you know...the ones with screw top bottles. Some of them can be quite good at the end of a long evening out.

But wine in a juice box with a straw? Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd worry about kids that can't read yet mistaking these for theirs and then you'd have drunk toddlers on your hands....probably not worth the risk.

On the other hand, if kids aren't an issue and you're not a wine snob - why not? Kinda weird, but it might be convenient if you like your wine on the go.

The Boy walked into the laundry room earlier this evening while I was moving clothes from the washer to the dryer. The following conversation ensued:

Him: "Hey, why do you look like that?"

Me: "Look like what?"

Him: "I dunno...dressed up or something."

Me: "You mean in a t-shirt, shorts and sandals?"

Him: "Yeah, I guess..."

It got me to thinking....he's been off for the past four days and Tommy's been gone for most of that. I guess the only things he's seen me in have been swim suits, PJ's, sweats and slippers.

You know you've gotten too relaxed in your dress when your son considers a t-shirt and shorts "dressed up". I really oughta get out more....or at least get dressed more often.

I traded emails today with my dad, who thinks I should be working given that I do have a particular skill set and can actually write. I've talked about why I don't work in a previous post.

The exchange today got me thinking again about why I don't work and what it was like when I did work. There are various reasons why I don't work, foremost among them being transportation and activity issues with The Boy.

Another BIG reason why I don't work is because when I do work - I GO ALL IN. By all in, I mean getting up at 5:30, being to work by 7:30, working all day long (lunch at my desk), driving home to eat dinner...and then immediately after dinner getting straight back to work. Tommy would often ask me why I even bothered coming home for dinner if all I was going to do was work.

In addition, many, many, many planned family trips were canceled because of my work. Whether it be pulling together kit components and videos for four simultaneous new product launches or helping to prepare the quarterly financial news release....in my world family time took a back seat to work...always...no exceptions. And I traveled for work as well, with trade shows and media tours with the CEO. The CEO even called me at home when I was taking a couple of days off with my sister as she was down for a visit..some PR crisis or another, I can't remember.

When I worked, I was always the busiest person..and always the person they would give extra work to because they knew I would get it done. I always envied (okay, hated) those people that actually took their vacations - weeks at a time - while I remained behind and picked up the slack. At my last job, I was the ONLY one in the company who knew anything about public relations, so I managed three agencies (one of them in London), wrote most of the news releases, and approved all third party PR including our company name. It was a heavy burden that I resented at times...and I guess I can understand if Tommy did too.

However, I can't say that the company was totally to blame. I liked to have control over my work, and that meant that I just took care of what needed to be taken care of rather than considering help from elsewhere. If it got to be too much even for me, I would sit down with the CEO and we would work out priorities...he was a really good CEO. Unfortunately, my direct boss was more interested in taking long lunches, skipping out on scheduled press interviews, and refusing to provide needed approvals, if I'm being honest.

Yes...I could have taken those family trips and been gone for extended periods...but the work would have suffered, and I was all about leaving no loose ends and doing the best possible job. Even after the company was sold and I could have slacked off during those last few weeks, I still prepared an upcoming press release grid and wrote four press releases for the new company's PR team. And the CEO thanked me for being "super-professional" about the whole thing.

I guess what I'm saying is if you're an "all-in" person when it comes to work, then I know from personal experience that all other areas of your life will suffer. I can remember falling asleep at 7:30 at night while playing Monopoly with The Boy.

So life is all about priorities. And after that last time I got laid off, Tommy and I took a good hard look at our finances and talked about our priorities. During these critical years with The Boy, we both decided that he had to be the priority. And I must say it was definitely the right decision...for us (me being the "all in at work" type of person that I am).

So what if I don't shop at Nieman's or even Dillard's (very often)? So what if I don't drive a Mercedes? So what if I don't wear $300 shoes? I get to travel quite a bit, spend lots of time with The Boy during this very critical time, pay close attention to my health, and spend time with Tommy when he is home.

Yes...for us...me being "all in" at home is definitely better than me being "all in" at work.

So...when you work, are you "all in" or are you able to leave it at the office and take full advantage of your time away from your desk?

But it looks like I got one anyway. See?

