I'm always conflicted about Thanksgiving. I don't appreciate the historical origins of the holiday because of the settlers treatment of Native Americans. However, in recent years, I don't appreciate how Native Americans are treating Black Indians so that dampens my initial sympathy a little bit.
Yet, no matter how I feel about that whole bit, I relish the idea of having a holiday devoted solely to being thankful for all of one's blessings.
So, in the honor of the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a few things I'm thankful for this year:
1) My loving and supportive family
2) That dinner will be catered by Safeway (read: I don't have to cook a thing!)
3) My little circle of friends
4) An end in sight for the current presidential administration
5) This chocolate bun I've got in my oven
6) A husband who rubs my feet in the evening (even if he did snatch the covers last night)
What are you thankful for?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Karla at 8:00 AM 2 comments
Labels: holidays
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Is there an end to the stupidity?
A card sent to Jewish leaders had a distinctly Yuletide flavor.
WHITE HOUSE (CNN) - Whoops! A picture of a Christmas tree is not the first thing you would expect to see on an invitation to an event celebrating Hanukkah, but that is exactly what recipients of invitations to this year’s White House Hanukkah reception initially got in the mail.
The invitation sent to American Jewish leaders on behalf of the President and First Lady, requesting “the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah reception,” bore an image of a Clydesdale horse drawn cart, carrying the White House Christmas tree, with a Christmas wreath-adorned White House in the background.
Mrs. Bush’s press secretary, Sally McDonough, attributed the snafu to a “staff mistake” in not printing separate cards for the different White House holiday events, as has been the custom in years past. “Mrs. Bush is apologetic, It is just something that fell through the cracks,” she said, referring to the role of the First Lady’s office in sending out the invitations.
The card as originally intended featured a menorah given to the White House during Harry Truman’s presidency. That mailing was to have gone out today, according to Mrs. McDonough.
McDonough added that the White House had received “dozens” of calls of support from members of the Jewish community to express their appreciation for what President and Mrs. Bush had done for them through the course of Mr. Bush’s presidency.
***I highly doubt that's true***
Posted by Karla at 2:13 PM 0 comments
Labels: stupid is as stupid does
Monday, November 24, 2008
Any dream interpreters out there?
I have been having the weirdest dreams lately. The pregnancy books mention that the unusual hormone levels can often cause this, so I'm not worried. Normal, unpregnant Karla already has crazy, vivid dreams that I remember like movies when I wake up. However, lately, they are super weird and more real people are involved (usually my dreams are filled with imaginary friends or people I am no longer in contact with).
Saturday night, I dreamt that my dad passed away while I was home for a visit. A sudden death. I remember feeling an extreme heaviness and depression, but not necessarily being sad or angry. Weird!
Sunday night, I dreamt that hubby and I crashed into a young woman's car while we were visiting some other place. Apparently, the law of this place is that if you cause an accident (even if noone gets hurt) you must be punished by death. So, after the cars were towed and we made sure everyone was okay, we waited at our guest house for the police to show - which they did - and inform us of the day of our demise. On death day, my friend took me to my favorite place for breakfast and I remember thinking as I enjoyed my ham, bacon and cheese omelet that in a few hours I'd be dead.
One common thread in both dreams is that my cousin J showed up after bad news was delivered and took care of things - making phone calls and arrangements, making sure I ate and bathed, etc.
Clearly, J is my guiding light, but I don't understand the rest of it. Any clues? Dream readers, help me out here.
Posted by Karla at 1:18 PM 3 comments
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A moment to vent
About a month ago, my hubby was away for a week at a conference for his job. When he came back, he was completely ruined for sharing sleeping space. In the course of one week, he has somehow picked up the three worst habits of a bed-partner:
1. SNORING
2. Cover-hogging
3. Bed-hogging
Something magical happened in his fancy 4-star hotel bed that mutated his ideal bedmate gene into one that causes him to sleep damn near spread eagle in the bed. Well, we have a king-sized bed, so if he's encroaching for any reason other than cuddling and canoodling, he's out of order. And wrapping himself in the covers during these 40-something degree nights is not cool. I won't even begin to mention his obnoxious snoring. All in the matter of one week!
Well, this mommy-to-be needs her sleep. Preferably, uninterrupted by flailing arms, snores and drafts. A bad night of rest equals back pain, extreme fatigue and loss-of-appetite and productivity for me the next day.
