Something New, #154

Several times a year, outside my local Wal-Mart, either the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or another group set up for troop fundraisers. I usually don't buy anything, because other than Thin Mint cookies, there's nothing I ever need. But this Cub Scout was so cute and so earnest, that I bought a $6 box of popcorn.

It better be good.

Something New, #153

We had a birthday party for The Little One's 8th birthday. The new thing was it was the first co-ed party we've had.

She has several good friends that are boys, especially B and C, who are also best friends, so I felt they would be fine with all the girls around.

Boys are a lot different from girls.

From the moment they both walked into the house, the energy changed. Lucky for us, the weather was good, and since the theme of the party was "carnival" we had everything in the backyard. We had a ring toss, junk food walk (like a cake walk, only the prizes are junk food), estimation jar, toilet toss (throwing wet sponges thru a toilet seat. The boys loved this one.) and rides on the rope swing.

The Little One had a great time so that's all that matters.

Something New, #152

I attended a BBQ, hosted by team Master Basters. It was great. Not only did I try a new food, cheddar cheesy corn, which was AWESOME, but I did so in a town I'd never been to.

I'm also slowly overcoming my fear of social activities.

When I was married to The Ex, and even while we were still living together, he worked in the restaurant business and had crazy hours. We had about two days off a month together and I could literally go 3-4 days without seeing him, even though we were in the same house. In fact, when we separated, we didn't tell The Big One for about 4 months, and she was so used to him being in and out, she didn't even notice.

Because of this, I spent a lot of time at home alone or with babies and toddlers. When we started living together, it was because I moved to another state to be with him, and then when we had our first baby, had just moved to another state. As someone who does enjoy socializing, but is somewhat shy, this was problematic.

And while dealing with his addiction, I learned to withdraw even more.

So after about 17 years of conditioning, it's been a slow process to get back into the practice of meeting new people and being in a group.

I started to feel that old panic again at this party, and was leaving, when a new friend came running after me. I did feel comfortable enough with her to let her know how I was feeling, and she totally understood, and said she had the same problem.

It does help talking about it, and just practicing.

"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."
"My fingers," said Elizabeth, "do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not preoduce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault- because I would not take the trouble of practising..." Pride and Prejudice

Something New, #151

Although my babies have been out of diapers for years, I still keep a box of baby wipes in the car. Seriously, baby wipes can clean just about anything.

I had a job interview this afternoon, (FINGERS CROSSED FOR A SECOND INTERVIEW!!!) and forgot to bring my toothbrush to work so I'd be all fresh for the interview. I hadn't had lunch, but still had coffee breath and no gum. So I swiped a baby wipe across my ivories.

It didn't taste all that bad, and it did feel like I at least got the coffee film off my teeth.

Something New, #150

I came up with a theory on suburban spread.

When I take my walks at lunch, part of my route is past one of our local mega-churches. There is a field next to it, that's filled with wild grasses and wild flowers, and a driveway running down the side that separates it from the subdivision on the other side of the privacy fence. As I was walking up the sidewalk that runs around the perimeter of the field, there were about 200 grasshoppers leaping from one side of the sidewalk to the other. When I crossed the driveway where there was no wild grasses or wildflowers and just perfect green sod, I didn't see a single grasshopper. Made me wonder what kind of pesticides are being used for the perfect carpet of grass.

Something New, #149

I ran out of coffee filters, so used the sit-com method of cramming a paper towel into the brewing basket. The sad thing is, my coffee is so bad to begin with, I couldn't tell the difference.

Something New, #148

I made a choice today that deviated from what my usual fears would have me do. Like most women, I probably do things not because it's what I want, but what will not hurt someone else's feelings. Today I made a decision that may hurt someone's feelings, but may help my family substantially.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out for the best either way.

Something New, #147

After about 3 very stressed-filled weeks, I finally finished the living room/dining room/front hall/upstairs hall repainting. Stressful, because it was such a big project and I felt like the whole house was a mess. But I got the ceiling painted, two coats of Kilz, two coats of paint in Mamma Mia Blue and repainted all the woodwork. So it was a pretty big job. And a pretty big mess.

