Thanksgiving 08

The idea behind these blocks is to change them to reflect the current holiday. I made the mistake of placing them on 12 foot high shelf in our front room. It is quite an ordeal to balance on the highest rung of the ladder to rearrange the blocks. I finally changed our last message that read "It's a Girl" which had reigned since I was 5 months pregnant with now 2-year old Sophie. I figure that "We Give Thanks" can technically work all year round since we should always be grateful, right? I am not sure how soon I am willing to risk life and limb again, so I hope you like it.

For months Sophie has resisted any suggestion of potty training. She chose the day that I was elbow deep in roll dough and mashed potatoes to rip off her diaper and annouce she needed help on the potty.

The yeast got a little out of control, but not bad for a beginner, eh? (My hands were properly sanitized after the potty incident, for those who are wondering.)

The clouds cleared long enough for Wes and the boys to enjoy a six, yes six mile bike ride around Tempe Town Lake and Mill Avenue.

Thanksgiving is up there with one of my favorite holidays. For me it has always been a relaxing holiday because for 36 years there have been pretty much no expectations of me as far as meal contributions go. Plus there are no gifts or cards to give, no decorations, and no preparations even when you just sponge of the parents for the meal. So for the past couple years, I have decided it is high time for me to learn to cook. I realized that though my mom's rolls are nearly world famous, that I couldn't cook them to save my life. And I hesitate to admit that until last year, I had never even cooked a whole bird. The only poultry in my limited cooking repertoire is very sanitized and in plastic bags from Costco with no bones, fat, skin and certainly no organs of any kind. I attempted and conquered the turkey last year, so my focus this year was rolls and mashed potatoes. The ultimate goal is to be capable of cooking the whole feast by the time I am 40. I learned the importance of dehydrating the boiled potatoes after draining them and for the first time ever, my mashed potatoes were not the consistency of Elmer's glue. Plus abandoning all notions of low fat really helps the cause for both the potatoes and rolls. I added full fat cream cheese, real butter, milk (I just couldn't bring myself to use half and half or heavy cream), onion powder, season salt, and pepper. Yummy! The rolls weren't as good as mom's, but turned out as well, if I can be so bold as to brag. Baby steps. Maybe next year I will uncover the mystery of cranberry relish and pumpkin pie.

We opted this year to enjoy one family's festivities, instead of the rush to make it to both. We are blessed to enjoy a close and frequent relationship with both families, so for once it was nice to relax and enjoy a slower paced day. And since Ruth makes the equivalent of Thanksgiving dinner every Sunday, we knew we just had to wait a mere three days for another chance. We do feel bad that we missed the chance to see some cousins and extended family, though.

We enjoyed lots of laughs, good food, games at Grandma Karla's. The rain cleared up creating a beautiful day for the kids to get their usual 12 hours of needed outside play. They especially look forward to any chance to play with Kelcee.

We are truly grateful for our abundant blessings this day and everyday! Happy Thanksgiving, now let's get on with the crass commercialism of the next holiday!

Pilgrims, Primary Programs, and Propaganda

DB shares his school projects with Sophie so they can play Pilgrims and Indians

All decked out for the Primary Program. Both boys memorized their parts and delivered them flawlessly, earning their candy bribe. (Special thanks to Uncle Burke for delivering Jake's only church shoes to our door step in time.)

We have resorted to shameless advertising of our business by forcing Sophie to wear the Amazing Athletes t-shirt when we go out in public. She likes the kangaroo on it, so don't feel too sorry for her.

Why I'm Grateful I'm Not Rich This Thanksgivng

It's Thanksgiving week, so it has got me thinking about things I am grateful for. The list is long and perhaps I will do a post on that before the week ends, but I have realized something lately. Money really doesn't make people happy. And I think that I am qualified to speak on this topic, not based on my own wealth, but because of my up close and personal observations of the wealthy. I am not sure why, but throughout my life I seem to have been closely associated with people who have a lot of money. (Maybe they are drawn to me because of my indifference toward it.) It started by growing up in the Biltmore Ward, then in high school it was the kids living in the mansions on north Central Avenue and the families I babysat for. Then I ended up working at a place where the salary of the typical salesperson was well into the six figures and in some cases seven.

