Hippo Happenin's

Heather Shafer, Ted Porterfield
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/hippoxmas/

Yesterday was my ninth wedding anniversary. Since we are working opposite shifts right now, we didn't go out to dinner or anything. But Ted did bring me three roses to work and we are planning to have an adults only out of town excursion in the next couple of weeks. LONG OVERDUE, I might add!




My father has in his yard at the moment, a Navy transport bus (like a white, old-school short bus) and not one, not two, not three, but FOUR box trucks (like delivery trucks. Let us just assume that my mother is not pleased with these lawn ornaments. So if you know someone who needs a box truck, call me. I can hook them up.




The first week of school has gone by and seems to be ok.... oh shit, I just realized I didn't take first day of school pictures for the first time. I am awash with sadness. I'll just make them wear the same clothes and pose by the door before bed! Problem solved.




A-dog starts her schooling next week and is looking forward to neighbor Jenny being her teacher. I hope Jenny feels the same towards Aurelia after that first week of non-stop chatter for three hours.




I tried out a security measure for the blog, but it seemed over the top and cumbersome for those of my friends and family that don't see well, or compute well, or like security measures, so we are back to the regular way. (Sidenote to anyone who the security measures may have been aimed at... don't mess with my kids. 'Nuff said.)

They can't off this guy soon enough

Death for man who kidnapped, murdered Idaho boy
By REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 50 minutes ago
A longtime sex offender was sentenced to death Wednesday for the 2005 kidnapping, torture and murder of a 9-year-old northern Idaho boy after federal jurors who watched video of some of the brutality deliberated just three hours.
The jurors' recommendation was binding on U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge, who thanked them, dismissed them and then sentenced Joseph Edward Duncan III.
Relatives of the victim, Dylan Groene, remained somber as the jury's decision was announced. Duncan murdered Dylan's mother, older brother and his mother's fiance to kidnap him and his younger sister, who was sexually abused along with her brother but survived.
"We're happy with the verdict, but it's a shame — this should have been limited to one death," said Steven Groene, the father of the children. "He should have had the courage and the guts to kill himself before killing anyone else."
Duncan showed no reaction other than smiling as the verdict was passed to the judge.
He took Dylan and the boy's then-8-year-old sister, Shasta, to a remote western Montana campsite where he raped, tortured and threatened them before shooting Dylan in the head and burning his body. Jurors viewed horrifying video Duncan made of him sexually abusing, torturing and hanging Dylan until the boy lost consciousness.
"This defendant is dangerous. He is a predator who takes pride in his work," prosecutor Traci Whelan said. "He earned this day. His actions ... call out for the death penalty."
Duncan acted as his own attorney but had offered no response to prosecutors' closing argument.
"I have no argument," he told the court.
With an eye toward kidnapping the two children, Duncan stalked their family. In 2005 he entered their Coeur d'Alene-area home and used a hammer to fatally bludgeon their 13-year-old brother, Slade Groene, his mother, Brenda Groene, and her fiance, Mark McKenzie.
Duncan was arrested and Shasta rescued weeks after the kidnappings when a waitress at a Denny's in Coeur d'Alene called police after recognizing the two as they ate.
Duncan pleaded guilty in December to 10 federal charges involving the kidnappings and the murder of Dylan. He pleaded guilty to the other three murders in state court, where he also could be sentenced to death.
After the verdict, the jurors were whisked away from the federal courthouse in two white vans so they could avoid the phalanx of media covering the hearing.
"The jury speaks the mind of the community," U.S. Attorney Tom Moss said. "By the verdict today, they have given voice to the victims."
In closing arguments, Whelan reminded the jury of Duncan's lifelong "pattern of violence," including a conviction for raping a boy at gunpoint in 1980. Duncan has told investigators he killed two half-sisters from Seattle in 1996, and he is charged with killing a young boy in Riverside County, Calif., in 1997.
Duncan may now be brought to Riverside County to stand trial in the death of Anthony Martinez.
Darlene Torres, Brenda Groene's mother, said she is glad the federal case is over.
"Justice has been served," Torres said. "It's been very painful."
She said that when she saw Duncan in court, "I seen nothing but an evil, empty, coldhearted shell."
It's hard to tell if the end of the federal case will offer any comfort to Shasta, her father said.
"I can't speak for Shasta, I can't get inside her head," Groene said. "Possibly now we'll have to be dragged through a court proceeding in California. If they go ahead with the prosecution, it would be such as waste of taxpayer money because he'll never spend a day in a California prison."
The heinousness of the evidence in Dylan's murder made it particularly difficult for the jurors to remain impartial as they deliberate, said Art Patterson, a jury consultant and senior vice president of the trial consulting firm DecisionQuest.
"Generally, for human beings, it's pretty hard to maintain impartiality when confronted with such horror," Patterson said.
"How could any juror not want to see this person removed from our list of living human beings? How could you live with yourself as a juror if there's any chance this human being could escape from jail and do something like this again?" Patterson said.

Pudding Tain

Happy B-day baby girl

Today is the first day of school for my senior and my third grader. But it is also my baby's fourth birthday. It seems like her tiny little self just came into the world, but now she is so tall and grown up. One more year of tiny girlness before she enters the school world (I certainly hope the first day of school isn't on her birthday next year).

I LOVE YOU SWEET PETUNIA!

Hershey Park

Pics from the Road

HERE IS THE LINK IN CASE THE SLIDESHOW ISN'T WORKING

We got a later start than I had planned for and didn't arrive at the tipis until nearly dusk. We spent a night in the wilderness and then traveled to the farm to see the goats. Unfortunately, they suffer from performance anxiety and we didn't come away with any fainting video. However, we do have these assorted photos of our journey up to now. Tomorrow, we are off to Hershey's Chocolate World and the amusement park!!! WOO HOOOOO!!

We're off to see the goaties!!

And we know you all envy us......

Many videos and pictures to follow our adventures that will include the entire family camping out in a tipi, visiting the fainting goaties, and an excursion to Hershey Park!! Better buy your chocolate before I get there or you'll be sorry.

WTF??

This dude is seriously jacked up. And not only is that dude seriously jacked up, but that moron who was going to bring her FOUR year old daughter to live with him needs to be sterilized or shot or beaten in the streets. These stories make me want to take a Brillo and Clorox shower, but unfortunately there are far too many examples of human depravity out there.

Who knew that we grew?

