Family Camping

Last weekend Trent took his scouts on an overnight camp and did some canoeing down the James River. Jon, as usual, got really bummed that his Dad was going camping without him. So, with a four day weekend, we packed up and left after the kids got home from school for an overnight camp trip to Shenandoah National Park. We made sure we had everything on Jon's camping list which isn't much (tent, sleeping bags, sticks and marshmallows) and the rest of the stuff we needed and had a short but really fun trip.

Unbelievable as it sounds, we did not, until Friday, own an axe. We stopped and bought one on our way, because Trent knew he would need to split the firewood we picked up in order to get the fire going initially. The kids enjoyed watching Trent split wood. The clapped and cheered, and Jon called out score every time the wood split.

After convincing Jon that there is more to eat when one camps than marshmallows, we had dinner and just played for a while. After we put the kids in the tent with books, Trent and I were sitting around and thought it was getting awfully smoky. Trent then realized it was fog rolling in. It got foggy enough that in the early morning, the trees would "rain" on everything every time the wind blew. The fog lifted sometime during the night for a while though, because I got up to go to the bathroom, and could see so many stars. It was like looking at the stars at night at Camp Loll, so beautiful. So many stars were visible that in places it looked like clouds of them shining. It was worth getting up and out of the tent just for that.

Roasting marshmallows and Sami with one crammed in her mouth

In the morning, it was misty again. The kids and I headed out on a short walk. Jon decided to stay behind with his Dad. So, while the boys cleaned up all the sleeping bags, we girls went on a nice little walk. Ashley found the short trail that led out to this great view. She also spotted the deer we saw on our return trip.

After getting back and making some breakfast (Trent cooked bacon, and Jon literally cheered bacon!), we cleaned up camp and took the boys back on the same walk. There was no mist the second time, but the view was still really pretty. We are getting excited to come and see it when the leaves are in full color this fall.

Jon and Ashley next to one of the Appalachian Trail markers. Since the Appalachian Trail was part of our short hike, we wanted to include it.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream

45 years ago today, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous I Have a Dream Speech. I love that speech. Who doesn't right? Seriously though, along with the text of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address, that speech contains so much of the roots and reality of what America is and should be would it rise to its full potential.

Unless you have not been paying any attention to the news, I am sure you are aware that on the 45th anniversary of that speech, Barack Obama will give his own speech accepting the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Many a political pundit will go on about some fulfillment of Dr King's dream in the fact that Barack Obama is the first black American to be a party nominated contender for the U.S. Presidency. I tend to see this as some fulfillment of that dream as well, but perhaps not for the same reason.

In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed the desire that his children (and all individuals really) might be judged not, "by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." It is my opinion that Barack Obama happens to be a black man who has received the Democratic nomination to be president not that he received that nomination because he is black. Yes, I know race has not been absent from this Presidential cycle, and I found myself gravely disappointed with Senator Obama's response to the whole Jeremiah Wright controversy. I also know that race is a motivator for some to get out and vote for Senator Obama. Though Obama's race has been a contributing factor, I do not believe It has been the compelling factor in his success. Furthermore, contrary to Jacob Weisberg (who I seriously disagree with out of principle most of the time), I sincerely believe that if Obama is not elected the next President of the United States, it will not be because of his race. I don't tend to agree with Senator Obama politically. I am highly unlikely to vote for him, but this fact about his nomination and about this presidential race is a very good thing.

If Barack Obama is successful in his presidential campaign, do I think difficulties in race relations will stop? No. I would like to see that whole dream realized. I would like to see the term, "Uncle Tom," become a term that is considered unacceptable to use. I would like to see people stop throwing Oreos at successful black politicians. There is still a lot of work to be done. However, for now, on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's speech, it is my opinion that we are seeing an American who happens to be black who, during the remaining course of this campaign, will be judged not based on the color of his skin but on his record, his ability, and the content of his character and will, based on that record, ability and character either succeed or fail.

I Love it When a Plan (mostly) Comes Together.

