Will.I.Am keeps knocking them out of the ballpark.
Enjoy!
The We Are The Ones Song
by will.i.am
people say Obama’s words are just words...
but...
when was the last time "words" weren’t important...???...
when was the last time a great leader didn’t use words to lead...??...
when was the last time a person didn’t use words to describe how they felt...?...
when was the last time "words" weren’t empowering...?...
and we can all recall the last time "words" were used to divide us and install fear...
Bush used words to fear us into voting for him the second time around...
terror this...
terror that...
nuclear here...
weapons of mass destruction there...
and those words effected a lot of people’s choices...
"enough is enough"...
let’s rebuild...
let’s change ourselves...
let’s allow positivity to guide us...
let's take action....
let’s activate our passion...
we are Americans....
and this is the first time in forever that someone running for president represents "US"...
some say this is all excitement...
I call it “proud to be an American”...
some say this whole Obama movement is "cult like"...
well...
if it comes across cult like...
then...
the cult is called America...
the Obama movement is connecting America.
and it has made "US" realize our importance...
the youth is excited and activated...
adults are passionate and motivated...
the elderly are proud to know the country they built is in safe hands...
we are one...
for too long politics has been corrupt...
separate from the American people...
with agendas that go against what the American people "need"...
education...
health...
safety...
jobs
etc...
politicians have spoken a different language...
making it so the youth and poor people feel as if voting was only for the wealthy and old people...
making "US" feel as if "we" had no voice...
making "US" feel powerless...
making it feel like if "we" did vote it wouldn’t change anything...
but wait...
that did happen...
some of us voted, and it didn’t change anything...
we were in the dark...
we had no voice...
we were powerless...
because America was not a united America...
and "they" spoke a different language...
and they had an agenda different from our well being...
correct me if I’m wrong... or speak up if I’m missing something...
we want education, health, safety, and good jobs...right???...
oh yeah...
and "a healthy planet to live on"...
but here we are...
in a war... poor education... poor health programs... the dollar is down... the planet, polluted...
the rich, richer... and the poor, struggling...
with sky high gas prices to top it all off...
and now even the rich aren't really rich internationally because our dollar is has fallen so far down...
in our slumber... a very small few got really rich...
because when you’re sleeping...
"it’s hard to change agendas"...
we know what happened in 2000 and 2004...
but in 2008...
it’s different...
we are awake...
and there is a movement...
and "it’s hard to change a movement"...
last time "we" didn’t have a movement...
America wasn’t united...
and now "United and "Standing"...for something...
we know the power of "US"...
and we have a person who represents the "U.S."...
"US"…
"we are the ones we’ve been waiting for"...
I’m proud to be an American...
will.i.am
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Boxers or Briefs?
Ok, I am totally stealing this from The So-Called "Austin Mayor" Blog, but it is really great.
US Magazine: So, boxers or briefs? Bill Clinton said he wore boxers in a 1992 interview with MTV.
Sen. Barack Obama: I don't answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!
All I have to say is "damn right you do!"
US Magazine: So, boxers or briefs? Bill Clinton said he wore boxers in a 1992 interview with MTV.
Sen. Barack Obama: I don't answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!
All I have to say is "damn right you do!"
Phonebanking for Obama
Last week, a friend of mine invited me to join him in phonebanking for Obama tonight. Tuesday is the crucial primary in both Ohio and Texas - both critical states with large numbers of delegates. These states could decide the Democratic candidate for President.
I absolutely love being part of the political process and being around others who are similarly excited about it. The volunteers were of all different backgrounds. Some were elected officials. Some were volunteering for the first time. But they were all passionate about Obama.
We spent 4 hours calling Ohio voters tonight and had a blast. Most people I spoke to were indeed supporting Obama (yeah!), although I did speak to one man who called me a bitch. Some people were even chatty and wanted to discuss how much they loved Obama. That made the evening fly.
On the far other end of the spectrum, however, were the people who said they'd never voted and weren't registered and the people who did not even know who was running. I can appreciate that not everyone is as wonky about politics as I am, but to be so disengaged that you don't know who's running and/or not be registered? Really?
To me, voting isn't a right. It's an obligation. As a woman, when I go to vote, I think about the millions of women around the world who are denied the ability to vote simply because of their gender. As an American, I think about all the people around the world who live in countries without elections or with fraudulent elections. I believe I'm voting for them.