My husband is anxious to move beyond the fear that the impending strike had us under. He enjoys tinkering with cars and we both enjoy unusual things. So it was no surprise that he mentioned a new project, a 1972 MG Midget. Earlier this week, we all drove out to give it a look. Ted's memories of riding in a family friends Midget weren't tempered with the fact that he has grown considerably taller and (discreet clearing of throat) broader. Not only was he unable to steer without tightening his super buff six-pack abs, but his height and foot size made it impossible for him to hit just one pedal at a time. In a manual transmission, you can fairly assume that simultaneously applying the clutch, gas, AND brake is not a good idea. We left that car with it's current owner. But here is a glance of what could have been....

Let it go

For eighteen years I have hung on to a thought that I don't like at all. I think today is the day that I will let that thought go.

lullaby

Totally not a toenail video

Yuckfest

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED......

The following video contains footage of Daniel's toenail, click at your own risk...

Hippo News

Our household has been holding a deep breath for several months, waiting for the contract to expire and find out if we would have to live through a strike. When the deadline came and went, we were relieved but still nervous with no contract, only extended talks. Now we can exhale (tentatively). There is a contract proposal that I cannot fathom will be voted down and I have to say I am very pleased with. So back to reckless consumer spending on things like food, gas, and back to school clothes for the Hippos.

Daniel's big toenail finally fell off. He dropped a stone wheel on it earlier this summer and the entire nail turned black. The other day he casually hoisted his foot into my lap and showed my the wavy thin nail that sits in its place. There will be a photo slideshow for those who are interested. It will be optional for those who are disgusted.

Also in Daniel-land is a the acquisition of yet ANOTHER device relating to his favorite cartoon. Anyone familiar with his focused attention on this subject will appreciate that I am going to need donations of hard liquor immediately.

The time has come to get serious with Cory/Adam. We are in the senior year and focus needs to start on where he is considering studying next fall. Applications need to be filled out, considerations need to be made, reality is upon us. Eck.

And Aurelia, sweet Aurelia, was set free at our family reunion to play with little girl cousins and run with abandon all around the lodge. There were games of tag as she shrieked, "I'm gonna get ya!" or "You'll never catch me....!" There was no need to hold a child in my lap or keep one eye solely one that may swallow something or wander into the woods alone or eat dirt. They are all big enough to sort of tend to themselves in gatherings. I feel a little sad, but mostly relieved. Could that be my freedom on the horizon? Nah, just a mirage!

Well, hello Dolly

This past weekend I had the privilege of helping to move a family member. Since it took two trips to a distant location, I found myself in the cab of a 26 foot U-haul truck for the better part of Sunday with my parents. On our way back from the final trip, we stopped to eat at the Tamarack. Even on a good day, I don't think I am Tamarack material, but especially after I have been sweating like a whore in church I look a little out of place. For those of you who aren't in to know, this place is the artsy fartsy center that sells local wares from regional artists. They have a large cafeteria type food center that is all made by the Greenbrier. I ordered a cheeseburger (seemed safe enough for a high falutin' foodie like me). Let's just say that I will decline any future offers to eat at this establishment again. We finished up and headed out to the truck. Dad had to unlock the passenger side and I opened the door for Mom to climb in as Dad went around the front to his door. It occurred to me as Mom was buckling in that if there were a time to float an air biscuit it was outside the truck. Who says I don't have manners? About that time, Dad opened the driver's door and said "Did one of y'all fart?" Now I wasn't about to lie, so I was preparing to fess up when Mom piped up and said, " Philip, of course not, Heather just made a silly noise with her mouth. Gee Whiz." That did it. I couldn't breathe I was laughing so hard. When I finally pulled myself up into the cab, wheezing and crying with the laughter, Mom said, " WELL, any other time he just wouldn't have mentioned it." Perhaps you had to be there to appreciate the delicate comic timing that was involved, but I laughed all the way to the toll station and my sides still hurt today.

Interesting Article from the Herald-Dispatch

Aspergians can be great employees
Jul 29, 2008 @ 12:00 AM
The Herald-Dispatch
Asperger's syndrome causes more stress to the "Aspie" than it does to his or her co-workers.

The differences between Aspergians and neurotypicals, or people with brain functions typical of the majority of the population, can sometimes make for unnecessary conflict in the workplace. But with a little education and understanding, both sides can be happy and productive

With the recent explosion of information about autism/Asperger's syndrome, many busy employers are hearing bits of research and may be forming an incomplete picture in their minds of the sort of jobs that are best suited for someone suffering from a disorder on the "autism spectrum disorder." ASD includes a wide range of diagnosese including Asperger's syndrome, autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication, and causes restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child is 3 years old. Other disorders on the spectrum, such as Asperger's, are milder.

It has been said that if Asperger's syndrome did not exist, neither would the Internet, or computers for that matter. This poses the question "What did Aspergians do before the computer was invented?" The answer is nearly everything. They designed and built telescopes, steam engines, light bulbs, telephones and automobiles. They created works of art such as Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty. They created graceful buildings that we admire to this day.

A lot of the recent reports would make many folks think that people on the spectrum are only useful in narrow areas of machinery and mathematics. This is not so. The belief that all people with ASDs are unable to communicate well is completely false. Many people on the spectrum are authors, editors and speech writers. It is true that for many, small talk can be difficult, but an employer may be pleasantly surprised to discover that their new employee has done a great deal of reading on the subject of how to get along in the workplace with all sorts of people. A great many Aspergians are careful and diplomatic, preferring to avoid giving opinions on politics, race or religion. Knowing full well how incendiary these topics can be, many are loathe to discuss them at work.

The office cookie exchange or birthday party can be a hurdle. Many people on the spectrum have sensitivities to different foods, and with the addition of singing, games and carousing, they may feel overwhelmed.

It is common for neurotypicals to form cliques in the workplace, lunching together, carpooling and even visiting each other's homes. Many people on the spectrum understand the need that "NTs" have to do this, but prefer not to get emotionally involved with their co-workers.

Many "Aspies" are married with children to support and prefer to relax after work with their families. Any experienced manager can tell you that office friendships sometimes dissolve, leading rapidly to gossip and often sabotage of the co-worker's tasks. This may be entertaining for a few neurotypicals who see their employer as a sort of high school principal, but many Aspies can see the big picture: enough monkey business and soon there's no business.

