My Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I live about six miles from work, but each morning I fight traffic and average a 30 minute commute. At night I cross the exodus from the city and easily spend 30 minutes in furious bumper to bumper traffic. It’s another good 30 minutes after I get home when my blood pressure finally starts to return to normal. Tonight I had to stop by the pharmacy. One frantic clerk worked feverishly to handle two lines – one inside and one in a drive-thru. That wait was, you guessed it, at least 30 minutes.

I live and work in the Washington, DC area. It’s no secret we have some of the worst congestion in the country. Over the past few years, the growth has bubbled way out in all directions. Rolling meadows in Leesburg are now blanketed with “luxury” townhomes and McMansions. My grandfather was an editor and writer at The Washington Star and one of his last printed pieces was in the last edition of the Star when it folded in the early 80’s. I’ve managed to collect a couple copies and often marvel at the final predictions that paper had to offer. The paper spent part of its last edition looking forward at the future of Washington 20 years hence, in the year 2000. One of the most striking predictions to me was that Fairfax, Virginia was likely to grow. (Right on the money.) But the paper went on to insist that Fairfax was well beyond the Washington suburbs and that it would not really be a commuter’s home, perhaps a small satellite town. Anyone who knows Northern Virginia can tell you that now Fairfax is considered a pretty “close in” suburb. It long ago stopped being the “mid-point” of a long-distance commute.

Growth and change, it would seem, are inevitable. But how communities decide to grow and change has an enormous impact on their futures. As the people around me bustle to get to work to fund big houses, clothes and trips, I’m working for the day when I can make my last grueling three to four hour Friday night drive from Washington to my home next to my parents’ house in the Northern Neck.

When you live in the big box world populated with enormous warehouses without anyone to assist you, you start to see the “opportunity” of Wal-Mart in your back yard differently. Yes, Wal-Mart is cheap, and they have lots of stuff. Returning from the Northern Neck last weekend my husband and I stopped at the Wal-Mart in Southern Maryland. Anyone who thinks that Wal-Mart will bring positive things to the community should make a day trip up to St. Mary’s County to see what a Wal-Mart looks like when it’s long in the tooth. This Wal-Mart wasn’t fresh and inviting. It was dirty, unstocked, and unkempt. Its aisles were filled with discarded items, even an unnoticed broken jar of applesauce. As I walked through the store I felt sad to think of this loud, ugly mess marching into such a wonderful community.

Yes, our community needs opportunities. People need good jobs and access to the things that make our lives easier. I, for one, would like somewhere to have a baby in a couple of years. But where will this community be in 20 years? In 2026 will we look back at these papers and marvel at how the community that inspired people to stay here for centuries and come here for those same qualities has been overrun with undesirable things? When I bring my daughter home from whatever far-flung hospital will she grow up and head off in search of greener pastures?

The choice of growth is not black or white, there are infinite shades of grey. Many other retail and business opportunities exist if we are willing to weigh our options.

Sincerely,

Arlington and Mila, VA

Yippee! Snow!

Well, by the time I woke up this morning Andy had already shovelled the walk. We got a decent amount of snow. It's never enough for me. It's also probably not enough to affect work tomorrow :( .

I'll be interested to see when our street gets plowed in the new house. We are right next to a major intersection, but we're also not in the fancy schmancy part of town so I dunno which factor will matter more. Today I'm planning to do some more nesting (we never do a thing with this house) and try to figure out my new photo software. I can't believe it's almost 10:30 though, snow days go WAY to fast for me.

Waiting for SNOW!

Well, we are officially waiting for snow. Andy and I stayed in Arlington this weekend because we're supposed to get serious snow. It's always a though call because if I were going to be stranded somewhere I'd sure rather that it were snuggled up in our river house than stuck in Arlington, but oh well. I have enough gadget stuff to keep me occupied. Actually, we both do.

I am such a guy - my Valentine's wishes (I know, Valentine's Day is for cards, candy and swelling-music diamond moments) were for stuff to go with my new Palm Treo phone. Andy got me a wi-fi card and a memory card and he gave them to me early because he knew I'd want to play with them. When we were at the river a couple weeks ago Andy saw an add for video transfer to DVD. He is obsessed with the 80's, 80's music, and 80's concerts. He has lots of obscure things on tape that (let's all hope) will never be released on DVD. So anyway, I got him a DVD Recorder/VHS combo so he's spending all weekend recording old Ah-ha concerts.

I watched a little of the Olympics opening ceremony last night. I may watch some of it while it's on. Last night was the finale of "Arrested Development". They ran 4 episodes in a row. The show may be over, but we hope not because we're completely obsessed with the show. Hopefully Showtime will pick it up. Never heard of it? Why am I not surprised? No one ever watched this show except us. It was unbelievably funny though.

We're planning to go to dinner Monday for Valentine's Day. (In our old married life it makes sense to have Valentine's Day a day early and not have to go out to dinner with the rest of the free world.) If we really do get a big snow then we might just go another day.

