Mother’s Got A Dot Com

I think there’s something going on today - far away, over the ocean. Something that will have an impact not only on the United States, but on the world at large too.

I don’t know if you Americans are aware of the amount of coverage your election and election campaign is getting in other parts of the world. I can only comment on Norwegian media, but I’m sure the rest of Europe is just as “au fait” with what’s happening as we are.

Let me say that some of the coverage doesn’t help to subdue the feeling we sometimes get over here that you lot are somewhat weird… Aliens for mcCain? Obamas birth certificate? Palins grandchild? Who can slag the opponent the most times and the most viciously during a debate? It just goes to show that we’re as subjected to the media as you are - they pick and choose what to convey, and more often than not, it’s a slagging or a “juicy” rumor.

Any word on these guys politics?

In one way, I’m glad I’m not asked to vote for any of them - there’s no doubt as to which one is the more charismatic one, but with the baggage the other one has been forced to drag around (George jr), I’m amazed he’s still in the running, so there must be something there too.

Politics, anyone?

Yes, I know there are fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. The thing is - they both say they want change. Is that even possible? With the administration running along with business as usual, lobbyists making a (very good) living doing things most people would never consider, concessions always having to be made for corporate interests - is it remotely possible 1. to change anything and 2. to avoid corruption?

I don’t know.

I do know that any election in the US is a global one. As such, maybe we all should be asked to vote. It has impact on world economy, world peace, the environment and world politics as a whole.
One only has to look at history (not just the débacles of the last 8 years) to understand that whoever is elected will have a big say in more than just what concerns the US.
In the meantime, news reporters all over the world are having a field day. Tonight, they’ll get overtime as well - we’re up for an all-night coverage of the Election Day.

So please, people - exercise your right. For yourselves, for the US of A, and for the rest of the world.

Men and women are equal. They have the same rights, the same duties, the same worth.
Boys and girls are definitely different though.

My little 6 year-old princess is into all things pink, she plays with dolls and dollhouses, she loves arts and crafts… The tiny thug, who’s 2, becomes starry-eyed when he sees a tractor, and almost faints with glee when he’s allowed to ride in one. Anything with wheels that makes noise is his favourite toy.
Have we helped the situation along? Not consciously. Does it matter? I don’t think so. If she develops an interest for machines, that will be her choice - if he chooses to be a WAHF, that will be his (and his significant other’s).

Kids, when given the choice, will choose what appeals to them. Little boys, when given a doll, will more often than not take it apart to see what’s inside. Little girls might put the toy car to bed and tuck it in, if given nothing else to play with and “care for”…
It’s how most of us are made. It’s quite fun to observe, actually.

To everyone who celebrates, to #5Brat who’ll be going to a Halloween party as the cutest little witch tonight, and to me, who’ll be lighting a candle to all my dear departed, Happy Halloween!

Courtesy of Halloween Graphics Plus

Le Creuset Cookware - If I could, I’d fill up my kitchen with it. I bet you’ve seen this baby, and it’s an absolute beauty to anyone who’s even remotely interested in cooking, but Le Creuset is so many other things as well. The baking dishes and cooking pots come in shapes and sizes matching your needs, and you can choose a color to match your kitchen and china.

To go with your marvelous pot, check out some of these kitchen utensils - my personal favourite is Eva Solo - the design is functional and good looking at the same time.

OK - I know it’s a fruit knife. Maybe it won’t go so well with your pots and pans, unless you make Duck à l’Orange on a regular basis, but look at it! It’s bound to fit right into the palm of your hand, and Im sure it would look wonderful in a fruit bowl. I don’t know why I have a thing for knives - maybe because mine are never sharp enough. A set of good quality knives and a proper knife sharpener are high on my wish list too.

I would love to go wild on Cookware, utensils, and this copper sauté pan (OK, I know, it’s cookware. But it’s so beautiful, it deserves a mention to itself…). Just look at it:

Do I sauté? I would if I had one of these babies!

# 1 Brat’s school has an open day/weekend this weekend, and Hubby and I are going over there to see how she’s faring.
I know she’s enjoying herself no end, and it’ll be fun to experience what they’re up to. They’ve got a whole seminar lined up for us on Saturday, and an evening of entertainment to follow.
Must remember to buy a new micro sd card for my camera, so I can start recording events again, and get some fresh photos for this blog of mine, as well as for posterity.
On Monday, her music class and the theatrics class are off to a mini-tour of Europe - they’re going to Prague, Berlin and a couple of other places to soak up some culture. So - I guess we’re expected to come bearing gifts, in the form of pocket-money for her trip… (Wrong choice of words - we’re not expected to, but I’m sure it would be much appreciated). Must remember to go to the bank for some Euros.
Over Christmas, they’re off again, this time to London, to get their fill of musicals and concerts, I think.
I don’t know what she’ll do with her life - she doesn’t either, but she’s treating herself to a year of doing what she loves - music - while she thinks about what to do next. That could be music, or something totally different. Time will tell.

