Open Houses
My husband and I love to visit open houses. Last weekend, we went to a new neighborhood being built about a mile from our house. This neighborhood is planned to have something like 43 different developments, 15 parks, a golf course (complete by 2010), etc. The problem is that our town is quite recessed. These 4-6 bedroom houses their building speak of wealth that doesn’t reside in our immediate area. Worse, there is no real industry here. Most jobs (that aren’t retail or service related) are at least 30 or more miles away. I don’t know who’s going to buy these houses, but it’s clear that the whole town is having a ball wandering through the dreamy models.
The biggest model we went in ($570,000 to $640,000 range) had a home theater complete with three rows of suede barka-loungers with cup holders and a projection screen TV. The next floor featured a home gym complete with a mobile sauna. The bathroom had river rocks for the floor and walls, embedded in white grout and covered with some kind of varnish that made them smooth. It was gorgeous and totally over the top. Some of the rooms really made me want to go shopping - not for overpriced houses, but living room and bedroom furniture shopping. We always joke that we only want to buy a new house if they come furnished like the models.
My favorite house, the middle price range ($460,000 to $510,000) had 60 square foot walk in pantry in the kitchen! Seriously, I would buy that house. If it wasn’t grossly overpriced in a downward spiraling real estate market.
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to live in a state where home prices were reasonable.
music: Amy Ray Brandi Carlile Emily Saliers Indigo Girls YouTube
by Blabby
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Brandi Carlile
I tivoed the Viva Las Vegas Elvis special the other night just to watch the Brandi Carlile and Chris Issac performance. Man, that girl never disappoints. If you’re not listening to her, you should be. I’ve already said it, but the concert I went to this summer where she opened with and then sang with the Indigo Girls was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Those girls wail.
On You Tube, there’s a wealth of bootleg videos - presumably made by people much braver than me, sneaking their camera phones and camcorders into concerts. Here’s a great version of Brandi’s Cannonball.
Prison Break and other shows
Well, I was wondering how they were going to continue the themes in prison break, and now I have my answer. Anyone else watching that show? It’s not in my top 10 or anything, but I keep watching because those brothers are so handsome.
I didn’t get a chance to watch K-Ville yet, my husband and I are going to watch it together. Anyone have any thoughts on that one?
I was sad to say goodbye to The Closer, Saving Grace, State of Mind, Side Order of Life and Army Wives. But I spent an hour programming all the new season passes into the TIVO last night for next week’s premieres. I tell you, it’s really a challenge to get eveyrthing programmed. Not everything will fit on the TIVO because too many things are on at the same time, so I have to break out the trusty VCR to pick up a few stragglers. Sheesh - what I do for TV. My husband looked at my handwritten TV “map” last night - my detailed chart of what’s on when, and just shook his head at me. We love what we love, right?
I’m super excited about the return of many, and the start of a few - namely Gossip Girl, Life and The Women’s Murder Club. Also, Back to You looks promising -I love Patricia Heaton.
If you’re a Gossip Girl fan, check out my friend Allison’s fan blog, GossipGirlChat.com.
Rag quilts
My husband’s boss (and friend) is a super nice guy. He’s very supportive of my husband, really takes his time to make sure that my DH has what he needs to excel at work. In turn, his boss has an employee that does an outstanding job for him, is willing to work long hours, etc. They have quite the little partnership going. They even wear matching shirts sometimes :)
Anyway, so the boss’ mommy has cancer. She went into the hospital last week for her first surgery. I think it’s ovarian, but my husband is terrible with details. I read in a magazine that a good gift for someone going into the hospital is a blanket - since it’s always cold. I certainly remember that from my c-section recovery. So I made her a rag quilt.
If you’re looking for a new hobby, and wanted to give quilt making a try, this is the best pattern. There’s actually no “quilting” involved, but it’s a great exercise in learning how to use a rotary cutter and sew even seams. The best part is that it’s really forgiving, so if your seams aren’t perfect, or your squares are a little off, the big seam allowance makes up for it. Here are some pictures. I added a little pocket to the front of one of the squares so that she could keep her glasses or the remote close by.
I also stumbled onto this blog by a crafter in the Netherlands. Check out this great idea to fancy up all those free canvas bags you have laying around your house.
amnesty international: close Gitmo restore habeas corpus
by Blabby
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Restore Habeas Corpus
From Amnesty International:
The rights to challenge one’s detention is a critical protection against human rights abuses enshrined in US and international law. The “Military Commissions Act of 2006″ stripped certain detainees in U.S. custody of such fundamental rights. In the absence of this basic protection against enforced disappearance, unfair trials, arbitrary detention and torture, such violations can and have occurred. Urge Congress to take a significant first step in restoring US leadership on human rights by supporting the “Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007,” to return habeas rights to people in U.S. custody. Learn more…
Follow this link to the Amnesty International site to fill out a simple form to send an email to your Senators and Representatives, letting them know you want them to restore Habeas Corpus.
While you’re there, send a letter urging your senators to co-sponsor or support the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Closure Act (S. 1469).
Sally Field
I love Sally Field. I love her show, Brothers and Sisters. I am super excited that she won the best lead actress Emmy - what a well deserved award. And I whole-heartedly agree with her acceptance speech, especially the curse words.
Meet Up or be square
My husband’s cousin moved here a couple weeks ago, and within 10 days she had joined five meet up groups. She has made more personal connections with people than I’ve made in almost four years of living here. So, by her example, I joined my own meet up group - a mommies and munchkins group.
This is not my first experience with Meetup.com. Before we moved the 50 miles north to our new house, I joined a mommy group and went to several of the outings. They mostly consisted of walking a fitness route at a local park, hanging out at a local park, and playing at a local park. The good thing was that I learned where all the good parks were. The bad thing was that it’s hot outside.
