tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183317472024-02-18T21:03:29.042-06:00ChavanethWe are here to share a little piece of joy with our friends and family.Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-63130473439980751122011-02-25T18:46:00.002-06:002011-02-25T18:46:32.504-06:00Ethan is exactly who he is supposed to be<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t4ij3Etn3d4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-19056392940211436812011-02-24T13:18:00.000-06:002011-02-24T13:18:02.357-06:00Popsicle TimeYou know the old saying "If you have a sick kid and you're at your wit's end, another one will get sick, and just as you think you have that under control, a THIRD kid will get sick." <br />
No? You've never heard it? Well I have. I've lived it. When I say "sick" - I'm talking Ethan not speaking for hours at a time and Vanessa only wanting to sit in my lap and Chad not seeing Maggie for several days. It's been a rough week to say the least. But everyone is on the mend and Vanessa was in the mood to make some Popsicles. She sent Stephanie a text and Stephanie thought that was a great idea and sent Steve right over! <br />
Vanessa and I took pictures along the way so you can make some GET WELL popsicles too :-) The instructions are under each picture!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81Mzpoo-GidsbdH-eKctsM9ot1ksluffofupKSv58jHahezzwmIkdbJlCkX58IXsFVxgbLS2MCBubH7svSO-eTcsY3KalFhhkY-vQfz2bHcuJPlMuFBEZzxPHVaQGZV8wwTClw/s1600/step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81Mzpoo-GidsbdH-eKctsM9ot1ksluffofupKSv58jHahezzwmIkdbJlCkX58IXsFVxgbLS2MCBubH7svSO-eTcsY3KalFhhkY-vQfz2bHcuJPlMuFBEZzxPHVaQGZV8wwTClw/s320/step1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drain a 10oz jar of maraschino cherries (save juice) Put on cherry in each of 8 3oz Dixie cups.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKahdIhMp8PK2KaYiwUjP0hSkW0uo2KL7X-o-bf4iDnIO3Tu1s3ePqFZbdrVs2NYl_DR5bdc1qMMNCI4XCpHvtgwv1G_sK-QawAAU25jAXgVDqwvHlGtL6TsZ6cMXFq70QL5j8Q/s1600/step2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKahdIhMp8PK2KaYiwUjP0hSkW0uo2KL7X-o-bf4iDnIO3Tu1s3ePqFZbdrVs2NYl_DR5bdc1qMMNCI4XCpHvtgwv1G_sK-QawAAU25jAXgVDqwvHlGtL6TsZ6cMXFq70QL5j8Q/s320/step2.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coursely chop the remaining cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkiZwtk_G9sc9yzt_OUFpOJhpORAIJhqehDcmB0pmHOJHbq4DJCQB-H1yC4LxOEfFHvT8Esgsc4lj3zMfi5n7obB20E_N5A_QaG5JsSA-Zh41NMactppoqFwsUSqcWPk_OmGF9Q/s1600/step3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkiZwtk_G9sc9yzt_OUFpOJhpORAIJhqehDcmB0pmHOJHbq4DJCQB-H1yC4LxOEfFHvT8Esgsc4lj3zMfi5n7obB20E_N5A_QaG5JsSA-Zh41NMactppoqFwsUSqcWPk_OmGF9Q/s320/step3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pour one frz lemonade into the blender</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK-TtTNH5EK7KbFOEp1AA3h-WogTG7CH-LbERQN70SEjez91XmLO10ivQy3DUB4WK9nD-ZDkaTNyXWJSZYaHEA8wm2jDL3Z-iHGhiNrXnpKSuH19KVdY7sA1D2GGwWY5JDBx9gw/s1600/step4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK-TtTNH5EK7KbFOEp1AA3h-WogTG7CH-LbERQN70SEjez91XmLO10ivQy3DUB4WK9nD-ZDkaTNyXWJSZYaHEA8wm2jDL3Z-iHGhiNrXnpKSuH19KVdY7sA1D2GGwWY5JDBx9gw/s320/step4.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add 1/4 cup water</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvGRMKOtoQBIls0Hv7JNkl7SzRH8DlzwkCVB6fE9p99M0Sc2QOPLvUwK3oSMzqAbwDAVSQ8E0SMRzUSZ2tXpH5dc9eTPpE4o41WthXKD-Z_LRjEIDeExfu9AnnjFol8ME7Nzn-A/s1600/step6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvGRMKOtoQBIls0Hv7JNkl7SzRH8DlzwkCVB6fE9p99M0Sc2QOPLvUwK3oSMzqAbwDAVSQ8E0SMRzUSZ2tXpH5dc9eTPpE4o41WthXKD-Z_LRjEIDeExfu9AnnjFol8ME7Nzn-A/s320/step6.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pour the reserved cherry juice into the blender</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfTwTWDKxwOR6x9Fce4JtsCo1oDs4w1YF8He5pPy5XphsF4mVje9p_EwTXDddzHDSr1ojHxyJNBqySx9PfhKcL_cs5f_fDVFnGaOCneYvf2mLQih8kRnjpFua3e_s4ZhjWHjHdQ/s1600/step7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfTwTWDKxwOR6x9Fce4JtsCo1oDs4w1YF8He5pPy5XphsF4mVje9p_EwTXDddzHDSr1ojHxyJNBqySx9PfhKcL_cs5f_fDVFnGaOCneYvf2mLQih8kRnjpFua3e_s4ZhjWHjHdQ/s320/step7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add chopped cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_GU_-hby1TH13jWXzuh2m1qA793JwnEgfppXb76ymB0iJ8UTkQKknhv7SMylEoiHPudSMmOUrh_DnaG5V92foOMEcgB0aJzgUmIhJEyowEuWmdCaeA83xM0MXee4Mp9wqTlQzg/s1600/step8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_GU_-hby1TH13jWXzuh2m1qA793JwnEgfppXb76ymB0iJ8UTkQKknhv7SMylEoiHPudSMmOUrh_DnaG5V92foOMEcgB0aJzgUmIhJEyowEuWmdCaeA83xM0MXee4Mp9wqTlQzg/s320/step8.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blend until smooth</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubd26blEo6VT7OBQV58OM7hEhU9FRWFdRorZL8urRBixBHcWPt5P7HAOmq6eZ2hdO5UmlJuiVmtqeo7UqcWLzJeBphFS83ad7P_YwK23kGar3BbF4TpWufwPBmsmKqE6fDuJJ0w/s1600/step9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubd26blEo6VT7OBQV58OM7hEhU9FRWFdRorZL8urRBixBHcWPt5P7HAOmq6eZ2hdO5UmlJuiVmtqeo7UqcWLzJeBphFS83ad7P_YwK23kGar3BbF4TpWufwPBmsmKqE6fDuJJ0w/s320/step9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fill up cups. Freeze several hours until slushy. Add popsicle sticks. Freeze several more hours. Peel off cups. ENJOY!!!<br />
I found them a little more sour than fruity. I might only put in 2/3 of the lemonade and 1/2 cup of water next time, but that's up to you!<br />
<br />
Thank you Steve and Stephanie for the supplies! Thank you Vanessa for some wonderful picture taking :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-14731058550657004532011-02-23T09:00:00.010-06:002011-02-23T09:00:09.671-06:00TAKE ACTION<div>I CAN FIX IT 5 of 5 <br />
A "Now Art" Project by damali ayo<br />
<br />
<div>Two-thousand people were asked the 5 things individuals can do to end racism. Here are the solutions in their own words. </div><br />
TAKE ACTION <br />
Don't just talk about it. Be about it. Make an action plan. Include the following:</div><br />
<div><strong>Consider racism your problem to solve. </strong></div><br />
<div>Always confront racism, ignorance and innapropriate behavior/language when you see, hear, read or experience it. If someone says something racist don't laugh awkwardly or ignore it. Use the power of your voice. Interrupt/address racism no matter how uncomfortable it makes you, no matter who you are required to confront. Do not make exceptions for you family, your friends, or in the workplace because you fear the consequences. When speaking out against racism, be gentle but firm. Practice civility but also directness. Set the person straight. White people are more likely to listen to you than to the person they are offending. Leave the over-nicess at home. Being overly-nice only make a safe atmosphere for racism and an unsafe atmosphere for other (particularly people of color) to confront it head on. </div><br />
Challenge white people to talk about racism. Learning "what not to say" is not the point. Understanding how racism works and how it can be dismantled is the point. Help fellow white people to learn not just react. <br />
<br />
Be a visible person in the fight against racism. <br />
<br />
<div><strong>In the media:</strong> </div><br />
<div>When a racist incident occurs in the public eye, write a letter to the editor of the local paper condemning the behavior. Identify yourself as a white person in your letter. </div><br />
<div><strong>At work:</strong> </div><br />
<div>Whatever your place of profession, eliminate institutionalized practices that are discriminatory towards people of color or rewarding white privilege. Hire, retain and promote people of color. Maintain a wide range of employees. </div><br />
<div><strong>In the community:</strong></div><br />
<div>Become involved in an organization that is involved with communities of color, like a church, a school, a non-profit, a business or a reading group. Make your involvement more than financial. Involve your time, energy, participation and emotional connection. Stay committed to this organization for at least three years. </div><br />
<div><strong>With your kids: </strong></div><br />
<div>Since people often live in the mostly segregated part of any city/town, send your kids to public schools if they live in a city, and demand that students of color are recruited into the advanced/honors/AP classes. Integrate the books and toys in yoru children's school, and at home. Demand teacher of color for the sake of your kids not just for the kids of color. Promote that a racially integrated educational environment is the best for white kids as well as for kids of color. Fight for equal education for kids of all races. Expose movements that subtly privilege white children over children of color. </div><br />
