Four More Years!

Election Eve

This is the photo I have, because this is about all I've seen of Peeper today.

Take a closer look at her night-night stories:

You can see the Nutcracker tucked away in the night stand, because we've not read it lately. The ones from tonight are The Presidents of the United States (Target Dollar Spot booklet), Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt (Turning Point Books), and You're On Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt: A Turning Point Book.

I've not been around much yesterday and today (or tomorrow) because I've been up at the county Democratic headquarters, helping out with a local state house race, which is actually turning out to look like it's fairly close - which is amazing for a Democrat in our area.

The Obama folks have a separate office set up across town, and I debated about where to put in my limited time, but I decided to go with the local race where one person would have a bigger impact, and I'd be working with a lot of the folks that I already know from the local party.

I'd forgotten how much fun this is!

I don't know that I want to get involved again to the degree that I was (and certainly not just yet), but damn, those last few days of a campaign are exciting.

Let's just hope that I'm still as excited about it twenty-four hours from now!

Oh, and what will Peeper be doing tomorrow? We'll, she's hanging out with Mommy in the morning, while I spend an hour handing out cards at our polling place and then to headquarters to help oversee phone banking and "knock and drag" operations. They're going to the bouncy place with MOMS Club, then I'm getting her around 2 pm so Shrike can go to work, and she'll be tagging along as I drop off water and cookies to some poll workers (mostly so that I can drive her around a bit, and she can maybe take a nap), then back to headquarters, where I'll continue to help with phone calling (and putting out fires), and she'll (hopefully) play quietly on the iPad until the polls close.

Then, we'll stick around there for the party, watch returns, each, drink and (hopefully) be merry.

Peeper has a special outfit to wear to the party, but I don't want to spoil the surprise (and she might flake out on me), so you'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see photos.

Blog for Equality Day

Tomorrow, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on a bill to amend the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The ACLU of PA has this to say about it:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 707 next Tuesday, March 16, at 11:30am. As you know, SB 707 is the latest incarnation of a state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.

Like many controversial, close votes, this could go either way.

It's not hyperbole to say that we have a chance to make history. We have never won an up-or-down vote on the marriage amendment. We've beaten this in the past by winning procedural maneuvers. But now we have that chance. Let's make the most of it.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania already has a law to this effect, but putting it into the state constitution would negate any chances of having the law overturned by the courts.

If you live in Pennsylvania, or know anyone who does, please contact (or ask them to contact) the members of the Judiciary committee and ask them to vote NO on SB707.

Here's some more information on that, from Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents.

Who to call. Call the Harrisburg office (use your cell phone). Email messages are not going to work on this one.

Mary Jo White (717) 787-9684 Butler (part), Clarion, Erie (part), Forest, Venango and Warren (part) Counties

** Special note that Senator White has spoken against this amendment in the past. Please thank her for that and ask her to vote no. This is a vote that can make an impact **

Jane Earll (717) 787-8927 Erie (part) County
Jane Orie (717) 787-6538 Allegheny (part) and Butler (part) Counties

Our friends who always appreciate a thank you.

Jay Costa (717) 787-7683 Allegheny County
Wayne Fontana (717) 787-5300 Allegheny County

This is quite important. Many of the folks in this committee use Facebook, Twitter and so forth. I have a list here. Use social media to spread the word to your friends, family and contacts. Update your FB status.

Congential Heart Disease Awareness Week, February 7 - 14

As Frappa put it on Facebook earlier today, Peeper (with the help of an excellent cardiologist and a very talented surgeon) "kicked her CHD's ass" but many, many babies and their families are not so lucky.

Simone had a much rougher time with her ASD/VSD surgery.

Stellan walked right up to death's door before finally conquering his SVT.

And little Cora's undiagnosed CHD took her, at just five days old.

One in one hundred babies are born with some sort of congenital heart disease, and it is the number one killer of babies.

We can help to fight congenital heart disease by increasing awareness, making sure all babies are screened at birth, funding research, and helping affected children and their families.

Why I Vote (A Rebuttal)

One of my Facebook friends (an acquaintance from my teens) recently posted a "note" titled "Why I Voted Democrat," which was nothing but one GOP talking point after the other. A quick Google search shows me that it's something that's floating around for a while.

