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Friday, November 26, 2010

The T-Mobile Welcome Back



Flying is such a hassle nowadays. Used to FUN! But if you got off the plane and THIS happened, it'd be so cool!!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The Vaccinating Controversy

Ah, the vaccination controversy.

My mother was a Christian Scientist, a strange one, but yes, she was. Yes, the religion that "doesn't believe in doctors," (although that's a gross generalization). And yet, we still got vaccines.

If kids are having reactions to modern vaccines, I think it's because the parents don't eat right and they're kids eat crap. People aren't getting enough outdoor time, sunshine, exercise. I never heard of any kid getting a reaction when we were growing up, except maybe for smallpox. But you got that if you were going overseas. I had to get smallpox, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis when I went to Japan. Not fun but I did it.

I know some dogs have vaccine reactions but that's usually to the Lepto or because they got that whole DHLPP together. I realize kids aren't puppies, but still. Some Paediatricians give just a bit at a time and watch for reactions.

A friend of mine didn't get the usual kiddie vaccinations, she didn't believe in it., I get that, it's a choice. Her kids got whooping cough and 6 weeks of her life was spent taking care of sick kids. In the summer. When they can't and shouldn't go out and be with other kids. She "depended on OTHER parents vaccinating THEIR kids." Kind of irresponsible (and I really like her too). I think they've closed schools because of W. C. outbreaks. I know they did when I was a kid.

Polio is real and there have been outbreaks in third world countries. Not here but that's what they said about AIDS. I had a friend when I was a kid that had it. She wore braces from the time she was tiny. I have vivid memories of her dragging herself around on a blanket in the summer grass, legs encased in these huge, heavy braces, basically dead-weight. And she always smelled like baby powder. Not fun. I remember getting my first polio vaccine in first or second grade; it was on a sugar cube. I wish for little kids' sakes they could do that now.

It's really hard to watch your little one get a shot. It hurts! Poor baby! Poor Mommy!

I had chicken pox, measles and mumps when I was a kid. So TOTALLY NOT fun! They didn't have vaccinations for those when I was a baby/little kid!

I am, however, not a fan of flu shots. I won't get one. Even when I get ancient! Even then, my body will be able to fight it off and I'm convinced that's because I get fresh air and exercise. But the other stuff? Heck, yeah. I'd rather have a malaria vaccine instead of having malaria! (Not that I'm planning on going any place where I'll need it in the near future...)

I just don't get not doing it. For your kid and for other kids too. It's bad enough when your kid goes to school and everybody is sick. And, as I said, so many kids are not outdoors enough. That helps with your health and immune system. Not just shots. And eating decent food! So many kids eat crap and watch way too much TV and are on electronic devices all the time.

But that's another rant!

Words Are Hard To Come By (A Memory)

This is disturbing....

Words are hard to come by.

My Hungarian CATHOLIC grandmother sat me down to watch a documentary about Hitler's "final solution"

I was ten years old. I had nightmares for weeks afterwards. It's still extremely hard for me to watch anything about it. My memory sometimes isn't always there for current events but, things like that? Oh, yes indeed!

My ex's dad, Richard, liberated a camp and because he spoke fluent Polish, he was used as an interpreter. He was 20 years old and had survived the Battle of the Bulge. Years later, and I'll never forget this, we're were having dinner in Denny's.

Now Richard was a pretty laid back guy, so you have to know that for starters. He was friendly but not a "butt-in-ski" by any stretch of the imagination. He was more of a "groaner joke, bad pun" kind of guy. He was also somewhat deaf, having been an anti-tank/anti-aircraft gunner and then a Master Carpenter. He wore hearing aids but they weren't super-duper!

(This of course was years after I had seen Herta's tattoo on her arm. I never forgot that either. But that's another story.)

At the table next to ours were a couple of guys in their late 20s, kind of young-ish white collar types. One said something about the concentration camp being "way over exaggerated" and the whole thing was not nearly as bad, etc.etc. And that it was all Jewish propaganda, etc. etc. Very hoity-toity tone, very dismissive. Very Revisionist History.

Richard, that easy-going man, then in his sixties and in not the greatest health (fused spine, walked on crutches), whipped around in his chair, stood up (fast) and gave those three guys a loud lesson in history starting with,

"I was THERE, you ignorant little assholes! I saw it all! I liberated a camp. Don't you DARE tell me it didn't exist!"

Etc. etc.etc. It was about a five minute rant and even my ex had never heard most of what Richard related to these young guys. At the end they were mentally cowering, heads lowered in shame and embarassment.

