A card trick; Here it's other; Christmas is coming

What is the one thing you don't want to show your poker pals while playing the weekly game? Card tricks. Especially good ones. Life according to BOB FM today.
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Now, as you know, my nephew and I have been going back and forth about the whole bi racial Obama thing.
So, as promised, I did my research today. I asked a teacher, a teacher's husband, and even a co worker who has a bi racial child in the Pittsburgh Public School System. Our forms have other on them, and that is what gets checked for bi racial children.
Now, if you read the comment from Shan on my last post about this subject matter, she said theirs used to say "mixed" but they decided that was too degrading. The reason that this is asked on the enrollment form is so that they can track progress by race, gender and so on. So, if the bi racial child's mother is white, and therefore the child is registered white, I think that becomes a problem. Say you have 10 white children in the class that do very well, 6 that do okay and 2 that don't do well at all. Then you have 5 black children that do well in the class, 3 that do okay and one that doesn't do well at all. Then you have 3 bi racial children that 1 does okay and 2 don't do well. That then effects the percentages of how well the white children are doing or not doing. I'm sorry. They should have their own category if that's the reason for it. But I really think that the children should just be children. Why does it matter that Johnny is black and Tom is white and they both get really good scores in their testing. So you have x percent of white kids did well and were in the 90th percentile, and x percent of black kids did well and are in the same percentile, but in a different group cause their black? Doesn't that sort of defeat the whole desegregation idea? They desegregated in the classroom, but not in their scores? That's just so wrong in so many ways!
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Well, as we sit here, Christmas is going to sneak up on us before we know it. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which is also Dean's birthday. Nov. 27.

( Dar: Dean's birthday is on Thanksgiving! He will be 50! Don't forget. You told me you always forget, so this is your reminder!)

The good thing is, I have stuff on order and some of it has already come in. Emily's present was the first to arrive! The bad thing is, Dean and I (like most of the rest of country) are not spending as much this year. We are cutting way back. We don't want to put anything on credit, as we are trying to get the bills paid down so we can buy a new camper in a couple of years. Dean's car is giving up the ghost and probably will need a new one come spring. So, with all that, we have tightened our belts. I just hope that the economy gets better and soon.

Yes, Dave. It's on.

My nephew (seen here) posted to his blog that he cannot post comments to my blog. But, when I sign in, it tells me I have comments that need moderated and I post them. Now, I do not get the emails like I used to that tell me I have comments to my blog. I guess I should neb around this website and see if it will let me change my email address for signing in, then all would be well and Dave wouldn't be all wigged out about it. So, yes Dave. This thing is on. I am getting your comments, and am posting them. So it's okay. I hear you. er, read you.

So, here's something weird that I didn't know: (According to Dave) A bi racial child, when enrolled in school, is enrolled as a white child if that child's mother is white. It doesn't matter that the child's father is black? My mother once said to me that the only way there wouldn't be racism in this country is if everyone was mulatto. (bi racial black/white) I've always thought that that thought had merit. Now, this mother being white therefore making the child white way of thinking. Is that only down South? I will have to ask a teacher about that in our schools. I am thinking it is a southern thing and stems back from the days of slavery when the white masters were procreating with the black female slaves. Since they didn't want to be known as fathering these children, just owning them as more slaves, then they would have had to been considered black because the mother was black. So, I think that now the times have changed, but that law or rule hasn't. So, the rule needs changed. They are not white. They are not black. They are BOTH. So put a category of Bi Racial in the race column.

How did it get to be know as "race" anyway? Black/Caucasian/Asian/Hispanic/Indian/Native American. Why are they races? Who's winning the race? Caucasian is the politically correct term for White. African-American is the politically correct term for blacks. So, is a black person in England an African-English? Are there African-Germans? Native American used to be called Indians. You played cowboys and Indians as a kid, didn't you? War paints, feathers, tomahawks, drums, tee pees. But they weren't from India. No curry smelling, red dotted forehead, blusher and turban wearing Indians! They were the people that were here on this land when the Pilgrims landed here. So, they were Americans. Since America is the melting pot of the world, we then had to call the Indians native Americans, because now we are all Americans! Native means you were born here in this land. Are the natives restless. I think they should be and were. My great grandparents were right of the boat from England. They referred to my grandparents as 1 st generation off the boat, meaning they were born here, but their parents came here from another land. So, technically, I am 4th generation off the boat. I was born here, but I am not a native American. This is so confusing. I can't keep it straight. Can you?

