TV

I am feeling somewhat better after my Charlton Heston/Rush Limbaugh breakdown on Sunday. It comes of watching TV (the breakdown, not the feeling better.)
On Sunday, I was wondering what was happening with the health care vote thingy, so I decided to turn on the telly. This is not something I had ever done before in the house. That's the truth. Anyway, I was astonished to find that there does not appear to ba a power button anywhere on the TV. Nor are there any other buttons or dials. Who designed that? I found two remotes, which seemed neccessary since one turned the thing on, and the other controled volume. Changing the channel was a drama unto itself. But I managed. Then I sat in awe as the Political People debated and voted. It was very irritating, and I was wishing that I had something handy to throw at the TV.

There is one regular show that I watch. '24' Tim got me into it when we were dating, and now I'm all sucked in. Monday evenings are set aside for our show. We gather 'round the TV and bond like a 21st century family. Is is wrong that my children watch 24? Probably.

Tim just told me that there is a new season of some reality fight show begining. 'Ultimate Fighter.' He loves that one. I think it's really stupid. Who wants to watch a bunch of overgrown adolecents have half of their speech bleeped out while they stuggle to exalt their egos? I'm just sayin.'

TV is of the Devil. I'm convinced. Except for 24.

Angry at Politics

Well, Shoot.
You know how I am loath to blog about political nonsense. But my gun-owning, conservative, tea-partying self has something to say.
Obama, you suck.
Palosi, you too.
I do not want the government to take over my bank, my health care, the auto industry, or any other aspect of my life, or the private sector. It used to be that folks who made unwise business decisions ended up closing shop, rather than being bailed out by Big Brother. It used to be that Americans were free to decide what services and products they wished to purchase, rather than being forced by Federal Government. It used to be that we had a government For the People, and By the people.
Those days are apparently over.
Shame on you Democrates in Washington. If you want socialism, I'll buy you a one-way ticket out of My Land of the Free. GO AWAY.

Oh, I'm just not very happy about politics today.

Blooo-ue Moon and the Evil take over of America

You know how I think that TV is of the Devil? My opinion does not extend to movies, except for rated 'R' movie. Those are certainly of the Devil.
We watched New Moon last night.
Rather, I watched it, and Tim rolled his eyes dramatically until I suggested that he move out to the patio so he could watch basketball, which he promptly did. I loved the books in spite of myself. The movies just are really terrible. Does anyone besides me notice that none of the people can actually, you know, act? Am I the only person who thinks Edward looks malnourished and disheveled? In the books he was sort of an old fashioned and noble hero who was strikingly attractive. How come that didn't make it onto the movies?
Maybe the story just doesn't translate onto the big screen. As it played out in my imagination while reading, the whole thing worked. More or less. On the screen it looks ridiculous.
That's my opinion.
I'll see the next movies, though. 'Cause I'm hoping they get better.

Are any of you watching Washington today? I have strong opinions on all that, too. We'll see how the "vote" goes today. I may be complelled to write about politics and evil dictators tomorrow. You never can tell.

The first day of Spring

I spent the morning and a good part of the afternoon with Jenine. She came over to do my hair for me, as she does about once a year. I am fairly goofy about my hair. I am paranoid that some wicked stylist will cut off several inches, so I seldom darken the door of a salon. Stylists do that, you know. They hate to see simple long hair. Something within them makes them want to cut off all that length. Jenine has never removed more than the merest whisp of the tip of my hair. Love her. Now, here's the thing. I hate to inconvienence her. So, I only call her when I've done a really bad thing with the color of my hair. Take this time, for instance. I recently tried to highlight my hair at home (I refuse to pay an evil stylist a gazillion dollars to do it.) My hair ended up resembling leopard print. Seriously splotchy. (Is that dark with yellow spots, or yellow with brown spots?)
Every time I call Jenine over to repair my color and give me a trim, she says the same things. Such as, "why do you always do this?" Or, "Just call me next time." I always say the same things about how I'm trying to save money and I hate to bug her. We pretty much don't need to talk.
She labored over me for about 4 hours. Like giving birth. Bless her patient, ever-loving heart. Someone remind me to call her before it comes to that again. I'm fairly certain she wouldn't volunteer to birth any of her 8 children more that once. What gives me the right to cause her that much labor?
My hair looks cool. It's all light and Spring-y. Very unlike the look I had going before her loving care.

I totally forgot to tell you about the Alice in Wonderland movie, didn't I? It was good. Not great, maybe, but few movies are these days. I read the book to my kids a few years ago, and that book is always better. The movie seemed pretty true to the heart of the story, if not to the actual plot. The Queen of Hearts was fantastic, the good queen was so totally not. The Mad Hatter was good, I thought, though I kept seeing Jack Sparrow. I liked Alice, and I want her hairstyle. (That's what I'm aiming for, Jenine. K?)

