The Pragmatic Perspective

I'm wishing you all great joy and peace during this magical season! I am blessed to have such a loving family and the luxury of a life in the USA. I only wish I could bestow these same blessings I possess on those who lack them! Wouldn't that be a gift? To be able to hand off love, shelter, abundant food and clothing? I know you all feel the same. May we all find ways to send some good into the world in the new year!

You know I'm expecting a baby. When I found out, I had to round up something to wear because I had given away nearly all my maternity clothing years ago. I went to the source of all products, Ebay . I purchased shirts, jeans, a couple sweaters and a nifty vest for an extra warm layer. All great products, affordable, clean and in good condition. BUT they stink of fabric softener to high heaven! Some have been washed 3 or 4 times and still have the smell. I'm not sure if you have considered what kind of fragrance lasts through several washings; if you haven't, you should. Let's not even count the headache I get from the strong smell; or the skin irritation that many people have when their sensitive skin is exposed to this product. Also, the fact that these products in your clothing can make them more flammable! Just Google "is fabric softener bad for you?" and see what you find. Take the time to research "fragrance:", and you may want to clean out yo...

We found out at the ultrasound a couple weeks ago, that we're having a boy. It's exciting that we will have the experience of a boy after having a girl!

We decided to embark on the journey again, though we have long avoided this path. I'm 16 weeks along in my 2nd pregnancy. Due March 19. Zoe is beyond excited. When we told her she said, "But I thought you weren't going to have any more kids?!" Even she had become resigned to the fact that we were a one child family. What changed our minds? I'm not exactly sure, but we didn't want to be in our 40's and regret that we hadn't had another child. Besides, it's a lot of work to take care of old folks when you are an only child! Now Zoe will have help! :) She will be the best older sibling! Her willingness to help is already a wonderful asset. I'm sure when the baby is here, she will continue to be a great assistant. Stay tuned for further developments; I will post news of interest as it happens.

Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. Robert G. Ingersoll, 19th-century orator, on Abraham Lincoln

Zoe's latest interest is listening to children's story tapes on my old Sony Walkman. She listens to music on a little, old MP3 player she has; of course she's used to jamming in the living room to the ipod. Yesterday, she wanted a story to listen to. The only ones I could think of were these old tapes I still had from my childhood. I pulled them out of storage, got out the Walkman, and gave her a few instructions about how tapes/tape players work. She has been carrying that thing around ever since! It is amusing to see how much enjoyment she gets out of this "new" technology available to her! Ha-ha!!!

Here's the new vehicle. A 2005 Honda Element. I have wanted one of these for 3 years, but it wasn't in the cards until now. We decided to get something more functional, yet still economical in fuel usage. This showed up in town a couple months back, and the like-new interior and exterior, along with a fair price, sold us. The mileage was higher, but on a Honda we aren't too concerned. (We once had a Civic past 300,000 miles). The rear doors are suicide doors that only open if the front is open. The lack of a center post makes it possible to put something quite large in through the doors. The rear seats can fold up to each side wall, or be removed, or lay flat. My favorite feature- NO CARPET! Motor vehicles should never have the stuff; it's impossible to keep clean! I can wipe this out whenever the sturdy urethane mat needs it. The rear "skylight" is a neat addition; and the sound system is AWESOME! There's even a subwoofer-crazy! A back hatch is very ha...

    Zoe's school had a track and field day on Wednesday. It included 3 rural schools, a local private school, and homeschoolers from around the area. Zoe, who runs instead of walking when at all possible, was in her element. She had been practicing at school; at home she ran around the entire house multiple times to train for the event. She walked away with  blue ribbons for first place in the 50 & 75  meter dashes; in the running broad jump, she placed second. I was proud of her spunk and speed!  Here's the 50; I apologize for the loud cheering! 

