Who the heck is Mae Jemison

About a month ago my 5th grader, Sophia, came home with the information on the school's wax museum. She was to pick an American hero to impersonate. They gave her a list of great choices such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Rosa Parks. We talked the choices over and forgot about it.

A few weeks later, after a long night at work (I now work 4 nights a week to subsidize what we call the Obama tax/health care) I came home and helped LG with the delayed bedtime rituals. As we went through Sophia's backpack, she remembered to tell me that she had chosen her wax museum hero that day because it was the deadline. (Way to be an absent mom! - And how I would pay) My excitement was immediately erased as she informed us that she had chosen....wait for it......

Mae Jemison.

"Who the heck is Mae Jemison?" my hubby and I questioned simultaneously.

"The first female African-American astronaut," Sophia answered innocently enough. (But I know that deep down inside she was really like, "I'll show you, mom, for being at work."

My mom radar immediately alarmed, "Did you say African-American?" as I carefully reanalyzed my 11 year old very blued eyed, very blonde haired, very Caucasian daughter.

It's times like these that I am 100% convinced someone has hidden a secret "gotcha" camera somewhere in the couch cushions. And times like these happen every day at our house.

LeGrand couldn't contain his overly exuberant smile headed in my direction with the subliminal message of, "Thank heavens I have the Y chromosome. It's all you babe."

Today I am proud to announce that I not only immediately committed, but embraced my daughter's dream of being the first Caucasian girl dressed as the first African American female astronaut.

After 2 hours at the thrift store, 1 hour at the sewing machine, 5 hours at the computer, 1 hour printing, taping, and pinning (and re-washing and pinning after the other daughter's judgement error of spilling a bottle of coke on the orange outfit waiting to be worn on top of the nightstand ), 1 hour of wig trimming, 2 hours overseeing the poster making, 1 hour of help with the speech, and 3 hours of searching for the right make-up, a stroke of genius with the snow boots that look like they belong on the moon, and 30 minutes of haggling (and losing) to the girl to let me do it before she went to school, I gladly share the end result.

And yes, she tore off the wig in less than 

two seconds after I turned off the camera.

(I forgot to mention the special trip to Sally Beauty Supply

 for what I learned is called a wig cap.)

And even then the wig was still too itchy.

White girls are so whimpy

about their beauty aides.

It's at times like these that

homeschooling doesn't sound so crazy.

And just in case you moms are ever

called upon for the same task,

here is everything you ever need to know

about

Dr. Mae Jemison

in the first person

 I was born on October 17, 1956 (which would make me 57 now) in Decatur, Alabama. My parents were Charles and Dorothy Jemison and I was the youngest of three. I am still alive today and achieving many things.

            I was raised in Chicago and graduated high school at age 16 and went to Stanford University on a scholarship. I graduated from Stanford with two degrees! One was a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, the other an Associate Bachelor degree in African and Afro-American studies. I later attended Cornell medical school and achieved the requirements to become a medical doctor.  I then went to West Africa with Peace Corps to be a medical doctor from 1983-1985.

            I then came back to America and became a doctor in Los Angeles, California. I was also a dancer so at the time I was deciding which I should be. Should I be a dancer or a doctor? And I still wanted to achieve a childhood dream, a dream I had since kindergarten, I wanted to go to space. Many people told me that I couldn’t go to space because I was a woman. But I applied to NASA to become an astronaut and they accepted me.

            On September 12, 1992, I blasted off into space becoming the very first African-American women ever to go to space. I went into orbit on the Space shuttle Endeavor and I was in space 7 days 2 hours and 30 minutes. My space mission was called STS-47. On that mission I was the science mission specialist. My mission was a joint operation between the U.S.A and Japan. My experiments dealt with bone cell research. With me I brought a picture of my old dance crew. I proved many people wrong that day. I also fulfilled my dream to be an astronaut.

            Since getting back from space I quit working at NASA. For a while I was a professor of developing countries and advanced technology at Dartmouth College. I got to be the only person who has been to space to act on the TV show “StarTrek: The Next Generation”. I have created the Jemison Group which works to bring advanced technology to people worldwide and fosters a love for science in students. Now I speak at a lot of engagements, am the President of two technology companies, and love to spend time my cats in Houston, TX where I live.

Next year, I am hoping Bella will be wise enough to pick Bill Gates, like this smart neighbor.
Of course, we would have to chop off all her hair and dye it blonde.