We’re looking forward to seeing her in her new environment this Saturday. One thing is to know she’s all right, quite another is to see it with your own doting eyes…

I know - it’s silly. I have 6 Brats, 4 of them stem from my own battered innards, and I’ve done my bit for humanity.
Still - I haven’t started menopause in full yet, my hormones are as active as ever (although slightly unpredictable), and I’ve always adored being pregnant and caring for infants. People procreate - I see those cute little counters all over the web - and I would love to do it again.
Maybe it’s because I was cheated out of half a pregnancy with Miracle Boy (I got a lot of infancy though…), the truth is I sometimes mourn my fertility.

I guess I’ll have to project it all onto my unborn grandchildren when the time comes (no, I’m not replacing the girls’ birth control pills with placebo - yet), and then I’ll be able to buy cute outfits and lovely crib bedding. I’ll also get to take down all the baby stuff I’ve saved in the attic, to the sound of the standing ovations not so suppressed irritation of the mother/father to be.

On the plus side - I’ll be able to required to babysit. Even more on the plus side: I’ll be able to give the Grandbrats back to their parents, send them off, close the door, and enjoy my book/cognac/trip to the Seychelles in peace.

I guess every age has its charm…

I’m getting a new dishwasher today. One that works. It heats the water and everything.

Which means that I won’t have to do half the dishes again after the machine is done, and it will probably take about half the time getting done as well. So - what to do with the dishes that were stacked in there when it finally died yesterday? Plus the rest?

I know. Find a plastic tub, put everything in there, and leave it until the new machine arrives. Makes sense, no? I’ll get to test the thing right away, and I won’t have to spend all day doing dishes. Grand plan.

By the way, the above is an illustration photo. Just to make that clear…
I found it over at Food On The Brain.

Update - a few hours later: I jinxed it! They’re not coming until Friday. Now what do I do? Find more plastic tubs and do 4 days worth of dishes on Friday (I could, I’m a porcelain and glass collector. I would end up serving Miracle Boy his breakfast on bone china and crystal on Friday morning, but I could…) or do I bite the dust and get on with it? Life does deal some hard blows.

A friend of mine called - he’s got to give away his dachshund puppy - his girlfriend is complaining that the dog keeps looking at her every time she takes her clothes off.
Women, eh???
Take a look at the darling doggy - and let me know if you’re interested. First come, first served!

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One of the few traditions that we’ve not adopted from the USA over here (and I’m saying this with all due reverence to both McDonalds and Halloween), is the prom. The flowerwhatsit/limo/irratic dad thing just hasn’t caught on.

We do, however, have a long standing tradition of Christmas and New Year balls, that is immensely popular with kids of all ages. Schools have them, men’s clubs have them (They get to bring their wives. No fun without them),  youth clubs and community clubs have them too.

Now - never mind the men. There’ll always be a tux or a suit avaiable. The big issue is: The Dress. In the olden days, formal dresses or ball gowns were compulsory - these days us womenfolk can be more adventurous.

I don’t buy a dress every year. One reason is that I could neither afford nor justify it - another is that I just hate trying on clothes. (A third is the fact that shops only seem to have them in pygmy size…) Our family counts 4 girls in need of a new outfit for the Christmas season - and the Rissy Roo’s site might be just the place.

The Brats (#s 1,2 and 4) would just adore the Cocktail dresses ( I know they’d swoon over Jasz Couture as well).
For myself, I’d choose from the Plus Size section, where the choice is actually very good. They even have mostly plus size women modeling them, so you do get a pretty good idea of how they look on a non-pygmy frame.

They do bridal and bridesmaids too - and their “Mother-of-theBride” section almost prompted me to go on a diet. There’s probably time - no Brat weddings in sight for a few years yet. (Excuse me while I uncross my fingers…)

There! In need of a gorgeous gown at a reasonable price, or just up for a drool? Have a look!

I’m getting older. Given that the alternative to getting older isn’t a pleasant prospect, I shouldn’t really complain.
Arthritis is no fun, though, and with winter coming, I know it can only get worse. Fingers, shoulders, knees - not to mention the root of everything - the old club feet and their attached ankles, they stiffen up more and more with each rainy day that brings us closer to the frost.
I’ve tried a lot of things - various meds, various homeopathic remedies, a magnetic bracelet and insoles, campheratum liniment, glucosamine, you name it, I’ve done it. Nothing seems to help in the long run, and every year it gets a little bit worse.
I guess I just have to keep soldiering on, as they say, enjoying the good days, trying to get through the bad. And regardless of financial crisis and global warming, there will be another spring.