Fading Coupes and Future Tooks

Today I was reading in the back yard while Took parked and re-parked his 4 wheeler and his tricycle and his Cozy Coupe, taking time to get each one just so.  He is careful, and attentive. 

He seems to take joy in his work.

=)

And I find myself noticing that the once-bright, primary red on his Coupe has started to fade.  It has spent so much time out in the sun that it is getting bleached, and the primary red plastic is already turning a more relaxed, muted pink.

I look at each of the other wheeled vehicles in turn (his beloved "tars," his precious), and can't help but notice that each one is showing signs of wear. . . 

The green 4 wheeler, which had originally belonged to The Tiny Terrorist, is scuffed all over, and the black seat and green body are fading.  The tricycle seems the most resistant, but is showing the first signs of age.

I sit there and look at them. 

He has had SO MUCH FUN with these things!!  In this back yard, has had many, MANY adventures already.  He tells me about them all the time.  I can usually make out as many as 10 to 12 words per conversation. 

It is enlightening.  =)

As I sit there and watch him play, I briefly consider instituting a new "We Must Put Our Outside Toys In The Garage Every Night" policy.

. . . but then I think that maybe I won't do that at all.


Maybe the toys should stay out.

Putting them away is really only delaying the inevitable. 

Toys fade.

And the toys that fade fastest are the ones that are well-used, and worn from play. 

Took is only going to be able to play with most of these tars for the next couple of years or so, TOPS.

So why put them away every night?

They are waiting for him there every morning, as soon as he comes outside.  . . .Which is usually a demand made QUITE early every morning.  Strangely enough, he seems to EXPECT that we are to go outside every morning, directly after breakfast.  And when horrible things happen like "it's raining", or "Mama said no", it is clear that I am simply choosing to be difficult.  Or, as I like to call it, The Path of Most Vocal, Fit-Pitching Resistance.

So unless it is raining, we've decided to keep the toys out, for now.

The back yard is a very important part of Took's life.

I've witnessed many fantastic things happen there. . . and I know that toys sometimes help those fantastic things happen.

So they stay. 

=)

They will fade, and they will get scuffed, and stickers will eventually peel off. . . and by then it will probably be time for bigger and newer bikes anyway.  So let them be enjoyed.  As much as possible.

. . .because when the day comes that it is time for "bigger and newer bikes". . . it is going to be a dark, DARK DAY for yours truly.  Physical evidence.  Staring me in the face.  Evidence of the passage of time in Took's childhood. 

Bloody hell.  I'll probably still be trying to shove Took into the Cozy Coupe when he's 12 years old. . .

 

"Get in!!  I know you can do it!!  Just bend your legs more!!  . . . . MAMA NEEDS HER BABY BACK!!!!!"

 

 

 

(Artist rendering:  Future Took) 

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Also. . . . it is Halloween. 

Our neighborhood is CRAYZEEE at Halloween.  And it is supposed to rain/possibly storm.  Who knows?  Also, I have no idea if I will be able to successfully wrangle a willfull toddler into facepaint and a raccoon hoodie. 

 

This is going to be an interesting night.

We are one of the handful of houses in our neighborhood that has NOTHING in their front yard.  No decorations, no lights, no spiderwebs, no PUMPKIN.  And our neighborhood goes ALL OUT!!!  It is a fantastical spectacle to be seen!!  But a wee bit exhausting.  We shall see.

So all that needs to be done is:

*  Go through the halloween candy bowl, saving a few of the best pieces for home use.

*  Wait for Took to get home, then start applying our facepaint.
(We want him to see the process.  Don't want to freak him out.)

*  TRICK OR TREAT!!!!

*  HOOOOOORAY!!!!

 

Favorite Things This Week. Important. (Srsly.)

So I was just sitting here, thinking about Oprah Winfrey.

. . . .


(As, I am sure, we are all wont to do at one time or another.)

And I was thinking about how she does her 'favorite things' shows, and she lists all of her favorite things for the week, or the month, or until the wind changes, or whatever.

. . . or I am thinking about Martha Stewart? . . .

AM I THINKING ABOUT MARTHA STEWART??!!
 

 

AM I????

Well.  ONE of them. . .

(I could easily google the answer to this perplexing little riddle. . . but I choose not to.  Because I believe that some things should remain mysterious.  It's fun.)

Anyway.  Long story short:  a list of favorite things.  That's a great idea, and doesn't involve a great deal of effort.  So here are some of my favorite things this week:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS THIS WEEK!!!!


1.)  Lizards that sneak inside via houseplants.
 

