Play-Doh Crisis of Aught Eight Avoided

Last night, Darling, who is obviously not feeling well, wanted to express her sick distress using her favorite art medium, Play-Doh.

We had no Play-Doh, other than a dry, crusty chunk I found in her "creativity drawer" of my desk.

Total. Complete. Meltdown.

It was ugly.

Being the best mother in the world, and hating the fact that she was sick and sad, I silently curse myself for forgetting to buy more and I quickly scan the internet for a recipe for Play-Doh.

I've never made homemade doh, my mother, who is the most uncrafty human being alive never made doh.

This was uncharted parental territory.

Moxie-Doh Recipe:
1 cup flour
1 cup salt
3/4 cup water
food coloring of indetermine amount (use your own judgement)
Add flour and water as needed to get the right consistancy
Mix ingredients first with a fork and then squishing between your fingers, screw the rolling pin method.

I felt pretty badass, I've got to tell you...
My purple (Darling's favorite color) doh rocks!

Prior to concocting this, I was dubious of the quality it might yield.

During the process, Darling was dubious. She asked me what I was doing and I told her that I was making her play-doh and she said, "No you're not, that looks gross!" I kind of agreed.

The doh turned out great and when I presented it to her she was thrilled. "You MADE this for ME?!"

A few minutes later she came out into the living room and handed the ball of Moxie-doh to me. There was a smiley face poked into it.

"What's this, Darling?"

"It's me, Mommy. I love you. Thanks for my purple play-doh."

And....cue the heart warming tears....

If you need an idea for Christmas stocking stuffers, I ran across Eau de Play-Doh cologne. I kinda hate myself for being intrigued by this...

You know what's REALLY awesome for Thanksgiving?

Snot-encrusted 4 year old with a side of virus, fever and double ear infection. Add bleary eyed, sleep deprived parents short on temper. Toss with extended family and voila!

Happy Thanksgiving!

sigh...

Not on Darling's Christmas List

Wow. I'm a huge fan of the book "Everybody Poops" but a moose with diarrhea? I question the educational quality of this.

I'd say "You've got to be shitting me" but the pun is probably too literal.

What I question even more is how this got published. This book just seems dumb. And yes, I'm judging a book by it's cover.

Turkey Guilt?

Saw this over at Shoebox. It struck me as funny...

I thought Catholic guilt was bad.

Gag or Good?

I'm a big fan of AllRecipes.com and their recipes. This morning, I was sent the following recipe (I'm addicted to recipes. Some I make, some I don't).

I can't decide if it would be completely gross or completely delicious. I enjoy blue cheese and bacon as much as the next red-blooded American gal, but with pumpkin soup?

I don't know...it got good reviews....

Velvety Pumpkin Soup With Blue Cheese and Bacon
INGREDIENTS
2 (15 ounce) cans pumpkin
1 quart chicken stock
1 cup half-and-half
1 shallot, minced
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 slices bacon
1 cup crumbled blue cheese

DIRECTIONS
Stir together the pumpkin, chicken stock, half-and-half, shallot, molasses, butter, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and cayenne pepper in a large stockpot over low heat; simmer 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook until crispy; remove to paper towels to drain, then cool and crumble.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top with bacon and blue cheese.

Black Friday Public Service Announcement

It's really the only contact sport I engage in.

It's the modern age thrill of the hunt. Shopaholics, get ready. Sharpen those elbows (for jabbing little old ladies reaching for the last Barbie and the Diamond Castle dvd) find your steel toe boots (a neccessity for those evil women who WILL step on your toes.)

I've been ready for weeks!

As a marketing professional, the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday, is the Highest Holy Day of the advertising world. Super Bowl Sunday runs a close second.

If you haven't ever seen this site: BlackFriday you should take a look.

They post all the Day after Thanksgiving ads that are "leaked" ahead of time. Even if you aren't planning on running with the Black Friday bulls, there are a lot of online specials that are one day exclusives.

