UPDATE
The more I look at that other post, the more whiny it seems.
We have many things to be thankful for this year: the husband being home and with a regular work schedule, lots of fun trips with my blog friends, and, as Butterfly Wife said, a knit octopus...and rhinoceros, lion, and wombat.
Life could be a lot worse.
Here's a good New Year's resolution: a sunnier outlook.
My other resolution is to buy less stationery. I'm not sure which one will be harder for me!
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Posted by: Stephanie at December 31, 2007 11:04 AM (kzbE/)
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Amen sister! Glad this one is done too. You'll be less grumpy tomorrow. Because it'll be a New Year.
Posted by: Mare at December 31, 2007 12:40 PM (bLO1M)
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I'm sure you will face the challenges of this next year with the same grace as you have this past year. So it's hard. But I see a woman who keeps getting up, puts a smile back on her face, and knits an octopus. That's pretty cool if you ask me.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Butterfly Wife at December 31, 2007 04:04 PM (K0acE)
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*hugs*
Heh. I didn't go through the level of emotional turmoil you did, but it was a hell of an ugly year for me. So, I'll sit here and be grumpy with you (I told Father Time not to worry about the door hitting him on the way out).
Posted by: FbL at January 01, 2008 08:47 AM (rW1/8)
I WANT FRED
My husband told me this morning about the speech Fred Thompson gave on why he wants to be president. I am trying really hard not to get too emotionally invested in this man, because I'm not sure the rest of the country wants the same type of president that I do. And if I want it too badly, I will be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. But I want a president who says things like this:
I approached it from the standpoint of a deal. A kind of a marriage. If one side of a marriage really has to be talked into the marriage, it probably ainÂ’t going to be a good deal. But if you mutually decide itÂ’s going to be a good thing. In this case, if you think this is a good thing for the country, then we have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together.
IÂ’m offering myself up. IÂ’m saying that I have the background, the capability and concern to do this and do it for the right reasons. IÂ’m not particularly interested in running for president, but I think IÂ’d make a good president.
Nowadays, the process has become much more important than it used to be.
I donÂ’t know that they ever asked George Washington a question like this. I donÂ’t know that they ever asked Dwight D. Eisenhower a question like this. But nowadays, itÂ’s all about fire in the belly. IÂ’m not sure in the world we live in today itÂ’s a good thing if a president has too much fire in the belly.
I mean, I just want to quote the whole danged thing, it's that good. He goes on later to say:
If what people really want in their president is a super type A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night and been thinking about, for years how they can be president of the United StatesÂ… someone who can look you straight in the eye and say theyÂ’ve enjoyed every minute of campaigningÂ… (laughter) I ainÂ’t that guy. (more laughter) [To questioner] So I hope IÂ’ve discussed that, or I havenÂ’t talked you out of anything. I honestly wantÂ… I canÂ’t imagine a worse set of circumstances than achieving the presidency under a false pretenses, especially if you feel the way I do. IÂ’ve gone out of my way to be myself, because I donÂ’t want anybody to think theyÂ’re getting something theyÂ’re not getting. IÂ’m not consumed by this process, IÂ’m not consumed with the notion of being president. IÂ’m simply saying IÂ’m willing to do whatÂ’s necessary to achieve it if IÂ’m in sync with the people. And if the people want me, or somebody like me, I will do what IÂ’ve always done with everything else in my life. I will take it on and do a good job. YouÂ’ll have the disadvantage of having someone who probably canÂ’t jump up and click their heels three times, but will tell you the truth. And youÂ’ll know where the president stands at all times.
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we all know you have a "thing" for guys named teh Fred anyway....
but I like him too.
Posted by: AWTM at December 30, 2007 03:14 PM (aXcqg)
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I fell in love with Fred a couple of weeks ago when he was asked if a candidate should be judged on the indiscretions of his private life, or if voters' judgement should be based only on the candidate's public service (paraphrased, obviously). Of course, Hillary Clinton said something about private life having nothing to do with public service (of course). And Romney said that if someone couldn't remain faithful to his wife, how could he remain true to his country (again, paraphrased). But Fred. He said something so plain but great - that voters would have to decide what they based their vote on, whether they wanted to factor in private lives or not. It doesn't sound half as lovely typed out in my own words, but I just smiled and told Scout, "He is just so cool. I love him."
But I am also trying not to become too attached. I'm afraid not enough people will see him the way I do.
Posted by: Erin at December 30, 2007 06:45 PM (XRza7)
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Hey Sarah - I like Fred too - he is certainly my first choice of the current field, but I have also resigned myself to the fact that he does not have a snowball's chance. I hate to be negative, but that's the way I see it.