We also have some gorgeous large bushes with pink knock-out roses which are very pretty to look at, but not so good for clipping. There are two different blood red rose bushes in the yard, but right now no good stems on those to show you.

I'm so happy the yellow ones are finally starting to bloom. They are my favorite.

So said Peaches on the topic of "Just So You Know"
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You Are Guinness

You know beer well, and you'll only drink the best beers in the world. Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them. When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don't know well. But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around.

Note: Clearly I need to find something better to do with my time. But I just love it when I get the answer I wanted!

I guess I speak American....

Hmmm....must be all the states I've lived in (North, South and East anyway).

This just goes to show you. If your man asks you for a sandwich, you'd better make him one...

Because honestyrain tagged me, I must come up with six weird things about me. However...lucky me, I did five weird things about me a few months ago.

So I only have one more to add to the list, and here it is:

6. I like to dip my potato chips in ketchup. Lots of it. The only time this is not the case is when I have tuna salad or chicken salad - then the chips must NOT be dipped, because even I am not weird enough for that.

Well that was easy. Back to napping now...

The following conversation took place after school today.

Me: "Come and take these margaritas up to the fridge in the bar."

The Boy: "Are we having a party or something?"

Me: "No, Buffi's coming into town and she might stop by for a drink."

The Boy: "But why do we need two gallons of margaritas?"

Me: "Didn't you hear me? Buffi might come by for a drink."

Enough said. Right?

I've had to turn comment moderation on because of some persistent pesky spammers. I'll try to be as quick as I can to approve comments from those of you who are not spammers.

Do these people not know that most of us have no desire to visit their online pharmacies, nor do we have money to play their online poker games? Geez....and we won't even talk about those "other" sites they're trying to entice us to go visit.

Their fault moderation is turned on, but please comment on my posts if you so desire and I will quickly put you on the "trusted" list.

I know a girl named Cory. She thinks she's cool. I've talked about her before here.

Anyway, I was talking to my sister tonight and she informed me that Cory had broken her wrist over the weekend while playing dodgeball. The Boy and I watched Dodgeball a couple weeks ago. It was pretty funny...although I think the PG-13 rating was a little weak....

Anyway, you expect people to break their wrists snowboarding or playing hockey or football or something...but dodgeball? Completely ridiculous.

Unless of course you are Cory. She not only thinks she is cool....she is VERY competitive. I can just picture her flying through the air, checking everyone in site to avoid a ball as she fell to the ground - only to hear that crisp, clean snap of her wrist bone breaking (radius or ulna....I'm not sure) as she landed.

But I still think she could have picked a cooler activity than dodgeball if she was going to fall on her sword and break her wrist.....

Mom: "Charlie, why do you always have to be so difficult? Just put your shoes on and let's re-tie them. Everyone has to wear shoes and keep them tied."

4 Year-Old Charlie: "Jesus didn't wear any shoes. He went barefoot."

Pretty hard for the mom to argue that point, right? Well...after a minute she said:

"Jesus wore sandals. He had to tie the laces on his sandals."

Smart kid....smart mom, too!

You Should Get a MBA (Masters of Business Administration)

You're a self starter with a drive for success. You'd make a great entrepreneur.

Acquired from Kris.

Well it appears that Chirac had to back down due to all the protesting in France. Now Chirac says he's going to "replace" the legislation that would have allowed employers to fire workers under the age of 26.

Chirac was quoted in the article, saying:

"I wanted to act quickly, because the dramatic situation and the despair of many youths demanded it."

Of course, this should be no surprise to anyone...a different outcome could not have been expected given France's history of backing down from conflict.

Also, what did they expect when they passed this law? They have a population that is used to handouts for everything, including jobs for life. A system like that would be VERY hard to change under any circumstances. I mean, if you had a free meal ticket for life wouldn't you do what you could to force the government to continue your gravy train status? What's happened here is a good example of how an entitlement society operates. Once you hand everything out for free, it's really hard to go back.

Details have yet to be disclosed, but I'm sure the "replacement" legislation will be everything the protesters wanted, if not more.