 

It got pretty cold one night last week, so we grabbed the portable plants from the back yard and brought them inside for the night  (Sleepover, Houseplant Edition).  And this little guy had a hell of a day.  Probably woke up in the plant, completely amazed to find himself indoors.  Made an heroic break for freedom. . . which turned out to be foolhardy, as he was directly in front of a kitty cat and a toddler at the time.  He (or she. . . IF she, then: 'Esmerelda') was eventually apprehended and released to the safety of the Mexican Heather.  . . . the locals still talk about it in hushed voices.

2.)  When Took asks me to fix his hair.

 

He has gotten just old enough to want to do everything (and I mean everything) that we do.  This includes everything from carrying around a "phone" and a set of keys to lock (and unlock. . . repeatedly) the house and car, to mowing the lawn, to bossing the kitty cats (I was amazed to find that we apparently do a lot of that), to fixing our hair.  

. . . it is probably a sign that I am severely broken and evil that I find this so funny. . . but to that I say: 

"Pssssh!  Whatever." 
He looks like a little Who from Whoville, and I am unapologetic.

 

 

3.)  Suprise!  New book!

 



 

We were in Target the other day and I was thrilled to find this book!!  It is the third in the Divergent trilogy, which I have greatly enjoyed.  I thought it wasn't coming out until Christmas. . . so I am very, VERY happy.  =D 

 

 

 

 4.)  Plastic Halloween Pumpkins for a Dollar



Candy goes HERE.

LET.  IT.  BEGINNNN!!!

 

 

 

5.)  This artwork of Devin's.



Found this on Devin's notepad when I went to clean his room.  =)

Scientists have been studying the markings all week.  Best guesses indicate that it is meant to represent some sort of sports game.  We are hesitant to call it "soccer", as it appears that it is being played with a bowling ball.

We are always happy when we are able to introduce a bit more culture into our lives.

Fascinating work.


6.)  The Thanksgiving issue of Southern Living that is waiting for me in the den.

 

 

 

Maybe this year is the year that I learn how to cook each and every dish that is a vital component in a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

. . . or maybe I just look at the pretty pictures.

 

And show up at Thanksgiving with what is becoming my official offering to the feast:  seven layer salad and mashed potatoes.  (You do not need an abundance of skill to render either one delicious, and who doesn't like mashed potatoes?  WHO?  . . . point them out to me, and I will END THEM.)

 

 

 

7.)  Surprise crackers. 

 

 

 

It would appear that my son has the soul of a depression-era hoarder.  He is continuously squirreling away crackers and snacks in random areas of the house.  I can only assume that he is shoring up snack provisions in anticipation of "leaner times."

I appreciate this habit of his ("Waste not, want not!" and all), but it makes the house perpetually tricky.  I do a minimum of 5 full-house sweeps every day.  This is when I gather the majority of my information regarding his activites. 

 

You can learn a lot by watching a kid.

You can learn even more by paying attention to what they hide away from everyone.  So far, Took's secret treasure troves mostly just contain saltines, goldfish crackers, his Captain Hook compass, and the occasional jelly bean.

 

 

 

 

 

8.)  These lavendar-scented air wicks.

 

 

 

We've jammed these babies in just about every room in our house.

The result?  Two words:

 

FRAGRANT.

 

MEADOW.

 

 

 



 9.)  $1 Halloween socks.

 

 

Seriously. 

 

We're smack in the middle of my favorite time of year:  The time when you can get adorable little bat socks, and ghost socks, and skull socks for about a dollar.  Dollar Tree, Target, Wal-Mart. . . they're everywhere, and I love it.

Also, you can usually find great deals on plastic cups with bats and ghosts and skulls.

So STOCK.  UP.

 

 

10.)  Took's cotton candy, left over from his second trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

 

 

. . . I might be a horrible mother. . .   ='(

 

Also:  I turned 37 this week.  My back is killing me, but spirits have been pretty high. 

I have spent this week shuffling around in an afghan, wearing snuggy cookie monster pants.

 

And . . . I ate a dozen petit fors.

 

No punchline.  No lie.

I ate a dozen petit fors.

And I regret nothing.

NOTHING!!!!!



 

 

 

 



 





 

 

 

 





ACA Editorial -- U Mad Bro??

I do not want to talk about the government shutdown.

I just don't.

The fact is that, aside from weekly viewings of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, I try to stay as far away from the realm of politics as I possibly can. 

It is unpleasant.

 

It is polarizing.

It is REALLY difficult to discuss, and adamantly disagree with someone about, while keeping a relationship with that person intact.

So I have a personal policy of just keeping my nose out of it.

. . .

Unfortunately. . . there are times when that becomes impossible.  Throughout history, I'm sure there have been people who just wanted to stay out of it.  People who felt that they didn't have a dog in the fight.  But there comes a point where silence becomes equal to cowardice.  There comes a point when silence does damage.

I don't know if we're there yet, but I'm not willing to risk it.

So with that thought in mind. . . I have a couple things to say about:

The government shutdown/Obamacare.

