“I’m not taking any complaints! Let’s have some cooperation!”So speaks the new Speaker of the House. Mother of 5. Stay-at-Home, raise'em through college, grandmother of 6, gave birth 5 times in 6 years (imagine the sbiling squabbling and how many were in diapers at one time not-to-mention going through puberty), Mother of 5. That is the quote that her children, to this day, remember from their childhoods.
Nancy Pelosi - the hope of cooperation (and dare I say civility?) in our government.
I was listening to the radio the other day and the women on the talk show I like were discussing Pelosi, and women in government in general. They were talking about whether or not women in politics really made any difference, or that if for a woman to be successful she had to become "man-like." There was also discussion of whether or not there is something inherent in a female human which makes the thought process - and expected action - different from male humans.
Someone quoted a study that said, I think, 30% is the magical number - that if you are in the minority (whatever group, not just women - we could be talking those who want to build a soccer field versus those who want to plant flower gardens) with numbers less than 30% of the total, you need to assimilate to get along, but once your minority group reached the critical mass of 31% or higher, you no longer needed to "go along to get along" but could represent your own agenda, values, or whatever. This radio personality went on to say that now women in the US government have the numbers to not have to act like men.
The other radio voice asked, though, what that means - to not act like men. The original speaker (honestly, I would use their names if I remembered them!) talked about one example -- that women, whether they are stay-at-home moms, working moms, or something hybrid, tend to be the ones who are aware of children's doctor's appointments, PTA meetings, and diaper rashes. Therefore they are used to simply having the idea of taking care of children always somewhere in their minds. Which can mean significant changes in the way decisions are made about healthcare, education, parental rights, etc. Not because they are smarter or more creative or anything else like that (though they may be!) but simply because they, for the most part, have had these issues in the back of their minds for many, many years, and most men haven't.
Anyway. Both the national house and our state house are being led by women now, and I, for one, am very excited about it.
The boys were in their school Geography Bee today. Both were nervous, as we had no idea what to expect. 
Ben ended up placing second, and Ty was in a tie-breaker for third that took 4 rounds of questioning to break! Unfortunately he ultimately came in fourth - but he is already planning his studying strategies for next year!
Once they got them and opened their eyes, they examined them thoroughly ... (I don't know what Ben hears in there, though!)
Each of us got some African products ... Karen got a towel and bag,
And Ben & Ty each got some quills (we think? help us out here, Carla!) and a lightweight throw (I'm told they are called "shukas") in addition to their eggs.
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