Humanity–Part One

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not even close to beginning my thoughts on this topic of humanity. Last night we watched Catch A Fire. It is a true story of one man’s fight against Apartheid. It is a moving story of one mans quest to make a difference. It shows how change can happen if we ban together and how change can happen if we fight together for a purpose and not just to fight.

The movie clearly shows how terrorists (or what we call terrorists) are created. Because so often we don’t fight fair we create people who have to fight back and they fight back the only ways they can–and we call that terrorism. If we treated everyone as though they were the same as us–and by same I mean equal; I mean just as good as us–then there would be less of a need for terrorism.

My thoughts are scrambled and I need to think this through more clearly. But I want to close this part of the post with a simple idea that struck me…If we could just realize that the same things are good for all of us the world would be a better place. If we could just realize we are all humans we might live in a nicer world.

Back to business

Vacation was awesome. I love going on vacation, but I am also spoiled and like to vacation in a house. I don’t particularly care for hotel rooms–unless they are suites and feel homy. I want a seperate sleeping and living area. I know that is not always possible, but that is what I want if I can help it. It is also nice, I have to admit, to stay in a house that is as nice as my brother and his partners. Okay on a side note, I really need a name for them. Their house is insanely gorgeous and they are so hospitable. They give us their master bedroom–which is totally unnecessary. Their house is capable of sleeping 12 and next time we go we will sleep in the bunkbed room so that Minnow can sleep in a bed–he wouldn’t/couldn’t sleep in the portable bed so ended up sleeping with me or hubby while the other one of us slept in a different bedroom. Minnow is quite the bed hog–I don’t know how he sleeps at night. He is constantly moving. I either had a foot, his butt or an arm in/on my face the entire night. He was sound asleep. Me? Not so much. I can’t believe I didn’t take pics of their beautiful abode to share with the world, but it is gorgeous. My brother J is a designer and works for this company. All the pictures you see on their sight have been picked by my brother who then designs the matting, and the frames. He is really quite talented.

Anyway, vacation. The hardest part of the vacation was of course the drive. Those of you with active toddlers know the difficulty of keeping them harnassed for hours on end. We were lucky and timed our departure both to and from with the time he usually gets tired and naps. For those awake times, I thank goodness for our portable DVD player. Thank you Spongebob for making our road trip bearble.

J and C (his partner) have an awesome red golf cart to make trekking to the beach very easy. It was fun to drive and Minnow had a lot of fun helping steer. We were lucky enough to spend a part of each day at the beach. On really clear days you can see the Chicago skyline from their beach, unfortunately during the day it was never clear enough, but on the evening we went to watch the sunset we were lucky enough to watch the sunset behind the skyline.


What is a vacation without a little shopping. There is an awesome outlet mall in Michigan City, about 15 minutes from Beverly Shores where J & C’s house is. We went and had a lot of fun shopping and spending money.

On our final day of vacation we went into the city. I have to say that I do love Chicago, but I am glad that I don’t live there. I just cannot handle the traffic. I love living in my big little city. Anyway. It is only a short drive to Chicago–about an hour–from J & C’s house. We went to Shedd Aquarium and to the Ba’hi’a temple. It is so beautiful. We didn’t go in because Minnow tends to be loud. But I didn’t get the opportunity to take some great picture of the intricate design and carvings the make up the stone building. Minnow really enjoyed running around the grounds. We would have done more in Chicago, but Minnow fell asleep on the drive into the City, so we drove around the north suburbs while he slept. I love the north suburbs.

As I write, I realize what an uneventful vacation we had. I guess that is what made it so awesome. It was relaxing and low-key. It was perfect.

I just can’t do it!

What you ask, on the edge of your seat wondering what task I am giving up. I cannot call Minnow Dimples. He is Minnow and no matter how hard I try, I cannot change it. My little boy is forever to live with the monniker Minnow. No matter how cute those dimples are.

Vacation…

is over. We are home. Minnow–now to be referred to as Dimples from here on out. Yes, I know I shouldn’t change his nickname here, but he was called dimples constantly this past week on our vacation and it is really appropriate. As our son has the cutest frickin’ smile. Those dimples.
The weather was nice–hot but cooler than here at home, so we were happy about that. I am spoiled as my brother and his partner keep the beach house at 71 degress. We came home to find our brick oven house a balmy 83 degrees. It is now already 82 (we have been home for 3 hours). Needless to say we are considering getting an new air conditioner. We have been putting it off for a few years. I am feeling a bit under the weather, so here are some pics to keep you all satisfied until I can post more in detail about our awesome vaction.
Running around the Bah’ia’ Temple
At the Shedd Aquarium
in the car ready to go home
playing in the sand
“I wonder what sand tastes like?” I was laughing to hard to get the spitting it out and wiping off the tounge picture. Sorry
In lake Michigan.

Heading Out

We are off on Vacation. My brother has a house in Indiana Dunes National Park and happens to only be 3 blocks away from a private beach on Lake Michigan. We will be gone until Thursday. I am looking forward to some away time and som relaxation. I will maybe post while up there, if I can find some free wireless or if I bite the bullet and use dial-up…We’ll see. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

MP–I’ll be thinking of Teeny this week as he has been in your arms for a year…

Awesome…Just Awesome.