OK...these thing suck!

I can't see near and I can't see far! I hope I adjust real soon!

End of year blues!

Samigurl and Little Man are having a rough ending to the school year. Little Man says his friends don't like him anymore. I think it's because he gets a little too bossy, but for good reasons; he sticking up for the underdogs. He also says he is tired of soccer and baseball. Tonight he had a bad time of it. He has been striking out and he had a major collision on the field and he got hurt. He couldn't stop crying, which made him feel worse. He says he hasn't slept in weeks and he got to school too late today to help with student council. Samigurl is just overwhelmed with school projects and dance. She is not making good use of her time and her daddy yelled at her tonight! So....so much for Daddy being the good guy! We are going to let them sleep in tomorrow and take them in late. Maybe a good night's sleep is what is needed!

Strawberry Update

Today I made about 8 pint jars of strawberry jam for the freezer. It only took about 30 minutes. I am hoping to make some canned jelly for gift giving tomorrow. Boy, the strawberries this year are great! Sweet and Tender! MMMMMM!

Benjamin Franklin and Bifocals

In case you've been living a historical vacuum, Ben Franklin invented the bifocal eyeglass. Between the ages 47 to 49 (1753 - 1755), he grew tired of switching from his regular eyeglasses to his reading glasses. Being innovated, he decided to combine the two by slicing each down the middle. He then put his reading lens below his distant lens and popped them into his frames. The correct term for your eyes unable to adjust to reading at a short distance is called presbyopia. Presbyopia becomes more prevalent in folks turning forty. Eye doctors are not sure why, but it seems this turning point (whether you be male or female) seems to be universal. So, maties, as I reach the pinnacle of 40 years of age, I am at least "normal" in some small respect. And, no, you may NOT post any comments about my abnormalities; I know all about them!

It's that time of year!

And there is NOTHING like a York County strawberry! Enjoy the season!

First pie of the season!

Tonight we dined on fresh, homemade strawberry pie! It was sooo good. My next experiment is to try to make all sugar-free for Firecop and Bubba Bear.

Turning 40 sucks!

Yes, campers, it's true... I need bifocals! Today, I received my first pair of bifocal contact lens. I feel like a fish trying to tight-rope! It is going to take a week for my eyes and brain to adjust. I will receive my bifocal glasses sometime next week. Welcome 40!

I am Toasted!

Yes, it's true... I got a sunburn today! Ouch!

My philosophy on Neo-Cons:

Citing the Source

The previous post about the Chinese and the maternity leave is from The Onion. Known for it's political humor, The Onion is noted for articles such as these. The article is political satire meant (I am sure) to draw attention to the Chinese and their working conditions...click here to read more.

Happy Memorial Day!

To all who gave their lives: Thank you!

This is too funny!

Chinese Employers To Grant 15-Minute Maternity Break
May 23, 2006
DONGGUAN, CHINA—In response to international criticism of Chinese workplace inequity and labor rights, China's National Labor Committee agreed Monday to establish an unpaid 15-minute break during the regular 18-hour workday, to allow pregnant women to "expel the child from their body, adjust to being a new parent, wash their hands, and return to work."

Workers silently celebrate the new guidelines during a company-sanctioned "moment of appreciation."
"During the last moments of childbirth, a female employee's productivity diminishes sharply," said Shanghai toy-factory owner Huang Wei, who noted that even the slightest whimper of pain or sight of a newborn's head as it crowns can distract an entire assembly line from the job at hand. "These women need a few minutes to rest and recuperate before returning to sew eyes onto stuffed animals in an efficient and satisfactory manner."
"Of course, this measure wouldn't need to be taken at all if pregnant workers could schedule their due dates for the annual holiday of May 1," Huang added.
When her contractions are coming at such short intervals that she is physically unable to attach a Barbie head, the female worker must report to the factory's lone bathroom stall, located four flights up from the assembly line. Once there, she is instructed to deliver the child within five minutes, which allows her sufficient time to get hosed down with hot water and mop up the surrounding area so that others do not slip in the afterbirth.
To prevent abuse of privileges, this 15-minute period also incorporates the one weekly bathroom break all workers are allotted.
Initial response among female workers has been positive, with most women preferring the new rule over the old one, which stipulated that the newborn child must remain where it lands on the floor until the woman's shift ends.
"Even though this maternity break means I will lose three of my 12 cents for that hour, it will be worth it just to hold my baby in my arms for a few precious seconds," said pregnant seamstress Yuen Yin, 19, just after her factory's quitting whistle blew at 2:47 a.m.
Despite the new, broadened time allotment, expectant employees are encouraged to speed the birthing process by breaking the amniotic-sac membranes themselves. The expectant mother will be responsible for thoroughly sanitizing every affected area, and will also be discouraged from using factory instruments such as tongs to facilitate the birthing process, unless it is the only means through which she can remove the baby before the allotted 15 minutes elapse. The new mother would then be docked three days' pay to replace the implement.
The Labor Committee also instituted an incentive plan granting a 40-cent bonus to any employee expecting a daughter who opts to use her 15 minutes to receive an abortion in the factory's storage closet.
Songgang shoe-factory owner Xiao Jianqi said he had considered adopting some of Micronesia's more liberal maternity policies, including an additional three minutes off for twins, 35 "personal minutes" for the child's first year, and a towel to wrap the infant in. But he decided that the new regulations were enough, and he did not want to give female workers more reason to agitate.
"If these Chinese employees' work ethic is any indication, I strongly believe these maternity breaks will go quickly and smoothly for the mother and the child, and that once the 15 minutes are up, both of them will return to the assembly line to continue working," Xiao added. Compliments of A Drunken Reprobate!

