The inequity of it all

How does someone like Paul Newman die and ...........I'm trying to think of someone I'd like to have died but that's just awful so I won't (though Bin Laden comes to mind).

Paul Newman celebrated his 50th anniversary to JoAnne Woodward in January 2008. That's amazing in this day and age. Especially for Hollywood. In addition to their long standing union, the two blazed amazing philanthropic trails.

Paul started the 'Newman's Own' business in 1983 in response to repeated requests from his neighbors for his homemade salad dressing. That business has thrived into a $250 million dollar enterprise from which the proceeds are directly routed into various charitable foundations. The money has assisted those in need in the US and overseas. One of the causes that was most dear to Mr. Newman's heart (from his website, I'm not just making this up) is the children's camp he founded called Hole in the wall (http://www.holeinthewallcamps.org/). The children who go to the camp often have incurable diseases. The entire tuition is coverd by Newman's Own proceeds.

If you want to have a good cry go to the Newman's Own web site (http://63.131.143.186/), scroll down and play his video. The man was amazing. The world as a whole is going to miss him.

If you have a penny to donate, do it. You know who you are, DO IT! And having a jar of his salsa doesn't count, though this stuff is AMAZING!

Sarah Palin I ain't

So John and I put some effort into supporting a local State Representative primary candidate, Michael Maresco. By "supporting" I mean we had his sign in our yard, got a sitter, went to his house to stuff envelopes and ate and drank for free. Pretty much a win, win if you ask me.

Not so much. He lost. By quite a lot.

I was truly upset, not just because I really think the guy is a good guy and would have done a good job but because of the lottery factor.

What, you may ask, is the lottery factor? When I, on very rare occassions, buy a scratch ticket or a lottery ticket I truly expect to win. I go around the whole day thinking of what I'll do with the money which always starts with philanthropy and ends with shoes. Once I scratch and, inevitably, lose I am truly surprised. And pissed.

Same thing with the state rep primary. I really thought that just because we liked this guy everyone else would listen to us and like him as well. I'm slowly learning that the power of persuasion I thought I possessed may not actually exist. Except with the kids because they still do what I tell them to, for the most part.

So last night was my first PTA meeting. Wow was that an eyeopener. It was truly awful. I thought people had to be joking but, no, they are not. The "board" was a clique, the audience was mostly ignored expect for one woman who would not shut up and there were no snacks. Seriously, you have a meeting from 7 to 9pm with NO snacks and you are asking these people to give all of their free time (and money) to a school for which we already pay taxes? Strangely enough I was not elected to the school council, which I had put my name in for. I think they may have been put off by the fact that I didn't have a sweatshirt and crocs on or that I admitted that I work full-time. I could see the wheels turning, "Works full-time? She'll never be able to bake 300 cakes, draw a mural and weave an indian basket by Monday. Pick the loud mouth."

Suffice it to say I probably won't be going back, which seems to be the cool thing to do anyway seeing that there were about 25 people total representing the 433 kids in the school. And you do know how I like to be cool.....

Firsts

This past week has been a week of firsts:
Brooke's first day of kindergarten (which went v. well except for some twirpy little first grader who gave her a hard time on the bus but, thankfully, her friend Victoria has enough sass for both of them and handled the kid - from what I could gather)
Brooke's first time riding the slide in the indoor pool at the Y which meant she had to swim the length of an Olympic pool to get "cleared" to slide. She also took a swim evaluation and has progressed two levels. Strangely, she moved up two levels during the summer when she didn't have any lessons... what does that tell you about swim lessons? Lexi, btw, not to be left out, tested into the Eel class which, as she likes to point out endlessly, is one level above where Brooke started at her age. Brooke is now a Ray.
Mommy's first isn't quite as exciting, it was the first time someone told me "You look good for you age." The day before my 39th b'day. Quite the reality check. Well, gotta go, time to dye those gray hairs and take my dentures out for my afternoon nap...zzzzzzzzz.