Finances being what they are this year, you can get some really incredible deals if you do your research and if you're quick.

My All-time Favorite Song....

I've begged my sisters not to get married until they hear this song. Just as perspective for what's important despite what my mom thinks is important...I first heard this song at a very painful crossroads of my life and I decided to take the plunge despite my Taurean nature of material stability...I'm so glad I did. I hope everyone has faith in their partner's dreams. Even if it seems impossible, well, shit works out if it's supposed to, if you're lucky.


Lyrics if you're lazy...The last verse is the money...
I met a man without a dollar to his name
Who had no traits of any value but his smile
I met a man who had no yearn or claim to fame
Who was content to let life pass him for a while
And I was sure that all I ever wanted
Was a life like the movie stars led
And he kissed me right here, and he said,

"I'll give you stars and the moon and a soul to guide you
And a promise I'll never go
I'll give you hope to bring out all the life inside you
And the strength that will help you grow.
I'll give you truth and a future that's twenty times better
Than any Hollywood plot."
And I thought, "You know, I'd rather have a yacht."

I met a man who lived his life out on the road
Who left a wife and kids in Portland on a whim
I met a man whose fire and passion always showed
Who asked if I could spare a week to ride with him
But I was sure that all I ever wanted
Was a life that was scripted and planned
And he said, "But you don't understand —

"I'll give you stars and the moon and the open highway
And a river beneath your feet
I'll give you day full of dreams if you travel my way
And a summer you can't repeat.
I'll give you nights full of passion and days of adventure,
No strings, just warm summer rain."
And I thought, "You know, I'd rather have champagne."

I met a man who had a fortune in the bank
Who had retired at age thirty, set for life.
I met a man and didn't know which stars to thank,
And then he asked one day if I would be his wife.
And I looked up, and all I could think of
Was the life I had dreamt I would live
And I said to him, "What will you give?"

"I'll give you cars and a townhouse in Turtle Bay
And a fur and a diamond ring
And we'll be married in Spain on my yacht today
And we'll honeymoon in Beijing.
And you'll meet stars at the parties I throw at my villas
In Nice and Paris in June."

And I thought, "Okay."
And I took a breath
And I got my yacht
And the years went by
And it never changed
And it never grew
And I never dreamed
And I woke one day
And I looked around
And I thought, "My God...
I'll never have the moon."

Helpful (Frozen) Holiday Reminder....

Just in case you need it...

I read this and was reminded of this.

I shuddered and moved on.

No one likes a frigid bird.

Grab your sticks and let's have some fun

Ok. I know this is a bit stale, but I've been a bit lazy on the blogging front due to being sick. I can't let this one go by uncommented on though.

If you haven't heard already, along with baby dolls and skateboards, the lowly, primative stick was introduced into the Toy Hall of Fame.

At first I thought they committe who decided this was a bit lazy, but if you think about it further, it's freakin' genius!

Through my own childhood experiences and now watching my 4 year old (who can find a stick no matter where she is), I understand the play value of this original toy.

It's the original "Put that down before you put someone's eye out!" toy.

It can be used as a magic wand, a sword, an adventurer's walking stick or a disappointing boomerang.

Sticks provide hours of imaginative enjoyment for boys and girls alike.

Moxie's Top Ten Uses of Sticks in Play:
1. Magic Wand.
2. Fishing rod.
3. Sword to fight other children, pirates and/or imaginary fierce tigers.
4. Shovel for digging a hole to China.
5. Autopsy equipment for dead animals one might find.
6. Excavation tool for discovering ant hills.
7. Majorette's twirling baton.
8. For use in questionably unstable fort building.
9. Wicked cool ninja tool.
10. Imaginary boat oar.

Did I miss anything?

Things being what they are this year, I wonder how many kids will be getting these for Christmas?

A Grinch With Moxie

Alright, Asshats that are already full of the Christmas spirit...Can you wait a week? C'mon! You're hitting on one of Moxie's Top 10 Pet Peeves, second only to gnome lawn art.