Book Review: Before the Dawn

Before the Dawn by Dean Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I forgot how much I love Dean Hughes as an author. I haven't read anything of his in quite sometime, but I am so glad that I found this book at the local library. It was so touching and inspiring.

This historical fiction book, even though focused on the LDS women's organization called Relief Society, can be enjoyed by people of all faiths. The greater story told is the power of womanhood, and the importance of community: loving and caring for one another. Community works best when it consists of people who all want to give but are willing to humble themselves to take once in a while too.

I cried a lot while reading this book. I took an emotional journey with the fictional small Utah town during the Great Depression. I personally related to the main character: a hard-nosed independent stick her foot in her mouth Relief Society President. In the book she was described by a friend as a coconut: all hard on the outside but all milk/meat on the inside. I also related a lot to many of the other women in the book: the ones living in poverty, the ones living with means, and especially the ones living in desperation.

Mostly this book made me proud to be a part of the greatest women's organization in the world: The Relief Society. It reminded me of so much good that is accomplished world-wide and it brought to the surface of my heart all the good that has been done in my personal life because of my associations with good women.

I highly recommend this book to be read by all women everywhere. I love how Hughes always ties in his historical facts so well. I mostly love how he masterfully tells stories of humanity. The characters in this book will stay with me for a long time. I hope they will whisper to me in the moments when I need to be reminded to let down my pride, to reach out and help others, and especially when I need to try and understand better my enemies.

View all my reviews

Freedom Week

To start this post I want to share a photo

that I took with my own two hands.

I am so proud of it.

I caught it when coming out of the grocery store. 

I didn't have a tri-pod, 

but apparently I got the camera still enough

to do justice to that gorgeous moon.

I have this amazing ability at getting myself roped into things.

That's a nice way of saying I often forget to say no.

This year, my big project has been

Freedom Week.

It's be a beast.

Just enough to remind me to say no

for another year or so.

What a gorgeous view, eh?

Freedom Week

is a yearly week-long celebration

at the girls' school

that focuses on the freedoms we enjoy

as Americans.

I was originally told that all I had to do

was plan a few dress up days

and line up a speaker for an assembly.

If that is all I had to do

I wonder why it occupied about

80 hours of my time over the past

two months.

Anything for freedom.

Or my kids.

Or because I can't say no.

I did rope in a few people to help.

My ward's (Mormon way of saying congregation)

young women

did a great job with the big banner

and small posters for each classroom door.

Aren't they cute.

I was sad I didn't get a photo of them all.

They cranked out 16 of these

in about 30 minutes

and no one uses glue and glitter

like young women.

The greatest sacrifice for me

was waking up at 6 a.m.

to hang up the flags outside.

It was dark

and I hate mornings.

I let Abigail drive around the

empty parking lot

as a reward for waking up early.

She was pretty stoked.

Each student got their own personal

American flag

as they arrived to the assembly this morning.

Aren't they just the cutest?

We lined the halls with red white and blue.

And messages of freedom.

I'd like to think that this is what 

I looked like

all morning.

This is me teaching the kids about IwaJima
while introducing Mr. Mason a WWII vet.

But I am sure it was much more like this.

 Props to the school orchestra and choir.

They did amazing.

Two of my perfect children

are singing

about voting

and loving America.

Can you spot them?

The Mayor of Orem

brought along some of his heroes:

A local police officer,

and some firefighters.

You should have seen the faces of the kids

when this guy walked in the room

in full firefighting garb.

It was awesome.

My personal favorite part of the day

was introducing a true

American hero.

He is in the middle of this photo

in the Marine Corps shirt.

His name is

Fred William Mason

and he faught at IwaJima.

What an honor it was to

give the kids a piece of history

and to see them give

Mr. Mason

the standing ovation

he deserves.

(See the bottom of the post

for his story)

Perhaps my greatest gratitude should go to this man.
He is always my technical support and go-to guy.
As you can see by the photograph,
he was perfect
at entertaining Caroline.

We've already over-established what a handful she can be, right?

Here's the slideshow I made.
I had no idea what I was doing,
so give me grace people.
It was a great way to spend my 39th birthday.
And the day before it. And the two days after it.

   

We also did a few other things:

• school-wide speech writing contest (the winners gave their speeches today at the assembly and got $20 giftcards to Wal-Mart)
• The Cub Scouts officiated at the flag ceremony
• A student soloist did the Star Spangled Banner
• A mock presidential election (Governor Romney won with 74% of the votes)
• Letters from the kids for Vets at the VA Hospital
• We were supposed to do a donation drive but student council never got it together
• Each student received a white star to write about what they appreciate most in their freedom. They will each tape them on their classroom door banners. (picture above)
• Oh and we have dress up days all week.

