Pre-ski shot. I bought those wooden training skiis for the kids when Chloe was a year old. First time use.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Skiing!
Pre-ski shot. I bought those wooden training skiis for the kids when Chloe was a year old. First time use.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
School Supplies
Today we had another of life’s rights of passage; albeit a small one in the grand schemes as rights of passages go, but still one accomplished. David and I under the roles of Grampa and Gigi took the boys shopping for their school supplies.
Two lists one for kindergarten and one for third grade; 10 folders some with brads some without, but 2 red, 2 green, 2 blue, 2 yellow; 40 #2 pencils; 2 large block erasers; six bottles of glue; sharp scissors; blunt scissors. I have to say I looked at all that glue and shuddered. And the lists went on 20 items deep.
Of course, there was the large negotiation of the backpacks. If Connor wanted a sling strap then nothing else would do for Collin even though this style consumed the five year old. I have to stop and give big credit to Connor for getting us and his brother through the most difficult of the buying decisions (thank goodness Elmer’s glue just comes in one style bottle) by showing Collin how one style would dwarf him over another. The lunch packs seemed to be a no-brainer as army camouflage was the only acceptable choice. I’ll let Shannon figure out how to keep them differentiated as this seemed to be where I reached my limit.
The clothes outfits came under the various headings of “no, you can’t”, “yes, but not in that size”, and “the school will not let you wear that”. After much looking the boys enthusiastically settled on “don’t you think a hoodie is a little warm for right now?”. We took an educated guess on the size of the boys come fall and if luck is on our side we will have a good fit.
The lady at check out was fantastic with a wonderful sense of humor and her own grandparent mentality ruling the register. I returned from the bathroom in record time to see David caught between the two baskets and our fantastic lady saying, “Didn’t I hear your Grampa say not to touch that?” The woman was now my kindred spirit. She reminded the boys to say “thank you” to us and showed me a survey coupon for Target worth 5000.00 if I won. She gets a well deserved cut of that action.
There were no tears, no fits, and no yellow folders without brads, but someone else can go after the folders. What we did leave with was a wonderful reminder of the times the girls went shopping for their supplies for the first day of school, and hoping that new and wonderful learning would accompany these new supplies.
We, also, left with a lesson of what it will look like with four young ones at Disney World this February. That will be a different right of passage. We’ll just let this one stand alone while we catch our breaths.
Love,
Gigi
Two lists one for kindergarten and one for third grade; 10 folders some with brads some without, but 2 red, 2 green, 2 blue, 2 yellow; 40 #2 pencils; 2 large block erasers; six bottles of glue; sharp scissors; blunt scissors. I have to say I looked at all that glue and shuddered. And the lists went on 20 items deep.
Of course, there was the large negotiation of the backpacks. If Connor wanted a sling strap then nothing else would do for Collin even though this style consumed the five year old. I have to stop and give big credit to Connor for getting us and his brother through the most difficult of the buying decisions (thank goodness Elmer’s glue just comes in one style bottle) by showing Collin how one style would dwarf him over another. The lunch packs seemed to be a no-brainer as army camouflage was the only acceptable choice. I’ll let Shannon figure out how to keep them differentiated as this seemed to be where I reached my limit.
The clothes outfits came under the various headings of “no, you can’t”, “yes, but not in that size”, and “the school will not let you wear that”. After much looking the boys enthusiastically settled on “don’t you think a hoodie is a little warm for right now?”. We took an educated guess on the size of the boys come fall and if luck is on our side we will have a good fit.
The lady at check out was fantastic with a wonderful sense of humor and her own grandparent mentality ruling the register. I returned from the bathroom in record time to see David caught between the two baskets and our fantastic lady saying, “Didn’t I hear your Grampa say not to touch that?” The woman was now my kindred spirit. She reminded the boys to say “thank you” to us and showed me a survey coupon for Target worth 5000.00 if I won. She gets a well deserved cut of that action.
There were no tears, no fits, and no yellow folders without brads, but someone else can go after the folders. What we did leave with was a wonderful reminder of the times the girls went shopping for their supplies for the first day of school, and hoping that new and wonderful learning would accompany these new supplies.
