So, Ana's learned a new phrase today...

Never vote Republican.

She doesn't know what it means, so I don't mind my blatant indoctrination/brainwashing. See, I was sitting with the kids, listening to the radio (some people keep the TV on all day when nobody's watching, we keep classical music on), and a news update comes on, where Bushie-boy called the releasing of this information shameful. That man needs to go sit in a corner and think about what he's done, and repent of his sins.

I woke the baby groaning at that. A while later comes some other Bush-quote which was so bad, I've blocked it from my memory.

And this is when I taught Ana that phrase.

Edit: Oh, yeah, now I remember. It was some nonsense about how specific Democrats who are (rightfully!) opposing extending the Patriot Act (and who could've guessed that people would misuse this? I sure didn't see that one coming!) should explain to their constituent cities *waves cheerfully* how we could possibly be kept safe from the scawwy tewwowithtth (it works... kinda) without giving up a pound of flesh our firstborn children some paltry, meaningless rights. I mean, it's not like any of us intended to use them or anything.

Just to be perfectly, painfully clear on this Patriot Act thing, I think it doesn't make us safe. I sure don't *feel* safe. I feel, in fact, damn scared. And cold. Don't forget cold. But mostly scared and angry.

Oh, and on a side rant, the next person to try to claim that Bush is stupid for the way he speaks is going to get a smack. His speech is, as near as I can tell, a deliberate affectation. And he's not doing to shabby for himself right now. His speech patterns are the least stupid thing about him. (Sure, that's not saying much, but....)

I decided to come home after all...

Because I didn't bring enough books to Jenn's. Or my gloves. Because I was so busy this morning grabbing books.

On the way home, a guy stops to ask if I need a ride. And I smile and say no, I'm close to home (really, it's only a little more than a mile from Jenn's house to mine) and I like to walk - which is true. I really don't like the bus. And he jokes that "I'm sure you were saying that way back there when you left!" but the truth is... it's the truth.

He doesn't know.

I recently had an opportunity to take the bus down Castleton, around to where IS 61 is, where I used to go to school. And I'd walk there, every day, in rain, sleet, snow.... In skirts. And, often, no socks, because I was so sick of people asking why mine didn't match.

I didn't realize until I took the bus just how *long* the trip was. And I was so scared. That road curves so much, that even if the bus had ambled along, I would've been going "SLOW DOWN!" in my mind. Gah.

I was in Chorus. And on the nights of our concerts, I'd wash my hair, mostly because I'm really bad at remembering to do that, and it was a guarantee that my hair was dirty. (Yeah, personal hygeiene, especially then, not my strong suit. So sorry.)

And then, because it hadn't dried properly, every Christmas, three Christmases running, my hair would freeze on the way to school. That? Was cold.

Today was nice. Balmy. Just below freezing. There wasn't any wind, even!

That walk was like a walk in the park.

And he's offering me a ride. Pshaw.

On the rest of my day, we invited Ana's friend Meghan over. Ana was very upset when Meghan got a time out for pushing her. And the rest of the day, she's been playing that I, or her doll, or "BabySister" (not her actual baby sister, but her imaginary friend she carries in her hands) needed a time out. I suppose it's a step up from "Time to change the diaper!", anyway....