Monday - stars and stripes
Tuesday - red white and blue
Wednesday - Dress like your favorite American hero or wear a uniform
Thursday - Denim day (jeans were invented in the US)
Friday - School spirit colors - which happen to be blue and white.

* Oh and an added not for future reference. I asked Bella what she liked best about the assembly and with all attitude she immediately responded with, "I hated it when you cried mom, you embarrassed me in front of all my friends." Maybe someday she will see that differently and be proud of a mom who is so grateful.

Fred Mason's introduction

It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to one of our great American heroes. He’s a friend and neighbor to us all.  He lives right off 1600 North in Orem. His name is Fred William Mason and I am proud to know him.
Mr. Mason was a corporel in the Marine Corps during WWII. He faught at Iwa Jima.  There is a famous photograph that won the Pulitzer Prize of soldiers raising the American Flag at Mount Serabachi on Feb 23, 1945. Mr. Mason know the soldiers in the photo personally.
IwoJima was a volcanic island and no civilians lived there. Its name means Sulphur Island. It was a very important military spot in the Japanese Territory and it was a critical victory for American strategy. If we hadn’t won at IwoJima we probably wouldn’t have been able to drop the Atomic Bombs and the war may not have ended so fast.
The Battle of IwaJima happened from Feb 19 – March 26 1945. Only 216 of the 21,844 Japanese survived and of the 70,000 Americans who faught 6,821 were killed and 19,217 wounded. Many of those soldiers were friends of Mr. Mason. He served in the 5th Marine Division of the 28th Regiment.
Mr. Mason is 86 years old.
He was born in 1926 in Lexington, KY.
He was the fifth child of 9 kids in his family.
His four brothers also served in the military.
Two also served in WWII
Richard fought in the army at Okinowa.
Earl was also in the army and was taken as a Prisoner of War at the March of Batan in the Phillipines.
Glen and Ernie enlisted after the war into the Navy and never had to fight like their older brothers.
He worked on farms from age 8. Sold veggies at the market.
He wasn’t able to attend school but a few years as he was expected to help provide for his family.
Around age 12, his family got indoor plumbing.
At age 14, he started taking the bus and going to church to every Sunday with his sister.
He grew up during The Great Depression. When I asked him what his favorite food was, he said he was always hungry and would eat anything he could get his hands on. He particularly like his momma’s biscuits and gravy, and was always really happy when he would get a little bit of ham in his beans.
He was drafted in 1944 at age 18.
Went from Lexington to Louisville to join the Navy, but there was a Marine recruiter who snagged him and 4 others in line up to fill his quota for the day.
Went to Camp Pendelton in California for Basic Training.
When he was done he boarded a ship and was told 4 days into it that they were on their way to the South Pacific to fight the Japanese.
After the Battle of IwaJima, Mr. Mason reboarded the ship and remembers many soldiers celebrating. He however just wanted to brush his teeth (they had been in the trenches for over a month) and went to the Red Cross to ask for a toothbrush but was told they didn’t have enough to give him one.
Mr Mason was shipped back to Hawaii, where he served 8 months of occupational duty and was discharged in 1946.
After the war he went back to Lexington where he worked at a Wholesale Food Distrubutor. He delivered food to Colonel Sanders of KFC and says he looked exactly like his pictures. In fact, he can’t remember him every changing from before the war.
Mr. Mason is a hero to me for another reason then his honorable military service, after the war, he taught himself to read. Remember he didn’t have much school growing up.
In 1950 he met Mrs. Mason and they had their first child, a girl named Debi, who is also our neighbor.
Mr. and Mrs. Mason then moved to Indiana so that Mr. Mason could work at a Defense Plant building helicopters. The had two more children. Both boys who still lived in Indiana.
Mr and Mrs Mason moved to Utah 14 years ago.
They have been married for 62 years.
Mr. Mason continues to make a difference for his country by working a Heritage School in Provo. He has worked there mentoring troubled youth for the past 6 years.
Mr. Mason is truly a remarkable person. Tom Brokaw once called his generation the Greatest Generation. I believe they were a great generation and I believe Mr. Mason was one of the greatest.
Please join me and give Mr. Mason and all his friends who fought for our freedom the round of applause they deserve.

Halloween by NutMom

November 1st has quickly become 

one of my favorite days of the year.

It used to be the 2nd of November 

as that's my birthday,

but now it's the first.