I hate how Thanksgiving gets skipped over every year. I hate it.

Right now, a jackass in my office is listening to KUDL or Star 102. They compete for who's going to go to an "All Christmas music" format every year. This year it was the day after Halloween.

8 full days before Halloween this year I went into Big Lots for cheap Halloween office decorations. There was ONE AISLE of Halloween stuff. The rest of the Holiday Section was Christmas.

No cornicopias, no historically inaccurate pilgrims, nary a turkey decoration in sight.

I have firm beliefs in holiday celebrations.

The Christmas Season begins officially when Santa Claus comes down 34th Street in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. NOT ONE SINGLE SECOND BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!

I implemented this rule after dating Handsome for a year. He happens to have the world's largest collection of Christmas music CD's. Everything from Alvin and the Chipmunks to the fucking Vienna Boys Choir.

By New Year's I'm ready to kill myself.

I love Christmas. LOVE it! However, Thanksgiving is the one day of the year that celebrates American excess (oh argue Christmas does the same thing, I don't care.) Thanksgiving brings back memories of going to my Grandma's house singing "Over the river and thru the woods" and all of that.

The Macy's Parade was a big deal for her. She grew up in Brooklyn and always went to the parade with her family. After moving to KS, she could only watch on tv. For her Christmas began with Santa and 34th Street and it's a family tradition I'd like to continue.

The history of American thanksgivings is kind of twisted. Screw the pilgrims, the first thanksgiving was in Florida.

Here's some fun stuff about the holiday.

For those addicted to online quizzes, here you go.

Not Puffy Eyed Approved.

This truly screwed with me. Why didn't I stop looking at it? I'm a glutton for punishment. It's kind of cool in an obnoxious Mad Magazine sort of way.

why my eyes are red and puffy today

I pretty much cried my eyes out last night so I'm puffy-eyed today. My best friend's grandma, we'll call her Maria, passed away last night.

I feel like my own grandma died.

My BFF's family is Sicilian and they have a way of enveloping people into their family. Maria was the most incredible woman. She was sassy, bossy, opinionated and completely loving. She spoiled her daughter, grandchildren and Darling and I rotten. I'm going to miss her so much.

She had been sick for quite a while but we all pretty much thought she'd at least make it until after the holidays.

Last night she was giving hell (a regular habit of hers) to the nurse who was trying to get her to eat which she refused to do since she said the nursing home food was inedible. (Maria owned a 4 star restaurant in KC during the 1970's and 1980's so she's a little picky about who prepares her food.)

The nurse left the room for five minutes and when he returned, she was gone. Quick as that. She had been up walking and sassing everyone just an hour before. No warning or indication the end was so close.

My BFF's mom (Maria's daughter) was sitting out in the hall, filling out paperwork when it happened and went into complete shock. When I talked to her this morning, she just kept saying, "I didn't know that was the last time I'd see her. I wasn't ready to say goodbye."

I know how she feels. I couldn't go to see her because of this shitty cold I'm still fighting. (Doctors tend to frown on upper respiratory infections around people with congestive heart failure.)

It's probably good that God took her by surprise. Maria was stubborn and was afraid of dying.

I guess she had plenty to consume her with Catholic guilt...

She used to drink like a fish.

She smoked like a chimney.

She was married two or three times (no one's really sure if she was officially married to the second one)and had several "liaisons".

She had to take a year long "vacation" to Canada due to her alleged involvement with something that no one will discuss (Mafia related.)

When FBI agents would dine/eavesdrop in her restaurant, she would write a code symbol on the cocktail napkins of her patrons' drinks to warn them to watch what they said.

She probably could have been a better mother, but no one ever doubted that she loved us.

She told the best stories and gave the most enthusiastic if not downright wacky gifts. (BFF's husband got collector's dolls of the Backstreet Boys one year for Christmas. I once got a 1970's Better Homes and Gardens cookbook).