1. It's nice out. I mean really nice out. See how nice they say it is?

2. The pool is still clean. See it in the plenty of sunshine that we have?

3. I am slightly more tan (see #1).

4. The boy is full with soup and a grilled cheese.

5. I am not full; therefore I must go find something to eat.

That is all.

So said Peaches on the topic of "Just So You Know"
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Yes, that's right. I feel like posting but I don't have anything concrete around a centralized idea to say, so here we go again with random thoughts:

1. We had to put the cat on a diet.
2. He weighs 14.5 pounds.
3. The cat does NOT like being on a diet.
4. Food that he would leave alone before has moved up the ladder and is now closely investigated when left out.
5. Tommy had to go to Buenos Aires today.
6. Because we are almost out of wine.
7. No really, he actually had a trip.
8. But that doesn't mean he won't buy wine while there.
9. The cat woke me up at 8 this morning because he was hungry.
10. I didn't like that.
11. The Boy was already up playing the XBox 360 by then.
12. And the pool was full of plant material due to a rain and wind storm last night.
13. So I had to clean out the pool.
14. I hate to clean the pool.
15. I may have to call those wonderful pool vacuuming guys to come visit and actually pay for the work this time.
16. Maybe.
17. I took The Boy to get jeans today.
18. It was not fun.
19. He's particular about his clothes.
20. And his hair.
21. But I digress.
22. I am keeping to the menu put before you earlier this week.
23. Yes, we had enchiladas and Spanish rice tonight.
24. It was good.
25. Earlier today I took a long nap while The Boy....
26. Wait for it.....
27. Played XBox 360.
28. The Boy has bad allergy symptoms today after that storm.
29. So staying inside was key to cut down on the sneezing and coughing and nose drainage, and....
30. Well, you get the picture.
31. Why do I continue?
32. Clearly I have nothing to say.
33. So I will finish this post because Saturday Night Live is a new one.
34. And Antonio Banderas is the host.
35. Love Antonio Banderas.
36. And all that ballroom stuff he's doing in his new movie.
37. I can't remember what the name of that new movie is.
38. But I don't care...
39. Because...well...Antonio Banderas.
40. I must go now and pre-drink before SNL.

Buh-bye.

About a half hour ago The Boy and I were at Kohl's arguing about which jeans I'd let him get (I thought that size 16s were way too big for a very thin 11 year old; he did not).

Anyway, as we headed to the dressing rooms with the compromise choices I felt this tug on my pants leg. I looked down and found an unbelievably cute 2-yr. old boy looking up at me with great big blue eyes.

Him: "Hey, where'd grandma go?"

Me: "I don't know, let's go see if we can find her....(us walking)....is this your grandma?"

Him: "No."

Me: "Let's go over here and see if we can find her..."

Him: "Grandma!"

All of us who are parents have been through this while shopping at one point or another. I was glad I could help. Poor little guy. And poor grandma. She was white as a sheet beneath her deep Texas tan.

We've all heard about the dangers present on the Internet when it comes to kids. Our computer babies are now all on line IM'ing their friends, looking up materials for reports, and, yes....creating their own personal sites and blogs.

While I don't think there's anything wrong with them doing this if they are closely supervised, I do think there are dangers out there that the kids refuse to acknowledge. I have a niece and nephew who have their own sites on a faith-based service. But their sites are public and anyone who has access to the Internet can read what they've written, see their personal profiles, and look at the pictures they've posted of themselves. Their last names are no longer on the profiles, but they used to be and that worried me greatly. Not because I think these kids are stupid - because they're not. But even the smartest kid or adult can be led to think a person they are conversing with on line is trustworthy. Sometimes they're not...and this can have serious consequences, especially for a young teen aged girl.

Oh, I've talked to them about all this stuff and the importance of maintaining anonymity on line, but they truly believe that only good Christian kids they know at church or elsewhere even bother to go on their sites. I say just because they're not commenting, it doesn't mean they're not looking....it's a good thing they live in a very safe area and the danger is very low that anyone would be able to find them in person. Or I would worry a whole lot more about them, especially my niece.

