Happy Anniversary Michelle & James

Disneyland - year?

Old Pictures

Coaching Volleyball

We had our first match this past Saturday and we won 2 straight games! I was so happy that our first week turned into a win, it gave them a big shot of confidence and seeing them get excited is the best thing. I coach 5th & 6th graders - only 3 girls (Sarah included) played last year so we are pretty raw. Sarah served well and the other team could not return it, she served up about 11 points in the first game. Next week we play a team that practices year round. I watched them before our game and the bump, set, spike almost every play. My girls are going to be freaked out about that but we will do the best we can.

Mandy & Viv

This picture was taken on Charlie's B-day. Vivian & Charlie are often in daycare together.

The Dog

Seriously, I am upset. I can't believe we turned these guys over, and it has nothing to do with my secret crush on Leland. How many criminals are hiding out in Mexico because the Mexican government will not hand them over to us because we have capitol punishment? What is wrong with us? Something is not right in this case. I believe there is more to the story. I admit I love watching this show. At first it was because I thought they were an absolute train wreck but I have over time been endeared by this family.

Where were you when the world stopped turning

Glenn and I always had the channel 4 news on in the mornings and the morning of September 11th was no different. Glenn was in the kitchen and as I walked through the hallway into the family room and kitchen he tells me that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. We continue to get ready for work and the kids for school thinking that it was a horrible accident. I do not believe we knew at that time that the plane was a commercial airline. The TV is still on as the 2nd plane, United Airline Flight 175 hits the second tower. I do not remember what the newscasters were saying but I knew the 2nd plane was not an accident and that this must be a terror attack. I could not tear myself away from the TV but I also did not want the kids to see the fear and panic on TV and with myself. I left the TV on and was stunned to hear that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. I screamed and hollered to Glenn who is now in the bedroom. Max comes running to me and says, "Mama you're scaring me". At this point I stop all morning activities and stare at the TV. Channel 4 has cut from local news and has turned to the Today show. A helicopter is filming the burning of the towers and the cameras cut away to different positions and angles. I think it was Katie Couric's voiceover at 9:49 (6:49 California time) that says exactly what I was thinking - Something just happened as the tower collapsed.

I did end up going to work that day although I do not believe I worked at all. I wanted to pick up the kids and go home. I think I cried all evening watching the news and hearing of the terrible stories of missing loved ones. The makeshift "Have you seen this person" were images I will never forget.

Terry was at work that day as well. He had just returned from New York City on Sunday evening the 9th. Although he did not have time to go to the Twin Towers on his visit he took a picture of the Manhattan skyline and kept the picture on his office door for a long time.