I'll miss how she always gave huge hugs and would speak in Sicilian when she didn't want anyone other than BFF's mother to know what she was saying. I'll miss her quirks like being convinced that a neighbor/someone in the grocery store/that man on the street gave her the evil eye and thus cursed her.

You know what? I'm going to stop right there. I don't need any puffy enhancements this afternoon. My eyes already look like I smoked my lunch...

happier post next time, I promise.

Ok, Whatever...the Downtime Edition

I'm pretty sure it's lame to be home alone on a Friday night, but, well, screw you.

I'm tired, I'm sick as shit, and I don't have a day off until Thanksgiving and I couldn't find a babysitter tonight that would work for free laundry facilities and Pizza Rolls (Handsome's siblings) so I couldn't pretend to be a grown up and go watch his show tonight.

Which, between you and me? It's ok.

Tomorrow is a big day (think Scarlett O'Hara as I say that)...

Despite being sick, exhausted and moderately depressed over everything I still have to somehow do over the next 3 weeks?

THE F'IN O'BAMA SONG IS STUCK IN MY SCOTCH-IRISH HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


One Quarter of my heritage is "Britannic" (Scotch, Irish, English).

F' it....

Top 5 Songs That Get Stuck In Moxie's Head:
5. "There's No One as Irish as Barack O'bama"
4. "Mrs. Brown" Herman's Hermits
3. "We Didn't Start the Fire" Billy Joel
2. "Paperback Writer" The Beatles
1. "Henry the 8th" Herman's Hermits

Notice I didn't torture you with links...

Moxie's benevolent like that.

Handsome knows, over the course of our 12 years together all he has to say is "En'ry" and I'm F'd for the rest of the day.

It's cute but annoying.

Wish me luck this weekend, guys. I'm stressin'!

Still sick....

I'm still sick. This sucks. I have so much to blog about but no energy. I've got a lot on my plate until after this weekend, so hopefully I'll feel better next week and I'll get back to posting on a regular basis...

I hope you have a great weekend.

Barack O'Bama? Huh?

Someone sent this to Handsome today (knowing how Handsome is quite proud of his Irish heritage). Apparently, so is Barack Obama. Dude, he's seriously Irish. His 4th great grandfather came from Ireland. Huh.

This song is actually kind of catchy. It's awesome!!!!

What's really awesome? Barack's dancing!

Tap Dancing Thru Molasses

I'm sick.

Full blown sick.

Complete with snot, bleary eyes, body aches, a low grade fever and an uncontrollable cough.

Medicine just scoffs, shakes it's head and says, "There's nothing to be done here. I can't help you anymore."

Jealous, aren't you?

Why am I not home curled up in bed, reading a book?

I need to do my part for American Capitalism and I'm reluctant to give up my carefully horded "vacation time" that I'm planning to take during the holidays.

I was coughing/snotting so bad last night, I took mercy on Handsome and went out to sleep/not sleep due to the coughing on the pullout couch. I felt bad for him since I kept waking him up.

So I'm sleep deprived too. I seriously am dragging today. It's like tap dancing thru a vat of molasses to try and gather the energy to walk down the hall to the boss' office.

This sickness just can't happen. I have too much to do and don't have a day off until Nov. 22. So, I'm just trudging on through it all.

Where did this viral contamination come from?

The one and only Darling.

Kids are nothing but Germ Factories.

On Burger King Monkeys...

So, late last week Darling, Handsome and I went to Burger King (Yeah, I was lazy about dinner, what of it?!)

Darling got her obligatory Mac N Cheese, Apple Fries, and Chocolate Milk.

Handsome and I sampled the Whoppers.

Darling got a toy. A weird purple monkey toy once she finished her food.

We got in the car to return home.

Darling: MAMA!!! I dropped my monkey!

Me (groping behind the seat): I can't reach it, Darling. Wait until we get home.

Darling: Ohhh! You touched my monkey! You did it!

