R's daddy: Tell Alison who the president is.
R: Huh-bahk Mo-momma
Alison, to R while she was in the bathtub: Would you like to sing a song with me? What shall we sing?
R: Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the seem
Marry, Marry, Marry, Marry
SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH (she sing-screams as she smacks her toy boat into the water.)
Row Your Boat, Version 2
lyrics by Rosie
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the seem
Down, down, down down
Up Rosie's leg (as she has the boat 'sail' down her legs, then up them.)
Note that her phrasing perfectly fit with the song. I was impressed!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Firefighter For a Day
Do you have one of those lists of things you want to do or try before you die? I can check 'firefighting' off my list.
On Saturday I went with Amy to a ladies luncheon at her church. It was nice and very well thought out. We learned how to get a picture perfect turkey, as well as how to make center pieces.
About ten minutes after our arrival, an older lady at our table looked over at the dessert table along the wall and said, 'that almost looks like it's on fire."
Ummmmm....that's because it WAS on fire.
The centerpiece was a bunch of plastic/glittery pumpkins and fall foliage with three candles in the middle (with no glass around them.) I jumped up and tried blowing on the fire, but it was no use. It was escalating fairly quickly, and I was worried it would start burning up the wall within a moment or two, and this is a newly renovated church. Amy assisted by bringing me the water pitcher from our table, and I poured it over the flaming centerpiece and put out the fire.
The best part? The women coordinating didn't remove it or do anything about it. The desserts were served on the table, charred centerpiece and all, complete with water all over it. I daresay if you weren't on our side of the room, the ladies didn't know it happened, or notice that it was burned and wet.
On Saturday I went with Amy to a ladies luncheon at her church. It was nice and very well thought out. We learned how to get a picture perfect turkey, as well as how to make center pieces.
About ten minutes after our arrival, an older lady at our table looked over at the dessert table along the wall and said, 'that almost looks like it's on fire."
Ummmmm....that's because it WAS on fire.
The centerpiece was a bunch of plastic/glittery pumpkins and fall foliage with three candles in the middle (with no glass around them.) I jumped up and tried blowing on the fire, but it was no use. It was escalating fairly quickly, and I was worried it would start burning up the wall within a moment or two, and this is a newly renovated church. Amy assisted by bringing me the water pitcher from our table, and I poured it over the flaming centerpiece and put out the fire.
The best part? The women coordinating didn't remove it or do anything about it. The desserts were served on the table, charred centerpiece and all, complete with water all over it. I daresay if you weren't on our side of the room, the ladies didn't know it happened, or notice that it was burned and wet.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Most Important Commandment
This has been an interesting week, no? So many angry, as well as gloating, folks regarding the election. I have seen friends blog and get not-so-nice comments in return, and have heard stories of arguments between people in relationship.
Earlier this week, however, I was hanging out with two women from my church. One was caucasian, the other African-American. The Caucasian was upset that so many people were wearing "Change Can Happen" shirts or talking about how America now has hope. I finally said, "I think that hope is okay. There's nothing wrong with having hope. Help me understand what you're thinking." She responded defensively with, "It is NOT okay if that hope is being put into one person instead of Jesus Christ." I said that I don't see that as the hope, but in the hope for a different future...one that we as Caucasians can't fathom.
Last night I was at a fundraiser for The Firehouse and heard an incredible story that, I feel embodies the hope. A Pastor talked about young man, let's call him Tom. Tom works a corner in Pastor's neighborhood and does his thing. Every day for ten years, Pastor has stopped by to see Tom and invite him to breakfast or lunch. Because of Tom's responsibilities on the corner, he couldn't really leave it without getting in trouble. On Nov. 5, Pastor stopped by to see Tom, and Tom pulled his ballot receipt out of his pocket and said, "Pastor, yesterday I voted...I voted," and was overcome with emotion. He then asked if Pastor could take him to lunch.
At lunch that day, Tom told Pastor how he sees an opportunity for a better future. Seeing an African-American man who came from nothing get elected gives Tom hope that systems can change and give the same opportunities to his people that the rest of us get. He has hope for grace and forgiveness and the opportunity to work. This week he has been at the tech center at Pastor's church, getting an email address and trying to find ways to get himself out of his lifestyle.
Tom is sure to face obstacles, and stumble on his way to getting off the streets. It will be hard for him to find a job in this market and economy, and its sure to pay a lot less than he's currently making. But that hope that he has is what is life-changing and opens the door for the Holy Spirit. And that is never a bad thing.
I know some will read this and claim that Tom has the same opportunities the rest of us do. As someone who has lived in the country, in the suburbs and the city, I can say that you don't know what you don't know until you've lived for a significant amount of time in an urban center. Things are not the same. The graduation rate in cities is only 50%. Due to gangs and drugs, its difficult to get good teachers, so those that do graduate are given a sub-par education. My boss's daughter has to share a Spanish textbook with two other classmates. Often times, the valedictorians from inner city schools will flunk out at a college.
