Check out James...

(sorry the video is RED... it looks like my house is on fire! Who knew there was an "underwater" video setting on my camera? Not me! Check out this and all our videos at Vimeo)

James' Vocabulary from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

From Daddy...

On Friday, my stepmom called in tears to let me know that after a severe cold (which she believes was pneumonia), my dad is showing symptoms of ALS, especially having trouble swallowing and dropping things in his lab. Poor stepmom has a lot on her plate, too, and we are trying to find ways to ease the sorrow happening down there in Poky. Here's the latest between me and dad...


11/7/08
Daddy...
What are you doing at work!? I think you need some REST! Please keep us updated on your health! We love and miss you so much!!! Love, Jamie

***
11/10/08

Junior,
Something inside me tells me to keep moving, don’t get stoved-up. Also, daytime TV has proven to be a stimulus to go to work, since I have been unable to work on my home projects. I think I am doing quite a bit better now, but it is agonizingly slow. Also, I can’t feel sorry for myself when Becky’s mother is dying of congestive heart failure. She is suffering and is such a great lady. Becky stayed with her all last night, I’ll get an update sometime this a.m.

Hope stuff is more positive where you live. There can be no joy without opposition and a taste of sorrow.

Love Dad
***
11/10/08

Aw, Dad...I am so sorry! I talked to Becky on Friday and she was so distraught. I hope her mom doesn't have to suffer too much more. You're right--she is a wonderful lady; every encounter I have had with her has been so sweet.

And I think you're right about daytime TV, too. It's pretty obvious that the demographic is "uneducated, unemployed idiot." When I became a "stay-at-home-mom," I insisted we get the satellite. At least I could watch History channel or news while I fed and rocked my babies! ;)

In all seriousness, Dad, please let me know what your doctors are saying and how I can help you. My sisters feel the same way--we all have lots of experience after nursing mom this summer, and I speak for all three of us when I ask that we not be denied the opportunity to come and help and spend time with you if you need us.

Hang in there and listen to that "something inside"--get some rest and know we love you!

Love, junior

I think I sipped some KoolAid...

...because I liked THIS so much, I watched it three times. Way catchy!

Back in the Saddle

I'm up. I am better, save some residual aches and coughs. Yay.

Also, I don't have a choice, since everyone is home from school today (for conferences). Right now they are playing dress ups and listening to the Wiggles, so I am going to go take pix and join in the fun.

Thanks for all your loving care :)


PS: I don't know why, but I was thinking of Amelia Hapgood all day yesterday on her special 8th birthday. Sorry I didn't say it yesterday, but Happy Birthday, Amelia!

Confessional

Are you there, Reagan? It's me, Jamie. I have a confession...I'm glad that McCain lost. Forgive me.

Remember when I said I had a revelation at the DNC? Here it is…I think when you have different ideas, and then get politics and power involved, things get way more competitive than they have to be. I have some fierce friends on both sides of politics who cannot begin to grasp how the other half thinks, which is a very sad, very extreme and blinded place to be. Understanding both sides doesn’t make you weak, doesn’t make you a flip-flopper—it just makes you better informed and may even help you to be a better person. It doesn’t mean you agreee—it just means you can see where your brother is coming from and can therefore treat him with respect.

I admit to being flabbergasted by the lefties once in a while, but as I watched Obama’s speech accepting his nomination, I mostly watched the crowd. I understood that they really, honestly, with all their hearts believed that he can do what he says he’s going to do. And he says he is going to do mostly good things. These are things that everyone wants—life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (those are inalienable); equality, health, education, opportunity; I understand. There are very few people in the world who do not agree on the ENDS of our government. I think the disagreements come about the MEANS—about the government’s role in accomplishing the ENDS.

My idea is that the large federal government is unweildy and unable to address the needs of Americans on an individual and community level. I believe that I can do so much more for my community as a neighbor, friend, and servant than the President, or even my senator. I would rather work closely with my state and local government to solve problems than sit and wait for someone acroos the contintent (who has made a career of politics—don’t get me started on THAT) to come to our aid. I also believe in personal responsibility, and that most Americans will be more responsible with their own tax dollars (I am, thanks to THIS) than the federal government is (and the evidence of this truth is practically insurrmoutable—hello, Katrina?). However, I can clearly see where the idea of having a huge governent and welfare system can be attractive, too. It’s quite ideal, but unworkable due to the ever-present non-contributing sector of society. Fairness, sadly, is way out of our hands.

