Half Full

This is the time of year where we often try our best to keep the holiday spirit alive and well within us, but the daily drudgery of work and life can easily bring us down. I awoke this morning after tossing and turning all night with dreams of the school week ahead of me. Thus far, I've had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and friends, so work is the last thing I want to think about. However, it seems impossible for me to ignore the things that await my attention on Monday morning. I try hard to look at things with the glass is half full mentality, but it definitely takes all my energy to do so on some days. As I began to feel the stress creep back in, I received this uplifting email from a good friend (talk about great timing). I thought I'd share these little pearls of wisdom that might just help you keep your own stress at bay.


Stay Positive During the Holidays
Holidays are for celebrating what is truly important to you, your family, and friends. Make it the holiday you want it to be and chances are you will keep a positive attitude.

• Avoid over scheduling yourself. Use an agenda to keep track of your holiday commitments.


• Give yourself plenty of time between events.


• Schedule some downtime for yourself everyday.


• Lower your expectations.


• Don’t strive for perfection, good enough is okay.


• Don’t expect your family to be perfect during the holidays.


• Make a budget and stick to it.


• The price of the gift is not equal to how much you love them.


• Focus on the people that you care about instead of the stuff that really doesn’t matter.


• Beware of the joy-to-stuff ratio: more stuff does not equal more joy.


• Spread out your socializing in the months after the holidays.


• Don’t try to pack a year’s worth of socializing into a few weeks.


• Get as much sleep as you can.


• Schedule one or two pajama days for yourself or for the whole family to stay home and rest.


• Enjoy some downtime together without rushing about.

Beware: Frenzied Shoppers on the loose!

Well, I was all set to take some pictures of our Thanksgiving holiday, when lo and behold, my camera battery dies. Needless to say, I was bummed. Much to my delight and surprise, my wonderful cousin, Wendi, volunteers to take some family photos for us. She hasn't emailed them to me yet, but I'll try to post some when she gets them to me. This year was a particularly special holiday, but not because of any specific reason. It was just that we had a really great time with my extended family and it was so stress-free (for the most part). With the one exception of my Aunt Rhonda missing a step and falling on the concrete (got a huge, swollen gash above her eye), it was relatively easygoing and calm.

I wish more of my cousins could've come, but with everyone so spread out and so many families to share with, it is a rare holiday when we can all make it. This was the first time in a long time in which we were able to spend Thanksgiving with this side of my family. We all came with big appetites and couldn't wait to eat. Everyone gathered around the table as my grandmother said the blessing. It was loud and boisterous (as ususal) until everyone was served, and then the only noise you could hear was silverware clanging and chewing. We were all so consumed with the business of eating. It's about the only time that side of my family is THAT quiet. =) Anyhow, we filled ourselves to the gills, visited, and played our annual game of Balderdash. This is quite a family affair as most of us get really into it and have a blast doing it. I lost by one point to my Aunt Cheryl and she was quite delighted. My natural father LOVED hanging out with my kids and K managed to get him to play horsie (even with his bad back). That is the perfect example of her charm working its magic. Later on, she even convinced my Uncle Dale to play horsie as well, something he rarely would consent to. All in all, it was truly a fantastic holiday.

On our way home (the drive takes an hour), we passed by the big outlet mall. There were already cars filling the parking lot at 9:00 at night for Black Friday sales! There were even signs posted along the road telling people not to park on the freeway. The insanity had already begun. With the recent reports of shootouts and stampedes over holiday shopping, I just don't get people sometimes.

Strangely enough, my son and I got up about 4:00 on Friday morning to go shopping ourselves. Hubby and K were going to tag along initially, but DH opted to sleep in instead (not to say I don't blame him). Anyhow, N and I headed to Fred Meyer first. They fed us mini doughnuts and apple cider as we perused the store. They definitely know how to keep customers coming back. We shopped for about 2 hours there (I am a slow shopper when I'm not sure what to get). Then we headed over to another shopping area. First, we went into Old Navy, only to walk right back out as I realized I didn't know what to get there. Then we went over to Target. Found a couple of things there and finished up pretty quickly. Next, we decided to head over to Barnes & Noble, which was in the same parking lot as the other stores. Since they weren't set to open for another 25 minutes, I figured it was time to take a break in the adjoining Starbucks. I got us vente hot chocolate and a butter croissant to split. That was the best part of the day, just sitting there with N and enjoying the day together. We lucked out and managed to avoid the craziness that comes with this day, outside of longer checkout lines.

When the bookstore finally opened, we went straight to the kid's section where N parked it on the floor with a book to read. It's scary how much he's like me at that age. I tried to get a little shopping done for him while he was preoccupied. I succeeded and he was none the wiser. That's probably the only drawback to taking him along with me, I can't really get stuff for him as he is quite observant. The older he gets, the smarter he becomes about the process, though he still believes in Santa. I am happy about that. He was named (in part) after jolly 'ol St. Nicholas (also after Nicolei Romanov) so he loves to tell people that. Anyway, we finished up there and headed over to Costco to finish up. Just as I thought we were done, I realized I needed to return a couple of items to Fred Meyer, so that was the last thing on our to do list. We were gone for probably 6-7 hours. Whew.