It's OVER!; Wrong words

The election is over. We have a president who will take office on January 20th who is the first bi-racial to serve as president. Yes. BI-RACIAL. He's not black. He's not white. He's both. Just like my grandkids are bi-racial. Sara, my step daughter, is of course white, and she has chosen to have her children by a black man. Same deal. On any form they fill out that asks race, they will have to check other, then fill in bi-racial. But in the same token, Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers is bi racial. His mother a Korean woman and his father a black man. It doesn't matter what the races are. If you have parents from 2 different races, then you are bi racial. Now, if a bi racial, say black and white, has children with an Asian, do we then refer to those children as multi racial? Just wondering.
Anyway, I am worried about the changes that will come to this country with a bi racial president. The night of the election, they showed a woman holding her son (both were black) and saying "now I can tell my son that he can be president of the United States!" You couldn't tell him that before Obama was elected? I don't believe that there is or has been any reference to race in the regulations that structure eligibility to run for or be elected president. You have to have been born in the US, must be 35 years of age, and so on, but there's not anything that refers to race as far as I'm aware, anyway.
I think that the black people believe that Obama is the answer to all their problems. I think they will be disappointed. We will become an Obama nation in January when he is sworn in. I just hope it doesn't become an abomination.
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There is a radio station here in Pittsburgh called Bob FM. It's 96.9 on the dial. It used to be Magic FM and before that FM 97. Back then, it was a similar format to 'DVE, playing heavy metal/hard rock. Bob FM's claim to fame? Bob will play anything. So, they play classic rock, top 40, pop, oldies, country, all of it. So, I heard a song today that I haven't heard in years and it got me thinking. How many songs do I sing along to and don't know the correct lyrics? The song was Billy Idols' Eyes Without a Face. I remember when that song came out, that I thought he was saying "How's about a date?" Isn't that hysterical? And even though I know the words are Eyes without a face, I really have to concentrate to sing the correct lyrics.
Another one? Van Halen's Panama. I thought they were saying Cannonball. I was out with a friend and it came on the radio back in the day, and I sang Cannonball. Cannonbah-hall. Cannonball. My friend said "Shar, it's Panama. Like red?" Oh, Panama Red! You would think they would have referenced the canal, or the country. But given the decade...... Anyway, I never touched the stuff. But I did know what it was.
And the most recent that comes to mind is the line from Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson that goes "I'm just a product of my raisin' and I say Hey ya'll and yeehaw." I thought it was I'm just a product of the range ........... Ya know. Like Home, home on the (range). I know. Whenever you're done rolling on the floor laughing..... Well, just thought I'd share those with ya. Enjoy.

Sunday dinner; Go out an vote; Yea, Steelers!

These are my babies. Jordan, who is talking up a storm, is so much fun. He's finally to the point where you can actually hold conversations with him. And just so busy. He will be 3 on January 5th.
Mikey (wee wee as we know him now) will be one January 21st. No teeth yet, but feeds himself with his hands, crawls everywhere, and is just so much fun. This picture of the two of them was taken at their school (day care). It's anice picture and I am glad Sara gave some to Dean and I.
WE had a great family dinner on Sunday. Steak, Baked potatoes on the grill and salad. Sara and the kids came and Nick was here too! It was a nice day. It reminded me of days when we went visiting on Sundays with Grandma and Grandpap Rush. After church, we would ride out to Norma Jean's, Aunt Sadie's, Aunt Cis and Uncle Pat's, Aunt Till's, or Aunt Beck's.
I am hoping that we have a repeat of that for Thanksgiving. I didn't grab the camera on Sunday, so I don't have any pics, but will be sure to for Turkey day!
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A Rection Day.

Did you vote today? I did. Dean did. Everyone I work with in the office did. I hope that Obama does not win this election. I have problems with the socialism idea. I have problems with giving more of the money I work for being giving to welfare recipients. I can only hope. I can't remember one party being elected to office back to back except for FDR. But he was the same man who just kept getting elected. There was no restriction on the number of terms the president could serve back then. So, I don't think there has been one party leaving the white house to be replaced by the same party by different men because of the new election year. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.
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The Steelers won last night on Monday Night Football. It started off bad, but definitely got better for our Steelers. Ben hurt his shoulder and that put Byron Leftwich in the game and he did phenomenal! Now, do you believe the folklore that if the Redskins lose the game immediately prior to election day that the incumbant party will no longer reside in the white house after the election? If that's true, a Steeler win means Obama will be our next president. Heaven help us!