For sure.

No contest.

Why?

It's the day after Fall Madness.

That's the only reason.

I hate the pressure

of Halloween.

Detest.

The pressure.

Even without comparing

it's horrendous

to be a mom

at Halloween.

Here's a poem

to explain.

The teenager hollered

starting three weeks ago.

"Mom, I need black tulle.

I also need black tights.

Don't forget the spray paint

Oh, and I need that special make-up,

don't worry

I'll make sure it is just right.

Why don't you dress up mom?

Why don't you?

You're no fun."

The two girls in the middle

say

"Mom, I don't want something out of the box,

I want something new.

I don't know if I like

that 70% off costume."

Chili cook-off dinner,

make sure you do the award winner.

Do you have some table centerpieces

to bring?

Why of course.

I just have to go and find them

in the garage,

buried under all my

back to school bins.

Not really.

Make all the calls for school parties,

try to get it done before dinner.

Take three days

to go to the school

and paint pumpkins

with the kids

because the PTA

thought it would be a great

idea to have a huge

Pumpkin Walk

just weeks following the carnival.

Oh, and don't forget all the stuff

you had to purchase to put

in the gift baskets.

"Oh, you don't want to do the craft.

You don't want to do the game.

You just want to come to the class party and enjoy.

No worries.

I'll take care of it all."

Google and pinterest

are my best friends.

Too bad they can't come

over and party tend

for me

so I can have a nap.

Off to the dollar store.

They don't have orange balloons.

Neither does Wal-Mart.

Ah- ha I got the last bag

at the specialty party store.

I don't need 100,

only 32,

I convince the clerk

to open the bag,

and sell them individually

for a quarter a pop.

Yes, you, even more procrastinating mom,

you are very welcome

at 10 am tomorrow.

"Caroline,

do you like this one?"

No mom it's scary.

I don't want to dress up.

I want to be a butterfly.

No, I don't want to be a butterfly.

I want the cheap plastic wand.

But, what will you be with that?

That wand will be broken before

tomorrow night.

I've been there, done that.

At least 50 times.

Oh, look Caroline,

look at this cute

cowgirl hat.

It will go perfect with your

boots.

Oh, yes mom.

I love it.

It's pink.

Do you want to wear it

trick or treating?

No I want to stay home with dad.

Dad wrote off Halloween

years ago.

He hates trick-or-treating.

Can't we all just stay home?

We try to bribe the kids every year,

so far only the three-year old

thinks it's a good idea to stay home.

Maybe we are moving in the right direction?

Let's not even get into 

pumpkin carving.

That's a whole other poem,

with the guts,

and the seeds,

that have to be roasted,

and the candles that have to be

found.

tonight.

And the specialty tools

that all break before the night is over.

And then I sit down for two seconds

before I have to run to the school.

And I look at the blogs.

And her family is all themed.

And her costumes are all homemade.

In fact,

I saw them

all over Pinterest

just yesterday.

And

this lady had a party

with handmade masks.

Oh, and this friend

has an annual

Halloween dinner

with spooky food.

Check out the jello worms.

I asked her if my kids

could come next year.

Because I am too tired.

And I just have to wonder?

Are these all the moms

that didn't want to do the craft

or the game

for the school party?

Did they say no?

Or are they all as crazy as me?

Did they take them self to the picture show

last night too?

Because they just had to get away

after accomplishing

500 things yesterday

and then working their 4 hour shift

at their part time job

so they can afford

the game, craft, treat,

costume, pumpkin,

and the regular groceries.

Did they go to the movie

to avoid putting the kids to bed

because one more mom moment

would set them over the edge?

On the way home did

they sing to themselves

"took myself to the picture show

sat myself in the very last row

(da da  da da da da da

da da da da da da da -

because I couldn't remember how

it really goes)

I'm a nut.

I'm a nut.

I'm a nut.

I'm a nut.

I'm a nut."

Somehow I'm doing something wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Every year.

And maybe

next year

I'll get it right.

Or maybe I will just

keep holding my breathe

and try not to flip out

for the next 20 years,

and then I can be the grandma

like her

who takes the grandkids

for their photoshoot

every year on Halloween.

Maybe at that point,

my new 

favorite day of the year

will be Oct 1st

instead of Nov 1st.

Because I

won't have to

worry about my sanity.

I don't think it's

a coincidence

that this song was written

about an acorn on the ground.

Probably in the Fall.

Like late October.

I'm a an acorn on the ground, 

Sitting under this here tree.

Everybody steps on me, 

That is why I'm cracked you see.

