," "recycling" and "exterminate." But he calls me "Grammaw" now, says "buh-detti" for "spaghetti" and insists on "anniversary" for "university." He usually tries to get words right and practices them.

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005
Now we have to keep JBP from hearing reports on Hurricane Katrina. No point in giving him nightmares.

Yesterday when his Daddy said, "Dont eat in the car..." JBP finished instructionally, "...because the tar's not a trash can."

He sat in his carseat and babbled away about daycare and its rules. I swear I heard him say, "They're wrong, and I'm right, but you have to keep the rules they put in."

He is such a know-it-all. Sunday I was loading the dishwasher, and he exclaimed, "No! You're doing it all wrong!" I had to tell him in no uncertain terms that I would load the dishwasher the way I chose. Yesterday Nimitz' Lady was reading aloud an article in a magzine, and JBP said, "They're all wrong!" And this kid will someday be a teenager!

On Sunday we stopped at the Cold Stone Creamery to buy some specially mixed ice cream. NImitz' Lady got cheesecake ice cream mixed with caramel and fudge, etc.
I chose mocha ice cream and asked for chocolate shavings to be mixed in. Nimitz' Lady also got JBP a small dish of blueberry ice cream with sprinkles mixed in.

JBP was holding his ice cream, looking flustered, so I suggested he sit at a table. He went outside (I held the door), and almost immediately came back in. "I can't be out there alone." He is so good about remembering rules!

So I shoved my money at Nimitz' Lady and went out with JBP. He had quite a job
catching the ice cream that insisted on melting over the side of the dish in the intense heat. He couldn't finish it all, so Nimitz' Lady snagged a bigger styrofoam dish and put his inside it. At home, she put it in the freezer. JBP finally managed to finish it by Monday evening.

Nimitz' Lady's birthday is tomorrow, so JBP and I went gift shopping last night.
My Son-in-law drove. First we went to the Dollar Tree so JBP could get his present for his mamma. He said, "I'm gonna get a toy for me and a present for Mamma. First,
I'm gonna get the present."

Of course, as soon as we got there, he tried to pick out a toy for her from the display on the sidewalk. We urged him inside, and he wanted to buy the first thing he saw: a mug. His daddy said, "We are overrun with mugs." So we walked around the store, and JBP asked my advice. "She likes things for her skin," I said.

"Yeah, somefing for her skin! Where is it?" So we found the aisle with body
lotion, and JBP picked out a bottle. Then he ran back out to the sidewalk and picked out his toy -- a bug-catcher with a big magnifying glass. He had more fun with that magnifying glass all evening!

He also enthusiastically helped pick out a couple of gift bags for our presents for Mamma. But he was so eager to play with his bug-catcher that he left both his money
and Mamma's present in the car. My Son-in-law brought them in this morning, and I
stashed them in my room.

Wed., Aug. 31, 2005
Today is Nimitz' Lady's birthday. JBP woke up about 6:30, but his mamma (who got called back to work at 2:30 a.m. because of a train derailment and a 3-alarm fire) made him stay in bed until 7. As soon as she told him it was 7:00, JBP hopped out of bed, ran into his parents' room and flopped on the bed next to Nimitz' Lady, to watch TV.

I stood in the living room and called JBP, waving the gift bag at him. When he caught sight of it, he hopped down, ran out and grabbed the present. He ran back into the bedroom, calling, "Here, Mamma!" He handed her the gift bag and then climbed up on her back to watch her open it.

Recently, a woman at my Son-in-law's job gave him three little cars for JBP. My Son-in-law gave them to JBP one at a time. Now, JBP keeps looking for more. When we picked him up at daycare last night, he asked, "Do you have a tar for me today?"
My Son-in-law, exasperated at this oft-repeated question, said, "Just because you got lucky three times, doesn't mean you should keep asking." Irrepressible, JBP asked, "Am I lucky today?"

Fri., Sept. 2, 2005
Wednesday evening, JBP played with his magnifying glass, using it as a golf club. Needless to say, it is now in pieces in the trash.

When his daddy walked the dogs, JBP hopped on his little bike and rode along. He did that one other time this week, too. Yet another day, he walked along with Daddy, and one day not too long ago, JBP actually got to walk Se while Daddy walked Ja! As they neared home, they met Mamma, driving home for supper. JBP called, "Mamma! I'm walking Se!"


