Hospital - Day Six

Well, haven't seen Ellicia since Friday since there's no one to watch all three children.

So, we've kept in touch via cellphone. They're not allowed by the hospital, but... well, we're just being semi-sneaky.

Her drainage tube came out today. We're thinking she may be out Tuesday... possibly Wednesday.

Her spirits are up. She'd like to be out by her birthday, but that chance looks slim.

No other news...

Can't Believe I Bought $500 of Gas

Well, I did it. Bought $500 of gas tonight. Tomorrow, the gas prices change. AAFES sets gas prices monthly, and beginning 01 May, they'll go up twenty-five cents per gallon (or roughly 6.5 cents per liter) and stay that way all month. And since AAFES "capped" the price increase, it's likely that they'll jump in June, as well.

So I, like hundreds or thousands around Germany this weekend, bought gas coupons. These are the coupons that AAFES sells (in cooperation with Esso/Exxon) gas coupons so US customers can buy gasoline at Esso (and some Aral and BP stations) at AAFES prices. Convenient, and nice deal by Esso.

The nice trick is that AAFES accepts the coupons as well, and since they don't expire, we can use them to "hedge" our fuel prices.

Translated, I can buy May (and June, July, etc) gas at April's price. And since I'm betting that AAFES is going to raise gas prices, I went ahead and bought $500 worth of gas.

Seems to be wise since I run through about 70 liters of gas per day these days, it seems prudent to take that bet. That, and AAFES probably won't miss a chance to raise the price of gas.

(Thank goodness for credit cards!)

That Special Time of Night

It's almost midnight. It's a special time of night for me.

Now, many of you are wondering (rightfully so, I 'spect) what I'm doing up this late. Well, part of it is that I can't help it. I am a definite night-owl. I have to force myself to bed early, and that's only when I know it's going to be a super early morning. Somehow, I just do ok...

Anyway, it's particularly nice. Kids are asleep. It's nice and quiet. Very peaceful. "My" time.

So, while I'll soon be toddling off to bed. I'm flat-out exhausted. (And why am I not already in bed? Well, can't sleep. See "night-owl" part above.) Hopefully I'll get to sleep through the night without any early morning phone calls ("Has she checked her e-mail?" at 0630 today) and the children waking up.

Hopefully.

Quirks

My cat likes sweet tea. Actually, they both do. MRI likes to drink tea from a full glass. Scanner likes to drink his from an empty glass.

(But wait, sir... it's empty. How can he drink from an empty glass?)

Good question. He uses his paws.

(Surely you don't mean he lifts the glass and drinks from it???)

No, silly. Besides, it's an empty glass and that wouldn't work. What Scanner does is this: He comes over to the glass, sniffs, realizes that it's sweet tea. Oh goody! He then curls his paw, and dips it into the glass to soak the fur with the tea at the bottom of the glass. He then licks his paw dry. Repeat.


Meanwhile, since E went into the hospital, I haven't had to feed the kids dinner YET! I must be a great Dad! K keeps finding ways to weasel food from our neighbors (long story), while Thomas and Riss have consistently fallen asleep each night before I get a chance to feed them. Today, Riss fell asleep mid-play. It should be noted that Thomas did eat dinner tonight, and then promptly fell asleep.

Quirks, quirks...

Hospital - Day Four

Day Four. Already?

Wow, time flies.

Ellicia is recovering well. She's forecasted to stay there through Monday, so she's getting comfortable. We have her well entertained and she still doesn't have a roommate, which has her happy.

Part of this is awaiting results of tests. While she's undergone x-rays, mammograms, Pet scans (if your cat meows, you're safe - if your cat barks, you have a possessed cat), etc... it's these final tests that will be the ultimate determination. What the docs did was to go into the breast, and scoop out the mass that was still showing up on the scans. Then, they scooped areas surrounding it. Now, they'll take those surrounding areas and slice them into super thin slices. Each slice is then tested for cancer. If nothing shows (and so far, none has), then it will be assumed that there's none anywhere else. If some shows, then it will be assumed that cancerous cells are elsewhere, and she'll be scheduled for a separated surgery to undergo mastectomy.

Meanwhile, life continues.

AAFES Gas Prices

Well, this one wasn't a surprise... Well, partly was.

AAFES Gas prices are going up. That makes sense... gas prices are up all over the world.

Here's the surprise: They're only going up 25 cents per gallon.

It seems the general in command of AAFES set a cap so that the AAFES pricing formula wouldn't kick in. It would have gone up 35 cents or 45 cents per gallon.

