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Non-campaign speeches

Thanks to my husband for the links, these are must watch videos! A nice break during the campaign...They are both very funny (IMHO).

via videosift.com

Most accidentally inappropriate campaign photo ever

I found this via a string on Twitter that was extremely difficult to follow back and give proper credit to, but found myself embarrassed that I laughed out loud at it.

Not the most mature thing I've ever posted. But that's not stopping me...

And I thought my kid could shred...

My youngest son has recently been learning how to play the guitar. He has self-taught himself how to play parts of many fun songs including songs by Guns and Roses, Journey, Boston, Don Henley, and Plain White Tees. I am infinitely proud of him and love hearing him try new tunes (lessons are coming as soon as he can find time between school, homework and basketball).

But you gotta see THIS kid. AMAZING!

Fun With Photos

  Sketch of Darren 
  Originally uploaded by KRob2005.

I was playing around on flickr and found this really fun way to make sketches out of your photos. This one is of Darren when he was about 2 1/2. He was dancing outside of my Mom's house. What you can't see here is his very dirty face. What you can see is that devilish little smile and look in his eye. He makes my heart skip a beat.

You can do the same with your photos at dumpr.net

Have fun!

Lovin' the Pups

Over the last few years I have enjoyed watching the Westminster Dog Show. It's that time of year again and I find myself drawn to watching the pups. I love learning about the different breeds, what they are bred to do, what the "standards" are for the breed. I love all kinds of dogs, but generally I prefer the large, short-haired breeds the best. The Dalmatians, of course because I have one, but I also totally dig the Great Dane, the Doberman, the Bullmastif. Our champion pet Dalmatian is picture here with Santa. His name is Smokey (our last name is Robinson, isn't that cute?).

Of course because I have a Chihuahua (smooth coat) also, I love seeing the little guys compete. I love the Pug and the Miniature Doberman and the Italian Greyhound. I must admit that I watched the best of breed judging for the Chihuahuas on-line because I just couldn't stand to miss it. Watching the 15+ Chihuahuas all running around that great big ring was so sweet. Our little boy pictured here is named Ronaldo. As I type this he is sitting next to me wondering why I'm not scratching his tummy.

I do have my least favorite breeds. I'm sure they are wonderful dogs. All animals are precious. But there are just some breeds that I don't get. The Poodles...all of them. Standard. Toy. Whatever. I think I would like them better if they didn't give them those ridiculous hair cuts. If you have one of these, I am truly sorry for not liking your dog. Like I said, I love the dogs, I just don't like the breed in general. The Shih Tzu is another one. I've seen some in person that were pretty cute, but what they do to these damn dog's coats in the show is unforgivable. And like the poor Shih Tzu, the Maltese is just too fru fru for me.

I'm sure I've alienated someone by offending their dog here. I sincerely apologize. Nothing personal and I'm sure YOUR dog is fab! Lots of people don't like Chihuahuas. They are knows as "rat" dogs, yippy (although ours is not) and they can be very territorial and aggressive.

No more Mom Jeans

It has been almost a year since I have given up the "Mom" jeans. I didn't know that there was a real distinction until I bought my first pair of "sort of" low rise jeans. They weren't TOO low rise, just enough to sit below my belly button and look stylish. I have to admit, they were much more flattering than my other jeans. Then Payton (my 15 year old) said, "Cool, no more Mom jeans?"

"Huh?" I replied. What do you mean? "You know, those ones that come way up towards your chest, like Erkel? Those are Mom Jeans."

Smart ass.

Holy Crap! Had I become a Mom? Really, like an uncool Mom? Unbeknownst (?) to me, apparently, sadly, I had. I thought I was just resisting the trendiness in favor of a more classic look. How was I to know that the kids actually had something right this time with the low rise style? Like I said, they ARE more flattering. In the next several weeks I got more compliments than ever including "are you loosing weight?" Well, no, I'm just not wearing Mom Jeans anymore!

