Solar Installation

Last month we had solar panels installed by Borrego and this week we were finally hooked up to the electric grid. Now we can watch our meter run backwards. I was joking that I can drive a Hummer now and still claim to be green! :-)

Brazle's Visit

Freda, Chris, Sydney, and Tyler visited chez nous today. Here's Sydney with Dineo. Click here for more photos.

Dineo is 8 months

Poor Dineo's face got scratched by her big sister this morning.

Dani is 22 Months

Dani's Gymnastics

Watch Dani at her gymnastics class.

Pretty in Pink

Dineo and the Treo

Dineo has earrings!

We've always felt Dani is a tough baby but apparently Dineo was much more nonchalant about getting her ears pierced then when Dani did.

Ladies in Red

 

America's Prison Population

Check out this eye-opening article about America's prison population. More that 1% of all adults in the US are in prison. America is the world's incarceration champ - both in sheer numbers of prisoners and percent of population behind bars. Spending on corrections has quadrupled to $49 billion over the last 20 years even though crime and recidivism rates are basically unchanged in that time period. Most dramatically, four states (Vermont, Michigan, Oregon and Connecticut) spend more on corrections than on education. What twisted priorities!

I believe we need to repeal mandatory sentencing laws like “Three Strikes”, invest in education and community programs, and support organizations like Fresh Lifelines for Youth that help at risk youth make better decisions and become upstanding members of the community.