Posted by: Badger 6 at December 31, 2007 08:01 AM (PJY33)
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Sarah -
Tim Weisberg and Dan Fogelberg (recently "the Late") once recorded an album called "Twin Sons of Different Mothers".
Some days I wonder if we are Twin Soulmates Of Different Very Happy Marriages.
I'm so tired of news coverage that is not only a quarter inch deep but, more pointedly, only a quarter inch wide.
As the marvelous Patti and I were discussing today, I created a rule of thumb for presidents about 15 years ago. That rule is this "He/She who desires the presidency should be immediately disqualified." Fred has passed my test.
I don't need a president who is in the job to feed his/her considerable ego. I need a president who gets that leadership isn't about him!!! I need a president who is plain spoken, will call a spade a spade and won't raise his hand in the manner of a first grader responding to inane questions. I need a president who doesn't see shades of grey in closing the freaking border! I need a president who gets it that JOB ONE is protecting the citizenry...and isn't the least bit distracted by trying to appease the first non-American, (or American representing said non American) period.
But, as you, I fear these subtleties are lost on the larger masses who will vote for the nebulous "change", or will vote for a symbol. (Sideline here...isn't voting FOR a candidate BECAUSE he/she is female/black equally as heinous as voting AGAINST a candidate for the same reasons???)
On the conservative side - its almost cliche' that we seem to have a race between the preacher and the tall candidate with good hair. As you know my faith is strong, but I recall what happened when the South helped elect Carter - also a man of strong faith. And the Tall Guy? C'mon.
Fred's comments about forty somethings having too much fire in the belly is dead on. I will hit 50 in the new year and absolutely agree with his assesment. But that is like trying to tell a 22 year old he isn't bulletproof and is subject to the laws of physics, biology and physiology.
Truth be known I was scared witless when I took my oath as a commissioned officer. "I...having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, ...do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." Did I have a fire in my belly to take on responsibilities beyond my experience to conceive? No...I had a humility that nagged me causing me, every day, to recheck my preparedness for what the day may bring. It's butterflies in the belly, not fire in the belly, that ensures one is ready to play.
I'm with you on this one Sarah - as so many topics in the past. Since you are widely read, stay on message please...
Good chatting with you.
Tim (and CPT...er former Major Patti says "Hi!")
Posted by: Tim at December 31, 2007 02:35 PM (Nki/C)
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Tim,
Perfectly said! I sure do miss your blogging; you always spoke so eloquently, as you did today in the above comments.
Sarah's Mom
Posted by: Nancy at January 01, 2008 03:40 PM (i47jP)
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I agree with you about Fred also. Funny how everyone call him Fred and all the others are referred to by their last names. I go way back on Fred. I wanted him to run in 2000. I don't hear too much about it but he was quite successful in Government before he became a "star". He was really really good in Days of Thunder though. Hopefully levelheadedness is a quality that will not be overlooked this election.
Posted by: Titan Mk6B at January 03, 2008 08:26 AM (659LL)
RELIGIOUS GARMENTS
The other day, AWTM and I did indeed start talking about Jim Gaffigan. It was a good way to break the mood when we both got riled up talking about anti-Mormon bias. I made an offhanded comment about people not voting for Romney because of his underpants, which brought us to a serious discussion of temple garments and how offensive it is that people make a mockery of this religious tradition. Is it OK to mock someone for wearing a yamulke? Our Hindu friend from college wears the sacred thread; is that fair game? Or are we really so immature as a society that we have to snicker because we're talking about underwear? I don't get it. My husband insists that people get away with anti-Mormon bigotry because Mormons are "white." He's probably right: Sikhs have special underwear too, but you never hear anyone mocking Sikhs as being religious weirdos.
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All if the aforementioned stuff is one of a myriad reasons I find organized religion to be quite nonsensical. I stopped believing I suppose about the time my older sister passed away just before X-Mas 1961, and the only thing the religious had to offer to me in way of explanation was: "It is God's Will". Try wrapping your developing mind (I was two months shy of four) around that concept, and see if as you age and study it and even go through a "born-again" phase if you don't conclude that religion is, as Dave Foley put it in a throw away line on "Real Time", and I quote: "A gateway psychosis". So frankly I could not give a rat's ass as to any candidates position vis-a-vis his or her religion, and find the religious fervor of a few of these buffoons to be extremely disconcerting.
In summation: "All religion is Bullshit"
Apologies to anyone offended by my opinions, but they are only my opinions, and hey I could be wrong.