Anyway.....our son does have IM capability but we closely monitor who can IM him (only allowing messages from people he's put on the approved by us list), what he's saying and look at the log to read what's been said (same with his Internet history to check which sites he's been visiting). I think this small invasion of his privacy is a small price for him to pay to have all the modern conveniences at his disposal. But there are lot of parents out there that both work and don't have the time to monitor things as closely.

If you have teenagers who have access to the Internet, I strongly encourage you to watch the Dateline episode on this subject on Sunday. The more times we can show our kids how easily this stuff can happen to even those that think they are being safe, the greater the chances that the message will finally get through their very trusting (and sometimes naive) natures.

Tommy found us a new wine last time he was in Buenos Aires. We've determined that the bottle contains EXACTLY four of these fine Waterford red wine glasses at the exact mark of the arrow. See?

Yes, definitely good...and worth fighting for that last glass.

So said Peaches on the topic of "What is Good?"
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First, how does he sit like that? It looks like he has no bones in his body.

And second, how does he get his eyes to glow two different colors like that? I backed away very slowly after we took this picture. Very scary.

Don't forget to go visit The Friday Ark.

So said Peaches on the topic of "Chocolate Chip"
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I was really going to just let this one go without comment since I do think it's become a way bigger story than it needs to be.

You can read the whole story here.. To summarize for you, Cynthia McKinney is a member of the House of Representatives and as such is allowed to bypass standard security checkpoints when entering Congressional office buildings....provided she is wearing her Congressional pin. Well, last Friday she was not wearing a pin and was stopped (rightly so, I think) by a Capitol Police Officer while attempting to bypass security. After being called out to, McKinney ignored the officer and continued on her way, at which time the officer grabbed her arm to take her aside and talk to her. Then apparently she hit the officer in the chest with a cell phone, maybe more than once.

So over the weekend McKinney said the officer knew who she was and had let her pass many times before, and was claiming she was stopped due to racial profiling. I really don't know how she could have expected anyone to automatically recognize her, what with the drastic new dew and all, but still...the point is...SHE WAS NOT WEARING HER CONGRESSIONAL PIN. From what I understand it's protocol to stop anyone bypassing security that does not have a pin. McKinney made no apologies.

But then....the incident was taken before a grand jury to determine if charges should be filed against her for assaulting a police officer (with her cell phone). And wonder of wonders....today McKinney made a public statement apologizing for the incident and in support of the Capitol Police. Hey, I saw it live.....if you saw the look on her face you would say (like I do) it was the most fake "sincere apology" I have ever seen. Clearly she thought she had to do this to defray bad press over playing the race card over the weekend - especially given that she got no support on that from anyone in her party.

Although McKinney does not claim this to be the case (racial profiling idea aside) I do think this comes down to a sense of entitlement and privilege that she (and I'm sure many others) feel is their due as they are elected officials in the House. It's the whole "do you know who I am?" mentality.

And then today I caught a segment on one of the news channels where a democratic operative was claiming that the police officer had not done what he should because it was "his job to recognize members of Congress on site" - completely brushing aside the fact that MCKINNEY DID NOT HAVE HER FRIGGIN' CONGRESSIONAL PIN ON!!! Which is part of why I"m writing this.

I just wish for once everyone on both sides would forget about the spin and look at the facts. The officer's required to stop anyone that's not wearing a pin, with force if necessary. I think he was rather gentle with McKinney considering the circumstances. Her whole "he had no right to touch me" reasoning for striking a police officer is total and complete garbage.

I say if she hit the guy for whatever reason, she should be charged with the same crime any average citizen in that line would be charged with under the same circumstances.

And that...is all.

No, I'm not going to tell you I didn't make what I planned. I did. Except...I forgot to tell you that the potatoes were purple. Yup, beautiful purple mashed potatoes. See? Right there next to the chicken and oven-roasted asparagus and crescent roll.

Yummy. Just yummy.

So said Peaches on the topic of "Yummy"
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This week, The Boy has to take part in a health unit for his Pre-AP Science class. The State of Texas has a big push on for nutritional awareness among elementary and middle school kids, trying to promote healthy eating habits that will hopefully last into their high school years.

