What is freedom exactly?

Yesterday the good old USA celebrated our independence day. Some shops were closed, many more were open special hours. Most of the country was BBQ-ing somewhere, or, as was the case here in Milwaukee....drinking a lot. (I do believe that Milwaukee is full of drunks who really are just looking for another reason to go out partying...but that is another matter) I found that in looking around that most of the day was spent watching the many colored fireworks lighting up the darkend sky over Lake Michigan, waiting at a good spot for the fireworks*, or drinking while waiting. The parks smelled of grills and greasy burgers burning on them, coupled with the frisby throwing college students and tons of children, and I had to hand it to Milwaukee....for a moment it was paradise.

Of course, who could forget the parades? (Side note....keep a really good eye on your kids in this place. See previous blog) The guys walking on the stilts were my favorite by far, right up there with the original model T Fords. Gawd, I love Old things. It was great to see how many familys spent the day together ( unless you are my man, who voluenteered to work for no extra pay on yet another national holiday...gotta love the economy that deems it necessisary to have people working for no additional incentives on the most important day in the history of our country).

All of these things made me question a few things about myself and my fellow Americans. Have we as a nation forgotten what it means to celebrate the freedoms that our military has spent the last 200+ years fighting to secure? I spent the majority of the weekend of the 4th downtown watching people, and I won't lie....drinking too. But I had to wonder while all of the celebrations were going on if any of us had stopped long enough to remember what it was that we were celebrating.

During the parades did you shed a tear for the men who had fought so hard to keep our country safe, even when we were in the middle of a war that we had no business being in? Did you stand for the men and women in uniforms, and did your heart feel as though it was breaking when the POW flags were carried past? Did anyone remember the guys who signed the paper that gave us the rights to celebrate yesterday, or the guys who are still out on the front line today fighting for a cause that most others don't understand? Were you embarassed to cry when the flag was carried by the Vet in the wheelchair, who still looked damn proud of his country, despite not having the ability to walk any longer? Did you remember?

I did. I wanted to cry and shout that I was proud of my country, and that I was so sorry that I couldn't be out there on the front lines fighting. I wanted to hang my head in shame that I didn't have the guts to stand beside my fellow countryman and die for them as they were for me. I wanted to throw my arms around every man and woman who serves our country just to tell them how much I appreciate what they are doing every day to allow me the rights to continue living in freedom.

So "Thank You" to the men and women who are out there tonight, some sitting in the fire trucks as they race to yet another fire or accident, some getting into altercations whith the drunk party goers down at Summerfest and being screamed at for giving tickets for Disorderly Conduct. "Thank You" to the Doctors who are in the emergency room doing everything they can to save another life...even when said person probably put themselves in that position to begin with. "Thank You" to anyone who has ever been a part of our military. You are the reason we are still sleeping soundly in our beds tonight. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Not by me at least, and not by my children.



* Sitting in the one spot in the park that allows you to see the fireworks only through the trees is not the best idea, but you're not going to move when they start cause you've already been in the same spot for almost 12 hours, and It's a Matter of Principal at this point in the game

CAUTION!!!!!!!

EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE HEED: There are people out there who will willingly cause you pain....by stealing your children. I'm so very serious.

This morning, as Anastasia and I were watching the July 4th parade in Wauwatosa, a woman approached our group. She said she was interested in seeing how our tent was put up, as her friend had one like it, and they couldn't figure out how to get it put up. Seemed reasonable. Then she and I started talking, and she mentioned that she was a certified nurse, who also had child care in her home, and if I ever needed a break, to give her a call. I told her that I didn't have a pen or paper, but I would be glad to get one. She mentioned that she lived in the apartments across the street, so she was close if needed. I smiled and watched her as she introduced herself to Anastasia. Ana started walking away from her towards another of our friends.

Now, Here's the Creepy Part: I looked at Leah for a moment (Read 35 Seconds), and her friend looked at me and asked where that woman was taking the baby to? I looked to where they were looking, and this woman who had seemed so damn friendly was winding her way through the parade crouded sidewalk with Anastasia in hand. We yelled at Leah's husband to quickly grab her, and when he confronted this woman, she said that she was "Only taking the little one for a walk". Seamus stated that it was time for Ana to join us again, and the lady and her friend dissiapeared.

