BLEPHAROSPASMODIC

The weather was pretty nice today, despite having rained all day yesterday, so I decided to take Lily to the park. We were having a pretty nice time and after a short time, a fairly young guy came up with his two sons and year old daughter. The daughter was in the swing next to Lily, and we started small talking (’nice weather, isn’t it? How old is she?’ etc) It was at this point that things started to get a little strange. Now, I don’t consider myself a scary looking person, or someone that people would cross to the other side of the street if they saw me coming - and maybe having a little daughter with me made me seem less of a threat, but nonetheless, in my book, when it comes to kids, “stranger=danger” That being said….

I know parents love to show their children off, and we have them perform their tricks in front of other people, but this guy went a little too far in my opinion. He asked his son a series of questions, all of which he was able to answer:

1. Can you tell this man your name?
2. Can you tell him your birthday?
3. Can you spell your first and last name?
4. Can you tell him your address?
5. Can you tell him your phone number?
6. Can you tell him where your Mom and Dad work?
7. What school do you go to?

I was waiting for him to ask his son for his social security number so I could apply for a credit card in his name. Maybe I’m a little overprotective, but I think giving out that kind of personal information to a random stranger in the park is a bit odd. I mean, isn’t that where pedophiles and other vagabonds tend to hang out?

However, that wasn’t event the strangest part of my park experience. Immediately after Nick telling me all his private information, he told his dad he had to ‘go poop outside.’ his dad kinda looked at me, and then told his son, no, we’ll have to go to the trash can. And then, yes, he pulled down his son’s pants and held him over the giant blue trash can while his son defecated into it. I stood there in awe watching, giving his daughter a little push on the swing here and there and telling Lily not to look. This looked like a nice family - a new car, well dressed, etc..

We left quite quickly after that.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Saddam Hussein will be hanged before dawn on Saturday in Iraq, before 6 a.m. (10 p.m. Friday ET), according to Appeals Judge Munir Haddad. The paperwork is in order for Hussein’s execution, and the judge echoed a widespread belief that the hanging could be imminent.

Haddad, a judge on the appeals court that upheld the former dictator’s death sentence, and an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki each confirmed the paperwork preparation late Friday.

“All the procedures have been completed,” Haddad said.

The judge also said there is no need for a presidential decree for the implementation of the execution. He said once the handover is completed, “the sentence will be carried out swiftly, without any delay. God willing.”

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about this. He probably deserves to die, but as much as I used to be for capital punishment, I am starting to believe that a life behind bars is much more of a punishment than dying. Furthermore, the consequences of him being put to death in terms of possible political uprisings and martyrdom may outweigh the benefits of an execution for deterrence factors. (did that sentence make sense?) Anyway, off to the gallows with Hussein. Let freedom ring… *rolls eyes*

Lily was very excited about Christmas this year.  She went to see Santa twice and told him that she wanted:
1. A blue toy (whatever that is)
2. A baby bed (for her dolls)
3. A Penguin
4. A CD (of baby music)

There were NO penguins to be had anywhere in town (stupid Happy Feet movie).  Amanda searched everywhere.  Then she gave me the idea to try the zoo (nice save, mom!)  Lily and I went to the zoo to see the penguins, and while she was preoccupied with looking at things in the gift shop, I picked up 3 stuffed penguins.  They even had a slight fishy smell that lasted for a day! yum.   Anyway…

Lily was obsessed with the fireplace and that ‘clause’ was coming ‘down der’ .  She insisted that we open it again and again. She had it all planned out.. she kept telling me all day: “Clause down der, cookies, milk, presents - under tree, baby bed, wake up me!!” (somehow she had it in her head that Santa was going to wake her up.. I don’t know where she got that..)  Anyway, right before bedtime, we left cookies and milk and made sure the chimney was open.  That was the very first thing she checked (as you can see by the video.. she blasted right past her presents to check the fireplace!)

She had a good Christmas.. A kitchen set, a blackboard/white board easel, penguins, a baby bed, books, puzzles, videos, weebles village, a giant playhouse, slippers, and other things.  I’ll have some more videos posted on my YouTube site after I sort through them.  I’ll also have some pictures posted to my photo galleries sometime today…

I hope everyone has a great new year!

I’m an Uncle again - for the 6th time. My Brother and his wife had their third daughter December 20th. 2 more are on their way in the next 6 months; my sister Ashley and her husband Andrew will be having their 2nd and another sister Jenni and husband Joey will be having their first. My older sister and husband are waiting for their adoption from China to go through for their 2nd. That’s a lot of nieces and nephews… It’s giving Amanda Baby-fever. *runs*

*wipes brow*

I lost quite a bit of sleep last night worried about her fate… I am so happy that Miss USA will NOT be fired and given a second chance.  I’m equally as happy that it was a ‘top story’ on CNN.com.

Yes, our neighbor called in that someone hit our trashcan and fled the scene and the police have actually filed an official report.

If the audio doesn’t work, here’s the link to download: Hit and Run

War on Terror, The Board Game

Liberate the war from fear and terrorism, or, conversely, fight to terrorize the world… fun for the whole family.