Winterizing a small Willage

One night on vacation Jack and I slipped away for an hour to do a little outlet shopping. We slipped into Children's Place to get the boys some school clothes. While we pretty much bombed out on that front, we had royal success on another.

We were at the cash register to pay for the 3 sweater vests I bought (for $23--which I thought was a deal at the time) for the boys. There was a big bin next to the register marked 5 for $1. Being the bottom feeders that we are, we investigated. It was tons of nice knit and fleece hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves. Having 3 boys also means losing tons of those things, so we thought for $0.20 we'd toss some in. As she was ringing them in, we were like, "Oh, buy a few more for neighborhood kids." Seeing we were easily persuaded consumers, the salesperson said, "Are you sure you don't want more? Your total is only at $7."

"Heck, why not? We can donate some to the Women's Resource Center. Ah, get a few more, we can donate them to the Christmas Store." Again, seeing we were just flaunting our 1 dollar bills around, she said, "Do you just want to buy it all?" We looked at each other and said, "Why not?!" And she dumped the bins onto the counter. We had left these fleece slippers in the bins because we didn't like them, but when we realized we could donate them to a little girl who has never owned a pair in her life, the $0.20 seemed to beckon us onward. In dumping the bins of unwanted items into our bags we also came across a girls sun hat, a few bow ties, and some purses. It was a veritable menagerie.

So in the end, we were able to buy 76 items (some rang in at $.09) for $17.16. (See S with our receipt.) We figured we got it all for about 98% off. I do believe we hit the motherload and every sale from here on out will be a disappointment. It's hard to peak at such a young age, but alas, some people go there whole life without such satisfaction.

And PS--if you show up at a baby shower where I am giving a hat, glove, and scarf set--mums the word, eh?

So guess what the boys got for a collective birthday/Christmas present from Grandpa James and Grandma Linda...not even the rain can stop him!

Ingrid Betancourt is FREE! And I had nothing to do with it. Shame on me.

Tonight I heard the most memerizing press conference with Ingrid Betancourt herself. She has been held hostage in Colombia for 6 years, captured while she was running for President. Here is where is gets trippy for us.

About 4 years ago Jack bought me this book at the Dollar Store because he knows I am a sucker for anything about female political activists. And I read quickly--so for a dollar, why not. I read the book and it was fascinating. I thought it was so fantastic--such an bold and assuming woman--but I never followed up on it.

While we were in France, this exact pic of her book was hanging on a humungous banner draped from a building we stumbled upon. We figured she was there speaking about her book or politics in Colombia or something, since it was the jacket cover on the banner. She also is a French citizen, so we didn't think much of it. Plus, not reading French put us at a disadvantage.

Turns out it was a vigil for her, and they used that cover because it was the latest pic of her. Seeing the headline tonight, Jack called me in and we were flabergasted to see she has been in captivity for 6 years, and tonight she is free. No thanks to us.

It was an ironic kick in the pants that I have got to do more--to be more. Not just for my family, or my community, but for the world. I want my boys to grow up defending the undefended. Rescues like this won't happen everyday, so I have got to be a voice for people who have none. No excuses.

Musical chairs--without the chairs

I just finished a fantastic vacation with my extended family. I want to post about some of our events, but until I get the chance, I just want to tell them how wonderful it was to spend time with the wonderful women who shape my life...even if it was an event just trying to get a photo taken with them!
Love to all--Wendy and Reaghan, where were you for this ladies only shot? Well, ladies only with the exception of S's tiny legs.

Finding musical peace in an unsteady world

Today as we were driving home from my moms I was listening to Regina Spektor and the song "fidelity" came on and F was like, "Oh, I love this song!" and started singing along with the chorus. It reminded me of when he was in 1st grade and as we were driving to the grocery store I had the latest (at the time) Indigo Girls album on and he busted out with the chorus of the song "Fill it Up Again".

It's funny because after that moment in the car I started talking to him about music, and while he knew the words to Dar Williams and Lenny Kravitz, he didn't know some of the basic nursery songs. My friend Lauren always had kid music blasting from her car and I was so disappointed because she herself had some great musical stylings, but her mother-self had taken over the car radio. When I realized F couldn't sing the words to "Pop goes the Weasel", I wondered who had it right. I went out and bought a few kid cds at the Dollar store and for a year or two we went overboard on the children's cds.

I am happy to report after this afternoon, I think we have come full circle. We can bust a seatbelted move to "Alphabet of Nations" just as quick as we are to belt out some Jack Johnson lyrics. We have found musical harmony, so to speak.