This picture was taken on our last family cruise in March 2006. It was on the same ship we will be on this Saturday, The Sapphire Princess. My parents took us no-good ingrates on that trip as well. Julie was 44, Tim 41 and I was 33. Since then Tim has become a grandfather and Julie has weathered two teenagers living in the house. The third teenager has been studying in Japan for four years. God bless her. My kids have gotten easier during the same time. Maggie was 4, and Nora 22 months, the last go-round. I will take the same shot next week and we will compare the shots when I get back. Just curious to see how much damage life has dealt our faces in the last three years.
"He's hot." - Maggie, the commercial junkie, talking about Mighty Putty hawker Billy Mays.
" I like it. It's my own Renuizit." - Maggie, on how she likes the smell of the stinky dog bed in her room.
"This can't be what you do all day! All you do is pick up dog poop and change diapers." - Nora, following me around yesterday. As my mother chimed in , "tell her to get her master's degree so she doesn't end up doing the same."
Cruisewear- A Category of Clothing that is worn on the open ocean. So unique is the clothing that wearer might be subject to laughing fits and ridicule from family and friends if said items are worn around the house or to wash the car. Such items include Lycra pants, flashy sundresses, flowy tunics, white jeans, silver sandals, straw hats, and pineapple madras shirts.
Oftentimes the genre extends into the purchase of fancy luggage for the voyage. This expenditure is made so that the traveler doesn't look as though they are traveling by bus or VW van with the usual nylon duffel bags reserved for travel. (photo at right)
Since I'm sick of talking about myself today, I thought we should talk about Joelle, who is one of my other favorite people. It took about 20 minutes for these pics to come in. But I think they were worth the wait. Joelle snapped these back in November when she did the family Christmas picture. She is unbelievably talented. My kids don't give smiles to just anyone. But they do for Joelle. She is the kind of photographer who puts you at ease, and doesn't set up phony situations. We are lucky to have her as our family photographer and friend.
Really, this was going to be a blog about something. My friend Joelle's photos. But the site is running very slowly, and the images won't download in a timely fashion. I've got kids to get to bed, and packing to do. My bathroom is a war zone of clothes and liquor-essential items for a successful trip. Stay tuned for some gorgeous photos tomorrow. Until then, check out her blog.
Have you heard of Johnathon Krohn yet? Prepare yourself, and get out your best belt because you're gonna wanna spank the lad silly after you listen to his conservative pedantic bullshit. Krohn is fourteen years old and with Rush Limbaugh shares the honor of being the new face and voice of the GOP . I'm not kidding you. Last week Krohn addressed the conservative Political Action Conference.
It kills me to say this, but... the kid can speak- seriously. He is dynamic and electric. Watch the video. But, I'm not sure he knows what the hell he's saying. He just utters "conservative" in enough octaves to make Julie Andrews proud. His web site's home page has a letter of welcome from Krohn, and in it he mentions the word "conservative" 23 times. He also "prays that you will use (his) book to better understand the ideas, principles, and values of conservatism." Oh yeah, last year, Krohn published a book on conservatism where he introduces his four pillars of conservatism. My favorite is "less government." I don't want to hear another Republican say that again. The last eight years were spent invading a country, tarnishing our good name with our busybody arrogance and reversing gay marriage laws. That doesn't sound like less government in my life. For God's sakes, get another rallying cry.
Boy wonder is precocious like Doogie Howser, exceptionally well poised for a teen, but seemingly programmed by parents and his ever present baptist faith. To be fair, I won't be asking Hannah Montana or The Jonas brothers for their take on Obama's policies either. I am genuinely excited that a youth has such an interest in politics and our country, but I won't be listening till you've voted, had a drink, gone to college, lost a job, and paid some rent. Period.
Everything is kind of broken today. well, just the keyboard and my body. Years of abuse and neglect are breaking down both. with the keyboard, it's been an excess of popsicle spills, Oreo crumbs and gatorade. The kids have claimed this computer, and as goes for most things in my life (refer to old blog entries), the keyboard is the latest victim of their use and torture. I can't capitalize 'w' and 'b'. SSSSSSSsticks sometimes, and at times the whole thing locks up. scot's golfing this morning, so I have entertained the notion of taking the keyboard out back and frying the works with the garden hose. If he was home, I wouldn't attempt such a fantastically stupid feat. Left to my own devices, i follow my kids' lead and conduct my own science experiments.
I've logged on early today, as I've got a touch of the black lung, and might have to take to my bed for the remainder of the day. Or at least after I cook breakfast for the children, and ferry their butts to the choo-choo park for a morning's activities. Last night was night 3 of not sleeping well. Upon ssseing me after night 1, my friend Kelly asked if everything was okay. I wear my sleepiness on my face with deep, black circles. I'm achy, though not entirely sure it's not a result of driving the bike and trailer at break neck sspeed.
I'm also doing this entry now because this evening, my selfless wonderful parents are watching the children so scot and I can go see "slumdog Millionare" and down some sushi and Kirin. that's right, i give heaps of credit to the people who make my life happier and easier. plus, they read my blog. off to repair my body with tylenol and coffee. i'll let you know how the sparks fly with the keyboard.
if you consider flossing your teeth a more valuable exercise than reading this blog, please suggest some topics. I hate to think I'm in this alone.
