Heath Ledger is dead

I am just shocked and saddened by this news. I don't think I've been this shocked at a report of a Hollywood death since River Phoenix died. He had a 2 year old daughter with Michelle Williams. Ok they were divorcing or broke off an engagement or whatever, but still. Having a little girl seems like his personal life had happiness in it. And he'd been nominated for Brokeback and appeared to be doing well in his career. Shocked, I am just shocked. I keep hoping its not true but the story is already on our local CBS station, TMZ and CNN so I guess it's real. Wow! My heart goes out to his family. That is just so sad.

Re-run

This is an old post, borrowed from January 18th 2005. As we celebrate Martin Luther King day again I thought it would be good to re-run it and enjoy the humor again.

Martin Luther King Day
I was trying to give Paige an appreciation of the man, the holiday and why she had the day off of school. And if you know me you know that "justice for ALL" is a big thing with me. I could not agree more with Dr King's statement of judging a man by the content of his character not the color of his skin. And because of certain events in my past it is really important that I teach this lesson to my children. That said, I was telling her about how there were separate schools and separate restaurants and punctuating each of these with "Isn't that CRAZY?!" And Paige would say, "Yeah, that's CRAZY!!" And so when I was finished she said, "So like if we were out to eat with Daddy, because you know-Daddy is kinda black, only let's pretend that Daddy wasn't just kinda black, let's pretend he was all black, and they said we couldn't eat with Daddy, that would be CRAZY!" I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants! I let her know that Daddy isn't black, he's "olive" skinned. But she was exactly right in her example. And I was glad that she got the point of my stories. It's funny the things kids pick up on all on their own though.

Suzanne Pleshette died

I'm not sure whether that news in itself is more shocking (I mean, she didn't seem THAT old) or the fact that she was married to Tom Poston in his last years. Except for the Newhart connection they didn't really seem to match. But then again, what do I know.

Welcome Lauren Elizabeth!

The newest member of the Clark family has arrived! Cousin Robin and her husband Jeremy had a baby girl this morning, 8lbs 9 oz. I seriously remember when Robin was a toddler the size of Ally, rocking herself to sleep at "Villa Costa Lotta" on Winona Ave. And now she's a mom! The passage of time is an unbelievable thing. But parenthood couldn't have happened to two nicer people. Congratulations to the happy parents, grandparents and new Auntie Kate! And welcome Lauren! You were named after an incredible woman. I'm sure your mom will tell you all about her someday.

Things Women Say

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever").
8. Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F*cK YOU!
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.