I did step out of my usual habit, and rehung the pictures in DIFFERENT PLACES. I even left some out, and took some from other parts of the house. Shocking, I know.

I have a stained glass arch that originally was in my grandparent's drugstore in Eufaula, Oklahoma. I had it hanging from the ceiling, dividing the living area from the dining area, but wanted to move it to the door. This involved removing the original hooks, patching and repainting that part of the ceiling and installing new hooks.

I figured out that the hooks had to be installed with a toggle bolt, which I've never used. I've used lots of molly bolts, but not the toggle bolts. I managed to get the hole drilled, after three tries with three different sized bits and got each hook in on the first try. I did learn to keep my mouth closed while drilling holes in the ceiling.

Just another one of those little things that I feel empowers me.

Now all I have to do to finish up the redecorating is sew new window treatments, slipcovers, get new rugs, lampshades and accessories.

I should be finished before it needs painting again.

Something New, #147

I stopped by the Farmer's Market before meeting my friend Paula for coffee and picked up an eggplant for 50 cents. I've had eggplant before, but never actually cooked anything with it, so I thought I'd try basic eggplant parmesan.

It actually turned out pretty good, although the kids didn't care for it much. I will make it for myself again, only this time, will read the directions a little more closely, and actually PEEL it before I cook it.

Something New, #146

My Beautiful Friend Mel, (not to be confused with my Cute Friend Mel or my Young Friend Mel) has been active in the social dance community where she lives for several years. She got me interested, and I thought that it would be a good way to sneak in some exercise. She was kind enough to research online for me and found a studio near my house that specializes in swing dancing.

That was about 3 months ago, and I finally worked up the nerve to actually attend a class.

I did check it out before and was assured that if I showed up alone, it would be fine. I was the eleventh of the group that showed up, and eight of those were part of a couple.

Awkward.

The instruction part of the class was fine, because we rotated partners and everyone had a partner. We covered a lot in an hour. My dance experience is limited to tap classes I took as a kid, and 16 years of being a Jazzercise customer, but it was pretty easy for me to catch on.

The uncomfortable part for me was after the instructional portion, where there was free time to practice. I found myself standing alone, so snuck out early.

I will go back, and figure like anything else, being alone in a group is something I need to practice. I figure that taking the first step, literally and figuratively is the hardest part.

Something New, #145

In continuing to show my support for Barack Obama, I made a donation to his campaign by purchasing a yard sign. I can't wait to get it and add to the beautification of my neighborhood.

I also made a charitable donation to Planned Parenthood, in VP candidate Sarah Palin's name. My fellow True Blue Woman, Megan, sent me the following.

"We may be closer to talking to women on the other side! I know everyone is sick of getting emails preaching to the choir, but the following suggestion is something we can actually do, that will do good.

Go to the Planned Parenthood website and hit "donate." It gives a path to donate in someone's honor, which is where you enter Sarah Palin's name, and address of the McCain headquarters. If you just give $5, it sends a message. Every $$ goes to either help someone or fight the anti-choice forces. Make a donation to Planned Parenthood. In Sarah Palin's name.

And here's the good part: when you make a donation to Planned Parenthood in her name, they'll send her a card telling her that the donation has been made in her honor.

Here's the link to the Planned Parenthood website. Just think of her pastor in Alaska knowing that her name has been linked to Planned Parenthood. If nothing else, a donation to Planned Parenthood is always good…. Fighting the Sarah Palin’s of the world….

So let’s honor her.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Middle Tab on top of home page…Donate. Drop down menu, third option “Honorary or Memorial Donations”$5.00 minimum. You'll need to fill in the address to let Planned Parenthood know where to send the "in Sarah Palin's honor" card. I suggest you use the address for the McCain campaign headquarters, which is:McCain for President, 1235 S. Clark Street, 1st Floor, Arlington, VA 22202"

I love the idea of the GOP headquarters getting all those "Thank You" postcards. Anyway, for $5, it's a good prank.