People on the spectrum who grew up wanting to fit in have often studied etiquette. They are reserved about discussing their personal lives and are surprised sometimes by probing questions their co-workers may ask about an Aspie's spouse, children, or background. Often, they hesitate to answer because they are afraid of boring the co-worker. People on the spectrum often greatly enjoy quiet hobbies that NTs would find dull.

So, if you are in a position to hire someone, please don't assume that people with ASDs are only good at one narrow field. It is true that their brains are "wired differently," but if treated fairly without condescension, an employee on the spectrum can be a valuable and innovative asset to the workplace with a desire to do expected tasks in the most efficient, effective and cost-productive way possible.

Kathy Ferrell is an illustrator born in Huntington and still residing here. Her Asperger's syndrome became evident during her preschool years when she demonstrated her drawing skill, intense focus, recall and voice mimicry, among other symptoms. Her art work has been published in a wide variety of books and magazines, in both the U.S. and abroad.

I totally want to share

and I can't because I don't know how to blog my audio file.

CRAPOLA!


UPDATE: SHIZZOLA! I think I have got it. I can't stop listening to this song. It makes my feet bounce and I laugh out loud. It's from a CD I borrowed from the library called "The Rough Guide to Native American Music".

Get your own playlist at snapdrive.net!

Lovin it

We celebrated the kids birthdays today. It is so funny to see the difference in excitement levels between them. Aurelia is so animated and perky even if she doesn't have the slightest clue what the gift was. Daniel can receive the world's greatest gift or a lump of coal and the reaction is likely to be a polite, quiet thank you and a nod.

After putting the kids to bed, Ted and I watched Smokey and the Bandit. I dig that movie.

As I type, I listen to a CD of Native American Music. It makes my feet bounce.

Have a great weekend peeps.

Personal post

Experiences this evening have made me thankful that my life didn't take so many of the paths available to a rural girl in WV. Please don't take offense if any of the following happens to be in your life.

I am thankful I didn't decide to marry just because I had a baby when I was sixteen. It would have ended badly. I am glad I finished school and stayed actively employed. I am glad I didn't seek as my highest goal to get a man and a trailer. I am glad I don't believe everything I read. I am thankful I can read. I am so grateful not to hold the deeply ingrained prejudices of generations before me. I am grateful for good dental care and the availability of personal hygiene products. I am grateful that the one man who dared to raise his hand to me in anger suffered appropriate repercussions and may still walk funny. I am glad I didn't entirely believe all the bad things mean people like to say to shy girls. I am so grateful not to be ashamed of having some intelligence.

That's about it. I am just glad to have more than some and less than others. I am happy, healthy, and safe thus far. Seems like a good thing.

Kermit the Frog - Lime in the Coconut

Oh yeah!!! That's right....

B-52's Rock Lobster

Foiled again

Blasted YouTube videos, most of them were unavailable... after I posted them. Poor me, that just means I must spend the afternoon finding an alternate source of retro videos to release on you, my sweet readers. EVIL LAUGH (AHHHH HAAAA HAAAA HAAAA).......

Dee Lite - Groove Is In The Heart

Happyhippoproduction

My first attempt at our video software.

Interview with the kids

TOO MUCH FREE TIME ON MY HANDS!

Thundercats HO!

Jenny,

This if is for you and Grandma Sheila!

Dolly Parton - Me And Little Andy

Good gosh, that made me cry a little. That's what I get for surfing Youtube.

My brain age was 20 ( I hppe that's good)

Test your brain age here.



1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for the countdown to finish, i.e.: 3, 2, 1.
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen and their numerical order, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number. This sequence will repeat ~ 10 times until the game ends.
4. At the end of game, the computer will tell you how old your brain is in Years

Zumba Concept Video

Jellyfilled and I have been doing this for a couple of weeks and I really like it. I have never sweat as much in my life, but I don't feel sore or tired after. I have more energy that I have for a long time. And the hour long class flies by.....

The week started off with a bang when I found a dead mouse under my desk at work. I'm not sure how it died or when, but I know I discovered its corpse around midday. While I removed the body myself, it did wig me out enough to make me eat my lunches in my car. No need to make its living friends think something yummy might be in the office. The day after the mouse met its untimely demise, there was a dead baby bird just outside the office door. Good thing I don't believe in signs.

If you are in my circle of real life friends and have noticed varying levels of radio silence on my end, I have been trying to spend more relaxed time with the children. I don't want to have a phone hanging off one ear, typing on the computer, and only giving them my irritated look.

Aurelia has a foreign friend at her preschool. I was asking her about him while she was in the bathtub last night and she said they play puzzles and "stuff". I asked her what he says to her, because he speaks a different language, and she said "Stupid." Knowing that is her current favorite word, I asked what happened when he said that. She replied, "Then dey smack 'im." Um, I kinda doubt it. She finally admitted she was teasing, but I don't think Miss Polly would be pleased at her slanderous nonsense!

Happy Fourth of July

Things that make me happy:

1. Aurelia says "lasterday" for yesterday.
2. Daniel still hugs and kisses me.
3. Cory is a manbeast, but he is respectful and kind.
4. I don't have to empty the garbage or sweep the parking lot anymore. Thanks Dad!
5. Daniel can sing "You Lie and Yo Breath Stank" without any coaching when Ted walks up.
6. Our babysitter performs tasks of yucky natures without mention or complaint. (Thanks Kathleen).
7. Wendy's has blueberry muffins.
8. My husband scrubbed my kitchen floor on his hands and knees. I got the very best one, didn't I?
9. My bedroom is clean and the dreaded ceiling fan has been banished to the hellfires.
10. Cookies were on sale. And I luv cookies!

My heart breaks when I think of the wicked badness of some people

I go along my daily life with people coming into constant contact with my children. My own belief is that most people are mostly good, all people are a little bad, and some people are all bad. But stories like this make my stomach cramp and I just want to lock myself in my house with my children forever.

Muffins!!

A long, long time ago in a land far away Hardee's used to serve these humongous, delicious blueberry muffins that were filled with real blueberries and were the shiznit. But they somehow discovered that I liked them and immediately deleted them from the menu. So I have eaten the Jiffy mix muffins with their sad little pellets of blueberry flavored sugar for over a decade. SIGH....



BUT, now some Wendy's are serving breakfast and by golly there on the menu they have BLUEBERRY MUFFINS. They aren't as large as the old Hardee's ones, but they are still chock full of real blueberries and they taste good. No more butter biscuits with jelly, no more crappy sausage biscuits... it's me and the blueberry muffins from here on out. And if they take it off the menu, well something very bad is going to happen. YUP.