When we got home, I was beat. We ate a quick lunch and relaxed for a bit. If you can believe it, I still had the shopping bug, so I took K along for two more quick errands. She loved getting to go and we had a good time together too. What can I say? I love Christmas shopping, even if it is just the act of browsing. As long as the stores aren't insanely crowded, I can deal with the frenzy that comes with the season. Last year, when Kohl's had a line of people for checkout that wrapped around the entire store, I had to leave. That was too much even for me. This is only the second year in a row that I've braved Black Friday in the wee hours. What's really sad is that I still have many more people to buy for as I only made a minor dent in our list. I am trying to be very frugal and careful as money is tight (as seems to the case for everyone we know). Gifts won't be elaborate, but a lot of thought and heart is going into each and every one.

Today I am heading back out to exchange something for my daughter. I hesitated on getting her the one thing she really wanted, but decided to go ahead and get it for her. She and her brother often make do and are always grateful for what they get, so I really wanted part of their wish lists to come true this year. My son asked for an item that we didn't think even existed. Thankfully, I actually found one brand new on ebay (it had been discontinued)!

I have to agree with some of the naysayers out there that Christmas has become way to commercial, and that is why we have scaled back a lot. For me, presents are an added bonus to a wonderful celebration of family, friends, and beloved traditions. I love the hunt for the perfect gift and the reactions on the faces when people open up a present. Though I am realistic in that I don't take it personally when someone doesn't like something and exchanges it. No biggie. Now if I handmade something, that might be another story...;)

With Thanksgiving behind us, I can't wait for Christmas now!

Thanksgiving Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there! Enjoy this poem that I came across as you count your blessings on this wonderful holiday...

T’was the night of Thanksgiving,

But I just couldn’t sleep.

I tried counting backwards,

I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned,

The dark meat and white.

But I fought the temptation,

With all of my might.

Tossing and turning, with anticipation.

The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So I raced to the kitchen,

Flung open the door,

And gazed at the fridge,

Full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey,

And buttered potatoes,

Pickles and carrots,

Beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling,

So plump and so round.

‘til all of a sudden,

I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling,

Floating into the sky,

With a mouthful of pudding,

And a handful of pie.

But I managed to yell

As I soared past the trees

Happy eating to all,

Pass the cranberries, please!!

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious,

May your pies take the prize

And May your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off of your thighs!

by Lauren ??? (no last name given)

Reflections

I am in the final pages of a very inspirational and thought-provoking book entitled Between Heaven and Ground Zero by Leslie Haskin. It took me quite awhile to get through this novel, not because of a lack of interest (quite the contrary), but because life and work got in the way. I have to read lots of children's literature for my job as an English Teacher in a language immersion school. That takes up what little time personal time I have to devote to reading for pleasure. Since I am caught up on all that, I decided to be a little selfish and read some books I've had lying in wait for me. Well, I have to say this particular book was well worth the wait.

Between Heaven and Ground Zero follows a woman's journey as she climbs the corporate ladder and leaves her childhood faith behind. As she accumulates material wealth and a picturesque view of New York City from Tower One, Leslie (the author) finds herself shaken to the core as fate collided with her life in one fell swoop on September 11th. She recounts her harrowing descent from the 36th floor into the lowest point of her life. As terrible as her experiences were, her story is one of hope as she rebuilds her life with a newfound sense of purpose and she rediscovers her relationship with Him. What makes her story so vivid and touching is how she seamlessly blends her emotions and memories with scripture.



Leslie writes, "there is nothing more miserable than the fear of dying and leaving so much undone and even more unspoken." She explains further, "not only was I full of repentence, I believe I reached a place where I understood that all the simple things we fight, scream, and complain about mean absolutely nothing. I was clear that all the 'stuff' we work so hard to accumulate is temporary...of no real value. I got it. Life is a love story. I saw. I understood. It was clear. I was clear. That was how life 'flashed' before my eyes, in clarity. It was a long pause of lucidity." It was in this moment of darkness and devastation inside the crowded, crumbling stairwell of Tower One, that she says, "hopeless and lost, I lifted my eyes to the only place I knew where I could find peace."



The reason this passage resonates with me so much is because I think that many of us can relate to some experience from our own lives that caused us fear, stress, and/or grief that led us to look outside of ourselves for guidance. Lord knows we've all had our fair share of all of those. I love how Bruce Almighty puts a friendly face on God in the form of Morgan Freeman. I love that.



Even though I wasn't raised attending church and still don't to this day, I have always been searching for that certain something that ties me to Him. After surviving many defining moments in my own life, I have come to the realization that He is simply in my heart and that is most valuable lesson I can carry with me. Spirituality is different for everyone and is not something that has to be sugar-coated and packaged into this or that. Every faith has a belief system that expects followers to adhere to. Some are stringent and demand obedience, while others are more loosy-goosy. I am no expert on the Bible or the Koran, but I do know what it means to have faith. Many might disagree with me, but I know that He has been with me all along.



I remember a moment when I was about eleven or twelve, I was enduring something very painful from someone very close to my heart. Then along came my salvation in the form of, if you can believe it, Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." This book actually taught me to turn to Him. It is a rite of passage, must-read for preteen girls. If you know this book at all, you'll realize the humor in all this irony. I pleaded with God to keep me safe and give me answers during this confusing time. The strangest things will bring you comfort and joy in times of stress.


Though it sometimes felt as if He wasn't listening, He ultimately came to my aid. Many, many moons later, I came to an unforeseen fork in the road. Just as I thought this person that had caused me so much pain was redeeming himself, He saw fit to take him away. It is something that I continue to question, especially in those quiet, reflective times we all have. There have been several twists and turns to my story and will likely continue to be, but I now try to accept things as God's Will, right or wrong.