Chorus:

I'm a nut,

I'm a nut, 

I'm a nut, nut, nut-nut-nut.

Called myself on the telephone 

Just to see if I was home. 

Made a date for half past eight, 

Better hurry or I'll be late! 

- Chorus 

Took myself to the picture show 

Sat myself in the very last row 

Wrapped my arms around my waist 

Got so fresh I slapped my face! 

- Chorus 

Bought some roses at the store.

Told myself I wanted more.

That's why I broke up with me.

Now I am a nut that's free!

- Chorus 

Gee, I miss me all the time.

Wonder if I'm doing fine.

Maybe I'll stop by to see

If I have a chance with me.

- Chorus

Coca-Cola went to town, 

Pepsi-Cola shot him down.

Dr. Pepper fixed him up, 

Now we all drink 7-Up.

- Chorus

For those of you that don't know the song.

 

 Oh and here's another fun find.

Fat

Fat is a nasty word.
The only time it should be used is in regards to the stuff on the backside of a butchered pig.
Fatback is the only time when fat is a good thing.
And what a good thing it is.
Just ask the green beans.

I've been called fat. A lot. It sucks.
After watching this video on facebook yesterday, I was perplexed.


I offered the following on my page as a passive aggressive response to a few people I know who judge "fat people."

"I hate it when physically in-shape people look down upon those who aren't. I hate to tell you this, but you're not superior, especially in regards to the things that matter most: kindness and appreciation for others wherever they are in life is a learned art and maybe you should get off the treadmill long enough to take some lessons. I don't experience as much prejudice in this department as I used to, but it sure makes my blood boil whenever I encounter it."

The funniest thing about my above rant is that I got all kinds of people, my friends mind you, apologizing to me for the way that I had been treated. Why did they apologize? Because they think I am fat and that I have reason to be apologized to. Kind of ironic, huh? I never mentioned that I had been treated badly, did I? In fact, I hadn't had any teasing at all, I only posted the comment in defense of others and in opposition to the people out there looking down on this lady. I've actually been feeling pretty good about the way I am looking until yesterday. HA.

Well as you, who read my blog, know I'm on a journey of self-discovery. I've learned to love myself and I am still learning to take care of myself. I all too well know the life of this anchor. I know what it is like to be raising 3 young daughters (and she has a full-time job to boot) and to feel the stress and eat too much and exercise too little. I also know what it's like to get off my butt and count calories. I also know what it's like to have a propensity to being larger as a child and as an adult.

I also know what it's like to lose a nephew and to know that in his last week on this earth he was called fat by some mean little girls and that the word F A T may have been racing through his mind in his last breathe. It breaks my heart. Absolutely makes me shed tears. Right now in fact.

Yes, people are fat, but trust me, they know it. You pointing it out to them, or looking down on them, or even apologizing for others' fat name callers to someone who has recently lost 35 pounds doesn't really help the situation and it doesn't really motivate people to be better.

Do you know what motivates people to be better? Loving them wherever they are. Loving them right where they are. Even if it's at 700 pounds. Anyone who has watched Richard Simmons should know this fact.


Do you know why loving them helps? Because the reason they are fat is that they don't love themselves enough. Period. Or maybe they have a health condition? Or maybe they are just a husky kid that could eventually be a college football star if they live long enough to pursue that goal? The point being: You don't know what they are capable of, if all you see is F A T. And you will also never know the beauty of loving people in their weakness if you can't see past it. You don't even know what scars are under the fat.

If you can love F A T people then maybe they can learn to love themselves. And if you can love them F A T, maybe they will love you in your weakness.

See how that works? Well, yeah, you do kind of have to admit your own weakness first. Maybe you could start with judging,  lack of charity, or complete and total PRIDE?

Adds Pounds

I copied this off of a friend's facebook.

It portrays perfectly

how we let society influence

our sub-consciousness.

I've lost about 40 pounds in the past year

and I've been feeling pretty good about myself.

Not because I'm skinnier

but because I am healthier and stronger.

And then I got pregnant.

Happens every time.

It's a good thing I don't let society

tell me what to do.

Or I probably would have stopped a few kids ago

or at least at #4 when I was 36.

I miss you my bloggy friends.

I think I am going to start blogging more.

It seems to help me through pregnancy

and the newborn blues.

Book Review: You Have No Idea

This is a paid review for BlogHer.
I was compensated for this review, but money could never rob me from my truthful opinion.

