"This summer, I'm counting on potlucks to help me maintain my connections with others.The plan is to make it easy to regularly see friends. So, I've set up a basic structure: meet twice a month, always at the same time and place. We're going to a park as long as the weather holds out. I've also invited almost everyone I know who has children without severe food allergies. I'm hoping that a large number of families in the “pool” will result in having enough people at any given time, without everyone feeling they need to be there every time." The excerpt above is from this article and it made me SO freaking angry. I have to deal with morons like this ALL the time. My reply to the editor via email: Dear Editor: I just finished reading your "Daily Bread" article by Tree Brown Hayes. I am very upset at the author's statement: "I've also invited almost everyone I know who has children without severe food allergies. I'm hoping that a large number of families in the “pool” will result in having enough people at any given time, without everyone feeling they need to be there every time." Why does the author blatantly state against inviting children with severe food allergies? What if the children were in a wheelchair or suffered from cystic fibrosis? Certainly no less a medical condition than a fatal allergy. What about people allergic to bee stings? Should they also be omitted from the "opportunities to socialize with people I care deeply about?" What if some of the people the author claims to "care(s) so deeply about" have children or other family members with food allergies? If the author decided not to include people with brown skin, would this article have even been published? Does the author even know people with food allergies? It certainly is a rather odd statement to just toss in the article. My child and husband have life threatening food allergies and we participate in plenty of family outings, including a family reunion that took place several states away. The phrase "Be prepared" clearly comes to mind. Safety is key. It is a shame to think that children with food allergies should be excluded because of lack of accommodation. All children, whether they have food allergies or not, should be supervised properly, especially in a park, no matter if food is present or not. These children need to be part of normal activities -- not excluded or ostracized because of their allergies. Sincerely, Kate

We had a GREAT time in Pt Pleasant last night. Olivia freaked out when we were walking by the ocean. She started screaming at the top of her lungs, in my ear, that the ocean "was gonna get me!" ::eyeroll:: Poor kid. So -Olivia and I sat on the beach, watching Paul and Moira get their toes wet. It was very cute indeed. The kids LOVED the rides. I took Moira on the Tilt a Whirl (hehe) and made it spin. She was screaming and laughing. I took a bunch of pictures but I need to edit them. So, I will post them up later.

Happy Birthday Erin!

All packed ::phew:: Ya know, sometimes I wish I was able to not worry about the food allergy situation. I am worried about tonight. The boardwalk will be a walking food allergy nightmare. No ice cream (dairy), no candy (dairy and nut contamination) no fries (fried in peanut oil), no dinner at the stands (HUGE contamination issues).. oy.. I feel so overwhelemed some days. But, we are all packed and ready to go. I am armed with wipes, Epi-Pens and Benedryl (Paul and Olivia), cell phone and insurance cards. Now - it's time for fun! ::grin::

Well - the kidlets and I will be meeting Paul at McD's for an early dinner. Then, we will be going to the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant. The kids are so excited! I will be bringing the camera and snapping lots of pics! I gotta go pack the diaper bag!

Captain James T. Kirk's command chair and platform from the U.S.S. Enterprise is up for auction on Ebay June 27, and the bidding has started at $80,000.

About Terry Barton - "She's very reliable," Work said. "She is a girl that goes out of her way to help others. She always has been that way and would do just about anything for anybody." Yeah - right. Good job Ranger Rick. She's a freaking nutcase. Who in the wide wide world of sports goes into a forrest, during a drought no less, to burn a fucking letter? She is being held without bail, faces up to 65 years and she is looking at a a million dollar fine. For burning a letter. Moron. I feel sorry for her 2 daughters.

Hey guys - Good thoughts for Shelley and her friend who is very ill. Thanks.

Has anyone ever ordered from Omaha Steaks? They look so darn delicious - but Paul gets all weird about the idea of me ordering from them. Feh.

If you are an M&M connoisseur, you have to check this out.. way cool!

So much news tonight! White House briefly evacuated, Police Tell Why Kidnapped Girl's Sister Stayed Silent (Anyone else think this is very similar to the Ramsey case?), rehab time for the Piano Man and now there are purple M&M's!

Class is DRAGGING major ass tonight. ::yawn::

HUGE thunderstorm around 530pm this evening.. Made driving to school a complete pain in the ass. I could barely see the road..

Oh my God! The mail just arrived. There was a package from Amazon. Cool, I am thinking my book club's newest selection I just ordered is here. Nope. Erin just sent me My Fair Lady on DVD! She is just the coolest! :::smooches:::

Moira's last day of school went well. She is upset though. She says she will miss her teacher. I liked her Kindergarten teacher. Really nice woman. I hope the first grade teacher is just as good, if not better.

Just got back from KMart.. I just realized that I forgot the VERY thing I need to buy. Crap.

Todd Bridges? He will play Juice, a character "Y&R" executive producer David Shaughnessy describes as "a real out-and-out bad guy ...bent on revenge." Oy.

Holy Cow! I just got off the phone with AAA. I had the NICEST young lady answer the phone. She was so freakin chirpy and perky. I felt like I was talking to a Disney character. She was very sweet and she answered my questions. Thank you AAA!

I am "Dauntless" You have eluded capture, killed the assassin, reclaimed the family jewels and are now confronted with 100 armed men and no visible means of escape. Are you kidding? You live for these scenarios and always manage to escape. What's YOUR Austin Power's spy name?

Heading to bed.. G'nite!