<div>....Sammi's Comments....<sammi's></div><br />
<div>This is the most difficult for me on a lot of different levels. I have a hard time standing up to people at work and to family members. </div><br />
<div>I also have trouble knowing when to step in at school. I want to help my kids but I don't want to embarrass them or teach them that I will always take care of it. </div><br />
Believe it or not - right now we are having the most difficulty with Chad at school. Most kids don't know his brother and sister are black so they feel free to relate to him as they would other white friends - and say things that they would never say in front of a person of color. Chad is VERY good at standing against racism but I know it's hard for him too, being in a time in life when he is trying to make friends, not fight with them.Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-50485330122051669362011-02-22T09:00:00.003-06:002011-02-22T09:00:25.181-06:00BROADEN YOUR EXPERIENCE<div>I CAN FIX IT 4 of 5</div>A "Now Art" Project by damali ayo<br />
<br />
<div>Two-thousand people were asked the 5 things individuals can do to end racism. Here are the solutions in their own words. </div><br />
<div>BROADEN YOUR EXPERIENCE</div>Caution: Please don't do this until you have SUCCESSFULLY completed steps 1-3<br />
<br />
<strong>The obvious and simple. </strong><br />
<br />
<div>Learn about other cultures, not by asking questions, but by spending time with people (without interrogating them). Hold a door for, or do some small un-returnable kindness for a person of color. Smile at someone who is not white. Stop expecting things in return. </div><br />
<div><strong>Get out there. </strong></div><br />
<div>Put yourself into environments predominantly attended by people of color, where you are likely to get to know more people of color. Whether it's a professional organization, local political/cultural event, a community group or church, a friend's birthday party, an art event, whatever. Go alone. Don't bring your comforting posse, or some friend to share or analyze your exotic experience with. Do not treat this as an exotic experience. See it as living in the real world instead of the limited world you now live in. Observe without photos mental or actual. Don't act like a tourist. Don't stay 'till it is cleanup time. Don't take more than you give. </div><br />
<div>Donate and volunteer with racial justice groups that will put you in situations where you are the racial minority. Don't then brag about the experience and say you know what it's like to be "a minority" or a person of color. Never use the phrase "reverse racism" since there is no such thing. </div><br />
<div>Make a commitment to participate in and develop an in-depth appreciation of an activity that helps you shift your awareness into cultures of color from a mind-body perspective (music, food, dance, language philosophy). Engage in something that helps you to develop a new vocabulary with which to relate to people. </div><br />
<div>Don't just talk about it. Be about it. Make an action plan. Include the following:</div><br />
<div><strong>Consider racism your problem to solve. </strong></div><br />
<div>Always confront racism, ignorance and innapropriate behavior/language when you see, hear, read or experience it. If someone says something racist don't laugh awkwardly or ignore it. Use the power of your voice. Interrupt/address racism no matter how uncomfortable it makes you, no matter who you are required to confront. Do not make exceptions for you family, your friends, or in the workplace because you fear the consequences. When speaking out against racism, be gentle but firm. Practice civility but also directness. Set the person straight. White people are more likely to listen to you than to the person they are offending. Leave the over-nicess at home. Being overly-nice only make a safe atmosphere for racism and an unsafe atmosphere for other (particularly people of color) to confront it head on. </div><br />
<div>Challenge white people to talk about racism. Learning "what not to say" is not the point. Understanding how racism works and how it can be dismantled is the point. Help fellow white people to learn not just react. </div><br />
<div>Be a visible person in the fight against racism. </div><br />
<div><strong>In the media:</strong> </div><br />
<div>When a racist incident occurs in the public eye, write a letter to the editor of the local paper condemning the behavior. Identify yourself as a white person in your letter. </div><br />
<div><strong>At work:</strong> </div><br />
<div>Whatever your place of profession, eliminate institutionalized practices that are discriminatory towards people of color or rewarding white privilege. Hire, retain and promote people of color. Maintain a wide range of employees. </div><br />
<div><strong>In the community:</strong></div><br />
<div>Become involved in an organization that is involved with communities of color, like a church, a school, a non-profit, a business or a reading group. Make your involvement more than financial. Involve your time, energy, participation and emotional connection. Stay committed to this organization for at least three years. </div><br />
<div><strong>With your kids: </strong></div><br />
Since people often live in the mostly segregated part of any city/town, send your kids to public schools if they live in a city, and demand that students of color are recruited into the advanced/honors/AP classes. Integrate the books and toys in yoru children's school, and at home. Demand teacher of color for the sake of your kids not just for the kids of color. Promote that a racially integrated educational environment is the best for white kids as well as for kids of color. Fight for equal education for kids of all races. Expose movements that subtly privilege white children over children of color. <br />
<br />
....Sammi's Comments....<br />
<br />
<div>This is the most difficult for me on a lot of different levels. I have a hard time standing up to people at work and to family members. </div><br />
<div>I also have trouble knowing when to step in at school. I want to help my kids but I don't want to embarrass them or teach them that I will always take care of it. </div><br />
<div>Believe it or not - right now we are having the most difficulty with Chad at school. Most kids don't know his brother and sister are black so they feel free to relate to him as they would other white friends - and say things that they would never say in front of a person of color. Chad is VERY good at standing against racism but I know it's hard for him too, being in a time in life when he is trying to make friends, not fight with them. </div>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-89444473096242790212011-02-21T09:00:00.004-06:002011-02-21T09:00:06.935-06:00EDUCATE YOURSELFI CAN FIX IT - 3 of 5<br /><br />A "Now Art" Project by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">damali</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ayo</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Two-thousand people were asked the 5 things individuals can do to end racism. Here are the solutions in their own words.<br /><br /><br /><br />Seriously, read a book or get on the net.<br /><br /><br /><br />Plan it out.<br /><br />Make a list of questions you have about other races/cultural groups. Find the answers to your questions without asking any people of color to help you.<br /><br /><br /><br />Realize that for the most part white people don't have to care about or think about what it's like to be a person of color. Take 5 minutes to consider what it's like to be non-white, for 5 minute choose to care about it. Read 5 novels by people of color. Go to 5 films which are made by people of color. Buy a magazine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">oriented</span> toward people who are not white. What's it like to look through a magazine where 80% or more of the people are of color? How does the content differ - if at all? Genuinely explore a piece of artwork by a person of color.<br /><br /><br /><br />Do it right.<br /><br />Fight the urge to immediately tell a person of color that you have done the above, that's just weird.<br /><br /><br /><br />Learn about people of color because they are a part of your country and society, not because they are "exotic". Do not view people of color as "different" as if white people are the "norm". Actively work against institutionalizing whiteness as the norm. Do not refer to people of color as "diverse peoples", that is racist and grammatically incorrect.<br /><br /><br /><br />Study the differences between racism, prejudice, and discrimination.