Carbon offsets are ridiculous. Don't try to make up for destroying something after it's gone- find a way not to destroy it in the first place! Why can't people use rags and cloth napkins?-it saves money; and cleaners that don't harm our skin help the planet too. If you live in a sunny, swell place, do ride your bike the 2 miles to work; good for mental and physical health! I could go on and on..............

I HATE POLITICS! I vote in an attempt to influence someone to listen. How futile it is. How will my daughter be able to get a college education, work, have a family, etc.; when she is, as of now, burdened with this massive debt created by our federal government? She isn't old enough to have a job, let alone pay taxes, marry, have children; yet her children are severely indebted! Zoe's share is currently $36,588!!!!!! That comes to $109, 764 for a family of 3. Uh huh. Sure. We will get right on that. Let's hope it doesn't increase. AHHHHH!!!!!!  PS. Z is saving her money to buy an iPod. She is collecting the money first; she will buy it after she has all she needs. Complex concept, isn't it?

She drew all the people, except one, with tears; because" they are so happy" I was told. From January 2009. This farm she drew last fall is very similar to Betsy Lewin's art in  Doreen Cronin's   Giggle, Giggle, Quack. I hope there's no legal repercussions!

Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side; Some great cause, God's new Messiah, offering each the bloom or blight, Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right, And the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light. Hast thou chosen, O my people, on whose party thou shalt stand, Ere the Doom from its worn sandals shakes the dust against our land? Though the cause of Evil prosper, yet 't is Truth alone is strong, And, albeit she wander outcast now, I see around her throng Troops of beautiful, tall angels, to enshield her from all wrong. Backward look across the ages and the beacon-moments see, That, like peaks of some sunk continent, jut through Oblivion's sea; Not an ear in court or market for the low foreboding cry Of those Crises, God's stern winnowers, from whose feet earth's chaff must fly; Never shows the choice momentous till the judgement hath ...

I heard this tune by Billy Jonas on public radio on the way to the store.  The humor drew me in, and the truths therein surprised me.  Here is the page where you can read the lyrics and listen for yourself. "God is in the druid's song, that's why they go on so long- God is in 'tourist class' , on a frequent flier pass; God is in the pilot light, dancing through the night...." PS. I looked for a video on youtube, but the only thing I found was not PG-rated.

I finally joined Facebook. My mom, uncles, aunts are all there and my friends desired my company there also. Therefore, I shall now spend additional time on my nifty Macbook! Yippee!

Yay !!!!! Billy Squier

  8 Favorite Tv Shows 1. House 2. Burn Notice 3. Coverage of  Wimbledon 4. Coverage of US Open 5. Coverage of Australian Open 6. Coverage of French Open 7. Man vs. Wild 8. George Lopez 8 Things I Did Yesterday 1.Made breakfast  2. Ate breakfast 3. Updated my paper address book 4. Called my tax guy 5. Sold 3 items on Ebay and made no money 6. Shipped said items 7. Pilates/Yoga Workout 8. Shower 8 Things I Look Forward To 1. Spring 2. Summer 3. Fall 4. Completion of new living space 5. Sale of current home 6. Getting rid of more stuff when we move 7. Winter in a new living space 8. Wood heat in new living space   8 Favorite Restaurants 1. Texas Roadhouse 2. Outback 3. Back 40 in Sidney, MT 4. Space Aliens 5. Olive Garden 6. Papa Murphy's (technically not a restaurant, but they serve food!) 7. La Playa 8. McDonalds(I know-not a real restaurant, but they closed ours) 8 Things I Wish For 1. Inner peace 2. The same for Jesse and Zoe 3.  To be the best me I can 4. A little concrete house ...

There will be a big "Yay" for the first person who can tell me which artist sings the song "Everybody Wants You". My money is on Michele, but perhaps I have some other music lovers who read regularly. Why isn't there new music like this? I heard it on the ad for the new season of Burn Notice . It's a HOT show about a spy who has been dumped by the government. USA network Thursdays. Did I mention HOT?

Need I say more?