Breakfast Conversation

My oldest daughter just turned three last week. For breakfast today we had orange juice, bagels with strawberry cream cheese, bran flakes, and pears. We had this conversation over breakfast this morning:

Natalie: This is your favorite glass?

Mommy: Yes.

Natalie: You’re drinking from that cup and I’m drinking from this glass. It has flowers on it.

Mommy: Yes. It was my grandmother’s glass and it reminds me of her whenever I see it.

Natalie: Did you pay for it?

Mommy: (Chuckle) No, she gave it to me. But whenever I see it, it reminds me of her.

Natalie: Where’s your grandma?

Mommy: She’s in heaven.

Natalie: {pause} God’s in heaven.

Mommy: Yes. =)

Natalie: Where’s Maggie?

Mommy: In heaven.

Natalie: That’s a lot of people in heaven. Must be a big party.

Tsunami Relief

The death toll is over 225, 000. Many more people have gone from "missing" to "presumed dead."

The good news is that the travel ban has been lifted by the UN so that more relief can reach survivors in Aceh.

Yet, even with over 7 billion in donations, the devastation in this particular province, which wiped out roads, ports and other means of reaching these survivors, many people in the outlying areas are still living on the brink of life and death.

The MSNBC article here has excerpts of Kofi Annon’s most recent international address urging “rich nations” to set up a warning system in the Indian Ocean that is similar to the one currently in place in the pacific. The UN itself wants to take the lead in this effort, however. What do you think of the UN managing this project and the U.S. and other so called “rich nations” footing the bill?

Godfather

I was just thinking about the godfather today. Thinking.. "I should call the godfather..." So glad I checked my blog right before bed and saw a comment from the godfather. I miss the godfather!

Marines Scaling Back Relief Efforts

What is the justification for attacking relief workers? How corrupt is your government if you won't allow people to help those who need help in the most desperate way?

I heard on the news tonight that all aid workers are being told to stay in the two major cities in Sumatra for fear that radicals will attack them as they try to aid survivors of the Indian Ocean disaster. The USS Lincoln is now in international waters and there will be fewer marines dispatched for relief efforts.

It seems to me that people all over the world want to give and want to help but there is so much red tape and corruption I wonder if the goodwill of the world will ever reach those who really need it.

Indonesia reasserts control over aid
Indonesia orders troops out by end of March

Ovaltine

Who knew that Ovaltine was so good? I have avoided that product because of their really annoying commercials. But, on a whim, I decided to give it a try because it has a lot of vitamins added to it.

It tastes really good. You can make chocolate milk or hot chocolate!

Go try some.

I should write a letter to the company begging them to change their ads. They would sell so much more of this stuff!!