I still totally love it when it snows. What I can't stand is when things refuse to close despite heinous weather. I just want to say, "Trust me, the world can survive without you for a day." Andy just came in and showed me that it's just started to change over to snow. That "essential" thinking is totally crazy in DC. Of course the government can always have "liberal leave" but the rest of us get guilted into going into work.

A month from now we'll be in NYC. We're going up to see "the Odd Couple" with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. It should be a fun weekend. I would like to spend the whole time eating and shopping (and hopefully we'll get to see Uncle Charlie). Unfortunately, Andy has the Lee Ewing-endless-book-store-shopping gene. Andy could spend 4 days straight in the dingiest bookstore on the planet. I always feel like I have so many books I haven't finished that I better not find anything else new. So, that's what's new with us.

Recipe Thread

Okay, I know you all like to eat! Who has tried and true recipes they haven't shared? I'm bored with my usual ones and am always on the lookout. I'll show you mine if you show me yours! Nothing too fancy please. Let's help each other with meals (main dishes and more) which we find ourselves cooking up time & time again.

Here's a one dish meal that I make a lot. It's from Matt's Slovak mom.
Halushki:
1 head cabbage
1 onion
1 box bowtie pasta
butter
salt
pepper
kielbasa (optional)

Here's how I make it:

Slice kielbasa (we use the turkey kind a lot) into small disks and place in pan on low heat, stirring occasionally.

Thinly slice onion and add to pan (you might need to add some butter or oil to sautee). Sautee over medium heat until translucent.

Cut cabbage into thin slices (basically shredded into very thin, long strands) or however you like it and add to pan. You may need to add the cabbage in batches as it wilts down. Continue stirring.

Prepare pasta according to box directions (we've been low-carbing so we just leave it out).

Once pasta is cooked and cabbage has wilted and turned golden, add pasta to cabbage mixture and add lots of pepper, butter & salt to taste.

Simple, but delicious. I cut the kielbasa up so you get meat in almost every bite and the flavor of the meat goes all through the cabbage. You can cook it whole on your grill or do whatever you prefer. You can change it up by using different meat, or no meat at all. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Cabbage turns very sweet this way and most people like it.

HEY-lo!

I thought I'd update everybody on the happenings of the Goodwin household. Anthony had a show on Wednesday at his gym class and did very well- he got a medal that he is VERY proud of. Kaiya is doing good, I found out yesterday that she apparently has learned her colors unbeknownsted(sp??) to me!! I guess that old television set isn't too bad.

Both of my kids and ALL my daycare kids have a hideous coughing yucky cold and are not feeling well so today is Chicken Soup day!

Nothing much is going on- oh... My microwave blew up! Well, it died. So I am not a happy camper. I have been bewildered ever since, the biggest inconvenience is that I can't reheat my same cup of coffee 4 or 5 times throughout the morning, ugghh!

Answer Margaret's Question Below...

I don't mean to post a newer post. We're still at the river - on a Sunday night. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! :) We're off tomorrow. I am watching the AKC Eukanuba Championship and am hyper because the Wheaten Terrier just came in third in the Terrier group. That's huge, they never even look at the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (Lexi!!!), but you wouldn't look at that dog either if you saw what they do to it for the show ring. They basically take the cutest dog ever and make it the 2nd or 3rd ugliest dog in the world. But this judge actually put the Wheatie third. I've never even seen the Wheaten make the first cut. Even better than that is that when the Wheatie placed 3rd Andy ran in from the other room and was happy they'd picked it. This would be my husband who didn't even like dogs when he met me and now here he is watching at least part of a dog show of his own volition. (Granted, Lexi was with him and she may have grabbed the remote.) -Now go answer AuntieM's Q of the day.

Hey Folks,
I am just sittin here thinkin and wondering what would you do if you
were suddenly given the power to eliminate one problem in our world.
What would it be? Hunger/poverty/ignorance/one disease/drug dealers/ect...
Just somethin to chew on fer awhile.
Love ya,Auntie M.

See New Pix on Flickr

I blatantly plagarized, or should I say "sampled" Dad's new pix of the Romasco family so you can also see them through this page in the Flickr album. We have most of our decorations down at the river. Andy is thoroughly addicted to his Lego Star Wars Playstation2 game. I think it may be his favorite present. I have already lost one of the forget-me-not flower earrings Andy gave me for Christmas :( -- at least we live in a micro house now, so it could turn up. Last week I dragged Andy to a networking event for work. He said he was hanging back because he didn't want anyone to think he was a networker since he works for a non-profit (the National Science Teachers Assn.) and he doesn't buy or sell anything - except Science books - which they do rather well...

Anyway, we went to the new Clyde's at Gallery Place downtown next to the MCI Center. It needs a good year before it's actually functional. We stayed for dinner and wished we'd gone somewhere else.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! Shannon, I know you have a well-equipped digital camera now, where are your pix??

I updated my Flickr album (the one that shows up on this page) with the new kid pix and with those new ones from Charlie. I also re-invited Charlie to join the blog at another email so hopefully...