Posted by: Bubba Bo Bob Brain at December 30, 2007 10:06 AM (AKSWt)
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I have to admit that I have an innate curiousity about the Mormon "garmies" myself. Not out of perversion or some belief that my Catholicism is better (for goodness sake, we are supposed to wear a scapular next to our skin), but just because it is something different.
I don't wonder about the Sikh undergarments, because if someone is religious enough to wear the turban, the knife, and the bracelet, it's probably an easy leap to assume they are wearing the undies, too.
Someone's undies have no bearing on my vote, however, anymore than their choice in shoes does.
I do think the fact that Romney isn't bad to look at has something to do with the manties controversy. You don't see anyone wondering about Hillary's Hanes. *shudder*
Posted by: airforcewife at December 30, 2007 02:45 PM (mIbWn)
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How funny. As a "g" (not to be confused with g-string) wearing Mormon, the garment issue isn't that big of a deal. It doesn't bother me when friends ask odd questions about 'em.
It has been really interesting to follow the election stuff - most of the time the mormon issue doesn't bother me, but sometimes....
Go Mitt!
Posted by: wendy at January 01, 2008 06:32 PM (56tHP)
SCROOGE McGROK
My husband's miserly ways are notorious. AirForceWife even bought us a baby bib that says IRS Deduction. It's so true. When I asked him what he wanted for Christmas this year, he suggested I find some things around the house to sell for cash. He wants less stuff, not more; I can't remember the last time my husband has wanted to buy something for himself.
We came across these conversation cards this morning, little cards with questions to get conversations started. I flipped through them and realized I know my husband well enough to answer most of the questions for him. But I came to one that I wasn't sure of, so I asked him, "Given a choice, would you choose a mountain view, lake view, or ocean view?" He promptly answered, "Ocean view. Higher property values, I could sell it for more." My husband doesn't have a dream house, only a house he can sell.
Posted by: stuffed at December 29, 2007 09:34 AM (oI9wm)
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See, I immediately thought, "none of the above".
I'm from CA, so a house with those views generally means that it is in mudslide territory, and/or wildfire territory.
Well, kind of all of CA is wildfire territory, but still.
Posted by: airforcewife at December 29, 2007 03:54 PM (mIbWn)
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Schwartzenegger insists the victims of the 2007 Southern California firestorm temporarily residing at Jack Murphy Stadium are happy.
First he calls Tonight Show host Jay Leno an "idiot". Then he drops this bomb.
If it were Gray Davis the gods would have their media attack him mercilessly for these mistakes. Together they may be enough to cost any other politician his career. But not Arnold Schwartzenegger.
They say he makes comments like these all the time, clues which are all buried. And it's because they have BIG plans for him::::He is a tool who will be used to accomplish historical evil for the gods.
They say there is a strange sense of "unease" at the State Capitol, perhaps because he doesn't belong there. He is not American. Sadly this is an issue that is too readily discounted:::::His loyalties lie with a country that was the enemy of the United States a mere 65 years ago. Just as we witnessed with Clinton in 1992 expect blacks to register and vote en masse for Schwartzenegger as well, a clue and a red flag.
Just as we haven't seen any more of that "Everybody is happy." idiocy from the Preditor so do we no longer hear anything of the possibility a firefighter started one if not more of these SoCal fires, buried forever.
Weight training (promoted in every prison system in the country), promotion of pharmeceuticals (steroids), desensitizing "guy flicks" all prove the name "Preditor" is warranted.
Less than 24 hours passed after a traffic accident on I-5 before Schwartzenegger declared a state of emergency, but it took over 2 full days before he did the same for the San Francisco Bay envionmental disaster incident. The gods are offering a clue.
The gods love reverse positioning, and this Austrian genocide issue is an OUTSTANDING example:::
There is symbolism between the two:::Hitler was an Austian-born leader of a foreign nation.
It appears as if Hitler is a monster. When Schwartzenegger does his thing he will appear as a hero, an enforcer of decency. Quite the opposite is true, ironically.
Monsters like Al Capone, violent gangsters from the 20s and 30s thought they were going up. Instead they were routed into the Nazi death camps::::This Austrian genocide event disposed of these monsters.
Schwartzenegger's genocide event will dispose of society's VICTIMS, people who are the way they are (abusive, abrasive, violent, criminal) BECAUSE of their disfavor.
People will say the Italians were pushed into it too, but I'd like to remind you black evidence is contradictory (crack, AIDS, etc). Italian evidence REINFORCES corruption (1906, ). Based on these clues it is safe to say the Italians are more disfavored than Africans.
Ironically, Hiter is the enforcer of decency. Schwartzenegger is the monster. But the movies already prove Schwartzenegger is a promoter of indencency, so when his genocide event happens there will be no secrets.