Something New, #144

Since the living room/dining room/front hall/upstairs hall project has snowballed, I learned a new painting trick. Instead of trying to sand down all the dry drip in the paint, and ending up with a smudgy mess, I used a razor blade to shave off the drips.

I believe Oprah would call this an A-Ha moment...

Something New, #143

In trying new recipes, I broke down and bought a Rachel Ray cookbook, or as my niece calls her, Ray Ray. One ingredient for the tuna salad I wanted to try was wasibi paste. I'd never bought it before, and it was actually on the same aisle as the Beefer Upper.

The recipe only called for a pea sized amount, but I probably should have added more. I'll probably never use up the whole tube, and may use it for April Fool's and tell The Little One it's toothpaste.

Something New, #142

I learned that the best way to get paint off a dog is to rub vigorously with a damp towel. Do not try this on her tail, as she may try to bite you.

For my next Something New, I will try to figure out the best way to get dog hair off the freshly painted wall.

Something New, #141

Apparently, if you grow up in the KC area, you are familiar with Plaza III Steak Soup. I'd never had it, so my Cute Friend Mel gave me a recipe she had. There are several recipes, this one contained a product called Beefer Upper. She had to tell me which specific grocery store where I could get it, and event the exact aisle.

I think it's mostly a concentrated form of bouillon. It looked like what I found in my kids' diapers the first few days after they were born. The soup is mostly a couple of bags of frozen veggies, hamburger meat and broth.

It wasn't bad, but I've since found other recipes I think may be better with plain beef bouillon.

Something New, #140

Miserable at Les Miserables

The Big One and I attended the last of our Starlight shows, Les Miserables. It had stopped raining for the first time in 4 days, until we got to the theater. Starlight goes on, rain or shine. We did come prepared with ponchos, umbrellas, towels and an extra change of clothes. It really wasn't bad.

Until the second act.

No sooner we had returned from the most awesome ladies room in the country, (40 + stalls, I'm not kidding!) that the students next to us decided that what they had to say took precedence over what was going on onstage.

Yes, it was raining, and no, they didn't have any raingear. Yes, I'm sure they were uncomfortable, but no, we all didn't really care to hear them bitch about it. After all, isn't this the generation that has access to all information at all times in their pockets? Didn't they bother to check the weather before they left? An 85% chance of rain would tell me that they would probably at least need an umbrella.

About halfway through the second act, after they had yakked through my favorite number, On My Own, I couldn't take it anymore. Usually when this happens, I just shoot dirty looks the way of the rude patron and sit there and get more and more pissed off.

So I finally decided I really didn't care if they thought I was an old bitch and that I had paid for my ticket, just like everyone else in my section and had a right to enjoy the show, leaned over and said, "Excuse me, is the play interfering with your conversation?"

That shut them up, and I didn't even care what they thought about me. And for me, that is progress.

Something New, #139

Democracy in Action

Even though it had rained here for 4 days straight, I had made a commitment to register voters at the Overland Park Farmer's Market, so I went. Some of my fellow True Blue Women had agreed to join me but I really didn't expect to see them. Not only did they all show up, but two brought their daughters. Talk about commitment!

We only had a card table, but "Ed" from the bakery off the site let us use his pop-up tent. "Anything for the Obama Girls."

We heart Ed. Not only for letting us use his tent, but for calling us "girls."

The market was a little slow, and we only registered 5 voters, but it was fun to hang with my girls. And I feel like I really did something other than running my mouth.

Something New, #138

Which Came First?

A woman in my office has a friend who raises chickens and she buys fresh eggs from her. To my knowledge, I've never had an egg straight out of the chicken's bottom, so she gave me a dozen.

The only difference I could tell from fresh and store-bought was that the yolks were much brighter. The Big One used them to make a cake and used store brand cake mix, and it did seem moister, so maybe the eggs made a difference.

Something New, #137

Another Obvious Thing That is Something New to Me

The repainting of the living room has snowballed. At first, I thought I'd just repaint and slipcover the couch. Then I realized I'd have to change the window treatments. And the two wing chairs would have to be replaced. And I'd need new rugs. And change the accessories and furniture arrangement. And repaint the ceiling and woodwork.