I have never missed an election - presidential, primary, local, dog catcher. Whatever the election, I learn about the issues and candidates and cast my ballot. And with the internet, it's easy to find objective information about candidates and issues.
One thing I've noticed this election cycle is millions of people who have never participated in the election process are standing up and being counted. With their money. With their time. With placing yard signs. With their vote. And that's one reason I support Barack Obama. He is singlehandedly responsible for the engagement of all these new voters. My prayer is that they stay engaged, but only time will tell.
I absolutely love being part of the political process and being around others who are similarly excited about it. The volunteers were of all different backgrounds. Some were elected officials. Some were volunteering for the first time. But they were all passionate about Obama.
We spent 4 hours calling Ohio voters tonight and had a blast. Most people I spoke to were indeed supporting Obama (yeah!), although I did speak to one man who called me a bitch. Some people were even chatty and wanted to discuss how much they loved Obama. That made the evening fly.
On the far other end of the spectrum, however, were the people who said they'd never voted and weren't registered and the people who did not even know who was running. I can appreciate that not everyone is as wonky about politics as I am, but to be so disengaged that you don't know who's running and/or not be registered? Really?
To me, voting isn't a right. It's an obligation. As a woman, when I go to vote, I think about the millions of women around the world who are denied the ability to vote simply because of their gender. As an American, I think about all the people around the world who live in countries without elections or with fraudulent elections. I believe I'm voting for them.
I have never missed an election - presidential, primary, local, dog catcher. Whatever the election, I learn about the issues and candidates and cast my ballot. And with the internet, it's easy to find objective information about candidates and issues.
One thing I've noticed this election cycle is millions of people who have never participated in the election process are standing up and being counted. With their money. With their time. With placing yard signs. With their vote. And that's one reason I support Barack Obama. He is singlehandedly responsible for the engagement of all these new voters. My prayer is that they stay engaged, but only time will tell.
Cubs Win!
Cubs Win! I can still hear Harry Caray saying it today.
What a way to open Spring Training. And yes, I know the win count for the season stats, but a win is a win is a win.
I'm not going to give the whole play-by-play here. You can click the link above for that. Suffice it to say that the Cubs beat the Giants 12-6. Very decisive. Nice job.
What a way to open Spring Training. And yes, I know the win count for the season stats, but a win is a win is a win.
I'm not going to give the whole play-by-play here. You can click the link above for that. Suffice it to say that the Cubs beat the Giants 12-6. Very decisive. Nice job.
Baseball is Back!
Today is the day! Spring Training games start today! WAHOO!
Cubs' pitcher Ryan Dempster is expected to start today against the San Franciso Giants. Kosuke Fukudome also makes his debut at 3rd Base.
I so wish Harry Caray were still alive so I could hear him pronounce Fukudome. What fun that would be.
The game is at 2:05 Central Time and I would guess you can listen to it on WGN 720 AM.
Summer really is right around the corner.
Go Cubs Go!
Cubs' pitcher Ryan Dempster is expected to start today against the San Franciso Giants. Kosuke Fukudome also makes his debut at 3rd Base.
I so wish Harry Caray were still alive so I could hear him pronounce Fukudome. What fun that would be.
The game is at 2:05 Central Time and I would guess you can listen to it on WGN 720 AM.
Summer really is right around the corner.
Go Cubs Go!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Mark Your Calendars!
Rick Springfield will be on Oprah this Tuesday - February 26th! In Chicago, you will find Oprah on at 9:00am and 11:05pm on Channel 7. Set your Tivo, DVRs and VCRs.
You'll recall that I am HUGE Rick Springfield fan and have lusted after him since I was 13. The truth is, however, that my lust for Rick is nothing in comparison to Cheryl's lust for Rick. Cheryl has seen him at Poplar Creek (we think we were at the same concert, but didn't know each other then), at the Ohio State Fair and in Milwaukee, Joilet, and St. Charles, Illinois. She has every album, is a card-carrying member of the Rick Springfield Fan Club, and even has several pieces Rick Springfield memorabilia including 
a mirror with his likeness that she stood outside for over an hour in the freezing cold last November to have him autograph after the St. Charles concert (note: she was the only fan who waited for him). The pictures to the right are of her with Rick in St. Charles.
What does this have to do with the Queen of All Media - Oprah? Cheryl was in the audience! With her Rick Springfield mirror!