I love to analyze human behavior. That is probably why I majored in psychology. So this is my assessment of what happens:

You make more money than you need, so you buy a bigger house than you need with more and nicer cars, toys, clothes, and jewelry than you need. Then of course you need to insure, protect and maintain those things. Your exisitng family and friends begin to take note of your new acquisitions and the murmurings and exaggerations begin about how much you make, and start to take on a life of their own. You also now have to question if the intentions and motivations of your new "friends" are pure. Many people will hate you before even getting to know you, which can only be attributed to pure jealousy. And did I mention that you and your stuff are a constant target for crime. Then in no time it becomes assumed that you will host every event, because you have the pool and the big house with the big fancy kitchen and the nicely landscaped yard. At restaurants it is assumed that you will reach for the check, because you are the rich one after all. You can no longer get away with a reasonable gift on graduations, weddings, birthdays and charity events. And if there is ever a case of someone in need, you become a thoughtless, insensitive jerk if you don't respond generously and in a timely manner. Then of course, our progressive tax system kicks in you begin to pay obscene amounts of taxes to make up for the 50 percent of people who don't. The things that others quickly forget are the 14 hour work days, the years of advanced education and study, the fierce competition to get to the top, the high stakes nature of being a decision maker, and pressure of having the financial well being of employees and their dependents in your hands. It really is not that enviable of a position. I have seen many stressed out "rich" people who were much less happy than me (who has never personally possesed any of this wealth).

Now don't get me wrong, there is something to be said for having your needs met and money offers convenience, security, comfort and flexibility in your life. But once you get past that "comfortable" level, the principal of diminishing returns kicks in rapidly. So I guess my advice to all you over acheivers out there, take a deep breath and strive to make just enough to make you comfortable, if you want to maximize happiness. And for the non-rich, follow my lead and add "not rich" to the list of things you are grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Cha-Ching..

for the Orthodontist, that is. This can't be good news. Jake's baby tooth is in front of the now almost all the way up permanent tooth. The dilemma: Do I blind side him and forcibly pull out the baby tooth and pray his tongue will move the permanent tooth into place, or spend the couple hundred bucks and let the dentist pull it with numbing agents, or continue with my current plan of ignoring the situation. I'm a cheapskate, but what is the cost of my son trusting me? I'm truly confounded on this one. (Please disregard the cashews stuck in his molars-I should have had him brush prior to the photo.)

Good Job, Broncos!

Wes draws up a play as the Broncos look on. Jake and DB attempt to scare the opposing team with their face paint and mohawks.

Congratulations, Broncos on a great season! Wes has thoroughly enjoyed being able to coach both his boys on the same team this year. Thanks to all their loyal fans who came out and endured these games. (And Cheryl, I am pretty sure Jake didn't notice that you didn't see his touchdown. Just tell him how great it was and it will be our little secret.) As sad as we were to be eliminated in the first game of the playoffs, the good news is that we have our Saturdays back! As for DB, he will be a force to contend with next year.

Heartbreak Hotel

Every Phoenix sports fan is aware of Al McCoy (the Suns play by play guy) and his signature "Heartbreak Hotel!" This is used when a last second shot to win the game doesn't go in. This is all I could think of after the last play of the game for the Broncos on Saturday-shown below. Wes has been pretty good about giving all the kids a chance to shine at some point in the season. DB is the youngest and smallest and just hasn't been able to score this season. Jake is our strongest player and has easily scored at least 10 touchdowns. DB has been so sweet about being excited for him and cheering him on every time. He acts like he doesn't care, but I know it would mean the world to him to be the hero just one time. It has even made it into his bedtime prayer the last couple nights.
So the Broncos finished the regular season with a record of 5-3. They are the number 8 seed of 16 teams and will play the number 9 seed, the Titans on Wednesday night at 6:00 for the first game of the playoffs. Come on out and cheer them on if you can...


Jake (in the white shorts) makes a noble attempt at getting a touchdown pass to DB (in blue shorts running from left to right with his hands in the air.)

The Annoying and The Ridiculous

Recent Observations that I find either annoying, ridiculous, or both...