For my Beer Drinking Friends - Boycott MILLER

Chicago Tribune
Why this immigrant rights march is brought to you by Miller

By Oscar AvilaTribune staff reporterSeptember 1, 2006

Marchers had to duck into fast-food restaurants for water when they first took to Chicago's streets in support of illegal immigrants five months ago. At the next two marches, family-owned grocery stores offered free bottled water from trucks emblazoned with their names.This time, as demonstrators march from Chinatown to House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-Ill.) Batavia office this weekend, they will have Miller Brewing Co., as a sponsor. The brewer has paid more than $30,000 for a planning convention, materials and newspaper ads publicizing the event.The support of a major corporation for a controversial political cause shows how fierce the competition has become to woo the growing market of Latino consumers.For Miller, the march offered a special chance to catch up. This spring the brewer drew the ire of pro-immigrant forces over contributions to U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), who sponsored legislation that would crack down on illegal immigrants. That prompted a short-lived boycott by some Latino groups.Now, march advertisements feature not just the organizing committee's trademark blue globe but Miller's logo and a Spanish translation of its "Live Responsibly" slogan, a company effort to build goodwill among Latinos.But this march is no Cinco de Mayo parade. The politically charged event will promote a controversial plan to end deportations and offer legal status for all 11 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants. That creates potential pitfalls for any businesses lending support, experts say.At the same time business sponsorships have forced activists to confront whispers that they are commercializing their movement when they accept much-needed donations."We would love to have 20 corporate logos. It doesn't mean we are selling the movement out," said Jorge Mujica, a member of the March 10 Committee. "The principles and demands remain the same. They are helping out this movement and we are happy with that."Labor unions remain the movement's backbone with four major unions bringing at least 600 marchers on buses from throughout Chicago. Religious groups have been key too. Some marchers will bed down in churches and a mosque.But businesses have become vital to this weekend's Immigrant Workers Justice Walk, which will cover 45 miles to Hastert's district office. Hundreds of marchers plan to cover the entire span from Friday through Monday, and organizers need food and water for them.Sometimes political and commercial messages are mingled.At a July march, Chicago-based food producer V&V Supremo printed signs with its logo that urged "Moratorium Now, Legalization Yes."Jimenez Market, an area chain, had its sign on display as workers passed out more than 5,000 bottles of water and other supplies worth nearly $17,000. Co-owner Jose Perez acknowledged it is good publicity but stressed that "we are supporting our people. Without them, our business would go downhill."This weekend, the Los Comales restaurant plans to donate 500 tortas, Mexican sandwiches filled with steak, ham and other toppings. The Laredo Bakery is donating bread while other restaurants are donating water, fruit and other supplies, organizers said.Those businesses are natural allies--"part of the same brotherhood," as one marketer put it.But the presence of Miller at a welcoming reception the day before the Aug. 12-13 planning convention raised eyebrows.The convention brought together labor unions, anti-war groups, immigrant service organizations and even socialist political candidates.Hours before bashing NAFTA and U.S. foreign policy, participants at the Aug. 11 reception mingled with the Miller Girls, the company's public relations ambassadors, amid a display of Miller logos.That Miller was involved in the first place is one measure of the growing power of immigrants. After the boycott announcement, the company approached march organizers to try to find common ground, and agreed to back the march organizers' efforts.Miller is also bankrolling informational ads in Voces Migrantes, or Migrant Voices, a community newspaper in Chicago, and has promised scholarships for area Latinos.Mathew Romero, the company's local market development manager, said Miller felt it was important to speak out against Sensenbrenner's legislation, though his campaign was one of many the company supported.Romero noted that company founder Frederick Miller was a German immigrant and many current executives are foreign nationals. Miller is now part of London-based SABMiller.Romero said he wasn't worried that some opponents of illegal immigration would be upset at the company's support of "the free movement of people, labor, goods and services.""As long as you are stacking facts against facts, they are free to make their own decisions. We will stand by our positions," he said.George San Jose, president of the San Jose Group, a Chicago-based marketing company specializing in the Hispanic market, said he understands why companies chase Hispanic purchasing power, which tops $700 billion annually in the U.S. Brewers, he said, have been especially aggressive.But San Jose would advise clients that there are better ways."A company sponsoring one of the two sides of the immigration debate is no different than a company sponsoring groups for or against abortion [rights]. It's one of those heated political debates that companies should stay clear of," he said.At the request of march organizers, media executive Robert Armband sent e-mails to thousands of business contacts, asking if they would consider helping the March 10 Committee."It certainly is an opportunity to reach the masses, but it might not be the right vehicle to come out as a sponsor," said Armband, publisher and chief executive of La Raza, a Chicago newspaper.March organizers say they have not made any full-fledged sales pitches to major corporations and are having internal discussions about whether they should make a real push. That can be a tough decision, according to march organizer Gabe Gonzalez.Gonzalez said he represents those in the movement--maybe half the total, he thinks -- who don't even consider themselves capitalists. Many have been involved with labor campaigns targeting specific companies.March organizers shot down a suggestion that they approach Coca-Cola, for example, because of what they perceive as the company's labor abuses in the developing world, a cause celebre among liberal activists.Although immigrant activists see legalization as an issue of social justice, Gonzalez said corporations might back the idea as a way to protect their bottom line. Whatever the motivations, Gonzalez said he would cooperate with almost any company willing to back the cause."That's the nature of politics. You form coalitions based on mutual self-interest," Gonzalez said. "So will we work with corporations? We will work with anyone who will work with us."

Wedding Pictures

I promise I will send them all out.

Wedding Recap

I had a great time at the wedding - I'm so glad Charlie and I were able to go. We are both exhausted, he is on his third nap today. I am wishing that I was as well but alas I am doing laundry and making a grocery list. A few of my favorite things about this weekend & the wedding;

• Seeing family. I think the most amount of time that had gone by was seeing Katy. I believe the last time I saw her was Rissa's wedding in 97? Or was it my wedding in 95? Too long regardless.
• The flowers, especially after I looked through the pictures.
• The cake. I thought is was beautiful - I can't believe I never had a piece. I was too busy chasing the babe.
• The church. Absolutely gorgeous.
• Dancing some sort of line dance with Mom and Aunt Gini and being "footloose" with Mike. I have to admit that the only reason I knew a good portion of the songs is b/c the kids have me download them onto their MP3 players. It made me feel old. I was happy to hear Bon Jovi - and I sang my a$$ off to it.
  
  
  I wish I would have made it to the bar after the reception and I wish I had seen the karaoke Friday night- maybe at the next one!