The Kate Effect

My Favorite Sign: "Is this the bread line?"

this is was by far my favorite sign from the Tax Day TEA Party.

check out photos from the Austin City Hall TEA Party on flickr

band wagons: jumping on, jumping off, jumping out of the way.

The political season is in full swing. All around me is the incessant buzz of political opinions. It's on the news, on the talk shows, in the library, at the grocery store, at family dinners, even invading my favorite blogs. It's not that I mind the vocal masses working through their decision to vote for the next leader of the free world. It's more the frustration that I have little to say and little desire to engage.

I have listened to the speeches and thanks to my mom I am informed of any newsworthy happenings (truly, thank you mom from preventing me from being out of touch.) I have read my favorite blogs, despite my occasional disappointment that I must endure another rant for/against a particular candidate before I get to things I rather read. Things like how to sew a button-hole or what someone's child did that was amusing.

I was concerned at my blase' attitude for awhile. After all I am usually 'passionate' about things I feel are important. For instance; just yesterday Brad and I had a huge debate about BBQ sauce. It was so passionate and heated that Kate called out " Mom. Dad. Are you OK? Whats happening?"

You would think the future of this country would ignite more passionate discussion than BBQ sauce.

Maybe it is because every other blogger is expressing their view and I rather not be lost in sea of political opinion. Or perhaps I am acutely aware that, be it blog,friend, or family, I am surrounded by those who do not share my view. I do live in Austin. My viewpoint does not exactly fit the stereotypical Austin-ite persona. Then again, is this not what "KEEPS AUSTIN WEIRD"?

It could be that I do not want to endure the biting remarks and demands to justify my decision. Risking the possibility of whining, I am just tired of all the ridicule and tearing down of others. I am not saying we should all get along or agree - we are created different and unique. At the end of the day, I am so tired from chasing a puppy, teaching my preschooler, and loving my husband that I have little patience for cutting generalized comments directed at me or the party I choose to join.....or the party I choose not to. Do I think the other candidate is off their rocker? Yes. Do I want to dissect their families and trash talk their hair-do's? Nope.

At the very core is the need to protect the relationships I have and my own person. The decision to vote for one person versus the other is deeply personal, it forces you to choose sides. There are only two options. You choose and you are now aligning yourself with people who may have some similar beliefs but who are vastly different from you. In the face of debate you feel the need to justify where you stand exactly - I feel the need to resist the box others may try to desperately shove me into. I hate boxes. I also hate to justify or explain. I hate the need to protect. I have friends who have been outspoken about their viewpoint in an assumption that I would understand or relate. I may relate but I also heard you say I was stupid, ridiculous, and detriment to the country.  You didn't use my name but you referred to those in that party. those who vote for that candidate. those people.

Well, those people just hugged you. Yep, stupid, ridiculous, detriment to the country. If you noticed me playing devil's advocate or not agreeing - it's because you un-wittingly called me your opponent.  But I value our relationship. I am glad our views differ. I am thankful that we are created unique. I am glad that God allows variables and spectrum in His creation. I like the sound of sharpening iron. Will you still hug me when I am stupid, ridiculous, and a detriment to the country? 

I think that my lack of motivation is simple. I know that my decision is made. Honestly, it was easy and clear. I know where I stand and I know the decision is good. It is not "the right choice for me", it is the right choice period. I don't lack passion for the issues but the patience to repeat myself when asked why. This stupid, ridiculous, detriment to the country is anxiously awaiting election day.

*written prior to posting date.

baby crack

Finally, something to give babies to ensure that they become addicts, of some sort! If you are pregnant or childless or your children were born after the era of puffed food, let me explain.
Those in my generation have been concerned with the prospect of children with no vices.
Long gone are the days of peanut butter sandwiches and whole milk, which as you know leads to the consumption of Cheeto's and Dr. Pepper. Logically this would stifle many children's future opportunity to become addicted to caffeine from coke and coffee due to the large consumption of bottled water early in life. Therefore depleting the demand for other addictive substances such as nicotine, weed, and crack. This would radically change the horizon of our future and everything we know to be true.