We, also, left with a lesson of what it will look like with four young ones at Disney World this February. That will be a different right of passage. We’ll just let this one stand alone while we catch our breaths.
Love,
Gigi
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Platform Committee Follow Up
Dear Friends,
As promised I wanted to follow up from the work on the Platform Committee.
What an amazing experience working with other committee members from the senate districts! The dedication combined with the knowledge each brought to the table would make you all proud.
First I attended as many caucuses I could get in to further study some of the topics that many of you brought to my attention. Some of the truths I heard were so powerful that at one (the moratorium on the death penalty) I had to step out for a minute to catch my breath. The environmental information shared was critical, I later found, to understand much of what was in the platform draft we received the following day. I had studied much about wind and solar energy, but had no idea about the number of dangerous/dirty coal plants that are being created over the state. I, also, know much more about the safety implications about fracture drilling near public schools, etc. I wish I could share all I learned during the caucuses and how that was extended into working on the platform committee, but too much to write.
In general the document you can find on line at the TDP site is full of the "meat" we required; very little generalities. I feel no one should doubt who we are and where we stand on the issues. The groups that met pre-conference to draft the document from which we worked that Saturday gave us a paper full of expertise both political and topic specific.
I had asked early in the process that all references to Rick Perry and/or the republican party be removed from the platform as the platform was about who we are and not who they aren't. Several of us felt strong in this view; however, the democratic way gave us a vote that differed. I offered that we move these references to a narrative page, but the majority as witnessed by the vote did not agree.
I want to share special thanks to Leonard Pierce. Leonard spent much of the day in the committee room making himself available for information I needed before a vote was taken. Devonya Shaw-Nunez and Leonard gave me notes to make sure I was catching all the intricate elements. During the discussion on the death penalty I needed critical feedback from the caucus leaders on this subject. Leonard went to the exhibit hall and returned with two specialists who made sure what was written was solid.
The coordinated campaign office must have your help and dedication to the vote. I hope this means that I will see many of you many times before November. If you have not visited Mayor White's website it is www.billwhitefortexas.com and adds to getting to know the person we must trust.
Once again your trust in me was not lost. I was there early, worked until each topic was discussed and voted, and picked up SD 14's copy from the floor before formal presentation. I value the work and I value you.
With appreciation,
Gina Starr Hill
As promised I wanted to follow up from the work on the Platform Committee.
What an amazing experience working with other committee members from the senate districts! The dedication combined with the knowledge each brought to the table would make you all proud.
First I attended as many caucuses I could get in to further study some of the topics that many of you brought to my attention. Some of the truths I heard were so powerful that at one (the moratorium on the death penalty) I had to step out for a minute to catch my breath. The environmental information shared was critical, I later found, to understand much of what was in the platform draft we received the following day. I had studied much about wind and solar energy, but had no idea about the number of dangerous/dirty coal plants that are being created over the state. I, also, know much more about the safety implications about fracture drilling near public schools, etc. I wish I could share all I learned during the caucuses and how that was extended into working on the platform committee, but too much to write.
In general the document you can find on line at the TDP site is full of the "meat" we required; very little generalities. I feel no one should doubt who we are and where we stand on the issues. The groups that met pre-conference to draft the document from which we worked that Saturday gave us a paper full of expertise both political and topic specific.
I had asked early in the process that all references to Rick Perry and/or the republican party be removed from the platform as the platform was about who we are and not who they aren't. Several of us felt strong in this view; however, the democratic way gave us a vote that differed. I offered that we move these references to a narrative page, but the majority as witnessed by the vote did not agree.
I want to share special thanks to Leonard Pierce. Leonard spent much of the day in the committee room making himself available for information I needed before a vote was taken. Devonya Shaw-Nunez and Leonard gave me notes to make sure I was catching all the intricate elements. During the discussion on the death penalty I needed critical feedback from the caucus leaders on this subject. Leonard went to the exhibit hall and returned with two specialists who made sure what was written was solid.