To put this into perspective, this show was taped on February 6th - the day after Super Tuesday, when Chicago had a huge blizzard. Cheryl was at Harpo Studios at 7:00am for a taping of Rick on Oprah. Schools were closed. Roads were impassible. The devoted fan that she is, Cheryl spent the night at her cousin's house in the city and they arrived at Harpo before 7:00am on the worst day this winter. I wasn't there and I'm completely jealous. I could have been there, but I had a previous commitment. Instead, thanks to the snow, I was at home, repeatedly shoveling my driveway.
Of her experience on Oprah with Rick, Cheryl says "[My cousin Joan & I] were in the center section, dead center, with a couple of empty seats in front of us. I was the only one in my section with Rick Springfield memorabilia. Rick arrived to the screams of the all-female audience, sat down next to Oprah, looked up at me holding my mirror and other memorabilia and gave me the thumbs-up and huge grin. I'm sure he remembered our encounter in St. Charles and all the audience members around me squealed that he was looking at ME!"
It's sure to be a fantastic show, although Cheryl and I can't figure out the connection between Rick, William Shatner, and Henry Winkler. Look for Cheryl in the audience.
a mirror with his likeness that she stood outside for over an hour in the freezing cold last November to have him autograph after the St. Charles concert (note: she was the only fan who waited for him). The pictures to the right are of her with Rick in St. Charles.What does this have to do with the Queen of All Media - Oprah? Cheryl was in the audience! With her Rick Springfield mirror!
To put this into perspective, this show was taped on February 6th - the day after Super Tuesday, when Chicago had a huge blizzard. Cheryl was at Harpo Studios at 7:00am for a taping of Rick on Oprah. Schools were closed. Roads were impassible. The devoted fan that she is, Cheryl spent the night at her cousin's house in the city and they arrived at Harpo before 7:00am on the worst day this winter. I wasn't there and I'm completely jealous. I could have been there, but I had a previous commitment. Instead, thanks to the snow, I was at home, repeatedly shoveling my driveway.
Of her experience on Oprah with Rick, Cheryl says "[My cousin Joan & I] were in the center section, dead center, with a couple of empty seats in front of us. I was the only one in my section with Rick Springfield memorabilia. Rick arrived to the screams of the all-female audience, sat down next to Oprah, looked up at me holding my mirror and other memorabilia and gave me the thumbs-up and huge grin. I'm sure he remembered our encounter in St. Charles and all the audience members around me squealed that he was looking at ME!"
It's sure to be a fantastic show, although Cheryl and I can't figure out the connection between Rick, William Shatner, and Henry Winkler. Look for Cheryl in the audience.
Can You Feel It?
Spring is in the air!
I was out running errands today and was blinded by the bright blue sky and sun. The air is crisp and fresh smelling. I heard water running through my gutter downspouts. I ran my errands with the car windows rolled down (and the heat off). Snow is melting. Ice patches have turned into puddles.
For the first time in months, I did not wear a coat. Now before you send me scathing emails reminding me that I should always wear a coat, I did have 2 wool sweaters on - one was a long sleeved turtleneck and the other was a heavy, coat-like sweater that came to my knees. But no gloves or hat.
Everyone I encountered was friendly and upbeat. Hope floats freely on the belief that this long hard winter is winding down. Happiness abounds. I would almost call it giddiness.
And for those of you counting, the Cubs first Spring Training game is 4 days away (that's Thursday at San Francisco; Friday again versus San Francsico, but this time at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona). AND Opening Day at Wrigley is just 38 days away against Milwaukee.
Yep, Spring is definitely in the air. And that means Summer is not too far away.
I was out running errands today and was blinded by the bright blue sky and sun. The air is crisp and fresh smelling. I heard water running through my gutter downspouts. I ran my errands with the car windows rolled down (and the heat off). Snow is melting. Ice patches have turned into puddles.
For the first time in months, I did not wear a coat. Now before you send me scathing emails reminding me that I should always wear a coat, I did have 2 wool sweaters on - one was a long sleeved turtleneck and the other was a heavy, coat-like sweater that came to my knees. But no gloves or hat.
Everyone I encountered was friendly and upbeat. Hope floats freely on the belief that this long hard winter is winding down. Happiness abounds. I would almost call it giddiness.