Camp Musings

According to Cory/Adam, the speaker that normally addresses sex education at the 4h camp he was at this past week was not available. The replacement seemed (from Cory's interpretation) to advocate voracious sex having and noted that engaging in the activity for twenty minutes, three times a week would be the equivalent of running 7,000 miles per year. Now, understand, we are realists, not prudes, but I did have to reiterate our parental position (try not to before you are married) and the backup position (if you are gonna, then be respectful of yourself and your partner, and be safe). Lordy, help me.
---------

Given the speech that he is now on the brink of manhood and this being his senior year, that all that will come with extra freedoms AND responsibilities, I gave Cory the chore of deciding what activities he had heretofore been denied that he would like to have considered for the coming year. This is his list:

1. Hang out with my friends who can drive.... (since he will be eligible for his license at the beginning of the school year, we compromised that he will drive his car and be the responsible driver)
2. That he be allowed to stay up past 9pm.... (hmm, perhaps I should have revised that a little earlier, he is almost 17).
3. That I not force him to cut his hair. (I will have to think about that, he is kind of lacking in the hair washing arena... but maybe I can be persuaded.)

Since none of these requests involved anything illegal, I should take this opportunity to feel fortunate. OK, enough of that.
----------------

Conversation in the bunkhouse around time for lights out, as relayed by Cory:

"What if a field of marijuana caught fire and the smoke rolled into the forests where the deer live and they got high from the smoke and then a hunter shot them and ate the meat? What would it tasted like?"

Hippo News

Daniel and Cory both have one camp under their belt, are currently in another, and Cory has one more in July. Aurelia has summer fun and their new babysitter started this week. Daniel thinks she's purdy. He has also sworn that he "isn't interested" in the Baby Shark song from camp this year (sorry, dude, but Jenny says otherwise.)

We have squirrels in our attic (not our mental attics, thank you) and Ted is humanely trapping them and setting them free before repairing the entrance they found. He has convinced Aurelia that the cage is a "chicken cage, for baby chickens of course." It's insanely hilarious to listen to her explain it.

The Princess Supremo also has her version of the lullaby she wants me to sing to her each night.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a muffin-bird/punkin-bird, monkeyin-burd"

Over the weekend my dad had a birthday and celebrated Father's Day. My gift to him? A gallon of nutty coconut ice cream from Baskin Robbins. 'Cause that's how I roll!!

Hope everyone is having a great summer!! I know it's summer because the "baby crack" that is the pop-ice popsicles are flying off the shelves of my freezer.

Keeping me humble

Recently I have encountered some life changes. Branching out into the work force and employing a nanny have been strange and oddly freeing. I enjoy the solitude of being the sole employee in a small office and perhaps it could make me a little dizzy with power. EXCEPT... that this job carries the responsibility of a small amount of grounds maintenance. I knocked myself silly with a half full/half empty bag of garbage the first week I was here, but this morning was the real eye opener. It was clear that all six garbage cans along the shopping complex needed to be emptied and I set about the task. All six were crawling with maggots and I daresay that I have not regurgitated so much in my life. I sincerely doubt that all three of my pregnancies involved that kind of racking misery. I don't have an exceptionally weak stomach, but I wasn't prepared. It just never occurred to me. So if you are sitting at home, thinking to yourself, that Heather sure is getting above her station in life, I wholeheartedly must disagree. :0)

Danger Danger Everywhere

Today my parents came to town. There was a car show in the park so Ted, Aurelia, and I walked down with them. Along the way, I happened to be looking down as I was walking and made a horrifying discovery. There was a needle laying by the sidewalk. I am not sure what it's original purpose was, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it didn't end up on the street for anything legal. I had Ted pick it up (for fear that a child would step on it or pick it up). The sharp fell off immediately and he placed the cylinder part in the alley garbage.

These are the reasons I am nervous when the children want to play in the park. You just never know what went on there before you came along.

Here's prayin'.....

My bizarro son is at overnight camp this week. He'll only be seen by us for a single day before he goes to another next week. The pictures below are the sunburn he received after a day at my mom's pool last week. He had applied SPF 50 before going in, but we were outside for far too long and he was almost exclusively in the pool. I know that despite my frequent orders that he apply his Bug and Sun and that he MUST wear a shirt in the pool, he will return home a crisp bacon bit. Let us all pray that he doesn't develop sun poisoning, heat stroke, or skin cancer.

Bless his little heart.

Long overdue visit from Mom and Dad Porterfield

My tiny sweet potatoes

I Love My Lips Silly Song

I couldn't find Endangered Love featuring Barbara Manatee, so enjoy my other favorite. :0)

Calling all cars....

Fellow bloggers,

I need your help. If you know me outside of this blog, then I am talking to you. I have been offered an opportunity to work outside of the home. The only thing blocking my acceptance of that offer is the lack of child care. Aurelia is signed up for both sessions of the preschool summer fun and Cory will be home, but I don't want my teenager caring for his siblings. It's a recipe for disaster. So what I am shopping for is someone who may know someone who may be willing to work for me this summer. I am not asking my fellow mothers for this. That is nonsense. Ideally, I would like to hire a college student or VERY reliable and mature high school student who would be willing to keep my kids alive while I am not here. I love them alot and sort of care that they are intact when I get them back. So consider the feelers out there. Thank you, good people.

Buffoon central

The last several days I have been filling in at a mini storage facility as the office manager. Some of the tasks that I have performed have made me wonder if I might wind up falling to my untimely demise with no one around to help me (i.e. climbing a ladder, unsavory mini storage persons carting off my carcass). But it didn't occur to me that taking out the garbage might do me in. There are several public trash cans that need to be emptied and the contents placed in the rear dumpster. And I wish I could say it was a gigantic bag that did it, but I was placing a smallish (15-20 gallon) white bag of trash that was about half full into the dumpster. I held the lid up with one arm (the dumpster is about my height) and swung the bag up with the other hand. I'll be doggone if that bag didn't fall straight down on my head and about brought me to my knees. I think there was a bottle of some sort in there. So if you see me and wonder why I have a gigantic goose egg, you'll know. :0)

Award

TEAM for WV Children recognized Gayle Manchin yesterday evening. Not only is TEAM for WV Children the reason I can volunteer with CASA, but there is even a quote from fellow blogger and advocate for child abuse prevention, Wabi Sabi.

