Comcast - 0, Friendly Neighbors - 1

A month or two ago DRL and I decided we have had enough with the cable company and their price gouging and thus decided to "switch to the dish" and got Direct TV. We also go rid of our home phone and cable internet, too. "But how will you blog? How will you check your email? How will DRL negotiate the deals that are necessary to build and maintain a successful fantasy baseball team?" Fear not readers! Thanks to the extreme generousity of our neighbor, Mark, and some fancy techno-gadgety thingies from Best Buy, we now have wireless internet on our desktop computer!

"So what's the problem," you ask? IT SUCKS!! It's like I've been thrown into a time machine and thrust back to 1996 when all we had was dial up and people didn't blog, or upload, or download. Cameras were still burning images onto rolls of film, and stealing music was reserved for the rebellious pre-teens in baggy jeans lurking throught the aisles at Cheap-O. This is why I've posted no pictures. I actually sat down at the computer last night and transferred 62 -- That's right SIXTY-TWO -- pictures onto the Gi-normous computer that DRL's dad built for us (the one that has more memory than even the most brilliant mensa-ite) with every intention of posting them to this here blog. I tried. I waited, and waited, and waited, and then, well, I just couldn't take it anymore. I think I'd rather spend a day in Bost0n rush-hour on the hottest day of the year with only the heat on and a broken windown that won't roll down than stare at that bloody screen for one more minute.

The point of the story is this: I will post pictures when I can get a faster connection, or can bring my camera to work and let the glory that is high-speed take over once again. And boy, there are some cute photos! I finished the sweater I was working on, Elena can stick out her tongue, she actually let Papa hold her for more than 2 seconds -- and smiled while sitting on his lap, and we went to the State Fair. There's all kinds of photographic evidence that our kid is getting bigger, learning and exploring, and that we actually do own a camera.

Cheers!

Equal Opportunity or an Exploitation of the Legal System?

I'm all for equal opportunity - and I support equal rights for all under the law, but this is just ridiculous. I think that worker's requests should be honored under the Civil Rights act "so long as the requests are "reasonable" and do not create "undue hardship" for the employer," but isn't this taking it a bit too far?

Your thoughts?

A Lesson in Sharing

Here's what I loved about McCain's speech last night:

"Let's use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it,"

Hopefully the democracts will listen to that pearl of wisdom from Senator McCain and the government can run with it. The time for bickering and partisanship is through.

Never has the following been more true -- United we Stand, Divided we FAIL.

Now, More Than Ever

I've come to realize that now, more than ever, our children and our children's children need us to make the right choices when it comes to choosing the people who will run our country, set its policies, and pave the roads that our kids will travel down. The choice has become staggeringly clear... that choice is Barack Obama. No. I don't want goverment run healthcare. No, I don't think robbing from Peter (businesses) to pay Paul (the middle-class) is a long term solution. But more so, I don't want Elena being taught that "abstinence is the only way," or that unless you're rich or the owner of a large corporation, "Sorry, you're gonna be taxed up the wazoo and you're gonna like it."

I've found this election year to be particularly trying - I side with the Repulicans much more often than I ever dreamed I would. 4 years ago if you had asked me if I would ever go right I'd have told you that you were crazy. I was starting to really think that this might be the year I leave the Left behind. I've discovered that I am actually more central than I realized and that it's not about picking only one party. I can be a liberal republican (red), or a conservative democrat (blue), or any combination thereof (purple). It doesn't matter. What matters is what's in the best interest for this country, for its citizens, for me, and for my daughter. Sorry John, but the choice ain't you. You're VP pick does "Palin" comparison the two folks on the opposite ticket.

I feel obligated to note that I am proud to have a woman in the running. I am proud that someone finally shattered that infamous glass ceiling. And I cannot stress that regardless of partisan politics, regardless of who you think is most qualified - or in the Presidential race who you you think is least un-qualified - just get out there and vote. We cannot see change, of any kind, if we don't fight for it. Red, Blue, or Purple.

So Far in August....

I realize it's been awhile (over 2 weeks!) since my last post, so it was time for an update. You'll have to forgive the lack of photos as I'm posting from work today...and we're having some connection issues with our home internet.

Elena experienced her first "Canadian Days" at the beginning of the month. For the non-Pelton's out there, this is the Pelton Family's annual get-together at DRL's grandparents house in Little Canada. Hundreds of Peltons flock to the front yard to watch the parade, and aftward we dine on a feast of sweet corn and various pot-luck fare. This year was a tich smaller than normal due to the ever increasing age and fragility of DRL's grandparents. It's just become too much for them to do these days....Nonetheless, a good time was had by all. Elena didn't even cry when the fire trucks screamed by, their sirens roaring and wailing, or when the Vulcans came terrorizing through the yard with their black markers and devlish grins. We even managed to escape "V" free. Luck was on our side for sure.

Last week Granpda Howard came up from Iowa and visited with Elena. She really enjoyed seeing Grandpa and meeting his wife, Li, and she's looking forward to her next visit!! Grandpa's gotta come back up and help DRL put in a new water softener!! (Did you hear that Howard....??)



This past weekend we visited Grandma's house to meet (once again for me, once for DRL and Elena) a great aunt (Great-Grandpa Beaver's youngest sibling) and her daughter, my second cousin. She also got to meet my second cousin Geoff and his wife Beth for the first time (avid fans of this here blog!) and to see Cousin Gail for the second time. Elena was not really up for the occasion, but did considerably well given the fact that one day later we discovered that she is suffering from her THIRD double ear infection. She had a fever ALL DAY Monday and kept throwing up and just had an all around feeling of malaise. Poor kid. She's on antibiotics now and is in much better spirits. She's also on strict orders NOT to lay down and drink her bottle anymore. If she continues to fight mommy and daddy - she'll be stuck with a big-girl cup from now on!!

Elena has gotten four new teeth -- the top two middle teeth, and their next door neighbors. She's starting to look more like a little girl and less like a baby. A fact which - coupled with the nearness of her first birthday - has me trying to cuddle her into me as much as she'll allow. I'm starting to realize that my days are numbered, and that number is slowly getting smaller and smaller and smaller.

That's all the time I've got today -- and hopefully I can get new photos up soon.

OH!! I finally finished knitting the hooded sweater I've been working on, and it turned out great. I'll get that picture up as soon as I can!!

Love to all!

A VERY Happy Birthday to (yesterday) Gramma and (today) Jerry!!

A Lion's Share of Walking Fun

DRL was extremely excited to inform me that today (while I was at work) our little girl managed to pull herself up and start walking behind her new lion push toy! She actually walked without mom or dad holding onto her hands!! Granted, she didn't go far and she was still holding on to something...but it's quite the accomplishment. Enjoy the photos, I sure did!! (Though video would have been much appreciated. I think Elena purposely achieves all her milestones while I'm stuck at work!!!)