This exposure from me can change their script. Or, more appropriately said, alter the Manifest Destiny's senarios to fall in line with the god's script.
That means Schwartzenegger was never going to be used. But I think the evidence we have suggests he in fact IS the one foreshadowed with the Hitler figure, his genocide event foreshadowed with the Holocaust.
And, ironically, blacks will show up at the polls to vote for their own deaths.
I believe there is symbolism with Ronald Reagan as well.
There is one geographic clue I have not addressed in years:::Uranus, a planet tilted 90 degrees on its axis. I have stated in years past that I think this is a clue offered by the gods suggesting the fate of planet Earth, that tectonic plate subduction would be the method of disposal:::EarthÂ’s axis will shift breaking continental plates free and initiating mass subduction.
Undesirables will either perish in the government marijuana erradication program "gone awry" or be the recipients of reparations granted by the US government because of it.
I believe the New Testiment battle of the Anti-Christ and the Second Coming of Christ will ocurr in subsequent years SPECIFICALLY because these people will be distracted with the money during the event.
When the Earth's axis shifts people will be cast into outer space with gold cards in hand.
I think this was foreshadowed on an episode of the Simpsons where Homer and Bart are on the disfavored ship and eject, only to experience a sense of euphoria, expand then explode in the vacuum of space.
When the United States government pays out reparations I believe you have less than a handful of years before the gods end on Planet Earth.
Vienna was the center of the music world for a reason.
Any middle age person today remembers the excitement surrounding classical music in the mid-20th century.
Classical music was "in play". Expect the same "magic" was employed back then as well.
Motzart's ugly for a reason. Similarly, Schwartzenegger's appearance is suspect as well.
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Reparations for a government marijuana erradication program gone awry a.wav
Reparations for a government marijuana erradication program gone awry b.wav
Posted by: The "early cut-off" of the disfavored::::The fall of Russian communism vs. Cuban (Chinese) communism at January 06, 2008 04:47 PM (Tpuv7)
BUSY AS A...LADY KNITTING FOR TOO MANY BABIES (WAIT, THAT'S NOT CATCHY)
The other night, I couldn't fall asleep because I have too much knitting stress. For pete's sake, Erin's baby gets here in a month and I haven't even started! Not to mention the other babies popping on the scene in early 2008. I have knit myself into a corner and need to get out fast.
So I got out of bed and worked from midnight to 0200 to finish the project I had so selfishly started for myself.
(It's Nakiska from Knitty, unblocked of course because blocking takes time.)
Now that that's out of the way, I'm on a strict baby knitting schedule, five or six hours a day. My husband looked at me today and said, "I think maybe you shouldn't knit so much." He means well, really he does, but I don't know what he was thinking when he said that. He says he only meant that it's a hobby and I shouldn't get so stressed out about an activity that's supposed to be fun and doesn't even bring us any income.
But Erin's baby can't knit for himself.
Back to work.
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232
232 years ago this morning, George Washington and his Continental army won the Battle of Trenton, effectively turning the tide of the American Revolution and putting us on the road to independence.
From the last week of August to the last week of December, the year 1776 had been as dark a time as those devoted to the American cause had ever known -- indeed, as dark a time as any in the history of the country. And suddenly, miraculously it seemed, that had changed because of a small band of determined men and their leader.
A century later, Sir George Otto Trevelyan would write in a classic study of the American Revolution, "It may be doubted whether so small a number of men ever employed so short a space of time with greater and more lasting effects upon the history of the world."
I couldn't be prouder to think that 232 years ago, bedraggled and freezing men were fighting to establish the wonderful country I now live in. And were paid $6 per month for the pleasure.
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The first Christmas we spent in Jersey we attended the Washington Crossing the Delaware re-enactment. That was awesome.
And a few weeks later, we went to the Barracks Museum in Trenton. I have never in my life seen more knowledgeable docents - even my kids were transfixed.
Posted by: airforcewife at December 26, 2007 07:52 AM (mIbWn)
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That story should come with a tissue warning!!! But it is indicative of the fabric of what makes our country so special. Merry Christmas to you and your family. May all your wishes and dreams for the New Year come true.
Posted by: Mare at December 25, 2007 08:17 AM (bLO1M)
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Dang. You make us sound so much cooler than we are.
I miss you, girl. Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Erin at December 25, 2007 02:45 PM (XRza7)
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Merry Christmas to you and yours Sarah. Many blessings to you that you get all your hopes and dreams in the new year.