Ruh Roh! Momma Bear has been hissed at!

Rumor has it that Ali-cat hissed and spat at Momma Bear. Even tho' Ali-cat has not been quite helpful....Boy, would I like to know what happened!!! *hint*hint*!

I am sooo full!

Gracie Gurl is filling me up with all sorts of stuff! Right now I am eating a banana cream dessert. I have eaten Tandy-cake cake, wonderful ham, potato cassarole, green beans...food here is great! I will not be able to fit in my clothes!

Relaxing, watching movies

We just watch "Last Holiday." Gonna get it for our dvd library! It was awesome!!!

File this under...No ****ing Way!

Click on this gorgeous bay's picture to read this incredible story of fetus-in-fetu case! This story compliments of Traggles!

Travelin' thru Philly

Today we trekked into the heart of Philadelphia to see the University of Pennsylvania. What a gorgeous campus! Hopefully we can get a guided tour in soon. Looks like it will be one of Darlin' Daughter's first choices!

Gracie Gurl has a new home

I deleted Little Boo's Corner, as she really wants to move on...appearantly, blogging isn't so cool for the under 11 set! So I created a new page for Spacie. Spacey Gracie's Space. Click on Gracie and MRI-man to connect to the link.

Lil Dragon is a Love!

Stopped by to see Momma Bear today and ended up playing with Lil Dragon. She even reached out for me and gave me some lil lovin, Dragon style!! Her Lao-Lao is making big progress with this little lady, becuase she just seems to love life nowadays! I love my visits to grannie day-care!

Glady...

Gladys went to Hershey Park today for a choral competition. Well, the buses broke down, so I must run off to get this precious cargo! I hope she had a great time!

Been Busy!

After gathering all the "treasures" from my Grandmother's home, I put together this shadow box. It is filled with items from my uncle's childhood. The box includes letters written by him to his mother, a letter written by my great grandmother to my grandmother, a marionette made by my uncle in first grade, several prayer cards, my greatgrandmother's memorial card and my uncle's first shoe. I also included his birth announcement! I gave it to his granddaughter. She loved it...I hope the past won't be lost on the next generation!

For Momma Bear

Not In Her Storm
by Sauni
I see the clouds rolling in and oh how it looks like rain
And it is always I fight for the welcome change
When it rains it pours on this heart of mine
So, I take the storms I feel to her each time.
But I know she has lived under her own pouring rain
Yet under her water her heart still doesn't change
She can walk away from what hangs overhead
And, not in her storm, are words left unsaid.
Not in her storm have I ever felt alone
Her storm ends, so I, may find my way home
It's for me that she pushes away her own rain
So, that I may find comfort in calling her name.
She lives in this world for the sake of another's heart
God, how she eases the miles when worlds apart
And she never wanders when your world falls through
Not ever in her storm would she do this to you.
She has wings that I know not only I can see
Cause only an angel could find strength to carry me
It's the way that the eyes can surely view
How her heart's written so clearly in what an angel can do.
Not in her storm is her work ever done
And even in her storm she hands me the sun
When her world is dark - I always have light
And now how hold the new color of night.
She takes then she gives to an unhappy face
So that many can find an awesome place
I have been able to love her more every day
And with her hand in mine the clouds roll away.
Not in any storm that I will ever live beneath
Could ever change what I hold here inside of me
Not in any of her storms have I lost my angels touch
To that angel out there, I love her so much.