Back to the Big City

Ah...It's been 11 days off and it will be hard to go back to work tomorrow. We just got back to Arlington and are warming up the house. We had a good time at the river - Andy played lots of Playstation games. I made pasta from scratch and fired up the new raclette grill. Good times. I have a little mail to send Jennifer & Julia and will do that once I wrangle a box this week.

I missed a cell call from Aunt Margaret I think and will give you a call once we get unpacked and settled. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

LKC

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all!
We had a great Christmas at Mom's house in Fredericksburg, though we missed seeing many of you. One gift we received from Julia was a beautiful book enclosing the touching letters each of you wrote to Joseph. Thank you all so very much. I am keeping it safe for Joe to read when he's older. Here are a few pictures from Christmas Day. Hopefully Julia will post pictures of Anthony & Kaiya. We have no plans for New Year's Eve, though we are looking forward to seeing Lee & Dottie in the afternoon. I imagine we'll be asleep (Joe willing) when the ball drops. Have a safe and happy New Year!
Love,
Jennifer

All is well!

I thought I'd post some pics from Anthony's birthday party and from his gym class. He's becoming quite the little gymnist!

I hope everyone is all ready for Christmas- I FINALLY finished on Monday. Now on to wrapping and guarding all the wrapped presents from Kaiya! It should be fun... MERRY CHRISTMAS

To make my sister happy

Hello! I figured if I didn't write something soon that I'd never hear the end of it from Laura. :)

Happy Belated Birthday, Aunt Munget!

I am finally getting things moving for Christmas. We got the tree up this weekend and took Oscar and Buster to see Santa Clause! If I ever learn how to master modern technology, I will try to post the picture of "da boys" with Santa. But, don't hold your breath people, I still have every picture I've ever taken on my digital camera because I don't know how to get them off of it... Hey, atleast I have a digital camera, right? I probably shouldn't add that I've had Tivo for 2 years and just hooked it up...

Many Thanks!

Hey Ya'll,
Many Thanks for your kind wishes for a Happy Birthday
for me!! Uh,Missy Laura,where in the world did you get THAT photo
of me? Really,you do NOT need to "fix it later" it is fine just the way
it is.
I had a fine Birthday! Everyone at work wished me a Happy BD and
gave me Godiva chocolates!
My neighbor Jan and neighbor Patti took me out to a place called
City Cafe for dinner. They serve 7 layer cakes!!! (Believe me,I counted
every layer!)
I also saw Chronicals of Narnia. It has been decades- er um,
years,since I last read the book of the Lion ,The Witch and The Wardrobe. I wondered if
I would recall much of it. I did! It was very good and followed the book very well
as my memory serves me.
Now,I am recooping from the weekend and gearing up for a tough week at
work,pray for me over the next two and a half weeks!!!!!
I miss ya'll.
Be good fer Santa!
I love ya too!
Margaret

Happy Birthday Aunt Margaret!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Margaret, Happy Birthday to You!!! I hope you are having a fabulous birthday!

Dial M for Margaret

I can't seem to get email through to Aunt Margaret - anyone else having the same issue? I'm hoping it's working soon, it's only a couple of days until AuntieM's birthday!

They say we may actually get 5+ inches of snow Thursday night into Friday. I hope it will shut down am rush hour :) but then be clear so I can head out of Dodge. I got most of my decorating done last weekend, and actually most of my wrapping. This weekend I need to tackle cards and cookies. I feel like baking up a storm. Shannon says she has quite a bit to do this weekend to catch up.

What are you up to?

Deck the Halls?

It's hard to believe it's December! It is crisp and sunny outside, that's the view today. This morning I harvested a huge basket of pine cones. Later Andy and I will decorate the tree and I think I'm going to tackle wrapping some Christmas presents. Right now though I'm watching Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. She's whipping up some homemade truffles. I don't think I'll be doing that today, but it's good inspiration.

Catching up!

From Decatur,GA I spent Turkey day at William's wife's(Judy)sister's house(Karen).
She lives just 10 minutes from me. There were just about 40 folks spread throughout the
house,from the elderly(80ish ) to the wee one( 3 weeks old). There were two five year
old twins who stole the show,as we all managed to hold hands for Thanksgiving prayer,the five
year old girl Jeanie,said with great suspense,that she was most grateful for........Dogs! We all
cracked up!
Black Friday,our store did over 1.3 million in sales. I felt like I rang about 1/2 of that!
I survived! ;)
I miss you all so very much,hope to see you soon next year!
Love to all! AuntieM.-Margaret

How To!

I thought I'd decode the magic of posting and actual blog post since there's no clear way to do it from this page. When you signed up for Blogger, you got an account and a "dashboard". You can get there by clicking the Blogger icon in the upper left hand corner of this page or by clicking "Back to Dashboard" in the upper right. There you'll get a familiar text box, just type and click "Publish Post" and you are blogging!

Happy Birthday to Dad/Brother Lee/Uncle Lee...

You say it's your birthday...

Happy Birthday to Dad. This picture cracks me up every time I see it. He looks like he's saying, "Aw, shucks Wally, I just wanted to see what you and Eddie were up to."

Wishing you a happy one!