I have been watching, on and off, The Universe on demand from Netflix this week (thank you awesome internet-ready Samsung TV and forced week of vacation!), and I have decided that when I grow up I’m going to be [...]]]> “And you, young Skywalker; we shall watch your career with great interest.” Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

I have been watching, on and off, The Universe on demand from Netflix this week (thank you awesome internet-ready Samsung TV and forced week of vacation!), and I have decided that when I grow up I’m going to be an astronomer. Then again, if I get back to watching Mythbusters I may decide to return to my earlier decision to be a Physicist. I think the fact that we only get one short ride on this rock is deeply unfair.

Here’s the Green Lantern, all fresh and shiny with bonnet stripes. Isn’t he purty?

You know what I like? Kids that are willing to work hard and do things they think they could never do. It’s a very Jedi thing [...]]]> “Move against the Jedi first…you will then have no difficulty taking the Queen back to Naboo, where she will sign the treaty.” – Darth Sidious, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

You know what I like? Kids that are willing to work hard and do things they think they could never do. It’s a very Jedi thing to do. The Empire hates it when we won’t give up. Want to meet some kids like that? Here’s the LEGO in Paradise Robotics Team from West Michigan. One of Padawan Learner’s good friends, Wedge Antilles, is a member of the group. The projects these kids come up with (and then build!) are amazing. Indeed, they were so amazing that the team won first place at both the regional and state competition levels this year.

So if you’ve got an extra few bucks you want to donate to a good cause, please consider making a paypal donation to the team to help defray some of their expenses as they go to the World Festival in Saint Louis, MO this coming April. Any little bit would be appreciated and spent wisely – trust me this area’s Dutch descendants don’t spend money wantonly. Every dollar will be used to within a thousandths of an inch of its life.

Oh, and if you’re in the Saint Louis area (*cough* Gail *cough*), consider stopping by and watching the tournament. PL, DW and I are thinking about going if we can find a hotel room that doesn’t cost an arm & a leg.

Holy cow, Ben has no idea.

Something exciting has been happening here on Tatooine. Dad Windu, Padawan Learner and I have traded in the roving life and bought ourselves a condo.  As [...]]]> “Rest easy, son, you’ve had a busy day. You’re fortunate you’re still in one piece.” – Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi, Star Wars IV: A New Hope

Holy cow, Ben has no idea.

Something exciting has been happening here on Tatooine. Dad Windu, Padawan Learner and I have traded in the roving life and bought ourselves a condo.  As you read this, we’re busy getting utilities hooked up, appliances moved in, and personal belongings packed, loaded and moved. Busy being the operative word because we have to be out of the apartment by midnight tomorrow.

No problem, right? hahahahahahaha

So if you find yourself hanging out in Des Moines, stop on in for a visit. We’ll share our view and probably a few refreshing beverages as well.

Good news. Great News. My mom found a job – in a very roundabout way – back in Michigan. She’s not going to have to move or lose the house. She’s already working today. What [...]]]> “Let’s hope this hyperdrive works and Watto didn’t get the last laugh.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

Good news. Great News. My mom found a job – in a very roundabout way – back in Michigan. She’s not going to have to move or lose the house. She’s already working today. What a huge relief – for her, me, my brother & sister, and my guys.

It was one of those friend of a friend of a friend of a friend things. She was one of 70 people who applied within the three days the job was available… and the company never even advertised the position.

Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes. I owe you all one!

What do you do when your mother calls to announce that she still has no job prospects – not even part-time/temporary/seasonal – after almost two years of looking for work (Yes, it really is [...]]]> “Yeah, I’m responsible these days. It’s the price you pay for being successful.” – Lando Calrissian, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

What do you do when your mother calls to announce that she still has no job prospects – not even part-time/temporary/seasonal – after almost two years of looking for work (Yes, it really is that bad in some places.), is about to run out of unemployment benefits in three months, has cranked up some serious credit card debt, refinanced her too-old-to-be-refinancing-it car to pay down other bills, and is about to lose her house to foreclosure? “I want your advice because you’ve always been smart with your money.” Oh, and I should mention that she’s also fiercely independent, bull-headed, and prone to hatching “fabulous plans.” Seriously, what do you do? Because I don’t have a frick’n clue.