The coordinated campaign office must have your help and dedication to the vote. I hope this means that I will see many of you many times before November. If you have not visited Mayor White's website it is www.billwhitefortexas.com and adds to getting to know the person we must trust.
Once again your trust in me was not lost. I was there early, worked until each topic was discussed and voted, and picked up SD 14's copy from the floor before formal presentation. I value the work and I value you.
With appreciation,
Gina Starr Hill
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thank You for Your Vote
Dear Friends in SD 14,
It's late and it has been an amazing day, but I wanted to make sure I thanked you for your vote.
I just received the draft of the party platform, have the alarm set for "early-thirty" and will begin notes before we formally meet at 8am. I look forward to representing the thoughts you have shared with me. I reassure you I will do my part of the work until close.
With much appreciation,
Gina Starr-Hill
Platform Committee
SD14
It's late and it has been an amazing day, but I wanted to make sure I thanked you for your vote.
I just received the draft of the party platform, have the alarm set for "early-thirty" and will begin notes before we formally meet at 8am. I look forward to representing the thoughts you have shared with me. I reassure you I will do my part of the work until close.
With much appreciation,
Gina Starr-Hill
Platform Committee
SD14
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Happy July 4th!
"These are the times which try Men's souls, the summer Soldier and the sunshine Patriot shall soon fade away", Thomas PaineThese simple words were spoken during our first months of fighting for our American independence as we had suffered many losses. However, coming out of Valley Forge and crossing the Delaware River right before Christmas in 1776 George Washington led us to victory at Trenton and the tide began to turn. Our victory at Saratoga solidified our resolve and inspired the French to lend their resources to our fledgling Country. Even in the south where we faced Gen Cornwallis and suffered several losses we never lost faith in our cause, and found a means to victory, accepting his sword at Yorktown.
Therefore, some 230 plus years later we sit here in this the greatest Country the world has ever known enjoying the blessings of liberty and freedom which many in the world shall never know. However, lest we forget, there are those who would steal away our American rights and freedoms, and as always, our Patriots have answered the call to arms to defend our way of life.
So on this 4th of July, and indeed everyday, may all of us reflect as we gaze upon that "Grand Ole Flag" and remember that Patriotism is not defined by hollow words and empty rhetoric, but rather by American Men and Women who answer the call, with action within their capability. The world basically has three types of people; sheep, wolves, and guard dogs.....God bless our American guard dogs.
Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans! Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Early Morning Thoughts
Growing your food even if just a few is good for the soul and the appetite
Picking vegetables at 6am in the cool makes this summer heat later in the day more bearable
Picking fruit at 6am reminds you that summer can be a good season not just a hot one....also, baffles the early morning squirrels who also pick fruit at 6am
Sitting around the dining table with family is good for the soul
Insomnia has nothing going for it
A perfectly chilled glass of champagne in a pretty glass brought by a friend at brunch is amazing
Drinking the whole bottle no matter what the glass takes you from enjoyable to obnoxious
Watching too much news makes you feel helpless, but finding a community working on a fix makes you feel like a help
Being there for someone who needs you should be a core value for the individual
Being kind should be a core value for society
Share
And as I am reminded by Victim Services drinking and driving has so many bad consequences which makes me wonder why restaurants advertise happy hour that makes it so tempting
With love
Picking vegetables at 6am in the cool makes this summer heat later in the day more bearable
Picking fruit at 6am reminds you that summer can be a good season not just a hot one....also, baffles the early morning squirrels who also pick fruit at 6am
Sitting around the dining table with family is good for the soul
Insomnia has nothing going for it
A perfectly chilled glass of champagne in a pretty glass brought by a friend at brunch is amazing
Drinking the whole bottle no matter what the glass takes you from enjoyable to obnoxious
Watching too much news makes you feel helpless, but finding a community working on a fix makes you feel like a help
Being there for someone who needs you should be a core value for the individual
Being kind should be a core value for society
Share
And as I am reminded by Victim Services drinking and driving has so many bad consequences which makes me wonder why restaurants advertise happy hour that makes it so tempting
With love
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