Well, she huffed and she puffed...

But she couldn't blow the house down! My mother truly thought that we were going to let her "blow" into town and get her own way. But being the wise little pigs that we were, our house was made of stone. The foundation was firm and re-inforeced. My mother did huff and puff, but to no avail! She had to abide by the boundaries that were set, or she could just leave town. After about an hour or so of bellowing, she finally surrendered. My mother had 2 short visits with my grandmother. It seems that she finally got it! My mother left early this afternoon, sobbing. While I feel for her sorrow, I do not feel sorry for her plight. She has created the hell she lives in...and only she can get herself out. Until she changes, her good-bye was further-reaching than she could only imagine.

What a find!!!!

Here is my Grandmother's geneology, thus far! I cannot believe I found this amazing treasure at her house today! I need to get on ancestry.com, now. I have some information to work with! click on tree to enlarge!!!!

A New Additon to the Hutchinson Family

Gramma with Aladin and Aundria, February, 2006.
Aundria and her husband, Aladin are my grandmother's neice and her husband. On May 5, 2006, Aundria and Aladin welcomed into their life a little boy named Leif!

Last Night

Gramma with Barb, Bob and Rita. February 2006

We had a big scare, again last night. Gramma wanted me and pastor Mitch to come over...It was midnight. So everyone high-tailed it over to her house. Then she was fine. She kept asking for my mom, again. Well, my mother is going to "show-up" tonight sometime. Little does she know that we are ready for her. She (my mother) thinks we don't know about her arrival.

Green Gardening!

1. 
   Little Man has a few gardening tips to eliminate aphids in a non-toxic way!
   1. Aphid Traps
   Using a YELLOW index card, spread vaseline on the card and place near affected area!
   Yellow is an aphid's favorite color!
   2. Plant marigolds around aphid-loving plants, such as roses.
   3. Find a Yellow dish, fill it with soapy water and place in flower bed.
   4. Ladybugs! If possible, buy a bag of Ladybugs! Their favorite treat are aphids!
   Another great "green" tip for all sorts of pesky little critters is using an all-purpose GARLIC spray. (Hey! If it works on people, why not bugs???!!) To make the spray, peel and mash 1 head of garlic. Place it in a pint glass jar and cover with 2 cups of boiling water. Screw on the lid and allow to set overnight. Strain. You can freeze 1 cup for later use. Place the other cup of garlic water in a spray bottle and add 1 more cup of water. Use spray on affected areas!
   1. Source: Littleman and PA IPM Program 2001 Pest Patrol acitivity book, Department of Agriculture

Despite the time not being right...

I was to be up at 2:30 am this morning to get Firecop's granddaughter. However, Brad's clock was an hour ahead. So, I went back to sleep and then I overslept!!! But we did get to BWI with plenty of room to spare! We even beat rush hour traffic home.

Firecop's Granddaughter arrived safely!

Firecop could hardly contain himself when his granddaughter came off the plane! He is so happy she made it here! I think Firecop likes being a grampa!

Dark night of the Soul...

My friend Jeanine used this saying quite often. I thought I would share with you a little more about the Saint whose words have been so comforting to so many; including myself.

St. John of the Cross
Feastday: December 14

Born in Spain in 1542, John learned the importance of self-sacrificing love from his parents. His father gave up wealth, status, and comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his noble family. After his father died, his mother kept the destitute family together as they wandered homeless in search of work. These were the examples of sacrifice that John followed with his own great love -- God.
Click on St. John's picture to read more...

Well, this is the e-mail...

I wrote and sent this on Sunday... so far, only Frank has heard from them. They called his house twice and asked to speak with her. She was sleeping both times, so he told them no. I told him to tell them she can't even speak, let alone talk on the phone. We'll just see what happens!
Dear Mom,

Brad and I are writing this e-mail to ask you, again, to please reconsider and come see your mother,

Grandma comes in and out of lucidity quite often now. Everytime, she requests to see you. When you failed to show up, we told her that you couldn't come to see her at that time. She accepted this explaination, but has since been asking us why you haven't been to see her.

This is an impassioned plea for you to say goodbye to your mother. She is withering away, but it is our concensus that she will not go until she says goodbye to you, face-to-face.

