Some pictures

because I know a few people are starting to get the shakes from my lack of posting lately. (Oh yeah, you know who you are!) I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment with Z deep into potty-training resistance (that girl will sit in her own poop for an entire day rather than admit she has to go), being snack mom for 30 kindergarteners in the first full week of kindergarten, trying to figure out my schedule when I have to pick up the kids at two different schools, chronic insomnia (it's my dad's fault) and I forget what-all else. So mostly pictures today!

These are pictures from Miranda's 5th birthday party a couple weeks ago. It was a gymnastics party, and grownups were invited to play too. We did, as you can see. Actually, it looks like only M played, but that's only because I had possession of the camera most of the time. I played too, trust me! You can't keep me off a trampoline!

Both kids in the foam pit -- you ran down a long skinny trampoline then bounced into this. It was awesome, although I have to say it was a lot harder for us grownups to get out of the foam pit than it was for the little monkeys -- they sort of floated on top while we sank to the bottom.

That's the birthday girl in purple:

I busted Z getting into Miranda's makeup after the party: she looks awfully pleased with herself, doesn't she?

Music

I'm loving Indie 101.5. I don't know how long they've been on the air -- maybe a year or so? -- and I can't figure out how I didn't know about them until last month (M found them). It's been a looooooong time since I've listened to anything but NPR on the radio, pretty much since Cle@r Ch@nnel bought the airwaves and made every radio station exactly the same. BOR-ing. But this station is awesome. I sometimes can't wait to hear what they'll play next. Sex Pistols, Silversun Pickups, Jesus & Mary Chain, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and so much other good stuff. I'm finding out about bands, some of them even local, that I've never heard of and love love love. I especially love it during fundraising week on NPR.

The down side? Now I don't get much news anymore, since I listen to NPR less. I still read the New York Times & the local paper online most days, but I kind of miss my NPR. Such a dilemma.

If you live in Denver, you should check them out. 101.5.

I'm baaaaaack

I haven't been blogging much lately because our computer was so very craptacular that I just couldn't stand it. It was a PC we bought back in 2001 or 2002, and it was sooooooo sllllllooooooow. I complained about it constantly until M couldn't take it anymore, and went out and bought me a Mac Mini. It's adorable. Seriously! It's 6" square and about 2" thick. Tiny! I could fit it in my purse. Plus, it's very fast. Now I'm only complaining about having to learn how to use a Mac after two decades of using PCs. I'll get there. And to practice, I'm going to post lots and lots of pictures that I've been storing away like a squirrel getting ready for winter. Get ready, here they come!

Attention Radical Right

Please step back and resume your rightful place as a minority fringe in American politics. Karl Rove, you can step even further and go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned.

America has spoken: we reject your policies and your campaign tactics, and we rejected your candidate. For too long, you have dominated American politics. You are frightfully good at motivating your followers to get out and vote. In fact, we Progressives should study your tactics. But you are not a majority, you do not represent the majority, and you never have.

Tonight, I am laughing and crying at the same time. I have literally gotten up and done a little dance of joy. I can't wait to see my kids in the morning and tell them the news: I have real hope for your future today.

Finally, America has a president who makes me proud. President Obama will help America regain its image in the world. Once again, we will be seen as a leader, a defender of peace, democracy, freedom and tolerance. There is once again a chance that we can improve what used to be the world's best free public education system so that our children can compete in the world economy. Perhaps we will figure out a way to develop a sane health care system that looks out for children, the elderly, and the mentally and physically disabled, and makes fair demands that those who can afford to pay their share do so without forcing the rest of us to pay outrageous fees and premiums. Our soldiers who have fought so honorably to defend us can come home from Iraq, and Iraq can start paying for their own defense out of their ridiculously flush bank accounts, while we try to pay off our debts and balance the budget. We can re-focus our military policy to address the real threat to our safety: Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Families like mine will see a tax cut, while those who can afford to pay more in taxes will. Our tax policy might be restructured so that it favors corporations who provide jobs for Americans, instead of giving breaks to companies that move off-shore. Energy independence will now get more than lip-service, and we can start providing the incentives producers and entrepreneurs need in order to boost wind, solar, and other clean sources of energy.

Thank you America, and thank you Barack Obama. Now I can't wait until January when he can get started.

Buh-bye Bushies, don't let the door to the Oval Office hit you on the arse as you head back to Texas.