They Look Like Us

Along with many of you, we watch and high fived and kissed and hooted with joy on the historic night of Nov 4th 2008. Obama standing at the podium, giving his speech, is one of those moments that you wll look back on and know what you were doing and who you were with.

My kids were allowed to stay up late and watch, but the whole thing was just too much for Juice. He peacefully drifted off to Obama's words between Myron and I on the couch. Mac however, was glued to the TV, and was asking all the right questions and serving up her own opinions on McCain and especially Palin. Grown up opinions I might add. Sounds like she's been listening to a bit of Air America in dad's car?!?

But all of us were accutely aware of the significance of the moment and for my kids especially, to never know that there are barriers to doing whatever they want because of the color of their skin is incredible for me to witness and know. When Myron and I married our parents were each skeptical that it would bring us happiness or that our children would be treated properly in this world. Myron and I also worried some that they might have to face difficulties because of their ethnicity. But this brings us hope and the belief that in this new day, as small of an issue as it is, that having someone who looks like them in the highest position in the land, and possibly the world, will break down even more barriers and prejudices and allow them to thrive and make their way, like everyone else.

McKenna remarked: "Those girls are so lucky - they get to live in the white house!" and to her, knowing nothing else, it seems like the most natural thing. But Myron and I, with tears in our eyes, didn't realize that the image of the First Family being white and older was so etched in our patriotic consciousness that it's almost hard to comprehend the new look of our leadership.

The hard work now starts. We also realize how much we are going to be asked to sacrifice and that we must help put this country back together. If we believed in Obama's ideals so fervently, then it's time to walk the walk. Hope to see you all along that road!

Please - Let This End (My Way)

I'm usually patient about politics. There's really no need to worry - I know I can't know results before election day, so I vote and wait patiently for results on the 6pm news every election day. This year, it's excrutiating! I feel like I'm the one running, Begging for this this end, but to end my way. I really feel anxious for the results and I just WANT TO KNOW! TODAY!

I really want Barrack Obama to win this thing. I hated that W was allowed into the WH a second term (actually also the 1st term to tell the truth) and wondered many times how ridiculously idiotic my fellow voters could be. But overall, I was resolved. Disappointed, but I moved on. This time, it's more. It feels like a life and death decision and people choosing the Republican ticket are choosing the death of America and what I stand for. This time I feel personally attacked when right wing politicians tell me that because I am liberal I am anti-American, a terrorist lover, and that my views are evil.

I know I cannot change anyone's view and yes - it is frustrating - but at the very least I don't go around bashing people who don't see things the same as I do. I don't think they should be eradicated from the earth and sent to hell. I don't bash their religious beliefs, spew bigotry or racial hatred, and I would NEVER NEVER hate anyone who had different ideas. I may not agree with those ideas, but to hate someone because they did? Just plain crazy.

And that's where things are headed - full on towards crazy. Americans hating Americans because we have different ideas on what's best for our country. Having to define ourselves by man-made political parties and being stereotyped because of a leaning affiliation. It's hard to see where this all starts and where it can end. We are giving up our power to make things right by subscribing to doctrine instead of listening and learning and following common sense.

Anyway, I really just want to see the end of the day November 4th and at the end of that day I want a win for Obama, whatever you think he stands for. I have my own reasons and hopes and ideas on what that would mean for my country and for my community and for my family. And I actually pray when I see polls and new stories about where the candidates stand that people will come to their senses and vote for Hope.

Crazy Week

Furnace pump went out - $300

Dishwasher motor died - $300

New rental house inspection results - $18000 in repairs and we don't even own the house yet

So frazzled that going to the bathroom today I searched for the button to my pants, wondering if I'd put them on backwards, only to realize I was pulling my pants out far enough and that they were ELASTIC waistband.

Will I make it to the other side of November?!?