<br /><br /><br /><br />Educate yourself about the history of race and racism in the United States. Learn about the economic basis and effects of racism, and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">institutional</span> powers that perpetuate racism. Actively seek out the perspectives and insights of those who are doing "the heavy lifting" with regards to fighting (eliminating) racism. Find scholars who work on this subject instead of turning your friends of color or strangers of color into your personal educational system. If you have questions after you have done some reading, read more.<br /><br /><br /><br />A new method.<br /><br />Stop allowing yourself to be brainwashed into believing stereotypes. Acknowledge and examine our society's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stereotypes</span> about people of color. Assume you've been influenced by them. What are they. Make a list. Know what you are working to change.<br /><br /><br /><br />Don't assume everyone is either a person of color, or a white person.<br /><br /><br /><br />Change your thinking. Turn things around. Instead of asking why all the kids of color are sitting together in the lunchroom, ask why all of the white kids are sitting together. Instead of asking why something is all black, ask why something is all white. Instead of wondering why no people of color attend and event or join a group, ask why the group only attracts white people.<br /><br /><br /><br />Stop asking people of color about their hair. Realize this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a larger metaphor for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">treating</span> people with respect and learning on your own. Don't use your learning process as an excuse for rude behavior.<br /><br /><br /><br />Deepen your understanding by using the pyramid of culture. At the top, is surface stuff like dance, food, dress, etc. At the bottom are all of the deeper issues such as cultural history. Many persons not of that culture only get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">involved</span> at the top.<br /><br /><br /><br />Teach your children, and allow them to teach you. Be willing to be uncomfortable. Allow your brain to hurt. Understand that race and racism present <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">complexities</span> and contradictions. Do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> try to reduce or simplify.<br /><br /><br /><br />Suggested reading: Teach Learning Anti-Racism by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lousie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Derman</span> Spark and Carol Phillips<br /><br />What if all the Children Are White by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nieto</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Darder</span>, Paley<br /><br />White Awareness by Judy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Katz</span><br /><br />Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Tatum<br /><br />Uprooting Racism by Paul <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kivel</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />....Sammi's comments......<br /><br />This is a big step. It's hard work but I believe it reaps the most benefits. A big part of racism is ignorance. And once we are educated, we can take steps toward understanding.<br /><br /><br />As always, discussion is encouraged!Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-90534113745461058332011-02-21T08:33:00.004-06:002011-02-21T08:38:11.531-06:00Jenks vs BTW 3-0<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8hyLcTzg2wNKk9IKuiBqlrcZ48tANEhXCtpMYo0OtHTRpObdYqIGZzHIsBySlwW6hEQuQjxjiwmVekoZkwxlhL-6ll3KikBYrFcTwE9KZBsk0CuHgSxQk0Quc226v8ZAZUtSxg/s1600/soccercollage1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576151638851179218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8hyLcTzg2wNKk9IKuiBqlrcZ48tANEhXCtpMYo0OtHTRpObdYqIGZzHIsBySlwW6hEQuQjxjiwmVekoZkwxlhL-6ll3KikBYrFcTwE9KZBsk0CuHgSxQk0Quc226v8ZAZUtSxg/s400/soccercollage1.jpg" /></a> Chad's first soccer game went really well. My friend, Stephanie came to the field with her new camera and took over 300 pictures. I am going thru them one by one :-) But I thought you would like to see a couple now! :-)<br /><div>Chad had a lot of fans at the game but no one as proud as his mama!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576151792463078642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYD91N_qo0sgCohbGaCUh0W-_8HqAfFUltdeXM1UlByUTYap_XLo93oqow4YNj-rVXRi_QDPcv9NDUx9zuetdAv5ZNDWhoGgkx51BbtGCFP_dFBRHWEFFx-QWVxGM7GyfxWJKcA/s400/throwincollage1.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576151896866814962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjquDV0cNz3hTpeSl55ADSCCXX_jiCG2IsXutQkX4l5TOm6aVq7b5XeWyyM6-7u3eAztejOytsAIg1PFBD9xUh3EGMbX-n6fvVqRJs0J__gqpztO9cWfhMTHOThE3WAoAnJEqOA/s400/throwincollage2.jpg" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-44405895636396342802011-02-20T09:00:00.003-06:002011-02-20T15:22:42.939-06:00LISTEN<div>I CAN FIX IT Post 2 of 5</div><br /><div>A "Now Art" Project by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">damali</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ayo</span></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Two-thousand people were asked the 5 things individuals can do to end racism. Here are the solutions in their own words. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>"I've found that really listening to people of color and believing their experience is eye-opening" </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Shut up, already. </strong></div><br /><div>Listen to a person of color. No really, just listen. When a person of color is sharing their experience, resist any urge to jump in and minimize or excuse their feelings. Don't make it about you or what you are feeling in reaction to them. Don't talk too much or say predictable stupid nervous things, just listen. Don't try to fix that person or change their mind. Don't cry. It's not about you. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Understand that when a person of color talks to you about racism, they are trusting you. Treat that trust with the utmost respect. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Honor Experience. </strong></div><br /><div>Remember that people of color are sharing their true experiences not merely voicing an opinion. Understand that experience trumps opinion. Remember that people of color have experience with racism that you will never have, but don't use this as an excuse for asking "stupid questions" or not educating yourself. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>When a person of color tells you or another white person that something he or she has said is offensive, don't get defensive. If you find yourself getting defensive, listen to what that person is saying and try to change your way of thinking. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Consider racism to be a form of violence or abuse. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Honor outrage.</strong> </div><br /><div>"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention"</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>When white people mislabel outrage as anger it scares other white people away from doing the work and gives ammunition to racists. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Remember that talking about things or speaking out and being heard is a good way for people to heal from trauma. Don't punish, dismiss, or demean any emotion that people of color express in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">response</span> to racism. Don't tell people of color that their outrage will scare white people or make people stop listening. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Don't</span>' tell people of color that they should educate white people or be gentle. Do not silence or stifle the voices of people of color. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Don't impose. </strong></div><br /><div>Thing about what you say to people before you say it. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Don't impose your view on people of color. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Don't blame people of color for racism. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Let people of color choose what they want to talk about. Don't make every conversation with a person of color all about what you want to share or what you want to learn about. Don't bring up racism just because you are talking to a person of color. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>If you do have a racial consciousness, don't be self-righteous about it. Don't brag. Seek to always deepen your understanding instead of striving to get to a "finished" place. </div>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-69657590250364328612011-02-19T09:00:00.005-06:002011-02-19T09:21:57.768-06:00ADMIT IT<div>I CAN FIX IT - 1 of 5</div><br /><div>A "Now Art" Project by damali ayo</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Two-thousand people were asked the 5 things individuals can do to end racism. Here are the solutions in their own words. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>PART 1: WHITE PEOPLE</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Do you want to change racism in the world? Guess what? You have to start with yourself! Cause you know what? If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Here are five easy things you can do staring right now (and continuing the rest of your life)</div><br /><div>1. Admit It.</div><br /><div>2. Listen.</div><br /><div>3. Educate Yourself. </div><br /><div>4. Broaden Your Experience. </div><br /><div>5. Take Action. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>______________________________________________________________</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>1. ADMIT IT</div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">The</span> first step is admitting you have a race. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Be white.</strong> </div><br /><div>Acknowledge that white is a color and a race. Learn how to say "white people". Don't play dumb. Don't say, "I don't know what to say, do, think" or "I don't really have a race." Resist feelings of hopelessness and self pity. Do not invent white suffering. Lose the drama. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><strong>Admit that racism exists. </strong></div><br /><div>Understand that it's not all about slavery, that there have been many institutionalized racist practices in the history and present of the United States. Understand that all white people reap tremendous benefits from the legacy of slavery, segregation and the continuing effects of the racism it helped create. All white people benefit even if they were not alive during the time of US slavery or if their ancestors immigrated to this country after the Civil War.<strong> </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong> </div><br /><div>Acknowledge that a very real present-day racism arose from social and institutionalized racist practices/laws of the past. Notice where those practices <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">continue</span>, and where you participate in them.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Take Notice. </div><br /><div>Observe how others are treated. When you walk into a room, bar, club, whatever notice the racial breakdown in the crowd. Getting in the habit of noticing who is around you (and who isn't arund you) is easy and promotes general awareness. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>See white people. If you are going to identify a person by their race, make sure you identify all people by their race. That means saying "I saw this white man". Don't let white be the default race. Spend a week identifying white people by their race, see how it affects you. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Stop thinking of your opinions as objective or "the right way". Instead acknowledge your perspective as coming from a white experience. Realize that people of color may see things differently than you for good reasons. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Understand that reverse racism is an impossibility. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Reflect on the prejudices you grew up with, and then get over them. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><div>...Sammi's Comments...</div><br /><div>I just brought up 'reverse racism' not existing a couple of weeks ago to my workshop group. A woman had been treated unfairly by a musical group that was all black because she was the only white musician. They were rude and made her feel very uncomfortable. She called it reverse racism. The reason why it wasn't reverse racism was because people of color don't have the power. They can be prejudice or even hate someone because of race - but it isn't racism. There is a very distinct difference. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I am open to a discussion in the comments if someone want to have it - as long as everyone is respectful! :)</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-13718212623987885202011-02-18T14:12:00.004-06:002011-02-18T14:42:09.593-06:00I CAN FIX IT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWop9Cw3VDBgrR-MXbFpq_HDbslVVIOFzdxiF8HszmbyqZWAH7Xg4oXR8Dl8zOyWtzWCPPQldbQjfrWCWCF18vZ-C2jdpAKv_NuDdV7bD00oUmIPNaX6z4rR4l8BOwvlKsdWDKg/s1600/racism.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 104px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575132594905333986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWop9Cw3VDBgrR-MXbFpq_HDbslVVIOFzdxiF8HszmbyqZWAH7Xg4oXR8Dl8zOyWtzWCPPQldbQjfrWCWCF18vZ-C2jdpAKv_NuDdV7bD00oUmIPNaX6z4rR4l8BOwvlKsdWDKg/s400/racism.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I've always been pretty closed-minded when it came to racism. I've maybe heard 3 or 4 racists jokes my whole life because people around me knew better. I can be pretty vocal and stubborn. Then I had these two black babies. They are 1/2 white and they call themselves "mixed" but in the world, at school, at the mall, in the mirror, they identify as black - and people around them call them black. </div><br /><br /><div>As a white person I was born into privilege. Not the kind of privilege that comes with money or power or being male. A different kind. One a lot of us take for granted. I'm actually taking a 10 month workshop at the Y right now to learn about white privilege and the role it plays in racism (it's huge!) </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So even though I've always done little things to fight racism - I never understood. I never GOT IT. Honestly, it's almost impossible to understand unless you really fight hard. </div><br /><br /><div>Recently there was an incident with a few friends who I thought were close. It has really rattled me because I had assumed some things about this group of friends and their understanding of racism that wasn't really true. </div><br /><br /><div>I mentioned a comment a mutual friend made that I thought to be very inconsiderate at best and possibly racist. They disagreed. When I tried to explain I heard things like "you are so angry", and "maybe you just expect racism so you see it more", and "you should turn rude/racist comments into a positive for your kids", and "well it wasn't INTENDED to be racist so you should be more understanding". </div><br /><br /><div>So this is my platform. A co-worker received a booklet from a friend since it is Black History Month and it lists 5 things white people can do to stop racism. </div><br /><br /><div>It is one of the most compelling - action oriented - pieces of work on irradicating racism I've read. So I'm going to share it with you. </div><br /><br /><div>The first thing you should know is that I believe it is the responsibility of WHITE PEOPLE to stop racism. Period. Not everyone believes that, and this pamphlet also has 5 things black people can do to help stop racism. I will post those too for my readers of color. But it does make me nervous because I think one of the top 3 reasons racism is still so strong - is because white people sit back and wait for black people to DO something to stop it. And by posting 5 things black people can do - only reinforces their theory. Although I positive things can come from the second list - I just don't want that to be a reason for white people to not actively do their 5! </div><br /><br /><div>Does that make sense? </div><br /><br /><div>And the second thing - racism knows no bounds. Racism against hispanics is at an all time disgusting high right now. These five things apply to all races. But my experience is with racism against blacks because my kids are black. And I also believe there is racism against people of color, and then racism against black people and it's different. </div><br /><br /><div>So for the next 5 days I will post one thing white people can do to help stop racism. And I am not one of those "if I can only reach one person I will be happy" kind of people. Not even close. </div><br /><br /><div>I hope this opens up an honest dialogue that leads to action from everyone it reaches. </div><br /><br /><div>See you tomorrow. </div></div>Chavanethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348222154296212236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-4346912390006771012011-02-08T10:18:00.002-06:002011-02-08T10:21:32.397-06:00Day 6<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5416008831/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/5416008831_f783016788_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: #000000 2px solid; border-left: #000000 2px solid; border-right: #000000 2px solid; border-top: #000000 2px solid;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5416008831/">Icey Chad</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>Really it's been longer than that - but today is the 6th day of no school here in Jenks America. The kids are having a great time. A LOT of sledding and snow ball fights. I would have thought they would be sick of it by now - but everyday is just as exciting as the day before :-)<br />