Our conditions, however, have NOT changed. You must make all of your arrangements through Pastor Mitch. You may visit for as long and as often as you wish, but someone must be there with you during your visits. It is imparative that we have someone to care for Grandma's health needs while you visit. Any questions you have will be answered by either Pastor Mitch or whomever is there at the times of your visits; if it isn't Mitch, it will be more than likely a social worker or a nurse.

All responses are to now be through Pastor Mitch. Brad is no longer willing to be the "middle man."

Please understand how important this opportunity is...as it will be your LAST invitation. Once we are informed of your decision, we will take appropriate action. Grandma needs your presence to pass on peacefully. If denied of your visit, Pastor Mitch will help us to help her resolve her need.

With sincerest hope of your visit,

Brad and Chris

Lions and Tigers and...Chocolate Cake, Oh My!

Pocaroja stopped by last night and ate my chocolate cake! She didn't even say hello to me or nothin'! How rude! Oh, fiddle-faddle! Be off with you, before someone drops a house on you too!

Warrior-Woman!

After my massive meltdown, I feel so much better. I feel like I can move forward. I have decided to break my silence and try to implore my mother to visit my Gramma. Keep us all in your prayers. Mount Your Horses, Draw Your Swords! I am ready for the next battle!

Recent Stuff

Uncle Frank just called...Gramma's hands are swollen. This is her body just shutting down more. I love reading my comments and posting things that get people thinking, but right now-I could give a shit less about Bush and Cheney. I could give a shit less about what is going on at our borders. I don't give a flying fuck about Iraq or Iran. I just want this endless nightmare to be over! I hate seeing my Gramma die like this! I am so pissed off that God hasn't called her home! I cannot stand to watch my uncle cry anymore and I certainly hope my mom catches some life-threatening illnes and needs closure herself. (How can anyone be so callous? ) So forgive me for not being able to comment tonight. Most of the time, I love reading different points-of-view; keeps us all real, you know...But my heart hurts and my soul aches. I love all of you, just bear with me! I just can't seem to stop crying!

Which one is Truevalueman?

Both, I'd say! The man is grumpy and angry today and I am the target. Trying to miss the bullets, but they sting nonetheless. I am hoping he gets in a better mood soon, he's got some teenagers to deal with--about the cats! When I got upset about the cats, he told the girls it was going to be alright and that HE was not going to let me get rid of them. Well, now, he wants to cats gone becuase the girls haven't lived up to their end of the bargain. Can't wait to see what happens!

Oil me, spoil me!

Bush Didn't Bungle Iraq, You Fools
By Greg Palast; March 23, 2006, published on March 23, 2006 by ZNET.
Get off it. All the carping, belly-aching and complaining about George Bush's incompetence in Iraq, from both the Left and now the Right, is just dead wrong. On the third anniversary of the tanks rolling over Iraq's border, most of the 59 million Homer Simpsons who voted for Bush are beginning to doubt if his mission was accomplished. But don't kid yourself -- Bush and his co-conspirator, Dick Cheney, accomplished exactly what they set out to do. In case you've forgotten what their real mission was, let me remind you of White House spokesman Ari Fleisher's original announcement, three years ago, launching of what he called, "Operation Iraqi Liberation."
~click on poster to read more~

I just love little Karl-Karl!

Ummmm...ouch! You made my stupidity hurt!

"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself — not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel."
—George W. Bush, after visiting with wounded veterans from the Amputee Care Center of Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006

ok...now you can read the link!

Sorry about that!

Is anybody listening? (I mean besides the NSA?)

Former NSA intelligence agent Russell Tice condemns reports that the Agency has been engaged in eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without court warrants. Tice has volunteered to testify before Congress about illegal black ops programs at the NSA. Tice said, “The freedom of the American people cannot be protected when our constitutional liberties are ignored and our nation has decayed into a police state."
To find out more, click on DN! logo.

One of my Favorites!

How most moms feel at the end of the day!

Yeah, Seriously...

Today's update..

Gramma had a really bad day today. She was having mini-strokes today. She had that far away look. It was so sad to see. I hate seeing her so old. She has never been old to me. I am sad. Death should be easy, like going to sleep and never waking up.
This is Gramma with Zipper at Easter!

It was a day for...

Homemade bread! I couldn't help it...I had to make some. Warm bread on a rainy night is heavenly!

Sweet!

Samigurl got her braces off today! She looks so sweet!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Well....

Once again, at the "Rosies," Darlin' Daughter didn't win for Best Featured Dancer in a Musical. I don't know whether to scream or shoot someone! The girl who won was not, and I mean NOT, as good as DD! I told our director that this is the last Mother's Day I spend at this event!