Anyway, as I watched the convention, and again as I watched Obama at Grants Park, I had the feeling that it’s worth a try. I think that the fierce idealism will be tempered by reality, and what’s wrong with a little fierce idealism when the country’s in the crapper? It's like letting a 9th grader run for Student Body President with the promise of A's and college admissions for all! Go for it, Sparky! The energy I saw and felt can certainly lift us out of the hole we’re in, and in two years we can elect people to ensure that we don’t dig ourselves another, deeper pit. Ya gotta love checks and balances.

I find the Obama story fascinating, riveting. His poor Grandma dying just adds to the drama. My heart really went out to him as I watched him speak Tuesday night—he was definitely sober, and seemed oddly alone (it’s a heavy mantle). I kind of look forward to watching the next few years unfold. But that may be because I face them like a spectator, from the log porch of my mountain home where I am mostly insulated from the craziness of Washington and Wall Street, with a basement full of food and guns. I have the luxury, if you will, of watching an experiment knowing my life won’t totally explode if the experiment fails. So count me in, peeps. I can’t deny there is magic in the air, so let’s roll with it. And git yer Welcome Jesus shirts on.

Another confession: there is something about Michelle Obama that I really like—as in, I bet if we knew eachother, we’d be friends. She is strong, accomplished, funny and still feminine, and regardless of politics, those are qualities I like in a friend. My hubby can’t stand her, so I like to annoy him by watching her speak, and then remind him, “Better Michelle than Hilary,” which is something upon which we all agree.

Friday Fright Night

On Halloween, James and I went to Addie's class party while Heidi had a date with Aunt Debbie. After school, all three kids got their costumes on and we went around to the bank and grocery store (where the really awesome treats are). Then we met daddy at home and had pizza for dinner (CPK Margherita, anyone? YUM), then we went to the party at church. It was a cool carnival with trick-or-treating in the halls and a spook alley put on by the teenagers (Heidi was so funny in the Spook Alley--she was totally in character as Super Girl, karate chopping the mummies and finger-shooting the ghosts--so funny).

Addie the bride
Super Heidi
Dancing Girls

Sir James

Ready to slay some dragons

***

Super Heidi, Sir James the Knight, and Addie the Princess Bride
Don't they look KOOKY in this pic?

Awesome poses, and so in-character

Sillies!

***

I started feeling super exhausted Halloween night, but I thought it was just all the activity. Sadly, I got super sick by Saturday night--my throat is swollen almost closed, and I had a terrible migraine. I got the chills and I shivered so hard that my fingers went numb--what the heck?! I took two baths last night because I couldn't get warm, and now this afternoon I am sweating BUCKETS. James also has a bad cough, so we are having a little date at Park Clinic tomorrow. I keep trying to think of the "silver lining"--at least I was able to get all my Sunday stuff prepared before I felt super bad, and at least it was time to "fall back" so Rich had some extra time to get the girls ready for church. And at least my fabulous first couselor, Debbie, who was on call at the Bozeman Hospital, did not get called in and was able to handle things in Primary. I am so grateful for her!

Oh, yeah, lots of people have asked me how Primary is going, and the answer is so far, so good. I felt I should keep the Presidency that had just been installed in June, so my dear sister-friend Debbie Holm is my first counselor (she has been President and chorister before, so she is so experienced and inspirational!). My second counselor is Bambi Prosser--she is a gorgeous woman who is also a construction worker and rancher. You gotta love that combo. And she is so sweet with the kids. I am looking forward to getting to know her better. We have great teachers and scout leaders who have been commited and reliable, which is the ultimate blessing, I think. I've just gotta keep it going, right?

I forgot how lame this time change is...it's 4:40 and dark already. SIGH...

Love One Another

I need to vent a little bit about the Defense of Marriage initiatives that are being voted on around the country this coming Tuesday. I have some very dear friends who are gay, and I love them; I cherish our friendships. I think—I hope—all my liberal friends have an understanding where we "pro-marriage" folks are coming from. Or at least where I and other informed conservatives are coming from.