So, good for AAFES.

(Interesting aside: In statements about it's pricing guides, AAFES always says that one of the reasons for it's prices is the cost of administering the gas coupon program. However, whenever there's a noticeable jump in the price (e.g. 25 cents per gallon), AAFES recommends the use of... the gas coupon program.)

Hospital Update - Surgery Day

Today was Surgery Day. She is well, recovering nicely.

There are, of course, lots of questions. Mostly regarding how much was removed and what happens next.

Well, the short version is that we need to wait. We're awaiting test results. There will be more later.

Promise.

Not Just the Kooks...

Why should the crazy folks be the ones who have their comments moved to an actual post...

The OZzies should, too!

As Colleen mentions in her comment that I'll copy below, 25 April was (is) ANZAC day. ANZAC day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the Battle of Galipoli.

I was introduced to Galipoli in high school through both my history and, surprisingly, my English class. We watched the film, and then studied it intensely.

Colleen's comment:

I thought I would let you all know out there that yesterday (Australian time) that is 25 April was ANZAC day. Do you know what that is? ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. It was the celebration of the famous landing at Gallipoi during WWI where many Australian and New Zealand lives were lost fighting for us. A Day of Rememberance for all who lay their liveson the line to fight in all Wars to help make life better for all of us today. My father was one of those who fought in WWII Thanks Reid, you are now also one of those doing likewise - appreciated by the majority. Australia does also currently have soldiers along side the US soldiers including in Afghanistan.
Thanks
Les & Colleen

I remember seeing the Ozzies in Afghanistan. Also seen were Canadians, Brits, Romanians, French, Spanish, and Germans. Good allies.

Hospital Update - The First Day

Ok, well we went up to the hospital today.

Got her all checked in. She has a semi-private room, and we have her iPod all loaded up with audiobooks and tv shows to watch. Has a cell phone so she can send me text messages...

And it begins. They swarmed on her with all kinds of tests. Blood tests had five vials to fill. EKG's (standard before surgery) and extra sonograms.

Sonogram and x-rays have docs reconsidering if all is gone. Might end up needing a lop-ectomy (as in "lopping off parts") after all... but, that'd be a second surgery at another date.

Bottom line? We don't know. It's like the TV shows where the face is wrapped in bandages and no one knows the results, and there's the dramatic unwrapping scene... well, that's tomorrow. We'll know what we're facing when she comes out of surgery.

So, please keep those prayers coming. Remember, she started with a 13cm tumor and a prognosis of "terminal". And she's still here...

It May Not Be Much...

Almost to 15,000 on the ol' hit counter. Sure, it's not the several hundred thousand plus like other blogs, but...

Well, I'm proud of it. I still am surprised to have so many stop by... just my lil' ol' life.

And so far 23 different countries checking in. Woo hoo!

I'm liking these toys like the mapper and such.

Anyway, thank you all for stopping by, and please, come back again. Never know what will be here...

OPSEC

Just a reminder, this blog will remain OPSEC compliant. When you notice some of the countries checking in... perhaps they're friendlies, perhaps they're not... so, no Secret Squirrel stuff, ok?

Dean Berry - Real American

Dean Berry has finally struck my blog.

Under the post regarding my wife's upcoming cancer surgery, Dean Berry - Real American left the following comment:

BE A MAN AND LEAVE THIS POST INTACT.

JESUS CHRIST HAS REMOVED HIS BLESSING FROM AMERICA BECAUSE OF YOU AMERINAZIS. YOU CAN’T MURDER PEOPLE TO STEAL THEIR OIL, THEN LIE ABOUT IT! YOU DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO HELL FOR THAT?

http://www.deanberryministries.org/index3.html

DINOBERRY@FRONTIERNET.NET

Where to begin? In truth, I'm not going to bother too much.
He does remind me of Phelps (y'all remember the minister whose church protests at Soldiers' funerals?)...

Class-y guy here... I'm betting he didn't even read the post. Just clicked to comment on the first one.

Why? Because he tags blogs all the time. He's been doing it for months and months...

Want to have a blast? Check out his website.... I especially liked the part when I clicked on "Traitor"... hehehe...(if you don't see anything, hit CTRL-A... his website design isn't the best.)

So, here you go, Dean Berry... if you'd ever like to join me during a rocket attack or such, let me know... I love meeting "Real Americans".

Quiet Before the Storm

Well, Ellicia and I just returned from a short getaway. It was a getaway... get away from the kids... get away from the base... get away from the fish bowl... get away from ________.

