Steve Irwin, more of a rant than a tribute.

I have been meaning to write a tribute for our dear friend Steve Irwin for a long time and just haven’t had the time and energy. I still don’t, but I had a mocha frap and I’m wide awake and since there was a special about him tonight on Animal Planet, I’m in the mindset.

When My Love and I first heard that Steve had been killed by a stingray we thought it was a hoax or at least an exaggeration. Maybe he looked dead when they pulled him from the water but then he got to the hospital and was treated and a full recovery was expected.

No such luck, however. As more and more reports came in containing the circumstances of his death the reality of it began to sink in. We were both heart broken; for his family, for his friends and coworkers, for his mission, and for ourselves. We loved The Croc Hunter and had always planned on visiting the Australia Zoo someday to meet him in person. We wanted our kids to meet him. We wanted to experience his passion and personality first hand. We both shed a tear for the loss of this great person.

PETA would have us believe that he got what he deserved and that it serves him right for “disturbing” the animals. They want us to think that Steve manhandled every creature that he came in contact with and that his interactions with the animals stressed them. I even read reports from animal activists the day after his death criticizing Steve’s work, his zoo, and his way of life – that he profited at the expense of animals. Well I say, CRIKEY, give me a break. I had never before seen any nature show where the host didn’t grab the snake by the neck and squeeze it to keep it from biting. Steve usually got bit if that is what the animal decided to do. He didn’t squish them under a stick or trap them under his boot. He picked them up, kept the heads at a safe distance, and became their friend. He loved the animals, he kissed the animals (right on the lips), he was one of them and they knew it.

As for his zoo…I don’t think that PETA realizes that most of the animals in the facility would be dead if they weren’t there. The animals kept captive in the Australia Zoo probably lived better than Steve or his staff. Most were there for the sake of education and conservation. Would you animal rights people rather have two healthy, beautiful, rare animals well taken care of in a captive setting or none of those animals at all? And whether or not Steve made a lot of money is of no consequence since most of it was dumped back into research, conservation, maintenance, and providing for the animals that were exhibited. Kind of like a parent setting up a trust fund for a child. Who could criticize that?

Steve Irwin just seemed like a great guy, albeit a little crazy. That is what made him so great though, he was crazy, he knew it and he was not the least bit ashamed of it. He was crazy about what he did for animals. Teaching the world to respect them, preserve them, and not to fear them. Even though I saw no evidence that he was a Christian, I believe that the world was blessed by his short life on it. My Love and I were blessed to have him in our lives and we will miss him.

Thank you, Steve.

By His Grace

Spit Happens

So J, E and I (as in me) were left home to fend for ourselves as My Love went to pick up K from Awanas. We kept busy for a time by going through the toy basket and crawling around on the floor. I found Gumby and gave him a voice and with him got J to review his colors and animals and shapes and so on. However, J is three and a half so his attention span shifted, rather quickly, to wanting a video. Since Christmas, the video of choice has been Cars. If you haven’t seen it, do. It’s great for the whole fam. Just be aware that some younger kids might balk at the end of the tractor scene and Lightning’s dream sequence at the Cozy Cone afterwards. Anyway, I said, “No.” much to J’s disappointment. To distract his brain from the agony of denial I started blowing spit bubbles (OK…the first one was an accident but we won’t go into that). For the next ten minutes, I kid you not, J and E took turns popping my spit bubbles with their fingers. They were laughing hysterically. Gumby even got to pop a few.

I guess my point is if you need to distract someone, kill some time, or even if you find yourself in an awkward situation, try blowing a spit bubble. I bet who ever you’re with will smile…even if it is in disgust.

Privacy Reminder

If you haven't noticed I don't use the real or full names of anyone on my blog. I am not weird I just like to be mysterious...No, really I enjoy my privacy and like to respect the privacy of others.

On that note it has been very difficult to be honest about all this weight stuff because not only is it a very personal detail it is also embarrassing. So if you know me personally, please don't feel like you have to discuss any of these personal things with me face to face. I would prefer to think that you don't know about them at all. Unless of course I bring them up. Then you can act as if its the first you've heard of it. Yeah, that's what we'll do!

Another exception to the rule would be if you wanted to shower me with compliments about how funny and entertaining my blog is even without pictures (yet) or fancy graphics. You could also mention my great writing skills and how you can't believe that I don't get paid to do this. And don't forget to rave about my dry, sarcastic, yet charmingly witty sense of humor...oh, you could go on all night...but you digress...

back to reality...I think its just me and my biggest fan (I love you, My Love).

Squishability, 10

So my best friend A just had a baby on the 29th of December. He is the most beautiful, perfect little man I have ever seen. Ok...I mean besides mine, but even so, mine always came out so fast that they were purple, swollen and bruised. Try to picture a child spawned by Rocky Balboa (just after the the big fight) and Mr. Magoo. Seriously. Especially M. I have a picture of her when she was only a few minutes old and it brings to mind the line, "Violet, you're turning violet, Violet!" She looks like a little blueberry wearing a onesie.

Anyway, A's new baby is very handsome and oh so squishable. Congratulations A & J!!!

Going Gray

There it is - glistening in the artificial light of the master bath.
Shining like a beacon from the part in my do.

I lean in,
Tweezers at the ready,
Sort, sort, isolate,
Grasp...pluck!

