2011 February » Stop, Drop and Blog

Wisconsin Firefighters March on the Capitol

Feb 182011

Our thoughts are with Wisconsin who is fighting a similar — but different — battle right now. While their firefighters (and police officers) are exempt from the changes, I applaud their solidarity to stand with their other union brothers and sisters in their time of need.

I love how they explained why they’re standing with the other unions.

“We appreciate the fact that Governor Walker recognizes the unique work that firefighters do. However the PFFW is unable to stand by while legislation moves forward that undermines the rights of our brothers and sisters in other public employee unions,” Mahlon Mitchell, State President of the PFFW said in a statement today.

“We work with these public employees every day and cannot support a two-tier collective bargaining system that treats them so different than we are treated.

“We are all dedicated public servants. We each have unique duties and responsibilities and all are important to making our communities better places to live, work and raise our families.

“We therefore call on state legislators to reject the portions of the Budget Repair Bill that would permanently undermine the state’s collective bargaining law,” Mitchell concluded.

We stand with you, Wisconsin.

That second video made me cry last night, I admit it. As someone else said on YouTube, “Solidarity is? better when it comes with bagpipes. Go Wisconsin!”

It looks grim, but we will keep Wisconsin in our thoughts and prayers while the vote remains delayed. Our family hopes that our Senators here in Ohio listen to the masses more than they have in Wisconsin. No on SB 5!

Spring Perspective

Parenting 5 Responses »

Feb 172011

I don’t want to remember how I was so tired all day. And grumpy.

I don’t want to remember how frustrated I was with my work. And how it made me snippy.

I don’t want to remember how annoyed I was with the guy who was smoking at the playground.

I don’t want to remember the mom that wasn’t paying attention and knocked BigBrother’s head off the metal railing.

I don’t want to remember the phone call that let me know that I was in the middle of a surprise 36 hour shift.

No.

I want to remember the fact that Spring was coming early on this random warm day in February.

More Magnolia Buds

I want to remember how happy they were to be riding in the wagon for the first time this year, and how I didn’t fall over pulling them — despite the fact that they’ve grown lots — because I’m in shape.

First Wagon Walk, 2011

I want to remember when LittleBrother picked it up and called it a coconut.

Coconut?

Whaaaat?

I want to remember BigBrother counting, giggling the entire time.

Counting

I want to remember LittleBrother enjoying some time by himself.

Big Grins

I want to remember their joy in leaving the playground when it meant that they got to walk home with friends.

Spring in their steps

Seriously, I wrote a big, gigantic rant about my day and the crap that went down at the park today — our first trip of 2011. But? My kids? Had an amazing time today. Their joy rubbed off on me. I am blessed to have them in my lives, to remind me of what counts and what, really, doesn’t.

They are wise teachers. And pretty darn cute.