I will give one lucky and random chosen commenter my dog-eared copy of this book.
Leave me your e-mail address please along with the best advice your mother ever gave you.
I will choose the winner on Mother's Day.

You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss by Vanessa Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"I was upset. I was frustrated. But I didn't want to kill myself, as was reported. I look back at stories and headlines written about me at the time. They'd say things like 'Vanessa's dark days or Vanessa's hit rock bottom.' I knew it would be tough, but I also never doubted I would succeed. When you know this, you don't have dark days, you don't hit rock bottom. You just have days when you want to scream at people: 'You have no idea what I can do!'" I just love this quote by Vanessa no page 66.

Vanessa Williams is an extremely talented American icon. After reading this book, I have no doubt that the reasons she has accomplished all that she has are her determination and confidence, her God-given talent, and her wonderful parents. I really enjoyed this book. I don't follow pop culture very much, but I remember so vividly when our first black Miss America was robbed of her title. I really enjoyed reading Vanessa's side of the story. I also enjoyed reading about all that Vanessa has accomplished including Broadway, TV, and a successful recording career: all while also being a caring and involved mother of 4.

Perhaps the best of this book, the part that really made it unique, was that all the stories were told from the perspective of Vanessa and her mother. This was my favorite part. I loved their dynamics, I truly related to their mother/daughter relationship from page 1. When Vanessa was a girl her mother told her to never ride doubles on a bike, she did, and she was severely hurt. Funny, same thing happened to me. Everyone needs a mother like Helen and everyone should listen to her, and if they don't believe me then they should read this book and learn from Vanessa's mistakes.

View all my reviews

Go on over to BlogHer's bookclub page to join the discussion.

Little Orphan Annie

While I was growing up,

my sisters and I loved Little Orphan Annie.

We didn't just like it, we were obsessed with it.

I guess we kind of wished we had a Daddy Warbucks too.

Even though we had great parents,

we wanted Daddy Warbucks' house.

And Pun-jab.

We also wanted to dance like that

and sing like that.

One thing bothered me about the movie though.

I know, I can only think of one thing. Weird.

Little Orphan Annie's rat tail.

Imagine my surprise when Caroline was sportin' the same "do" last night.

I cringed all up inside.

My little girl Alice wanted to brush it and make it right.

Yeah, I am weird.

And a little obsessive.

Even orphans deserve good hair.

Especially if they are on TV.

This video is for my little sister Renee.

I want her to know that I finally forgive her

for placing the VHS Annie in the VCR

with peanut butter all over her hands.

And like Annie taught,

there is always tomorrow.

And this tomorrow we will be watching Annie on DVD.

And the next tomorrow we may even have Blu-Ray.

Did I tell you my new secret obsession?
I want to make Caroline famous.
She deserves to be the modern day Shirley Temple.
She is sooo dang cute.

If we dyed her hair red she could play Rosie.
And if LG lost 80 pounds and grew his hair out he could sooo be Matt Damon.
I guess Abigail will have to play Scarlett Johansen
since I am nowhere near close.
Man, all we need is a zoo.
See it always goes back to Daddy Warbucks.


(We loved the movie by the way,
but beware there is a lot of language)

Halloween

I guess I better get these Halloween photos up
before Thanksgiving gets here.

Our girls got some killer deals
at K-mart on their costumes.
Sometimes it pays to be late.
50% off plus another 20% off coupon.
Then I got another discount on Abigail's
because we had to sew a strap on.
I told the girls that we would only spend $5 on each of them.
They gladly subsidized with their own money
so they didn't have to make their own costumes.
I think we spent a total combined of $30.

I can't say that I was disappointed
since making our own costumes
would require my help.

I was going to dress Caroline up

as Shirley Temple

but she barely cooperated

for wings,

so what would have been the point?

Have I told you how much of a handful this kid is?

I wonder where she gets it from?

We dumped Caroline back at home with dad

after knocking on the condos

close to home.

Here are the girls out about in the neighborhood

with our two friends Natassja and India.

It seems we should live somewhere more exotic

than Utah

when we have friends with names like that.

I just loved this shot with the pumpkin.

Notice that we use pillowcases

for carrying Halloween candy.

It's what my mom used to make us do

when we were kids

and the tradition has stuck.

Best costume of the evening.

Obama and his Secret Service agents.

These boys are awesome.

My girls enjoyed following them around the neighborhood

on our perfect weathered evening.

We got a whole lot of candy.

I enjoyed taunting Obama at every door

that us Utahns only give our candy to Republicans

who work for their own stuff.

I'm silly like that.