The kids are soooo lucky because this year for Christmas, their great-grandma from California bought them each a snow suit :-) And their grammi in Bartlesville bought them each a sled! Wow - little did we know they would get to use all of that more than once this year! :-) <br />
More snow is on it's way tonight! yea!!! :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-71969395993088249372011-01-18T09:21:00.000-06:002011-01-18T09:21:59.831-06:00Weekend playing with the kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JQrzOk3dCNJNKfGHuvBEhp0XY-c5Nmi5XlDZ8T7p8acg5OtJ6OhIBsgkTXO0C1DkVCVptPJ_XQJc5yaavHsC7w0DNteqBud-uBm5OuLqwmY4DAPlvFRPWv3HcjWDQKw01WkbAQ/s1600/ethanhair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JQrzOk3dCNJNKfGHuvBEhp0XY-c5Nmi5XlDZ8T7p8acg5OtJ6OhIBsgkTXO0C1DkVCVptPJ_XQJc5yaavHsC7w0DNteqBud-uBm5OuLqwmY4DAPlvFRPWv3HcjWDQKw01WkbAQ/s320/ethanhair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If that pic doesn't make you smile than you have a cold dead heart. We went shopping this weekend to get Chad a couple of sweaters. He has outgrown almost everything in his closet! While we were there - Vanessa and Ethan noticed the mannequins hair was not permanent fixed on her head. So they did a little show. I was making way too much noise to be in a public place. They were cracking me up. I mean - look at that face! What is he doing? lol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt-umJQHo7Q-w1IeA2LUEfz0BEXE0H2MFoMAPOVv5yN4o1mzR8Apl9Dr4VTlFY2gdUb5C1xeAD6_K6SzOcGS9ETVHyU2VcxGpHjdZa1yX6zNIAt6whJNU_ddfqOljtVgEk4PmCA/s1600/vanessahair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt-umJQHo7Q-w1IeA2LUEfz0BEXE0H2MFoMAPOVv5yN4o1mzR8Apl9Dr4VTlFY2gdUb5C1xeAD6_K6SzOcGS9ETVHyU2VcxGpHjdZa1yX6zNIAt6whJNU_ddfqOljtVgEk4PmCA/s320/vanessahair.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>On Vanessa it just looks kind of odd. But believe me, Ethan never passes up the chance to "bunny ears" someone!<br />
After shopping we went to Harrison's 6th birthday party. I sat right here. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOHtecgBJ6cG9SjJj0bSAsPqdUEVBH31c6pKgLnIJ7WS7y3kTSGj5gfj_B0Cr6NmhgQPY_AmArgUwgj_k_QsggVS7EDyziiRkd8wKD5NDNO1isyVEylHsD5kRhmE_YZzSTWtaaA/s1600/harrisonparty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOHtecgBJ6cG9SjJj0bSAsPqdUEVBH31c6pKgLnIJ7WS7y3kTSGj5gfj_B0Cr6NmhgQPY_AmArgUwgj_k_QsggVS7EDyziiRkd8wKD5NDNO1isyVEylHsD5kRhmE_YZzSTWtaaA/s400/harrisonparty1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>But the kids were super excited when special guests showed up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p-rCWYtvs73OzP1eoECga0ccg66Xh1HUD7eK5IrAtVu5BwBURfA1iGNwPdSVMahHqidA4tabJnOn_-Nx2Vlhxuo3SGwzOp2xbfgV7Xj7qOhqWY7_mNudx-3qeeAT6qT7MMELQw/s1600/harrisonparty3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p-rCWYtvs73OzP1eoECga0ccg66Xh1HUD7eK5IrAtVu5BwBURfA1iGNwPdSVMahHqidA4tabJnOn_-Nx2Vlhxuo3SGwzOp2xbfgV7Xj7qOhqWY7_mNudx-3qeeAT6qT7MMELQw/s400/harrisonparty3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That's Harrison asking very specific Star Wars questions. The storm troopers politely answered all they could. Chad took most of the pictures so he is missing from the action. But Ethan was just happy drinking his juice.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0CILn2_CXi8JTVsE7sr6KxCQa-1I9a0-cHdW8EG3EBEo9Ra2Huw0UI2APUy-z1JTQKxrAp8S_oddyhuD36J8ku8jWRJyAG9XdDQI8Qjd5NWUH1is1NQ6jVtCX9L8dwRxa8OqCQ/s1600/harrisonparty4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0CILn2_CXi8JTVsE7sr6KxCQa-1I9a0-cHdW8EG3EBEo9Ra2Huw0UI2APUy-z1JTQKxrAp8S_oddyhuD36J8ku8jWRJyAG9XdDQI8Qjd5NWUH1is1NQ6jVtCX9L8dwRxa8OqCQ/s400/harrisonparty4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">OK, maybe there were a few pictures of him 'sword fighting' with branches. But I decided not to publish those because of a pending lawsuit. Here is my sweet, innocent little Vanessa eating a sugar daddy.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5azHncF1Soc7IKvZRsx7pEs7a2W-QWd2hVAfgKn2nn14e0muT26ePoQkDWjRuOp80fCbbFeRf2qHqk8g8Qn1YDhrB4Vu2C8Pocd30r9I_pByLaaZoMEC-E3zmu45AjTa-xmJ3g/s1600/harrisonparty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5azHncF1Soc7IKvZRsx7pEs7a2W-QWd2hVAfgKn2nn14e0muT26ePoQkDWjRuOp80fCbbFeRf2qHqk8g8Qn1YDhrB4Vu2C8Pocd30r9I_pByLaaZoMEC-E3zmu45AjTa-xmJ3g/s400/harrisonparty2.jpg" width="400" /></a>Don't let her fool ya! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a great time, ate lots of pizza and sweets and played hard! Harrison looks like he had a great time too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVglyZxjVVvk_5YhGJ7qWA5JPQyt6y6XahlCfykCSzsCk1Zwg0XlMS25r42XnPT4diACUu0AVpLG8R49xj_WbcrIBMdYv2V7FELuekA2WHSjZHaD8ujNgu6s4x9EFXDg2pjGpDiw/s1600/harrisonparty7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVglyZxjVVvk_5YhGJ7qWA5JPQyt6y6XahlCfykCSzsCk1Zwg0XlMS25r42XnPT4diACUu0AVpLG8R49xj_WbcrIBMdYv2V7FELuekA2WHSjZHaD8ujNgu6s4x9EFXDg2pjGpDiw/s320/harrisonparty7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-69900075744825866122011-01-13T10:29:00.000-06:002011-01-13T10:29:41.974-06:00Jenks Trojans!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7t1URg-HEUlK9eTPqWiOG9fKEveFF6-NXC1QTEXA_T87vimvfMroz4O8c26ruwfNHObrr7CKnQ1gubfZRgxLAHuR3jLq3KvupQj-xeEKSnwsUer5ZOzUfTq-jkhnulmlU435Ww/s1600/uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7t1URg-HEUlK9eTPqWiOG9fKEveFF6-NXC1QTEXA_T87vimvfMroz4O8c26ruwfNHObrr7CKnQ1gubfZRgxLAHuR3jLq3KvupQj-xeEKSnwsUer5ZOzUfTq-jkhnulmlU435Ww/s200/uniform.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>It's almost here! Chad has been practicing since school started - but after Christmas break they kicked it (hahahahaha) into high gear. They've been running more and really trying to get into shape. Chad even asked me not to bring sweets into the house so he can get lean. It's working! <br />
The Jenks Soccer schedule is not out yet, but as soon as I hear I'll spread the word. I know a lot of our friends and family were wanting to catch a game :-) <br />
Oh, and to all of you who went to the car wash fundraiser or purchased the coupon book- this is the uniform he got with that money! Sooo sharp :-) <br />
He also got his 'away' jersey, addidas warm up outfit and duffle bag! <br />
Goooooooo Jenks!!!!! Gooooooooo #21!!!!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-44720565596840921202011-01-11T10:11:00.000-06:002011-01-11T10:11:57.042-06:00New Etsy blog!This is getting a little schizophrenic over here. That reminds me of a sticker my dad has had on his guitar case since I was a litlte girl. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittBM7jbNKmZFxQJQdyQK1Fl25iUCUIwR4g683xl1e07hDBhEsbn6QatRKmcgXdfASmL4Mdl5tKQX_YwLzweMD5FSiMcN-lizMyJ8WIeur3lKhZbGNvluFOx4R-p805GoJpPnQxQ/s1600/avatar2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittBM7jbNKmZFxQJQdyQK1Fl25iUCUIwR4g683xl1e07hDBhEsbn6QatRKmcgXdfASmL4Mdl5tKQX_YwLzweMD5FSiMcN-lizMyJ8WIeur3lKhZbGNvluFOx4R-p805GoJpPnQxQ/s200/avatar2.png" width="200" /></a>Roses are Red, Violets and Blue. I'm schizophrenic, and so am I. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's just funny. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway anyway - My etsy store. It's fun and I'm building a customer base and I wanna blog about it! But most of you couldn't give a rats behind about freckleLips. This is my family blog. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the same note - I don't necessarily want people interested in gift bags reading about my cats vomitting or my kid's latest fever. Now that I think about it, I'm starting to understand why Chavaneth isn't more popular. lol</div>So starting today - no more freckleLips over here...but if you are one of my 3 readers interested in all things etsy...the link is in the title! :-) xoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-13499293257800198052011-01-05T10:06:00.000-06:002011-01-05T10:06:03.230-06:00Jumping in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKyITqP1goKxqPTVnkdzHNVIZ6F-ahzEdCT76KtuDpqEWW_f7N7YZlUUMnCstsOb4jaY9Ls7Ep-yioX0GFPiGrqXSuHCi-y0KYjWLkJNS0f6TwVDjElVtxG4j8aPnXJZ_6Uf_nQ/s1600/multiwineclose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKyITqP1goKxqPTVnkdzHNVIZ6F-ahzEdCT76KtuDpqEWW_f7N7YZlUUMnCstsOb4jaY9Ls7Ep-yioX0GFPiGrqXSuHCi-y0KYjWLkJNS0f6TwVDjElVtxG4j8aPnXJZ_6Uf_nQ/s200/multiwineclose.