We're currently sitting on the patio, pretending it's warmer than it is. Tim is watching the basketball nonsense that dominates Men in the month of March. I am obviously blogging. What are you doing?

Today

Mother, who loves all her daughters equally, gave me a new excuse to avoid running. She said, "Honey, you just don't have the build of a runner. You're more, er, feminine in shape. Now, your sister, she's built like a runner." (read, "Honey, them's childbearing hips. Your skinny, young sister is kicking your you-know-what.)
It's not like I need any more excuses, as I haven't run out yet. Get it? I haven't Run out....?
I did run a couple days ago. I got about 6 mailboxes down the street before I realized that it was too cold. I walked home.
So, I'm feeling confident about the race. Who wouldn't? How hard can 13 miles be?

In other news, we have a lacrosse tournament today. If you happen to be in town for the Tablerock Shootout, come say "hi." I'll be the one yelling my lungs out.

Ok, duty calls. I need to go straighten my daughter's hair....

Belly up to the bar

My no-alcohol Lent is teaching me a thing or two.
The grandest epiphany at the moment is that I am something of a mindless eater and drinker. I sit down to dinner, eat until the food is gone, and wish there was more. I drink the same way.
I set in to a glass of wine because it is 5 pm, and then I continue sipping on one thing or another until bedtime. I don't get drunk, and I don't get fat, but the problem is the same despite the lesser results.
My Glorious and Amazingly Wonderful Husband is very different in his handling of food and drink. When he is hungry, he thinks about what he would most like, and then he makes it, and eats one serving of it. When he is finishing up one meal, he is usually mulling over what the next one will be.
I eat all of whatever is on the table, and finish off the kids' plates, and then realize that I'm too full, so I put on my sweats. I suck.
Tim drinks alcohol this way, too. He decides what wine would be perfect with his meal...or perhaps a beer. Then he drinks it and enjoys it and moves on. I begin with whatever is cheap and open, and drink because it's 5:00.
Lent has been a great opportunity to examine this habitual approach to my relationship with culinary delights. In truth, I think Tim likes food more than I do, because he really takes thought and time to enjoy it.
Kara eats like Tim does, I think all really slender people do.
There are issues here worthy of a spot on Oprah, I'm sure. The bottom line is that this is one more place in my psyche that is not fully submitted to my Creator. It's not rebellion, exactly, it's ignorance. I can't really claim that anymore, though.
And that opens a whole can of worms, doesn't it?
If I believe that God designed me and set me off into the world for purpose, I need to be deliberate in all I do. This means that there is no room for idle (idol!)habit. My conduct needs to reflect the purpose for which I was designed. I am stamped with the image of this Great Creator God. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and render to God that which is His.
That means that I may never eat or drink the same way again.
Sheesh.
Being a Christian is hard work.

Time Management

You are all clearly dying to know what I've been doing to keep myself so busy. SO, I'll tell you.
I've been Avoiding Running, which is practically a full time job. I'm getting some top notch work-outs in the process, though. On Monday, Dani and I ran up and down the bleachers at a local school. We did this for the better part of 45 mins. It was a challenge. Yesterday I woke up quite sore, with a soreness more sore than a soreness ought to be. I dreaded today. The second day is always the worst, you know. Today, I wince to ascend stairs, I weep to stand on my toes. For some reason, the exertion taxed my calves in a sadistic way. They hurt. Perhaps I was running on my toes. I've been also doing lots of martial arts and weight training. I'm very athletic, but I am still avoiding running. The Half Marathon is in two months. I am going to have a heart attack and die in two months. Just so you know.

But Lent is going well, so I have that going for me. You know, of course, that I gave up alcohol. I'm redicovering all kids of other drinks. Ginger ale, sparkling water, fruit smoothies. The only time I really miss the alcohol is when I have a bad headache, or the kids are bugging me.

We've been planning vacations, too. We are going to California; Maui,Hawaii; Yellowstone National Park; Somewhere in Virginia; and Paul, Idaho. I know you envy me that last one, eh? It's for my friend's daughter's wedding. We need to find ourselves a reliable housesitter. Any names spring to mind?
It's lots of planning.
You saw Maui on the list, so you know I am shopping for swimwear. That is time consuming, and also depressing.

Lacrosse season is upon us, so we've been going to pre-season games and practices with the younglings. I love lacrosse as a game. I'm like one of those freaked out football fans. I wear my team colors, paint my skin to match, and scream like a coach from the sidelines. I have yet to be ejected from a game, but the season is just beginning, so there's a chance it will happen.

That's what I've been doing. You?