And for those of you counting, the Cubs first Spring Training game is 4 days away (that's Thursday at San Francisco; Friday again versus San Francsico, but this time at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona). AND Opening Day at Wrigley is just 38 days away against Milwaukee.
Yep, Spring is definitely in the air. And that means Summer is not too far away.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Dave's Back!
As I was walking out the door to go see a client late this afternoon, Dave called. This is not normally earthshattering news. We talk pretty regularly. But this was a special call.
Dave's coming to visit! In 5 days! For 5 days!
You're thinking "big deal." But it IS a big deal! I haven't seen Dave since mid-December. That's almost 2 1/2 months. I don't remember the last time I went two months or more without seeing him. My brother is one of my closest friends and two months feels like a lifetime. There's so much to tell him. And so many "honey do" jobs waiting for him! HaHa! Just kidding.
I'm so happy to see him. I have a ton to do before his arrival. So I did a little happy dance.
Dave's coming to visit! In 5 days! For 5 days!
You're thinking "big deal." But it IS a big deal! I haven't seen Dave since mid-December. That's almost 2 1/2 months. I don't remember the last time I went two months or more without seeing him. My brother is one of my closest friends and two months feels like a lifetime. There's so much to tell him. And so many "honey do" jobs waiting for him! HaHa! Just kidding.
I'm so happy to see him. I have a ton to do before his arrival. So I did a little happy dance.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
I'd Like To Thank the Academy
Award Season is here and my little blog has been honored!
Monkey Muck (a new reader) has presented me with the award below!
And now onto my acceptance speech . . .
I'd like to thank the Academy. Oops. Wrong speech. Ok, let's try this again.
I'd like to thank the blogging world. Truly, this award is entirely unexpected. Not undeserved, mind you, simply unexpected. A pleasant surprise today because, when I started writing Little Merry Sunshine a short 7 1/2 months ago, it never occurred to me that anyone would ever read my musings. So to my 2 regular readers (hahaha! I have a lot more than that!), I thank you for sticking by me while I found my voice. And to Monkey Muck (who found my blog through Boxer Rebellion, who found me through Gourmet Goddess, who found me through Balancing Boyfriends), thank you for thinking I'm excellent. I think your blog is excellent too. :)
And now, I'd like to present my own Awards for Blogging Excellence . . .
Anthony's Chicken Tracks
I'd like to thank the Academy. Oops. Wrong speech. Ok, let's try this again.
I'd like to thank the blogging world. Truly, this award is entirely unexpected. Not undeserved, mind you, simply unexpected. A pleasant surprise today because, when I started writing Little Merry Sunshine a short 7 1/2 months ago, it never occurred to me that anyone would ever read my musings. So to my 2 regular readers (hahaha! I have a lot more than that!), I thank you for sticking by me while I found my voice. And to Monkey Muck (who found my blog through Boxer Rebellion, who found me through Gourmet Goddess, who found me through Balancing Boyfriends), thank you for thinking I'm excellent. I think your blog is excellent too. :)
And now, I'd like to present my own Awards for Blogging Excellence . . .
Anthony's Chicken Tracks
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Last Lecture
I first discovered Randall Pausch on Oprah back in October 2007. If you're not familar with him, Randall Pausch is a professor at Carnegie Mellon and has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In fact, you can follow his progress here.
The video below is his "Last Lecture" aka "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" and he gave it for his kids. I know it's long, but I think it will speak to you as it did to me.
The video below is his "Last Lecture" aka "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" and he gave it for his kids. I know it's long, but I think it will speak to you as it did to me.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
These Are A Few of My Favorite Things
Oprah has her favorite things. Julie Andrews sings about hers in The Sound of Music. Here are just a few of my favorite things.