A few "highlights" from the note:

I voted Democrat, because I love the fact that I can now marry whatever I want. I've decided to marry my horse.

I voted Democrat, because Freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

I voted Democrat, because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday can tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

When I got done being mad, I started composing this rebuttal, which addresses many of the same issues as in the original, although not an identical selection.

---

Why I Vote

I vote because I believe that my family deserves the same rights as yours, including full marriage equality.

I vote because I believe that CEOs making millions of dollars while their companies - and employees - go bankrupt is criminal.

I vote because I believe that taxes are the dues we pay to live in a civil society.

I believe that if I expect to have paved roads to drive on; a police force to protect me; clean water to drink; a library from which to check out books; a post office to deliver my mail; municipal, state and national parks in which to vacation; safe, inspected food to eat; a military to protect our nation; schools to educate my children; or Social Security and Medicare to protect me when I am elderly, or God forbid, if I become disabled or widowed* or my children are orphaned; then I must expect to pay my fair share to make those things happen.

If I don't, who will?

(*Except that Social Security will not help me if I am widowed, because my country does not recognize my marriage.)

I vote because I believe that no one should lose their home, or their life, simply because they've had the misfortune of becoming seriously ill or injured while unemployed, underemployed or self-employed.

I believe that it is unconscionable that in a nation as wealthy as ours, 46 million of our citizens do not have health insurance.

I vote because I believe that it will be the death of the entreprenureal spirit out which our country, and our economy, were built if the people who are, at this very moment, dreaming up the "next big thing" never see their visions become reality because they can't take the risk of leaving their nine-to-five jobs, for fear of losing their health insurance.

I vote because I believe in free speech. If your speech is hateful and offends me, I will talk louder and drown it out with my own.

Just to clarify, though - physically harming me, my property, or my family because you don't like how I look, worship or love is not speech, and it not only harms me, but also terrorizes everyone else who looks, worships or loves the same way.

I vote because I believe our leaders have a responsibility to be honest with us and with each other - especially when discussing something as serious as reasons for going to war.

I believe that there are a few - very few - good reasons for going to war. A grudge against someone who had a fight with your daddy is not one of them.

I vote because I believe that no one outside of a combat zone needs an automatic weapon, and that there is no reason you need to buy a gun right-this-very-moment. I also know that for every self-defense handgun homicide, there are 1.3 unintentional deaths, 4.6 criminal homicides and 37 suicides. I believe that sane, sensible gun control laws will make us all safer without infringing upon the rights of sportsmen or recreational shooters.

I vote because I believe in science based on evidence discovered by scientists, not promoted by corporate shills.

I vote because I believe that the best way to reduce the number of abortions is by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies - by not only telling our teens that it's best to wait to have sex, but also providing them with the information they will need to prevent pregnancy and disease when they do have sex, and by making a variety of forms of birth control affordable and available to anyone who needs them - and by providing every pregnant woman with the support - medical, financial and emotional - that she needs, so that no woman ever feels that she does not have the necessary resources, material or otherwise, to raise the child that she is carrying.

I vote because I believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, and that even the vilest criminal deserves a fair trial and competent representation, because until he has had that, we do not know whether or not he is actually guilty of the crime of which he is accused.

I believe that if even one innocent person is wrongly executed, that is one too many. I believe that life in prison without the chance of parole is a fate worse than death, and it's my understanding that if you're convicted of harming a child, your fellow prisoners will certainly make you wish you were dead.

I vote because I believe that the most effective way to stem the tide of illegal immigration is to truly punish employers who hire undocumented workers at a fraction of the minimum wage, not only taking jobs from citizens and others who are here legally, but also cruelly exploiting workers who are willing to risk their very lives to do back-breaking labor for almost no money, in a desperate attempt to provide more for their families than they can in their home countries.

I vote because I believe that businesses have a responsibility to be good citizens, as do we all. I do not believe in tax breaks for corporations who take their jobs overseas, nor do I believe that corporations' rights should outweigh people's rights.

I vote because I believe that our judicial system should protect the weak from the strong, the minority from the majority and the people from the government.

I vote because I believe that my vote does count, that no one will speak for me if I do not speak for myself, and that it is not only my right, but my responsibility to make my voice heard.

