2004-07-04 - 1:36 p.m.

Idiot

As Mr. Wonderful would say, "We have an I D 10 T error". Which is computer geeks code for idiot.

Instance #1: Planted those Pansies in the front, right. (I might have already shared this but can't remember, I'm old now) I have been leaving all the pretty clover like leaves and weeding out the leaves that look like...well....weeds. We finally got our first flower. Funny, it didn't look like the leaves I left. In fact, I have been weeding the pansies out. The leaves that looked like clover, go figure, they're clover.

Instance #2: I have been going on and on over this silly beeping in my car. I mean everyone who has an ear has heard me complain. It turns out my seat belt was unbuckled.........on the passenger side. The beeping has stopped, Mr. Wonderful won't stop for a long time over this one.

Instance #3: Announcing to the whole car to make sure they roll their windows up, it looks like rain, while rolling mine down.

Thank God I am a creationist because Darwin would have ruled me out a long time ago.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!

**to all my friends, idiots and not...please be safe

Low Point of the Day: Spending all my money on fireworks and we need a lawnmower

High Point of the Day: We are having some Wonderful family time!

2004-07-02 - 4:18 p.m.

Reaffirm the Positive

Negative: Picked up the Escort, they didn't fix the windshield. Now I have to block a day out of next week to sit around and wait for them to come out to the house and fix it.

Positive: I have a computer that some might drool over

Negative: There is now a constant beeping sound coming from my car. It's the beep that tells me my seat belt is not buckled. My seat belt was buckled. I listened to it for the 20 minute car ride home. Chinese beeping torture.

Positive: I have hot water, I can take a bath tonight and make this all go away

2004-07-02 - 1:27 p.m.

Ode to Rental Car

Rental car, shiney and new

How I'd like to cling to you

You're good on gas

You drive so fast

Giving you up makes me blue

Getting ready to take the rental car back today. It was a Sebring. I highly recommend for anyone who has a spare $25,000. Of course if I knew anyone with a spare $25,000......I wouldn't be me.

My son discovered a universal truth known by all young men. He says, and I quote, "Mom, look, my peanut is like a play toy". Bravo, son....bravo.

My daughter is learning something a bit trickier. She is a beautiful girl. I am not biased, ask anyone who has seen her. She has supermodel delicate features. She got the best of myself and Mr. Wonderful. The problem, she is begining to understand just how pretty she is. She is also understanding she can use this to get things. Right now it's stuff like candy. But this is something I am going to have to address before the day comes when she finds herself a Sugar-Daddy.

And to continue in the whole lawn-mower saga. I believe it was last month I shared about our lawn being the bermuda triangle of lawn-mowers. Mr. Wonderful went out and bought a new one. And the next chapter.....someone stole the new lawn mower right out of our carport!! What is it with freaking lawn mowers and US?? A question for the ages I guess.

Low Point of the Day: Giving the rental car back has made us all sad.....and hot. Can't run the air in my car.

High Point of the Day: Just ordered some Sponge Bob checks...they look like fun

2004-07-01 - 7:37 a.m.

I'm too busy to pen anything, but wanted to share this, thought it was good.

"Fahrenheit 9/11: History Belongs to Those Who Write It"

By Teddy Durgin

tedfilm@comcast.net

OK, seriously, there's really no way on this Earth that I'm not going to tick off someone with a review of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" (new in theaters Friday, June 25). A positive critique will make me look like an anti-Bush, anti-war left winger in bed with the French, shouting down Halliburton investors, and sporting a pro-Kerry wardrobe. A negative review will make me look like a war-mongering, pro-Republican, right-wing sheep eager to defend the establishment against any and all charges. A neutral review--one written in such a vague and confusing way that you have no idea where I stand on politics or the film--yeah, that will pretty much anger all of y'all.

Welcome to life in these here U-nited States, circa summer 2004! Thanks, Bush. Thanks, Cheney. Thanks, Kerry. Thanks, Moore. Hey, look out, Leonardo DiCaprio and Susan Sarandon are pissed off. So, too, are Madonna and Jack Black. They can barely bring themselves to finish their Spago's lunches, they're so mad. Ooh, watch out for Toby Keith. He'll put a boot in your ass if you say anything bad about the military or his red, white, and blue. Bill O'Reilly is spinning in the no-spin zone. Al Franken is gasping for air time. Where's Osama? Where's Waldo? What's the truth? What IS truth? Calgon take me away! Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope! Who IS the next American Idol? We didn't start the fire! Or, uh, did we? Yikes! Why, oh, why didn't I take the blue pill?