I will never believe that a person who is saved or unsaved is better than the other. However, I do think that we are better off when we have something stronger and more powerful than us to cling to. In such a vast universe, we are very small. Perhaps even more imporant, is for us to remember to cherish those that we take for granted in our everday lives. I was raised in a large family and love our family celebrations. It is comforting to know that even as we grow apart, we can still come together as one to be there for each other.


A coworker and I were having a conversation about 9/11 the other day and she shared a very moving story of a friend of hers. She said that her friend was expecting and her husband had to take an overnight business to trip to New York. He found himself in Tower Two on the morning of September 11th. Needless to say, communications were down and his wife had no way of knowing his fate for hours. The stress caused her to go into labor and she was declared that she was not going to give birth to that baby on the same day her husband may've died. Through sheer force of will and maybe a little divine intervention, she kept that baby at bay until the early hours of September 12th. Thankfully and by the grace of God, her husband did survive and it took him all week to get home to her and his newborn baby. If that isn't the miracle of life, I don't know what it is.


As my dearest friend in the world can attest, life is fragile and must not be taken for granted. Her mother is lying in the critical care unit and there are few answers as to why. I hope she and her wonderful mom can feel the prayers and love being sent their way. Let us remember the lesson that Leslie recounts, "find the time to get to know Him and fall in love. His are the eyes you've been looking for."

Sigh of Relief

What an long weekend! I spent much of Thursday through Sunday wading through piles of papers to grade and report cards to input into the computer. This was an insane stack and was not an easy task. The school is in the process of changing their report card system, so all the teachers had to complete the grades in a PDF format. Then we had to either email them to the secretary or compile them onto a memory stick or CD. On Saturday, I managed to sneak in a haircut and a trip to Costco, but then it was back to work. I teach four classes, so that's a lot of kids to assess. I finally finished the last of them this morning and prayed that everything transferred in the email okay. I'll find out tomorrow at work. I'm nervous because they are due tomorrow night by 11pm and I have to attend a meeting at my son's school tomorrow afternoon, so time will be limited. Here's hoping!

Anyhow, I then showered really quickly and took my son with me to a wedding reception for an old college friend. We hadn't seen each other in about ten years and had a good time catching up, while N enjoyed all the food. When we got home, I graded my students' homework folders. That was perhaps the fastest I've ever whipped through them. I got some laundry going, sat down to eat dinner with the family (hubby cooked), and then read a bedtime book to the kids. Finally, I took a hot bath and read a book (an adult one for a change!). Now I'm blogging and enjoying The Amazing Race. It seems like a fitting end to the crazy pace I've kept this weekend. I don't really feel like I had anytime to breathe and relax. Fall always feels like a marathon race til Thanksgiving weekend. I definitely look forward to some quality time off with the family (and no work to bring home).

Add to that, my cell phone has officially gone belly up. It doesn't last more about 5 minutes anymore without dying. So if you are one of the people who have called or left a message...I'm sorry that I can't call out long distance on our home phone and my cell is worthless.

I got nothin left...

This is the first time I have sat down to breathe in the last 24 hours. I have been working nonstop on report cards and grading. To get a jumpstart, I stayed up late last night with the intention of finishing them all so that Friday could be a catchup day. Oh how naive I can be. It took me 3 hours just to to complete 1st grade! Finally gave up and went to sleep at about 1:30am, only to get up and go back to work and drop the kids off at school (that was a treat as they ususally have to take the bus).

Today at work (no kids to teach) I spent the whole time whittling my pile down one grade level at at time. 2nd grade took about 2 hours, while 3rd grade took just over 3 hours. By the time I got to 4th grade, I was finally moving along faster, but was very tired. I was running on very little sleep. Then I realized that I hadn't finished correcting their papers, so I had no writing grades to give yet. I got as much done as I could and figured I would have to give up part of my weekend to finish (they are due by Monday). Guess they assume we have no life and don't mind giving up our spare time. Though I just when I began to feel sorry for the insane number of reports I had to complete, I thought of the other specialists who have to grade every kid in the school from PreK-5th grade. I have my four classes, but not as bad as they have it. Just before 5 o'clock, I decided to call it day. I packed up all my stuff (gradebook and all) and headed out. I was so sleepy that I almost nodded off twice while driving home.

Hubby decided he'd been stuck at home for the last couple of days (that's another blog) and needed to come up for air (too much World of Warcraft). He wanted to take the family out for a nice dinner, so we went to a local Mexican restaurant that we love and dined on chips 'n salsa. I was so zapped that I could've fallen asleep right there on the table. All of the conversation just seemed to whirl around me. I felt like the egg in that commercial...

This is your brain. This is our brain on grades. Any questions?

Anyway, it'd been a loooooooong time since we've been out like this, so it felt like we'd returned to some semblance of our life before the recent financial changes of fortune. The kids really enjoyed their meal and couldn't get enough. I swear our daughter has hollow legs as she never seems to be completely full. We finished up and made a quick pitstop at the grocery store to get some ingredients for a pumpkin pie. I am hoping to practice making my first pumpkin pie so that maybe I'll be able to make an edible one for the holidays. That is, if I recover from this massive fatigue I'm still feeling. The Diet Coke I drank at dinner perked me up for a little while, but I think the effects are beginning to wear off. Not sure what's wrong, but my head feels very droopy and my pillow is calling my name. I got nothing left for ya in this blog, so it's bedtime . dSweet dreams to you all. Please lord let me dream of the Land of Dairy Queen and not report cards.

Try blog surfing...it's fun!