I watch local news occasionally, which devotes a good portion of it's half hour to the weather. It's a good gig in Arizona if you can get it. Aside from a few monsoon storms, a meteorologist's job is apologize for the extreme heat for 9 months (like it is his fault or something), then gloat to all the people in Minnesota about the beautiful days for the rest of the year. But I digress. Here's the ridiculous part: the graphic that every local station uses showing the high and low temps for all the cities in the Valley. The ridiculous part is that the temperature rarely varies more than one or two degrees. Is there really anyone out there who is like..hmmm I was going to go shopping in Phoenix, but since it is 93 there and only 92 in Mesa, I think I will go to Mesa instead.. Let's retire that graphic already.
Ridiculous.

The businesses that flood your mailbox with coupons and sign on with every high school's fund raiser card then give you attitude when you try to use their coupons.
Annoying.

There is a certain segment of the population who have realized the potential for free money for cooking up and threatening bogus lawsuits. Take a certain lady who signed up her child for Wes' sports program at his daycare center. She signed the paperwork agreeing to our terms which states that she will agree to give a two-week notice before removing her child from the program. She stopped paying after the first month. Wes continued to take the child to the class as he doesn't like to punish the child because mom and dad forgot their checkbook that day. When Wes did his standard issue "Friendly Reminder" card which reminds them that they are late paying, he received a scathing note the next day threatening a law suit for "harassment". She claimed she "never signed nothing" and he would be hearing from her lawyer. Really? So you are going to pay a lawyer $200 to write a letter for a $40 debt that has your signature on a contract agreeing to pay? And if you are having financial trouble or are unhappy, wouldn't it be easier to just call and explain, than draft a four paragraph threatening letter. He probably would have forgiven the debt if she had done that.
Ridiculous.

The folks at the city and at our HOA who faithfully water our common areas all summer long when nobody in their right mind is outside longer than it takes to get to the car. It is luscious and green all summer. Then when winter rolls along, when people are actually using these common areas, they shut off the water spigots turning it a shades of yellow and brown. Huh?
Ridiculous, annoying, and I will add environmentally unfriendly to this one as well. (It takes much less water in winter than summer.)

And for my final item I have to go back to our visit to Legoland a few years back. Those folks present quite the moral dilemma for the parents of the small for their age three year old. You see kids under 3 get in the gate for free, but kids have to be at least 3 to ride certain rides. I was behind a father and daughter in line at one of those must be three to ride rides. The Dad was frantically trying to explain to his daughter that even though she was told to say she was only two at the entrance to the park, she now needed to say she was three to ride the ride. Hey Dad, guess what.. you just put a price tag of $45 bucks on honesty. The next time your daughter lies to you, you need not look further than the mirror to figure out where she learned it.
Ridiculous! (But who among us hasn't been tempted on this one..)

Budget Cuts

In response to tough economic times, we like so many people are trimming the family budget. We no longer pay someone to wash our car, and Sophie has shown herself to be quite useful. Any excuse to be outside in November in Arizona is so worth it anyway.

UPDATE:

I have some excellent news about DB's love life. He has recovered from the mean little girl who told him she hated him, in response to him professing his love for her. I found an interesting little piece of paper yesterday in his backpack. It was carefully cut out and enhanced by a few staples. It had two sentences written on it: "I like Hailey", then "I luv Hailey" right under it. When asked about this, he said that Mrs. Dyer had moved the seats around and Hailey now sits next to him. I asked why he loved her, and he said it was because she tied his shoes for him 13 times in one day. It sounds like true love to me. Incidentally, he suddenly has no interest in learning to tie his own shoes.

Thank you, Veterans!

I love that almost every house in my neighborhood participates in the Scout flag program.

DB's Veteran's Day Tribute (If he looks sick, it is because he is fighting his second strep infection in as many months - golf ball sized swollen glands and all. Thanks Kindergarten germs.)

Like most of us, I often take for granted the freedom that being an American affords me. These freedoms came at tremendous cost, borne heavily by those who have so selflessly served this country. I have had the chance to visit Arlington National Cemetery in D.C. and The "Punchbowl" Veteran's Cemetery of the Pacific, in Hawaii. My visits to these memorials were always very humbling. On one of the monuments at the Punchbowl is the following engraving, that I have never forgotten:

"The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

To all Veterans, I salute you and your sacrifices today. Thank you!

