I searched high and low for a teething ring not made of plastic and not made in China. Those of you also concerned about these potentially dangerous things know how hard it is to find anything for kids like this! (I think I bought it at Wonderment.)
Oscar's Teething Ring
Juley sent me this photo of Oscar using the teething ring I brought him in June. He had no need for it at the time, but having just turned 6 months, it looks like he's now getting some teeth!
I searched high and low for a teething ring not made of plastic and not made in China. Those of you also concerned about these potentially dangerous things know how hard it is to find anything for kids like this! (I think I bought it at Wonderment.)
I searched high and low for a teething ring not made of plastic and not made in China. Those of you also concerned about these potentially dangerous things know how hard it is to find anything for kids like this! (I think I bought it at Wonderment.)
Visitors
We timed our return from Duluth so that we could meet Mindy and Cloe for dinner on Monday night.
They were in Minneapolis for Cloe's appointment at Shriners Hospital. Here are a few photos from our dinner at Annie's.
They were in Minneapolis for Cloe's appointment at Shriners Hospital. Here are a few photos from our dinner at Annie's.
Quick Trip to Duluth
Enjoy a few photos from our day in Duluth. It all started with a 24 degree temperature drop in the 2.5 hour trip from Minneapolis.
Mom and Dad in front of the aerial lift bridge.
Mom and Dad in front of the aerial lift bridge.
Chris only brought short sleeves. It was probably below 50 degrees when this photo was taken. I was well-prepared, but cold nonetheless!
Mom and me at the Glensheen Mansion. Lake Superior is in the background.
I think Chris enjoyed the tour more than having his photo taken.
A full view of the mansion. The elevation facing the lake is more impressive than that facing the street.
On A Lighter Note
It's come to my attention that perhaps roving sugarbeet readers might prefer some lighter topics than those about which I've posted recently. It's a heavy world, people, and I am full of opinions. But I can chill with the best of them. So here's a rundown of the latest light topics:
- Chris' brother Tom is in Minneapolis for a brief business trip. They went out to eat last night (yes, night) and I missed it. Dinner out with Chris? Visit with Tom whom I haven't seen in two years? These are rare occurrences. Tom is observing Minnesota at it's best right now, so maybe he'll come back and bring his family!
- Yesterday I noticed a single tree on which the leaves started to turn. This morning I saw dozens. Autumn has to be nature's most beautiful process, but it means two things are just around the corner: raking leaves and frigid temps. Anyone interested in a fall yard clean up weekend? Free room and board. :)
- I do hope we get a lot of (and early) snow this winter. I can't wait to get out and cross country ski again. I bought new ski boots on end of season clearance that seem much more comfortable than my old ones. A few weeks ago Jack and I scavenged skis and poles for him from someone's trash, so he's ready too! I hope Trevor (and his parents) can come up to ski, too. I bought a pair of boots for him, too, but I have no clue if they'll fit him this year or not.
- Chris and I are going to Duluth on Sunday. Mom and Dad will be there for a convention. Can you believe I've never been to Duluth? In fact, I haven't been many places in northern Minnesota. I should probably work on that!
- Suzanne is coming to visit in October. We're looking forward to that and hope that the weather is still nice at that time!
- Those are all the original light stories I have today. I'll leave you with some thoughts from others...
Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire
Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left. ~Hubert Humphrey
The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana
- Chris' brother Tom is in Minneapolis for a brief business trip. They went out to eat last night (yes, night) and I missed it. Dinner out with Chris? Visit with Tom whom I haven't seen in two years? These are rare occurrences. Tom is observing Minnesota at it's best right now, so maybe he'll come back and bring his family!
- Yesterday I noticed a single tree on which the leaves started to turn. This morning I saw dozens. Autumn has to be nature's most beautiful process, but it means two things are just around the corner: raking leaves and frigid temps. Anyone interested in a fall yard clean up weekend? Free room and board. :)
- I do hope we get a lot of (and early) snow this winter. I can't wait to get out and cross country ski again. I bought new ski boots on end of season clearance that seem much more comfortable than my old ones. A few weeks ago Jack and I scavenged skis and poles for him from someone's trash, so he's ready too! I hope Trevor (and his parents) can come up to ski, too. I bought a pair of boots for him, too, but I have no clue if they'll fit him this year or not.
- Chris and I are going to Duluth on Sunday. Mom and Dad will be there for a convention. Can you believe I've never been to Duluth? In fact, I haven't been many places in northern Minnesota. I should probably work on that!
- Suzanne is coming to visit in October. We're looking forward to that and hope that the weather is still nice at that time!
- Those are all the original light stories I have today. I'll leave you with some thoughts from others...
Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire
Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left. ~Hubert Humphrey
The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana
More Facts About Taxes
For my post today, I'll just share this piece from Salon. Straight from the mouth of McCain's economic advisor...
"It's the brand ... and you don't dilute the brand."
One doesn't have to spend 10 years in marketing, as I have, to understand the truth in that statement. We're savvy consumers. We know when we're being taken in or pandered to, at least when it comes to companies that want our money.
But this isn't Coke vs. Pepsi or Crest vs. Colgate. Elections are different. Make a choice, but base it on facts and reasons not propaganda and branding.