Yes, I realize this is my third post today. I have lots to babble about, so sue me. I went grocery shopping, filled my gas tank, and baked cookies for the family. The day was not a total waste. And to fulfill my mission to do as little as possible today and unwind my mind, I went blog surfing. It's a ton of fun and I highly recommend it. You'll discover some entertaining, enlightening, and endearing reads. I updated my Noteworthy Blogs section to include some of my favorites I found along my journey through blogland.

One that really caught my attention is at Laissezfaire. This blogger has some amazing tips for decluttering your home, among other things. Yes, I know this is not exciting information, but if when you struggle with space and clutter issues like I do, it is wonderful thing.

Feelin the Love

Alrighty, so my best friend bestowed my beloved blog with something very sweet. In return, I must answer the following questions with single word responses, and pass the award on to 5 other deserving bloggers:

1. Where is your cell phone? Nightstand
2. Where is your significant other? Computer
3. Your hair color? Brown
4. Your mother? Caring
5. Your father? Kind
6. Your favorite thing? Relaxation (kids aren't things)

7. Your dream last night? Forgot
8. Your dream/goal? Author

9. The room you're in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Internet
11. Your fear? Death
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Dreamhouse
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Sleeping
15. One of your wish list items? Vacation
16. Where you grew up? Oregon
17. The last thing you did? Baked
18. What are you wearing? Warmups
19. Your T.V.? On
20. Your pet? Dog
21. Your computer? PC
22. Your mood? Calm
23. Missing someone? Always
24. Your car? Troublesome
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Favorite store? Freddie's
27. Your Summer? Awesome
28. Love someone? Absolutely
29. Your favorite color? Raspberry
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

YOUR TURN!

I'm passing this on to the following bloggers who I love:

William's Page
Yankee Mom
Fairytales and Margaritas
The Little Things in Life
Tbe Wilkinson Quintuplets

There were lots of others whom I wanted to nominate, but there are so many great bloggers out there that I had to keep to the five. I am always on the hunt for new and interesting blogs to read, so feel free to leave a comment and a link if you know of some I can check out!

Stop the killing!

I have a bone to pick with the writers of various television shows that have graced our small screens over the last umpteen years. Somebody goes to the trouble of creating of a fabulous show only to kill off some of their most beloved characters. Now call me nitpicky, but I fail to understand the entertainment value in that. It definitely helps their ratings spike temporarily, but sometimes a show tends to spiral downward on the heels of said offing. Case in point, (spoiler alert) I missed most of last season's Ghost Whisperer and have made a valiant effort to get back into it. Just as Melinda's supernatural adventures suck me back in, her hubby gets shot and dies! According to the previews, he will supposedly return in his ghostly form. How long his stint will last at this point remains as much of a mystery as the reason for killing him in the first place. This is the second such character they have killed in this show's short life. Remember Melinda's best friend's (Aisha Tyler) demise at the end of season one? This does not sit well with fans.

I realize that sometimes an actor or actress wants to leave a show, but why can't writer's have a graceful exit strategy that leaves the door open for a return appearance if they so desire? Anthony Edwards (Dr. Green) on ER suffered a long bout with cancer and so viewers were well-prepared for the inevitable outcome. In true Hollywood fashion, he'll be making a brief cameo in a flashback episode to air next week. CSI has a 50/50 history of this practice. When Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) wanted out of her contract, they left the door open for her return to Grissom's life. We thought maybe she would die after having the miniature killer got a hold of her, but much to our relief she escaped alive. She did suffer psychological trauma from that experience that caused her to eventually leave, but we were again, well-prepared for her exit. Then came the shocking death of Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown). He will not be back. He's done. Jorja Fox even returned to honor him.

Television history is full of examples. Some characters we are sorry to see go and others we barely bat an eyelash over. The one that sticks out the most in my mind is during one of 2000 season of ER. Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin) and Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) are both stabbed by a mental patient and left to die. Carter survives, but Lucy does not. As a huge fan of her and of the show during that time, it truly frustrated me and I began to lose interest after awhile. I have tuned in periodically each season in the years since, but haven't been the avid watcher I once was. I vowed to follow the show better in its final season. This show is very guilty of offing people right and left. I realize this is a show about an emergency room, but it's the medical staff that keeps dying off instead of its patients for pete's sake.

I realize this is all very petty stuff to get worked up over, but I wasn't in the mood to fret over work and bills today. I'm still pissed that Journeyman wasn't renewed.

Ohmmm...

Small victories are always cause for celebration in my book. Case in point, the classroom space issues I've been dealing with since the beginning of school have drove me nearly to the breaking point. It is hard to fully explain just how tiny my teaching space truly is when you factor in the number of students who have to learn in there. As much as I like my job, the stress of the sacrifices and amount "stuff" (insert the other word here) on my plate have made it more than challenging to do my job well. With report cards, conferences, lesson planning and prep, grading, meetings, and a thousand other things to do, I can feel the walls closing in. Most of all, I hate how much my job is intruding on my personal life and is starting to affect my health. It's like I can't get that place outta my head once I leave.

I won't bore you with all the petty stuff, but suffice it to say it is time for me find my happy place. I contemplated even calling in to take a mental health day to unwind my cluttered mind. I begrudgingly worked anyway and continued to whittle away at my to-do list with a killer sinus headache. Then I noticed the business manager who has been occupying what is supposed to eventually be our English office. He was moving his stuff out and oh did my heart to the happy dance! This means that I can finally have some storage space and get it out of my classroom! It may be a small thing, but it makes a huge difference. As they say in feng shui, "balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it." Maybe now I'll stop tripping over my bag. Oh happy Day!

And history is made...