Yup, two paragraphs into the review of "Fahrenheit 9/11," and I'm already lost. Alright, I'll stop wasting your time. I'm recommending the thing, folks. The thing being "Fahrenheit 9/11." Whether you're on the right, the left, in the middle, up, down, black, white, yellow, or that ever-elusive minority we refer to as green, see the film. See it if you're going to discuss it. I'm tired of talking with people who haven't seen it, but already have a complete opinion formed on what's in it.

First of all, it's not a documentary. It's just not. "Fahrenheit 9/11" is a filmed op-ed piece. It's propaganda. It's darn slick. It will arouse emotions, suspicions, likes, and dislikes. It's a film that certainly needs to be answered by those being questioned. I say that because if Moore really has connected the dots here and is right more times than he is wrong, we're all pretty much screwed.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" is a seething indictment of both the Bush administration and its conduct up to and after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Michael Moore states his case that 1) George W. Bush stole the election in 2000 thanks to his brother, Florida governor Jeb Bush, and other forces conspiring behind the scenes; 2) the Bin Laden family of Saudi Arabia had a complex business relationship with the Bushes over the years; 3) these business markers were called in mere hours after the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., and two days later members of the Bin Laden family and other Saudis were flown out of the country even as all air travel had been halted; and 4) the war in Iraq is one motivated by profit, not the removal of a threat to America in the form of Saddam Hussein and his regime.

Of course, since this is not a documentary in the classic sense and a propaganda piece, Moore gives only the details that prove his points. "Fahrenheit 9/11" drifts between being heart-breakingly serious and even outraged much of the time to being darkly silly the rest of the time--almost to an irresponsible degree. Moore is so talented, you want to clap when he spins a moment we're all familiar with just the right amount of satirical, go-for-the-jugular glee. When Bush flies in and lands on that aircraft carrier and declares that the Iraqi war is essentially won, the mission has been accomplished, and the U.S. coalition is the victor, Moore sets the whole thing to the theme of "The Greatest American Hero." Brilliant! Hear the lyrics in your head: "Look at what's happened to me/I can't believe it myself/Suddenly I'm upon top of the world/Should have been somebody else."

I also liked how he illustrated the importance of keeping the Bin Laden relatives in the country for at least a few more days after the 9/11 attacks, asking in his narration: "What do the police do anytime someone is murdered in this country? They go talk to the suspect's family, of course." He then shows a montage of classic "Dragnet" moments in which Jack Webb's Joe Friday asks for "Just the facts" from a series of outraged relatives of murder suspects.

To balance out the darkly funny moments, Moore gives the viewer plenty of pain. The footage he has gotten from journalists embedded with the troops on the ground in Iraq is stuff you will not see on the Evening News. It shows soldiers both thrilling to a CD-fueled soundtrack of aggressive combat tunes early in the engagements to others questioning their mission as the months roll on and the violence goes on and on. Yes, there is wartime gore. Dead bodies, bloodied soldiers, an Iraqi kid having his face sewn up. There is a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical in D.C. and footage of the amputees and others maimed. Most painful of all is Moore's visits with Lila Lipscomb, a mother from his hometown whose son, a Marine, winds up killed in Iraq. There is no way you won't be moved by her grief, even as you're debating whether or not Moore is exploiting her.

I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I find it as important to tell you, the reader, that as I did when I told you I was a Lutheran who believes in Jesus as my savior in my review of "The Passion of the Christ." I am registered to vote as an independent. To be honest with you, I am shocked that more Americans are not like me. This country is way too diverse to lump people into just two categories when it comes down to selecting who will lead us. But, in truth, I sometimes wish I could be like so many of my friends and relatives. So sure of the Democrats, so sure of the Republicans. So eager to defend either side when either side is accused of wrongdoing, commits wrongdoing, admits wrongdoing.

As both an independent and a film critic, I couldn't help but also witness the disturbing liberties that Moore takes in getting his points across in his film. It's really hard to applaud a guy, even if I agree with a lot of his points, who is just so darn smug. Michael Moore is the kind of guy you hope you don't serve on a jury with. If he thinks he has a point, if he thinks he is right, if he KNOWS he is right, good gracious he's gonna tout it for hours.

