Two views on Fort Hood

Cal Thomas on the Fort Hood Shooter in today's article "E. Pluribus Diversity":
"Why do so many Americans seem ashamed and apologetic about America? Holding the view that America is unexceptional and that no idea, policy, belief, or practice is to be preferrred over any other is not diversity. Rather, it is thin gruel; unappealing and unappetizing, and it robs us of our strength."
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/12/article/cal_thomas_e_pluribus_diversity
Eugene Robinson in the Washingston Post "Failing Our Troops at Fort Hood"
A view from the other side the political spectrum.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110902601.html

Both writers are right on in my view. Common sense should prevail.

What do you think?

Ain't No Brag...

2009 Nissan Quest

Mama's got a brand new van! (Duh na na na na, duh na na na na, HEY!)

We have truly succumb to the parenting lifestyle. And honestly, we really like it. When you are using seemingly contradictory phrases like "sweet ride" and "so much space" to describe your vehicle, you probably have two or more young children.

It's hard to believe that we 1) bought a new car and 2) it was a surprise to me. We've had our 2004 Highlander for a year, and it's been great. Sporty and dependable and a huge step up in reliability. But I was kicking myself for not looking at any used vans, especially now that we have another baby coming. I wasn't ready to accept being a mini-van driver.

What a difference a pregnancy makes. You go all crazy. Five years ago, we started out with two twin mattresses on the floor, and paid off $24, 000 dollars in debt in a year and half. We bought a $1500 Geo Metro (in a purple-ish tint) for Alex with cash at auction. No credit cards, nothing.

So, when Alex pulls up to pick me up from tutoring in a NEW mini-van, I was shocked. He had casually mentioned the good deals he was watching. We took in the Highlander for servicing earlier that morning. It never broke down on us, but we had taken it in a few times for various issues. A part that Alex had recently replaced had gone bad, and he mentioned leveraging his interest in a competitor's vehicle with Toyota. But I really didn't expect to be driving home in a different car.

Now, I guess I could have been mad for not being there and choosing the color and making a reasoned decision, but if my "baby daddy" wants to buy us a van, well, I'm okay with that.

So, I guess we have "suspended" our new-cars-are-the-devil's-handmaiden philosophy for the next 6 years.

I agree: Debt is still dumb, cash is still king; sorry Dave, but mama's gotta ride!

Trick or Treat?

Jay and Grandma

The three of us (plus my belly)

Firefighter

Jay and Daddy

At Elliott Farms

A little of both. We had grandparents in town, which is always nice. We enjoyed a big breakfast at Cracker Barrel (try the Apple Butter French Toast) and went to our church's Harvest Festival. Jay's still too little to play most games, but hey-- I got a funnel cake and a prerequisite Halloween ouftit photo of us.

The trick? Around 7 p.m. as I was lighting our jack-o-lantern, Jay opens his mouth and lets forth a mighty stream of yuckiness. Oh yes, projectile vomiting.

He seemed pretty unfazed by the proceedings, but was sick on the hour for most of the night, but at least was so exhausted that he went right back to sleep. I feel ill later that night and stayed in bed (when I wasn't running to the bathroom). I was glad that neither of us ran a fever. Alex got sick Monday. Of course, he was the most dramatic sickie of us all!

The crude is gone now, and hopefully Jay will work out this cough. Maybe we will all be able to attend church this weekend. I'll just keep my bubble in the car, just in case.