1. Watching the sunrise and sunset.
2. A first kiss . . . well, ok, any kiss.
3. My iPod.
4. Betsey and Ross.
5. Homecooked meals that I didn't have to make.
6. Thai food.
7. A hot bubble bath.
8. A deep tissue massage.
9. Bon Jovi, The Dixie Chicks, U2, and Jimmy Buffett.
10. Politics.
11. My jeans.
12. Clean, ironed sheets.
13. Breakfast in bed.
14. The Sunday Washington Post (the actual newspaper - not online).
15. Books.
16. Thunderstorms.
17. The beach.
18. Watervale.
19. Warm towels.
20. Pretty stationary.
21. Yellow Tulips.
22. Fresh tomatoes from my garden.
23. My girlfriends.
24. Champagne.
25. The West Wing.
26. Peppermint ice cream.
27. Nana's Fruitcake.
28. The Sound of Music.
29. My birthday (June 16).
30. Thanksgiving dinner.
31. Uncle Wiggily books.
1. Watching the sunrise and sunset.
2. A first kiss . . . well, ok, any kiss.
3. My iPod.
4. Betsey and Ross.
5. Homecooked meals that I didn't have to make.
6. Thai food.
7. A hot bubble bath.
8. A deep tissue massage.
9. Bon Jovi, The Dixie Chicks, U2, and Jimmy Buffett.
10. Politics.
11. My jeans.
12. Clean, ironed sheets.
13. Breakfast in bed.
14. The Sunday Washington Post (the actual newspaper - not online).
15. Books.
16. Thunderstorms.
17. The beach.
18. Watervale.
19. Warm towels.
20. Pretty stationary.
21. Yellow Tulips.
22. Fresh tomatoes from my garden.
23. My girlfriends.
24. Champagne.
25. The West Wing.
26. Peppermint ice cream.
27. Nana's Fruitcake.
28. The Sound of Music.
29. My birthday (June 16).
30. Thanksgiving dinner.
31. Uncle Wiggily books.
Friday, February 15, 2008
An Open Letter to Mother Nature
Dear Mother Nature,
I'm not sure why you have chosen to inflict your wrath on the helpless citizens of Chicagoland this winter, but I just have one thing to say to you: Stop Now!
We are in the midst of the 4th snowiest winter in Chicago, thanks to you, with no sign of it ending any time soon. "Dodge the Pothole" has become a daily form of entertainment, mostly resulting in a lot of expensive car repairs. Towns are out of salt to prevent ice from forming on the streets rendering the roads treacherous at all times. Snow is piled so high at the end of people's driveways, we risk our lives to pull out each morning.
And the cold. Have I mentioned the cold? Certain body parts are permanently frozen in the "on" position, it's so cold.
Sure, we saw the sun yesterday and the day before, but once every 14 days is simply not enough. And I know that right now, it's 43 degrees and raining, BUT by late this afternoon, this rain will turn to thunderstorms and then more snow! And by tomorrow, it will be in the low 20s! And Tuesday it will only be in the mid-teens! We are currently under 38 weather alerts! What gives???
What have we done, I ask you??? Is it our President? Has George pissed you off with his outright denial of global warming? Look, I'll admit to you, we don't like him either. In fact, we didn't actually elect him - you may have heard. Five men and women in bathrobes appointed him almost 8 years ago. And we're working hard to fix that mistake. But the fact is that torturing the good people of the Midwest won't get his attention. Have you seen how he reacted to Hurricane Katrina? That's right. He didn't. If he didn't get that you're pissed when you flooded the Crescent City then he's NEVER gonna get it, trust me. To be honest, I'm willing to give him back, if that will make the torture we've endured this winter go away. Yes, torture, is what I said.
Wait a minute. Are you in cahoots with chiropractors and massage therapists? They must be the only ones benefiting from all this snow. People overexert themselves everyday shoveling and see their chiropractor or massage therapist for relief. Hmmmmmmm . . . Are you getting a kickback?
On behalf of the good people of Chicago, what can we offer you that will appease your appetite of destruction? We will do anything. Well, most of us will do anything.
I beg you. Please just let this winter end. Spring Training has begun. St. Patrick's Day is 4 weeks away. Easter is a week after that. Opening Day is 45 days from now and Big Z is pitching. At some point, you have to release us from your paralyzing grip. Why not now?
We ask for forgiveness for our transgressions. Please, just tell us what we've done. And please, please release us from your wrath.
Sincerely,
The Residents of the Chicagoland Area
I'm not sure why you have chosen to inflict your wrath on the helpless citizens of Chicagoland this winter, but I just have one thing to say to you: Stop Now!
We are in the midst of the 4th snowiest winter in Chicago, thanks to you, with no sign of it ending any time soon. "Dodge the Pothole" has become a daily form of entertainment, mostly resulting in a lot of expensive car repairs. Towns are out of salt to prevent ice from forming on the streets rendering the roads treacherous at all times. Snow is piled so high at the end of people's driveways, we risk our lives to pull out each morning.
And the cold. Have I mentioned the cold? Certain body parts are permanently frozen in the "on" position, it's so cold.