Children who have been fed organic foods and a variety of fruits, vegetables and soy in it's various forms are less likely to indulge in triple chocolate cakes. These children are healthier and stay active through out their lives. They tend to live longer and regard food as a source of energy rather than a coping mechanism for the stress of life.

What is the world coming to? This new trend in childhood nutrition is a serious threat to our current lifestyle. Thank goodness for baby food producers that recognize the dangers of the recent movement to reasonable portions and less processed food. Puffed food is now available to entice your child's appetite and create a infant addiction that is unprecedented.  Bite-sized puffs that melt in your mouth are available for the youngest child and require no chewing or teeth to consume.

As seen in the picture, it's addictive nature is quite obvious. Known on the streets as 'baby crack', puffs meet both nutritional needs as a healthy snack and yet gives the feeling of satisfaction, similar to that of happy meal fries.
I am proud to say my child has consumed over 25 containers of this insatiable snack in her short 22 months of life. Thank you processed baby food producer, you make the world a better place!

finger paint protection

Kate loves to finger paint, but I usually strip her naked to protect her clothes.  At playgroup we put small t-shirts on our kids and used clothes pins to gather-up the extra material.  It worked fabulously.

Tip: Ice + Garbage Disposal

I just found out this out! throwing some ice int he sink and turn onyour garbage disposal! Letting the disposal chew on some ice about once a month keeps the blades sharp. COOL. Also remember that your garbage disposal can only eat what you eat.... it's a good rule of thumb whe you hesitate to throw it down the drain. Don't over work you disposal when you have family over or having a large party skip the disposal and throw it in the trash. Your disposal will last longer and love you more.

thats all the trash talk I have for today ;)

Kitchen Sponge Tip

Some of you may know this ... but this is for those who didn't. I am a germ hater - most just in the kitchen. i hate washing dishes because of all the food and I hate warm dish water ...I hate kitchen rags and sponges! I usually use a new one each time. Ridiculous! i read recent article in Child magazine that sited the extreme bacteria content in a kitchen sponge - no surprise there.

BUT if said you should wash your sponge in the dishwasher daily to help it stay fresh!!! WOW, I didn't know that. It works, too. I have been throwing my sponge in one of the silverware holders every night when i turn the dish washer on... and in the morning I have a fresh clean sponge. NO sour smell, NO icky cold dishwater still in it. WOOOOOHOOO - I love this TIP.

The article also said to trash the sponge weekly for the least bacteria build-up.

More Kitchen Clean Tips from Parenting.com

the good, the bad and the ugly

the GOOD:

today kate signed a two word sentence... MORE BUBBLES. This was the first time ever she had signed words together to make a point! So I gleefully blew a ton of Bubbles.

the BAD:

when i ran out of wind i signed BUBBLES ALL-DONE which Kate replied by yelling AHHHH and signing ALL-DONE. This I asssume meant "i am not ready to be ALL-DONE".

the UGLY:

as I rinsed out the bubble holder I recieved this look from kate and a fierce growl.

TIP: Gymboree sells the best bubbles ever - they are non-toxic and have a little paraphine wax in them which causes them to last longer, float higher, and stick to everything. If you forget to rinse out the bubble solution holder - no worries just use the left over solution the next day. It will look kind of syrupy but the bubbles will be awesomely BIG and Strong and float around forever!!

thrush, yeast, and yogurt

yes this should be in the GROSS catagory. Kate and I have a horrid case of thrush/yeast infection. (if you don't know what thrush is...it is like a yeast infection in your mouth! - dry fuzzy white toungue and sore throat and nothing tastes good and worst of all they want you to eat yogurt to make it better! YUCK)

Not only do we have it but we have manage to share it wiith all those around us (sorry guys). It's the first time we have been quarentined from the wholed and it's not fun. Although we have found some amusement in sticking our toungues out at each other - kate thinks it is hilarious.

TIP - if you ever get it, throw out pacifiers and toothbrushes. it helps alot or you will have it twice like us. (thanks for the tip Aunt Sharon)