I have officially joined the Sandwich Generation.

(Note: I am honored, and happy, to help her. But I’m also a little freaked out.)

I fight the good fight. I want, no demand, equal rights for women. I expect women to be taken seriously in the workplace - even (especially) if that workplace is [...]]]> “What could possibly have come over Master Luke? Is it something I did? He never expressed any unhappiness with my work.”  -  C-3PO, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

I fight the good fight. I want, no demand, equal rights for women. I expect women to be taken seriously in the workplace - even (especially) if that workplace is the home. I hate doing it, but I make myself speak up every.single.time someone (be it dentist, hairdresser, or family member) makes a comment about the fact that I don’t work. “Would you have said that if I was volunteering at the Art Museum?” Because I do work, I just don’t get a paycheck for my physical and mental labors. I may go back into the labor force at some point, but it will be my and Dad Windu’s choice – we make all our important and family-affecting decisions jointly – and not my dermatologist’s misgivings.

Maybe I don’t look the part of the traditional housewife (whatever that is). Maybe it’s because I don’t have a gaggle of small children following me everywhere I go. Maybe it’s because I hold an advanced degree. Maybe it’s just assumed that people at home are just scratching at the walls or bemoaning a lost income.

This is the reality and explanation of my current non-employment status.

No, I have no plan to get a job at present. I did have a very successful career for many years, doing important work, and I made decent money doing it. I was very good at what I did, was in high demand with vendors because I got results, and I hated every minute of it. It is always a stressful job working with people at their worst physically and emotionally. I was the middle man in ongoing contentious legal situations every minute I worked, while trying to do right by the clients receiving services and the funding sources paying the bills. Money was, not surprisingly, the root of the conflict, as it so often is.

These days, I make my family’s life better and easier by staying home. I save us money in a variety of ways to keep us living comfortably and well on one income. I budget, cook, clean, comparison shop, and as often as possible take care of our things rather than sourcing out their care. I still get results. Additionally, by not entering the labor force, I free-up a job opening for someone who absolutely must work in these tough economic times. All in all, this isn’t a bad way to spend my time.

Oh, that crazy Galactic Empire…  what will they think of next? Death Star PR

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Dad Windu and I are beginning to look for a new car. The [...]]]> Darth Vader:   “Yes, Admiral?”
Admiral Piett: “Our ships have sighted the Millennium Falcon, Lord. But it has entered an asteroid field and we cannot risk…”
Darth Vader:   “Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral. I want that ship, not excuses.”

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Dad Windu and I are beginning to look for a new car. The fearless wonder that is our current transport ship vehicle is beginning to, planning to, maybe even trying to die. From the horrible sound that it makes when it’s below freezing outside - we think it’s pissed about not sitting in a garage anymore – and which it continues to make until it warms up some 15 minutes later, we’re not expecting it to be our primary vehicle for many months longer. With Padawan Learner beginning to drive though, we’ll probably keep it until a) it dies outright, b) it becomes too expensive to maintain, or c) PL gets into his first accident and it’s totalled.

Have any recommendations (or anything you’d especially suggest we avoid)? We’re looking for a car that:

• is sized for our small family,
• doesn’t cost too much,
• has a good safety rating,
• is fuel efficient,
• can accommodate drivers ranging from 5 ft tall to 6 ft tall,
• is (pretty please) a little fun to drive.

Even more, our sole vehicle needs to be able to handle the variety of seasons and weather found in Iowa and the Midwest in general, namely

• high winds (nothing to slow that wind out on the prairie),
• ice- or water-covered roads,
• several inches of snow on the road.

So, while we do have boring road conditions like everyone else most of the time, and we only drive two or three times a week, we need to be able to drive year-round.

Have at it folks! What’s your opinion?