Well, it's finally over. Election day has come and gone. One man prevailed in what has been called "an electoral landslide." After eighteen months of a rigorous and historic campaign, we have our first African-American President in its wake. All I have to say is...it's about time! Sadly, it took eight turbulent years of the polarizing Bush Administration to get America to this point. When Bush took office at the turn of the century, the future looked very bright. Who could have foreseen the forks in the road? Just like when we were kids, sometimes you have to learn lessons the hard way.

For whatever reason, the country just wasn't ready for real change until now. It is an amazing feat and the voter turnout for this election was tenfold. This might sound cliche and I think Lee Greenwood might agree, but I for one am proud to be an American tonight. As we listened to Barack Obama make his acceptance speech, I was especially touched when I noticed even DH let a a few stray tears escape. It was a profound moment.


The pundits on the various newstations have made lots of predictions and proclaim that the American public has spoken. They recognize that from this moment forward, we have moved one step closer to our potential as the true promised land as envisioned by Martin Luther King, Jr. Also, I must applaud John McCain for his gracious concession speech. He showed his true colors tonight and reminds us all that this election was a win-win situation from the getgo, no matter who would've won. He faced an uphill battle and held his head high throughout, that says a lot about his character. I really appreciated how he asked his supporters to join forces with others to "bridge our differences."


That said, one pundit hit the nail on the head when he said that the many undecided voters (like me) heard that little voice inside that told them voting for Obama was the right thing to do. I waivered until the moment I filled in that little circle and am very happy with my decision. Whether you agree with me or not, Obama brings a fresh, youthful energy to Washington. He may be the first black President, but he also has that Kennedy aura about him that has rekindled the spark this country has lost in recent years. I doubt anyone is foolish enough to believe that change will happen just like that. He is inheriting a troubled economy and a nation at war. The years ahead will not be a cakewalk. Dr. King once said, "all progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem." That will be Obama's challenge in the months and years to come.


On a side note, I wanted to add that I think it was very sad that Obama's grandmother passed away on the eve of his greatest triumph. She died one day shy of realizing a dream and that has to be a bittersweet pill for Obama to swallow on perhaps the most exciting night of his life.


I also want to point out that this election was not just a victory for the minority community, but we also had our first female presidential candidate in Hilary Clinton and a real contender for the vice presidency on the Republican ticket in Sarah Palin. The progress the nation has made over the last two years has restored hope to many after several years of frustration and terror. America has been on a downward spiral ever since the 9/11 attacks and our invasion of Iraq. We were brought to our knees and of course we came out swinging. Unfortunately, many mistakes in judgment were made along the way and has damaged our reputation around the world. The message this election should send is that we are the verge of some real positive changes. Nothing will happen overnight, but we can begin the rebuilding process at long last. If Obama's reign last for the next eight years, then I hope to see a female on the 2016 ticket. How ironic would it be to see Clinton vs. Palin duke it out for that dubious honor?! Now that will be progress. *wink wink*.

Whatever floats your boat...

This past summer I discovered the TLC show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I have gushed in the past about how much I love this show. It is one of the few shows on television that both my kids and I can enjoy together. My kids eat it up! A close friend and I get a kick out of each episode. Her children are just as into it. I even bought Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD, something I have never done for a reality show of all things. The show began innocently enough as a glimpse into the lives of a couple dealing with life as parents of two sets of multiples. It is entertaining and endearing. I have come across a variety of articles that have taken to bashing the Gosselins for exploiting their children for financial gain.

While I agree that a show such as this has to have a shelf life that expires at some point, I also believe that some people are blowing smoke where there is no fire. Kate seems to bear the brunt of most of the negative press for her "quirkiness." She is OCD and a self-professed germaphobe. I don't care who you are, many moms can relate to some of her neurosises (can't spell that right). What she could work on however is her constant verbal corrections of Jon's word choice. That can be annoying coming from anyone. It seems on the surface that most of the children are fairly well-adjusted to their unique situation, with the exception of Mady. Hopefully, they are seeking professional counseling to help her out a little with her "issues" so that they don't worsen over time. They probably receive some amount of taunting from their classmates.

As for the barrage of negativity over Jon and Kate accepting free trips and services in exchange for product placement and such, I struggle to see the problem with a free trip to Hawaii or a Utah ski lodge. Life experiences are something that every child should be fortunate enough to have. I truly hope that Jon and Kate are setting a good chunk of their income from the show aside for the future when the spotlight has faded. That would be a truly wonderful thing to see a college fund set up for each child as a result of this show. I also fail to see the harm in Jon and Kate staying home with the kids as a terrible thing. Some bloggers have complained that the kids are "working" and "supporting" the family. To a certain extent that may be true, but from they show on the air, their "work" is consisting of playing, attending pre-school, napping, eating, and touring various places such as the zoo, farms, and *gasp* Hawaii! If that is work, I'll trade places with them anyday.

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and it is comforting to know that many want only the best for the Gosslin children and others like them (i.e. Duggars, etc.). On 17 Kids and Counting, the kids are raised in a very conservative and religious household to shelter them from life's bad influences. Is it not a little bit of an oxymoron to limit their television, yet appear on it? I don't have to agree with all that they believe or do, because it's not my life. Kate and Jon do not pretend to be perfect. Whatever floats their boats I say. As the Beatles so eloquently sing it, "let it be."

I guess I just find it odd that so many people raise an eyebrow to them, but have barely bat an eyelash and have embraced Little People Big World without issue. This one showcases a couple dealing with dwarfism and their four children, one of whom is also a dwarf. The Roloffs happen to live just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road from me. I think they amazing and applaud their courage to document their lives in such a way. For all the naysayers out there, I hear your point and agree with you on a certain level...however, try to resist the dark side of the force and cross over into the light to see the sunny side. Okay, I know...bad analogy, but you get my drift.