And he DOES go too far in some respects with "Fahrenheit 9/11." It's one thing to show poor Lila Lipscomb at home, reading her son's last letter from Iraq, and damning Bush for the loss of her child in a war she now believes was a farce. It's another to then follow her to Washington, and watch her as she wails on and on in front of the White House. It's one thing to show that Bush and his Secret Service detail hesitated too long in that Florida classroom after he was told of the second plane hitting the Twin Towers. It's another thing to slow down the footage and then put "What am I thinking right now" thoughts in the president's head.

Moore follows the old Oliver Stone "JFK" formula. He doesn't come out and say, "This is what Bush was thinking right at that moment." He says, "Maybe this is what was going through his mind as the kids were reading 'My Pet Goat' and the Trade Center was burning." Similarly, Stone never said clearly in "JFK" more than a decade ago this is precisely what happened in Dallas that November morning. He always had his characters preface everything with phrases like "Suppose for a moment" or "Let's consider another possibility. What if Oswald"

Like most Bush bashers, Moore sees the current Commander in Chief as both a dimwit and a master planner. It would have been easier if he had just stuck with the singular notion of him being a puppet amidst a cabal of plotters and profiteers. There is never one instant where Bush is made to look good in "Fahrenheit 9/11." Moore shows him as being many things. Aloof, lazy, simple, uncaring, scheming, paralyzed, over-zealous. And often with the sound of a "Hee Haw" banjo pickin' in the background. The film IS a hatchet job. As a result, you can't totally take it at its word. I guess what I wanted after the credits had rolled was the other op-ed piece. I wanted the answering editorial, and not another propaganda film either. The GOP, I'm sure, will run some glowing short film at their upcoming Convention in New York that will show Bush in only golden sunlight. But all that will prove is that they can edit clips as well as Moore can.

Without a doubt, Moore is preaching to the choir. Here in America, we have until November to see if that choir has grown to a deafening roar of righteous outrage with Democrats joined in song by us independents. A lot can happen between now and then. A lot WILL happen between now and then. In the moment, we have "Fahrenheit 9/11"--a film that will most likely garner two certain reactions from audience members: "I couldn't agree more!" and "I couldn't agree, Moore!"

"Fahrenheit 9/11" is rated R for language and raw footage of wartime violence and injuries.

Low Point of the Day: The clover patch I am growing in the front is looking lush with all the rain we have had.

High Point of the Day: The clover patch I am growing in the front is looking lush with all the rain we have had.

2004-06-26 - 10:45 a.m.

Of Broken Glass and Venison

Well it's official. I am southern. I hit a deer last night on the way home from church. Or rather....the deer hit me. In some freak deer thang, story of my life, this deer jumps over another car and crashed into mine. Being as I drive an Escort, that's one step up from a covered wagon, the damage could have been a lot worse. As is right now we are down a couple windows, the side mirror, the windshield has a crack, there is glass everywhere.......and deer hair. Let us not forget not only is this poor animal soul dead, but bald as well. OK, well I didn't actually kill him, he was twicthing when we pulled over. But we are in the south and someone had a shotgun. So now I have killed Lassie in High School and Bambi in my thirties. Great, at this rate I'll have wild animals posting wanted pictures of me in the woods. Bambi showing up at my door, "You killed my mother!".

The kids are all safe....that includes my mother. Just kidding mom. We all had minor cuts from the glass. It really was everywhere. I think the kids originally freaked out because my face was bleeding. After a shower, everyone looked like themselves again. A few band-aids and kisses later and the kids were fighting over bragging rights. You know, who gets to tell their friend first. All in all, God's hand was really on this and we just praise his name it wasn't worse.

Low Point of the last few days: I have been so busy I haven't had time to post anything

High Point of the last few days: Ohhhh there have been a couple...but we'll just go with a live wrestling match for our church "Teen Extreme Smack Down". The Family Life Center's Director against our Middle School Pastor......VERY FUNNY!!!

2004-06-20 - 5:55 p.m.