We had a lovely stay in Frankfurt at one of our favorite hotels. We were able to swim (I gave Ellicia swimming lessons), sleep in (what a concept!), have room service, enjoy a nice meal, and even go out to the airport and watch the airplanes while having ice cream.

It was nice.

And over too quickly. Less than 48 hours.

And less than 36 hours from now, she goes in for surgery.
And I get the kids.
I'd love to swap with her.

If the blog posts/e-mails slow down over the week, it'll be due to the crazy schedule I'll be operating on.

Ellicia needs visits during her hospital stay. Not just from me, cause I'm her hubby and all, but because my visit will be the only English she gets to hear... not counting the broken English from a nurse explaining that she needs to roll over to have her temperature taken (oh joy).

I feel for her in the hospital. I have our iPod all loaded with audiobooks and tv shows to watch. Plus music. And pictures to look at. (Amazing lil' toy.)

I hope I get to spend time with her, but... it's probably going to be short visits.

And hoping the surgery is easy and minimal -- we really don't know how much will be cut until he goes in and looks... not expecting a full breast, but... anything else is still possible...

So, till later...

Commenting

I'd like to thank "CatWreck" for an in-depth comment recently posted here. I'm always impressed when I notice folks digging through the archives!

What's got me laughing, though, is that of all the myriad topics posted here... whether I've poured my heart and soul into them, or not... the most heavily commented topic, of late, seems to be...

Marissa's sandwich topping choices.

Hehehe.

(While I'm at it, I'm enjoying watching the country list grow. I wish I'd installed that earlier. When you stop by, drop a comment on where you're from. I find it interesting!)

Yummy

M named the ingredients to her sandwich for lunch today.

She's happily munching away on her Peanut Butter, Bologna, and Cheese sandwich.

I know.

At least it's not a Peanut Butter and mayonnaise sandwich.

Powers of Perception

Isn't it amazing how observant and unobservant children can be simultaneously.

For example, children cannot spot large multi-ton vehicles coming at them as they cross a street.

Children can spot a small smidgeon of candy hidden behind several objects, inside a cabinet, on a highest possible shelf.

Children cannot find a washcloth to wipe their faces.

Children can spot a McDonald's sign from three towns away.

Children cannot find socks in a drawer full of socks to wear.

Childen can find their favorite toy in the disaster area known as "Children's Room After Children Played All Afternoon On a Rainy Day."

Children walking through a room are likely not to see the big table between them and their final destination.

Children are likely to spot the candy on your desk, as they walk by, without even looking in that direction.

It's A Little Late

The media has been reporting, with gusto, how several retired generals (what are we, up to six? You think there'd be a billboard in Times Square keeping track) are calling for Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to resign.

Why are they calling for his resignation? They say that he needs to be held responsible for the poor planning of the prosecution of our campaign in Iraq.

Are these minor generals? Maybe the General in charge of Pentagon Paper Pushing?

No, they've been fairly important. The most recent to join in was Major General (ret.) Batiste. He just left the 1st Infantry Division, which he led in Iraq.

You might think that what's got me upset is the media are enjoying the generals coming out against Rumsfeld. Well, no.

My question is this. Where were the generals when they were in charge? These officers not only had a responsibility to successfully carry out their mission, but also to the Soldiers under their command. I am sincerely hoping that we'll see memoranda showing these generals voiced their concerns when they were on active duty.

It's a little late now.

It Takes All Kinds

While surfing around the web, looking for other information, I landed on this site.

This is scary stuff.

Not the theories proposed, which can be easily refuted (but don't try to show the fallacy of many of the arguments - they'll eat you alive on the site), but both the type and number of people involved in the forums and the need to believe that the big, bad government is out to get people.

Sigh.

Another Right Gone... I Guess I'm Not Allowed to Complain Anymore

Back in February, I wrote a blurb about AAFES. (Other mentions of AAFES can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.)

Recently, a comment was left on the February post about gas prices and AAFES.

