Pre-Thanksgiving Chores

We worked around the house this weekend getting ready for the big Turkey day.  My daughter was in charge of making place cards.  She worked really hard and I think they turned out lovely!  She did not make place cards for the additional nine people who will be joining us for dessert.  Keep in mind my house is rather small and a crowd of 30 will seem more like a crowd of 60.  Oh well!  That's what Thanksgiving is all about....I hope people remember that when the last available seat in the house is the toilet.  

Stretched too thin.

I have been just crazy-busy...I almost feel like I am at a breaking point.  I am stretched so thin that I think if you look closely, you may, MAY be able to see through me.  (Unfortunately, this hasn't meant that I lost weight.)

I'll post more as I get my life under control.  Sad happenings:  my nine year old told me she no longer believes in Santa.  I just about cried.  Is the magic over?  I know Santa is not the "reason for the season", but the magic that comes along with Santa, is pretty incrediable.  I have a brother who is twelve years younger than me...and because of that for close to 22 years, I've been able to take part in the magic that Santa brings.  No longer do I need to write the letter from Santa using my left hand.  No more carrots need to be nibbled.  No more half-eaten cookies.  Although I am sure we will still do all of those traditions... a part of the magic will be gone.

Exhausted before I get there.

I am going away with my bookclub friends tomorrow.  Sounds like fun, right?  Well, it will be once I arrive.  Here's what I need to do before I leave:

1.  Wash and lay out soccer uniforms for Saturday am (including gear)

2.  Make sure the pets have a large enough stash of food.  If not, go purchase more.

3.  Wrap birthday gift for daughter's friend's party.

4.  Give detailed instructions to husband about when/where the party is.

5.  Remind husband about soccer pizza party, immediately following daughter's game.

6.  Find a ride for son to attend his soccer game.

7.  Stock the fridge with enough food, so they make healthy choices.

8.  Pack.

When my husband goes out of town, his list is like this:

1.  Pack.

In all fairness, I couldn't do the job my husband does, and I do truly appreciate all that he does for the family. But for once, I would like to be able to leave with out so much hassle.  I'm only going to be gone for less than 48 hours, but the preparation feels like much longer.

Stay tuned to Part II.....coming home to piles of laundry, messy house and empty fridge.

A sigh of relief.

I couldn't be more pleased with how the election turned out.  I thought John McCain was very gracious and Barack Obama's speech moved me to tears.  I am thrilled that my children were able to watch his speech.  What a powerful moment in history.  Of course, they were most excited about the new puppy for the White House.

I feel as if a huge weight has lifted from me.  I didn't realize how much election stress I was carrying around.  Now I feel like nesting.  I cleaned all the windows today.  I am making zucchini bread this afternoon.  I want to organize the mudroom.  All the things I've put on hold over the past few months, I can take care of....Life can resume.  We did it. 

The fi-nal count down (do-do-do...did-a-dit-dit-do)

We are here.  November 4th has arrived.  There is an excited and nervous energy in the air.

I live where we have no choice, but to vote by mail.  This makes it fairly easy, but I miss the camaraderie of going to the polls and being with other fair-minded citizens.  I miss the "I voted" sticker.  The lines that I am hearing about in other areas of the country are truly amazing. Thank you to those of you who have stood in line.

My son keeps asking me what I am going to do if Barack Obama wins.  I think he is nervous at what my reaction will be.  "Mom, are you going to do what dad did when the Cardinals won the World Series?"  Um.  No.  I'm not running around the neighborhood in my underwear.

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."