Let me begin by saying that neither I nor anyone I know wishes to take away anyone’s pursuit of happiness. For me, defense of marriage is a simple legal and religious issue. I don’t think anyone should ever be discriminated against in the courts based on their sexual preference or the gender of the partner they’ve chosen to spend their lives with. Any law that specifies a spouse as next of kin or inheritor should be re-worded to mean partner. I believe that gay couples should have the same rights under the law that married couples have.

But I don’t believe gay marriage should be legal. I don’t even believe that such a thing exists. Why? Because marriage, by definition, is a sacrament. It is a three-way covenant between a man, woman, and God, and marks the establishment of a family unit. It doesn’t exist outside of religion, no matter what we have told ourselves over the past century. And yes, that goes for heterosexual couples, too. I don’t mean to offend, but that’s just what I believe. I have deep respect and admiration for any couple that commits to eachother and strives to build a life together, and I believe every union deserves protection under the law. But unless you have invited God into your union, it’s not a marriage by definition. I could go look up all the Milton and Luther quotes flying around my brain on this subject, but I’ll just leave my thoughts there.

I also worry, as many other religious people do, about the repercussions of legal gay marriage for churches who continue to abide by biblical standards. Will refusing to sanction such marriages result in legal action? If so, we are no longer free and church and state are no longer separated, and good-bye America.

Then, in California, there is the whole issue of legislating from the bench—creating a dictatorship of the court. It should never, ever be okay for the court to overturn legislation that has been voted upon by a majority of the people. WE THE PEOPLE rule this country, and we must defend our right to rule and not be dictated to by an elite few who think they know better than the majority of citizens.

All of these things can and should be done in a spirit of love and respect--two things I have seen very little of on either side.

Don't Drink the KoolAid!

I'm voting early. Rich already did. And it's fun to tell the pollsters who call our house 5-10 times a day that we have already voted...HA!

PLEASE don't be cynical and pessimistic. I know the electoral college makes you feel insignificant if you're not in the majority, but just let your voice be heard. Read on if you need a boost, listen to Lenny, and know, "Baby, it aint over til it's over!"




From http://www.hillbuzz.wordpress.com/ (comments 10.27.08)

I work for a campaign and can’t wait for this week to be over.
I was doing it for a job. I was not a fan of any candidate but over time grew to love HRC.
The internal campaign idea is to twist, distort, humiliate and finally dispirit you.
We pay people and organize people to go to all the online sites and “play the part of a clinton or mccain supporter who just switched our support for obama”
We do this to stifle your motivation and to destroy your confidence.
We did this the whole primary and it worked.
Sprinkle in mass vote confusion and it becomes bewildering. Most people lose patience and just give up on their support of a candidate and decide to just block out tv, news, websites, etc.
This surprisingly has had a huge suppressing movement and vote turnout issues.
Next, we infiltrate all the blogs and all the youtube videos and overwhelm the voting, the comments, etc. All to continue this appearance of overwhelming world support.
People makes posts to the effect that the world has “gone mad”
Thats the intention. To make you feel stressed and crazy and feel like the world is ending.
We have also had quite a hand in skewing many many polls, some we couldn’t control as much as we would have liked. But many we have spoiled over. Just enough to make real clear politics look scarey to a mccain supporter. Its worked, alough the goal was to appear 13-15 points ahead.
see, the results have been working. People tend to support a winner, go with the flow, become “sheeple.” The polls are roughly 3-5 points in favor of Barack. Thats due to our inflation of the polls and pulling in the sheeple.
Our donors, are the same people who finance the MSM. Their interests are tied, Barack then tends to come across as teflon. Nothing sticks. And trust, there were meetings with Fox news. The goal was to blunt them as much as possible. Watch Bill Oreilly he has become much more diplomatic and “fair and balanced” and soft. Its because he wants to retain the #1 spot on cable news and to do that he has to have access to the Obama campaign and we worked hard at stringing him a long and keeping him soft for an interview swap. It worked and now he is anticipating more access. So he is playing it still soft. This is why nothing sticks.
The operation is massive, the goal is to paint a picture that is that of a winner, regardless of the results.
There is no true inauguration draft or true grant park construction going on. There will be a party, but we are boasting beyond the truth to make it seem like the election is wrapped up.
Our goal is to continue to make you lose your moral. We worked hard at persuasion and paying off and timing and playing the right political numbers to get key republican endorsements to make it seem even more like it was over and the world was coming to an end for you all.
There is a huge staff of people working around the clock, watching every site, blogs, etc. We flood these sites. We have had a goal to overwhelm.
The truth is here. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

