That's wild -- that you were there and involved, which in the telling makes it not wild at all, lol

I had never even heard of this but it looks so cool and would make a great gift! Anyway, mostly, I wanted to say how very glad I am that you started blogging and what a wonderful enrichment knowing you and all you've accomplished with blogging has been. Happy Blogiversary!

I heard the same thing. Funny I mostly just download news apps. I must not be a real girl. To be fair, I also hate that camera ad where the skinny bikini clad girls laugh and laugh at an overweight guy on the beach, film him and say they are totally taking this viral on the web. Who are these ad agencies and can I whap them upside the back of the head? Or spend time distinguishing "fresh and creative and funny" from "stereotyped cliche that misses clever by a mile."

It's tough. I went off totally in December. Multiple family birthdays, the holidays, a family trip. UGH. I tried to mitigate with Wii Fit and maintaining my daily exercise to some degree. But I have some making up to do this month. On Off Wagon Days I try to add in some exercise, and I have this great herbal blueberry tea I drink that tastes good, doesn't add points, and ends cravings. You are great, you do well, and you'll stomp this. GOOD ON YOU and GOOD LUCK!

Oh wow, I SO agree!! Thanks so much for writing about this and sharing -- it's always so inspirational to hear others speak openly about challenges and sticking to hope and working things out.

I love Charlie Brown. I even created a Vince Guaraldi station on Pandora, lol. But your post...finding the reason in it all, is so on point. And that the good is found in purpose, and a service of sort. Beautiful sentiment, great post!

The British were discussing this the last few days. As the American plan hadn't yet unfolded, many were asking why, if the Americans, who started this, were waffling, why should more British troops be put at risk? I was amazed that careful consideration was suddenly viewed as waffling. When did that transition take place? I'd rather know that each action had been carefully pondered and thought through completely, especially in something this serious. Anyway, they decided to send more troops -- mostly due to the "we have to finish this and also, we broke it" philosophy. I was incredulous to hear that we could LOSE that war in less than TWO YEARS without a new strategy. LOSE THAT WAR. Geez, Vietnam flashbacks. And how is that whole Vietnam thing working for us? Some call ins on BBC said we must support troops and others said quit throwing good lives after lost lives. I don't know. I just don't. I don't think Holli sounds babyish. I have family in the Army. I don't want to lie awake wondering if deployed troops have enough resources. We've overdone. I don't think there is a best decision but uppermost in mind MUST be lives and safety.

I pledge to drive safely and without distracting myself. I'll keep my mind on my driving, my hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road!

Glennia, finally had the chance to read through your posts and look at your photos here and at flickr. One word: AMAZING. What an experience. It's so gorgeous.

Oh I'm pissed off all right, but not at you. Listen, I saw some dreadful racism in Cambridge -- experienced some myself when I was once questioned how a conservative little white bread girl like me could be such best friends with a black man. I dunno...maybe because we had tons in common and got on well and he was wicked cool? GAH What I find amazing is that HIS OWN NEIGHBOR called the police on him and that the police kept HASSLING him after he proved he was the homeowner. Where are all of the freedom of speech defenders now? All the "reverse racism" folks? Right to self-defense on your own property people? Eh? I can't hear you. I don't care what rationalization etc they try to make -- this was racial profiling and deserves sensitivity training and disciplinary action. Period. Oh, and a serious apology to Gates. In writing.

ITA with you about the picking your battles! It sounds like a transition period to be sure, but one you guys are doing okay with. I'm glad. But I want a photo of the new cut. :)

