Learning to Stand Up

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Some of the values that we want to teach our girls are tolerance, diversity, and standing up for what you believe in. Stand up, don't sit back & assume someone else will take on the status quo to affect meaningful change.

Even if that change isn't about you personally - but rather about inequality and basic fairness.

Stand up for your neighbor - one day you may need someone to stand up for you.

A few weeks ago we taught by example and, along with 23,000 like minded San Diegans, joined the Walk for Equality. Promoting gay rights. Specifically the right to marry.


I was proud to be a part of this peaceful protest.

Proud to walk beside one of my best friends, who is denied the rights and recognition that I am able to take for granted.

She is no less deserving, her heart is no less caring, and her love is no less meaningful. Why am I granted rights that she is denied simply because I happen to be a woman who loves a man.

For the life of me, I just don't know why people care enough to stand in the way of others who want to create loving families with all the protection and recognition under the law that hetrosexuals have - and so often abuse.

?????????

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SILENCE

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Socialists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Socialists

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a trade unionists.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak for me.

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Construction Complete

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Actually it was complete the day before Halloween - but, with two small kids in the house, keeping the place clean and organized for more than five minute seems impossible. Soooo, it's taken this long to get the after photos...,

OK - Drum role please....,

From taupe walls, off white (and soooo ragged) carpet and sage green furniture to this!

Green walls, bamboo floor and RED furniture and leather ottomans.

The island design turned out great - tons of convenient storage, power and seating.
(Bar stools are on order)

Love this! Our banquette. The fabric is sooo fun!
The dining table and chairs (on order) will be placed in front of the banquette seating.

We're still in need of window treatments for the kitchen, a little artwork for the living room, the dining table, chairs and bar stools. But - other than that - it's DONE!!

Loving it!

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What's all the fuss about?

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I don't understand the flack about gay marriage. I can't make the leap between the marriage of "Jane and Joan" and the long-lasting damage it would supposedly cause to me, my family, or society.

These are the arguments that have been presented:

1. Legalized gay marriage will threaten the tax status of my church.

Churches today refuse to marry people everyday. For example, the catholic church can refuse to marry any two people who are not catholic, any person who has been married and divorced - yet not annulled. All of these people are allowed to marry by law, yet are denied marriage within the hallowed walls of the church and there is no legal recourse.

The same would be true of homosexuals. They would be allowed to marry by law, yet denied marriage within the hallowed walls of some churches - and they would have no legal recourse against the church. There would absolutely be NO IMPACT ON THE TAX STATUS OF YOUR CHURCH.

2. They're going to teach homosexuality to my kids.

First, knowledge of homosexuality will not make a person gay. So, let's all try to get over the fear about our kids learning the 'secret.'

Also, I'm seriously unclear how the statement that a woman can marry a woman, or a man can marry a man, will cause harm or emotional scars to our children.

3. Marriage is a sacred union.

I appreciate that individuals and individual couples hold marriage as sacred. But I would argue that this is not unique to the heterosexual community.

On the other hand, if the concept of marriage being 'sacred' within our society really had any validity, we wouldn't have a 50+% divorce rate. (If you've been divorced or cheated - you should really sit this one out. You've had your chance. Give the gay community a chance to get it right. You already blew it.)

4. It's against God.

Why don't we let God decide that. I'm not sure God would be all that happy about people speaking on his behalf - or meting out judgement and punishment for that matter.

5. It makes you uncomfortable.

Seriously? Are we narcissistic enough to deny the rights of others based on our own personal discomfort?

Help me understand.

Why do people care enough to deny the right of marriage to others? Does the marriage between two people - whom you may not even know - affect you in some way? Threaten the security of your own marriage or the foundation of our society? Really?

Help me understand.

Because the arguments I've heard so far - really don't seem to hold water.

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Choosing Friends

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Our friends don't have to be perfect. They don't have to agree with all of our views or political opinions. But - on some level - at the core, isn't it necessary to share some basic values???

Don't the friends we keep reflect the type of person we are?

And, so, it might be time to ask, "Who are the friends I'm keeping?"

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Halloween Rocks!

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One of my favorite holidays...,

It's all about the kids!! And an excuse for a big party, complete w/ bouncy and pinata - no presents required!! LOVE IT!!!

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Our Little Soccer Star

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She's a natural athlete...,




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Things are starting to slip

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OK. Now we're down to no kitchen, no living room or dining room, the play room is knee deep with wood flooring that is "acclimating" to our house, and there is more dust than you can imagine. Everything takes a little longer, and somethings are just not getting done at all.

This morning I rushed the kids out the door ten minutes late for school. As I pulled out of our subdivision, I looked back at the girls and shook my head as I realized I'd completely forgotten to brush Alex's hair.

Lovely.

Well, at least her shoes match.

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Progress....,

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What it was before...,



And the first stages of progress...,

(As you can see - we're trying to select paint colors. UGH!!)

Of course the girls wanted to help out too.


The cabinets are looking good...,



We did the templates for the granite a few days ago and Russo Granite and Marble created a custom edge detail for us. (Love them!)



Can you believe we're still aiming for this all to be together by Halloween?!? Yes - crazy, but it might just happen. We've got the GREATEST contractors EVER! (Dave Robbins Construction ROCKS!)

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It's Magic

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In the midst of all the chaos, what are you gonna do?

Let's go to Disney Land!!

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Disruptions...,

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Remodel begins...,

Day 1: Demo is complete - the kitchen and one wall is gone, and the fridge is in the living room. Mommy can't find her shoes and gets in an argument with the laundry. The laundry wins.

Day 2: Alex has an uncharacteristically large meltdown over what appears to be nothing. As I remember my losing argument with the laundry, I remind Daddy that we need to cut her a little slack too.

Day 3: Mommy gets a flat tire - because running over a nail was just what I needed. On the plus side - my work mates joined me for happy hour as I waited for road side assistance to come fix my flat.

Day 4: Disruptions abound. Mommy gets in an argument with a sippy cup. The sippy cup loses.

Day 5: It's all good. Still no kitchen, I haven't found my shoes or repaired the tire, but I've made peace with the laundry and the sippy cup, Alex is calm again, and we're at a good pace to finish by halloween.

Keep your fingers crossed and wish us sanity.

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