This past Thursday was the LCS (Legal Center and School) Club welcome coffee. Lisa (the amazing person in the picture with me) and I are the Programs Co-chairs on the LCS Board. I guess the current board president knew what she was doing, because Lisa was what sealed the deal and made me agree to be on the board this year, and I am what made Lisa agree to do the same. We both still feel like we got talked into something that was much bigger than we realized, but that is another issue.

The welcome coffee is the time where all the incoming grad course students' spouses (the students are welcome to participate as well, but it is generally the spouses) as well as all other individuals associated with the local military community are invited to come and see what our club is about, sign up to participate in any interest groups they would like to be involved with, decide whether to join the club, meet each other and eat and drink. Being co-chairs of programs, this was my and Lisa's dog and pony show. All board members who had items of business to present did so, but we had to organize it and put it on. We have been working on it for two months now, and the last week or so heavily. There were times (like when I found out days before that I couldn't set up when I wanted to and would have to be content with setting up two hours before the coffee started) that I was worried it wouldn't work out. The night was a success I am soooooooo happy to report. We had a few hiccups, but we worked those out, and I think we have a good group this year and will have a lot of fun.

Our theme we chose was green (as in environmental). Lisa took care of all the sign ups and shopping for drinks etc. I was in charge of the slide show and table decorations. Every member of the board brought either a dessert or an appetizer. I brought one of each because I was worried about there being enough food. It was just right pretty much. Some left over but not a ton. We had a great turn out, between 60 and 70, and people seemed to have a good time.

I owe several thanks. First of all, a HUGE thanks to my dad who helped pull apart the headers for our sign up sheets and who helped me find lots of great music to accompany my slide show. It was fabulous, and so many people came up and told me they enjoyed the music. We left it playing after the slide show through the rest of the coffee and listened to it again while cleaning up. You are awesome Dad. Thanks again.

Thanks to Sami too. She helped me pick all the wildflowers that are in the middle of the tables. She braved the bugs and all the rest and made sure I had plenty of purple and yellow and white. Her motto seemed to be that we needed more.

Thanks to Trent for helping in every area I needed help and for being so great about taking the kids all night and making it possible for me to do this. You are great. I love you.

Here are a couple more pics from the evening. They don't do a good job of showing much, but you get a general idea I suppose.




Finally, I made my (got the recipe from my step-mom actually) now award winning layered ginger chicken dip and lemon cheesecake squares with blackberries. I had a couple of requests for the later one if it was good, and it was (easy too), so here is the recipe:

Lemon Cheesecake Squares

3/4 cup shortening. (I used butter. I think it tastes better)

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (I used blackberry, but raspberry would be great too)

Filling:

4 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

1/3 cup lemon juice

4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Combine the flour, oats and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Press dough into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Spread with the jam.

2. For filling, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour until fluffy. Add the eggs, lemon juice and peel just until blended. Carefully spoon over jam. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and store in the refrigerator.

I placed a fresh blackberry on each square. If I had time, I would have made a blackberry sauce and drizzled to be decorative, but the fresh berry was nice too.

When All Else Fails, Try a Pedicure

We are on day three of Sami's sliver. She has had more than one bath a day to soften the skin, and she spent an hour at the pool today. I have gotten to my wits' end watching her try not to walk on her heal and knowing that the sliver wouldn't be that hard to remove if she could calm down and hold still. Since Trent is on an over night scout trip, I decided to do a little something different than family movie night. Jon was off drawing a pirate map anyhow, so I decided the girls would all do pedicures. I soaked my feet in the bath, so Sami and Ashley did too. I used the pumice stone, so Ashley and then Sami, who doesn't like to miss out, scrubbed their heals with the pumice stone. Do you see where I am headed here? I trimmed toenails and while I was trimming Sami's toenails, I sneaked a clip at the skin over the sliver. I was lucky that in the brief time she allowed that, I exposed more of the sliver. I painted her toenails and then Ashley's. I went to check Sami's toenails and asked her to blow on them. While she was blowing on them, I got a good look at her sliver. Things got dicey after that. When I pulled out the tweezers, she started to freak out and kick with her free foot. I basically had to sit on her. (Don't worry. I didn't hurt her. I just restrained her free foot and her hand she was using to cover her injured heal.) After a few minutes of kicking and screaming and trying to get her as still as possible, I got a grip on the sliver and pulled it out. We then celebrated through the tears with big hugs and a band aid. Hurray! The sliver is out! As a bonus, we girls all have pretty toenails. Hopefully Sami will do better now about putting on shoes before she goes out.