I do not believe any of these things because I have been told to by any politician or political party.

I believe these things because I value fairness, and equality, and helping others when they can't help themselves.

Because the Democratic Party agrees with me on most of these points, and the Republican Party agrees with me on none of them, when I vote, I vote for Democrats.

---

If you agree, you are welcome to pass this on. I only ask that you credit me for it.

For Your Last Minute Shopping Needs

Help Me, Interwebs!

So, I have gotten a few answers on my logistical questions about this White House VIP Reception or VIP Tour or Open House Tour - I've seen it referred to as each of these things, over the course of the past week.

I can take in a small bag, but there is no coat check. So, I'm thinking that if I have to carry my coat around anyway, I will probably just stick things in my pockets, rather than carrying a coat and a purse (which I don't own).

I don't actually own a coat that I'm real comfortable with either, but when I went looking today, I found it hard to justify even the $40 for a cheap "lady coat" if I'm never going to wear it again.

So, I might just wear my current black suede-ish? jacket. It will really just be a black lump on my arm, anyway.

The more I hear and think about it, the more I think we're just going to be walking around looking at pretty stuff and the less likely I think it is that we're going to be conversing with, or even seeing, the Obamas themselves.

But, you never know.

So, after not finding a coat, I bought not one, but two red sweaters, because I'm starting to chicken out about the outfits I bought the other day.

I am much more comfortable in the sweater options, but I just don't know what's best.

So, help me!

First, there's the LGBT roundtable with our senator and his staff. I want to go more businessy for that one.

Here are my options:

Choice A - Off-white blouse with red blazer and black wool pants

The blouse is a little big, as are the pants, so it wants to ride up and get untucked and messy looking. It's also just a bit too low cut (wants to show my tanktop, which I will be wearing, because it's very thin and requires something camisoley) and the collar doesn't want to stay put either.

I suspect I will spend the whole meeting doing this

and this.


Choice B - The same thing, with a black turtleneck sweater. This is much more physically comfortable, and much more "me."

But do I look like somebody that a senator might listen to?

Specifically, to I look like a dyke that a senator might listen to?

Then there's the reception / tour / open house / whatever at the White House. I will be wearing Peeper in a black Sleepy Wrap (thanks DoulaK!).

She will be wearing black velvety pants and a red sweater, with her black Mary Janes and hopefully, some red socks.

I think the red socks will make the Mary Janes stand out and femme it up a bit. On her own, the sweater is very girly, but in the wrap it's hard to tell, and it sort of give the impression that she's wearing a black vest, making her look like a boy.

She could, theoretically, wear her black-with-a-big-white-bow sweater and / or the same pants in red, but I think I like this combination best.

That said, should I wear. . .

Choice A - Velvety slacks, shiny white shirt, red and black vest.

If I wear the vest open, "outside" of Peeper, you really can't see the red part.

Here, I've got her arms through the arm holes with me (it's actually several sizes too big for me), which shows it off better, but does it look silly?


Probably not as silly as this.



or Choice B - Same slacks and a red sweater.

This sweater isn't exactly the same color as Peeper's, but is very, very, very close. Close enough. It does have the same knit pattern as the top of her sweater (which is about all that shows of hers).




As you can probably tell, I am very much leaning toward the sweater options for both events, but I don't know if they look appropriate.

For what it's worth, when I checked with a very-high-up in our state Democratic Party (before I went shopping) and told her I was thinking of a black suit for the meeting and black pants with a dressy red sweater for the White House, she said I was on the right track.

So, I think it should be okay, but I'm still fretting.

What say you?

Guess Where Peeper and I Are Going Next Week?

Earlier this week, I got a call from the office of one of our Senators, inviting me to be one of thirty activists from BlueState to attend a "roundtable" discussion about LGBT issues.

After the discussion, we are invited on a VIP tour of the Capitol, followed by a "VIP Holiday Tour" of the White House.

When I got the call, I told the guy that I needed to let him know two things, and make sure that he was okay with them.

First is that "I'm not currently doing any political activism, LGBT or otherwise, because I'm taking a break to concentrate on my baby," to which he said, "As you should!"