Now, the day could have ended up very badly for me, as my little blond haired blue eyed girl could have ended up on a Missing poster this morning. As it is, I freaked out, and now have a DNA kit ordered for both of my girls, and purchased an Eddie Bauer Harness Buddy for 12.00 at Target. This is not a laughing matter. Children dissiaper all the time, and today I realized exactly how serious this is.

EVERYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN SHOULD SPRING FOR A CHILD SAFETY KIT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. I got mine from mypreciouskid.com. It cost all of 15.99 plus tax and shipping. I also ordered an extra DNA kit for Alexandra.

One other bit of advice I would give to all parents: Take tons of photos of your kids. Just because. Kids change daily, and if anything does happen to them, you will want to know that you have the most updated photos availble.....not something that was taken 9 months ago and might or might not still look like your child.

If you don't want to end up like I almost did today, please, please take this seriously.

Getting Old

So, it appears that the current trend for getting old is this: One should continue to act as though you were still in your 20's, get as many face lifts as possible to keep that youthful look, and wear hideous clothing while dancing like an idiot. And don't forget about the numerous people it will take to cater to your every desire.... And massive amounts of cash.

I was recently at a concert held in WI for a celebrity whom will remain nameless. This star, one we have seen riding the musical wavelengths for 35+ years has come to be associated with Allicia Silverstone and the Lord of the Rings for his offspring (think beautiful elf). This musical diva is frineds with a very well known Guitar Hero, as well as having a face to die for.....(no...really, 6 too many facelifts).

So I have found that there are several very simple rules to follow if you would like to grow old the way this well known musician has.

RULES TO GROW OLD:

Rule 1: Get a band.

Rule 2: Grow your hair out really long

Rule 3: Do a lot of drugs

Rule 4: Love Lolipops

Rule 5: As your skin starts to sag....get a plastic surgon to help you pick it back up

Rule 6: Wear pleanty of makeup

Rule 7: Lots of liquer

Rule 8: Wear tight clothes with lots of sparkle on them

Rule 9: Dance as though you were still in your 20's....without breaking a hip

Rule 10: Expect that everyone will bow down to your every wish, that people will be flocking the streets to see you, and that at 65, you still have what it takes.

Rule 11: Don't Retire

Rule 12: Do what you please. If you actually believe that you deserve everything you want, most people will be so awe struck that they won't be able to help but to give you everything you ask for.

Following these simple rules will guarentee that you end your life with tons of adoring fans, lots of money, and shreds of dignity left to your name.

Happy Growing Old

College Afterlife

This is the time in my life when I am supposed to have all the answers.... HA. I can't manage to keep my checking account out of the red, I graduated from College with a BA in BS.... and my children are out of control. What am I going to do next when I get out of grad school, and still can't find a real job because they just aren't out there for anyone who doesn't have a solid understanding of what they wanted to be when they grew up. There are so many college students that are out here still working the crap jobs because they can't find an in. What did we go to school for? Why did we spend all those hours praying and studying, and pulling our hair out trying to get through our skulls the skills the instructors deemed necessary to become a better citizen with a bright future? We have graduated....NOW WHAT?

The economy in the shithole that it is in leads me to believe that McDonalds may be the best offer some of us will get. Minimum wage is staring us in the eyes and laughing at us. Is there a way to get ahead?

Some of the greatest tips I have learned so far is to stop living paycheck to paycheck....but hell, let's be honest, sometimes I need two checks just to have enough money to pay the bills that are due in the middle of the month. So, How do I do this? How does the money suddenly stop being such an issue? I have read more books on finance than most people I know, yet I still feel stupidly unaware of the delicate balance between completely on my ass broke, and just floating above the "I can't find any more change to put in the gas tank.". Is there some magic trick to not being broke?

Ok, so really, I don't need the 400.00 a month car payment.....I don't need the 130.00 month cellular bill... I could pay off my credit card...eventually, and get my credit score up to the place it needs to be, but really....that takes time, and I feel sometimes that the creditors don't know that, or care.

Damn, I'm screwed.