Walk Like a Chicken

Try as we may, we seem unable to convince our children to not play outside without their shoes. Many times we catch one or more of them out there barefoot even though we have counselled them otherwise. Because we have a wooden deck out back, slivers happen on occasion. The casualty this time is Sami. Trying to get it out has been a huge exercise in frustration, because she refuses to hold still and gets entirely freaked out and worked up. After trying several times to hold her down and get it out last night, Trent and I let her go. She was crying to her dad, and he was trying to explain to her that he can't get the sliver out if she won't hold still. Not wanting to hold still or submit to tweezers, Sami proposed a solution that had us both laughing. She said she would just walk like a chicken. She then demonstrated by walking around on her tip toes on the injured foot and regularly on the other. I am not sure that is walking like a chicken, but it was hilarious.

On a side note, at the time of writing this, the sliver is still in her foot. If anyone has a nifty sliver removal process that takes into account strong squirmy 3 year olds, please pass it along.

Olympic Nonsense

They have banned the swimsuits worn by the Spanish synchronized swimmers at the Olympics. Apparently, they are too flashy.

At the same time, however, they are urging women who play table tennis (ping pong) to wear skirts and shirts that show curves to increase viewers.

Oh, and have they seen what the female beach volley ball players wear?!?!?

Shouldn't the attire of an athlete have everything to do with comfort and performance? I obviously do not know what I am talking about.

Bad Form

In these Olympics. I have primarily been interested in the swimming and a few tennis matches. Now that the swimming is over, I tune in now and again, but not as regularly. Besides, this week is crazy busy.

Anyhow, you would have to have been really out of touch to not know there is already a lot of controversy surrounding gymnastics during this Olympics. If you want it summed up, you can read this piece by Michelle Malkin. It is a bit harsh, as she tends to be exactly that. However, it definitely gets the bulk of the controversy across.

I expected the whole Potemkin Village of the Olympics in Beijing. When the press submitted to some censorship, you knew some of that was coming. Therefore, the lip syncing, fake fireworks, and seat holders weren't that big of a surprise.

I am truly disappointed though in how the spirit of the Olympics has been tread upon in gymnastics in particular. It is no secret that China is a power house in gymnastics and diving. They are always a force to be reckoned with. The men were highly favored to win the gold, and the women (I use that term loosely) have long been a major threat to U.S. dominance. It was no surprise that they won the gold either. I don't put that much stock in the whole delay thing for what it is worth. It might have been a shady thing to do, but that is part of the whole competition is keeping your nerves and stuff together.

In individual competition, however, Nastia Liukin, who tied in score with the Chinese girl (He Kexin I believe is her name), was not awarded a second gold medal but given the silver in some arbitrary tie breaking procedure. They didn't even have them do a tie breaking routine. They simply used some arbitrary procedure to decide it. Nastia Liukin is the gold medalist in the all around, so I am trying to figure out for the life of me what they came up with to decide the tie. The scoring system in gymnastics has been under fire since the Athens Olympics 4 years ago. You would think that in something already so subjective and under so much scrutiny, they would do as they do in countless other events, award duplicate medals in case of a tie. Duplicate bronze medals were awarded in this Olympics in wrestling. Duplicate silvers were awarded in the women's 100m dash. The later event comes down to 1/100 of a second timing as well. If there is a tie at that point, why not award two medals. That is keeping in the spirit of the Olympic Games. If both of these girls performed routines of equal difficulty with equal execution (again subjective), then why not two gold medals. This is truly bad form. Very very bad form in an event that is already under so much scrutiny and the subject of so much controversy. Other than Michael Phelps, it looks like the story of the Beijing Olympics will be the questionable scandal surrounding Chinese gymnastics. Is that really worth China having the only gold medal in one women's gymnastic event?