Hippo Health Care

Today was the day of the long awaited (over eight months) visit with the rheumatologist. I arrived several minutes early for my afternoon appointment and was taken back to a room approximately an hour after my designated time. In the room, I waited for another thirty minutes while I perused an outdated women's magazine and read the charts on the walls. Outside the door, I could hear the staff playing with a remote fart machine. I was impressed.

When the doctor came in, we went down the same path most other doctors in his field have taken me down. It seems that I have several characteristics that make doctors wonder if I could have Marfan's Syndrome. But I don't have hyperflexible joints, a caved in chest, or the super wide wing span. I just have long fingers and I'm tall. So he measured me to be sure. Still, I'm just tall.

The overall thought at the end of the visit was this:

1) Secondary osteoarthritis as a result of joint damage from the childhood arthritis
2) X-rays and bloodwork to determine a baseline
3) calcium supplements (500mg 3x a day)
4) Motrin based prescriptions to start (there are 12 to try) for the pain
5) determing whether I have JIA, apparently something that occurs in 1 out of 900, 000 people, rather than Marfan's. The upside to determing that is that it is treatable and detectable from bloodwork.

So that is how today went. I go back in six weeks to review all the labwork. And like I told the doctor today, I am by no means the worst case he will see any time soon. I can remember the pain I had as a child when the arthritis would flare up and cause my skin to be hot and my joints to ache so badly I couldn't sit. This pain is annoying, it disrupts my sleep, it makes tasks harder, but it isn't debilitating. There is no whining in this house. At least not out loud. :0)

Hippo Happenin's

Today was the last day of preschool. And believe you me, I am counting the days until summer fun begins. Not the fun of summer, but the program at the preschool that is duly named Summer Fun. In that week, my oldest will be away at 4-h camp, the youngest boy will be at cub scout day camp, and the wee little girl child will be at summer fun. Oh happy day!

Because lately, I have found myself lacking in the patience department. While I don't hold a conventional job, I do juggle several things that include the kids, volunteer work that I find supremely rewarding, and finding time to aggravate my husband. A normal day will find me with a cell phone in one hand, the home phone in the other, typing on the computer keyboard with my toes, and giving visual commands with my eyes to any child unfortunate enough to pass through the breakfast nook.

This Friday, I get to attend my daughter's first music program and I am stoked! She has been singing her parts around the house and occasionally I will be included. For instance, sometimes I must be the naughty, mittenless kittens so that she can say "You naughty kittens, you lost your mittens, now you cain't have no PIIIE!" Fun stuff.

Later that morning I finally get to see the rheumatologist that I have had an appointment with for at least eight months. I have done research, written notes to myself on things to bring up, and basically tried to prepare for my brief visit. But as I told neighbor Jenny (sorry, too tired to link, she's over there --->) I am prepared to be told that I must suck it up and deal. Which really isn't all that bad. I mean, I'm not broken down, mostly. I will hold out a teeny bit of hope that he will tell me something that will be helpful though. Like how to reach my own feet when no one else is home to help. That would be great!

Prom Night '08

Leon Redbone

This is the speed of my internet connection right now. It is also the speed I would like to be operating at as summer approaches and lazy evenings on the porch with the kids beckon. I'll be back, I swear!

Happy Mother's Day

From my boys (please not that Daniel says I am good at watching TV and getting mad, while Cory says he appreciates all I do for him "even though we fight most of the time." Ahh, the cockels of my heart are all warm and fuzzy! At least Aurelia gave me a plastic cup full of silk flowers. :0)

Shazaam!

After months of misplaced Social Security cards, expired attendance forms, and overall not having it together, today the boy above received his learner's permit!

Congratulations Mr. Man!

A veterinarian in the making

This morning on the way to preschool, I spied some ducks at the end of our street. I pointed them out to Aurelia and asked her, " What do you say to the ducks?"

Her answer:

STUPID DUCKS! You LIVE in the WATER! You NOT supposed to be in da YAWD!

Knocked the warm fuzzies right out of the moment.

We've gone green, baby!

For several months we have been debating about a switch in vehicles. We have waffled between styles and brands and colors and whether or not to even think about it. I was sure we were done. Then, after I drove Ted's Outback to Wayne County on Friday, I mentioned in passing that I could drive a car. (I have only had a van for years and find it difficult to get in and out of many low cars). The next day we were at the dealership test driving the hybrid. The only reason it was still on the lot was that most of the salesmen thought it was sold. (The earlier buyer's financing had fallen through, but that hadn't made it down the grapevine yet). So now we are the proud owners of a Toyota Prius Hybrid. It is a very strange car to drive (no key required, just a fob and a power button.) It has a back up camera (REALLY could have used that in the van), a DVD navigation system (oh yes, I am very challenged in that area), and a whole host of other perks that I just think are groovy.

So lookout peeps. I may not have to fill up my tank (this thing gets like 48 mpg) until the kids are out of school! WOO HOO --- it took $75 + to fill the van and that only lasted less than a week even though I don't travel frequently.

Dentist day gone south

As some of you already know, my kids love the dentist. When the first visit is over there is a countdown until they get to go again. This visit was a little different.

There are two dentists in this pediatric practice and the taller of them was seeing Aurelia. He noticed her misaligned front teeth and asked if she sucked her thumb. Oh, if it were only that easy! No, my girl crooks her right index finger, sticks it in her mouth, and commences to chewin' the ever lovin' hide off of it. She has a callous at the base WITH TEETHMARKS! She is serious when it comes to the finger. We have surfed the web, used every suggestion available to get her to stop. This sweet, innocent doctor suggested that we wrap an ace bandage around her elbow, so that when she bends her arm it will be a gentle reminder she shouldn't bite her finger. Well that my friends is a hoot! Because this little princess has ripped off clothing, scaled gates, and shit in the floor to avoid conforming to your average expectations and she ain't about to stop now. Oh, we'll try it, I'm just sayin' we ain't about to bet the house, if you know what I mean.