Anyway, for the unit he has to give all his stats (height, weight, waist size, head circumference, etc.). Now, I'm not sure about you...but I was a chunky kid and if they'd asked me to do all that in 6th grade I think it would have REALLY stressed me out. I mean, think about the danger of the "mean girls" finding out my stats and teasing me? Crushing. Luckily, The Boy is thin and fit so I don't think he'll have a problem with it.

Another part of the project is The Boy has to write down each and every single thing he eats...for a week. I'm really not sure what they're going to do with the information. I guess it could be used as part of a study where they look at what the gifted kids are eating (or not eating) that makes them so smart. The kids in the regular science class aren't doing the project...

Anyway. So....how would you react if you knew that each and every thing your kid eats for a week is being set down on paper for all the teachers at school to see? I don't know what you'd do, but I'm pulling out all the big guns this week, baby. It's oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, at least an apple if nothing else nutritions at lunch, beef jerky for snacks, and here's the evening menu:

Monday: Parmesan chicken with tomato/basil salad and roasted potatoes and peppers
Tuesday: Beef kabobs with squash mushrooms, onions, bell peppers; couse couse on the side
Wednesday: Roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and asparagus; crescent rolls
Thursday: Spinach and cheese tortellini with small side salad and garlic bread
Friday: Peppercorn pork loin with saffron rice and spring salad
Saturday: Turkey enchiladas with Spanish rice
Sunday: Braised halibut steaks with sundried tomatoes and onions; brown rice on the side

I hope they approve....thank God the project ends on Sunday. I don't know how long I can keep this up....

UPDATE: Oh....My...GOD!!!!! The Boy just called down the stairs after reading this post and said, "Mom, we have to do it for a month, not a week!"

Damn....now I have to plan miracle menus for three more weeks....wonderful.

Yes, spring is officially here in the great state of Texas. I always know the cold has passed when the roses start to bloom. All of our bushes have buds, but one of them was a bit farther along than the rest the last time I looked. So today I walked outside to see what we had, and here is what I found:

Doesn't it look lovely in its special vase by the pool? We have roses!!! Yay!!! I can't wait until the yellow ones bloom. Those are my favorite, but red is pretty too, yes?

So said Peaches on the topic of "Just So You Know"
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Everyone has an opinion on this, it seems. You didn't ask for mine, but this is my site so I am going to give it to you anyway.

First, we can't deny that there are millions of undocumented people living here that over the years have found a way to enter the country illegally. We MUST find a way to deal with this issue. Simply calling them felons and either jailing them or sending them back to their own countries are not the answers. First, because we simply don't have the means to find everyone, and punishing a few thousand a year just for form seems a bit ridiculous. Second, because we don't have the jail space to house the new felons that would be created by such a law. True, fully 20% of the people caught committing crimes and currently in our prison system are illegal aliens and there is no doubt that there are crimes committed by this "unseen" population, making every illegal alien a felon is not the answer.

Even though...they DID commit a crime and I believe they should be penalized for it.

Okay, so we all know there are issues and now you know I think that making them felons is not the answer. The resource drain that would result would deplete much needed manpower and funds from National Security.

So here's what I think, in a list (I like lists):

1. If illegal aliens honestly are here just to work, let's let them. Work, that is, not continue to come here illegally. However, let's require that they register and get a card saying they're allowed to work here legally. Then, if they can show they are working toward citizenship, learning how to speak, read and write English, are paying their taxes and keeping out of trouble, let's continue to let them work.

Note: Here's why I don't think this will happen even though it should. Business leaders don't want this to happen because they are currently getting hard work out of these people, paying them a very low wage, and they don't have to pay medical or workers comp for this unseen workforce. Shame, really. Because not only would we increase tax revenue from those that make enough to pay them, we would also defray health costs for illegal aliens currently taking advantage of free health care.

2. As these people entered the country illegally, they should be penalized for that. How about making them wait a certain number of years extra to gain their citizenship so they have to get in line behind those who enter the country legally and play by the rules? Seems fair to me. A good middle ground. We don't ruin people's lives by jailing them or deporting them, but we do ensure they are not put before law-abiding green card-carrying citizens.

