Time to grow up.....

A funny thing happened to me this weekend. I had been joking with some of my 2nd cousin's (who call me "Unlce Skeetz") about how I should not be relating to them. I usually make it a point to speak to them as if they are adults, and I enjoy talking about music and culture with them all. The "older generation," ranges in age from 14 to 20. I enjoy these conversations just as much as I do conversing with my adult first cousins (their parents). Well, until we are so drunk that we sound like 80 year old blues musicians and we become inaudible.

So, I recently did some online research. Actually, is there any other way to do research in this day and age? I went on some blogs and read some postings of people my age (I am 35). I then ran an attitude and behavior analysis of the median of the mean of people in my age range. I found out that I am far more immature than my peers.

This brought me to a conclusion that I have spoken with some of the 2nd cousins about (Especially Pooke's 2 oldest children Bobby and Jackie). I told them that I can no longer talk about topics that may remotely interest them. I have to now ask them questions about school and tell them that they are getting bigger. I will tell them horrific stories of how they shit themselves at a family function when they were babies. I will inform them of some stupid act that they did as toddlers that the adults found cute at the time and really make them puke! Lastly, I will speak to them in that "older relative condescending manner," that really lets them know that while I am asking them about school, it is only because I can no longer relate to them on any real level and I truly bring nothing else to the table. And, of course, I will only have the biggest, fakest smile on while talking to them that resembles a piano being stuck in my mouth!

This is the first real step to me finally becoming mature. The next step will be to start watching a lot of popular television shows and only listening to Top 40 (or Country) music. I will move into a neighborhood with cookie cutter houses and say hello to my neighbor "Tom," every morning before work. I will start eating healthy. I will go out and get the Sunday paper in dress socks and my slippers with the rubber bottoms. I will also buy several IZOD shirts and horrible white leather sneakers. I'm starting to get the hang of this mature thing.

Open letter to the NCAA

As a sports fan, and an avid college sports fan, I was completely SICKENED by the NCAA's decision to ban any team with an American Indian name from participating in any NCAA tournament. I was all set to come on the blog here and rant (as I haven't lately and this topic screamed for me to do so), but I was CC'd on an e-mail to feedback@ncaasports.com from my cousin Karyn, and thought that her thoughts on the topic hit the nail on the head (Don't you just love those silly cliche's)! So, it is below. Enjoy cousin Karyn's musing:

I don't know if this is reaching the right place, but I just had to voice my opinion on the completely asinine decision reached by the NCAA to ban Indian names in postseason play. This is indeed an insane blow of political correctness.
Will the Fighting Irish be next??? I must be, as a woman of Irish ancestry, offended by the use of my family heritage for the name of a collegiate athletic team. Not all Irish fight, is it not inappropriate and offensive to cast an entire group of people as brawlers? Has PETA already started to complain about the Panthers, Nittany Lions and Tigers??? Watch out, the floodgates are open! Will this slippery slope eventually lead to the University of Illinois having to change not only their mascot name but also the name of their state? The hypocrisy in that is just incredible.

Come on, NCAA, don't bow to the political pressure of what is likely a few nuts.

Has the NCAA become the ACLU when I wasn't looking???

i rEalIzE thAt i HAvEn'T wRitTEn iN a WHILE, bUt i, Uh I, oooHh! I hAvE Not rEcoVeReD fROm va, Va VAcaTioN YeT!!!!

Golden Apple

For the most part, Skeetz & I have kept The Tree a lighthearted, fun place to spew our ramblings, and with a few exceptions rarely take on the really tough topics since there are so many other bloggers who do it so well. Yet today has been an emotional day for me so I'm going to go with a serious post for a minute here.

Most of you know I'm a member of Soldier’s Angels. Though not really active on "the Board", I have "adopted" 3 Soldiers, a Marine, an entire Air Force unit, and have two "unofficials" (an Army Major and a Seaman). We send letters; care packages and drawings by Babypred in the hopes of boosting the morale of those who so willingly sacrifice on our behalf. Recently, Bob's company cut me a check for $300 which my daughters and I were able to use to put together backpacks for wounded soldiers who arrive at the Combat Support Hospitals with literally nothing, so they have basics like clothing and toiletries before heading off to the main hospitals at Landstuhl and Walter Reed.

(I know they are the wrong colored camo, but honestly I don't think anyone cares).

Anyway the reason I bring all this up is because as most of you know, we have lost 20 Marines over the past few days. Now I know we have other readers at the Tree besides Dave and the guys at The Institute, so I'll plead to you. Our troops need our support more than ever. Soldier's Angels has many ways to support them; Blackfive does an excellent job of summing things up here.

It was through my involvement with Soldier's Angels and Babypreds love of Hi-5 that I met Danielle. She is a sweet, amazing person whose husband’s deployment took a toll on her little boy. The families left behind go through hell, but look at what the support of civilians back home can do. (Registration may be required).

So it's with great honor that she has given me the green light to go ahead and help her publicize her project, High Fives for Heroes. This is an extremely simple way to show our troops that we care, and especially fun for those with small children. It's my hope that her vision will come to life. If our troops are to succeed in stabilizing such a dangerous part of the world they need to know we are behind them. And just so you know, you don't need to have children to participate- she has received hands from everywhere- including some giant hands from the Carolina Panthers!

I’ve begged for plugs for SA before, and so many of you have come through including Curmudgeonisms, The Ebb and Flow Institute, Villainous Company, my absolutely favorite Colorado Cat who pitched SA on her station and of course Greyhawk, who plugs without my prodding and inspired me to get involved in the first place. I’m now about to open this up to the Angels, who I KNOW in perfect Angel fashion will come through for the Angells. Coincidence?

We're Back

We're tan. We're detoxed.

Fridge photo courtesey of Scrap.