An emotional wreck.

For the past couple of days, I have been on the verge of tears.  I lost it last night during Barack's commercial.  Not just tears, but big sobs.  I think what gets me most is to think "what if's" and the effect the "what if's" could have on my children's future.

Never in my life has an election caused me so much angst.  I heard a statistic that 8 out of 10 adults in America are experiencing high levels of stress due to the election and the economy.  I definitely fall in that category.  And did I just hear it correctly....people are worried the election will be stolen?  I'm sorry, can you remind me what country we live in again?  The junk that has surfaced to the top is stuff that movies are made of...

I've taken to lighting candles, listening to jazz (www.kplu.org), taking deep breaths and the occasional glass of red wine.  November 4th can't come soon enough for me.

Those were the days....

While surfing the net yesterday AKA wasting time, I stumbled upon a blog with Sesame Street Clips.  One hour later, I emerged from the time warp.  Man, I love the Street.  I remember being as old as 7th grade, home sick from school, and watching Sesame Street.  Of course, back then, my parents hadn't sprung for cable so Sesame Street seemed better than the 700 Club.

My kids never had the love of Sesame Street like I did.  I chalk it up to too many choices.  It makes me sad though, I think they missed out on a lot.

Here is one of my favorite clips.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg71djeZfos It makes me a bit weepy.  I love the Alligator King's voice.

  

The other one I love is the "One, two, two little girls..." and they show two girls playing with a doll house and then two cats come in and mess up the house.  I remember always wanting little spoons like the ones they have.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWrUykkc-bs

Ahh....memories.

I'm ba-ack!

No internet checking was really hard.  I actually had to log myself off of my computer because I knew I would be tempted to cheat.  You know, do a quick pass by the computer and "accidently" touch the mouse to wake up my screen, and oops!  Lookey there...I have e-mail.  "Since I'm here, I probably should check.  What if it's an emergency?"  Like my son got sick at school and all the phone lines just happened to go down.  What?  It could happen.

A good lesson though.  I truly accomplished a lot during my 4.5 hours.  

Time sucker.

I think I need to pull the plug on my internet addiction.  Too much time is wasted surfing the internet, checking Facebook, checking Real Clear Politics, etc.   I swear if I took the time I've dedicated to the internet and instead did sit ups, my abs would be rock hard.  I am thus declaring today as NO INTERNET CHECKING UNTIL 4:00 pm day.  I know, I know....I don't know how I will do it for the next 4.5 hours.  Wish me luck.

Rough time.

My 8 year old is going through a rough patch with her best friend.  Suddenly M has become friends with K and is leaving my daughter out.  My heart aches for her, as her eyes well up with tears and she explains her time at recess.  Who knew parenting would be so emotional?  I think I feel her pain and then some!

She told me:  "Mom, you know how some people think you can tell their lives from their palms? Well, I think my life is right here."  (as she points to the rough edge of her hand)  "...I'm going through a rough part of my life.  But, see how it smoothes out later?  That's when it will be better."  

Overwhelmed.

Wet laundry in the machine from yesterday.  House fully disorganized and bursting at the seams. Homework projects needing assistance.  Meal planning = cereal.  Cookies need to be baked for school.  Can you ________ (drive on a field trip, work a shift at school, bring oranges for soccer, come to a meeting, sew a costume, find a gift...)

It's endless and bringing me down.  I crave some simplicity in my life.  How did I let things get so out of control?  How do I pair it down?

Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy....

My ten year old walks down the stairs.  He is fresh out of the shower, his hair is perfectly coifed, wearing his cool jeans and shirt.

10 year old:  "Good morning Mom!....Say, Mom, I've been meaning to tell you, that lately you have been looking really pretty."

[keep in mind that I haven't showered, have on zero make-up, my hair isn't brushed and I'm wearing work-out clothes]

Me:  "Gosh.  That sure is nice of you to say."

10 year old:  "Well, it's true."  (Meanwhile, he is checking out his reflection in the window.)

If he was anyone else,  I wouldn't take the bait.  But, he was being too darn adorable....I bit it hook, line and sinker.

Me:  "Well, let me tell you.  You are the most handsome boy I've ever seen."

GREAT BIG SMILE and a bonus hug.  

Scariest costume of all.

My eight year old daughter is trying to figure out what to be for Halloween.  She thought of a mummy.  I suggested she dress like Sarah Palin.  She could do her hair in an up-do style, wear rectangular glasses and dress in a suit.  

Eight year old:  "I've never been something scary before...I think a mummy is scary."

[long pause]

Eight year old:  "But Sarah Palin is scarier."

Coffee almost spurted out of my mouth!  Out of the mouths of babes.....