First off, I'm just going to admit that I find this all very baffling.  I don't know a great deal about politics, and (like many people) I haven't read every scrap of information about Obamacare.

But that does not seem to hold true for everyone I know.  Everyone has an opinion about it, and that's fine.  That's how the world is supposed to work.

But there are just a couple of things that I don't understand. . . and unfortunately, they mostly have to do with religion, and partisan politics.

Our country has drawn a line in the sand straight down party lines, and nobody is happy.  Lots of people are terrified.  Lots of people are mad.  And, as I have mentioned, I do not know all the ins and outs of the ACA, I'm no political analyst, and I don't spend my days debating politics online (I'm looking at you, Michael).


What I DO know is that there are people in our country without health care.  We can all agree on THAT, right?

There are people that work hard, are law-abiding citizens and have families that they are trying to support, and they CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH CARE.

I have been there, and I know what it feels like, so I'll tell you firsthand:  It feels really shitty.
It feels terrifying.  (And this was before I had a child.  I'm sure that ups the ante quite a bit.)

Constantly being aware that you are one car accident, or one illness, away from being financially ruined. . . FOREVER . . . it's a lot of pressure, and it's terrifying.We are the United States of America.

We are a major world power.  We are proud, we are strong, we are capable, and we are pretty proud about referring to ourselves as a "Christian" nation.  AND THE FACT THAT ANY OF OUR CITIZENS ARE GOING WITHOUT HEALTH CARE IS SHAMEFUL. 

IT IS DISGUSTING.
It is a CRIME.

THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE, AND THEY ARE GOING WITHOUT, AND IF YOU ARE NOT PISSED OFF AND UPSET ABOUT IT THEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOU.
I'm not saying that the ACA is perfect.  As a matter of fact, I'm QUITE sure that it's not. 

BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS WHERE YOU STAND POLITICALLY.  I just don't.

I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS WHAT YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE, EITHER.  Because as far as I can tell, they aren't helping any body right now. 

The other day as I was looking for a Halloween costume, I actually HEARD SOMEONE SAY something to the affect of "People should just get a better job and they'd GET health care.  I don't care where they find it, but I'M NOT PAYING FOR IT."
I've seen the same sorts of comments online, and I'm just stating facts when I say that they are mostly from people that I would call "very religious."

So I starting really looking at people on social media sites, and I became more confused.  Felt more baffled.

Because everywhere I looked, it seemed to be the conservative Christians making the biggest stink about this.  They seemed to be the group that appeared to be the MOST upset.

. . .WHY IS THAT?

 

 

(Seriously.  Someone needs to explain this to me.  Because I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.)

. . . Are you afraid that you're going to have to pay too much?  I guess that would be a reasonable fear.  Are you afraid that your family is going to suffer as a result?  (Because being afraid of THAT, maybe, I could understand.) 

Have you forgotten that you've been COMMANDED to care for the poor and the needy? 

IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
Oh, do you work hard for you family?  You think everyone else should, too?

So do I.
But some folks can't.  Some folks are too old, some are too young, and some are too sick. 

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WE TAKE CARE OF.  BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR PEOPLE, AND BECAUSE THEY DESERVE IT, AND BECAUSE WE ARE GOOD PEOPLE, AND THAT'S WHAT GOOD PEOPLE DO.
We have needed health care reform in this country for a LONG time.

Don't like the system that's being put in place?  Fine. 

Change it.  Amend it.  FIX IT.BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T JUST SIT THERE AND TAKE THIS ATTITUDE OF "I'M NOT PAYING FOR IT/ I DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT."

You want to take a side on this issue?  Then how about we forget what the red folks are saying, and forget what the blue folks are saying, and just REFUSE TO LET ANYONE SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF US TO THE POINT THAT WE LOSE OUR CAPACITY FOR REASON, AND MAYBE TAKE THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND NEED SOME FREAKING HELP.
So I've probably lost some friends with these opinions. . . and I don't even care.  I'm not calling anyone stupid, and I'm not berating anyone for what they think. 

But there seems to be a disconnect regarding this issue, and my attitude is this: 

I'm ashamed.

People find out that they are sick, and instead of their first thought being "Am I going to survive this?  Am I going to see my child grow up?", their first thought is "How am I going to pay for this?"
I'm disgusted.

We're acting like we're on teams, and if "our" team lost then we're pissed off and pitching a fit.

GROW THE EFF UP. 

If this helps ONE FAMILY keep a loved one, or eases the burden on someone in times of life and death, if it offers care for someone who would not have had it. . . honestly, I fail to see what the problem is.

So let's iron out the details.  I'm all for it.

In the meantime, there are people that are sick and dying.

. . . if we're not here to HELP those people, the people that NEED IT. . . then exactly WHAT THE HELL ARE WE HERE FOR??