Taking Care of Business

Because Lora just had to know, and I've been a bad friend for not answering! Plus all of my mental capacity is being shunted to my uterus, so filling out lists seems easier than coming up with a nice, original idea. So here we go!

6 Things I Value

1. Cliche, I know, but my family. God I love all three of these buggers. Even when Lucy cries for six hours because she's cutting 42 teeth and no amount of tylenol/ice pops/M&Ms can quell the screaming. Just as an example, you know.

2. My bed. Not just for sleeping, (Get your mind out of the gutter!) (No wait, don't. You were right.) it's one of my favorite places in the house. We have eight pillows and a big, warm comforter. Any time I'm feeling a little unglued, we all snuggle up and watch some Berenstain Bears or Flight of the Concords, depending on my company, and all is right with the world.

3. Trader Joe's. Between all of the yummy things and the balloons, everybody wins when we shop there.

4. Skype. My kids recognize their grandparents and great-grandparents even though they only see them a few times a year. Technology is awesome.

5. Books. Of any variety. Magazine, too, occasionally.

6. My friends. I have friends from childhood, work friends, school friends, mommy friends, and I've even reconnected with some old high school friends recently via facebook. Some have even evolved to bridge multiple categories! Each one is unique and having them in my life has enriched it more than I can ever express. 

6 Things I Support

1. The Barnes Foundation. You can read all about it here. 

2. Being as green as possible. Each person/family can have a different level of involvement based on their own set of priorities. No one is perfect, and no one can live a completely green life, but my opinion is that any involvement is a step in the right direction. 

3. Education. For anyone, for everyone, at any type of institution or apprenticeship. Any person who chooses to enhance their life by increasing the size of their knowledge or skill set gets a big pat on the back (and maybe a home cooked meal) in my book. 

4. Marriage. Again, for anyone, for everyone. People who love each other should be allowed to make it legal. Period.

5. The YMCA. I love this place, really. I've been a member since I was 7 or 8. I was a volunteer during middle school and high school, worked there through the rest of high school and college, and am still a member today. It's a great place for kids and communities. 

6. The president. Someone has got to pull us out of this mess, and I think he might just be the man to do it.

6 Things I Do Not Support

1. People who are intolerant jerks. I am totally intolerant of the intolerant. 

2. Organized religion. I can't stand the whole 'love the sinner, hate the sin' thing that the catholics seem so fond of. Also I just can't abide by anyone thinking they have all the answers. Guess what? Until you can give me empirical proof, you don't.

3. The Pennsylvania Turnpike. It knows why.

4. Overindulgent birthday parties for young children. This is probably on my mind because Sam's birthday is Friday! (FRIDAY!) Needless to say we're keeping things low key.

5. The unabashed commercialization of childhood and marketing to children. I would get into this more but it makes my blood boil, and I need my blood to feed my fetus. This is the main reason we keep the kids away from TV as much as possible.

6. I'm sure there is something else, but I'm feeling rather positive, so I'll let it slide. 

Now I'm supposed to tag six people, but I'm not much for tagging. I'm going to gently suggest that Rissabear take a stab at this, because she only has two entries on her new blog Puffy the Opossum and she's far too amusing to stay silent. As for everyone else, consider yourself tagged if it suits you!