Posted by: Household6 at December 25, 2007 03:51 PM (xzYY+)
HOPE
I was able to find joy in the smallest things on Christmases past, be it not having a tree (2006), having a husband in the same room (2005), hitting a milestone during the deployment (2004), or not being able to even write because we had no computer access (2003). So let's see if I can muster that joy this year.
Admittedly, it's been a pretty crappy month in our household. On the day I planned to put up the tree, we instead went to the emergency room and had our hopes and dreams crash down on our heads. Not a great way to start the season.
But we have hope.
Shoot, we don't have anything else to show for the past year. Except a sliver of hope that by next Christmas we will have the prospect of spending future Christmases surrounded by children and grandchildren.
But we have that hope to hang on to, and that's what keeps us smiling through the Christmas season this year.
NICE SCENERY, BUT...
Last night we watched Easy Rider. I sat there with a confused look on my face the whole time. Spoiler alert, but what in the holy heck was that? Someone's head gets chopped up with a machete and the hippies are like, "Man, whatever, let's go get some whores and drop acid in a cemetery"? And then get killed by rednecks for no reason whatsoever.
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I still do not get easyrider...
I particulary do not understand how anyone could stand to ride a bike for any length of time with those ape hanger bars...
they are not for distance, I assure you.
SB has some odd movies in the que, this Holiday .
AFW is watching 300, and we are watching SuperBad.
Posted by: AWTM at December 24, 2007 05:39 PM (cVfHJ)
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300 ROCKS. A perfect movie day would include 300, Braveheart, The Princess Bride, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and the Austin Powers trilogy.
I truly don't think that anyone really groks Easy Rider. Hollywood seems to think that "not making sense" is equal to "deep thoughts."
Merry Christmas!!!
Posted by: airforcewife at December 24, 2007 06:19 PM (mIbWn)
1820 STITCHES TO GO
I'm a mere 13 rows away from finishing my huge knitting project so I can gift it. Thank heavens. It was meant to be 30,100 stitches made with love and appreciation, but at this point I just can't wait to put it in the mail.
And then I have to make this spider monkey, which someone is paying me to make.
And then I can concentrate on the other five projects I have sitting on my sofa...
The other day I got this ridiculous idea that I still had time before Christmas to make everyone I know a pair of these little mitten ornaments. Thank heavens I talked myself out of that before I even got started. I still want to make them, but everyone can get them next year.
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SNIFF
I'm a few days late in noticing this very touching post, ironically entitled Why I Hate Christmas.
Stupid pregnancy hormones, good for nothing anymore except making me weepy.
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PASS ME THE YARN AND NOBODY GETS HURT
OK, someone needs to submit me for that show Intervention. I couldn't go 24 hours without knitting. I was sitting there in the recliner all jittery and fidgety, like a crackhead in withdrawal. And I finally lost it and made my husband pass me the dpn's. Ahhh, endorphins.
Thank heavens I never channeled this compulsive behavior into cigarettes or slot machines.
METAMESSAGE
I think the secret to a good marriage is meta-knowledge.
During a class on cross-cultural communication, we read the book That's Not What I Meant! How Conversational Style Makes or Breaks Relationships. That book was probably the most useful thing I ever read in college; it changed my life. (And people say that all the time, that books changed their life, but usually they're being hyperbolic. I am super serial here.) What this book teaches you is how your metamessage -- the tone of your voice, the way you're standing -- conveys a stronger message than your words, and how men and women typically employ different metamessage strategies. Once you're able as a couple to talk about your metamessages and not just the words you've said, it opens up a whole different level of communication.
This meta-knowledge -- for example, that men listen to complaining to find solutions, while women complain to create a social bond -- is a crucial part of getting along. My husband and I hardly ever argue anymore after reading this book because we are able to step back and actually say nerdy things like, "Right now I am acting like a stupid woman. I know what I am saying is unreasonable, and that you want to try to fix the problem for me, but I don't need you to fix it, I just need you to listen and nod along with me as if you understand what in the hell I'm upset about. It's OK if you just pretend you understand, that works too." Understanding that your emotional systems work differently is a blessing for a relationship.
I am so glad I had to read this book.
Anyway, I thought about this today when I read SarahJ's description of dropping the bookcase on her foot. Now there's a couple with meta-knowledge! If you can fight with this sort of self-awareness, you have a great relationship, in my opinion. You still have a busted toe because you were being a damned woman, but at least you don't have a busted toe and a divorce, right?
Heh.
(Todays links, as usual, found via Conservative Grapevine, the coolest round-up on the internet.)
I had a friend in high school (Hi, T!) who used to make a hilarious distinction between "money" and "real money": Money was what his mom gave him; real money was the stuff he had to go out and earn.
I would pay Real Money to see Fred Thompson beat up teh bin Laden.