You get the idea.

So I started painting the ceiling, which really should have been done when we moved in 11 years ago, but time constraints stopped us. My mother and I did repaint the ceilings in the girls rooms and kitchen. When we did those we used a roller that my got from QVC that had a telescoping handle. Since this was all I'd ever used, I assumed that the "roller on a stick" was an "As Seen on TV" item.

After I finished the living room ceiling with a short roller, I noticed the threading in the handle.

Duh.

I unscrewed my broom handle and that sucker fit perfectly.

Duh.

Got the dining room, front hall and upstairs hall done in less time than the living room.

Duh.

The irony is, I like to think of myself as pretty handy, but as an American who lives in a consumer-obsessed society, had the idea in my head that I had to buy a special tool for something I already had.

Duh.

Something New, #136

Because I work full-time and have two part-time gigs, I usually spend most of my "free" time on weekends frantically cleaning the house, mowing and cleaning the yard, doing laundry, grocery shopping, doing more laundry, running kids to birthday parties, walking the dog and doing still more laundry, if I take a break and do something else, I get behind by about a week.

So after my mom's visit over the weekend, when we spend the whole day basically shopping, I have been playing catch up.

This time, I was just too exhausted to do it all alone, and figured there had to be a better way.

I feel I have not been practicing what I preach by being a slacker parent, and not utilizing the able-bodied youngsters that live with me. They do some chores, like emptying the dishwasher, taking care of their rooms, etc. but we haven't ever had any structured arrangement.

So I came up with the cliche chore chart. I don't feel that I'm asking them to do hard labor, just dusting, wiping down the bathrooms, putting away laundry and vacuuming. I'm on it, too, so they will be more aware of what I do around the house and hopefully will appreciate it.

Yeah, I know. I dream big.

And on my continuing rants about the GOP campaign, I saw the "Maverick" commercial last night.

I think the McClain/Palin needs to rename themselves "Rebublican Lite."

Something New, #135

I really heart Target.

I've always thought that Target is for me, what Tiffany & Co. is to Holly Golightly. Nothing bad could ever happen to me at Target. I went to Target on the evening of 9/11, after being glued to the TV all day, and felt about 100% better when I left. My idea of a perfect first date would be to get a coffee at the onsite Starbucks and cruise the clearance aisles. (Again, Wallace, if you're reading, call me.)

And the great thing is, everything at Target is something you really DO need. Well, practically.

So today when I had to pick up some prints for photos for work, I had to wait a while, so I browsed around.

It was the first time ever I did not make a purchase at Target. I did pay for the photos, but that was with company money, and not for me.

And even though there were some really cute dishtowels on the clearance endcap, I didn't buy a thing.

Now that's real willpower.

And on a side tangent, and I can do that, because it's my blog and I'll tangent if I want to, I saw a quote today that was to the extent of "If Sarah Palin can run a family of 5 kids, she can run the country."

Well, duh, no one's disputing that mothers are better at multitasking than anyone. I just find it highly ironic that for decades the GOP has vilified working mothers as the source of all moral and social decay in the US. And now they think that's a great thing. And what exactly has the GOP done to help working mom? Oh, that would be SQUAT.

OOOooo...Is it 1984 and we're living in an Orwellian novel?

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in the meeting with the GOP spin doctors when they were told of Bristol Palin's pregnancy. I can't wait to see what the SNL writers do with that.

Something New, #134

I've always been pretty handy about home repairs. I'm very proud of the fact that I have changed the flushie things in both toilets, installed several light fixtures, tiled a hallway and defrosted the clogged water line in the icemaker with a hair dryer.

My garbage disposal is at least 20 years old and gets jammed every couple of months. I've been using the broom-handle method of unjamming it, but today, it didn't work. My mom showed me how to unjam it with an allen wrench in the hole in the bottom of the unit.

The really amazing thing is that I had an allen wrench that actually fit.