He's fine with that, because he says that I "know the politics of the state" (I hope so - I've been pretty disengaged lately!) and that I will "bring a welcome perspective to the conversation."

I have to agree with him about that. I'm sure that as a lesbian mom in one of the most conservative parts of the state, I probably look at things a little differently than the twenty-something single gay man from the CapitalCity or the middle-aged full-time activist from BigCity.

The other thing I told him is that I can't be away from Peeper for a whole day, so I couldn't do it unless I could arrange for her and Shrike to go with me to DC, and for me to check in with them between events, so that she can nurse and have some Mama-time.

He said that they are welcome to join us for the Capitol tour (although, I think we will bail on that, in favor of naptime) and that, although there wouldn't be room for Shrike, because there's a strict limit on the number of people they can take, "I'm pretty sure I can get the baby in the White House."

As it turns out, she does count against the number, but he is giving up his own spot to allow her to attend. How sweet is that?

He did say that three other kids will be going with our group, but she will be by far the youngest.

I am pretty much freaking out about the whole thing - from the logistics of making the daytrip to DC with Peeper, to the distinct possibility of making an ass of myself at the roundtable, to the fear that my toddler with cause some sort of national security incident, or break something that once belonged to Abraham Lincoln.

At least hourly, I consider chickening out and blowing off the whole thing, but really how can you turn down an opportunity like that?

I mean, I know it's not exactly a state dinner, nor hanging out having a beer with Barack and Michelle, but I am pretty sure that they'll be there, and at the very least, surely a "VIP" tour gets to go places and see things that normal people don't.

I've been googling around, trying to figure out what to expect, and have found a few stories about the White House's holiday plans:

• White House Holiday: Feeding 50,000 Guests
• Obama Holiday Season Kicking Off: 28 Events
• Local Official To Attend White House Reception

I'm kind of guessing that the event I'm going to will be similar to the one that the lady from Louisiana is attending, a few days earlier, but I really don't know.

I've spent the past couple of days obsessing about wardrobe and logistics and the like, and that's starting to come together.

We've decide that instead of taking the Metro and hoofing it, as we usually to, we will drive and will get a hotel room for the day, so Shrike and Peeper have a nice warm place to hang out while I'm in the meeting, then we all have a place for a nap and to change clothes, and Shrike can hang out during the reception.

(I really, really wish that she could go to that with us. It's just not fair that she has to do all the pain-in-the-ass part of the trip, and doesn't get to share in the payoff. I feel like rather a jerk to drag her along, make her deal with the kid all day, and then leave her behind while we go hobnob with the muckity-mucks.)

Although we're not thrilled about the additional cost, the hotel plan does make me feel much better, because I was worried about the cold (it's forecast to be in the upper 30s that day) and how they'd entertain themselves, and where she'd hape, and how I'd either carry around a change of clothes or keeping my one outfit in Presidential condition all day.

Speaking of clothes, I went and bought a couple of outfits today, at a local thrift shop that specializes in dressy things.

There might be a few tweaks, but at the moment, the plan is that for the roundtable, I'll wear a pair of black wool slacks, an off-white button-up shirt and a red blazer. Then, for the reception, I've got a pair of velvety black pants, a shiny white shirt with ruffles down the front and a red and black vest.

Peeper will probably be in her black velvety pants and red sweater, and I'll be wearing her.

(See above re: Toddler and fear of national security incident.)

That's a whole 'nother thing I've been trying to sort out - how to wear her, because our blue batik religions of the world (although perhaps appropriate, in a way, for the holidays) wrap just isn't very dressy and is very "Hey, everybody! Check out this weird hippy thing tied all over my body!" which is not the look I'm going for.

Last week, before all this came up, I was talking with DoulaK about babywearing options as Peeper gets bigger (need to look into a woven wrap for back carries) and she suggested I try a hip carry with the ring sling.

That seemed to work okay, for practicing around the house, so I was going to try to borrow a black sling from someone.

Then I tried carrying her in it at the grocery store last night, and we didn't even make it out of the produce section (where we'd started) before I switched it out for the wrap. It was okay, but not real comfortable, and I kept having to adjust it and never did quite get happy with it.

