Galvanized

Here is the culprit to my water damage problem - a very disintegrating old galvanized pipe.



It wasn't the dishwasher connection as originally thought. Heck, that would have been easier to fix, so of course it wasn't going to be that.

So, after new floor joists, new studs, all new plumbing - no water access for three days - and a few kitchen cabinets taken apart - all should be well by Friday. And by Friday, I should be able to use my fancy new dishwasher.

Living in a 61 year old house certainly has its perks, doesn't it. Just for the record, Universe, I could use a break now.

A Modicum of Sense

Well, at least the Academy of Arts and Sciences haven't completely lost their minds. I was appalled when I first heard that the TV show, Family Guy, got an Emmy nod for their song, 'Down Syndrome Girl.'

Haven't heard it? Well, here is a sampling of the lyrics:


And though her pretty face may seem a special person's wettest dream. [...]

You must impress that ultra-boomin', all consumin', poorly-groomin', Down Syndrome girl. [...]

You want to take that little whore and spin her on the dancing floor. [...]

My boy between the two of us we'll get her on the shorty bus and then you're gonna take it on a whirl.

Now go impress that super-thrilling, wish-fulfilling, YooHoo-spilling, ultra-swinging, boner-bringing, gayly-singing, dingalinging, stupefying, fortifying, as of Monday shoe lace-tying, stimulating, titillating, kitty-cat impersonating, mega-rocking, pillow talking, just a little crooked walking, poorly-pouting, poopie-sprouting, for some reason always shouting, fascinating, captivating, happiness and joy-creating, Down Syndrome girl.

According to Newsbusters.com, "The Feb. 14 Family Guy episode, which the song appeared in, sparked outrage after its premiere - most notably from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who has a son with Down syndrome.

At one point in the episode, the character with Down syndrome said that her mom was "the former governor of Alaska," a clear reference to Palin and her son, Trig.

Palin quickly criticized the show for the distasteful jab at her son. "[W]hy make it tougher on the special needs community? When is enough enough? When are we going to be willing to say some things just aren't really funny?" she said on Feb. 16."

Mrs. Palin and I almost never agree on anything, but on this item we most certainly do. The song was not funny - it was offensive. And even though, as New York magazine noted, the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award, the category in which this song was nominated, has been "gaining a reputation as Emmy's quiet nod to First Amendment rights", this time things went too far.

Thank goodness the song did not win the Emmy.

Sick Ward

Sorry, but I will not be posting for a couple of days. Both Ashley and I have the swine flu, and it's all I can do to get up and sit at the computer - much less think of anything coherent to write.

Hopefully I will be back soon, but in the meantime, be sure to visit some of the special bloggers listed on the right side of this blog.

Today I am thankful for Tamiflu, Gatorade, Ibuprofen, cough drops and Puffs Plus tissues.

Why You Need To Get A Flu Shot

Warning - High yuck factor!

Off To A Good Start?

**WARNING**
You may not want to read this post immediately before or after a meal.
Those of you who are long time readers of my blog know how I hate camel crickets. For new readers, check here for what I really think about what I affectionately call the devil’s spawn.


Well, this morning when I went to dump dog food into my dog’s dish on the back patio, there was one of the wretched little creatures sitting right in the middle of the bowl. The evil angel on my shoulder took control and told me to dump the dog food on the cricket and maybe the dog would just eat it. I *loved* that idea, and it was exactly what I did.

I then woke Rocky dog up, sent him outside for breakfast, and watched while he gulped both his food and the cricket! I was congratulating myself – score one for me! Until…

Rocky dog came back into the house and while I was eating my Frosted MiniWheats, he decided to throw up. Being the mom of several children with special needs, vomit, even from a dog, doesn’t usually bother me. What bothered me was that the cricket came back up also – AND IT WAS STILL ALIVE!

So now I not only had this creature from hell in my house, it was covered in dog vomit and hopping all around.

I did the only rational thing I could think of - got out my trusty Dyson vacuum cleaner and sucked the little booger up. Now I will just have to convince one of my sons to take the vacuum container far far away and dump it. And I just hope I don’t have to hear the cricket jumping all around inside the Dyson.

So, how did your Friday morning start?