Me: I still can't reach it all the way

Darling: You can do it! You can reach my monkey! Touch it!

Handsome and I burst into uncontrollable laughter...

Darling: What? What's funny Mama?

Who said parenting wasn't a dirty job?

Remembering Not Just the Veterans

I think it's pretty well established that I love me some veterans. If I didn't make it by your blog and wish you a happy Veteran's Day, well, consider this a big hug and a sloppy kiss from Moxie.

I've had direct family members fight in every single war from the American Revolution until the War In Iraq. (Bless you, my sweet cousin. Stay safe and come home soon!) Unless you count the 1st Gulf War and the French and Indian War. (But who really counts the F & I?)

Thank you Veterans for all you do and have done!!!!

But there's sad anniversary this week too...

Maybe you remember it from history class: Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass.

70 yrs ago...the true warning signs that Germany (Hitler) may not be all Ayran sunshine and roses. Kristallnacht was something that was so horrible that it's hard for me as a Roman Catholic Anglo-American to even comprehend.

It should have been a warning sign to Europe, to us.

For anyone who doesn't think the American government shouldn't be concerned about the rest of the world, remember Woodrow Wilson, his Isolationism theory and how many Jews died because we turned a blind eye.

Yes, James Monroe, you may have sucked as a president, but I still believe in keeping the world safe for democracy.

I don't like war. I don't like how we've handled ourselves in the world since George Bush (pick one) took office. I'm so thankful that there is a new America being born right now. I pray for peace.

God bless our veterans, the ones who didn't survive that long to earn that title and the people of the world they have protected.

I really do make the best grilled cheese!

A while ago, I submitted my recipe for Grilled Cheese over on Parent Dish for a contest and guess what?! My recipe won! Yay!

Click on the link above to go watch them make my recipe (and another one that looks really good too.)

If not, here's how I make mine:

2 slices of Sara Lee Heart Healthy 100% Multigrain bread
2 slices of Kraft Cheese
"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter".

I usually spritz each side of each piece of bread very lightly with the "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" (helps to make it "golden brown".

Place the cheese slices in between to construct the sandwich. Then, using a George Foreman grill, I toast the sandwich for 30-45 seconds on one side, flip it over and rotate 90 degrees (to create tic tac toe grill marks) and grill another 30 seconds.

This makes the perfect grilled cheese. It's not oily, but it's light, slightly crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. This is the easiest, quickest yummiest grilled cheese.

KC's Mayor Apparently "Can't" or "Won't"

(Sorry out of towners, bear with me)

I've ranted.

I've raved.

Now I'm just freaking sick.

I can't believe I actually voted for Funkhouser. I'm breaking #2 pencils right and left in rage.

Mr. Mayor, please leave your Brookside compound and get your ass back to City Hall.

It's no wonder KC's murder rate is so high this year, why our potholes are getting bigger and our streets are flooded.

If you're a true leader, lead by example. By your example, we aren't a "City That Works", we're a city that sits on our ass and pouts while KC collapses.

You've already proven yourself to be the worst mayor in our city's history. I can't stand the thought of putting up with you for another 2.5 yrs.

Why don't you channel your energy into something positive instead of being a stubborn jerk? You know, like fixing the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. Your wife and administration screwed it up last year and this year that charity needs it more than ever.

I think I've found a new activity for XO's Obama Zombies. Why don't we send them over to Brookside to protest outside the Mayor's house?

Oh, Crap, I lied. But this is Worth It

I said no more politics, but I'm a woman and it's my perrogative to change my mind.

This is one of the most awesome quotes I heard about this election's historical nature. From Plog:

Outside, a handful of men were sitting at the patio tables on the sidewalk, enjoying the warm night air in the glow of the Wilson's Pizza sign across the street. As I walked to my car, one chased after me.

"I have something for you," said Craig Stevens, a carpenter from Louisiana who's working in town. "Put this in the paper: Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama is running so our kids can fly."