MSN HITS A NEW LOW
MSN published their most influential men and women of 2007. The list of men was predictable, the women laughable. I was heartened to read comments about the list, specifically
Appalled in St. Louis:
Your criteria or the people evaluating your criteria must be very warped. It is amazing to me that so many of your most influential women are from the entertainment industry. The real world is not populated by entertainers and they have much less influence with real people than you think. Why didn't you look to the world of business, education, law, charitable foundations and science where real changes are made that impact all of our lives? Quit being so incredibly shallow.
JaninaB
Stop for a minute and compare the list of influential men and women. Most of the men were politicians, businessmen, or social activists. Most of the women were in the entertainment industry. Some of them had done nothing more than be successful entertainers and attract gossip. Couldn't you recognize people who actually make a difference in the world??? Two thumbs down, MSN!!!
I couldn't have said it any better. Putting Benazir Bhutto on the same list as Hannah Montana is just insulting. I'm glad other MSN readers agreed. MSN could've come up with this list by polling people at a mall; shouldn't they instead use their resouces and reach to educate their readers about influential people they might not have heard of before, people in science or politics who are making a difference?
This comment said it all:
Hannah Montana? Really? There was a woman who came to the high school where I live and spoke to the students of her life. She works for the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and she has survived two car bombings. She has survived attempted assassinations and has finally been able to flee to the U.S. Her brother and sister haven't gone to school in months because there were terrorist threats upon their lives. Members of her family have been killed off. She recounted her tale of her frightening trip here, and proceeded to write words in Arabic that were projected onto a screen "hope, faith, save us". I think people like this that come to save their country and help our own are much more influential that "the Obama Girl"
When the editors of MSN Lifestyle gathered for their annual assessment of the year's most influential people, a few names—mostly from the world of politics—immediately bubbled to the surface. But as we discussed the election cycle omnipresence of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the prescient environmentalism of Al Gore, and the continuing emergence of Hugo Chavez, the conversation changed.
It started when the addition of George W. Bush to the list was proposed. The president, by any objective estimation, has had a rough year. Yet the difficulties of his presidency have emboldened the more liberal end of America's political spectrum to such a degree that an African-American and a woman are currently the frontrunners to become the next president of the United States. In this way, President Bush is more influential than either Obama or Clinton by themselves. Call it “influence through anti-influence.”
Let me get this straight. Bush is so bad that we have to resort to a black guy or a woman? Am I reading that right? We hate Bush so much that we're even willing to hand the reins over to minorities? And I thought Republicans were supposed to be the prejudiced ones. Sheesh.
KNITTING ACHES, PART II
So since I'm not knitting, I'm writing about knitting. And thinking about knitting. And scouring the internet for knitting (holy cow, a Super Mario bag!) The Girl suggested that I take a nice, hot bath to rest my muscles and relax, but when I got there I remembered I hate water, and all I could think about was what I could be knitting.
It seems I'm not the only one with knitting on the brain: AirForceWife has taught herself to knit. Sweet. The husband and I are planning a trip to visit the AirForceFamily in January, so I can't wait to knit together. Hang on, AirForceWife, I'll teach you to knit socks soon!
I made a knitting joke the other day over at AWTM's place. Commenters told me that I should stop forcing my oppressive knitting agenda down AWTM's throat (I'm wildly exaggerating for humor here.) I don't care that AWTM doesn't want to knit; it was just a joke because Emma Peel was knitting. Actually, I have decided I am thrilled that people now have to pay me to learn my hobby. If they're forking over cash, they must really want to learn it. I've taught enough people in my life who didn't end up becoming Knitters™; I like to teach enthusiastic learners.
And AirForceWife seems enthusiastic. Heck, even her husband is enthusiastic about her knitting; after seven years together, I still don't think my husband quite groks my interest in the pointy sticks.
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I'm trying to knit more, but crochet has been a bit faster, lately, at least for Christmas gifts.
I was surprised the other day when my husband was watching me, and announced that I should teach him how to crochet before his next deployment (!).
OF COURSE!!!
That would make sending care packages easier! "Need more yarn, Sweetie? Here you go!"
I'm still pretty stoked about that announcement. I'll have to revisit it later, to see if he was really serious. And I'll have to learn how to make socks and hats, so he has something "masculine" to work on.
Posted by: deltasierra at December 20, 2007 11:08 AM (woXks)
2
I taught my brother to crochet when we were teenagers. He in turn taught his wife right after they got married.
I'm looking forward to teaching him how to knit.
And AirForceFamily can't WAIT to have the Grok family visit. Knitting, war pictures, and tours of the DC area... Sounds like a most excellent time.