Sure, we saw the sun yesterday and the day before, but once every 14 days is simply not enough. And I know that right now, it's 43 degrees and raining, BUT by late this afternoon, this rain will turn to thunderstorms and then more snow! And by tomorrow, it will be in the low 20s! And Tuesday it will only be in the mid-teens! We are currently under 38 weather alerts! What gives???
What have we done, I ask you??? Is it our President? Has George pissed you off with his outright denial of global warming? Look, I'll admit to you, we don't like him either. In fact, we didn't actually elect him - you may have heard. Five men and women in bathrobes appointed him almost 8 years ago. And we're working hard to fix that mistake. But the fact is that torturing the good people of the Midwest won't get his attention. Have you seen how he reacted to Hurricane Katrina? That's right. He didn't. If he didn't get that you're pissed when you flooded the Crescent City then he's NEVER gonna get it, trust me. To be honest, I'm willing to give him back, if that will make the torture we've endured this winter go away. Yes, torture, is what I said.
Wait a minute. Are you in cahoots with chiropractors and massage therapists? They must be the only ones benefiting from all this snow. People overexert themselves everyday shoveling and see their chiropractor or massage therapist for relief. Hmmmmmmm . . . Are you getting a kickback?
On behalf of the good people of Chicago, what can we offer you that will appease your appetite of destruction? We will do anything. Well, most of us will do anything.
I beg you. Please just let this winter end. Spring Training has begun. St. Patrick's Day is 4 weeks away. Easter is a week after that. Opening Day is 45 days from now and Big Z is pitching. At some point, you have to release us from your paralyzing grip. Why not now?
We ask for forgiveness for our transgressions. Please, just tell us what we've done. And please, please release us from your wrath.
Sincerely,
The Residents of the Chicagoland Area
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love. Mostly this is defined as romantic love, but I think it's more expansive than that. I believe ALL love should be celebrated today. Love between lovers, for certain. But also love between friends, family and love for ourselves. And even strangers on the street. Every relationship needs to be nurtured, not just the romantic ones.So whether you've got a traditional Valentine today or not, celebrate love. Do random acts of kindness. Be a little more patient. Smile at a stranger. Call your best friends and tell them how much your life is enriched because of them. Call your mom and tell her you love her (heck, if she didn't have a Valentine at some point, you wouldn't be here).
And then don't forget to nurture yourself. Take a bubble bath. Do your nails. Write down 20 things that you love about yourself (Even if this sounds daunting, just start to write. Don't think too hard. Once you get started, you'll find this isn't so hard.).
To my friends and family, I love you. You each bring something wonderful and amazing to my life. You love me in spite of my flaws and quirks. You keep me laughing. You are my rock. Thank you. Happy Valentine's Day.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
I'm Still a Girl Afterall
So I'm having a super crazy week. Work is hopping. Personal life is hopping. I have way too many plates in the air this week. I'm usually pretty good with juggling them all, but somehow one fell out of the air today.
I came home for lunch this afternoon (something I do daily - yay for working from home!) and put my car in the garage as I always do. But when I went back out a few minutes ago, I discovered my car battery was dead. I left the lights on. That's the plate that fell.
Now I kind of know how to jump my car, so I looked for my battery charger figuring it had instructions on the box. It turned out, however, that Dave took it to Michigan with him. So I called AAA. This is what I have them for, afterall. I politely explained to the AAA rep that I have a curved driveway and my car was parked inside my single-car garage, so it would probably be best if the tow truck had a portable battery charger, rather than try to manuver in my driveway. No problem he said.
An hour later the tow truck arrived and as he pulled into my driveway, the driver just shook his head at me, as if to say "there's no way I can get to your car." He gets out of his truck, walks over to me and says "I CAN'T get to your car! I CAN'T do it!!" Calmly, I explained that I informed AAA about my driveway and specifically requested a tow truck with a portable battery charger. He shouted at me again saying he did not have a portable battery charger and had never had this situation before (really?), as he waived his hands and shook his head.
At that point, I asked him not to yell at me because I really wasn't at fault here (aside from leaving my lights on) and this really wasn't what I needed, but he just kept going.
So I pulled out the only thing left in my arsenal: tears. Now, don't get me wrong, this wasn't full on sobbing. This was only slightly more crying than Hillary Clinton did in New Hampshire.