Anyway, we moved, and it was even hotter, and I’ve been crafting, so no meet ups. Then, Sara (my husband’s cousin) comes to town, and I’m feeling extra loser-ish and hermit-like, and not wanting to pass these traits on to my beautiful child, I log into meetup.com. I find a close mommy group and ask to join. Two days later I get a rejection: “no new members, sorry.” What? Can they do that? After scouring my profile for obvious loser-ish signs to blame the rejection on, I ask to join a different mommy group. This one is a little farther away, but now I’m getting a little desperate.
The organizer emailed me the next day with a very friendly greeting, two upcoming events, directions and her cell phone number. AND, the events were coffee at a local Starbucks that has a fun giant chessboard outside for the kids to play on, and mall walking. These are obviously my kind of mom’s - the kind that treasure caffeine and air conditioning the way I do.
So I went to the Starbucks meet up and everyone was great. I have two more events this week, and only one is at a local park - but it has a cover over the playground, so I think we’ll fit in just fine with this group.
My husband thinks I should start my own meet up group - crafting or reading or writing. I think it sounds like a pain in the ass. But kind of like an adventure, also. I’m still on the fence.
the US Army
I’m seriously on a soapbox tonight. I’m not really sorry. That’s just a warning.
I heard someone say the other day that people that join the military are warmongers, that they like to fight and kill. This is an absurd and sorely uninformed notion.
During my time in the military and as a civil servant, I have had the privilege to serve with people in every branch of the military. My favorite are the Marines - their discipline, comraderie and pride really is extraordinary. Of course, I had the most experience with the Army. And I won’t lie - people are people. There are good eggs and bad eggs. I met some awful people in the Army. But I met way more outstanding people. Giving, humble, dedicated, smart individuals working towards improving something bigger than themselves. I thought I’d share some of the things the Army stands for and tries to teach it’s soldiers.
I have a little card that I still carry in my wallet. On one side is the Army Values.
Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other soldiers.
Duty: Fulfill your obligations.
Respect: Treat people as they should be treated.
Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.
Honor: Live up to all the Army values.
Integrity: Do what’s right, legally and morally.
Personal Courage: Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral).
On the other side of the card is the Soldier’s Code.
- I am an American soldier - a protector of the greatest nation on earth - sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
- I will treat others with dignity and respect and expect others to do the same.
- I will honor my Country, the Army, my unit and my fellow soldiers by living the Army values.
- No matter what situation I am in, I will never do anything for pleasure, profit or personal safety which will disgrace my uniform, my unit, or my country.
- Lastly, I am proud of my Country and its flag. I want to look back and say I am proud to have served my Country as a soldier.
Of course, everyone knows about the bad eggs. Abu Ghraib and other horrible events. But mostly, military members are being put in terrible positions everyday, usually making the best decisions possible where no good choices exist. They are being asked to make decisions and face situations that most of us will never have to face. A lot of the lower enlisted service members are kids - choosing the military as a stable job and a chance at education where no other choice existed.
If you think there’s not a poverty draft going on, you’re not paying attention.
I would love it if soldiers really could live the Army values. Crap, I would love it if everyone could live the Army values. But when the executive branch can’t even do it, who is the lowest guy on the pole supposed to follow?
This crazy world…
190 protesters arrested Saturday. You know what strikes me the most interesting? What’s the cost of arresting all those people? Bail for each one, court fees, lawyer fees (or more work for the court appointed attorneys), and for what?
I am against this war.
If I could lay down in the grass in front of the capitol symbolizing dead service men and women and dead Iraqi’s, I would. I particularly liked the protesters that wore orange jumpsuits and hoods to protest Guantanamo Bay- which I find appalling and inexcusable. I can’t believe it’s still in operation and that more American’s aren’t alarmed by the precedents it’s setting (or breaking, for that matter).
I’ve been emailing back and forth with Evan Knappenberger. I told him I liked his fight, but didn’t like that he was improperly wearing his uniform. I think to most people (including my husband), this is silly. But for me, I was so proud to wear that uniform - I think if you’re going to wear it, wear it right. BUT, even I can see (crazy rule-follower that I am) that it doesn’t really matter - what he’s fighting for is much more important than whether or not his blouse is buttoned. (That’s right, the Army top is called a blouse.) If you don’t know what he’s fighting about, read this article - it spells it out.
No issue is black and white. Of course I see that now that we’re there (in Iraq and Afghanistan), we can’t just leave by some arbitrary date. I don’t know how we can get out of there and help those people at the same time. I do see that certain people are getting very rich, and it’s sure not the soldiers sweating their asses off and dodging bullets. It’s a disaster. I only hope that the next administration has some good ideas, and not more hot air.
After each of the last two elections, I felt my heart break a little. I couldn’t understand how a full half of my country that I served and loved could betray me. I’ve watched my unchosen leadership ‘lead’ us so far astray that I don’t even recognize my country any more. Now we’re all facing such an uncertain fiscal and foreign policy future that I’m afraid. I’m afraid to have a second child. I’m sure that sounds dramatic, but that’s how I feel. What will the state of this country be when my son is graduating from high school? What future are we leaving for him?
How will the government ever be able to make good on all the promises it’s made to service members when the VA is underfunded as it is. How do you make people understand that being against the war has nothing to do with whether or not you support the troops? How do you make people pay attention long enough to not only register to vote, but then actually make an informed decision about a qualified candidate? How do you make people care when their lives are so full of work, family, bills, personal crises, etc.? It’s really exhausting. And very upsetting.
Please pay attention. Please vote. We’re not helpless unless we choose to be.
End sermon.
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