Passing of the torch...

So DH and I are watching TV together and he starts channel surfing. He happens to stop on CMT (a rarety for him) and what do we see? A video of Taylor Swift performing "Photograph" with none other than Def Leppard! Anyone who knows me knows how much I looooooooove this band, particularly Joe Elliot. He's a rock god in my book and could be 90 and sagging and I wouldn't care. Back in the day his mullet and holy pants were "it." He's still got it after all these years too, so you can imagine my giddiness. I've seen them in concert twice and I'd go again in heartbeat. Taylor Swift has that 80's rocker chick look too, so she blended in nicely with them...even if she was considerably younger. I always enjoy duets like this. It's kind of like a passing of the torch so to speak. It helps to bring a fresh spin on an old favorite so that the next generation can discover what we loved in our youth. If you care to catch the video on youtube, click here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh6WKvQaCK4.

Elephants and Donkeys

It's interesting how voters come out of the woodwork every four years to get their ballots in. I must confess...I can be one of those bandwagon voters. I usually am too wrapped up in life to pay very close attention to Washington politics. However, I have turned out for the occasional local and stateside elections for important ballot measures and bonds. Maybe it's the onslaught of political ads and endless mudslinging that pulls people out of their stupor. Who knows? I think it's a good thing when we exercise our right to vote and try not to take it for granted. We are indeed lucky to have such a basic right and a small say in how our government is run, whether we get our way or not...our voices can still be heard.

I am the penultimate fencewalker. It's not that I vote whichever way the wind blows, but rather I like to weigh both sides of an issue or a candidate. Call me thorough, call me picky, call me indecisive, as all are probably true (depending on the choices at hand). Another irony in my life is that I am surrounded by people from such diverse backgrounds and belief systems. My parents are pretty laid back and liberal-minded for the most part. My grandparents were always very conservative and oh don't ever get my grandma started on Clinton. My husband and best friend are both very open-minded and fall into the Democratic camp. Some of our closest family friends and even my childcare provider are steadfast Republicans with strong faiths. With all of this diversity, I feel that I've acquired a balanced perspective when it comes to politics. Maybe that is why I consider myself an Independent at heart.

So how do I make a decision about who ought to be our next President of the United States? Believe me when I tell you that I've listened to convincing arguments for and against both nominees. McCain has the experience, independent judgment, and kanunas to lead this country. There is no doubt in my mind that he could do the job. His military background certainly qualify him to understand this war like nobody's business. His age, crusty demeanor, association with Bush, and a major disconnect from a large part of the population are definite drawbacks for him. Palin could make or break his campaign. His wife is also not very likeable.

Obama has a charming presence, is a gifted orator, has the political expertise (if limited), and has a definite vision for this country. After years of a Bush administration, Obama represents what a lot of people are looking for, including a timetable to bring this war to an end. He is also smart enough to surround himself with knowledgeable advisors. No one man has all the answers. I have to add that I really like how down to earth Michelle Obama is. He also has those connections with some unsavory characters (to what extent is still in question) and has some scary tax ideas. Perhaps the most unfortunate coincidence Obama has faced in this election process has been been his association (in name only) with Osama Bin Laden (ne the Obama Biden ticket). Not necessarily a good reason to rule him out, but some people have. I have to compliment both men though for refusing to play the race or gender card as no one wants to win in such a manner. I'm sure they want to win this election on their own merit.

What makes me happy me most excited about this year is that I don't feel that either nominee is a bad choice. I think both would do a kick a little Washingto arse. That may an opinion in the minority, but that's the beauty of this country, we agree to disagree and still toast our glasses to democracy. I will not reveal here who my vote will be going to as I am still not 100% committed to my choice. While I am leaning one one direction more than the other, I plan to sit down this weekend to fill out my mail-in ballot when I can focus all my energies on it. Tuesday night will be one for the record books, either way.

Palin's Picks

For all the mudslinging this election has brought about, there are the occasional bright spots that make you smile. I completely came across this link by accident and had to share. Whatever your opinion of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin may be, she has a knack for choosing unique names for her children. Her offspring bear the names Track, Trig, Bristol, Willow, and Piper. I'm not so sure about the first three, but the last to I actually like a lot. Anyhow, someone (with apparently an interesting sense of humor and a lot of time on their hands) created the Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator at http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html. If I were her daughter, my name would be Seagull Junker. For a good laugh and that new name you always wanted, give it a try and see what moniker she would bestow upon you. =)

Just say no...

I was watching TV tonight and caught a snippet of a VH-1 special on the drug culture through the years. I happen to see the part that reflected on the Reagan Administration's war on drugs. Nancy Reagan made her mark when she spearheaded her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign. I gotta tell ya, I have never forgotten that one. Remember those some of those catchy slogans that have permeated our culture and taught us some life lessons along the way? I'm not necessarily talking about the "Where's the beef?" kind, I'm referring to some of the more meaningful ones that stick with you. I mean the ones that remind you to make healthy choices, to do the right thing and live your life to the fullest. It's interesting how many of these PSAs have become a part of our vernacular. See how many of the following you remember and what each one is about...

"Give a hoot, don't pollute!"

"Only you can prevent forest fires."

"Just do it."

"Got milk?"

"This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?"

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

"Take a bite outta crime."

"Friends don't let friends drive drunk."

"The toughest job you'll ever love."

"Using it won't kill you. Not using it might."