My new recliner came in the afternoon and was set up in my room. As soon as JBP and Mamma came home, he wanted to sit in it. I let him, and he reclined it and rocked it. Then I made him get out. His mamma has told him that this is Grammy's bed; it is NOT a toy. I shut my bedroom door when I left this morning.

Not just to keep JBP out, but also to keep the Chicken Cat out. Sa, the young cat, has claimed my office chair as hers. She has clawed the seat and back into tatters. Last night, I woke several times to find a cat taking up one side of the recliner, which is scarcely big enough for me to begin with. I may have to shut her out at night, though I hate to do that. But I MUST sleep. I slept for NINE HOURS last night! Wonderful!

Yesterday evening, we all went to dinner with our friend and her daughter who is one year older than JBP. They are moving out of state this weekend, so the dinner was a farewell for them and a birthday dinner for Nimitz' Lady. We went to P. F. Chang's on the shore of a little artificial lake.

JBP pulled his chair over so close to the little girl's he was practically sitting on her lap. After dinner, at JBP's request, I went out with the two of them to look at the fountain in the middle of the artificial lake. Coming back, they held hands; My Son-in-law got a picture.

As we all walked toward the parking lot, JBP told his little friend he didn't want her to go away. She said, "I don't want to go, but I have to." "I won't let you," averred JBP. This soon evolved into a game of chase that had both kids laughing.

Then all the women hugged goodbye. JBP refused to hug his little friend goodbye; he just turned his face away and looked sad and stubborn at once. He's good at that. He eventually did give in though and they hugged good-bye.

Yesterday afternoon, JBP spent three hours with his mamma, just outside the TV station, loading food, water and diapers onto a semi. JBP was inside the truck, moving the supplies into place with a mini-forklift. He had fun! And he worked hard, too. When they got home, he told me, "I got a muscle, doing that."

Four semis full of goods left last night to add to the hurricane relief effort. (By the end of the effort, we were up to 35 truck loads of goods and more than $1.3 raised! -Nimitz' Lady)

In the early morning, I had worked on the phone bank inside the TV station, accepting donations and telling people where to mail their checks. In 24 hours, $100,000 was raised. The station worked with a local supermarket chain on the food collection and with the Salvation Army on the collection of money.

Our Town has done well. In addition to our phone collections, Boeing workers contributed $100,000, and a company whose name I can't remember contributed another $100,000. Koch Industries contributed $250,000 and said it would match employees' donations up to $1 million. An anonymous individual gave $250,000.

One of my students said this morning that she had seen me on TV at the phones. And the dept. secretary said she had seen me, too. I kept checking in the afternoon, but I didn't see Nimitz' Lady and JBP. My sister, LBails, saw them both.

JBP has been part of something big and good, and he is learning already to enjoy helping others. That's my boy!

Dreading Thursday

Okay, this isn't an original title nor is it an original thought. I stole the title from my friend, Veggiegrrl, who had to return to work for the first time today after the arrival of her son this summer.

My dread is similar. My baby's growing up. No, he's not headed for Kindergarten. I don't believe in such early education, especially for boys! But, starting Thursday, he's attending Mom's Day Out at the YMCA.

This is a 9:30 am to 1:30 pm program (which means I'll pick him up just in time to drop him off at daycare!!!!). It includes music, stories, crafts, swimming and lunch. This session is all about space flight and exploration. As soon as JBP saw the display booth about it, he started begging and I finally gave in.
Just like my Husband, JBP is in love with spaceflight!

It's tough to deny my baby boy something he wants so bad AND is good for him.

The problem? From now on, I'll only see my baby about an hour and a half a day on Thursdays. Total. And I know it'll only get worse from here.

Once he's started with Mom's Day Out, no way he'll want to quit. Which means I've pretty much lost at least one day a week, permanently.

And, in a couple of years (depending on my work schedule), he'll start attending SCHOOL! I loved it as a kid. But right now I dread the entire prospect.
---------

In other news.... one unbearably cute moment with SA the Chicken Cat I absolutely had to pass on.

This morning the senior cat, a.k.a. Nimitz, was outdoors. So, Chicken Cat had me to herself. She started winding through my legs, being all cuddly. Then suddenly, out of no where, she stood up on her hind legs, wrapped her front paws around my calf and HUGGED me, purring for all she was worth. It was just soooooo cute!