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>If you've been on my facebook or around me personally for the last couple of months - you know I've opened an etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chavaneth">FreckleLips</a>. Justice and Aiden gave me a gift in a fabric gift bag and I fell in love with it! So I started making my own. Well, techinically I came up with a name for the shop, and set it up, and bought some fabric and borrowed a sewing machine - all before I had made a single bag. But then I started sewing - some for the shop - some for the Christmas gifts I was giving - and a few custom orders! It's been very fun ;-) But with Christmas over I had to come up with a few new ideas because the quantity of gift bags needed throughout the year is a lot lower than during the holiday season! So I looked up some patterns. And <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SPWJd9pdVW9GATELVl1Yox5AAgmlWTt234SYbRkDX9J7yJ0D9EHngCwL3iXzKBi1WaIeCRzat4sWMj4HOWkJWr3Et5mgLl7YSM0De4SsxYJ73jMkWrY5oYs9K_1zyOk85WVj8A/s1600/corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SPWJd9pdVW9GATELVl1Yox5AAgmlWTt234SYbRkDX9J7yJ0D9EHngCwL3iXzKBi1WaIeCRzat4sWMj4HOWkJWr3Et5mgLl7YSM0De4SsxYJ73jMkWrY5oYs9K_1zyOk85WVj8A/s200/corner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I stared at the loads of stuff piled in my house. And now - not only do I not have to borrow a sewing machine, but I have THREE :-) So the morphing of FreckleLips from a bag and tag shop to an upcycled, repurposed, and generally eco friendly shop as begun. </div>Today I am posting my first "booty bag" which is made from pants from the thrift store and my first piece of original artwork made from vintage greeting cards. Over the next few weeks, I will be adding more thrift store pieces and more artwork almost daily so be sure to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chavaneth">take a look</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-47613585006533246682010-12-23T11:11:00.001-06:002010-12-23T11:11:39.570-06:00My Mom<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/4422552194/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4422552194_81734f490f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/4422552194/">A fun picture at the piano</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>A friend of mine asked for a broccoli repice and it reminded me of my mom's yummy broccoli salad. :-) She brought it to a soccer tournament once and it was a huge hit! So since I have the recipe out and ready I thought I would share one more for you guys. It is the holiday season after all and we can all use more great food! <br /><br />From my mom: <br />I got this from pauladeen.com<br />The trick is to cut everything VERY small.<br /> <br />Salt and freshly ground black pepper (whatever :) )<br />¼ cup sugar<br />½ cup halved cherry tomatoes<br />2 tablespoon white vinegar<br />8 ounce sharp cheddar cheese cut into very small cubes<br />1 cup mayonnaise<br />½ cup craisons (note from Sammi: you dont have to use these)<br />½ cup chopped red onions<br />6-8 slices cooked bacon crumbled (note from Sammi: you dont have to use bacon either!) <br />1 head broccoli<br /> <br />(we added a cup of sunflower seeds)<br /> <br />trim off large leaves of broccoli. Remove tough stalks at end and wash thoroughly. Cut flowerets and stems into bite-sizes. (can’t say I actually use the stems) Place in a large bowl. Add crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, onion, crasins, and cheese. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients stirring well. Add to broccoli mixture and toss gently. <br />Let me know if you try it and how much everyone loved it!!!<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-1312438045132240172010-12-22T11:17:00.003-06:002010-12-22T11:21:56.884-06:00Gratuitous pic AND Recipe!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCZmesVEWfSHsmGUZHkI6uZMhHQEJcvXtUZ0tGfC7fWQo0Z0r_5qtAqmclzRcPsCiX5xIzmbMp_qtc2zOSndo5ACnrAI_p2sN7Wha4217FT3HeOPQQpnf41mUk6Iyq-UszYSd9Q/s1600/Chavaneth.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCZmesVEWfSHsmGUZHkI6uZMhHQEJcvXtUZ0tGfC7fWQo0Z0r_5qtAqmclzRcPsCiX5xIzmbMp_qtc2zOSndo5ACnrAI_p2sN7Wha4217FT3HeOPQQpnf41mUk6Iyq-UszYSd9Q/s400/Chavaneth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553558098495454674" /></a><br />This is one of those recipes you should copy, print or write down. You will love it -your guests will love it. Make it. Stop putting marshmallows over sweet potatoes and start putting brown sugar. Welcome to 2010! <br />Sweet Potato Casserole <br /><br />Ingredients: <br /> 6 cups boiled & mashed sweet potatoes <br /> 2 cups granulated sugar <br /> 1 teaspoon of salt <br /> 4 eggs <br /> 1 cup of butter <br /> 1 teaspoon of vanilla <br /> 1 cup evaporated milk <br /><br />Topping: <br /> 2 cups of brown sugar <br /> 2/3 cup of flour <br /> 2 cups chopped nuts (I use pecans) <br /> 2/3 cup of butter <br /><br /> Peel, chop, and boil potatoes until tender. Drain potatoes and mash until free of lumps. (I have never peeled or chopped a sweet potato. I use four cans of already cooked ones, and I've never had a complaint) Add sugar, salt, eggs, butter, vanilla, and evaporated milk to potatoes. Use mixer to blend. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.<br /><br /> For topping combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter until crumbly. Layer on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until topping looks set.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-2145357845199182952010-12-20T09:22:00.001-06:002010-12-20T09:22:47.439-06:00Freckle Lips!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5276954901/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5276954901_dc70102171_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5276954901/">100_0147</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>Is everyone having a wonderful holiday season? I know we sure are at the Chavaneth household!<br />Have you heard I am sewing fabric gift bags? Chad got me a sewing machine for Christmas and mom gave me a bunch of fabric and ribbon to mix-n-match. I've sewn more in the last 2 months than I have during the first 28 years of my life! haha Ok so I'm not 28. Whatever. <br />I have created a shop on etsy.com which has been a lot of fun. I named the shop after Ethan for his little freckle lips. :-) Plus I am extending my product line so I didn't want to confine myself to bags, or one kind of bag! <br />Go ahead and take a look but check back next week when my shop will have several more products and choices! *don't worry- you know i'll remind you on here!*<br />http://www.etsy.com/shop/chavaneth<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-43926451195422489062010-12-15T10:19:00.001-06:002010-12-15T10:19:50.907-06:00I mean come on!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5263896754/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5263896754_6eaf6eff1f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5263896754/">I mean come on!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>Are these two insanely adorable?! Clearly I dressed them for Christmas pictures. :-) One time Vanessa told me she can SMELL a camera. They both pose and smile soo cute. <br />Well our Holiday season is in full throttle! We have already had our California Christmas. This weekend is Bartlesville Christmas - then Dada Christmas - Newton Christmas and then on New Year's Day we are having Carthage Christmas! oh my. <br />Who said kids of broken homes suffer?! (I kid I kid) Seriously - they don't even have a clue how awesome they have it. Do any of us really? <br />I sure enjoy this time of year - I'm so busy I can barely think. Before we know it - it will be 2011. And what will we have to show for it? <br />I'm getting all introspective - I started an anti-racism workshop/discussion group yesterday that is 10 months long (and beyond) and I'm very excited. I'm also becoming active in the board at the kids soccer league - did you know they all play soccer? :-) <br />Have you heard "become the change you want to see" ? Maybe not - that may be wrong - but you get the drift. I feel 2011 is that year for me. I'm ready - I'm on the cusp - This is it! <br /><br />To quote an amazing John Lennon song:<br />So this is Christmas<br />And what have you done<br />Another year over<br />And a new one just begun<br />Ans so this is Christmas<br />I hope you have fun<br />The near and the dear one<br />The old and the young<br /><br />2012 will actually be here soon - At the end of 2011 - What will you have done?