"You could learn a lot from a dummy."

"Looking for a few good men."

Friday Night Frights

Okay, maybe it's because Halloween is coming soon or maybe it's just because DH has a sadistic streak and likes to make me watch horror films. We winding down for the night and DH was flipping stations until he stopped on The Ring. I was content with watching What Women Want with Mel Gibson, but nooooooo...he has to freak me out with psychotic little girls crawling out of television sets and killing people. I love a good scary movie as much as the next one, but this one in particular gives me the willies. The kicker here is as we were watching crazy girl about to do her thing. As I glance over to our darkened doorway, I see my own little girl staring back at me with her long brown hair hanging in her face. I literally jump. If you haven't seen The Ring, go read the summary at imdb first. If you have already, you can imagine the irony of the timing of K coming out for an innocent drink of water. As sweet as K looks, even she looks a little freaky in the dark with her tangled locks resembling Samara.

As the movie progresses, DH decides to go downstairs to do something. Next thing I know the phone is rings once (it's after 10pm mind you). I am sure it's DH trying to scare me. He of course says he just went to get his phone. A little while later the phone rings again with him right beside me. I am certain he's got his cell on him and he's still trying to f* around with me. He gives me this "oh sh*t" look and says he doesn't have his phone. We both stay put and just let it ring. This is why I am selective in the horror films I watch. I like to sleep peacefully, not fitfully lost in nightmares.

How about them apples?!

Well, our trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch did not unfold quite the way we had planned. This annual family outing is perhaps the one we all look forward to the most. DH is not much of a holiday person, but October is one month he truly loves. He loves the autumn colors and crisp air as do I. He's a Halloween freak and really gets into the spirit of things, not so much around Christmastime...which is my favorite season. So anyway, we had planned on setting out early on Saturday morning to beat some of the crowds. Well, our little angel decided she was going to be naughty. She was given several chances to correct her behavior and unfortunately she kept sneaking around and not following directions.

DH felt that it would be rewarding her naughty behavior if we took her to the pumpkin patch. I really wanted to find an alternative punishment so we could go as a family. We thought okay, we'll postpone the trip until Sunday to give her a second chance. I guess she didn't get it and continued to break the rules. DH had enough and he ultimately convinced me that he was right. He stayed home with her and so just N and I went mid Saturday afternoon.

When N and I got to Oregon Heritage Farms we realized that once again we hit their fundraising weekend. The positive thing about this is that all proceeds benefit a local high school's ski team and there's lots to do and eat. The downside is that everything is more expensive and crowded. We always forget about the date, but we just go with it and enjoy ourselves. Some years we time it right, but not this year. So N and I decided to pick out our pumpkin first thing. I should preface this by saying that this farm is primarily an apple orchard business, but has a pumpkin patch as an additional bonus. Anyway, we spent about 5-10 minutes looking around at the different sizes and ultimately found one that was just right. It cost about $7, but was well worth it.

Not sure if it's the homey atmosphere or the honeycrisps, but there is just something about this place that we love. They are a fully operational apple farm, complete with packaging and processing plant, country store, and more. They produce several products in addition to just selling apples. They are open from late August through early November. Autumn is their busiest time due to the harvest. They grow a variety of apples that range from the popular McIntosh and Granny Smiths to the specialties like Honeycrisps and Gravensteins...but I digress.

So anyway, we found our pumpkin and carried it back to the car and then went to eat some lunch. It was after 2pm already, so we were hungry. We each gobbled up our hot dogs and went exploring. N enjoyed the mini farm animal zoo (pigs and sheep only). You can't pet them, but your can ooh and aah to your heart's content. N got really excited when he saw the hay maze. I let him wind around in there for a bit until he got enough of that. Then wanted to go into the covered spooky maze. I realized that one was going to cost and sadly had to say no to that. I wasn't kidding when I said everything costs more on this particular weekend. Usually it's free to do all the extra activities so we have to pick and choose carefully on this one.

Anyhow, he quickly forgot his disappointment when he saw the tractor/trailer return for the hayride. We boarded and realized this wasn't going to be your average hayride. For the next 45 minutes (actually it was longer) the tractor broke down every 20-30 feet. The tour guides did their best to entertain us, but even they couldn't keep it up (they were high school volunteers).

Several people got off and walked back. N and I kept ourselves happy by taking lots of silly pictures and visiting with the other passengers. We tried to stick it out as long as we could, but ended up getting off ourselves. I thought it was a rare opportunity to tour the apple orchard on foot, something they ususally don't allow. We had a good time on the way back and took more pictures.

We were feeling a little tired at that point and both needed a bathroom break. I checked the time and knew we needed to get going soon. Inside the little country store, we bought a bag of honeycrisp apples. If you have never had one of these juicy babies, you are missing out! I am not heavily into apples, but this particular kind is a real treat. Normally, we buy cider, apple potpourri, and some homemade jellies. Things have been a little tight, so we had to forgo the extras. N helped me fill up a big bag of honeycrisps and that was that. On our way out of the store, N spotted the huge apple bouncy house and just had to get his ya-yas out inside there. Then to cap off our trip, we shared a delicious carmel apple on a stick. All it all, it was a wonderful afternoon spent with my son, but just wasn't the same without DH and K. There's always next year I guess.

Nicky with our pumpkin.

Nicky and I in the pumpkin patch.

Nicky exploring the haymaze.

What a view from the owner's house!

These look so good!

How about them apples?!

On our way back through the orchard.

Thank for a great day! We'll be back next year!