I remember feeling very proud and awed because Richard had the guts to do what so many people DON'T do: speak up, tell the truths he witnessed. I wish I could remember everything he said, but I do remember being totally stunned that he was cussing and swearing, which he almost never did!

You can cut and paste the link below if you wish.....There aren't any diead bodies, just so you know.....
-----------------------------------
The Only Surviving Album of Auschwitz
This is the story of a Hungarian Jewish woman who survived Auschwitz and found a coat belonging to a guard which she took to shield her from the cold immediately after her liberation.
In the pocket of this coat she found a photo album. It contained pictures of what went on in this extermination camp. Imagine her reaction when she saw a picture of herself coming off of the train as well pictures of her family who were already murdered.
This album at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem was donated by this woman in 1980 and will forever be displayed there. When you have 5 minutes of peace and quiet in front of your computer, watch it and consider passing it around to people that you know so they can share it and know about it.
It is truly moving and important.
See link under:
http://www1.yadvashem.org/exhibitions/album_Auschwitz/mutimedia/index.HTML

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Really Good "Vay-Cay"

Just for one week....

The ideal vacation (or "vay-cay") would be one in which I would have:

1) Some silent person who would do all laundry, dishes or cleaning. Like a mute butler. The tab would picked up by some unknown benefactor.

2A) The animal fairies would clean up dog poop accidents, litter boxes, cat ralph or dog puke. They would worry about the old dogs and train the young ones.
B) All dogs would have one week of total silence.
C) I would walk in the woods, a dog at my side, no leash.
D) The cats would lie in the sunshine, never jumping on forbidden places or using anything other than a scratching post.
E) Every critter would get along in peace and harmony.

3) Everyone I know or see would smile, laugh and have a positive outlook, no matter how gloomy things might seem. Silliness and joy would reign! Laughter would be loud and long. There would be singing. The music would music I like! Everyone would have solutions that are easy and relatively effortless.

4) A fully staffed kitchen would provide me with delicious meals, some I've never tried before. The Chef would teach me how to do things I'd like to learn in the kitchen.

5) I could walk with a swift, effortless stride for miles and miles. and ride my bike fearlessly! I would have the best personal trainer to get me started on a healthier fitness path. (But not like Jillian on "Biggest Loser." She scares me!)

6) Headaches, body aches, crabbiness, ill-temper, feelings or guilt, nervousness and fear ---- gone! Mine and everyone i come in contact with.

7) I would wave my magic wand and all the forty-jawed people would instantly shut up! Peace, it's wonderful.

8) There would be music in every room and I could change the song with a flick of my wrist. If I wanted to watch a movie, it would be like a theater! Only with comfy chairs and my sweetie by my side.

9) Everything in my surroundings WORKS perfectly!

10) Nobody (including me) would yell, snap, whine at me. Including me to me and me to others.

11) "Where would you like to go, Mistress? The car is at your disposal." I wouldn't have to ask anyone for a ride. Or feel guilty about it.

12) Our house would be our house, just me and Marty.

I wouldn't even have to leave home.

Just #1, 2, 3, and 6 would be fabulous!

Yes, jetting off to some paradise with long walks on sandy beaches or a cozy house by a crystalline lake would be very cool. My design goal is to have the attic have that feel to it, a place of peace and beauty,

Don't get me wrong. I am so grateful for where I live, that I have a roof, food, music, communication, TV, movies, a safe neighborhood, wheels, a park nearby, super nieghbors. That I can see, breath, hear, walk, talk, think (although sometimes my mind doesn't always remember stuff, which is scary). I have friends who've baled me out when I've needed it. A family and husband who love me. In his case, for some unknown, wildly improbable reason. What else do I really need?

But oh, just to NOT be running (and worrying) from pillar to post for a while would be awesome! Not thinking, "Oh, crap, I really need to vacuum, do dishes, laundry."

And to get the forty-jawed people to just SHUT UP!

I'm laughing now.

Monday, November 8, 2010

I'm Thinking Of Kaya


Was it a year ago when Megan and I snuck into Josh's house to find pictures of Kaya, here and there? Was it almsot a year ago that I photographed and copied and fixed those pictures and started to create a book of photos for a Christmas presents for my brother and niece?

I miss her very much. But not one one-hundredth as they do. I miss her for their sake, of course. And mine.

I think I miss her laugh most of all but luckily I do have a snippet of that on video.