You are dependent on public transportation to get you around. If a student has to cross gang lines to get to school, they may opt to skip a few days a week to avoid the violence. There was a shooting yesterday where a young man told his grandpa that he didn't want to go to school because he thought he might get killed. His body was found next to another one around 4 pm, Many inner cities have very corrupt police systems, where the police are just as dangerous (in some cases, moreso) than the gangsters. It's a very different environment than even the poorest rural Caucasians can imagine, with very few opportunities to get out.
Sometimes we have to force ourselves to think outside our context. It's necessary for our country to move forward.
I know many may read this and say that they won't support anyone that supports abortion or homosexuality, because those ideals are antithetical to Jesus' teachings. I would just ask people to remember what Jesus response was when asked what is the most important commandment: to love no other Gods before me, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Legalism is when we focus too much on specific acts, and not on relationships and people. It was the downfall of the Pharisees back in the day. Remember how they spent hours questioning Jesus, focusing on legalistic things?
Whether you support Blue or Red, let's embrace something that puts the hope of Jesus Christ within reach for people.
Earlier this week, however, I was hanging out with two women from my church. One was caucasian, the other African-American. The Caucasian was upset that so many people were wearing "Change Can Happen" shirts or talking about how America now has hope. I finally said, "I think that hope is okay. There's nothing wrong with having hope. Help me understand what you're thinking." She responded defensively with, "It is NOT okay if that hope is being put into one person instead of Jesus Christ." I said that I don't see that as the hope, but in the hope for a different future...one that we as Caucasians can't fathom.
Last night I was at a fundraiser for The Firehouse and heard an incredible story that, I feel embodies the hope. A Pastor talked about young man, let's call him Tom. Tom works a corner in Pastor's neighborhood and does his thing. Every day for ten years, Pastor has stopped by to see Tom and invite him to breakfast or lunch. Because of Tom's responsibilities on the corner, he couldn't really leave it without getting in trouble. On Nov. 5, Pastor stopped by to see Tom, and Tom pulled his ballot receipt out of his pocket and said, "Pastor, yesterday I voted...I voted," and was overcome with emotion. He then asked if Pastor could take him to lunch.
At lunch that day, Tom told Pastor how he sees an opportunity for a better future. Seeing an African-American man who came from nothing get elected gives Tom hope that systems can change and give the same opportunities to his people that the rest of us get. He has hope for grace and forgiveness and the opportunity to work. This week he has been at the tech center at Pastor's church, getting an email address and trying to find ways to get himself out of his lifestyle.
Tom is sure to face obstacles, and stumble on his way to getting off the streets. It will be hard for him to find a job in this market and economy, and its sure to pay a lot less than he's currently making. But that hope that he has is what is life-changing and opens the door for the Holy Spirit. And that is never a bad thing.
I know some will read this and claim that Tom has the same opportunities the rest of us do. As someone who has lived in the country, in the suburbs and the city, I can say that you don't know what you don't know until you've lived for a significant amount of time in an urban center. Things are not the same. The graduation rate in cities is only 50%. Due to gangs and drugs, its difficult to get good teachers, so those that do graduate are given a sub-par education. My boss's daughter has to share a Spanish textbook with two other classmates. Often times, the valedictorians from inner city schools will flunk out at a college.
You are dependent on public transportation to get you around. If a student has to cross gang lines to get to school, they may opt to skip a few days a week to avoid the violence. There was a shooting yesterday where a young man told his grandpa that he didn't want to go to school because he thought he might get killed. His body was found next to another one around 4 pm, Many inner cities have very corrupt police systems, where the police are just as dangerous (in some cases, moreso) than the gangsters. It's a very different environment than even the poorest rural Caucasians can imagine, with very few opportunities to get out.
Sometimes we have to force ourselves to think outside our context. It's necessary for our country to move forward.
I know many may read this and say that they won't support anyone that supports abortion or homosexuality, because those ideals are antithetical to Jesus' teachings. I would just ask people to remember what Jesus response was when asked what is the most important commandment: to love no other Gods before me, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Legalism is when we focus too much on specific acts, and not on relationships and people. It was the downfall of the Pharisees back in the day. Remember how they spent hours questioning Jesus, focusing on legalistic things?
Whether you support Blue or Red, let's embrace something that puts the hope of Jesus Christ within reach for people.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Who Knew Bees Could Be So Interesting?
The movie really isn't about bees. =)Went to see this film last night, and it was sooo worth it. I was so engrossed in it that I didn't even notice when one of the friends I was with got up and left to go to the bathroom.
I will be shocked if Dakota Fanning doesn't get nominated, and possibly win, an Oscar for her performance.