Mr. Anonymous left the following note:

I get so tired hearing people complain about the gas prices in Germany. I have to ask would you rather pay the prices they pay on the economy? My second question is, do you use the gas coupons that can be used at many stations across Europe? How do you think that program is paid for? Do you think it is a free program paid for by tax payers for your convenience? I have another comment about people complaining about AAFES in general. No, it may not a perfect company... (name one that is) but what other company would work with the military community, under military rules and work with old buildings the military supplies them, and open a store? What other company would employ military dependents as a first priority, even though these people transfer constantly, and in some cases would never make it in any other retail outlet? What other company would give most of their earnings back to the Military to build Gyms, Libraries, Bowling Alleys, Swimming pools, and a host of other amenities that most military members, DOD Civilians and contractors take for granted. What other company do you know that would open stores in a war zone, have employees volunteer to run them, and truck drivers who risk their lives and some who have lost their lives so you can get your double stuffed oreos when you want them? Do you really think WalMart would take better care? Think again my friend. So before you complain about all the little things that are wrong with AAFES, think of all the really great things they do everyday to help troops around the world!

Sigh. Where should I start? (Picking on the "Anonymous" is too easy.)

How about this? I recognize, and have even mentioned from time to time, that AAFES does good things. They do "Go where we go". So would any other business that wanted a chance to make a profit. Wal-Mart specifically? I don't know. However, if there was not a US Congressional mandate that AAFES is the SOLE proprietor to servicepersons on military bases, I am certain other entrepreneurs would jump at the chance for such an untapped market. This can often be seen at bases where a business comes in with a product, not sold by AAFES at the time (for example, internet), and AAFES comes along, declares an "internet concession" and thus, the first company must leave as no one is allowed to compete with AAFES.

That's the crux. There is no competition. Market forces are not at work.

Servicepersons often feel they're being ripped off. Whether it's the "high quality" goods often sold (and yes, there are some, but often not) at PX/BX's, the continuing lies regarding the price fluxuation of gas ("It's so diapers are cheaper", "It's because the price in the US went up, not down as reported", "It's so we can contribute to MWR at the base", etc.) or sometimes just the lack of care for "The Best Customers in the World", ask a serviceperson and you'll find the same. We're all grateful for the opportunity to find American products overseas. We wish we didn't feel fleeced every time we shopped.

AAFES says that it's profits go to MWR. I cannot find a display at Illesheim to say how much our base gets, but at a nearby post (only slightly larger than us), AAFES proudly boasts contributing $255,000 to the local MWR in the past year. Not a small amount, but... Let's look closer. AAFES boasts that every day is a "Tax Holiday" because AAFES does not charge sales tax, like in the states. That IS an awesome benefit, and does save servicepersons quite a bit of money. However, if our gas price is comparable to that in the states (ours is $2.60, and the states average, including an average tax of $0.50, is around $2.50, so close), then already we're looking at a mark-up, because if AAFES wasn't charging us the sales tax included in the average states comparable price, then AAFES would thus be around $2.10. Therefore, we're left to conclude that right off to bat, a) AAFES lies about the tax holiday and b) AAFES has a 50 cent per gallon head start on profit. Not bad. I can only imagine what could be done to our MWR facilities if AAFES is contributing that much money each year.

AAFES also says that prices in PX/BX's are the same worldwide. Unfortunately, the pace of deployment has allowed the fallacy of this to shine through. Soldiers coming and going have noted price differences worldwide.

Maybe it's the quality of service that gets servicepersons' dander up. For you see, if you complain at most AAFES facilities, you tend to get the following responses (note, not all the time, there are some gems of employees out there): "You could try buying gas on the economy" or "Well, where else are you going to go?" Both of these responses, while rude and poor in customer service, are false statements. AAFES gas is not designed to compete with local economies - none of AAFES' services are. No more than AAFES' Burger King matches prices with local BK's, or their service stations, or anything else. They are designed to provide American services within the American economic structure.

As for "Where else are you going to go?" It's the company town aspect that I was referring to earlier. However, the Internet is changing all of this. Ask any community mail room just how much parcel mail is being processed due to on-line ordering. You can order almost anything online - I've ordered books, DVD's, Christmas presents, clothes, furniture, even car tires (which beat AAFES price by over $200, even after freight charges). Many places offer free shipping, and some even include military discounts.

I could rant on and on, but... One of the key things that servicepersons miss is the ability to shop anywhere... And to shop around. AAFES does provide a service. Unfortunately, the price we pay tends to be quite high.

I Look Forward To...

I've been meaning to post this for awhile... it's been buried in my e-mail since 1 March.


*MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Feb. 23, 2006) -- *Women hold onto fond memories from their youth throughout their lifetime – getting a driver’s license, the first day of school, their "Sweet 16" birthday party. But more often than not, their most cherished memories include their first dance – the dress, the shoes, the fancy hairdo, and of course their date.
Many young girls created this treasured memory of their first dance Thursday at The Clubs At Quantico. It was not the prom, senior dinner dance, or even a school dance. It was the Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance hosted by the Quantico Youth Center.
More than 200 people attended; fathers in suits and ties or their dress blue uniforms and girls – as young as 3 years old in their favorite or new dresses.
"It’s their daughters’ first date," said Kim Hammond, director of youth activities. "The father shows them how they should be treated. They set the bar, the standard for which any male in the life has to meet."
The first experience of the night was a buffet-style meal for the older attendees and a platter of chicken tenders for the younger. But the party really got started when the disc jockey turned up the music.
Some dads with very young daughters picked them up and danced with them on their hips. Others danced side-by-side. Either way, there was not a square inch left open on the dance floor.
The crowd danced on the rug and in between tables. The DJ played a mix of music from today and from the "dads’ generation." When today’s music thumped from the speakers, the daughters showed their fathers the way to dance in the new style. But when "Play that Funky Music, White Boy" came on, the men showed the girls how it was done in their day.
"I am surprised at how much fun we are having out there dancing," said Staff Sgt. Santo River, garrison mobile equipment staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge at Headquarters Marine Corps, with his daughter Jasmine at his side.
For a few moments, the dancing ceased because it was time for dessert.
After a few bites of the cake and ice cream, the girls dragged their dads back onto the floor. Plates with half-eaten cake soaked in melted ice cream covered the table tops the rest of the night.
Some scheming girls coaxed the DJ into announcing a break-dancing contest. The crowd cleared an opening on the dance floor, and a few brave men showed off their skills to the rhythm of little voices encouraging them with, "go daddy, go daddy." After the running man, the worm, back spins and the robot, the girls joined back in.
"This is our third one, and we will come as long as we can – until she’s married," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Hodge Jordan, reconnaissance project officer at Marine Corps Systems Command, of his daughter Emily.
For some, it was past their bedtime when the music finally stopped and it was time to go home. But the memories made were ones that will last forever.
"The mother is always the queen, but the daughter is a princess in the father’s eyes," said Hammond. "Tonight is a perfect way to show that."

Anniversaries

Today is an anniversary. Oh?

Yes, for one, the Space Shuttle is 25 years old, today. Twenty-five years ago, Columbia (she's missed) rocketed into orbit. Soon, it too will fade into the dustbins of history as President Bush has declared 2010 as the mandatory retirement date for the shuttles.

Perhaps more significantly, today marks the fortieth anniversary of man's journey from this chunk of rock into outer space. Our voyages are just beginning...

So, Happy Anniversary... to Man^* in space.



* - "Man" here is used as the traditional representation for all humankind and is not intended to slight anyone in a non-politically correct manner.

It's Our Right! It's Our Right!

Did you know that you have the right to not lose your job - even if you don't come to work?

No?

Surprise! This is the belief of several of our loyal citizens, er... future citizens, um, I mean... residents who snuck in here and are not supposed to be here.

In a recent article (and news show coverage), it is reported that the management of the Wolverine Packing Company actually dared to FIRE some employees for not coming to work.

These are some undocumented workers (paperwork pending?) who were told that if they went to a rally instead of coming to work as scheduled, they would lose their job.

They did not come to work. They rallied. They were fired. As predicted.

Now, rights groups are up in arms. (Big surprise) Apparently, it's their right to miss work to demonstrate for their rights. (See also - Students Given School Credit for Demonstrating Instead of Attending School).

I wish I'd known back in the days when I was a civilian. I could have gone out and demonstrated... maybe a nice demonstration at the beach? What am I thinking? I'm a white, protestant, male...

Illegal Immigrants

I don't like this.

I sense yet another emotionally manipulative argument that conveniently, and frequently, obscures and ignores the one critical fact of this whole debate - that these individuals are here illegally.

My question is this: America is great, and we all agree on that... so for those who are so highly motivated to arrive here as to pay huge sums of money to "coyotes", navigate treacherous terrain (be it Rio Grande desert or Pacific ocean in cargo containers), and then live sub-strata (look it up) lives always fearful of the next knock on the door... Why can't you apply for legal immigration?

The process is not supposed to be easy? But certainly, it's easier than getting here and staying here illegally?

As for the manipulation...
"These are human beings, too" - obviously, we're not worrying about the illegal cat population.

"These are your neighbors." - Neighbors who are breaking the law are bad neighbors.

"We do the work that others won't do." - Since employers can pay you wages that are sub-standard, sure... you end up doing the work. Not having to report you saves employers quite a bit of money... no FICA, no Medicare, no Health care, no paperwork. Very nice.