<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-2910668390161946462010-12-08T08:47:00.001-06:002010-12-08T08:47:44.684-06:00Attention Guests!!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5243492081/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5243492081_a794cf14d6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5243492081/">Really getting into the whole saddle thing</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>"Miss Stephanie is celebrating her 28th - wait 38th?- wait 32nd birthday today! Everyone stare as she rides the saddle!!!" said the announcer guy in the background. <br />Stephanie's boyfriend, Steve, planned a suprise birthday dinner for Steph and her friends. We had a great time at Texas Roadhouse :-) I told her my family must really love her since I'm a vegetarian and Ethan is allergic to peanuts! But I left very full (who can only eat one roll??) and Ethan did not get ill so it was a succes. Happy Birthday Stephanie - I hope this is the beginning of a fantastic year for you.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-9494541946676620252010-11-30T09:51:00.001-06:002010-11-30T09:51:11.619-06:00Ethan & Hershey<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5220631729/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5220631729_e895f2b60b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5220631729/">Ethan_Hershey</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>My friend Dana posted on facebook that she found a stray cat. I went and picked it up. She is fiesty. All kitty. She has claws and sometimes will snag ya :-) Ethan is a little afraid of getting scratched because we had a mean kitty before. :-( <br />Well no matter how scared Ethan is - she just lays and loves on him while he sleeps. He didn't believe me so I took pictures last night :-) <br />She is all black except for the tiniest tuft of hair on her belly that is pure white. :-) <br />PS - before Chad was born I had a kitty named Hershey. The kids always loved that and named this one Hershey also :-)<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-40413515752748102010-11-29T09:15:00.001-06:002010-11-29T09:15:46.264-06:00Look out for the Stars!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5217531633/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5217531633_c5fd6965a5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/5217531633/">Huddle</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>I know I posted a video of the championship game earlier - but I thought these photos just HAD to be shared! :-) <br />Vanessa is a trooper. I mean this girl had JUST been cleared to take off her boot and she falls and breaks her thumb. 3 days later she was due to play in a soccer tournament in Broken Arrow. These girls are pretty confident and know they are little hot shots back on the home turf. But you come to a tournament and you're just never sure what the competition is going to be like. Most people don't give up a whole weekend and write out a check unless they feel like they have a shot at winning! I wish I could remember the exact scores - we played 4 games. I may be off a bit but I think the first game was 6-1, second game 6-0, and third game was 10-3. So we made it to the finals and the girls were so nervous. <br />We heard thru the rumor mill that the team we were playing had not lost a game in 3 years. Our team has been together over 4 years but we HAVE lost a game here and there...so we just didn't know what was about to happen. Our worries were unfounded. :-) The championship game score was 8-3! Congratulations STARS! <br />Rest up girls, indoor is right around the corner....and I hear we have some competition! :-)<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-2213137173797218932010-11-27T23:14:00.002-06:002010-11-27T23:18:45.544-06:00Recycling Day (still)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZqpqvBuCq-05MVvqFAbOcYyWBAnqhMkVL78xZaBHQ17Ie_lFa5PsRcHlMPoDPGZfLkcv3TrHzk_Z9aLm9e25gMM54G7XKT1HWv_ZjkkSuVVXkyk6WQujNMhpFKtySZdr9WluDg/s1600/TwinTowers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZqpqvBuCq-05MVvqFAbOcYyWBAnqhMkVL78xZaBHQ17Ie_lFa5PsRcHlMPoDPGZfLkcv3TrHzk_Z9aLm9e25gMM54G7XKT1HWv_ZjkkSuVVXkyk6WQujNMhpFKtySZdr9WluDg/s320/TwinTowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544465554226816386" /></a><br />This is a blog I posted in 2007 on Sept. 11 - Many times I told a story about that day- especially around the anniversary - But this one is more about the facts of the day for me. What it doesn't say is that I was in my office building about 4 hours before they let us go - and then almost another 4 hours before I got to Chad. Cara and Julie had picked him from school when they closed their doors at 10am so he was safe - I just couldn't get to him. So here's my story just like 100's of thousands of people have their stories :-(<br /><br />Sep 11, 2007 <br />happy anniversary<br /><br />Ok so this is it. If you are avoiding the news or television in general and you don't want to hear, read, or speak about the tragedy of 6 years ago – maybe you shouldn't read this. (plus it's super long)<br /><br />I feel so lucky because my company has an on-site childcare facility that is available to it's employees for a specified number of days a year. When your childcare is closed, or your child has a dr. appt and you don't have time to ride the train home and back. Or on days when you feel like having your child close. I think its 30 days a year. Which is amazing, and I take full advantage of everyday I have available. I brought Chad with me yesterday and we went to lunch together. It was so much fun and I'm thinking about bringing him again today. But then I don't want to spoil him – ok I don't want to spoil me. And I think better of it and go ahead and drop him off at his daycare. <br /><br />As I look around on the train, I notice these are not my normal commuters. I mean, I don't know most of them, but I definitely recognize people after riding the train for over a year at the same time everyday. So I look at my watch and realize I'm almost 20 minutes early today. When we got up this morning I thought I was bringing Chad with me, so I was giving us extra time, so I am ahead of schedule which is so unusual for me. <br /><br />Every day that I walk in this city I love it more and more. I heard on the news the other day that 150,000 commuters go through the World Trade Center everyday. That doesn't count the employees that actually work in the seven buildings on this huge acreage. I grew up in a town of 35.000 – not a small town by Oklahoma standards. I'm horrible at math, but I think that's over 4 of my entire towns walk through this building, changing trains, or as the beginning of their daily trek or ending destinations. <br /><br />The WTC is my ending destination. This morning I'm listening to Ani's live version of both hands which has an orchestral introduction and some really strong beats that I love to walk too. I notice the Children's Store is having a 'model' contest to pick a real kid for their campaign. Definitely I have to get Chad into that. I am climbing the stairs to the north east door of the WTC mall and I am walking the 5 blocks to my office. Past the trinity cemetery. Past the Wall Street Sign. Past the gym that I am a member of but have only been 3 times because I'm so intimidated by all of the Wall Street types that also frequent that gym. Past the NYC Stock Exchange. Past the corner where I saw a woman in leather beating men in suits on camera. Past the street where I saw them shooting an episode of Law and Order SVU. I am here. Living my dream. I am so fortunate and determined and full of life. <br /><br />I am in my building. 