Just got back from Illinois...

I started this blog on a Thursday. I was born on a Thursday, as was my daughter.

I've tried to post once a week, but missed last week. So, I'm posting twice today, which is Thursday.

I just got back from visiting my brother and his family in the next state over. It was a nice visit, but too short. We took a train to the Windy City on Monday, and visited Silver Springs on Tuesday. http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/SILVERSP.HTM

Hubbster is back at work, but I'm still off. Nothing on the agenda today, except chillin' at home with Punky, posting things online and maybe some yardening. It's after noon and I'm still in my jammies.


The doggies are glad we're home, but they were in good hands while we were gone. Thanks, Mom.


During the car trip, I did some knitting. (If you're sittin', why not be knittin'?) Here's the progress on my first sock. I'm quite pleased with how it's turning out, but I don't think I'm going to get two socks from the one ball as the label said. My gauge is pretty tight, but I didn't swatch. I hate swatching.

health care reform

I have two friends who live in countries with a public health care system, Iceland and England. Both of them have asked me questions about the US system and wonder at me having to pay as much as I do. Neither of them have complained about their medical care to me in the 20+ years I've known them.

Here are a few links to read up on this issue. Granted, they're from one source, but I tend to trust it for unbiased reporting.

From the NPR website: "You can compare the differences by looking at the set of interactive charts on this Web site and decide for yourself whether universal care is where our country should be headed. One thing that emerges from our reporting is that Americans are paying more for health care than Europeans, and getting less overall." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92136549

Prescriptions for Change http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106180134


What's Canadian Health Care Really Like? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111084018

working moms

I've shared my opinion on working vs. stay-at-home moms with some of my working mom friends. It's not that I have anything against the SAHM. It's against the people who schedule free kids activities at times only SAHM can attend.

For instance, library story times are Tuesdays at 2:00 for two-year-olds. (Isn't that cute?) The free craft each week is Thursdays at 10:30. Free kids movie camp is Wednesdays at noon. The museum has free admission on Mondays. Or what have you...

I don't feel guilty that I work full time outside the home. I have to in order to have a roof over my family's head. Hubby just can't do it alone. I get stressed out at my current job, and daydream during my hour commute about quitting...for a job I would enjoy more. Not that I don't wonder what it would be like to stay at home. I'd love to spend more time with my daughter and dogs, but that doesn't mean I'd get the housework caught up or the yard work done. We'd be at the museum or the library.

We still do those things on the weekend. But there aren't any library story times on Saturday or Sunday, or free crafts or free movies or free museum admission. I guess because I work out side the home I have money to pay for these things. Thankfully, I can.

Because we both work, Hubby and I send our four-year-old to a wonderful preschool so she can have interaction with other children her age. She goes three days a week and loves it. There's crafts, story time, songs and other activities, but, we don't get to participate with her because we're working. And, preschool isn't free. We're lucky that we have family who can care for her the other two days. Weekends are Mommy/Daddy and Punky Pooh days.

But, Hubby and I also have household chores and errands to do on the weekend. I just can't get everything done on weeknights after working a full day outside the home. I could if I never slept. Sometimes the dishes are left in the sink, and thankfully, we have enough clothes that I can skip doing laundry once in a while. Even though the library is open till 9, and the movie theater even later, I don't want to cram it into a weeknight. There's supper to fix and baths to take to get ready for the next day.

Because we work outside the home, away from our family for hours, family time is precious. We want to take our kids to the museum or the movies or craft time. It would be nice if some free activities were scheduled on weekends when working parents have a little more free time.

Untimely

...the death of Big Josh at 19. He was too young to die; had too much to live for. His life had really only begun. The worst part is that we may never know what truly happened. Today was very sad for the family and friends left behind to grieve. Little brothers shouldn't have to be pallbearers. We're all going to miss you, but I know we'll see you again. Your spirit lives on in our memories of you.

another one is born

Every one is doing it, so why not me? Okay, not everyone, but it sure seems like it.

I don't dye yarn, but I am a beginning self-taught knitter. Thanks to my brother-in-law, Q, for the title.

I'm not sure where this blog will go, but right now it's almost tomorrow, so I'm going to bed.