"We do the work that whites won't do." - Racist. (Well, isn't it?)

"You're picking on Hispanics, you racist people." - No. We're picking on illegals. Not all illegals are Hispanic, nor are all Hispanics illegal. Just like no Americans are illegal and no illegals are Americans.

"We're here and we're not leaving." - Only until granted amnesty or until the government summons the will to send you back.

"But you're separating us from our families." No, you set that in motion by creating a situation where that would be a possibility.

"How dare you want to deny us schools, health care, and jobs?" - Those are part of the benefits of being an American citizen. Check with the other 180+ countries around the world for their policies on this matter.

"This nation was founded on immigrants." - Yes, legal immigrants. Ellis Island is a National Landmark. The ditch under the fence in Arizona, and the shipping port in San Diego are not.

"The original white settlers were illegal immigrants to the Native Americans who were here first." - Sigh. Ok, we can get into a long discussion here, but the short version is that through wars, treaties (yes, I know, I know), assimilation (again, I know), and relocation (shout it from the roof-tops), one group absorbed the land from the other groups (of which there were many). Thus, it's not so much a question of immigration as conquering. I.E., the Romans did not immigrate to the ancient Greeks, they... conquered it.

It's saddening to see that this is such a topic for debate. Fix the problems, control our borders. Note, CONTROL does not equal CLOSE. Control. Know who is coming in and out of the country. Those who are visiting - keep track of. Those who immigrate legally, welcome with open arms. Those who sneak in, track down, and send home.

No Tears In Heaven?

Perhaps not, but... read this, from Sgt. Hook's website.

http://sgthook.com/2006/04/10/no-tears-in-heaven/

Death

Our unit lost a Soldier over the weekend. Rumors say it's a suicide. Oddly enough, I actually did not know her. While it's a small unit, since she joined the unit while I was gone and since I've been back, I've been in such a "special" status... never met her.

Nevertheless, we're all saddenned by the loss.

Country Scavenger Hunt

Hey, notice the country tracking display? Over there, to the right... lower, yep, there you go. That one.

Neat lil' gimmick, and I'm having fun with it, though I wish I'd had it back when the blog was more heavily hit.

Anyway, I propose a country scavenger hunt. We should all do our part to see how many countries we can get listed.

How to play?

Pick a country you've never been to. It helps if it has at least three consonants in a row, and bonus points if it has no vowels at all.

Buy a plane ticket.

Fly to that country.

Login to my blog.

Say hi.

Fly home.

Repeat.



I'll start.... I'm logging in from... Germany!

Next? :)

Walk, Walk, Wobble, Walk

Thomas' walk is getting more confident. He's quite something to watch. He has a bit of an Otis the Drunk wobble and weave. He stands ok, too... sort of like someone trying hard not so spill their fifth beer.

However, he's going further and further each time, and doesn't even realize he's walking. This is good as it keeps him from panicing and reaching for something to pinky-hold onto.

The babbles are growing as well.

Pecanless Pie

I'm going to try to tap into the vast knowledge base that is my loyal readers.

I love pecan pie. It's like crack for me. However, I can't stand pecans.

I know I'm not the first person to be in this quandry, and I'm quite sure there exists pecanless pie.

I even saw it referenced in an e-mail that was forwarded around - but as "chess pie".

Anyone have any info? Recipes? Because scraping pecans off of pecan pie... just sounds ridiculous (each time we do it).

Random Thought

While reading a book by Lynne Cheney...

If Laura Bush is the First Lady... and by tradition, Mrs. Cheney is Second Lady... who's last?

First automatically defines a line, otherwise Mrs. Bush would be "Only Lady".

If there's a line, then there must be two ends... first and last.

Who's last?

Do all ladies have rankings?

Do you know your number? Maybe you're #18? #42,387? Or perhaps, #2,895,272.

How often are the numbers updated? Do you get notified when your number changes?

Just curious. This is probably just one of those topics discussed in Health Class, in junior high, when the girls get separated from the boys. Probably get embossed cards and all...

Kids...

M sings while pottying.

That's a new one by me. Can't say I've encountered that before... certainly never in the men's room. Fairly sure I've never encountered it in an Army latrine.

Ladies? Maybe it's a girl thing. Lots of singing in the girls' rooms?

Or perhaps... I have a special little girl.

And by singing, I mean she's belting it out. Loud. Can't carry a tune yet, but should she ever start doing Sinatra whilst in there, will let you know.