Waaaaay too early.....

My nephews blog has a part in one of his recent posts about the stores having the Christmas stuff out already. I agree with him that it is waaaaay too early for this crap. Before long, they will want you to Christmas shop in July! Can't we get through Halloween first? I remember when I was little and even into my early adult years, that you didn't see Christmas stuff till it was closer to Thanksgiving! I even had a job when I was 15 @ Pool City for the Christmas holiday. I loved that job and made really good money. I got an hourly wage + commission on trees and decorations! But alas, I got fired because they had a rule that you couldn't call off from the day after Christmas to New Years. I got the flu really bad on Christmas eve (I had gotten my one and only flu shot of my life cause the doc thought it would be a good idea since I was dealing with the public) and my mom called me off work the day after Christmas and they told her if she doesn't come in, she doesn't need to come back. End of that job!
Anyway, back to the present. Last weekend, Dean and I were shopping at the mall for a 50th birthday gift for a friend's party and we went tot he Hallmark store to get a card. They had Christmas music playing! It was 70 degrees outside, it's only October, and they're playing friggin' Christmas songs! Bah Humbug! Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I'm sorry. But can't it wait until the beginning of November?

APAD? Yeah, Yeah. I Know.......

My nephew posted on his blog about some lofty goals. One goal is that bloggers do A Post A Day. Well, I'm a busy person. I don't have the internet on my computer at work, so I can't post while at my job. By the time I get home from work, eat dinner, do the dishes, feed the dogs, do some online errands (like online banking and emails) Jeopardy is coming on and I want to go watch it. And all the shows have started their new season and you can't miss those! Dancing with the Stars, Big Bang Theory, How I met Your Mother, 2 and a half men, Boston Legal and Csi Miami. That's just Monday night, people! Tuesday brings us NCIS, Dancing with the Stars Results and Criminal Minds. Wednesday is Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, and Dirty Sexy Money. Thursday is Ugly Betty, CSI LV, and ER. Friday is Ghost Whisperer something else and Numbers. See? I'm busy. Being a couch potatoe no doubt, but I like my entertainment from the box in the living room....

So, I know it's been a long time since I've posted. It was never my goal to post every day. I am usually happy with a couple of times a week. But, I got lazy. There. I admit it. Not much new. Yeah, Yeah. I know. You all thought I fell off the face of the Earth again, didn't you?

Dean had a stress test last monday. He passed it fine. But it has prompted him to go back to the gym. So, he works out 3 days a week now. Me? Nope. I'm the couch potatoe. Well, almost time for Jeopardy! More later. I promise...............

A Hollywood Legend....

Paul Newman 1925-2008.

He had probably the most famous blue eyes in the world. They called Frank Sinatra "Ol Blue Eyes", but they weren't as memorable as Paul Newman's.

The man had suffered from Cancer. He was 83 years old and led a great life. His marriage was one of the most famous Hollywood marriages of all time. But not for turmoil, or affairs, but for it's length. He married Joanne Woodward in January, 1958, and they were still married at the time of his death this past Friday!

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman after her graduation from Sarah Lawrence College in 1990. She was 60 and he was 65.

Paul Newman was a Hollywood icon, even though he didn't seem to live that lifestyle that we know as Hollywood. He used his celebrity for good. By coming up with his own salad dressing (appropriately named Newman's Own) he donated all profits from that to charity. He expanded on it to include other foods.

On top of all, his resume reads like the greatest films of all time list. He was Doug Roberts in "The Towering Inferno". Henry Gondorff in "The Sting". The theme song from that movie was stuck in everyone's head for a long, long time. It's running through your head right now, isn't it? You are probably even vocalizing the notes in some fashion. "The Entertainer". We will never forget.
How about Fast Eddie Felson in "the Hustler" and years later in "The Color of Money" with Tom Cruise? Nice that he was able to play the same character in both movies. And you can never forget him as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford playing the Sundance Kid. Great Movie.
I know they were crooks, but I had wished they had been able to get away at the end of the movie.
And his most recent that I know of? The voice of Doc Hudson in "Cars". "Gotta turn right to go left." It's true. As a dirt race fan, I can tell ya, it's true! And it was very appropriate for him to have that role, as he was a race car driver himself untill not too long ago. They made him get out of the car he owned just a few years ago. The man was 70 something and still driving a racecar!
Paul Newman. A great man. A great actor. A great Icon. A great life. He will be missed. RIP, Paul.