Of Cookie Crumbs, Chicken Nuggets, and a Rotary

I have mean friends. I take that back. They aren't mean. They are just doing to me what I would have done to them had I thought of it first. This week was VBS for our elementary children of the church. I was a Pod Leader (aka person in charge of 10-15 children). Yes, I have already told you I am insane. It was really a lot of fun. I had to miss the first two nights due to being in WV, but made it for the rest. We were able to meet Niran and Nara from Cambodia. Their families were killed in the killing fields. After surviving such an ordeal...these men went back to Cambodia to start an orphanage. What courage. What faith. OK I am back tracking...but I guess everything I have been going through of late has me cosmically in tune again. We were able to raise well over $5000 to help them in this effort. So, getting on with things, Friday was our big end of VBS picnic. They served up hot dogs, beans, chips and cookies. Loaded my plate. Sat down with my "friends". Finished everything on my plate...then thought, "Did I eat my cookies?" I honestly could not remember if I had eaten them or not, but pretty sure I hadn't. Old timers syndrome strikes again. I then begin to interrogate everyone at the table including the children. "Did you eat my cookies??" After about 5 minutes of this insanity, I realize my good friend has left the table. I find him across the room and confront him with the question at hand. "Yes. Yes I ate them....and you watched me." Walking away feeling like an idiot, something I do a lot, I grabbed about 4 more cookies and balanced karma back in my direction.

After a friend of mine started talking about chicken nuggets Friday, I decided I had to get some in this week. Saturday night I made them for the kids, right. They were all excited, after all, they love McDonalds. We sit down to eat and they didn't like them!

"What's wrong?"

"These don't taste like McDonalds", making that face that kids make.

"Of course not! These are breast meat, not parts is parts."

"McDonalds is better."

"McDonalds is fried."

"There's no toy"

"Go to your room, you'll find plenty."

Winston-Salem now has a rotary! We were driving to my dad's for Father's Day and we hit it. I think it's a great idea....if you don't live in NC. NC drivers as a whole lack a little thing we like to call intelligence. Abby stay away from this...far far away.

Low Point of the Weekend: Weekend went way too fast

High Point of the Weekend: It was such a treat to spend some "down" time with Mr. Wonderful today and our dad's

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2004-06-18 - 3:36 p.m.

Anniversary

Today is the one year anniversary of my God baby's death. The kids and I bought carnations and visited her grave. I can't help but reflect upon the last year. Still waiting for future closure (last news I had, Andre's trial was still continued). In the words of Virginia Slim, "I've come a long way baby". I can still see so far to go. I don't want to see LeeAnn or Andre burn at a stake anymore...but it pains me to think I can run into LeeAnn around town. It still hurts. I think there will always be this space that just aches to hug her or kiss her one last time. Especially having had this weekend with MaMa, I really appreciate the concept of closure. While MaMa is much older and expected to pass away soon, having had the chance to say things to her makes her moving on easier for me to move on. I am not sure I will ever have closure on Bethy's death. It still seems so needless. I still find myself saying things like...when Andre's trial is over, then I will be at peace. But will I? What have I learned in the past year? Everything I thought would bring me peace up to this point hasn't. The only thing that has is our Lord God working upon my heart. So I guess, I just keep on giving it to him. Give it another year.

Low Point of the Day: It hasn't really been a bad day...with the exception of the lyrics to Secret Agent Man running through my head

High Point of the Day: The "boss" is going on vacation and kind of put me in charge of swim lessons for the week. I love being "in charge"

2004-06-15 - 11:08 a.m.

Of Grandma Tales, Grand-Daughter Olympics, and Starry Nights

For the last three days I have watched everyone sit around and listen to the Grandmothers. The paternal grandmother we are staying with and MaMa. They each have about 4 stories that they share again, again, again, and again. Me, myself, and I don't mind much at all. That's how I remember things, repetition. But, it has been entertaining to watch the eyes of those with me. You can see them starting to glaze over and I have to wonder what they are thinking about. Are they thinking about how many times they have heard this story? Are they thinking about how much food we have consumed in the last 48 hours? Or are they thinking about how slow the clock turns here in WV? Now I do have to admit to being a little bored. I am used to just go, go, going and sitting around doesn't suit my personality type well.

The other event of recent has been what I have termed the Grand-daughter-in-law Olympics. In an effort to please Grandma and be the prized favorite, I have found myself and my sister-in-law squaring off in the battle of the century. (Not to mention it helps the afore-mentioned boredom and gives me something to do) Who can do more around the house to please Grandma. The rules are Grandma's way or no way. If you don't do it Grandma's way then that event is disqualified. IE if you put food in the trash vs. the garbage disposal, doing the dishes does not count. I have a good two days over her to rack up points, so I really feel I am leaving this weekend with a confident lead.