Nimitz' Lady

Happy Sabbath

All I could think this evening was... Thank God this is the beginning of Sabbath. Despite only working three days this week, I feel like I've run a marathon.

I put in another afternoon loading semis with goods bound for the Gulf Coast and still have a couple hours left at the station before I can go home.

I..... can't..... think...... or.... move.....!

When I walked in I told our assignment editor.... "No breaking news allowed cause I'm not moving until it's time to leave!" Then I'll go home, take a shower and collapse into bed.

It's looking like this weekend will be hot and sunny, so we're planning on taking JBP on a picnic at the park after church tomorrow. There's also a cookie bake-off at church in the evening. JBP will probably go with Mom, cause my Husband doesn't want to go and that means I won't go. I really want to go. But, since I really only see my Husband on the weekends I have a policy that, other than church, I don't do anything without him.

Maybe I can get him to take JBP and I swimming on Sunday. Or to the local science museum. Or maybe the State Fair, which got underway this evening. We'll see.

My biggest plans for the weekend involve learning how to get the pictures I've taken on my Husband's camera OUT of the camera and into the computer. I'll put some on this blog since I'm still at my monthly limit on Flickr. I'm thinking about paying for a professional account so I can put on more pictures.

Let me know what you think and talk to you Monday!

Nimitz' Lady

Exhausted, but Satisfied

Well, I just spent three and a half hours loading more semis full of donated goods for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It's a very fulfilling job, but also very exhausting.

Unfortunately, I did this during the middle of my workshift (with permission folks!) and that means I had to come back to work when all I want to do is collapse in bed.

Oh well, it's worth it. I'll be back out there tomorrow. It's the last day we're doing collections. Then we'll be turning the drive over to the Salvation Army.

So far, we've filled more than 30 semis with food, water and baby things. And, we've collected $1.2 million. Some of the semis have already headed down to Louisiana and the food has been delivered, and often devoured! The picture at the top is a shot of our first train of semi's departing for Louisiana.

The thing is, with a situation like this, no matter how much you do, you feel like it can never be enough.

We had a man today come in with a store's entire stock of diapers. $825 worth. The truly amazing thing, this man is unemployed! He had to charge it. But says he has so much more than the folks along the Gulf right now he HAD to do it.

We've been hearing stories like this day in and day out throughout the last week. Just more proof of God's presence in this cruel and evil world.

Nimitz' Lady

Comments

If you read the comments sections you'll have noticed by now that I'm having a problem with spam comments. To combat this, I've turned on the word verification function.

What does this mean? Just that if you try to leave me a comment, it'll ask you to copy the word you see in the box into the blank space.

You have to actually type things in for your comment to be accepted. Thus, it stops most spammers who just use an automatic program to hit sites like mine.

So don't fear, you should still be able to leave comments. You just won't have to wade through the &*()^&%^%#$ spammers to get to the relevant comments.

mutter, mutter, mutter.

Nimitz' Lady

P.S. If you're a family member or friend having trouble leaving a comment, please drop me a line on my e-mail. I'll try to walk you through the process. I love hearing from folks.

P.P.S. A very BIG THANKS to Veggiegrrl (sse the link on the righthand side of the page) for letting me know about the word verification function.

Vacation!

Whew! We didn't go anywhere, but still had a blast. I've been off work, and thus offline, since 11pm last Wednesday.

In that time, I've:

• Taken my son to volunteer at a collection point for my station's Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive (took lots of pics, look for them soon on Flickr)
• Gone out to eat with family and friends at P.F. Chang's (yum!)
• Slept an entire afternoon away!
• Cleaned my house
• Gone to the Zoo with my Husband and son
• Nursed my Husband through a spot of too much sun from the zoo
• Seen The March of the Penguins with my Husband and son
• Taken my aunt out to eat at the local Indian restaurant
• Picked up a lady Rescue Hero for my son's travel backpack for November
• Bought my son a ball almost as big as he is!

Each of these events is worthy of its own post, but I just don't have time. Since I have no internet access at home, I returned to work with a whole new list of things to do. Like, balance the check book, clear out my inbox (120 REAL e-mail's, plus a few hundred spam mails) and figure out what's been going on in the time I've been checked out of the news world.

Nimitz' Lady