I talked to DoulaK today, and she said that she can get me a black ring sling if I want, but see above, or she might have a black sleepy wrap, which is like mine but more of a tshirt material, or suggested that I check with OtherLeader about borrowing her black water wrap.

As the name implies, it's designed for use in the water, and is made of a swimsuit-like material, which would ironically, probably be dressier than the sleepy wrap, because it's kind of shiny and such.

The only concern is that it's much stretchier than what I've got, which might be a problem because, although she's still pretty small for her age, Peeper is getting close to twenty pounds, so it might not be supportive enough to keep her nice and snug and secure for the whole time.

I talked to OtherLeader this evening, and Peeper and I are going to stop by tomorrow to test it out and see what we think.

One other possibility is that someone on Twitter, who lives in the DC Metro area, offered to let me borrow either a black wrap (not sure what type of fabric) or a black and white sling.

So, I'm sure I'll find something that will work, and I think I'm leaning toward a wrap, just because that's what I'm most used to and most comfortable with.

I figure that I'm going to be uncomfortable enough at this thing as it is, that I need to be as physically comfortable as possible!

Now, I just need to see if I can come up with some sort of winter outerwear that's alot classier than the jacket I've got, and figure out how I can smuggle in carry a spare diaper or two, especially if bags aren't allowed.

I might have to just double-stuff her, like for night time (if I can in those pants, they are none too loose in the booty) and hope that she doesn't poop!

Speaking of rules and reguations, before we could be approved to attend the White House event, both Peeper and I had to go through a security clearance, which required our full legal names, dates of birth and social security numbers. I had to vouch that we are both US citizens, and for myself, I had to answer two additional questions:

• Have you ever advocated the overthrow of the United States government?
  (Um, does working for the Democratic Party in 2004 and 2008 count?)
  
• Have you ever said anything in public that could be embarrassing to the President or the Senator?

And that, dear reader, is why I blog anonymously.

November is Prematurity Awareness MonthThe March of Dimes Fights for Preemies

November 17 is the day that was chosen by the March of Dimes and Bloggers Unite to encourage bloggers to fight for preemies.

According to the March of Dimes report on premature births, nearly 13 million babies worldwide are born prematurely each year.

Within the past year or so, that number has included a friend's son, a friend of a friend's daughter, my niece and nephew and, of course, Peeper.

For a family that's had three premature babies in a year, we have been very, very lucky. Peeper and the twins were "near term" preemies, and were all very healthy, with just a few minor issues, primarily feeding-related.

Many, many families are not nearly so lucky.

My friend SDH's little guy continues his fight in the NICU at twelve weeks old - and still about nine days shy of his due date.

And my friends M & K's little girl, born three years ago, never made it home.

Learn more about the March of Dimes and their fight to increase awareness about prematurity, to reduce the number of premature births and to help the families of babies who are born too soon.

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to ReadSeptember 26 - October 3

To learn more, visit http://www.bannedbooks.org/.

Here's what I had to say on the subject, a couple of years ago.

And here's a video:

International Babywearing Week: Close Enough to KissSeptember 21-28, 2009

More Information

Staying Focused

I just sent this email out to my county and state Democratic Parties.

Fellow Democrats:
I want to thank all of you for the overwhelming concern and support that I received back in February, when I announced that I was taking a break from my duties as MyPartyJob in order to concentrate on my family.

In case you haven't heard, Peeper's surgery went very well, her heart defects were successfully repaired, her recovery is complete and is she is now a happy, healthy, normal nine-month-old baby.

Although the surgery is now behind us, my energy and attention remain focused on my family, and as they are now my top priority, I've realized that it's not fair to the party for me to return to my duties as MyPartyJob when my heart is just no longer in it.

PersonCoveringMyJob and the rest of the executive committee have done an excellent job of continuing the work of the party over the past six months, but it is not fair of me to keep everyone "in limbo" any longer so, for the good of both the party and my family, I will be officially resigning from my position as MyPartyJob, effective as of the next committee meeting.

Our bylaws require that the committee elect a new MyPartyJob to serve the remainder of my term, and PersonCoveringMyJob has agreed to run for the position. Electing PersonCoveringMyJob as MyPartyJob will insure a seamless transition, and I hope that you will all give him your full support.

