So, if it was your job to sell a toilet, how would you do it? I'm not suggesting that I have any brilliant ideas, but I'm not sure I'd go for what Kohler has done. They created an interactive "flush this!" site. It's just kind of an unusual idea, that's all I'm saying. But I bet no guy's gonna complain about that plumber's crack, hm?
Either way, I'm blocking the site on the kids' computer; I don't want Jack getting any ideas.
--Jen
You're just gonna die from all the preciousness, I guarantee it.
You rely on Cute Overload for a regular dose of critter cuteness. But have you checked out The Daily Puppy? You should. Jen says.
Now go.
--Jen
This e-mail is making the rounds, but it's one that's actually been verified to be true. Pretty cool.
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up. Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves. Pass it on.
Verified at snopes, the web site that investigates urban legends and circulating e-mails for truth.
It’s been two years now. It was the worst day of my life thus far, and I hate the changes that have come about since Dad’s been gone. I always have extra pictures now when we distribute the kids’ school pictures or copies of studio portraits. Our family buys far fewer Father’s Day cards. There’s one less thing to stress over when it comes to gee-what-do-I-get-the-dads-for-Christmas—but what I wouldn’t give to still have that stress.
I don’t know how else to explain it except to say I feel broken. It’s like the place in my heart that was reserved just for Dad burst when he died. But that’s life now—and no, it’s not the same without him, and I doubt we will ever completely get used to him being gone. I still think “I need to call Dad...” way too often. He’s missed out on so many things, so many birthday parties and holiday dinners and school functions and those infamous advice-offering phone conversations he loved. Bugging me about my remodeling projects. The annual selection of his new car. He's missed a James Bond movie, and watching “Pirates” with Jack. He’s missed so many Yankees games.
He has missed out. But most of all, we have missed him.
Kathy’s and my best friends have both lost their fathers since we lost ours. Unfortunately, we have learned very little about how a daughter is supposed to survive this painful phase; in fact, two years later we still often feel like the news is brand new. I found this quote recently that gives us a tiny bit of simple hope that we are not suffering in vain (though we're still struggling to find a lesson in our grief).
“If you learn from your suffering,
and really come to understand the lessons you were taught,
you might be able to help someone else
who is now in the phase you may have just completed.
Maybe that’s what it’s all about after all.”
--Source Unknown
One of the other things Kathy and I discovered in the past two years is that everyone grieves in very different ways and often on very different timelines. More than anything, we now know that there’s no such thing as a “normal” grief process. Really, whatever we feel is “normal.” And so I close with this piece from Bereavement Magazine (that must be a joyful subscription, hm?), in the hope that it might possibly be some comfort to Lori and April over the next few anniversaries that pass for them.
When Does Grief End?
Grief hits us like a ton of bricks,
Flattens us like a steamroller,
Hurls us into the depths of despair.
We know in a flash when grief hits,
But when does it end?
Like the month of March,
Grief rushes in like a lion,
And tiptoes out like a lamb.
Sometimes, we don’t know when grief leaves,
Because we don’t let go of the lion’s tail.
Why do we hold on so long?
Grief offers us safety,
Protection from the world.
We don’t want to let go
Because we secretly fear
That we’ll forget our loved ones,
And we don’t want to forget—ever.
We don’t want to let go
Because we fear the future
And having to face life without our loved ones.
We don’t want to let go
Because we make the mistake
Of measuring our grief with the depth of our love—
When neither has anything to do with the other.
How do we know when grief has run its course?
How do we know when we’ve grieved enough?
Cried enough?
“Died” enough?
How do we know when it’s time to let go of the tail?
We know when we feel joy again, in something or someone.
Joy in living. Joy in life.
We know when we wake up in the morning
And our first thought is on something other than our loss.
We know when we look ahead with a smile
And back with fond memories,
And when we no longer dread the nights.
We know when our life starts filling up with new interests and people,
And we start reaching for the stars.
Grief ends when we let go of the tail.
--Margaret Brownley, Bereavement Magazine, Jan/Feb 2002
Kathy, I'm thinking of you a whole bunch today. And I speak for us both when I say we're thinking of you a whole bunch today, too, Lori and April.