It sounds inhumane to say it's a weighting of risk v. benefit, of action v. reaction, and yet, in a way, that's what it boils down to. The most compelling argument I've heard in favor of releasing them anyway mentioned specifically that hardcore images such as those cannot be mitigated. Initially, I asked about issues of deniability, but in truth, it's about issues of degree and culpability. People can continue to say that it was necessary etc. so long as they don't really know how far it went, and how unproductive it was. A picture is worth a thousand words. In all of those, there must be some that do not reveal specific identities (no need to victimize twice sort of thought there) of any in the photo, but it needs to e a controlled release. I'd like Karl Rove's photo next to an image he was directly related to. Bush, Cheney, too. Haven't we all learned how powerful repetitive association is? This article has some good points and I think I sent the link to you too late, sorry about that: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/18/gerges.photos/index.html A few of the points that were compelling to me from Fawaz A. Gerges' article, "Commentary: Why Obama should release photos." * "In fact, world opinion, particularly that of Muslims, would likely view the release of these horror images as representing a rupture for the better in American politics and foreign policy. America would be seen as reclaiming its high moral compass and affirming its respect for human dignity." * "The primary target audience is mainstream Muslim public opinion. There is plenty of evidence indicating that Obama's overtures to Muslims have begun to pay off. In polls and my own interviews, more and more Arabs and Muslims say they think very highly of the young president and believe he will have a positive impact on the Middle East and relations between the United States and the region. The findings of a recent McClatchy/Ipsos poll show a reservoir of good will toward Obama, while negative attitudes towards American foreign policy persist." * "There is a danger that Obama's new decision to oppose release of the photos could have the opposite of its intended effect by spreading rumors and conspiracy theories about what the photos reveal -- causing more harm than good. In the age of the new media, transparency is a powerful weapon in domestic politics and foreign policy as well." Plus you and Cyn are very convincing. :)

When you are at your mother-in-law's house for Mother's Day---is the celebration for all of the mothers, including you, or is the sole focus on her? Because if it is only her, and your role of mother is not celebrated too, I can totally sympathize. I don't know the answer for you, and from what you say, you won't enjoy the day completely either way as it stands now. But maybe as an idea...a compromise? If your husband and mother in law were understanding and okay, could you have a guilt-free Mother's Day? What if one year she gets the day on the day, and the next year you get the day on the day, and otherwise you have a "raincheck" celebration for the mother not getting the day on the day. Make sense? Anyway your last point is so true! Good luck! And hope you have a great day anyway. :)

My phone is a prepaid from Sam's. I am mocked relentlessly about it. It dials, sends calls, and receives calls. But maybe it's time for a 21st C grown-up tool.

I'm flying to DC today to kick Devra's and Steph's asses, Texas style. ;) People who don't live in Texas don't understand this is just what we call all hat, no cattle talk. Perry has a big showdown on the horizon with Kay Bailey Hutchison for who will run this state starting in 2010. Texans have shown they'll merrily vote for women as leaders, especially if they come already Texas Political Crazy. KBH isn't too heavy on the crazy (misguided, perhaps, but not crazy), but she does bring that Texas gentlewoman that Texans love and a solid track record. I think Perry is trying to corner the market on crazy. It's possibly his campaign strategy. (Yes, I fully agree with every comment on THAT.) They don't have any Democrats to fight against (so far) so it's full on GOP cage fighting. Just grab some popcorn and sit back. Also, point of clarification, the Austin suburbs are some of the MOST conservative spots in Texas.

Annie, I don't know if this link will work so I'll also do a Share on Facebook just in case. http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=68939893334&h=eui78&u=HT52B&ref=mf Sorry it's a facebook link---FB co-opts all links.

You ARE worthy, in so many ways. I speak to my working out because it is such an aspect of my life. It's about my health, most of all, but the laps around the track are when so much thinking, processing, and inspiration happens, too. I appreciate that my body reflects my health, mostly. Albeit that usually means more of a red nose than a slim physique LOL! More than anything, though, being absolutely religious about that time in the morning for my workout is about me making myself a priority at some point in our family life. And that is all about my mental health. :) But oh true and resonant your overall point is in the face of this whole Susan Boyles thing. Did you see the Bonnie hunt commentary?

1. Most rational people here in Texas think Perry is a nitwit (that's the G version of our pejorative judgment). Unfortunately, as is clear by his repeated re-elections, we're the minority. Fortunately, the majority think he is a nitwit on this issue. He'll never get it done. Not even with... 2. Ron Paul now joining the chorus. I mean, with allies like that who needs enemies?