What in the world...has my scalp run out of color?
For what I have found is an immensely dense, rather daring , and definitely gray, hair.

Shouldn't I have received a letter from AARP to announce its arrival first? At least a courtesy phone call would be nice.

"Hello, Mrs. Hadley? This is Betty, your AARP representative... Yes... I have news for you... You should expect to see the arrival of your first gray hair sometime next week... Uh-huh... Do whatever you want with it... That would be fine... Let us know if you need anything... Okay... Your card will arrive shortly after the hair... Thank you... Have a good retirement... Bye"

RSVP

This is actually a rsvp to a birthday invitation that turned into a description of my day. I liked it so much (for some odd reason) that I chose to immortalize it forever on my blog. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Hello U,

Of course we will attend. Well, at least the majority of us. I like the invitation, especially the 5:30ish part :-). Coordinating six bodies is not an easy task as I am sure you know. I'm still getting used to the new addition and haven't accounted for the twenty extra minutes it takes to get one more body ready to go. Then there is the last minute dirty diaper change, the loading of the car, the three trips back to the house to fetch the forgotten but absolutely essential items ("Did you grab a binki?"..."No, did you?"), the second last minute diaper change, then, finally the drive home after we we're already halfway to our destination because...and I quote, "IIIIIIIIINNNNEEEEEEEEDMYBLLLLAAANKIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
UGH, How do you put up with us? If you ever want to have a nice quiet birthday for R, please don't feel guilty about forgetting to invite us...for your sakes :-).

Anyway, on a personal note, I have spent all day monitoring Kiah on the couch because she came down with the "hiccups" this morning (you know, the messy kind). It only lasted till noon but we kept her on the couch all day and now she is sleeping there (I am listening to her snore as I write). It actually worked out to have Kiah rather sedated because a guy was coming to work on our water system. It hasn't been doing it's job for about eight months and our water pressure has been getting worse and worse. After I chewed the guy out for feeling taken by being sold a system not equipped to handle our water he finally found that the problem was that the piping system to one of the tanks was installed backwards. Hmmm...I would have thought he might have noticed that one of the last three times he was here. Now its all better and because the guy is now afraid of me we didn't have to pay for any of the repairs.

My Love came home at lunch so I could make it to a dental appointment. Just a routine cleaning but since it has been six years since my last cleaning there was quite a bit of build up. The hygenist's exact words were, "I got the big chunks today and we'll see you again in a month for a regular cleaning." I guess there is something to those twice a year visits. I've just been kind of busy being pregnant and having babies.

Well, this rsvp has been beaten to death. I guess I just needed to talk about my day and everyone here is sleeping (even Flip, but shes not much good for conversation anyway...I don't think she gets my jokes). Talk to you soon or email me. It seems a little easier than a phone conversation because I don't have to worry about yelling in your ear.

Love you

By His Grace

D-D-D-D-Dora

I am Dora-ed out! You know how when you rub your eyelids you see random light patterns? Well, when I rub my eyelids I see Dora's face. When I lay down to sleep I dream Dora. When it is quiet and the only sound is the gentle hum of appliances...I hear her voice...it haunts me..."Say backpack"..."Louder!"..."BACKPACK!!!"

I threw K's first "real" birthday party. She has had her mind set on a Dora the Explorer party for approximately eight months. I hope it was everything she imagined. We had Dora decorations, a giant Dora balloon, Dora plates and napkins, and even Dora goodie bags. She was quite spoiled in the gift department as well. Her big presant was a Dora bedset, but she also recieved A Dora puzzle, a Dora video, various articles of Dora clothing, a Dora playdough set, and Dora watches among other things.

Since she was turning five (actually, not until the 21st) we invited five of her friends. We had an adventure/treasure hunt and the best part was when Swiper made an apperence to steal the clues.

Swiper, no swiping!!!
Swiper, no swiping!!!
Swiper, no swiping!!!
(Thanks My Love, you're a great sport!).
Aw, Man!

Cleaning the Stove

Why am I driven to clean the stove at midnight then feel inspired to write about it?

I meant to just clean under the burners (there was still stuff burned on from last thanksgiving...I kid you not), but once that part was clean the rest of the stove top and door and surrounding counter space and floor just looked filthy. Finally I had to stop because the skin on my hands was beginning to prune and rub off. I know in the morning when I turn on the kitchen light there will be this radiant white stove in gleaming surroundings and the rest of the kitchen will have to be cleaned.

Maybe I can trick K into "playing" Cinderella and scrubbing the floor for me...Hmmm...I think that is a great idea.

Picture, Perfect?

Here I go...I'm going to try and post a picture...

Hmmm...

I've tried twice and waited about fifteen minutes each time while nothing happened. I don't know what I'm doing. Obviously. I'll give it one more try...

Nope...nothin'.

I will have to figure this out.

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for:

My Lord who loves me even though I wonder and wander.
My Love, Mr. Amazing who never ceases to amaze me!
My survivor, K, who has survived three of my pregnancies (and postpartums) and is still willing to talk to me.
My sweet, little man, J, who always asks, “You happy Mommy?”
My ham, Baby E, who makes me smile when I’m down.
My little squishy, M, who has slept for six hours at night since she was four weeks old.
My parents who lend a helping hand when they can and who are a vital part of their grandkids’ lives.
My friends who still love me in spite of myself.
My country.

Thank You!

By His Grace