Last night, I reached my tipping point and declared that he observe all bed rules, or sleep in the guest room until he remembers how to share a bed. I gave him a Breathe Right strip and left it up to him. Well, he promised to try and threw a frickin tantrum before putting on the Breathe Right strip, but I'm happy to report that I had a wonderful night of uninterrupted sleep (thanks in part to the body pillow I wedged in between him and myself). Today, for the first time in weeks, I feel well-rested and might actually make it through my 13-hour work day without needing a nap. However, due to the fit he threw last night, I'm giving him the cold shoulder- despite his immediate apology.
Posted by Karla at 1:15 PM 3 comments
Labels: confessions, husbands can be big babies
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
For my single friends
As those near and dear to me (and some unfortunate victims) know, I am literally a genius when it comes to all things boys. Genius, I say! I have usually had more guy than girl friends (marriage will put an end to that, won't it - enter crazy person laugh here) and my former experience as a serial-dater offered many opportunities to gain insight on our protein-packed co-humans.
Recently, I've grown increasingly frustrated with some of the comments I've heard from my single friends about the treatment they accept/tolerate/put up with from the guys they date (or their own brothers, for that matter). Well, I can't take it anymore! Maybe its my genteel upbringing, but I expect a lot from the guys in my life. Not only do I expect respect(not demand, but expect - there is a difference between the two), I also expect to be treated like royalty. This is a normal course of life for me.
If I'm heading inside a building and there's a male heading inside the building at the same time, it's natural for me to step aside so that he can open the door! And, let me tell you, if you do that, a man will ALWAYS open the door for you. Anyhoo, I'm going to do this public service for my sistahs out there and give 6 simple guidelines for the type of treatment that you deserve.
1. NEVER pump your own gas if there's a male over the age of 13 in the car. NEVER. Why should you have to get out, touch that grimy handle, and risk getting the smell of petrol on your hands? Its not necessary! Let him do it! I learned this in high school! Come on, people!
2. Learn how to put a condom on a guy and learn how to do it without looking. This needs no explanation. Ladies, we're progressive enough to protect ourselves. And by the way, keep your own stash and take some with you on dates.
3. Don't open door if there is a guy coming through the same door at the same time - even if you're going in opposite directions. This should apply for your life in general, but it is REQUIRED if you are on a date or otherwise hanging out with a significant other. If your guy won't open the door for you, he's inconsiderate (in my humble opinion) and who wants a future with an inconsiderate guy? If you weren't raised this way, it might take some getting used to, but you can do it!
4. If you're on a date, try to let your guy hold the seat for you. He doesn't have to push you up to the table (that's awkard unless he really knows what he's doing), but he should make sure you're comfortably seated first. I don't know what kind of guy seats himself before his date is seated. Oh, yes I do - it's the guy who doesn't get a second date.
*Aside* My parent's friends always stand when a woman approaches or leaves the table during dinner/brunch/lunch. This is awesome, but even I realize that it is a disappearing art. These guys also wear sports coats to dinner/brunch/lunch...
5. A guy should open the car door for you. He really should. This is absolutely required on a first date. My hubby is pretty good about this. But, I must admit, sometimes I forget to wait for him - particularly when its cold or rainy. I think remote locks has kind of ruined the propensity for this sort of generosity.
6. If you don't feel like a guy is going at least a little bit out of his way to treat you like you're super special, forget him. Its doubtful his manners will ever improve and there's no reason why you shouldn't feel like Queen Bee when you're with him.
I think its sad to hear girls brag that some guy helped them into or out of their coats. Why would a guy watch you struggle to get your arm in a coat and not help? Why would a guy not bring the umbrella around to your side of the car so that you don't get wet between the car and the door? If valet and the restaurant host/maitre d can open doors for you, hold your seat, and help you into or out of your coat - why can't the guy who's supposed to care about you?
Anyway, that's enough preaching from me for one day.
Posted by Karla at 10:50 AM 2 comments
Labels: chivalry
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
YES WE CAN!
Congratulations to America for putting our heads and hearts together to elect a President that stands for something. I hope that 2009 is a new era in American history - an error of CHANGE, a restoration of our high international standing, and a new generation of educated and informed young voters!
Posted by Karla at 10:41 PM 1 comments
Monday, November 3, 2008
Hey! Guess what?
The world will soon be blessed with Karla, Part II!
Yep, I've got a chocolate bun in the oven. Should be browned to perfection and ready to present to the world in April.
I solemnly swear not to turn this into a pregnancy blog. I'm just not that type of gal. But I may subject you to an ultrasound photo, if Baby K gives poses like he/she is on an episode of ANTM.
The Dynasty begins...
Posted by Karla at 1:07 PM 6 comments
Labels: good news