Wow. Just freakin' wow! I'm not even African American and that gives me chills! Here's the full story.



Mr. President, You've come a long way, baby!

Next up? A (competent, intelligent) woman in the White House. I just hope we don't have to wait another 148 for it to happen.

Post-Election Hangover Thoughts

Thank God this is the last post I'll probably do for awhile about politics. But, sigh, I'm not very good at keeping my mouth shut.

These are completely random, in no particular order:

~Thank God we only have 77 more days of GWB!!!!

~Is there any rule against kicking him out early? Do we really have to wait all the way until January? He's just going to screw something up even bigger before that so he can leave a "legacy" (hasn't he done enough?)

~I was undecided until yesterday, but I'm at peace with who I voted for. I voted with my conscience (and 4 yr old's advice).

~I wonder what kind of puppy the Obama girls are getting. Do they get to choose?

~Michelle Obama's dress last night was HIDEOUS!!! It was NOT flattering whatsoever. Ugh!!!

~That being said, I believe there is about a 125% chance of her being the most kick ass first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt (possibly best ever).

~I almost cried during McCain's concession speech. I was so torn and divided about voting for or against him, but last night, he was a CLASS ACT. THAT was the John McCain of 2000. I kind of missed that guy this go around.

~I loved the fact that McCain was able to, despite his massive disappointment, call for unity and say that despite their differences he was able to call Obama HIS president. This man has given his service and his own life selflessly way beyond the average American. Regardless of your politics, I hope you can see he is a true American patriot that loves his country.

~I was surprised to get caught up in the surge of patriotism yesterday. It was good to see Americans loving America again. We're optimists by nature and it was good to see a little of the characteristic Can-Do American attitude yesterday. I only hope it lasts for the next 4 years.

~I hope Obama picks his advisors wisely. There's a lot of clean up to do after 8 yrs of Bush. I don't envy him in the least. Obama proved he can talk the talk and now the walk awaits.

~You know what? I do have hope in the future of America. Huh.

Feeling Ghost Post Deprived? Vote Like a Ghost Hunter!

This is an awesome, refreshing take on the whole election. Some good advice from one of my new favorite bloggers!

Voting Like a Ghost Hunter

Tomorrow is another day!

So, Handsome and I dropped Darling off at day care early this morning and headed to the polls before work. We arrived at 7:14 am and were done with our democratic duty by 7:59.

It really wasn't that bad standing in line. I was shocked we got through that quickly.

Four years ago, when Darling was 2.5 months old, we stood in line with her. But a four year old is much more difficult to entertain for 45 minutes than an infant that slept thru her first election.

Don't get me wrong. I usually take her with us. I think it's important to instill in her the beautiful priviledge that voting in a true democracy is. Just not today with 250 people in front of us.

I was still undecided this morning and leaning towards tossing my vote to Nader.

So, I asked Darling who I should vote for. And I voted for the candidate that she picked.

This may seem cavalier considering my previous post, but I truly believe that they are equally capable of running the country. It just depends on what your agenda is.

No matter what, tommorow (and especially in January) the country moves on from the horror of the Bush Era.

I stood outside, shivering in the cold and looked up at a bright red/orange maple tree and thought, "Things will get better. We're moving on from the destruction of the last 8 years."

I believe in our country. I believe our forefathers set it up so that there are checks and balances. I hope everyone rememebered to make educated decisions for their governors, congressmen and state reps. I hope they really evaluated taxes and municipal plans.

No matter who wins the Presidential election, I have hope for the future, which is not something I can say I had voting 4 years ago.

Obama/McCain was a hard choice for me because both can probably do a great job. I had no faith, optimism or excitement with Bush/Kerry or even Bush/Gore elections.

I haven't been as excited as my first presidential election in 1996 when I cast my ballot for Bill Clinton and I wasn't even sure of my vote until 15 minutes before arriving at the polls.

I'm excited to go home and watch CNN tonight for the first time in 2 years.

