I'm guilty...

I heard a story on CNN while driving to work this morning (I love XM talk radio and yes - I had to work today) about Tivo Guilt. Well, I don't have Tivo bit I do have DVR which is almost the same thing but I think I seriously have the guilt. When Steve and I first moved in together in our little one bedroom apartment we decided against paying for cable and saving the money. Well....we should seriously consider going back to those days. We read, we talked, we played with the pup, anything but watch TV. Oh how I long for those days (kind of -this DVR thing is entirely my fault.)

Now, however, we record WAY too many things! Last night, when we got home from a glorious Thanksgiving feast, Steve and I turned the tube on for some DVR watching. We had 37 items recorded. 37! And the worst part is that we feel as though we HAVE to watch them. This is horrible! Is TV that important? Does it matter if I miss an episode of Law & Order? Are we really three weeks behind on all our shows? Aren't we watching WAY more TV now? We need to take the kiddo outside and get off our bums!

New Year's resolution #2 (#1 was staying more in touch with my friend Megan) is to delete 7 programs from the DVR. (I know - only 7? Give me a break, this will be a weaning process, not unlike breastfeeding. HA!) There are a few that HAVE to stay (umm...CSI, Grey's, etc) but I think I can give some up (adios Girl's Next Door, regular L&O - 7, really?)

I hope I'm not the only one with this problem. Isn't the first step to recovery admitting you have one? Are you addicted to DVR too?

~Becky

Turkey Day

I know I haven't posted in awhile and my excuse is craziness at work. I have a couple ideas for some new posts, but I don't have the time or the energy to write them today. I'm going to cheat and share some Turkey Day humor that graced my email this morning. Please enjoy!

~Becky

Adios Zima

I heard on the news last night that MillerCoors was stopping production of its malternative (their word - not mine) beverage Zima. {Play Taps here.}

"Production of Zima ceased Oct. 10 and remaining orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis using available inventory," chief marketing officer Andy England said in an e-mail. "The last orders are expected to be filled in December."

Hearing that made me chuckle. Zima introduced me to the world of alcohol. I spent my high school years as well as my freshman year in college alcohol-free (I know, can you really believe it? but its true) but my first foray into junior alcoholism came at the mercy of this clear drink. Who remembers dropping Jolly Ranchers into a bottle of Zima and downing the fruity taste? What about lemon drop vodka shot (ugh - usually Absolut - I really didn't know what I was doing) and Zima back? Oh - those were the days. I'd like to salute Zima for its contribution to the downfall of my early college years. Without you, I might have made it to that 8am French class or finished my Bachelors' degree in less than seven years.

So, here's to Zima! The disgustingly sweet, semi-carbonated, clear beverage that contributed to the list of guys I kissed (whose names I don't know that I ever knew) and kept me from going to class. May you rest in tasty beverage peace.

~Becky

Hannah's Choice

On my daily stroll through online news websites I came across this story that really touched me. I'm not known for my sentimentality but this one spoke to me. Maybe its the fact that I'm a Mom now (and all those fears that come with the unknown), maybe its the fact that I have a daughter, I don't know. The story is from Time magazine and was written by Nancy Gibbs (making sure I don't plagiarize.)

The story of a 13-year-old British girl who is refusing a heart transplant because she's already been through enough pain reminds me that when you're looking for the right answer, humility may be as essential as wisdom. Hannah Jones' leukemia was diagnosed when she was 4; she later developed heart disease, and has endured chemotherapy and nearly a dozen operations. This past summer, when doctors told her that without a heart transplant she'd be dead in six months, she refused to go through with it. "I've been in hospital too much — I've had too much trauma," she told the Guardian. She was not asserting a right to die; she was suggesting that she had a right to live on her own terms, and to decide whether the benefit was worth the cost.

No one was promising a cure. Without a transplant, her heart was sure to give out, but the operation could kill her, as could the complications that might follow. Anti-rejection drugs could reignite the leukemia; another transplant might be necessary in just a few years.

Hannah's mother Kirsty was once an intensive-care nurse and had seen the ordeal up close. So she and her husband Andrew decided that they needed to respect their daughter's wishes. "It was very emotional trying to reach the sort of decision you would never wish on your worst enemy," Andrew told reporters. "We were as low as it's possible to get, but I just didn't feel able to influence her. My wife and I agreed that whatever Hannah wanted, we would support her." She wanted to be at home, to play with her three younger siblings while she could. "It's hard, at 13, to know I'm going to die," Hannah said, "but I also know what's best for me."

She made her case to her doctors; they too knew the odds and were persuaded that she was making a rational and considered decision. But one doctor, concerned that Hannah might be driven by fear or confusion, notified children's protective services of the case — which is how the Joneses found themselves fighting to retain custody of their child. "They phoned us on a Friday evening and said that if we didn't take her in, they'd come and take her," recalled her mother.

Authorities threatened to proceed with the operation over Hannah's protests, in the name of protecting her interests. This was the moment when abstract principles and necessary safeguards collided with the sad, strong will of a dying girl. Under British law, a child Hannah's age is allowed to refuse lifesaving treatment, provided all the options have been fully explained and the child has the support of his or her parents. A social worker arrived at the Jones' house, and Hannah laid out her reasons. "I just decided there were too many risks, and even if I took it, there might be a bad outcome," Hannah said. "There is a chance that I may be O.K. and there's a chance that I may not be as well as I could be, but I'm willing to take that chance." It wasn't like she hadn't thought it through; she knows there's a waiting list for hearts and is glad to think she may be saving someone else's life by refusing one.