Living in the Twilight Zone

OK - officially, today's been kooky. Couldn't quite get stuff done on time so kids raised themselves today (mostly watching TV), ended up eating dinner with the family at 8:30 pm tonight, dishwasher decided to not wash, the furnace is going nuts even though we turned it off, the new curtain rods for the office really don't work, Myron and I are still working on house stuff and it's almost midnight, I'm posting cause I had to get on email and answer people back who wrote me earlier in the week and it's all starting over tomorrow.

I'm already wishing it was a weekend!!!

Can I Take It Back?

Last winter it sounded like the best idea in the world. Today, I couldn't think of anything worse! But it's out there, and I don't think I can take it back without a fight I frankly don't have the energy for.

Last spring, I found out that I would be traveling to LA for a business trip end of this month (Oct). I thought "How perfect! I can fly the family down after my meeting and we can go to Disneyland!!" Like I said, it sounded great then.

Now it's time to make the final arrangements, pay the dough, pack and go and really - it sounds like torture. I'm the one who makes all the travel arrangements and who plans all of our trips. I'm over it. I also know that we just bought a duplex and made an offer on a 4-plex. What's another $3000 for Disney compared to half a mil in real estate?!? Let me tell you - we could use that dough to bail ourselves out cause I happen to know the government is a little strapped right now.

So Myron actually came up with a brilliant plan - I could still take the time off, we could do Halloween stuff and trick-or-treating here and then head south to the Great Wolf Lodge and spend two whole days in the water park there. Cost would be 1/10 of Disney, our kids love the water and it could be something totally new. Well, they didn't go for it. I'd been hyping this trip up all year and now they are hangin' on tight to the Dream.

"Wasn't Silverwood, the Puyallup Fair, Remlinger Farms and all the other times we went on rides this year enough???"

"Nope - Disney is the funnest."

"But we could do trick or treating here and get lots of candy - your favorite!"

"Well, we have leftover candy anyway and you always buy more."

"Disney is expensive - we could save money and have fun in the water."

"You can work more to get more money."

I stopped there cause I was about to have a breakdown.

So I think we're off the Disney at the end of the month. Just wish I could take it back!

The Worry List

I tried my best to keep this at bay, but I knew the day after Labor Day it wasn't going to be too long. The "worry list" is back and in full force. I'm not going to dwell on this - I want it all to go away - but the insidious thing about this list is that I don't purposefully make it up and it's the one that keeps playing over and over in my head. So I've decided to write it all down and get on with things, 'cause I don't want to waste my time worrying any more!

1. Merlin - he has taken a big turn for the worse this weekend. He fell down the cement stairs and is having a really hard time walking. He wouldn't get up for several hours yesterday afternoon and there's no way Myron and I can pick up this 170 lb critter and carry him in and out of the house when necessary. Lots of tears by everyone because it is obvious his back legs are not working well and won't be getting better! He's headed for the vet tomorrow to get a professional opinion on whether anything can be done to strengthen his legs and lessen the pain. And I had the very unpleasant task of having to explain to McKenna what would happen if he can't walk on his own. She was the one who didn't mince words when we talked about putting him "to sleep" - she said "You mean we have to kill him?!?" and then went histerical on me. Talk about getting your heart ripped out twice ... once by the dog and once by your daughter who loves the dog more than anything.

2. Julian - just informed me tonight that his teacher told him he couldn't go on his first skating field trip tomorrow and he was histerical. He couldn't remember why and we didn't get a note and now I'm mad at the teachers for not telling me so that I wouldn't rub it in for Juice and furthermore help re-direct whatever behavior caused this to happen. So I have to have a conversation with the teachers tomorrow and I really hate that.

3. I am not prepared for a meeting/presentation I have tomorrow in front of the Shoreline City Council. I was asked to chair the committee I am on and I just haven't had the time this weekend to go over the report or the PPT and I need to give the Council a report on finances at 8pm tomorrow night! Finances is not a topic I can really pull out of my a**. This one I need to be prepared for, so lunchtime cramming is in order for me tomorrow.

