So, this Valentine's Day is my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Yes, Valentines Day, ain't that cute. Which blows my mind. Being that I haven't even been alive for 40 years, it's insane to me to think about having a relationship that would last that long. They've earned it, though, that's for sure. Many difficult times they've had, both on their own, and certainly dealing with my brother and me. Well, mostly my brother. I was the good one, if you can believe that.

I must say, I'm very proud of them. Being that even most of their friends are divorced, long-term couples I grew up with, it's even more impressive. Plus, they honestly just still love each other. It's pretty sickening, really. I seriously think if something happend to one, the other would not know how to cope. Like Where the Red Fern Grows, or something. I know after that long, a lot of couples don't' even like each other anymore, or have anything in common after the kids leave, and I'm proud of the work they've put in for so long to bear the fruits of their labor. They deserve it. I just wish I had the money to send them on a cruise or something.

So, we're throwing them a party. I'll be in town from Feb 11 - 16, and the party is on the 13th. It's hard planning from so far away, luckily my brother is doing a lot of it. I'm mostly relegated to sending out invitations (check) and getting stuff to decorate with, tablecloths & centerpieces and crap like that. "(e:matthew)" I sent you an email? did you get it? Definitely want to do what I can to see the PMT boys while I'm there, but my time is limited.

In other news, in the process of finding a middle school for Elijah. Yes, that's right, I said MIDDLE SCHOOL. I can hardly believe it myself. I'm starting to understand the old adage "seems like only yesterday..."

A kind of disturbing thought came into my head this morning. I realized that if my son somehow follows the path my brother took, I'll be a grandma in 7 years. That's freaky. My mom was 35 when my niece was born. I'd be older than that, but still. It's hard to think that in 5 years or so, my little boy will be experimenting with sex drugs and rocknroll. I know I was. Well, all you can do is educate them and say good luck, be smart! I hope to God he is. May God watch and keep him.

I guess that's all. Hope everyone is well. Later peeps.

Okay, so my boy's school play for drama club was last night, in which he played a bully. It was more like a musical. Anyway, here's a couple of pics from his little solo. I must say, he rocked it out. totally blues brothers/mick jagger style, if you ask me. I was rolling!





Here's him responding to the people behind him.



Hope everyone is well. I'm doin ok. Just finished up the semester at school and happy about the summer. Elijahs got another 2 weeks, then the fun begins.

I really need to use estrip more to post pics of the boy.

lates

Happy Birthday Paul!
I wish I had some pictures of us when we were little, they'd be hysterical! Or from the sewers, or the grainmills, or hitchhiking home from Grand Island (misc. nipples), or falling through the ice at Delaware Lake (yes, I know it's Hoyt lake, but to me it'll always be Delaware Lake), running around a "ghostbusters" downtown on 1/2-days or playing tortoise and making you come find me...so many crazy crazy times. I wish it were still like that and we could just go on adventures all day, but alas, we had to grow up!
Love you very much, little brother!

Just a reminder (for anyone who knows me or cares in the least - hint, hint) that I, my man, and my boy will be touching down in the B-Lo a week from Monday (the 22nd). Can't wait to see everyone, maybe meet some of you I've known voyeuristically these past few. We will definitely be in attendance for the New Year's Eve shindig (minus the 9-year-old), which I am much looking forward to.
So listen, Paul Terry & Matt, you better clear up your calendars, because we've got three years worth of chillin to do in less than 2 weeks, plus all my other relatives to see.

Ban on Gay Marriages Approved:



I'm ashamed, but whaddya goin do? I'm not gay so there's no one I can sue, but I'm thinking there's going to be bunch of lawsuits over it.

Crap, damn fear-mongers.

I really wish you guys could've seen some of these Yes on 8 commercials. They were pretty classic and sickening.

Talking about that your kids are going to learn in school about "boys marrying boys and girls marrying girls". Then they come up real close on this little girl whose face looked like her puppy just got ran over in front of her.

Damn fear-mongers.

From Sacramento, this just in.....

millions of more votes to be counted, Prop 8 opponent call Prop 8 supporters "presumtuous" in thinking they've already won.

here's the story

So today on the way back from work after my lunch break, I saw this on a car. Not a bumper-sticker, mind you, but hand writtten (very neatly, I might add, which I always appreciate with things of import) in whiteboard marker on the back window.

"THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THINKS YOU ARE STUPID AND RACIST...PROVE THEM WRONG!!!"

Now, unlike Michele Obama, there's no backlash for me to admitting the lack of pride (or shame) of my country that I have felt in the last recent years, but this filled my heart with pride.

Seriously, no offense to Republicans, you can't help yourselves, I know that. Now, there is at least one (well, no, now that I'm thinking about it, only 1) republican that I can honestly say I love and respect personally, and he would be furious and indignant at this, at which time I would laugh at him.

Alas, Sophia is no longer, at least we can still enjoy her wonderful sarcasm on TV (thank you Lifetime).



Incidentally, Mike, last Friday I read your Rose's joke (Patty O'Furniture). Not an hour later I was enjoying my day-off morning coffee/crossword/golden girls and there was Rose telling that joke. Cracked me up. I figured the time difference was the only reason we didn't see it at the exact same time.

That's all...

"So Fires..." doesn't really make any sense

Okay so here I am in San Diego with all these fires. This is the 2nd time since I've lived here that there have been MAJOR fire events all at once. There's about 7 fires burning right now in San Diego County & more in Orange & LA Counties. I drove down from Glendale to SD this morning (about 130 miles north) & it was basically campfire smell the whole way.

Jess, you're mama will be fine. ESPECIALLY by the ocean. It would be one thing to be in the forest or desert, but who comes to San Diego from Arizona for the desert? There's like seriously no personal threat, just really if you have a home any where canyon-esque or foresty. If she's got asthma or anything like that, she might want to wear one of those SARS masks, otherwise, she'll be fine. Also, I'm not sure if she's supposed to fly out, but I know the airport has an evacuee center at Terminal 1 for those flying in whose homes have been evacuated. I would guess they have something available for those who are due to fly out. Not sure, though...

I could see the Irvine (orange county) fires (like actual flames) from the I-5 this morning, and there were certainly parts where it was very smoky & ashses & big pieces of charred things flying around the freeway, holding on the steering wheel because the winds are like 70 mph, the source of the fires to begin with.

I'm not right in it this time, but 4 years ago, there were fires about 3 miles from my apartment. That's one time I am thankful for living in the ghetto, because the concrete jungle is hard to burn during a brush fire. They say this fire is bigger already. It's seriously insane to see. I think last I heard was 60,000 acres? That was like 2 hours ago....