For what it is worth, many think that when the ages of the Chinese gymnasts are exposed, Nastia Liukin will get her medal anyhow. I for one say don't count on it. I don't think anyone is going to bother China about the ages of those girls. They will let it die it out in the spirit of coming together.

Update: I have read here what the tie breaks came down to. The first tie break still resulted in a tie. The second was arbitrary but indicates a flaw in the sport rather than in the Chinese Olympics in particular. Why not just average in both scores that were thrown out? I continue to hold to my opinion that it is bad form and that in a sport so heavy with scandal already, they would be better off giving two medals. That would be keeping in the olympic spirit. That would be good form.

First Days of School

Monday was Ashley's first day back to school. She was so excited and had a great time as usual. Kindergarten does a staggered start where Mon.-Wed. only a third of the kids come each day and then they all start coming on Thursday. Tuesday was Jon's first day.


Ashley was very helpful with bus procedure and all the rest. Honestly, I am glad that Jon has Ashley as another clue that he has gotten on the right bus. I am also glad he has her to help him settle down on the bus. She takes this job very seriously of course and told her friends this morning that she couldn't sit with them because she had to help her brother. Too cute.


Jon was very excited to ride the bus. It was hard to say how excited he was about the rest of it. He did come home talking about recess and about nap time.

This is Ashley just home from her first day of school. I took the cute morning shots, but the reflective stuff on her backpack (which is great for when she gets on the bus when it is still dark) made nothing but huge glares, so this is the picture I have.

Ashley and Jon waiting for the bus

Getting on the bus. Jon was so excited that he clamored right up there before I could get a good shot. The kid at the top of the stairs is Jon with Ashley right behind him.

Getting off the bus. They were so cute to come running off the bus. I thought I might have to go pull a sleeping Jon off the bus, but he apparently "shut his mouth and closed his eyes" during nap time.

Watching the Olympics?

Anyone watching the Olympics? I am not nearly as glued to the screen as I was during the 2002 Salt Lake City games or the 2000 Sydney games, but I have watched it whenever I get a chance. If you did not see the men's 4x100 free relay Sunday, click here. This is definitely a moment of Olympic awesomeness. 5 of the teams finished faster than the world record. The winning team broke that record by almost 4 seconds. Amazing.

Spoiler for anyone who doesn't actually know the outcome of that swim:
There is always a little bit of satisfaction when a certain team claims they are going to smash the competition (that would be the French) and are left a little stunned and speechless at the end.

How Cool Would This Be?

For those of you who watch Heroes:

According to the Ausiello Files, it looks like Seth Green and Breckin Meyer might join the cast of Heroes as a pair of comic book store geeks who befriend and advise one of the Heroes. I LOVE Ando. How hilarious would these two be though. It reminds me a bit of the Lone Gunmen from the X-Files. Sooooo much goofy-cool potential.

Last Bit of Summer

Summer, though really not over, is technically over for us. School started today. It seems so odd to me going back to school before the middle of August, but that is how it is here. Yesterday, evening, we made a return trip to Shenandoah National Park. It was fun to drive around and walk around as a family. The weather here has been uncharacteristically and remarkably wonderful. It was a little cool at the park. We hope to find a weekend soon to do some camping, and we are really excited to drive up skyline drive when all of the leaves are changing.

Sunset over the valley

Ashley's imaginative outfit for the trip. She didn't want to risk getting a tick on her.

Jon's imaginative outfit for the trip. This is his makeshift Jack Skellington outfit.

We actually went to the park for the first time a couple of weeks ago. This is Trent and the kids on a small hike. Jon was the leader.

When we went on that hike, we found a lot of huckleberries all over the place. I was super excited. Turns out they are common all over parts of the United States. I thought they were a western thing, which is why I was so surprised and excited to find them in Virginia. It was still fun to find them and to eat a few. It was a reminder of Camp Loll.