The social worker was convinced, and this week the lawyers were as well; the court lifted the order and Hannah may continue to refuse the treatment.

Are there lessons in any of this? It is excruciating to imagine the pain not only of this child but of her parents, trying to do the right thing. They are told one night that an ambulance would come and take her away because they were not doing their job to protect her. And yet you understand why doctors will err on the side of treatment. And why the doctor who called in the authorities was concerned about the ability of anyone, but especially a 13-year-old, to walk away from something that represented hope, however feeble. But you have to be grateful that the
ultimate judges kept an open mind, let Hannah make her case and found it reasonable for her circumstances. This is ultimately what respect for life looks like; it means respecting an individuals right to decide how she wants to live, even if that involves knowing she will die. Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful, C.S. Lewis said. But surely justice detached from mercy grows unjust.

Just something to think about...

~Becky

We were "those" people

Today Steve, Allyson and I did something we thought we never would. We stood in line for two hours to get an autographed copy of a book. Let me tell you the story. At lunch at Johnny Garlic's the other day (see Election Day) and I saw a sign that advertised a book signing by Guy Fieri. My brother-in-law has been an avid watcher of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives ever since we turned him on to the Food Network. I thought it would be great to get him a signed copy of Guy Fieri's new book ( aptly titled Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.)




So Steve and I have never actually stood in line for an autograph from anyone. I don't really know who it would take for me to do this for myself. But we decided to do it for Mike (Steve's brother.) Well, let me tell you that celebrity sightings bring out the weirdos. (I whispered to Steve a number of times "we're not like these people, right?" He assured me that we were different, but we were standing in line with these people.)

In front of us was president of Munchkinland. I kid you not - this guy was like 4'9". His long bleach blond hair, cutoff shirt and sweat shorts were disturbing to say the least. There were the ladies in workout pants who should NOT have been wearing anything that had spandex anywhere in the composition of material. Many people were definitely Whiskey Tango (think trailer, Walmart, and cheap beer.) I almost felt bad for Guy Fieri - but maybe not - the guy's loaded.

So we waited two hours. We got up to the line and decided that we didn't want to be "those" people and take a picture with him but now I kind of regret it cause I could have posted it here. Next time we stand in line for an autograph from someone, we'll definitely bring the camera. (Don't hold your breath - this might be never.) We got the book signed, chatted for about 6.2 seconds and were on our way. I hope Mike likes his Christmas gift - cause I don't know that we'll ever do something like that again.

~Becky

Okay...

I'll admit that I'm a little concerned (okay maybe alot) that the blue team won on Tuesday but I'm trying not to dwell on it. Life goes on but there's part of me that wonders how much of my life will actually be affected by the new administration. Sure - I think its great for women's rights. The fact that we might get another liberal on the Supreme Court. But as far as my finances, the Social Security that I'm paying into with every paycheck that I will never see, the 401K that has shrunk drastically over the last year and the fact that I'm a little scared for my daughter's future, I'm not as convinced. All those things would be affected regardless of who made it into the White House but this choice has me just a little more concerned.

Enough of that. I'm done dwelling on something I can't do anything about. Here are a few pictures of Allyson chasing Holly around our dining room table (my hand-me-down dining room table - still living a bit of the college life = FREE!).

I can't believe how big she's getting. Allyson's already taking some steps. Five or six at a time until she falls on her bottom. She always has the biggest grin on her face - like she's SO proud of herself. That kiddo sure makes me happy.

~Becky

Election Day

As the world focus's on Election Day I sit in my cube at work and focus on things in relation to my job. Well, kind of. Let's just get things out of the way and say that...

So...I didn't have to deal with lines or getting up early or getting home late or all those other things that relate to Election Day. I made my choices a few weeks ago and have happily gone on with life as I know it being in an unimportant state that always chooses blue (I chose Red this year - Linds aren't you proud of me?!?) and


voting No on Prop 8. I've done my part.


As for the rest of the day my best friend and I went to lunch at Johnny Garlic's. Guy Fieri's new restaurant located near our office. After Deep Fried Artichokes, splitting a Turkey Club Sandwich and two of these

I'm good to go for the rest of the day. Mel - can we please do that more often?!?!

So now its back to work. Back to spreadsheets and emails. I'll try to focus but the tequila and fresh lime juice continue to bounce around in my head. Mmmm...

~Becky

If you wait to carve the pumpkin

Our Halloween was fairly uneventful. Fun but uneventful. We went to my in-laws house for their annual Halloween festivities. The weather was threatening to rain all night long but it was such a gorgeous night - the perfect temperature to hang out outside.

Steve decided to wait until the last minute to carve the pumpkin we picked out for Allyson. And he's a perfectionist so I knew that we were going to be in for a long wait before his completion of the pumpkin masterpiece. Here's a picture of Allyson saying "Whatcha doin' Daddy?"

We waited until after she had dinner to deck Allyson out in her Monkey costume (thanks Christina!). I know she's my kid but she was freakin' adorable!

And again, my stoic child refuses to smile when the camera's in front of her. I can get some great candids of that 4- toothed grin, but never on demand!

Later - much later (if you knew Steve you'd understand) - when Steve finally finished the pumpkin we were able to take a family shot.

If you can't tell, Steve carved a pirate ship into the pumpkin. It looked great...we just won't let him wait until the "day of" next year.

~Becky