But it worked because before the first tear hit the ground (or froze), Mr. Tow Truck Driver was apologizing all over himself and suggested we push my car out of the garage. That worked and in less than 5 minutes, my car was humming again, just like it normally does.
I actually feel bad about the tears. I don't normally cry on demand, but it's nice to know that I can if necessary. I'm still a girl, afterall.
I came home for lunch this afternoon (something I do daily - yay for working from home!) and put my car in the garage as I always do. But when I went back out a few minutes ago, I discovered my car battery was dead. I left the lights on. That's the plate that fell.
Now I kind of know how to jump my car, so I looked for my battery charger figuring it had instructions on the box. It turned out, however, that Dave took it to Michigan with him. So I called AAA. This is what I have them for, afterall. I politely explained to the AAA rep that I have a curved driveway and my car was parked inside my single-car garage, so it would probably be best if the tow truck had a portable battery charger, rather than try to manuver in my driveway. No problem he said.
An hour later the tow truck arrived and as he pulled into my driveway, the driver just shook his head at me, as if to say "there's no way I can get to your car." He gets out of his truck, walks over to me and says "I CAN'T get to your car! I CAN'T do it!!" Calmly, I explained that I informed AAA about my driveway and specifically requested a tow truck with a portable battery charger. He shouted at me again saying he did not have a portable battery charger and had never had this situation before (really?), as he waived his hands and shook his head.
At that point, I asked him not to yell at me because I really wasn't at fault here (aside from leaving my lights on) and this really wasn't what I needed, but he just kept going.
So I pulled out the only thing left in my arsenal: tears. Now, don't get me wrong, this wasn't full on sobbing. This was only slightly more crying than Hillary Clinton did in New Hampshire.
But it worked because before the first tear hit the ground (or froze), Mr. Tow Truck Driver was apologizing all over himself and suggested we push my car out of the garage. That worked and in less than 5 minutes, my car was humming again, just like it normally does.
I actually feel bad about the tears. I don't normally cry on demand, but it's nice to know that I can if necessary. I'm still a girl, afterall.
Spring Training Starts TODAY!
Cubs' Pitchers and catchers will report to Mesa today to begin Spring Training. Position players (that's everybody else) will report on the 18th. The first Spring Training game is February 28th. And for those of you keeping count, Opening Day at Wrigley is a mere 45 days away (March 31st) against Milwaukee. Can Summer be that far away?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Reason, Season, and Lifetime Friends
I have always believed there are three types of friends: Reason, Season, and Lifetime. None of them is bad. In fact, they are all equally important.
Reason Friends come into my life for a specific reason - to help me grow, to help me learn a lesson, etc. Once the reason is over, the friendship comes to its natural end. Sometimes work friends fall into this category. We may become very close to Reason Friends and share many intimate details from our lives, but they are still Reason Friends. I usually mourn their departure, but sometimes it's so gradual neither of us notices until it's too late. I also usually hope that our paths cross again.
Season Friends are in my life for a period of time. Some of my friends from college fall into this category. They were there for those 4 years, but after that Season in our lives was over, we went our separate ways. I always mourn when these friendships end because it means a significant time in my life is over, but it is also a time of exciting opportunity. Like Reason Friends, I hope my life path will cross again with my Season Friends.
Lifetime Friends, however, are my touchstones, my lifeblood. Without them, my life is empty. They are there through the thick and thin, exurberence, and sorrow. No matter what happens in our lives, our friendship remains. Sometimes we aren’t as close as others, but we always come back together. The thing about Lifetime Friends is that we can be apart for a decade or more, but when we finally come back together, it's like time has stood still and we pick up right where we left off. Being a Lifetime Friend has nothing to do with when the friendship began. It could be a 40 year old friendship or a 4 week old friendship.
Please don't misunderstand me. I don't treat any of my friends differently. Most of the time, I don't even consciously know which category they fall into.
Because February is the season of Love (and not just the romantic kind), it reminds me to tell my friends how much I love them. I know I don't say it often enough. But I do really and truly love each of my friends. So this Valentine's Day, I'm sending big hugs and kisses your way.
Reason Friends come into my life for a specific reason - to help me grow, to help me learn a lesson, etc. Once the reason is over, the friendship comes to its natural end. Sometimes work friends fall into this category. We may become very close to Reason Friends and share many intimate details from our lives, but they are still Reason Friends. I usually mourn their departure, but sometimes it's so gradual neither of us notices until it's too late. I also usually hope that our paths cross again.