Happy Belated Birthday

A happy belated 218th Birthday to the United States Coast Guard. Monday was the 218th anniversary of the founding of the Revenue Cutter Service by Alexander Hamilton and the U.S. Congress. The Revenue Cutter Service's name was changed in 1915 to the United States Coast Guard. For a really basic Coast Guard history, click here or here. Trent was away from his office on Monday and part of Tuesday, so we set up a belated celebration. This morning, we packed up our three wild calathumpians and followed Trent into work where we spilled confetti all over the table and set up our cupcakes, noise makers, and napkins, while Trent put up a happy birthday banner and put red and blue star garlands on the book shelves. Not much really, but it sure was fun. As with most things, I got the idea for the nautical cupcakes from a magazine my mom sent me. The set in the magazine also had sharks and schools of fish, but I left those out for the Coast Guard birthday. It was fun as we went into work early with Trent when someone asked us if there was a Coast Guard function today. We quickly explained. I guess with Trent being the only Coast Guard representative at CLAMO, it meant something was up relating to the Coast Guard. If any of our friends from the JAG School read this, you better go up there and get a cupcake. I don't want leftovers!

Another Edition to the Critter Watch

Since moving here, we have had several critter visitors. We have had deer, squirrels, lizards, racoons (a mom and 4 babies), a fox, and now a frog (I think it might be a toad, but I didn't touch it to find out). It has been fun, for the most part, watching them all. This week, we have had another to add to the list. Actually, this is the second frog to appear in our screened in porch and have to be rescued and returned to the trees etc. I didn't get a picture of the other one though. Amazingly enough, both frogs/toads ended up in the same corner of the porch hopping hopelessly against the same bit of screen trying to get out. Luckily Trent was home both times to capture and save them. I am sure I could have done it if I needed to, but I can also tell you that it would have been much more involved than using a cloth or gloves and catching it in my hands. I know, I am such a girl. Thanks Trent.

I should note, that our critter list is nothing compared to my Dad's. Having been to his house is why I am not one of the people who claims the area we live in is really rural.

Back To School Clothes

When we got back from the school to finish some of the paperwork for Jon to go to kindergarten, we found some packages on the doorstep. Jon, who could not care less about starting school in ten days, was thrilled with his new pirate themed back to school shirts from Grandma. He insisted on trying this one on. I held back the other, because it is long sleeved. Well, trying it on has turned into won't take it off. He may not care about going to school, but he sure is excited about his cool new school clothes. Thanks Grandma Linda! You are the best!

By the way, the shirt doesn't generally look wet. Jon spilled water on the front of it. I took the picture anyway.

People Like Me

I received a phone call the other day from a political organization that I have given money to in the past. I have neglected to continue that practice for that last year or two. Anyhow, they gave me their speech and wanted me to donate yet again. Never mind the fact that they would save the amount I am not giving them if they stopped sending me mailers and calling me, I let the man on the other end of the phone know that I would not be donating and gave him a brief synopsis why. I would explain, but it would go in a different direction than the point of this post.

He continued to try and convince me. He attempted to show me that my logic was faulty. After I continued to explain myself in more detail, the discussion got a bit more animated. First of all, donating money to politics tends to have much more behind the personal motivation than logic. In a representative government, self-interest will always play at least some part. Therefore, yelling at me is not likely to convince me to donate money nor is attempting to paint me as ignorant. The part of our conversation worth posting about, however, is when the man on the phone let me know that the situation we find ourselves in with our Congress and with what isn't getting done is not the fault of those in Congress (particularly those no longer in the majority according to his explanation). It is my fault, or more precisely, it is because of people like me. That is right friends. The Republicans are no longer in the majority not because their constituents for various reasons voted them out of majority but because of people like me. Issues that are important to me are not being acted on, have not been acted on in over a decade and won't be acted upon not because of the inability of our elected officials to act or to represent but because of people like me.

Next time you feel all heated up and think to write your Congressman/woman or Senator. Stop and address that letter to me. After all, it isn't their fault. It is the fault of people like me. I am sure this is as much news to you as it was to me, so I thought I better make sure you all know where the fault truly lies.

Good grief!