Thought I would post this just for my brother-in-law, Ron Daniel!

Grateful Dead and Deadheads reunite for Obama
Tue Feb 5, 2008 7:54am EST


By Adam Tanner
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Saying Barack Obama embodies political hope absent since Robert Kennedy was slain 40 years ago, three surviving members of the Grateful Dead rock band reunited on Monday for the first time in four years to back the presidential candidate.
"Every few generations a guy like this comes along," drummer Mickey Hart told a news conference a day before California's primary, in which Obama, a senator from Illinois, faces New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. "It seems like desperate times and we're desperate people."
The counter-culture band, known for its loyal "Deadhead" fans, broke up in 1995 after the death of its leader, guitarist Jerry Garcia. They have since played together occasionally, most recently in 2004.
At a San Francisco concert in front of 2,400 fans, singer-guitarist Bob Weir, 60, said the band had never before, performed on behalf of a presidential candidate, although they have often embraced liberal social causes.
"The last time hope was in the air, it was ended by a bullet," Weir said, referring to Kennedy, who was assassinated on the night he won the California Democratic primary in 1968. "We've been reluctant to do political events all along."
Bassist Phil Lesh, 67, said he met Obama, who told him he has some Grateful Dead songs on his iPod music player, last year.
The concert started with a short video from Obama, filmed on an airplane, thanking the band. A thick cloud of marijuana smoke wafted through the air then and throughout the concert, and some fans engaged in free-style dance as though magically transported from 1968.
Obama's dapper, clean-cut image contrasted with the tied-dyed shirts and long, shaggy hair of fans who lined up for hours to attend the "Deadheads for Obama '08" event.
"Long live the Dead!" said Ron Svetlik, 51, who said he had attended more than 200 Grateful Dead concerts, starting in 1974.
The home builder said he had already voted by mail for the Green Party candidate, but added: "If I had to cast a write-in ballot, I'd put Jerry Garcia."
The three band members neither promised more concerts nor ruled them out. "It's a lot like family," Weir said, referring to complicated relationships dating back more than 40 years. "What we have is thicker than blood."
(Editing by Patricia Zengerle)

Disney Ruining the World?
Posted Mar 20th 2008 2:54PM by TMZ Staff
No, not our world, the Small one. According to the LA Times, the family of the woman who helped create "It's a Small World" is begging Disney not to screw up the iconic ride with "idiotic" changes. The ride has been closed since January to upgrade its boats - which some think was needed in order to accommodate the ever increasing weight of the general population. But now other changes are being tossed around.Miceage.com is reporting that Disney Imagineers are considering adding Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Peter Pan, Nemo and other Disney characters to locations throughout the ride while replacing the Papua, New Guinea, rain forest scene with an American tribute.In an open letter to Disney execs, the family writes, "The Disney characters of themselves are positive company icons, but they do NOT fit in with the original theme of the ride. They will do nothing except to marginalize the rightful stars of the ride 'The Children of the World.'" Disney officials say some additions will be made to Small World but that no decision has been made on specific creative changes to the ride despite the speculation.

MSNBC.com: Barack Obama News
Transcript of Obama's speech on race - Mar 18, 2008

I urge you to read this amazing speech!

We've really been enjoying soccer! It's the first time Josh and Sam have played, and it is also the first time John has coached. Josh has played three games so far, and in his last game, he scored 2 goals! He was so proud of himself. Due to a lot of recent rain, Sam has only had two practices, but he is enjoying himself nonetheless. Yes, I am officially a "Soccer Mom!" Wait! I don't have a minivan yet, so the transformation is not yet complete!

Budding Artiste!

This is a sidewalk chalk rendering of Josh on a camping trip, with a lion, under the moon and the stars.... Josh is in the tent. The lion and a purple tree are to the left of the tent. The moon and the stars are above the tent, and the yellow blobs to the right are ice cream treats for Josh and his lion.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Josh and Sam already love the ladies!

Here's a picture from our Thanksgiving trip to Disney. Notice Josh giving the thumbs up...these boys love the ladies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Welcome everyone to my new blog. What a ridiculous word. I can't even say it out loud - it just sounds that silly. I wanted a place to post pictures of Josh and Sam, tell everyone a little about life with my boys, and pontificate on Disney World and Barack Obama. OBAMA FOR CHANGE!!! OBAMA 2008!!!! There, now that's out of the way!



I've just realized Josh is exactly like me! We got 3 cookies from McDonalds this afternoon with our lunch. (I know, John, I shouldn't have gone to Satan's burger joint, but the boys had to go to the doctor this morning and I felt like they deserved a treat!) So, Josh just came down from "quiet time" in his room, and I told him he could have one of the two cookies left. I already ate mine. He proceeded to count the number of chips in each cookie and picked the cookie with more chips. His cookie had 5 visible chips on the top. That's my boy! Too bad his mommy had already taken the cookies out of the bag 5 minutes earlier, counted the chips on all three, and picked the cookie with at least 10 chips! Sorry, Joshie!



Now, Josh has told me that something is missing from his cookie. What, I ask him? Milk, Mommy. Back to my part-time waitressing gig....one milk coming right up....Sam should be up from nap soon, at which time, I will have to fill an order for 3 cups of juice, a bowl of dried fruit snacks, his cookie, a SSSSHHHHOOOOWWWWW, and COOOMMMMPPPPUUUTTTEEEERRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure I'll referee a fight or two...maybe I'll fit some dishes, laundry or dinner in there somewhere. And that, my friends, is life with Josh and Sam!