Portrait Time

I don't know why I always get suckered into buying these photo packages. Do I really need 127 copies of the same pose in 10 different sizes? I will probably just scan one and stick the rest of the package in the large overflowing plastic container in my closet labeled "kids' scrap books", that hasn't been touched since 2003. I've heard that it is possible to print out blogs. I sure hope that is true, because this will be the closest thing to a scrapbook that my poor kids are going to have.
Jake - Age 6- First GradeDylan- Age 5 -KindergartenSophie - Age 2 - working itTwo star Bronco players with their Coach/Dad. Intimidating, aren't they?

Election Wrap Up

Putting politics aside, it was heartening to witness the historic event on Tuesday night. Barack Obama once again gave an amazing and inspirational speech that resonated with with even a right-winger like myself. He is my president now and I plan to support him and cheer his every accomplishment. Every president deserves the benefit of the doubt. I sincerely hope that he silences his critics and brings positive change that will ultimately unite and lift this nation. He now is entering a new action phase in his career. As president, voting "present" will no longer be an option. He is going to have to be decisive and bold, particularly in the message we send to the nations that hate America and seek to destroy us. You'll be in my prayers, President Obama. I have a vested interest in where you lead us. You now hold the keys to the nation that my children will inherit.

As a conservative who believes that smaller government is better government, that freedom and personal responsibility matter, I can only hope that somehow in the next four years we find a voice that can clearly articulate those values. A lot can happen in four years and who knows, maybe Mr. Obama will earn my vote, but for today my dream ticket for 2012: Jindal/Romney (in either order). Watch for it.

One final anecdote before swearing off politically charged entries for awhile: In this election process Wes and I have watched all the debates and coverage and had numerous discussions about issues relating to the election. The boys have asked us questions about who we want to win and why. I try to be careful in how I present the facts. I want to encourage them to think for themselves and draw their own conclusions. It is good mental exercise for them and interesting for me to see what they come up with. So what was Jake's response to seeing the giant Wednesday morning headline that said Obama had won? "Oh great, DB. DO you know what this means? - Now I am going to have to give some of my correct spelling words to all the kids who didn't study." Maybe I am not so unbiased after all....or maybe I am just right:)

11-2 Odds

So here we are: election eve. I've allowed myself to become deluged with the coverage of said election. I hit a saturation point several weeks ago, and mailed in my ballot so long ago that I actually don't remember how I voted on some issues. The odds makers have "The One" as an 11-2 favorite to win. (I'm tempted to place a bet with what is left of my 401K. It seems to be offering better odds than my current investments.) Anyway if the polls and odds makers don't lie, Barack Obama will accept the nomination for President of the United States of America tomorrow night.

Many people, including me, are excited about the prospect of the first black* president. I just wish it wasn't this black guy. Don't get me wrong. I haven't bought into the scare tactics. I believe that Barack Obama loves America - not quite as much as he loves himself, but a sufficient amount to calm my fears. He has run an amazing campaign and has won over the masses with a platform that fails to offer much in the way of protection to capitalism, the constitution, or the unborn. That is pretty amazing if you think about it. These, along with the risk what will likely amount to a blank check from the Senate and House is a recipe for a very interesting four years. No matter where you land on the political pendulum, there is something to be said for checks and balances. One thing seems certain, "change" is a coming. Time will tell if it the kind of change his throngs of supporters envisioned. Heaven knows that this country could use a good dose of unity after this election cycle. He has shown a dedication to pleasing people, but sadly often at the expense of doing the right thing. (One word: Present) Doing the right thing has a way of making a person unpopular, which in a campaign often translates into unelectable.

As far as Senator McCain goes, he was not my first, second, or even third choice in this election. It was not without hesitation that I voted for the hometown war hero. If by some miracle, he is our next president, seriously, the Democrats should just quit the politics game forever. If you can't win after the visceral hatred that people have of W, you just can't win, period.

Whoever it is, may God speed. They are going to need His help.

*I have reluctantly adopted the media loose interpretion of the qualifications of being "black". A case could be made that I had more African influence in my early years than Barack Obama. He met his father once. The difference between him and me is just pigmentation, but you don't hear people calling me black.