This is one of those movies where just about every woman can relate in some way. It tapped into all kinds of emotions for me. I will buy both the book and the movie, and cherish them always.
Alison gives it two thumbs up and a heart-felt nod.
Disclaimer - this is not a movie for young girls. I would keep it at age 12 and up because some of the violence is hard to handle. It takes place during 1964, right after the Civil Rights Act was signed.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I babysat R tonight. She enthusiastically greeted me and kept screaming "Boo!" I asked her if she got to dress up yesterday, and she said, "Yeah! Ghost! Candy! Boo!!!" Her mother, chuckling, informed me that she was not a ghost, but a princess. I'm sure I'll have photos emailed to me in a day or two.
Later on, she was melting down with separation anxiety at bath/bedtime. She has been so good about that for at least six months...I'm not sure what's been bringing this back on the last few weeks, but she's been reverting back to her old ways of throwing tantrums and getting angry/melting down when her parents aren't there when she asks about them a few hours into the evening.
At any rate, this was a monster of a meltdown/tantrum, and I was determined to have her follow instructions on her own and not be 'babied.' She's old enough to understand what you're saying to her, and to be disciplined for misbehaving (time out, picking up things she threw, etc.) Earlier in the evening I had to take her by the hand and make her pick up a DVD case that she threw on the floor then proceeded to stomp on while I told her no. She kept trying the "but I'm so cute" smile when I asked her to pick it up. I finally made her do it. She contemplated throwing a fit, and even opened her mouth and screwed her face up, but made the choice not to throw that tantrum and picked up the case. I was so proud of her.
At bed/bath time, it was a blowout, throw herself on the floor, screaming louder and louder, full on temper tantrum. I actually yelled at her for the first time ever, telling her to, "get up those stairs to the bathroom right now!" when she kept disobeying me. I had told her that she had the choice of staying up another half hour until her bath/bed time by stopping her fit, or we could do it right then and she could go to bed immediately. She opted for the meltdown, so she got a quick bath with no toys and we went into the bedroom to change into jammies. She stopped screaming, reached her arms out, and melted into a hug. Then she sat back and asked, "mommy daddy not come on home?" I usually tell her that Mommy and Daddy went out, and they will be there when she wakes up, and that usually suffices. Not the last couple of weeks.
I finally told her it is like when she and mommy go to Aaden's house (a buddy of her's who lives two houses down) and leave Daddy at home. He misses them, and they come home after they are done playing with Aaden. Then I told her that Mommy and Daddy went to their buddy's house to play, and would come home after they were done. She wiped her eyes, stopped her wimpering and said, "Okay, Alison. Night-night, I love you!" and pointed at her crib. Not another peep out of her. When I told her parents that when they came home, they both went, "REALLY?!?!" I just thought it was funny.
Later on, she was melting down with separation anxiety at bath/bedtime. She has been so good about that for at least six months...I'm not sure what's been bringing this back on the last few weeks, but she's been reverting back to her old ways of throwing tantrums and getting angry/melting down when her parents aren't there when she asks about them a few hours into the evening.
At any rate, this was a monster of a meltdown/tantrum, and I was determined to have her follow instructions on her own and not be 'babied.' She's old enough to understand what you're saying to her, and to be disciplined for misbehaving (time out, picking up things she threw, etc.) Earlier in the evening I had to take her by the hand and make her pick up a DVD case that she threw on the floor then proceeded to stomp on while I told her no. She kept trying the "but I'm so cute" smile when I asked her to pick it up. I finally made her do it. She contemplated throwing a fit, and even opened her mouth and screwed her face up, but made the choice not to throw that tantrum and picked up the case. I was so proud of her.
At bed/bath time, it was a blowout, throw herself on the floor, screaming louder and louder, full on temper tantrum. I actually yelled at her for the first time ever, telling her to, "get up those stairs to the bathroom right now!" when she kept disobeying me. I had told her that she had the choice of staying up another half hour until her bath/bed time by stopping her fit, or we could do it right then and she could go to bed immediately. She opted for the meltdown, so she got a quick bath with no toys and we went into the bedroom to change into jammies. She stopped screaming, reached her arms out, and melted into a hug. Then she sat back and asked, "mommy daddy not come on home?" I usually tell her that Mommy and Daddy went out, and they will be there when she wakes up, and that usually suffices. Not the last couple of weeks.
I finally told her it is like when she and mommy go to Aaden's house (a buddy of her's who lives two houses down) and leave Daddy at home. He misses them, and they come home after they are done playing with Aaden. Then I told her that Mommy and Daddy went to their buddy's house to play, and would come home after they were done. She wiped her eyes, stopped her wimpering and said, "Okay, Alison. Night-night, I love you!" and pointed at her crib. Not another peep out of her. When I told her parents that when they came home, they both went, "REALLY?!?!" I just thought it was funny.
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