Down in the Mud...

Well, this week didn't turn up many pictures. But, Trent managed to grab these rainy play pics. It has been a rainy sort of week in many ways. But, "come Monday, it'll be alright" he he. Jellybean's face is almost completely better and the earrings haven't been an issue. She has started to copy Trevor's little attitudes and behaviors, so that has been fun. Trevor has been "just bored" and although he wore pants happily all week; he decided that he "want to be naker" today. Anything that keeps me laughing will work at this point. I just filled my Sansa with Douglas Adams reading all of his own works, including the unfinished last "book", a few of Feynman's lectures, and Joseph Campbell w/ Bill Moyers. That should keep me cheerfully unpacking through the week. These are the best choices because I've already heard them all many times, so if I miss pieces it won't frustrate me. And, they are all "read" by the authors themselves, which is really the best kind of audiobook. They will make me laugh and smile, which I am sure to need a nudge with by the middle of the week. When I have to take off the headphones (for the babies typically) I plan to turn to the tried and true Harry Potter stories, because even the babies enjoy those performances. A fantastic narrator is hard to find. (In case your looking, Tim Curry is a good narrator in the A Series of Unfortunate Events books, also.) I have always needed some type of audio stimulation to get me through "boring" tasks, moving is not exactly boring, but unpacking isn't exactly stimulating. Hopefully we will also be able to keep a babysitter most of the week. (hint, hint =) And, no, Taylor doesn't count). Everyone is noticeably ready for Monday and I sincerely hope that all goes well. And, on a completely different set of anxiety, Trent's 10 yr high school reunion is tomorrow. We have already attended mine (no pics) and it was surprisingly fun. The funny thing is I am sharing this reunion with my little sister, as they were in the same class. It should be interesting, the homecoming King married to the antisocial, notorious older sister. I am sure there will be a lot of "how did that happen?". It happened at my reunion, too. So, I will put on makeup and a smile and escort the king. I might even take a picture.

For Now...

I have been digging through reference after reference, I think that the soy business is very confusing. But, there seems to be a consensus among the large group of doctors that I have relied on up to this point. Most reliably Dr. Weil, who say that as long as you have normal thyroid function, soy is fine in all forms, in quantities of 2 or 3 servings a day. For now, I'll go with that, I need more ingredients to choose from. So, after all that worry and digging, I am back where I was 6 months ago. Well, a little closer than at first, they have at least given up most of the "meat whining". I am trying to convince the two more resistant members of the family (hint: not the babies) to try tempeh or tofu in a recipe. I have a few that I am considering trying. I may just not tell them what it is until after they try it. I was pretty sure that these two options were safe anyway, but until recent information came to light, certain people weren't on board with a replacement "meat". Luckily, I found the needed kick to the process and now we're all ready to tackle the next step. I still prefer rice milk over soy milk, but I wonder about the processing of it, same as with soy milk. But, I can't sit here all day reading articles, I wish that figuring out the truth was easier. It is hard for me to trust anything I hear or read anymore. So, here is a bit of the reading I did to come to this conclusion. It really comes down to who you choose to trust. That is a difficult thing for me to decide. Weston Price Penn State Soy online United Soybean real age Real age hype/reality FDA science daily article science daily 2 (and check the bottom of the middle column for more info.) Dr. Weil thyroid Dr.Weil soy rethinking Dr.Weil soy milk Dr.Weil milk/rice milk Also, the delicious tags in the sidebar have several articles.

Boredom Abounds!

No, he isn't saying what it sounds like.

Little Skeptic Party...

I just recieved the information on the Skeptics Society Conference. It is taking place at Caltech in October. And, while the idea of me spending the money to actually attend is frankly laughable (I will continue to dream, however). I couldn't if I wanted to. I did however create my own (as close as I can get) "cheap" version. I will share it with... whoever you are... here. The topic is this "biggest question"; "Does science make belief in God obsolete?" Also, "Origins". So, try to infer from the available clips what each speaker might say on the topics. Or, attend it if you can =). I'm not trying to be unfair; I just couldn't find any "stolen" footage of the host Dr. Philip Clayton. I also found nothing available on Dr. Donald Prothero. I did however find an interesting piece of his "creation" on eSkeptic. And, of course,

I finally packed the china...

I was scared to bring it down from the safety of the shelves. Now it is in toddlerland in a box. So, of course, there is one more delay. I really want off this ride. But, this time I have assurances that next Monday is it. I am unable to trust that at this point. But, rather than whine, I am going to try to make the week pass as quickly as possible. Should make for some interesting pictures, we will see.

Not so grown...

There is, in our family, a person who frequently (and, I believe, happily) incites in me "posts". While I respect and love him greatly, I disagree with him deeply and frequently. Recently we were discussing food. Beef in particular. I still occasionally eat standard, toxin ridden beef, when it is the meal provided by someone else. But, the more I learn about it, the more I am turned off of it. Already we refuse to buy it, but we are not so well off to refuse it when it is given to us. (And, seriously, steak is good. For real.) I do however let it sit in the freezer until I "need" something to cook. (i know "excuses, excuses" =)) Anyway, we were discussing the "feed" that beef is fed to get fat enough for supermarkets. He pointed out the "grass fed" beef is too lean (whatever that means) and doesn't taste good. But, really lean is better for your body (regardless of taste) and if the only alternative is the standard, I think I'd rather not. Strange to me, is that I still eat it socially, like peer pressure. Alcohol, I can refuse, but beef, not so much. Weird. Hopefully, sharing it with the four friends who read this (ha ha) will help me jump this hurdle. Peer pressure at 30, how embarrassing.

Child Abuse and Ritualistic Mutilation...

It was a day of "no-no's" today. First, I gave in on the 18 month "delay" and was dragged (not exactly) to the den of consumerism (haven't been in a long time) to participate in the tricking and mutilating of my daughter. When she is 13 and decides that I am an unfit mother for "selling out to the man" and against her will forcing her to have holes poked in her ears, I will smile and say, "At least it's not a bone in your nose, and ask your brothers what we did to them." "Pick your battles" is my only excuse here. I gave in without a fight about the ears (and they look cute in a barbaric kind of way) but, she's still my crunchy little atheist. he he. There were a few minutes of confused, angry crying; then, on to the jewelry. Then, we ate (gasp) fast food. As we ate our "food", I threw Jewel to the ground. It must have been additive rage, combined with a corn allergy. Luckily I have witnesses who will testify that she fell. (Let the picketing for Jewel's liberation begin.) So, in one day I/we managed to poke holes in her ears, feed her horrible additives/fats/sugars, and smash her face. That's just great! Now to torture Taylor with splinter removal, a bad mom's work is never done.

naturally...