It seems that Douglas Holtz-Eakin, John McCain's chief economic advisor, has exposed yet another hole in the Straight Talk Express. Time's Joe Klein reports that in a forthcoming book by Fortune columnist Matt Miller, Holtz-Eakin admits that the next president will have to raise taxes. "If you do nothing on the spending side, you're going to have to raise taxes whether you're a Republican, a Democrat or a Martian," Holtz-Eakin tells Miller.My favorite line - the one that lends some insight into the Republican phenomenon:So why does McCain keep voicing his opposition to tax hikes, and hitting Barack Obama for supposedly wanting them? Holtz-Eakin had an idea about that too. When Miller asked him why Republicans continue to push tax cuts, Holtz-Eakin replied, "It's the brand ... and you don't dilute the brand."
Holtz-Eakin has also previously acknowledged, to Time's Michael Scherer, that Obama's tax plan will lower taxes over 10 years.
"It's the brand ... and you don't dilute the brand."
One doesn't have to spend 10 years in marketing, as I have, to understand the truth in that statement. We're savvy consumers. We know when we're being taken in or pandered to, at least when it comes to companies that want our money.
But this isn't Coke vs. Pepsi or Crest vs. Colgate. Elections are different. Make a choice, but base it on facts and reasons not propaganda and branding.
Seven Years Ago
I can't bring myself to write about today's anniversary, so I will refer you to my post from last year for photos.
It's not so much that I'm feeling blue about the anniversary (I'm almost used to it now) as I am about the past seven years we've spent under this regime and the grim prospect of four more.
Sometimes I enjoy reading comments on sites like Women Against Sarah Palin. But then I just read the opinions of people who think like I do and I wonder even more about the previously undecided voters who say that Palin has swayed them to vote Republican.
I see them on television, hear them on the radio and want to know what could possibly compel them to make such an important decision based on gut instinct. Or a pretty face. Or a love of hunting and fishing. Or blatant lies.
A day like today should remind us just how critical it is that our leaders make measured, well thought out decisions. How can we expect this if we don't act carefully and logically in choosing them?
It's not so much that I'm feeling blue about the anniversary (I'm almost used to it now) as I am about the past seven years we've spent under this regime and the grim prospect of four more.
Sometimes I enjoy reading comments on sites like Women Against Sarah Palin. But then I just read the opinions of people who think like I do and I wonder even more about the previously undecided voters who say that Palin has swayed them to vote Republican.
I see them on television, hear them on the radio and want to know what could possibly compel them to make such an important decision based on gut instinct. Or a pretty face. Or a love of hunting and fishing. Or blatant lies.
A day like today should remind us just how critical it is that our leaders make measured, well thought out decisions. How can we expect this if we don't act carefully and logically in choosing them?
Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself. -Doris Lessing
Labor Day Photos
Happy Friday! Here are some photos from last weekend.
Amber trying to get the hang of head-banging. She should take a lesson from the expert rather than making fun!
Amber trying to get the hang of head-banging. She should take a lesson from the expert rather than making fun!
Curt and Amber cutting a rug.
The girls! LOVE Tiff's funky headband.
Don't you like having your photo taken, Amber?
With Mom and Grandma
Cloe learning Madison's dance moves.
Tiffany and the puppy.
Tough guy!
Cutie pie!
Give. Me. That. Puppy. He likes being dropped on his head, he told me so!
Facts About Taxes
Half-truths, misinformation, lies. Cynicism, sarcasm, condescension. Politics of fear. These have been the themes this week in St. Paul. More on that after it reaches its pinnacle tonight.
Taxes are one area where Republicans have often succeeded in winning over those who take information at face value without doing their research. When Republicans cut taxes, it's usually not for people like you and me, but they present it to us as though it is.
Here's the reality of the candidates' tax plans, provided by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center.
It's clear which plan will provide the greatest benefit to the most people. Nine out of ten American households make less than $75,000 a year. Obama's plan will lower taxes for those making up to $227,000 a year, extending tax cuts to 95% of working households.
While McCain's proposal cuts taxes across the board, look at the disparity between the reduction for most of us compared to the benefit to the extremely wealthy.
It doesn't seem fair for hard working people to shoulder an undue share of the tax burden. We all pay the same amount for a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas, but a few dollars here and there can make or break a family struggling to pay the bills.
These are the facts. The choice is clear for those who believe in doing what's right for the greater good rather than catering to their self-serving individualism.
Taxes are one area where Republicans have often succeeded in winning over those who take information at face value without doing their research. When Republicans cut taxes, it's usually not for people like you and me, but they present it to us as though it is.
Here's the reality of the candidates' tax plans, provided by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center.
It's clear which plan will provide the greatest benefit to the most people. Nine out of ten American households make less than $75,000 a year. Obama's plan will lower taxes for those making up to $227,000 a year, extending tax cuts to 95% of working households.
While McCain's proposal cuts taxes across the board, look at the disparity between the reduction for most of us compared to the benefit to the extremely wealthy.
It doesn't seem fair for hard working people to shoulder an undue share of the tax burden. We all pay the same amount for a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas, but a few dollars here and there can make or break a family struggling to pay the bills.
These are the facts. The choice is clear for those who believe in doing what's right for the greater good rather than catering to their self-serving individualism.
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