Moving right along, my sweet Daniel has always loved the dentist, too. But we live about a half an hour away from their office and he gets a little queasy on the ride there. He'd said his stomach was hurting in the car. But once we got there he rushed in and played air hockey until he was called back. The dental chairs are all lined up and have flat screen televisions (tuned to Cartoon Network, of course) on the ceiling. So he just stretched out and waited his turn. The doctor came and looked him over while the assistant was cleaning Aurelia's teeth. Braces, but we already knew that. The kids got my teeth, not Ted's. But when the assistant came to clean she broke out the bad tasting, gritty junk they rub on the teeth. Daniels eyes watered and his face contorted. She sat him up for a minute and when he recovered she started again. I'm not sure why they did away with the little spit sinks in a dentist's office, but now they have these little suction tubes they lovingly shove in your mouth and tell you to kiss (which frankly grosses me out). Daniel felt this was a personal affront and as he closed his lips around the hose he puked! It just shot right into that suction and the nurse, looking puzzled, said, "Did you just throw up?" Um, duh! And because some of it got on his shirt, he rode home barechested and unhappy. Fortunately, he is resourceful and used the half hour ride home to tell me all about what he should do since he you know. All he needed was a good meal. Some chicken soup.... instead he ate a hot dog. GAG.

T-minus six months and counting!

All Shook Up

Our oldest was in the high school musical last week. He has been in theater since his foot hit the door of the high school and he was SO excited to be cast as one of the leads. The newspaper has a gallery of pics from the performance....and by the way he was stellar. I didn't know my baby could sing!

He is the one in the letterman's sweater.

Dan the Man strikes again!

Quotes from this past week:

Daniel to a younger schoolmate who was upset over changing her card that day: "You can't change the past...., unless you have a time machine."

Daniel to the world at large as he stood inside the large metal sculpture in our local park: "I am the god of the earth portal!!!"

Daniel (at the top of his sweet lungs) as we passed by a shirtless, older man in the park: MOM, DID YOU SEE THAT MAN'S BOOBS?!

Daniel, to the man running the school carnival's cake walk: Hey! STOP THAT! That's MY sister! (Let it be known the man was only asking Aurelia to draw a number and was BRIEFLY moving the bowl around out of her grasp.. )

Hippo Household

This past week our area experienced some residual tremors of the Illinois earthquake. Not everyone felt it, as it was very mild, but I did. I must have been in a light sleep, because at first I thought I had had a nightmare and was shaking. When I figured out that wasn't the case, I noticed my husband wasn't in bed. In a semi-awake state, I assumed he had fallen out of bed, gotten wedged beneath it and was having a seizure! That too quickly passed from my mind. A few more seconds ticked by and it was over. My husband came up the stairs a few minutes later and he said he had felt it too. Did anyone else feel it?

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Over the weekend I was lying on the couch, willing myself back to sleep, when I heard Daniel doing something strange. He would jump on our mini-trampoline for a few seconds, leap off, run stand in front of the TV to look at the clock, then run back in and jump a little more. After more than a few minutes of hearing him do this, I finally asked him what he was doing.

Daniel: I just realized that time really does fly when you're having fun!

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When I sing songs, I tend to replace the real lyrics with my kids names or nonsense. Lately, I have been singing the Simon and Garfunkel song "Cecilia". Since Aurelia fits, that's the name I use... it goes a little something like this...

Me: Oh Aurelia, you're breaking my heart, you're shaking my confidence daily
Aurelia: (looking at me with her hand extended) Here's another heart for you, mommy.
Me: Oh Aurelia, I'm down on my knees, I'm beggin' you please to come home
Aurelia: (exasperated) I alweady home.

My multiple personalities

As sleep was sneaking up and trying to catch me last night, I was lying in bed unable to stop thinking. Nothing specific, just no off switch for the brain. But near the time I slipped into unconsciousness, this blog occurred to me. And I am indulging it.

Those readers who know me in person may already know the many faces of the hippo. Depending on when the intial meeting happens, I can be viewed as a quiet, subdued, meek, almost fearful appearing individual. If the same person were to meet me in a different setting, one might believe they were meeting my doppelganger. Many times I have found that the quiet side is present when the more approachable, confident side would have been a better match. But as all humans tend to be, I am conflicted and complicated. I am self-deprecating to the point of nausea some days and overly confident on others. From inside my head, I feel like a puppeteer who just can't get all the strings to move like they are supposed to. For instance, and really I am not trying to be smug, I am not a stupid person. In fact, I know lots and lots of things. I might occasionally call my self intelligent, but when something I know about comes up in conversation I am less likely to jump in with the knowlege/opinion than I am when I know very little about the subject. If confidence is being served up on my exterior, you can almost bet the level of inadequacy and nerves on the interior have jumped tenfold. Despite the many layers I know are in here, my perception of my end leans toward shallow. But before you get the idea that I am fishing for opposite opinions or throwing a pity part for myself, understand that I know plenty of people have these thoughts. I know the people that I regard as intelligent, witty, confident, warm and engaging most assuredly have some of, if not all of, the same fears and insecurities. So I wonder why do people feel this way? Would I have been better off media-free, with a different social setting, different examples as a child? I dunno. I grew up with lots of female role models, ranging from meek to mouthy, with nine aunts and a gaggle of other lady relatives. When I was with large settings with my family and other people, I always tried to blend into the wall. Books were my place to be, no discussion required and I got to go to all the different places and see how the people interacted without having to do it myself. Maybe that's what it all comes down to. I have a little of all that experience and info tucked away into crevices in the old noodle and pull them out as needed. The real point is, I may come off as many different versions of me, but the one inside is the one I like the best. I just wish I could bring her out to play more often.

Note to self....

When the hubby is snoring like a grizzly bear and sleeping just as soundly, when all the pillow shaking and pushing and griping and loud sighs and leg pinching and begging him to just roll over and STOP fail to work, when defeat is acknowledged and you tromp downstairs to sleep--- DO NOT sleep on the couch. No matter how inviting the leather sofa is, turn away and go to the spare room where there is an actual mattress to sleep on. If you choose the sofa, you will wake up stiff and achy and more than a little grumpy. And you could have been just grumpy if you had stayed in bed.

Hippo offspring

A-dog has been overheard saying:

"Mommy, you finish you wunch? You mouf smell bad. Your bweaf stink. Look dat way."

"Don't do it! Don't do it!" (In response to my remark that I was going to beat her with a big stick... which I wasn't, btw.)

"You gawden is weally, weally pourfect and beeyouteaful." (Garden to date consists of some overturned earth and flowering weeds.)


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Dan-Man was asked by my mother if he would drive her around town when he was old enough to get his license. His response, "You'll be dead by then."