You've Got That "Nagging' Feeling

I have been experiencing an interesting tug at my heartstrings in recent months. This feeling has haunted me ever since I first became a mother, but it has become more persistant as of late. This past summer was truly awesome because the kids and I really got to enjoy our time together. I took a cue from some a passage I once read that spoke of "making memories" with your family. This could take the form of an extragant trip somewhere abroad or could simply be a trip to your local pumpkin patch. It could also be something like volunteering everyday at your kids' school or just baking cookies with your little girl on a Saturday morning. The point is, the time we spend with our children is precious and limited, so we have to take every moment we can with them and cherish that time. The feeling I've been speaking of is the desire to be with my kids more.

I would love to be a SAHM, but it hasn't been financially possible up to this point. We accumulated too much debt and that was our own fault. DH has always understood this desire, but we both have agreed that we really want to move out of our townhome and into a stand alone house with a backyard for the kids. We also agreed before we got married that we wanted to travel with the kids as much as we could. I have learned that it is definitely a tradeoff. I realize that being at home isn't easy peasy, but you get to be with your children more often and that makes it all worthwhile. That's why summertime is so special to us.


As a WOHM, I know that I have managed to balance things the best I can and shouldn't feel guilty for it. However, that can be easier said than done. I was just chatting with a good friend of mine this afternoon (who also happens to be a SAHM). She was sharing her sacrifices and the benefits of her choice. I spoke of how I would ideally love to work part time and also stay home. It would be the best of both worlds. I became a teacher for many reasons. Among those reasons were 1) I love kids 2) help my own kids with their work 3) better benefits and pay than nonprofit social work-my old line of work 4) vacations with my children. That last reason was a big plus for me. My kids and I have come to really look forward to our time together in the summer and I try to make the most of it by taking them to do lots of different activities and adventures. My home is cleaner, meals are better, and we are all much more relaxed (especially me).

I suffer from a bit of depression every September when I have to return to work as it is a major transition for us all. It's almost like summer dangles the carrot of a SAHM's life and than snatches it away. I realize that neither side of the coin is a walk in the park. Each choice comes with its share of hardships and rewards. This nagging feeling to be home more has been aggravated by reading other mommy blogs. I find that I can briefly peer into the window of another family to catch a glimpse of how green the grass is on the other side. I admire and envy many of the moms out there in blogland. You are truly blessed. Those of you who homeschool are especially fortunate and brave for taking on such an endeavor. DH likes the kids being in a regular school. As a teacher, it would be feasible for me to do this and I think I could do a good job, but would be a monetary sacrifice we (or dare I say DH) aren't ready to make. Wow, after rereading that last sentence it hits home even more when I put that way. Grrrrrrrr (aimed at myself, excuse the venting here).

We enjoy our outings and aim to begin traveling out-of-state more often in the coming year. DH and I like to think that this will be the best gift we can give our kids. We are not materialistic in the sense that we think the kids have to have the best of everything (far from it). We just want to give them life experiences and exposure to new place and cultures with us as their guides. We make a concerted effort to do this on a smaller scale as well. I will likely continue to feel guilty and wish I could stay home more, but also have to keep reminding myself that being a working mom has its perks too. I must admit that my students often become my extended family and mean a great deal to me. So there you have it...my conundrum. Maybe someday soon DH will score a new, better paying job that will enable me to find that perfect PT position so I can be with my two monkeys and my students as well.

8 is more than enough

Over the last week, N has had a wonderful birthday. He didn't just get to celebrate it once, he got to enjoy little activities throughout the week. On the Saturday before his birthday, his Grandma Jeanne and I took N and K to Borders, where they were hosting a children's literacy event. Since his Auntie Shelley sent him a gift card for $25, we thought it would be great chance for him to use it. The event wasn't quite as festive as they had made it out to be, but it was still fun. He got to color and join in a candy walk. Mostly he looked at books he wanted to buy. I am so glad that both of my kids inherited a love for reading and can spend hours in the library and book store. My mom tells me to this day that while they couldn't always give me all the toys I wanted, they never denied me a new book. Trips to Waldenbooks was a favorite treat as a child...but I digress.

On Sunday morning, hubby woke up early to make blueberry pancakes and sausage for his birthday breakfast. He always does that for all of us on our birthdays and puts a candle to blow out. We had a lazy day and let the kids watch a movie of his choice. On Monday (his actual birthday), he had to go to school. It was also picture day, so he was dressed up. Later that afternoon, I left work a little early to come home. N showed me another whole in his grin and the case that held his most recent lost tooth. To top off his day, we had a yummy dinner of his choice and let him open up a gift sent by his Grandpa Gordon. Grandpa G sent him two Star Wars Transformer toys that he loved. I let N choose a couple of books that I read aloud at bedtime and we sang some songs (it had been awhile). N went to bed saying he'd had a great day in which he got his picture taken, lost a tooth, and got cool toys. In his mind, it was a grand time.

When the next Saturday finally arrived, I went into a cleaning frenzy to get the house in order for his birthday party. We weren't hosting anything major, but still wanted it to look nice for everyone (house needed it anyway). Some close friends and Grandma Jeanne came over. We enjoyed some good snacky foods and tacos for dinner. I had baked a cake with the help of K the night before. N had selected a devil chocolate with chocolate frosting mix. We sang happy birthday and he opened all of his giffies (not necessarily in that order). Grandma Jeanne left early and the rest of us enjoyed hanging out. We put on a tape of Jon and Kate Plus 8 as all the kids LOVE that show (as do Rosie and I). All in all, N had a blast and is officially 8 years old. My baby is growing up too fast.