Something New, #133

I took The Big One and a friend to see the sing-a-long version of Mamma Mia!

As I've mentioned before, I can't sing, but after reading the article in the KC Star about it, had to check it out.

The theater was pretty full, mostly of moms and their tweens. We sat in a row that looked like a birthday party for one of the girls. People did sing and dance along, especially the younger ones, and the birthday party girls ran down to the front to sing and dance along with Waterloo at the end. And after 30 somthing years, I realized the lyrics to Waterloo were not "How does it feel that you've won the war?" but actually "I was defeated, you've won the war." Kind of like in Superfreak where my friend Stef thought the lyrics were "Instant wine and candles" and not "Incense, wine and candles."

This is the second time I've seen the movie, and people still laughed each time Pierce Bronson sang. What were the casting directors thinking? But again, Meryl Streep broke my heart during "Winner Takes it All."

Something New, #132

Our local Mecca for home interiors is Nell Hills, in Atchison. Mary Carol Garrity has turned her local home furnishings store into a travel destination. She has two store in Atchison, crammed full of furniture, accessories and fabrics. Her style is layers upon layers upon layers upon still more layers.

My mother came up from Oklahoma for one of Mary Carol's open houses. Several times a year, she opens her home for visitors and tours. Women come by the busloads to visit and shop.

We took a tour bus from the Nell Hills shop to her home, another first for me, as my limited bus riding experience has been of the school bus variety. The girls loved it. My mother actually ran into two women she had gone to nursing school with. She graduated in 1959 from St. John's nursing school in Tulsa, and I was shocked they recognized each other. She even remembered what floors they worked on together.

We didn't buy much, as there were so many people in her store. She has so much merchandise crammed in to the space, it's impossible to do it quickly. You really have to plan on spending hours in there. I did pick up a few Christmas presents.

On the way up there, we saw several fields planted with something we couldn't identify. They were large plants that looked like banana trees. Turns out, they were tobacco crops. Never in a million years did I think that tobacco was grown in this part of the country.

Something New, #131

Sidearoadias

I love sunflowers, and not just because I live in the Sunflower State. I think they very cheerful and optimistic. I try to grow them every year, but the wildlife at Casa A/A always digs up my seeds. I find that depressing, since I often see full-grown sunflower plants growing out of cracks in the highways.

There's a field next to my office that is full of blooming sunflowers now, so I just pulled over and cut a few. (Yes, I keep a pair of scissors in my car. And usually a spare tiara, because you just never know.)

While they're in season, I'll probably help myself to a few more dozen. Can't beat the price.

Something New, #130

I've had my home business, and now website for about 10 years. I have several designs I use, but will accommodate special orders and requests.

I joke with one of my retailers about how some customers like to be the "art directors" on orders. I've had requests like "I want a piggy bank with horses, cell phones, lipsticks, lollipops and buckets on it."

Yeah, doesn't always look so hot.

Today I had an order for, "A girly piggy bank with flowers in bright pinks and greens. And, oh yeah, a pair of boxing gloves."

So this is my attempt at girly boxing gloves. I know, they look like mittens. Best I could do.

Something New, #129

I probably have not slept more that four hours in a row since The Big One was born over 12 years ago. I had the usual problems of dealing with a new baby's sleep patterns for a couple of years, then during the six years I dealt with The Ex's addiction, my body would wake itself at around 4:00 AM, when it realized he wasn't home yet. Then add another baby almost five years after the first, and my body and brain have yet to learn how to sleep properly.

I still pretty much wake at 4:00 AM and stay that way for an hour or so. I did discover Tylenol PM a few years ago, and it works, but I fear liver damage.

I have figured out that I sleep better on my back, but have what I call "loud dreams." Not bad dreams, just really bizarre. Like the other night I had a loud dream that I had a date with Wallace Shawn. Seeing how I've had one date in the last four years since my separation/divorce , I would actually be open to that. (Wallace, if you're reading this, email me.)