His theory on how babies gestate was explained as such: "Mom, after you had Cory/Adam you were still pregnant. 'Cause then I was born, and you were still pregnant. 'Cause then Aurelia was born. Then you were done, 'cause your parts were broken."

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Cory/Adam has been competing in the state thespian competition this week in Charleston. While he didn't win or place, he did succeed in eating an Atomic Wing at the Quaker Steak n Lube afterward. If the look on his face is any indicator, he feels like this is the bigger accomplishment and equal to an Academy Award.

Junior High Flashback

While in Charleston, I stopped by the school where an old teacher of mine works. I had emailed her awhile back to let her know that some of the things she may not remember really impacted me in a positive way. She was the music teacher at my junior high school and there was a group called the All Stars. Kids tried out to be a part of it (singing and instruments) and it was an honor to be in it. One day, while in line to buy a snow cone in the cafeteria, she walked up behind me and asked if I would play the bass guitar for them. I was boggled. I hadn't even tried out. When I asked her about that today, she said I must have displayed something in her music or guitar class that made her pick me. I tried to tell her how it made me feel, but I couldn't really articulate it. As a kid, I was tall and thin and awkward and unsure. There was no clique I was part of, just a ragtag group of misfits that clung to each other for comfort. For her to pick me, to even see me, when I tried so hard to blend in with walls and corners, really stuck with me. There was no hidden musical talent that I had, but she never said I sucked, she never belittled me. She was a great teacher and I was so grateful to her. We spent the time I was there watching over the students she has now during her lunch duty. I am not sure she really remembers me, but she looks the same and was happy to see me nonetheless. She laughed so hard when I told her I still had the charts she made for me to remember where to put my fingers. Man, I am grateful for good, kind, wonderful teachers like her.

Intimate experiences

My mother gave me a gift certificate to a nail salon for Christmas. It's always a pleasure to have a pedicure done because I happen to have the world's funkiest feet. They are dry and cracked and overall gross. (BTW my husband has eerily soft and supple feet, like a real woman's feet oughta feel.) Anyway, the salon itself is in Charleston and I hadn't yet had time while there to cash in. But Cory/Adam had to be there for a state thespian competition today and I was able to get an appointment. At 9 AM. That meant we left the house by seven so I could leave the little ones at Mom's and get back to town.

Anytime I have had a mani/pedi I have always felt uncomfortable about the exchanges that are appropriate or expected. I don't know if should talk to the manicurist or if I should just allow them to go about their business. Usually, I just hang back and follow their lead. But it occurred to me today that these experiences require intimate moments be ignored. When a virtual stranger is washing, clipping, massaging my feet, calves and hands and yet there is no dialogue it is pretty freaky. I mean, even my husband won't touch my funky feet. When they massaged my hands and interlace their fingers with mine I am reminded that I have held hands with precious few people in my life. It's just really strange.

Blogging feels the same way sometimes. I like getting comments, like knowing people across the globe might be interested in something I have to write about. At the same time, it's so personal a thing to share with virtual strangers. Totally surreal.

And now...

for something completely different!

Take a moment

This may be the last day the free world is safe on the roads. Tomorrow Cory/Adam will make his first attempt to pass his learner's exam. If he succeeds, we will find it necessary to actually allow him to drive and learn. Consider yourself warned.

A-Dog and Big Momma go to the doctor

After a few days of waking to a less than comfortable feeling in my throat, I decided to take a trip to the dreaded walk-in clinic at our doctor's office. And since Aurelia had been having some bedtime woes that are usually indicative of an ear infection, we set out to see her pediatrician in the afternoon. The following are some of her announcements of the day.

To an elderly woman sitting behind us: My mommy sick. She not feeling well. She got a fwog in her fwoat. Dey gonna take it out.

To the doctor with gorgeous blue eyes looking in my ears: How many elephants are in dere?

To the receptionist on our way out: She all better. Dey got da fwog out her froat.

To the sweet older man who returned our valet parked car to us in the pouring rain: (defiant stance and clearly indignant about the valet process) Why you take my twuck?! DAT MY TWUCK!!!

This very same child pulled off a very convincing portrayal of a shy, demure, tiny lunged sweet elf while the nurse practitioner was looking her over. I almost bought it until the second the others left the room. She turned to me, her eyebrows shot up to her hairline and with that smirk she and her brother are so good at she asked, "She see dat fwog?"

My god it looks like Daniel

Lately, Dan the man has been saying how much he dislikes school. He would like us to believe he would never go again if we didn't force him. We all know he is smitten with his teacher and this is a total farce in an effort to be a machismo second grader.

But he exclaimed in the car yesterday, "If I was the ruler of everything, I would cancel all the schools."
To which we responded with wide-eyed disbelief, "You don't want children to learn how to READ?! Or count?! Tyrant!"
Dan-the-man countered with, "Weeeelllll, I would cancel all school after the second grade. (disgusted hmmph) Because I already know E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!"

Shhh... we're huntin ducks

Baby Girl and I went to the park today. We sat on the bridge and tossed our bread chunks to the ducks and squirrels. She whispered things to me like, "Dat duck wikes my bwead." She hugged me and said I was SOOO sweet and beeeyooouuutifull. We held hands and walked the long way back to the car. I love spring.

Proud mama

I may have mentioned a time or twenty that our oldest son is now employed. Over the weekend, I dragged our family and my visiting friend to see the boy in action. I cannot convey how strange it is to see the boy you nursed, changed, sang to, read to, dressed, bathed, snuggled with, and carried on your hip serving up fast food to strangers. I am so proud of him. He made good eye contact, was courteous, at ease, and closed each purchase with a "Y'all have a good day!". Brought a tear to my robotic eye. This is the transition that I could never really prepare for. This person we brought into the world and tried to teach, is now taking all we gave and putting it into practice. We aren't there to whisper from the sidelines if he forgets. He is a good boy. I am so proud of him. We may disagree on so much, but in the end, I must now take him at his face value as a person, not just my son. He will have opinions that will differ from mine, his friends will be foreign to me, his work ethic will be his to control. From all indications, I will be proud to call him friend, when I can no longer claim him as my baby.

little bits

My daughter and I had a lunch date this week. She ordered her own food (PANCAKES) and specified CHOCUT MIK (Aurelia for chocolate milk). The crazy bendy straw gave her fits of giggles as she would open her eyes wide and watch the milk rise and fall in the loops. I told her she is my friend and I wanted to go to lunch with her so we could talk. She feels neglected sometimes when I do alot of phone work (CASA, other moms, school volunteer stuff, family and friends who live far from me), so I wanted to give her a little me time. She didn't bust out any revelations about life or start speaking any clearer or anything. But she proclaimed loudly across the parking lot that she is my friend, my grrrrl, and she is stwong!

