Not PC

Seriously, though....

He was Wacko Jacko for years.

Now we are wailing in the streets?

But it does kinda-sorta make me rethink my "eyelift fund."

The Backbone

AP photo/Alice Keeney

In the days following Michael Jackson's death, I have joked about how happy South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford must be to have the spotlight off the mess he has made of his personal life.  But the reality is that the sad story remains:  a married father of four sons has very publicly betrayed his family, and he seemingly wants things to continue as before.  Not so fast.  

How many times do philandering politicians get to make their tearful mea culpas with their beautifully turned out, albeit humiliated, wives standing by their side?  It's become a national joke.  Really, how stupid are these people?  When you become a public official in this nation, you should understand the ramifications.  And hold yourself to some basic decent standards of conduct.  I know we're all human, but still.... You are charged with the public trust, and you cannot even manage your little urges? Give me a break.

This is where my new hero comes in:  Jenny Sanford, the supposed spurned wife and First Lady of South Carolina.  From what I've read about her, this Illinois-bred lady is no shrinking violet.  In fact, it appears that she is the driving force in all of her husband's political success.  Imagine that?  When she found out about her husband's mistress, she understandably asked him to end it.  When he stupidly asked to go visit his little girlfriend, she told him that she couldn't condone his continuing his affair.  Are you kidding me?  So he goes anyway.  Because, hey, he's got needs.  What family?  What gubernatorial responsibility?  

And when asked this past weekend about the future she sees, Jenny's response was beautiful:  "His career is not a concern of mine, he's going to have to worry about that.  I'm worried about my family and the character of my children."

Touché, Jenny.  There are a lot of us out here who've got your back.

Bloom

I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. 

-Thomas Jefferson

(who else?)

Oriented? Check ✔

Twins:

One U.Va. student + one annoying sibling....

(In his own collegiate attire) = one empty wallet. 

But, Mama loves her some

Mister

Jefferson,

Sir.

How many U.Va. grads does it take to change a lightbulb?

)

)

)

)

)

)

Two.

)

)

)

)

One to actually change the bulb, and one to wax eloquently about how good the old one was....

yuk

yuk

yuk

I have decided that my Baby Bird is in very fine company.

Oh, yes, indeed.

This-n-That Thursday at UVa

Randomness...

• It's hot here.
• What a beautiful place.
• I have a crush on Thomas Jefferson.
• It's really hot.
• There is great iced tea here.
• I'm not a big fan of sweating.
• This is definitely a college town.
• The streets are paved in Blue and Orange.
• It's really hot.
• I may be too old to go to school full time.
• It's all good.

Road Trip

I love a road trip....

And it's time for The Bird's UVa Orientation.

Do you think she'll notice if I enroll too?

Wisdom

Last night, The Bird had some insight for me:

If you watch what goes on with The Real Housewives of New Jersey, 

it will make you feel so much better about yourself. 

 

Thank you, Baby Bird.

Oh, and by the way, she also wanted me to know that two months from today,

 she will be in college.

gah

Not Feeling It

Today's Aquarius Horoscope:
Jun 22, 2009

You've got nothing to be afraid of today, dear Aquarius, and no time to lose. There is a certainty about your dreams that you should lock into and capitalize on. Be bold in your actions. There is no need for hesitation. Lead the charge, and go wherever you need to. Your bold spirit will draw admirers to you. You will find yourself in exciting new realms of life.

Your horoscope here

I don't think this is the best advice to give someone on steroids.  But I'll hold off judging until later.  In the meantime, Happy First Full Day of Summer my friends.  We'll be dodging our showers again here in Seattle Connecticut.

Dads, Present and Future

Augie and his Dad;

June 7, 2009

Even though I am no longer married to the father of my wonderful children,

I want to wish him a very heartfelt Happy Father's Day.

We have definitely had our times,

but I cannot imagine raising these guys with anyone else.

Our children have enjoyed:

a kind, gentle, stubborn, loving, generous, stubborn, wonderful father.

We've stayed the parental course, and enjoy our right to be proud....

Always keeping these amazing babies in mind:

Every child is a precious gift.

Happy Father's Day to all the great Dads out there.

And I hope my son becomes a Dad just like his own, someday....

I Want...

...this puppy.

Does anyone know what this is?

Because I believe I am suffering some pre- empty nest tremors this morning.

That is a face that can fix anything.

I am sure of it.

This-n-That Thursday Reporting In With a Contest!

As I told you earlier today, my dear reader, This-n-That Thursday have flown this rainy coop for sunnier climes.  They are staying in Palm Springs and report nothing but Nirvanic Conditions.  Just hush; Nirvanic is so a word.  Anyway, they have wasted no time in becoming friendly with my friend Suz while they are staying here:

Not only is it extraordinary, but Suz is offering us the chance to win two free nights there just for leaving a comment on her post at The Mom Blog.  So, do yourself a favor, and go spread the love.  And if you win, please remember that I make a wonderful travel companion;)

This-n-That Thursday...

Five-day forecast (Details)
Tomorrow Jun 19Showers	Saturday Jun 20T-storms	Sunday Jun 21Showers	Monday Jun 22Showers	Tuesday Jun 23Showers

...Send their regrets.  But they have opted to go on a last-minute Expedia deal, and have departed for Palm Springs.  Unfortunately, all I got was a soggy note.