Anyway, I taught myself to lie on my back, then flip to my side, just as I was falling asleep. I still woke up, but at least could get to sleep before midnight. It's not as comfortable, and I wake up with a lot of kinks and pinches, but I get some sleep.

Last night, I made an effort to stay on my back all night. I don't know if it was because I was just plain exhausted, the drop in temperature or the rain we had all night, I slept pretty much all night. I had the usual wakeful moments with TNG and The Little One got in and out of bed with me, but had none of the usual kinks and pinches.

So I'm going to try to retrain my sleeping position, and see if that helps. I look forward to being less crabby.

Something New, #128

Seeing how I'm all fired up after last week's DNC, I volunteered to register voters with True Blue Women.

I'm working a two hour shift next Saturday at the Overland Park Farmer's Market. I may have recruited some friends to hang out, and my bring The Big One and The Little One, so they can see how important it is.

I received this email yesterday. I haven't seen the movie, by my friend Paula recommended it to me a couple of years ago, so I'll put in on my Netflix queue.

"WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder. All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.History is being made."

Something New, #127

I love to read.

I hate surprises.

So, like Harry Burns, I almost always read the last page of a book before I finish it. I still always read the whole book, though, because usually I don't figure out what transpires from when I peek at the end and what I've read.

Until today.

A friend lent me 1st to Die by James Patterson. I've never read anything by him (another first!) and liked the fact he had very short chapters, given I have about 20 minutes a day to read.

I peeked at the last page today, and figured out the whole story.

Yeah, the ending didn't do much to hold my interest, so I think I'll move on to something else.

Something New, #126

The Little One was spending the night with her BFF, The Little One II. They had played together all day, so she didn't have any of her personal belongings with her, so I ran her things over to her, including Blankie.

She has had Blankie since birth. Blankie used to be pink on one side, white with rosebuds on the other, and had a ruffle around the edge.

After almost eight years of being dragged around, Blankie is sort of grayish-pink, and where the ruffle was, is now fringe. I've given up trying to mend it to restore it to its original state, and just zig-zag stitch the holes closed now.

Interestingly enough, Blankie is a girl. As in, "Mommy, I'm spending the night and left Blankie at home. Can you bring her?"

So when I dropped Blankie and the rest of her things off at her BFF's they were on the computer playing a game that turned out to be Speed Dating. It appeared to me at first glance that they were having a live chat with someone else.

I'm very liberal with computer and television privileges, but you gotta draw the line somewhere on what is appropriate and what is not.

Online speed dating for eight year olds did not make the "appropriate" list in my book.

Turns out, it wasn't live after all, but the content was a bit suggestive. "Hey baby, let's have a drink," is a bit much for second graders, I think.

So The Little One and The Little One II's mother and I finally figured out they had clicked on a pop-up while playing something else. We gave them a talk on when to ask if it's OK to play a game if they weren't sure and I hope they got it.

I went home and tried figure out the parental control on my computer. I set it up, then after having it in place for about 15 minutes, realized it was more trouble than it was worth. I do keep the computer in the family room, so I figure I'll just keep a closer eye on them, and step up the pop-up blocker.

Something New, #125

Agoin' to the Hardware Store

We must be officially out of things to do in Johnson County, because we went to the Grand Opening of the new hardware store.

I couldn't help myself. Ever since I saw Mamma Mia, I've been jonesing to paint the living room the same blue as the interiors of the hotel that Donna runs. One of the grand opening specials at the new hardware store was 2 for 1 gallons of paint, so I couldn't resist.

I pretty much picked the exact color out I wanted right away, and when the name of the color was Greek Isle, I knew I had it right.

We also saw a live mole at the grand opening. I'm not sure why there was a display with a live mole, but The Little One had to go back 4 times to look at it.

Hope I can stand all this excitement...

Something New, #124

Seeing how it was the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon weekend, the local FD had firemen at intersections, urging us to "fill a boot for Jerry's kids."

I was idling, so I waved the fireman over, and dropped in a dollar.

The people who run this are not stupid. There were 8 firemen at this intersection and all were hot.

No pun indended.

I'm sure they went over their goal.