Meanwhile, my two boys were both tucked away in various corners of our house. I went to look for both of them at different times and found each of them curled up on their beds, reading a book with a stack of books close by. I don't know about you, but my heart swells to know that as I am reading with my own book/stack of books, my sweet boys are enjoying the world outside ours with mere words. Books rock!

Help me, oh sweet Pete!

My husband is practicing his humor. He has spent the entire evening trying so hard to be good at the schtick that belongs to me (annoying, getting under skin, etc. ) and yet he is no good at it. He starts to feel bad. He starts to feel guilty about his behavior. And I am tempted to tell him it's ok, you're just no good at that, that's my gig. Let him off the hook a little. Then he shows me what he thinks is funny. And be warned this is NOT for the young audience. My husband, the man I chose to marry, had children with, and still have not divorced finds THIS amusing. Somebody explain this to me, (crickets, awkward silence....) yeah, me neither.

Good friends

I love my friends. I was asked why I wouldn't want to move back to our old town. Sure, I miss my old friends, my family, my thirty years of history in that place. But since we moved here, I have been less anxious. More appreciative of the amenities we enjoy. I have developed friendships and working relationships with people who only know my backstory if I share it with them. The kids love their schools, we are closer as a family without all the commute time, I love our house (even though it's old and drafty). Our street is friendly and quiet, our neighbors are kind and thoughtful, our friends are close by and dependable. In the nearly two years we have been here, I have grown in ways I wasn't aware I needed to while I was still in the womb of my hometown. Our family feels fuller, richer, stronger not necessarily because of where we moved, but because we moved and are developing different relationships. So thank you good friends. I dig you.

Censored

If you have wondered past our house this evening, I apologize for the string of expletives that were probably audible outside. A laundry list of annoyances took place this evening, but were topped off with the phone message from my primary doctor's nurse. I had called to make sure they had a referral on file before my appointment in MAY with a rheumatologist. This appointment was made over the summer and I just realized that there was no referral with my insurance company. The lovely young lady who took care of my request called to let me know that my appointment is now in FEBRUARY of 2009. The phone call I make tomorrow will be to verify that this May appointment has been knocked out of the field. Then I will cancel this crazy appointment and self medicate with all the chocolate in the free world. POST EASTER CANDY SALES--- WOOOO HOOOO!

Update: After a call to the rheumatologist's office, I confirmed that I DO still have an appointment in May. No need to call out the Quaker army Jenny.

News on the homefront

The big boy has survived his first couple of days on the job. I am sure a big portion of that is thanks to the free food that falls in his mouth. He gets along well with the people he works with (even after he was asked to scrub toilets!). We are very proud.

This afternoon, Daniel brought down his little green Bible that has only Psalms and Proverbs. He was indignant that his own name could not be found. I brought out the big Bible and showed him. He wanted to keep it and read it. I said sure. Then neighbor Jenny opened Pandora's box. Read aloud, she says. And he did. Very well.... until he came across "Jesus Christ". Let's just say in Daniel land it is pronounced "Crist". He was also heard to say ,"I have the BIG Bible. Oh yeah, baby!". And Eleanor was the humble recipient of Daniels castoff scripture. Grandma Sheila, beware! I sense much reading aloud in your future!

During these shenanigans, Aurelia was passed out in the recliner on one end of the couch bearing a close resemblance to a passed out hippie. After she woke up, there was much lip pursing and finger wagging. It was a transformation from passed out hippie to bossy old lady. Cory is in for a big treat when I send him as my stand in at her "mommy and me" dance class tomorrow night..... LOL. Oh the laughing, can't, stop, laughing......

Too legit, too legit to quit

So I finally have business cards. That can only mean one thing. It's time to chase Ted around the house and taunt him with my legitimacy. The conversation goes something like this:

Me: Um, do you have business cards?

Ted: No.

Me: Oh, well, can you read the name on this one? I believe it's mine!

Ted: um hum.

Me: (breaking out an MC Hammer move that will certainly land me in traction) I'm too legit, too legit to quit.....

Ted: (shaking head, concerned for my mental health) um hum

Give me a beat

I have realized that I need more music in my life. Last week, Ted and I went out driving around for my birthday and I realize how much I miss it. All the background music in my current life is kid related. I rarely get to hear full blown songs and even then they are not ones that catch me dancing. I love to hear things that make me smile, I love to watch things that make me smile, I love to laugh out loud---especially when it is totally not on purpose. I laugh alot every day. That's what I do, but sometimes I mean it more. Like when there is a mass on my chussetts. ***Grin****

Giggly goodness

The oldest boy Cory/Adam starts working at a local fast food chain this week. He also scored one of the leads in the musical at school. Yippee.



I have a friend who gave me a gift for my birthday. It was vanilla scented and I love it. I am so silky smooth and dewy fresh and smelly good. THANK YOU.



Her children gave me this:



Last night, Daniel couldn't decide what book to read before bedtime. (He is allowed to read until 8) I said "Read the Bible."
"I don't have time to read the whole Bible!"
"Then start with the first page..."
I forgot I said it and he didn't realize it was in jest, because I found him scaling his flimsy bookcase...searching for a Bible.



Aurelia was inspecting a bruise on her leg.
"It's a scwatch."
Me: It's just a bruise
A-dog: No, it gotted me like a lion and we have to wash it OFF!

Ebay goodies

I have been convinced that quilting is no longer for me. My hands just won't take it. So I am cleaning out the supply bin and listing everything on Ebay. If you are inclined to look (our username is worknclassbug) and see anything you are interested in, let me know. I take kindly to you local folk and might could hook you up!

The glorious DNA

This is a story I heard on This American Life over the weekend. It makes me thankful for DNA, ponder how certain I would be in the same circumstances, and sorry for the families that were involved. I know I am nothing but a depressing blogster lately, but I cannot avoid this human condition. It is all that swims in my tiny little head. Join me in being so so thankful for fingerprints, DNA, digital cameras and all the sweet niceties of today that would make this scenario difficult to recreate.