For my mother-in-law

I took this picture from the bridge about a block from our house yesterday. In anticipation of her move, I find myself having moments like these where I stop and think "Oh, I can't wait until Ms. Robbin sees this!" Of course, she has visited several times, but there is no way to take in the beauty that surrounds our little corner of the country in a short period of time. Pretty soon she'll be living here, and she'll get to have her breath taken away by these mountains on a sunny winter day, too!

Idiots of the day

http://www.kirotv.com/news/18506791/detail.html

Supposedly they were protesting "police violence". . . by throwing torches at their building and patrol cars. Hmmmmm. This is the same community in which a police car was flipped and the officer mobbed not that long ago. This community needs to get a clue before something goes horribly wrong with one of their little "protests". Of course, when that happens they'll probably just continue to blame it on those who are trying to protect them. Tell me, who do you call for help when something goes wrong, if the police are the ones you are attacking?

Happy Birthday to . . .

Me! I turned 30 today! Woo-hoo, I made it! My wonderful husband got me a new camera - a Nikon D60 - and after he revived me we tried it out. This is one he took of me, a rare, accurate, truly representative portrait. :-)

Newest jungle . . .um, family members

For her 8th birthday, our daughter wanted a fish tank. We happened to love the idea, which probably contributed to a slightly larger version than the typical "starter" goldfish bowl. It's still a beginner set-up, but it's a ten gallon tank that holds more than a couple of fish. We opted to go with tropical fish because there is more of a variety, so we needed a get-up that came with a heater and filter. We got LOTS of help from the super nice people at PetSmart and followed all their instructions down to a "T", which means we brought the tank home, set it all up and let it run for a week with no fish. Then we added the first three a week ago, and tonight we added the final four. They were all personally selected and ceremoniously named by Haleigh, and here's the roll call:

3 guppies:
1 tequila sunrise named "Elvis"
1 turquoise named "Thomas O'Malley" (or T.O. for short, and yes, his personality is strikingly similar to that football player)
1 lyre tail named "Max" (turning out to be my favorite, soooooo pretty)

1 balloon belly molly named "Captain Jack". He is a big fat happy fellow who loves bubbles, like that one guy from "Finding Nemo"

1 Mickey Mouse Tail Platy named "Dude". These guys are named for the sideways mickey mouse shape on their tails, although the one on our guy is much more distinct than the one in this picture.

2 bottom-feeding "peppered" catfish named "Herschel" and "Jesse McCartney"

We are literally turning into a jungle around here. We have fish, beast, and no fowl. But I have to draw the line at fowl. I've been trying to capture pictures of our new little fish world, but it is pretty much impossible! Haleigh did a very good job decorating, though. :-)

Condolences

I learned a few moments ago that Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died today. He was only 16 years old. I remember hearing his parents discuss his illnesses when he was younger, later diagnosed as Kawasaki disease, and how they switched to an all natural and organic home, using no chemical cleaning products which they believed were related to his illness.
I've always just adored John Travolta, from when I discovered him on reruns of "Welcome Back, Kotter". Those eyes! That charm! I once tried to convince my husband to take me to visit some of his distant family in Ocala, Florida because the Travolta's have a home (and runway, with parking for 3 airplanes) there. It just breaks my heart to hear of his loss - not so much because of my ongoing fascination with him - but, as a parent, I just can't imagine that heartache. My thoughts and prayers are with that family tonight.

2009: The Year of ?

A new year is upon us, and for me it is a welcome sight. 2008 has not been the greatest year for our family, and I'm not sad to see it go. Don't get me wrong, it had its bright spots, but overall it was an extremely difficult time.
2009 sees me entering a new decade - I will be 30 in a few short weeks. My mother-in-law says these are the years that a woman is most focused on her family, and I can see what she means for the most part. My child needs me to be very present in her life right now. My husband and I are starting to seriously face the questions and reality of our futures, and plan responsibly for them. I have many responsibilities at this point in my life, and they all involve the safety, stability, and happiness of my home.
That said, I am truly hoping that this is the year I learn more about myself. I have found myself lately sitting in various groups of friends, trying to find my "place". I notice that I have felt as if I should apologize or make excuses for things I believe. Not on huge hot topics, just parts of my personality in general that are just ME. I sometimes sit in a group, generally enjoying myself and surrounded by people whose company I truly enjoy, but wondering what it is that I contribute, and if I'm having to suppress any part of myself in order to "fit in". I think it's because I've lost focus of who exactly I am. I am well aware that I have evolved as I've aged and experienced life, but I want to be more in touch with the person I've become . . . or am becoming. I don't know what I'm passionate about any more, and that leaves me feeling a little lost.
So, I'm looking forward to this year being a journey for me, to gain more wisdom about life, others, and myself. Here's to a wonderful 2009.