Don't believe me? Check out this article on Fashion disasters on the LifeScript site. Here is an excerpt:

Mom Jeans

Fashion Disaster #4

The definition of “Mom Jeans” is jeans that sit way too high on the waist and taper in at the legs. They’re called this because many moms or older women can be found wearing them. This style of jean is extremely unflattering for your waist and bottom because you lose proportion and balance. Even if you’re an older woman, don’t be afraid to try a current style of jeans. Nobody said you have to get the very low rise jean. Just look for a pair that sits below your belly button and are slightly flared or boot leg.

Now, to be fair, they preface this #3 fashion disaster with #2 fashion disaster:

LOW Rise Jeans

Fashion Disaster #3

Low rise jeans are a huge improvement from jeans that cover the belly button, but many women resort to this bad fashion move as an excuse to show the world a bit too much. Some women’s jeans are low enough to make a plumber blush. There’s nothing sexy about this look. Remember these two fashion phrases: Less is more and crack is whack.

So, ladies, you must take care when wearing the low rise jeans in lieu of the Mom Jeans. I for one have never worn them with a shirt that would cause my stretch-mark laden chubby tummy to hang out in an unsightly manner. I think that is where some people go terribly wrong. Now, some shirts just aren't very long and a big stretch can cause a mistaken glimpse of the mid-riff, but as a general rule, it is to be avoided (unless of course you are Carmen Electra or Janet Jackson or some craziness like that). Also, many makers of women's undies are making low-rise versions. A MUST! You don't want your chones showing, EVER!

Since that fateful day, I have stayed away from the dreaded Mom Jeans. And (she grins), I need a new pair of the low rise jeans soon as the ones I have are sliding off of my body along with some pounds! :0)

Note: for a complete look at denim do's and don'ts check this out.

Christmas Card X-Change

Was just peekin' in with Snidget and loved the idea of a Christmas card exchange. If you would like a card from me at Christmas, please email me with your address and I'll put you on my list. Keepin' it real, 'yall!

Speaking of Christmas, and I KNOW it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I can't help but think a few weeks ahead...what is everyone doing to get in the Christmas spirit this year? Volunteering somewhere? Cooking something FABulous? Making some really great Martha-Stewart-eat-your-heart-out craft? Going to some great parties? What's up with you? Tell me more...

Here's what we have on tap (so far):

Thanksgiving...going to Mom's house...I'll try to do some live blogging of Thanksgiving, I think Mom would get a kick out of it.
Sat. Nov. 25th... going Christmas shopping with my Mom-in-law...an annual tradition...
Sun. Nov. 26th... decorating for Christmas (I know it's early, but read on, you'll see why)
Sat. Dec. 2nd...big Christmas party at the "Mission House" We usually get between 40-60 people, just locals. It is the "kick-off" party of the holiday season.
Sat. Dec. 9th...Company Christmas party at a swanky place in San Mateo
Sat. Dec 16th...Christmas party at college buddy's house
Sat. Dec 23rd..."The night before the night before" party at a friend's house
Christmas at my Mom's - maybe I'll live blog that too!
Sun. Dec 31...nothing solid yet, but sheesh that's kind of nice at this point!

I have Issues

I have issues with...

submission innocence father society paranormal

Take Word Association Test

Intersting results for me. I do have issues with "father" as I never had a real one. My biological father was never part of my life and the step-father I grew up with was an ass. I also think that I have issues with society, especially right now. I want to think positively about it, but I can't help but question that right now. Innocence. Hmmm...since 9/11, I feel like I have lost most of my pure innocence. Submission. Now there's one for my psychotherapist (if I had one).

Submission, yeah, don't do that well most times. I'm a Leo. I can say that I pick my battles; if something doesn't seem worth the fight, it might look like I'm being submissive by giving in. But I'm really not, it's just that it's not that important.

Paranormal---WTF? That's kind of random, I think.