Looking back

I can't believe it. Kelley and I were almost run over yesterday morning. The bus comes at 7:55 am and somehow I just can't get used to that, and I keep thinking it comes at 8, so we just stood there, coats on and everything in the kitchen, as it rolls by. If we reeeeeeealy hurried we could race to the top of the street and catch it on it's way out of the neighborhood. So we ran. I had on a bright red raincoat, and as we're approaching a driveway, our neighbor backs out and almost hits us. I think he looked back once, but I'm not sure. Thank goodness we jumped out of the way in time, and even caught the bus, but it really scared me. It made me start looking at the way cars are designed and I notice that so many cars have those head rests across the back seats. How many adults are actually hauling around other adults or tall children that need those head rests? Can they be removed? For sure, they have to be blocking people's ability to see behind them, and for what? Back in the olden days when I was a new driver, cars never had those. I'm also frustrated, being a rather short person, at how much the car manufacturers are raising the level of the back window. Have you noticed that? How can anybody see out back there? I think I'll try and do some research on how many accidents there have been from backing into people. This is such a safety issue, and if a tall guy can miss seeing an adult in a bright red raincoat, what about a child's chances of being seen? Another crusade!

Kelley quote after we attended a Christmas concert: "Mom, why do we have to stand up during the 'Holiday-loo-ya" Chorus?

A teabag for wisdom

Thomas had his wisdom teeth out in his junior year of college. Or, I guess I should say, wisdom tooth. Turns out the kid only has one. After his appointment, instead of driving back to the dorm, we insisted he come home to rest so we could take care of him. After a few hours he had used up the entire supply of gauze the dentist gave him, but the incision just wouldn’t stop bleeding. Thomas got up from the couch and brought me the “emergency instructions” paper and pointed to the part that said to put a teabag on the spot. “See Thomas, aren’t you glad your mother is here” I said, bolting to the kitchen. “I bet you and your friends in the dorm are out of tea.” I’m not sure if it was the packed gauze in his mouth, but he didn’t answer. Of course, it didn’t specify whether or not they meant dry-- right out of the box tea bags, or a wet, used tea bag. I was carefully pondering this when Thomas finally snatched it out of my hand and stuck it in his mouth evidently not noticing the long string with the paper tag at the end that said “Lipton.” “Hang on, honey” I helpfully urged, rummaging in the junk drawer to find a scissors, ‘I’ll cut that right off for you.” Not finding anything but old pens, dead batteries and a kazoo, I motioned for my toothless victim to follow me around the house while I looked some more. Thomas obediently tagged along in his drug induced stupor , with the tag swinging under his chin, while I continued to search in vain. Finally I had an idea. I pulled him into the kitchen, opened up the knife drawer and grabbed the only clean utensil in sight… a 12 inch serrated turkey slicer. “Hold still! ” I warned as I sawed back and forth dangerously close to his lips. It was at that moment I realized something profound. Normal people don’t do things like this.

Hey everyone, for a great movie idea please go support Bella if it's playing in your town. My daughter's college in San Diego is connected to the wonderful young people who made this life-affirming film. It's changing lives and hearts everyday! Let's show Hollywood we want something decent for a change!

Just when you thought you'd heard it all.....

I can't believe it...the lead story on the news last night was that fake teeth from China were being recalled. I'm serious. So, yank those puppies out of your mouth this instant and get to the return counter before it's too late, that is if sucking on all those Chinese made toys hasn't done you in already!

Why I'm not shopping "pink" this year...

Is there any grocery item, wheelbarrow, lunchbox or set of tires that has not been wrapped in pink this month to remind us to be "aware" of breast cancer? Don't get me wrong...I am very interested in finding a cure, as both my mother and grandmother had the disease. It's just that I don't trust the Susan G. Koman foundation to do it. Last time I checked their website, they are still choosing to not mention the studies that prove a huge risk factor for breast cancer...abortion. Don't believe me? Check out this great website: abortionbreastcancer.com. Maybe if I "run for the cure" they ought to "run for the truth." Millions of women deserve to know.

Do you speak cable?

I'm still smiling over what happened yesterday. I finally picked up the 800 number, waded through 200 voice mail commands telling me my call was being recorded, and ordered cable TV. Nothing fancy though...just the sub-low-nobody watches this stuff--bare bones basic. I had to. My show is on one of the public access channels and I really need to see how much that 8lbs. I gained in Florida shows up. I host a life-affirming (translation: pro-life) show called "Woman 2 Woman" and I have had a great time showcasing really fun topics. In October we did "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" because October...well, IS. What an amazing group of moms and daughters we had as well as a theatre troup! It's so fulfilling to be able to honor our brothers and sisters with different abilities and share the message that every person has dignity and value and let's all be reminded to support and love those parents out there who take up the challenge to say "yes" to life!!! Anyway, back to the cable...so the guy says "Sorry, it won't work, because your remote won't get me to the menu." Huh? Let's just say my technical ability wouldn't even compare to those fighting over swings on the playground, but even I surprised myself. I said "Couldn't you just run it through the VCR?" Silence. But, you know what scares me? I mean, if we techno-impaired women have to do all the thinking for these so-called professionals, where is it going to end? Can you see this in your surgery some day? Doctor: "I'm sorry, you're going to die. I just can't repair that valve." Patient: (on operating table) "Well, okay but couldn't you just run a line through that other organ over there?" Scary.

Speaking of Florida... I don't know why, but my friend Janet (see former blog) really likes me and wanted me to be a delegate for the presidential debate she hosted in Fort Lauderdale in September. This was really cool because not only did I get to get away from the kid and dinner duties for three days, I got to wear high heels and pearls. It just seemed so Presidential. Anyway, I understand thousands of people across America had been praying and fasting for the results of this debate, so that we would have a clear--- make no mistake about it--- person to rally behind for President. In other words, Janet wanted God's choice to be revealed. Pretty heavy stuff I thought, but "why not?" One by one we filed into the Broward Center for the Performing arts and were handed an electronic voting device. None of us really had any particular favorite going in. The door was wide open. But, whoa, baby did that change. When the results were tallied, we all sat there in total shock to see what we'd done. In what can only be described as a LANDSLIDE we had overwhelmingly voted for MIKE HUCKABEE. All the months of prayer and fasting had given us what we had prayed for---an unmistakable clear answer and person to get behind. I wouldn't have believed it if Ihadn't seen it for myself. You can hear all about it if you go to Janet Folger's radio show at F2a.org. I even got interviewed on her October 19th show! It's an experience I will never forget...especially since on Monday night after the debate everyone in the hotel (including the candidates) were awakened at 3am with a fire alarm. I was on the ninth floor and the candidates on the 11th. Somewhere on the stairwell are my glasses that I never did find, and now I'm getting by with dorky ones from the dollar store, but you know what? It was worth it!! I'm not kidding....this guy is amazing. So, don't forget...you heard it here first!!!