Wordy Wednesday

Because I am off my regular wine, and jazzed on 'roids, I have become hyper-aware of the stupid things I hear every day.  Following are some ditties I have heard and tried, unsuccessfully, to ignore in the last 24 hours:

• At the end of the day...
• Freaking
• I'm not one to complain, but
• 24/7 (gah)
• I need it yesterday
• Partially naked
• Raise the bar
• Up for the challenge
• Big-time
• Actionable
• Ka-ching
• Sure bet
• I just want to give you a heads-up
• Biblical Proportion
• Large in size
• Revert back
• Some but not all
• Honest truth

Kill me now.  Three weeks of living like this?  Anybody have more to add?  Because I need some more fuel;)

Say It Ain't So....

It appears that the Mental P Rugrats are not the only household members heading for new adventures and different horizons.

Mental P has been conducting a little test of her own.

And guess what?

There may be a new adventure for her.

An allergy to chardonnay.

I will not know for a month or so.

But in the meantime, I plan on taking advantage of the massive doses of prednisone coursing through my system to get some stuff done around here.

gah

Analyze This One

Aquarius Daily Horoscope

Send requests through channels and things will flow more easily. Feelings and desires may feel like you are on a wild ride, and trying to find balance may be a challenge. Today's beginnings may mature into tomorrow's turmoil's, so don't fly off the handle and don't jump into something you're not sure of. Let the energy settle until tomorrow, then decide on it.

Emotions: Good ~ Money: Good ~ Wellness: Fair
Power Numbers: 1, 40, 42, 20, 36, 29

get yours here

Well, I won't fly off the handle, but "turmoils" does not need that apostrophe.  And, what channel should I be sending my requests, through?  I'm more confused than ever.  Maybe I should stay in bed all day.  

Sunday Morning

I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs. 

Joseph Addison

Wishing you a Sunday full of song.

If It's Saturday...

...somebody's gettin' a bath.

She needed it, too.

Half Full

That's Mama's motto.

And now there's a new vessel in the house!

Personalized.

Perfect.

Playful.

Pleasure.

Positively poetic...

 Mango Girl is so sweet to send me this goblet just because....

And boy does she know me;)

This-n-That Thursday

Wondering:

• Should I get all involved in "True Blood?"  If so, I need to watch season one, like, yesterday.
• Has anyone seen "The Hangover?"  
• Do you ever get excited by all the hype around a book, and then when you read it, wonder what all the fuss was about?
• I feel that way about Suzy Welch's "10-10-10;" nothing much new there.  And the same goes for "The Secret."  Sorry, but a small child can teach you that message.
• If I watch "True Blood" I will have to record "Army Wives," or vice versa? 
• Um.  Who is this Megan Fox?  She's beautiful, but what has she done?
• If you get dressed for the gym in the morning, but don't get there all day, do you still get credit for the intention?
• How many calories can you burn setting an intention to do something?
• Anytime I see "stupid" or "wipeout" in a television show description or title, I check out. gah. You?
• Isn't my life thrilling? 
• Don't answer that.  Thanks.

An Untimely Reunion

During The Bird's graduation celebration on Friday evening, the father of one of her classmates became ill and was taken to the hospital.   He underwent an emergency angioplasty, but, sadly, he passed away on Sunday.  Today, her class comes together once again to offer their love and support for their bereft friend and her family.  I cannot even imagine.

Life is short, my friends, enjoy every moment.  You never know.

Slow News Day...

So, the pregnant dude had another baby today. 

 A boy.  

And the news reports it was a "natural delivery." 

 I am going to need the details of that.  gah

Mosaic Mama

What a weekend!

My babies graduated from high school.

The Bird's was on Friday and Augie's was yesterday....

And all is well.

Join us for Mosaic Monday fun at Mary's.

Fledglings

Your children are not your children. 

 They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

--Kahlil Gibran

Saturday is Bath Day

Whether you need it or not.

Prizes

The Bird's Prize Day was yesterday.

I only used one tissue.

She's my own prize.

And here are some more prizes.

I think I've figured out how to get around to all their schools.

Just hoping I don't weep uncontrollably at today's graduation.

But it might be nice to lose a little water weight....

This-n-That Thursday

Some maintenance thoughts....

• Do you shred your old paperwork and stuff?  You know, like, with a shredder?
• How long do you save your paid bills?  I save mine two years, and I think that's too much.
• Do you have to refinish a hardwood floor every few years, or can you just wax them with a professional waxer thingy?
• How many towels do kids take to college with them?
• I am seriously thinking about having a tag sale.  Even though I swore I never would.  We have so much crap to get rid of treasures we want to share.
• Make sure you take plenty of tissues when you go see "Up."  And go see "Up." Amen.
• Is anybody else having weird dreams these days?
• The full moon is Sunday, right?
• Have you ever known it possible to have your heart feel so full and proud, yet ache more than you could ever know at the same time?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Mental P Mama

Class of 1978

The Baby Bird

Class of 2009

"A daughter of the gods, divinely tall, 

And most divinely fair."

--Tennyson

Sam Champion

A few days ago, I was feeling generous and energetic.

So I ventured into Augie's room to gather some laundry.

Five or six loads into the project,

I went into his bathroom to collect his towels.

Picture me, if you will, in that scary, dim place,

grasping all those towels,

and collecting even more discarded clothes...

when I saw something move.

Yup. Move.

Meet Sam Champion, the beta fish.

And, yes, that is Dora's dog shampoo in there.

That's where she gets her bathies.

But I'm happy to report that after his being outed,

Sam is happily ensconced on a nice desk.

I hope he likes Villanova.

However, I am very happy to report that these are gone.

I think we're making some progress.

Please tell me this is progress.

Is it Me?

...or does this baby robin look a little sad to be out of the nest?

Just wondering;)