And the beat goes on...

Don't Be This Guy on Election Day

I had a political science teacher in college that told us that it doesn't matter who you vote for in the presidential elections because your vote in the grand scheme of things really didn't count for much.

(Hold up, I started to protest too!)

He brought up the very good point that your vote counts a lot more in the "low voter turn-out" elections on mundane things like city improvements, city, state and national representatives, taxes, etc.

You know, the little things that affect your life in much more impactful ways day to day than the guy who sits in the Oval Office.

What bothers me even more are the "Are you registered to vote?" and especially the "Don't forget to vote" people.

Vote? Vote for what? The message just ends there?

How about amending it to "Don't forget to register to vote and then make educated decisions when you exercise that democratic right."

Do me a favor...

If you're uninformed/uneducated on the issues that affect your community, county, state or nation, for the love of this country, don't vote tomorrow. You'll do more harm than good.

Don't vote if you're a radical Fred Phelps type.

Don't vote if you're an idiot.

Don't vote if you only vote for one particular party without at least considering the candidate in the opposite party.

Don't vote if you pick a candidate based on nothing more than the fact that they have the same last name of your favorite grade school teacher and you have no idea what they stand for.

Don't vote for someone because you agree with them on one single issue and nothing else.

Don't vote if you just want the sticker so you can get free Chik-Fil-A.

I absolutely adore this country, warts and all. Whoever wins the presidency tomorrow, wins. But the other candidates you are voting for matter just as much.

Please, please! Read your ballot thoroughly. Know what and who you're going to vote for/against. Think about the impact those issues will have on your life. Look at a sample ballot ahead of time.

Don't be that guy tomorrow as you step into the voting booth.

This is Moxie Mama and I approve this message.

The Little Lawsuit On the Prairie ~ Shame on YOU!!

This is the first book I ever read out loud. Sure, I went through the Hop on Pop and Dick and Jane books, but Little House in the Big Woods was the first time I read a story that got me hooked.

I have a life long love of reading thanks to the Little House books and I was appalled when I read this story.

If you're too lazy/busy to click over, basically it says that "Family Friendly Productions" (the company that owns the rights to the Little House tv series) is suing a small Independence, KS museum that calls itself "Little House on the Prairie". The museum is on the property that Laura's family lived in during the book that bears that title.

The not-for-profit museum takes in about $90K a year barely making ends meet (like any not-for-profit.)

If you're one of my Constant Readers, you know my passion for museums/history. Imagine how enraged I am at this load of crap lawsuit and you're not even close to how pissed I am.

What it really comes down to is "Little House: The Musical" money.

This whole thing makes me sick. The museum owns trademarks on the name, but "Family Friendly" (what an interesting name) is still suing for "trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition" and wants damages and any money the non-profit has made "from use of the name."

So, if I'm getting this all straight, it seems that it's more important for the Production company to get a few more pennies (and that's what it almost comes down to) than to teach children great literature and Kansas history.

Check out the Jezelbel article. The comments crack me up, especially this one:

Hey...hey. Hi. Um, a while ago we produced this television show based upon some books that were based upon a pioneer girl's life at the home you happen to be operating your museum out of. We have noticed that your historical location bares more than a passing resemblance to our fictitious interpretation of your historical location, and although you have a commonlaw service mark, our DVD sales aren't what we thought they'd be and anyway, could you give us some money?

Super swell? I bet Laura and Michael Landon are both rolling over in their graves.

I'm so going to all of the Little House Museum sites one day when Darling's old enough to read them. I think it would be fun to read them and then summer road trip to the 5 or so museums.

I might sneak up to the Guthrie and see the Musical though.

Check out the the Only Laura blog. Pretty awesome. I'm following this story, I'll keep you updated.

The ironic thing about this is that I LOVED the books, but then got mad at the TV show because it wasn't acurate. I liked the show ok, but it wasn't as good as the books. Isn't that always true, though?