85 broad street. There is a security guard but there are 100's of us in the lobby so he isn't really paying attention to me or my neighbor. I don't really think it's a problem. I couldn't even imagine that soon we would be standing in long lines surrounded by troops, with guns as large as a toddler, having our bags x-rayed and our bodies scanned. For now, I am in my building. It is approximately 8:40. I'm almost 20 minutes early today. Instead of my normal 10 minutes late. <br /><br />Most of the bankers won't arrive for 30 minutes to an hour. I'm trying not to resent this because I do know they stay at work sometimes until the wee hours of the morning. The office is so quiet. I'm mostly catching up on emails and reading internet news. I hear a loud thud noise. Maybe it was an explosion? Or was that thunder? Mostly I forget about it for the next few minutes until the internet caught up. <br /><br />On my screen is a news flash that a plane has hit the world trade center. I don't even know what to think or how to wrap my head around this possibility. <br /><br />A banker that has a corner office and a television turns it on. We all walk to his office and see the itty bitty tiny whole in the building. Some moron with a twin engine has put a small whole in the building. I can't even see the plane. He must not have realized the building was so high – or he was trying to show off and buzz it too close. <br /><br />I'm back at my desk and call my mom on her cell phone. She is driving to work and listening to Dr. Hook – so her radio isn't on. <br /><br />"Hello" <br />"hey mom, it's me."<br />"oh hi! What a surprise" <br />"Are you still driving to work?"<br />"yep, whats up?"<br />"well I wanted to call you and let you know that I'm at the office. Some guy ran his plan into the world trade center but I'm safe."<br />"oh really? Well I'm glad you called. I would have been so worried" <br />"haha I knew you would – I'm fine" <br />"well have a great day – I'll email later" <br />"ok mom…bye"<br />My mom never liked that I moved here. She worries about everything. I thought it would be smart to head this panic attack with a quick call. <br />I'm having an urge to call my grandma too. I'm not sure why because she is probably asleep. But I call her. <br />"hello"<br />"grandma, it's sammi. I'm sorry to wake you up"<br />"it's ok. Is something wrong" (later I find out she was pretty upset that I called so early)<br />"well a plane hit the world trade center and I just wanted to tell you that I'm in my office on wall street. I'm safe and relatively far away from there"<br />"don't you work in the wtc?"<br />"no, but I do ride the train thru there every morning. So I didn't want you to worry"<br />"ok. I wont. I'm going back to bed"<br />"ok grandma, I love you"<br />"I love you too. Bye"<br /><br /><br /><br />I am hanging up the phone when I feel that same thud. That same thunder like explosion. Then people start screaming. A half a dozen people are still in the office watching TV. . And almost immediately the phones start ringing off the hook. For a split second I start thinking something has happened to our own building. The chaos is a little deafening. I have four bankers and several hundred more on the floor. I am getting calls for people that I don't even work with. Family members looking for their loved ones. <br /><br />I want to leave but I don't know where I'll go, the only way I know how to get home, is through WTC. But we seem to be under some kind of attack. My son is only four miles away and there is no way for me to reach him. (Looking back I should have walked a few miles uptown and crossed a bridge on foot. or hitched a ride to jersey. but i think i was in shock.) <br /><br />I am sitting on a barge. It looks like they normally haul oil or something extremely dirty on this boat. I am standing with about 200 other people. We are all looking toward the sky and we are all silent. No laughter, no mindless chit chat, no anger towards strangers - and no seats. We are all just standing. And we are all filthy dirty because we just crawled across a rickety wooden ladder to get on the barge. Over water. We just stand there. <br /><br />For more than three hours. It seems to be the most beautiful picturesque day. The sky is clear. Except for that one little sheet of paper floating in the sky. I wonder how in the world that got up there. <br /><br />It is just swaying back and forth, a white sheet of paper. Floating in the windless sky. We are all fixated on this paper. We have no working phones. The captain of the barge has no idea when we can leave. There are no words. <br /><br />As the paper gets closer we realize it's more like the size of a car door. But it is still floating like it's weightless. Back and forth - and we all watch. Then it looks a little bigger as it gets closer - like maybe it's the size of a small car...still very thin and weightless but it's pretty big. <br /><br />It is so close now you can see the reflection of the water from the river in the shiny material. What in the world is it? Then all of a sudden everyone on the barge shifts, gasps and tenses up. This little tiny sheet of paper that came from no where in the sky slams into the side of a NYPD boat anchored right next to our barge. It is so big we can not see the boat because it is covered by the metal. We hear the clang and the boats rocks violently. We all lean forward collectively as a mother would reach for it's child before it falls in a creek. <br /><br />No one is hurt. Not in that moment. But we all look back up to the sky to see what other mysterious objects will be escaping the clouds.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-77605480843476529912010-11-27T16:21:00.001-06:002010-11-27T16:21:55.645-06:00Recycling Day<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/2262393667/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2262393667_1b29bd3bc9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chavaneth/2262393667/">#38</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/chavaneth/">Chavaneth</a></span></div>I'm stealing this idea from one of my favorite blogs...this is an old post of mine that many of you probably never saw - it was first posted on March 28, 2007!<br /> <br />I do not give my kids crack.<br /><br />Monday night after church I had only fed my kids snacks. No dinner. It was almost 9 oclock and they were threatening to call DHS so I stopped at Sonic Drive In. On the way I said "is Sonic okay with everyone??" YEA!!!!!!!!!! They were all excited. <br /><br />Vanessa what do you want? "Cheese Fries!!!" Being the good health conscious mom I said "you have to eat something else too....fried chicken strips or a corn dog" Then I laughed out loud because I realized the cheese fries were no better or worse than the main course! <br /><br />Then I said Ethan..what do you want?? "Sonic" <br />I said "yeaaaa! That's where we are going! What do you want to eat???"<br />He said "Sonic!!!!!" <br />We all laughed and I said "I know honey! We all want Sonic! What do you want to eat at Sonic?"<br />He was a little frustrated with me. "SOOOOOONIC!!!!!!!" <br />I said "ok. we are going to eat at Sonic. What specific food FROM Sonic would you like me to order for you when I pull up to Sonic? Chicken or a corn dog?" <br />He said "Happy Birthday"<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-37766442321042239342010-11-23T12:31:00.003-06:002010-11-23T12:45:47.538-06:00Happy girls!If you are on facebook, you know Vanessa played in a tournament this weekend. Her team - the Stars have been together since they were 4 :-) They did a fantastic job at this tournament and outscored the other teams 30-7 over the course of the competition. This is a video Chad shot during the championship game. Of course Vanessa is in it a lot - but it shows how the team all works together so well. And how, even though they are "only" a rec team - they outplay outlast and outwit all of their competition :-) <br />There was over 20 minutes of video - so I edited it down to the times we had the ball (or took it) - if it looks like I cut it off in the middle of a play, or right before a play - i assure you I did not. :-) <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8N9nZuzMm5E?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8N9nZuzMm5E?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18331747.post-3459659198638326212010-11-22T22:02:00.004-06:002010-11-22T22:32:28.253-06:00DestinyEthan is only 6 as of October - but I think he has a future in showbusiness :-) He loves the camera and the flip makes it super easy for him to do just about whatever he wants. Even if it means filming my minivan that we lived in all weekend because of Vanessa's soccer tournament ;-) (cover your eyes!) I think you'll also see a very proud baby brother. He sure love Chad and Vanessa!<br />He separated these out into three videos for your viewing pleasure. I added titles and a little bit of music - otherwise they are all his!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1m5sitt6L90?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1m5sitt6L90?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSZgePZs-74?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSZgePZs-74?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFlB8gtBQkE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFlB8gtBQkE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3