With love,
Jen
I finally got to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I thought it was great--I liked how all those loose ends from Dead Man's Chest got tied up. Not sure how someone could fall asleep in such a loud and action-filled flick, unless they're just really old or 47½.
I found out after I got home that I should've stayed until the credits were done, because there was a bonus scene at the end. This was no bonus scene like in the previous two movies--which were really not bonus-y at all, just pointless extra scenes--it was actually a big plot thingie.
Here be spoilers. Do NOT watch this if you have not yet, but plan to, see the movie. Because remember... it is actually a big plot thingie.
If the clip is missing, search youtube for "pirates credits end" (or something similar, no quotes) and you'll probably find another.
And finally, I just can't resist sharing a cute kid story...
There's a part in the movie where Jack Sparrow has miniature selves talking to him. Last night (our) Jack came into our room with a Jack Sparrow action figure on each shoulder and said, "Look, I'm just like the movie!"
Alright now, to the depths with ye--
Jen
If you've never read the great stuff at Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian, set aside some time so you don't miss a thing. It's hilarious. Specifically, I enjoyed her "eulogy" for Jerry Falwell, found here.
My favorite part of the piece: ...it takes admirable courage and nimble logic to devote your life to issues Jesus completely ignored (abortion, global warming, tax breaks and homosexuality) while completely ignoring issues Jesus told you to devote your life to (love, charity, nonmaterialism -- and not getting divorced or devoting your entire life to being judgmental...
Just remember, I love you more than Betty does.
--Jen
Now, here's an idea from those eggheads over at the very cool web site, ThinkGeek: take a look at The SnūzNLūz - Wifi Donation Alarm Clock. Every time you hit the snooze button the clock** connects to your bank and donates $$ to your most hated charitable organization.
I'm a big fan of the snooze button, so I'm pretty sure I'd go broke in a few days and suddenly the Rush Limbaugh Foundation would be rollin' in Ding Dongs® and Viagra®. Damn my poor sleeping habits!
**"Presumably" available... someday
It's not just me, okay?
I ran across a great blog today. I do not yet know the author, but I love him and/or her. I do. Check out Apostrophe Abuse. On this fine site there was also a list of related links; one of them led me to the National Punctuation Day web site. It's a good'n, except for the picture of a guy (the founder!) on the front page with very hairy shoulders. I mean, geez! Even perfect apostrophe usage can't make up for a lack of much-needed sleeves.
Another link I found was to the "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks. Although unnecessary quoting doesn't bother me nearly as much as other bad punctuation does, it probably will now. Other people's annoyances very easily become my own.
Join me in my punctuation snobbery, won't you? Please? I feel a little lonely sometimes.
--Jen
P.S. My goodness, I am a bitchy wench. Proof: two of my earlier punctuation-related rants can be found at Bite Me, Jackass (follow the "Best Idea Ever" link) and A Word to the Unwise.
Today was a pretty great day. We parents were invited to Katie's classroom to watch the class perform six different plays. Katie was in Three Cheers for Tacky and The Little Red Hen. The kids did an amazing job and it was a lot of fun for all of us proud parents to watch them. Even Jack enjoyed the show, and Jack usually hates anything not involving pirates.
After a short recess they also had a quick little graduation ceremony (just don't tell them they still have a week left of school). Each of the kids introduced themselves and said what they liked best about first grade and/or what they wanted to be when they grow up. Katie said she wants to be a veterinarian. Of course, my response was, "An evil veterinarian?"
I absolutely adore her teacher. She's been doing this for, like, a hundred years but you'd never know it judging by her energy level. She's spectacular. The kids all think so too.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I stole something from those little cherubs today. They have a fabulous conflict resolution system in the classroom; Kelso the Frog offers a wheel of choices when problems arise:
Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a list like that handy at all times for all family members, hm?
First grade is the coolest. I'll miss it.
--Jen
Time for something different.
Courtesy of Cute Overload, here's a baby stingray. Did you have any idea they look like this??? 
Click to see a little larger version.