I am saying this because I know HRC was better for the country, and now realize this. I was too late by the time I connected to her. To me Barack was just a cool young dude that seemed like a star. I didn’t know him or his policies, but now I understand more than I care to and I realize his interests are more for him, and the DNC and all working like puppets with Dean. I always thought a president wanted the better good for the country. The end result I see is everyone dependent on the government, this means more and more people voting for the DNC. This means the future is forever altered. I don’t see this as America, so I am now supporting John McCain.
Sarah Palin is a huge threat, and our campaign has feared her like you can’t imagine. If it seems unfair how she has been treated, well its because she has had a team working round the clock to make her look like a fool. This is a big conspiracy and I am so shocked that its not realized.

We released a little blurb the other day that the Obama campaign was already working on reelection and now putting our efforts towards 2012. This was to make it seem like it was above us to continue caring about 2008. Trust me, its a lie. David is very smart, but its a sticky ugly not very truthful kind of intelligence.
It's not over yet, but I think the machine is working. And it's a hill to climb.
I will be quitting my post on nov 5th and my vote will be for John McCain. Fortunately, my position has been a marketing position and I don’t feel I had any part of anything I would feel guilty for. But I look forward to getting out of this as the negativity and environment upsets me.
I wish you all well, and good luck.

Recent Pix and a Recipe

James took this picture of Heidi on Monday

While we were making pies on Sunday, James did this with his rolling pin machine gun.

Silly Boy!

On Saturday, the Barbies had a jacuzzi party in my guest bathroom without asking.

***

Last night I made stuffed mushroom caps with a totally made up recipe and they turned out great. Try this (if you like spinach and mushrooms, that is...):

You need:

Baby Spinach

Grated Italian Cheese

A box of Stove Top Stufffing (water & butter to prepare it)

A carton of large mushrooms

***

Get a bag of baby spinach; chop it and wilt it in some garlic butter; squeeze a tiny bit of lemon juice on it and set aside (I ate some of this spinach for lunch and then saved the left overs--you only need half a bag for stuffing).

Preheat oven to 350

Cover a large baking sheet with foil

Prepare a box of StoveTop stuffing (any flavor will do, but you'll only use half)

Before you cover the ST stuffing and let it stand to steam, add the spinach and 1/2 cup italian cheese blend (or plain ol' mozarella); stir it up and let it stand.

Remove stems from mushrooms (I used a carton of large white shrooms from Albertsons--there were 12 in the carton). Hollow out the mushrooms caps and chop the stems.

Mix the stems into the stuffing

Spoon the stuffing into the caps, then sprinkle with sesame seeds (totally optional)

Bake for 20-25 minutes...VOILA!

Out of the Mouths of My Babes...

Last Monday, on the way to dinner with Grandma

Heidi: I don't want to be a mommy when I grow up.
Me: Why, Heidi? Being a mommy is fun!
Heidi: I don't want to cry and get bleedin's--it hurts to have a baby [she's obviously scarred from watching her birth video]
Addie: Then you won't have any sweet little babies, Heidi! Don't you want your own little baby?
Heidi: No! I will cry!
Me: Well, Heidi, the doctor can give you some medicine so it won't hurt. Besides, it only hurts for a minute, and then you have a BABY!
Addie: Yeah, and after that, they're just tears of joy.

***

Sunday Night, laying by Heidi, toward the end of a LONG conversation trying to figure out why she won't stay in her bed

Me: Do these elephants above your bed scare you in the night?
Heidi: No, I love all my elephants.
Me: Then why do you keep coming down to mommy's bed?
Heidi: Because I love you more than elephants.