Posted by: airforcewife at December 20, 2007 12:21 PM (mIbWn)
KNITTING ACHES
I have a knitting project that I have been working on for a seriously long time. It's a big project, and it's a boring project. I have become desperate to get it finished, so desperate that I have been knitting on it for about six hours a day all week long. And I've developed a horrible crick in my neck. I have put myself on the disabled list for a day or so to see if the pain goes away.
So what's a girl to do when she can't knit? Shop for yarn, of course. My husband is gonna kill me...
Speaking of knitting, I read an article yesterday that blew my mind. It was about Althea Merback, a knitter who makes clothes in miniature. Her stuff is incredible. 80 stitches to the inch! Stop and think about that for a second. She uses medical wire for knitting needles. I am just floored. She has a website, but I'm sure photos don't do the work justice. I read that some of her work is in a museum in Kansas City, so the next time we head home to the Midwest, I definitely want to check it out.
1
That neck crick is a bugger. When you go back to knitting again - be sure to set a timer and take a break every hour at least (every half hour if you can make yourself do it). Do some exercises for the top of your body... look up at the ceiling, move your head slowly from side to side. Stand up and do shoulder rolls forward and backward... first with one shoulder at a time, then with both. That kind of thing.
Here's a link to some "desk stretches" that might give you a good idea.
http://www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/stretches_graphic.html
If you do this every hour, and take just a "stand up and move" break every 30 minutes, I think you'll be surprised how much faster and better the project goes. :-)
Posted by: Teresa at December 20, 2007 08:01 AM (rVIv9)
2
I just took a look at that miniature knitting. It is beautiful. And the overworked word that really means something here, AWESOME. She is an artist.
Posted by: Ruth H at December 20, 2007 09:37 AM (XZkH5)
SUCH A SERIOUS VOICE
My husband was taking a turn around the internet in the computer room last night while I was already snuggled into a warm bed. Normally he has this nickname that he calls me around the house, so when I heard him call out "Sarah...," I felt something was funny. It seemed serious. Apparently it was serious enough that he used my real name to call out to me. What could he have found on the internet to make his voice sound like that?
1
Probably the same thing that *I* would have to say about that, or her two-bit sister for that matter...
Posted by: Kate at December 19, 2007 06:23 AM (FmdP4)
2
I want to know what your hubby calls you around the house now!
My son's nickname is Poops McGee (I don't know why). I'm hoping that I can convince his significant other of the future to carry on with that.
Posted by: airforcewife at December 19, 2007 11:58 AM (mIbWn)
3
Oh, but I DO! B/c I'm pretty certain it's something akin to what I would have to say...but, with less cursing.
Posted by: Guard Wife at December 19, 2007 03:46 PM (BslEQ)
4
We're having this discussion on one of the spouse boards I'm on. Let's just say that Brittney and Jamie Lynn's mom isn't going to win the "Mom of the Year" Award.
Posted by: HomefrontSix at December 19, 2007 09:07 PM (4Es1w)
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While our troops go out to defend our country, it is incumbent upon us to make the country worth defending. --Deskmerc--
Contrary to what you've just seen, war is neither glamorous nor fun. There are no winners, only losers. There are no good wars, with the following exceptions: The American Revolution, WWII, and the Star Wars Trilogy. --Bart Simpson--
If you want to be a peacemaker, you've gotta learn to kick ass. --Sheriff of East Houston, Superman II--
Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind. --Jed Babbin--
Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. --President John F. Kennedy--
War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. --General Patton--
We've gotta keep our heads until this peace craze blows over. --Full Metal Jacket--
Those who threaten us and kill innocents around the world do not need to be treated more sensitively. They need to be destroyed. --Dick Cheney--
The Flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. --Col Steven Arrington--
The purpose of diplomacy isn't to make us feel good about Eurocentric diplomatic skills, and having countries from the axis of chocolate tie our shoelaces together does nothing to advance our infantry. --Sir George--
I just don't care about the criticism I receive every day, because I know the cause I defend is right. --Oriol--
It's days like this when we're reminded that freedom isn't free. --Chaplain Jacob--
Bumper stickers aren't going to accomplish some of the missions this country is going to face. --David Smith--
The success of multilateralism is measured not merely by following a process, but by achieving results. --President Bush--
Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life.
--John Galt--
First, go buy a six pack and swig it all down. Then, watch Ace Ventura. And after that, buy a Hard Rock Cafe shirt and come talk to me. You really need to lighten up, man.