4. Work is absolutely insane for the next few weeks. All day meetings, sales calls, one huge project to supervise and travel to, projects that I was supposed to have done by my anniversary date in order to achieve my bonus that aren't done, someone quit and someone didn't come back from maternity so need to fill 2 positions (it took me nearly 6 months to find the perfect people last time), trying to get more business to fill in 2009 - it's looking too light right now, etc, etc. Lots of pressure!

5. Money - Myron's work has slowed down and we committed to a Disneyland vacation end of October. And we have 2 offers on duplexes in Everett. And Julian's tuition increased. And we have kid activities costs to pay. And the markets aren't doing very well so investments are sucking air. When is that lottery strategy going to pay off???

6. House projects - we are STILL working on Mac's room and we have to do something with Juice's room. He is still in his toddler bed touching head to toe! Our living room has been a complete disaster for months and I'm about ready to start a bonfire in the middle. Myron got super motivated to get part of the garage cleared out (we can't put the trailer in anymore and need to for the winter) so I put a bunch of stuff up on craigslist and I've had other people calling my schedule shots this weekend and now I'm behind on regular chores. Just making my weekday life so much more challenging.

7. Family time - the more things are on the to do list, the less time I have for anyone because the siren call is to get stuff off the list. And the more on the list the more gets put on the list - it's a vicious circle. So the kids get no time with me at all, ergo my ingorance about the skating thing. Can you say GUILT!?!

8. I'm overextended again so all my volunteer efforts are only getting part of my focus. SLU Chamber, City of Shoreline, Syre PTA and now PCMA ... it's all coming together at once and I'm getting nothing done 100%. And of course I have solid justification for each one and I turned down 2 other recent requests so it's not all about the NO. Just need to juggle faster for a while.

9. Health - I finally made an appointment with OB and mammogram and they asked if I'd been anywhere else to get my exams done because it's been since early 2006 that I've been in. Well ... truth be told, in 2006 I weighed a bunch less and really don't want to hear my doc talk about my weight again. Now I'm going to worry that I've put myself in jeopardy by waiting this long for my annual exams.

This is really depressing and sorry if you actually are reading this. Now I've made you feel all yucky!

The things I am grateful for:

1. This gorgeous weather. It's part of the reason for my craziness because it makes me want to accomplish as much as possible before rain comes when I won't feel like doing a thing but have to. At least now I want to get things done ... I just don't have a lot of time.

2. My kids are doing realatively well in school and like it (for the most part). They are healthy and I don't think I'm damaging them beyond repair yet.

3. We are back as season ticket holders to the 5th Ave (I know - I'm contradicting the money worry, but we bought these early in the year when things were really going well!). We saw Shrek, the Musical and it was super fun. The rest of the shows are fantastic and I can look forward to dates with my hubby every other month or so.

4. Things are fine - it's just my brain that's the issue.

I'm trying not to wish my life away, but I'm looking forward to being on the other side of this!

The Unofficial New Year

It's the second most stressful day of my year ... the first day of school. Not really for what it is, but what it signifies. It's the 2nd "New Year's Day" - the day when I expect that everything on my to do list will be done and I will have a fresh start. But just like the real deal - it never happens that way. As a matter of fact, just the opposite. So I'm back to my crazy life and nothing has changed for me.

I wish that it was my first day of school, but that I knew everything I know today. Mac started 3rd and Juice is a big Kindergartner! Next year they will both be in the same school and frankly I can't wait. Here they are with great big happy smiles on their first day - they are excited at the new adventures this year will bring and I envy their innocence and giddy excitment.

Juice is the 'poser'. I think he might actually do really well in modeling this year, but he wants to do Tae Kwon Do and basketball.

Mac can't wait to see her best friends - it's been a whole two weeks since they last saw each other after all.

So here's to childhood and their fresh starts. I won't ruin it for them with what real life will be like in 30 years or so!