I will retain my position as a precinct committeewoman, and plan to continue to participate in party activities on a limited basis. As Peeper gets older, I hope to return to a more active role in the party.

Along with my MyPartyJob position, I will be resigning my membership in the BlueState Democratic State Committee, and all positions associated with that.

As you can imagine, this has not been an easy decision for me at all, but I do feel that it is best for everyone involved.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you - especially the executive committee and other committee members - for all your hard work during my tenure as MyPartyJob.

The time that I have spent with the RedCounty Democratic Party, and the friends I have made through the party will always be very special to me. We have accomplished much over the past five years, and I am very proud of the work that we have done together.

Peeper and I plan to attend the picnic on August 15, and I hope to see many of you there. If you've not reserved your ticket yet, please send your $12/person to PersonCoveringMyJob as soon as possible!

Please note that, as of the transition, (my party email address) will go to the new MyPartyJob. If you'd like to contact me, please use my personal email address or call me at home or on my cell phone.


Thank you again for your support,
Whozat

Daily Peep: Arlen's Darlin'

Jessica's Story: Please Help

Jessica's mom, D, is channelling her grief into action, fighting for universal healthcare. She is ready and willing to do all she can to make sure this doesn't happen to someone else, and is hoping to have an opportunity to testify before Congress.

She's asked us to spread Jessica's story and, specifically, to pass it on to anyone who is working politically for healthcare reform.

In case you didn't see it, here's LadyKay's comment from my earlier post:

Thank you for posting this. Please, anyone and everyone, please pass this story along. If anyone wants more information on this just ask, Whozat can pass on my email. J's mother okayed giving out her real name and it is being included as the story is passing around the Internet, but Whozat decided against listing it to avoid bringing her blog up everytime someone googled the name. Thank you all.

In addition to posting Jessica's story here, I've emailed it to several people - include some who are working on healthcare reform both nationally and here in BlueState - and have also posted it on Facebook and Twitter.

Below are links to some local coverage.In these links, you will see her full name. You may use it when forwarding or reposting the story.

An interview that D did with a TV station in Houston

An op-ed that D wrote (she is a reporter at a local newspaper) last week

Jessica's obituary, from the same paper

Please feel free to link to these stories, as well as to my post about LadyKay's letter.

If you Tweet about this, please use the hashtags #jessica'sstory and #healthcare (first, follow @hashtags, so your hashtags are tracked).

Why We Need Universal Healthcare: J's Story

Last week, when I asked for your mojo, one of the intended recipients was J, the 21 year-old-daughter of LadyKay's friend, D.

Below is an email that I received from LadyKay this morning. Please help her to tell J's story.

---

I've never sent out something like this before, but I feel that I must. A dear friend's daughter died a few days ago. When I returned home from the funeral I was unable to focus on any of the things that I needed to do until I put down these words. I believe J's story should be told. Please share it with anyone that you will.

- LadyKay

---

I went to a funeral today. A funeral for a beautiful, vivacious 21 year old young woman. A funeral that shouldn’t have happened.

J had gallstones. Gallstones. Simple to fix, right? A fairly minor surgical procedure these days. In and out in just a few hours. Right? What could be the problem?

Even simple medical concerns can turn disastrous for those without health insurance. Over 45 million people in the United States are uninsured. Young adults transitioning from their parents care to independence often fall in this category. Most health insurance is tied to employment and joblessness on the rise.... That, however, is not what this story is about.

J was employed. She had health insurance. So, as her gallstone problem developed she sought treatment and surgery was recommended. However, what she didn’t have was $5000. This is what was required to be paid upfront to cover her deductible and co-pay before she could have surgery. J tried several hospitals, trying to work out a payment plan, but none was willing to work with her. As her pain increased she ended up in the emergency room on several occasions, only to be sent home with nothing but pain medication.

As the months went by J grew sicker and sicker and working became more difficult. Finally, she lost the job that she loved and the insurance that she so desperately needed, because she missed work too often. One evening a few weeks ago, in tremendous pain, she went to the emergency room one more time. This time she was sick enough that the hospital admitted her, even with no insurance.