--Sminklemeyer--
You've got to kill people, and when you've killed enough they stop fighting --General Curtis Lemay--
If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained -- we must fight! --Patrick Henry--
America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American. --President George W. Bush--
are usually just cheerleading sessions, full of sound and fury and signifying nothing but a soothing reduction in blood pressure brought about by the narcotic high of being agreed with. --Bill Whittle
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
--John Stuart Mill--
We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other. --General George Marshall--
We can continue to try and clean up the gutters all over the world and spend all of our resources looking at just the dirty spots and trying to make them clean. Or we can lift our eyes up and look into the skies and move forward in an evolutionary way.
--Buzz Aldrin--
America is the greatest, freest and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.
--Dinesh D'Souza--
Recent anti-Israel protests remind us again of our era's peculiar alliance: the most violent, intolerant, militantly religious movement in modern times has the peace movement on its side. --James Lileks--
As a wise man once said: we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
Unless the price is too high, the burden too great, the hardship too hard, the friend acts disproportionately, and the foe fights back. In which case, we need a timetable.
--James Lileks--
I am not willing to kill a man so that he will agree with my faith, but I am prepared to kill a man so that he cannot force my compatriots to submit to his.
--Froggy--
You can say what you want about President Bush; but the truth is that he can take a punch. The man has taken a swift kick in the crotch for breakfast every day for 6 years and he keeps getting up with a smile in his heart and a sense of swift determination to see the job through to the best of his abilties.
--Varifrank--
In a perfect world, We'd live in peace and love and harmony with each oither and the world, but then, in a perfect world, Yoko would have taken the bullet.
--SarahBellum--
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. --Ronald Reagan--
America is rather like life. You can usually find in it what you look for. It will probably be interesting, and it is sure to be large. --E.M. Forster--
Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR. That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse. --Mark Twain--
The Enlightenment was followed by the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, which touched every European state, sparked vicious guerrilla conflicts across the Continent and killed millions. Then, things really turned ugly after the invention of soccer. --Iowahawk--
Every time I meet an Iraqi Army Soldier or Policeman that I haven't met before, I shake his hand and thank him for his service. Many times I am thanked for being here and helping his country. I always tell them that free people help each other and that those that truly value freedom help those seeking it no matter the cost. --Jack Army--
Right, left - the terms are useless nowadays anyway. There are statists, and there are individualists. There are pessimists, and optimists. There are people who look backwards and trust in the West, and those who look forward and trust in The World. Those are the continuums that seem to matter the most right now. --Lileks--
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
--Winston Churchill--
A man or a nation is not placed upon this earth to do merely what is pleasant and what is profitable. It is often called upon to carry out what is both unpleasant and unprofitable, but if it is obviously right it is mere shirking not to undertake it. --Arthur Conan Doyle--
A man who has nothing which he cares about more than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the existing of better men than himself. --John Stuart Mill--
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." --Dave Grossman--
At heart I’m a cowboy; my attitude is if they’re not going to stand up and fight for what they believe in then they can go pound sand. --Bill Whittle--
A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. --Alexander Tyler--
By that time a village half-wit could see what generations of professors had pretended not to notice. --Atlas Shrugged--
I kept asking Clarence why our world seemed to be collapsing and everything seemed so shitty. And he'd say, "That's the way it goes, but don't forget, it goes the other way too." --Alabama Worley--
So Bush is history, and we have a new president who promises to heal the planet, and yet the jihadists don’t seem to have got the Obama message that there are no enemies, just friends we haven’t yet held talks without preconditions with.
--Mark Steyn--
"I had started alone in this journey called life, people started
gathering up on the way, and the caravan got bigger everyday." --Urdu couplet
The book and the sword are the two things that control the world. We either gonna control them through knowledge and influence their minds, or we gonna bring the sword and take their heads off. --RZA--
It's a daily game of public Frogger, hopping frantically to avoid being crushed under the weight of your own narcissism, banality, and plain old stupidity. --Mary Katharine Ham--
There are more instances of the abridgment of freedoms
of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. --James Madison--
It is in the heat of emotion that good people must remember to stand on principle. --Larry Elder--
Please show this to the president and ask him to remember the wishes of the forgotten man, that is, the one who dared to vote against him. We expect to be tramped on but we do wish the stepping would be a little less hard. --from a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt--
The world economy depends every day on some engineer, farmer, architect, radiator shop owner, truck driver or plumber getting up at 5AM, going to work, toiling hard, and producing real wealth so that an array of bureaucrats, regulators, and redistributors can manage the proper allotment of much of the natural largess produced. --VDH--
Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves. --Marcelene Cox--
I miss you, girl. Merry Christmas.
That would make sending care packages easier! "Need more yarn, Sweetie? Here you go!" 