Remind me---4? Because it is the Inherent Characteristic of the Average 4 year old, too (as well as a national pastime). If we don't teach them personal responsibility, they'll live like this forever, and that's not theory. ;) By 6-7 you will be fighting this battle again, and that time the phrase will be a redirection to another person aka tattling. I simply hope for some measure of success by 22. Unlike wearing diapers and sucking pacifiers, I can't reassure myself that by then this phase will be past. There ARE adults who still engage in it. And thanks for the hat tip. :)

Oh BTW? It hurts loads when you think of yourself that you are a failure as a woman trying to become a mother because your body can't bear babies easily or successfully...and while your heart is shattered into a million fragments someone says to you, "Maybe God doesn't mean for you to be a mom." There are some merit badges this girl scout could have done without.

I totally totally hate you now because you are the Yin to my Yang, or I'm the Yin to your Yang or whatever, you get my drift. I had years of infertility treatment, terrible devastations, complications, long-assed labors, sucky sleepers who were colicky and croupy and who would only "snack." From the breast. No bottles allowed (their rule, not mine.) But this doesn't make me more of a mother than you, or you less of a mother than me. That's just the road, and trust me, nobody wants to start parenthood with PTSD. Trust. me. I can't even believe that the *journey* of becoming a parent is the object measured. We can't, IMHO, measure *how* we became parents. So many very different roads. The real yard to measure is the time we spend as a parent. That's why grandmother, aunt, step, adoptive etc. as a label? Isn't terribly meaningful when the real role is parent. The real parent is the person who weeps over coughs and boo boos, packs lunches every day, hugs tantrumming kids, navigates tricky friend and school issues and so on. None of us get any quarter on that point.

Hi. This sucks rotten eggs, doesn't it? I'm sorry you and your daughter have to deal with this. But IME, this is exactly when it begins. It's when it did for my daughter, and I'll never forget how taken aback I was the first time. I continue to be taken aback by each new instance, and you know what? I'm glad that this behavior still shocks me and my daughter. My 4 year old has a friend who does the "do it my way or I won't be your friend." I had a frank and honest discussion with my daughter about it. How does a friend make you feel inside, about yourself, when you play with her? What is a friend? When Child tells you this, how do you feel? Then I said: I tell you to do things, don't I? And sometimes you say no, and sometimes I agree that we can try another way, and sometimes I tell you no this has to get done. Like brushing your teeth. You have to brush your teeth, and I say so, but sometimes you prefer to do it before you get dressed and after, and I let you choose. How does that feel? Do you think I am being considerate of how you feel? That's why we talk about kind words and tones. Then I was blunt: If you don't do what i say, what happens? That's right, sometimes I get angry, and sometimes you get a consequence, but do I stop loving or liking you? That's right, I don't. I love and like you for who YOU are, not because you do or don't do what I say. This is the time she shapes what she thinks a friend and friendship is, and what she will and won't accept. So in our family, I lay it down and let her figure it out. For my oldest daughter, i had to get the teacher involved to set boundaries because (yes, at 4) it escalated to bullying and classroom disruption. She's still in school with that child and we've spent years working out what she can do and control (her behavior and choices). It's clear you know all this and will work out a good solution. I totally understand that visceral reaction, though. I hope it helps to know you are not alone. Also, FYI, Rosalind Wiseman is on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. She does video answers to questions about situations like this. Take care and good luck. :)

I'm aware of this and yet, not. I am suspicious of people I do not know who ask to friend me in Facebook, but if it's someone I know, I'm not. How well you explain this, and I agree it seems like *something* but who and how would it be policed? My kids are still so young and I don't allow them on the Internet. I don't even allow them on Disney lol. But the day is coming when that won't work any longer and then what.

Being able to identify and articulate someone's true good and bad sides, and love them anyway, even if you still can't have a relationship with them is a gift. First, I think it reveals a lack of victim mentality, if I may be so bold as to say. Second, it gives such a good perspective (and a great and realistic portrait). Great post! So glad to read it. :)

Lollie, I just want to reassure you that I know Stefania is actually able to call McCain an idiot from her POV but still listen to alternative opinions. I watched her do it. In fact, at the meeting mentioned, she validated an opinion from a Republican and wrote it on the big notepad we were using for notes. At the end of the day, I know what matters most to all of us is to make sure everyone in the US is cared for as they should be. We're all patriotic at the end of the day. Amazingly, despite a variety of views in that meeting, there was a lot of consensus. That's what good discussion can bring. So hopefully now you and Proud Indepedent and the rest feel free to share constructive ideas.