By morning J was in ICU, fighting for her life. She had developed pancreatitis and sepsis. Her kidneys had failed and her liver was starting to also. As her body shut down the doctors and nurses worked desperately to save J as her family and friends waited and prayed. On a ventilator and dialysis, in and out of consciousness, J fought for three weeks to cling to the life that she loved. A few days ago she lost the battle.

During the time that she was in the ICU, now unemployed, uninsured, and gravely disabled, J qualified for Medicaid; thankfully, because her hospital bill rose to over $400,000. For want of a co-pay, for want of a payment plan, for want of $5000, J’s final weeks were spent in agony to the tune of almost half a million dollars, and her war was lost. The life that was before her, her future was lost. The love she had to give, the children she will never have, the potential unmet, an entire lifetime yet unknown, all were lost.

I feel sad and I feel angry; because I went to a funeral today. A funeral that shouldn’t have happened.

J, August 4, 1987-June 13, 2009

MOMocrats Support Mother's Day Every DayPeeper's Birth Story (Repost)

CARE and The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, partners in the campaign to prevent maternal mortality by providing expectant mothers around the world with access to basic prenatal care and childbirth support from a properly trained doctor, midwife or attendant, launched a new public awareness campaign in February called Mother's Day Every Day.

MOMocrats.com is helping the White Ribbon Alliance to spread the word about the importance of supporting and protecting mothers by asking bloggers to share their own stories about how their children came into the world (or into their families).

To participate, this week, before Mother's Day, write or re-post a birth or adoption story that has personal meaning for you on your blog - or in the comments to this post.

So, once again, here is Peeper's birth story:

---

Peeper's Birth Story
Originally posted November 13, 2008

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to sit down and write about Peeper's birth.

After all, it's a story that I've already told at least a zillion times in the past seventeen days (half a zillion of which were in the first forty-eight hours or so) and that I've already got set in "story format" in my head.

So, here it goes . . . .

Read the rest of Peeper's birth story here

Nurse The Earth

Just when I was thinking that I'm a big old loser for not doing something special to save the Earth today, I found out that I already am!

Happy Earth Day, everybody - from me and my goodies!

Rosa Sat

"Rosa sat, so Martin could walk
Martin walked so Barack could run
Barack ran so all our children could fly"

Written and performed by Amy Dixon-Kolar (c) 2008 Asharta Music/ASCAP. This was written a few days after November 4, 2008 and was inspired by the quote used as the chorus and the celebrations and photos of this historic day.

Focusing

I just sent the following email to my county Democratic Party:

Friends,
As some of you know, my daughter Peeper has a congenital heart defect (she was born with two small holes in her heart - atrial and ventricular septal defects) which we've been monitoring closely since it was diagnosed when she was a few days old.

Although many of these defects resolve on their own without any intervention, hers are not showing much sign of improvement, so they will have to be repaired surgically.

She is scheduled to have open-heart surgery at Nearby Medical Center on March 16 to close the holes.

We're told that this is the most common congenital heart defect, and that the surgery is quite "routine" (perhaps for the surgeon, but certainly not for Peeper or us!) and low-risk (about the same as an adult having their gall bladder removed).

That said, I'm sure that those of you who are parents remember what it's like to have a newborn, let alone one with Peeper's health concerns.

Knowing that we are also facing surgery and her subsequent recovery, it has become obvious that I need to get some things "off my plate," so that I can be a better mother for Peeper.

Therefore, effective immediately, I am taking a leave of absence from my duties and responsibilities as MyPartyJob, so that I can concentrate my time and energy (physical, mental and emotional) on Peeper and Shrike as our family faces this challenge.

This has not been an easy decision to make, but I have realized that I would be doing both my family and the party a disservice if I were to attempt to continue to "do everything," because I would be unable to do any of it very well.

I do not plan to permanently resign my position, but I need to take a break for at least a few months, and possibly through the end of this election cycle.

As Peeper recovers from her surgery, her heart condition is resolved and she gets a bit older, I plan to resume the duties and responsibilities of MyPartyJob but I hope that you will understand that my family must be my priority right now.

Thank you again for your understanding,
Whozat

What About Love: Celebrate Love

Celebrate Freedom to Marry week with The Other Mother's blog carnival.

February 10 - Something Old
February 11 - Something New

February 12 - Something Borrowed

February 13 - Something Blue

February 14 - Celebrate Love