3. Kids should not be penalized for the decisions made by their parents. I say it's OK to give kids that entered the country illegally with their parents a free education, free school meals, and free medical care. However...this should be given with getting something back....like getting their parents registered, making sure they pay taxes if they can afford them, and ensure they are working toward their citizenship. Also, all non-English speaking kids should be REQUIRED to learn how to read, write and speak the language so we can redirect resources currently being used for bilingual education elsewhere. We are setting these kids up for failure if we don't force the issue and ensure they know the language when they the enter society as an adult.

4. People with expired visas? They need to be found and deported. End of story. If they were legitimate they would have done the proper paperwork to get their visas extended so they could continue their education or work or whatever it is they're doing here. I really don't understand why we don't keep better track of visa-holders. We don't know where many of these people are living or what they're doing, even when the visas are current. Something should really be done about that.

5. A big fence? When has this EVER worked, anywhere? People always find a way around them. A bigger challenge, for sure. But desperate people somehow always find a way overcome these types of challenges if they really want to. Besides, even if we build the fence we can't monitor it. So why waste the money and manpower to build it? Other than for politicians to show they're "doing" something?

So there's my take on what we should do with the illegal aliens, their kids, and people with expired visas who really shouldn't be here.

But this is a highly politicized issue. It is certain that whatever solution they come up with it will not please anybody 100%. However, it's my hope that the solution at least addresses some of the issues and moves us a step further toward a more secure country.

With the spouse in the middle of his next trip - which will make it only 12 hours he will have been home in nine days ending this Monday - I find myself with a bit of free time to do some much needed maintenance on my Blogroll.

1. I've added some tags to clarify some of the blogs on my roll:

a. AL=Adult Language might be found here. Just an FYI. And a heads up for The Boy to ask permission when visiting these links. Not all posts there are cheeky, but some are from time to time.

b. Blogger Only=Only people with Blogger accounts can comment on these sites.

2. I will be visiting some of the sites listed on other people's Blogrolls and I just might add some more links here in the next few days (provided site owners are OK with that).

3. Also, if you haven't posted for the past couple of months or more, I will go ahead and assume you are taking an extended break and remove you from the list. I will go back and check from time to time though...and if you once again feel inspired and grace us with some fresh words, I will certainly add your link back to the list.

4. Not that I have a lot of traffic, but if you are a regular visitor and would like to delurk yourself and ask to be added to my Blogroll, I will be happy to oblige if you will do the same for me. Any traffic is good traffic, right?

So...go ahead...delurk and comment with a request to be added.....you know you want to.

As I was ordering a bundled XBox 360 Premium system online today (yes, you can find them at Walmart.com and other reputable online entities now - not just eBay) I began to list in my head all the gadgets we've acquired in the past few years. With this latest purchase, I really do think we have more stuff than any family of three really needs. Let's review:

-One 48" projection big screen T.V. - Check
-One primitive VCR - Check
-One primitive CD player - Check
-Three MP3 players - Check
-Two digital cameras - Check
-Three cell phones - Check
-One PS2 game system with three controllers - Check
-One wide screen 57" HD TV wired with latest surround sound technology and components - Check
-One HD DVD player - Check
-Two XBox game consoles with three wireless controllers and two wired controllers - Check
-One XBox live membership and headset - Check
-Various XBox games and PS2 games - Check
-Three 19" flat screen monitors - Check
-Three computer towers/two containing R/W DVDs - Check
-One laptop computer w/DVD - Check
-One old TiVo box (no subscription but we can use it to pause live T.V.) - Check
-Two cable boxes with DVRs containing dual tuners - Check
-One cable box for The Boy to watch TV through his computer and one cable box for our room - Check
-Two 27" TVs
-House wired with fiber optics - Check
-Smokin' fast Internet access (36 Mbps) - Check
-One router which allows wireless Internet access from all of our computers - Check
-3 Electric guitars and two amps - Check
-Two guitar effects pedals for the electric guitars (Happy Birthday, Tommy!) - Check
-Nintendo Game Cube (Limited Edition Platinum) - Check (oh wait, he sold that) - Uncheck

-Fully loaded XBox 360 Premium console with two wireless controllers and extra memory - Coming Soon

Think we have enough, or do we need more? Wait...don't answer that....Tommy might decide there's some gadget he doesn't have yet...