I also wanted to share a really beautiful moment. In the mix of all the emotion, of all the family dynamics, of all the amped kid kayoss, I had such a wonderful moment on the porch with Mr. Wonderful last night. (no not that) There wasn't a cloud in the sky. There were no city lights. It was pleasantly cool thanks to the rain we had earlier. And the stars were out and shining. Then the firefly's started their dance. I have seen firefly's before, but these were country flys and they knew how to do it right. It reminded this city girl of being at stadiums where all these flash camera's go off. The bugs were everywhere, lighting up the world from the ground to the treetops. Sensational. Truely wild, wonderful West Virginia.

Low Point of the Day: Irony is wanting to smoke so desparately as you watch a loved one in pain from cancer

High Point of the Day: Tonight we go home.....fish and relatives after three days....should go home

2004-06-15 - 10:07 a.m.

Of Psycho Showers, Psycho Families, and Wild Wonderful West Virginia

First off, there is a reason there are so many jokes about West Virginia. Case in point, the number of billboards I have passed in town encouraging citizens to keep their firearms at home. Yeah, OK, I am all for that. That's all I have to say about that.

Mr. Wonderful's family. Thanks to a lovely divorce of years ago, they are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. At the risk of getting shot (refer to first paragraph) that's all I have to say about that too.

We are staying at Mr. Wonderful's "boyhood" home. (Paternal Grandma) He didn't necessarily live here, but spent so much time here that he considers it his "roots" if you will. It's quite a nice home. We are staying in the upstairs attic room, way better than Greg Brady's. In fact, almost looks the same except for the beads. But the coolest part of the house....the basement. It's where the "kids" hang out. Mr. Wonderful talks about how much fun he used to have in the basement. Now, it has been turned into man haven. I cant even begin to describe. Two of the highlights: Bar lit up with Christmas lights and bright lime green pleather. (some sort of plastic/leather combo) It's everywhere that the orange carpet and brown wood paneling isn't.

The shower is also down in the basement.....in the unfinished half. As I am getting ready to shower, I cannot help but feel like Janet Leigh in Psycho. The whole time I am telling myself, "Whatever you do, do not face the water!". You know, that's when Janet Leigh got stabbed. So, here I am in the shower, flipping myself out every time I forget and turn around. Then I get to thinking of every stupid, cheesy horror movie I ever saw. How I am such a goner because I am by myself....and naked. Then I get out. That's when I see it. The open door. "Was that open before?", I am thinking to myself. So taking a giant bad horror movie leap of faith, in just a towel I procede to close the door, and live to tell the tale. [enter Wonder Woman theme music]

Low Points of the Trip: #1 Reason we are here, MaMa is already in a lot of pain, very hard to watch #2 no internet, typing this on notepad, who knows when I'll see civilzation again #3 Pleather is painful in a house without air conditioning

High Points of the Trip: #1 Seeing Mama smile just because we wanted to see her #2 Realizing exactly what a wonderful group of friends one has...really I am so blessed #3 Having two children who do well riding in a car

2004-06-10 - 6:32 a.m.

Saying Goodbye to MaMa

Tonight we are going to West Virginia. Mr. Wonderful will shoot me for letting you guys in on this, but that is where he hails from. We don't have a phone right now, but Mr. Wonderful does have his two-way Nextel for work. I really thank God for this. Last night Mr. Wonderful's brother called to tell us that their maternal grandmother, MaMa (that's a short a sound, with emphasis on the second syllable), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She's been given 6 months to live.

I feel blessed. How many people get the gift of knowing this will be the last time they see their loved one. On Monday Mr. Wonderful's mother will take her up to New Hampshire where she lives. I doubt we will be able to get up there.

MaMa is my grandmother too. The first time I met her I was pregnant with my daughter. Mr. Wonderful and I weren't married yet and she accepted me wholley. She showed me pictures of when Mr. Wonderful was a boy. She told me stories. She was MaMa. To her, cops are the fuzz. Everything smooth isn't just smooth, but smooth as a babies a**. I wish I could post a picture here...it's my favorite. She didn't drink, but a couple Christmas's ago she had this bottle of sparkling cidar. She was drinking straight from the bottle...too funny. (You really need to see the pic)

So for a couple days I will be gone. Prayer for our safe journey. We will be borrowing a friends car so we don't have to cram into Mr. Wonderful's truck. Please prayer for the kids to understand as bes tthey can at this age. Please pray for peace.

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