Season Friends are in my life for a period of time. Some of my friends from college fall into this category. They were there for those 4 years, but after that Season in our lives was over, we went our separate ways. I always mourn when these friendships end because it means a significant time in my life is over, but it is also a time of exciting opportunity. Like Reason Friends, I hope my life path will cross again with my Season Friends.
Lifetime Friends, however, are my touchstones, my lifeblood. Without them, my life is empty. They are there through the thick and thin, exurberence, and sorrow. No matter what happens in our lives, our friendship remains. Sometimes we aren’t as close as others, but we always come back together. The thing about Lifetime Friends is that we can be apart for a decade or more, but when we finally come back together, it's like time has stood still and we pick up right where we left off. Being a Lifetime Friend has nothing to do with when the friendship began. It could be a 40 year old friendship or a 4 week old friendship.
Please don't misunderstand me. I don't treat any of my friends differently. Most of the time, I don't even consciously know which category they fall into.
Because February is the season of Love (and not just the romantic kind), it reminds me to tell my friends how much I love them. I know I don't say it often enough. But I do really and truly love each of my friends. So this Valentine's Day, I'm sending big hugs and kisses your way.
Monday, February 11, 2008
I Go Back
Kenny Chesney is right. Music defines certain periods of our lives.
When I look back at my life, certain moments and events are defined by the music. I can tell you what song we were listening to the first time I heard those three beautiful words "I love you" from a man. Don't ask me because I won't really tell you, but every time I hear it, I go back to that moment.
Bon Jovi and U2 define the years I was in high school and college. The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby by U2. Slippery When Wet and New Jersey by Bon Jovi. Some songs on each of these albums more than others, but the albums in their entirety send me back instantly.
Last night, Alan and I saw U2 3D at the Imax, which, if I do say so myself, was one of the best ideas I've had recently. The 90 minute movie follows U2 during their 2005-2006 Vertigo tour through South America. In fact, you can see the trailer here. We knew almost all of the songs and they spanned every album. If you have the opportunity, see it. I promise you won't regret it.
The concert movie ended with my favorite U2 song of all time - With or Without You.
That week in Springfield was a week I've never forgotten. A number of my closest friends from school were on the trip with me, and I met a girl from a neighboring high school who instantly became part of my inner circle. One of my favorite memories of the week was traveling home on Amtrak, where our huge group took over an entire car. Someone had brought a portable stereo and we sang U2 and Bon Jovi songs all the way home. The friends I was on that trip with are still part of my inner circle and whenever I hear U2 and Bon Jovi, I still go back.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I Heart This So Much!
I just love that Barack Obama's speechwriter is 26 years old. I love young people being such a part of the political process.
What Would Obama Say?
By ASHLEY PARKER, New York Times
Published: January 20, 2008
Photo by Jacob Silberberg for The New York Times
TURNING A PHRASE Jon Favreau, chief speechwriter to Senator Barack Obama, at work the night of the New Hampshire primary.
AT the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, N.H., Jon Favreau sipped Diet Coke and munched on carrot sticks and crackers to pass the time. His boss, Senator Barack Obama, wandered in and out of the room.
Photo by Steve Pope/European Pressphoto Agency
ECHOES Barack Obama’s speeches are written in his own style.
Finally, results from the New Hampshire Democratic primary started coming in, surprising everyone. Hillary Clinton was pulling past Senator Obama, who had won the Iowa caucuses only five days earlier.
Mr. Favreau, the campaign’s 26-year-old head speechwriter, found himself in the hotel lounge with less than three hours to revise what was to have been a victory speech. What made it particularly strange was that his words were being challenged. Mrs. Clinton had helped turn her campaign around by discounting Mr. Obama’s elegant oratory, saying, “You campaign in poetry, but you govern in prose.”
“To be honest,” Mr. Favreau said, “the first time I really stopped to think about how it felt was when he started giving the speech. I looked around at the senior staff, and they were all smiling. And I looked around the room and thought, ‘This is going to be O.K.’ ”
Mr. Favreau, or Favs, as everyone calls him, looks every bit his age, with a baby face and closely shorn stubble. And he leads a team of two other young speechwriters: 26-year-old Adam Frankel, who worked with John F. Kennedy’s adviser and speechwriter Theodore C. Sorensen on his memoirs, and Ben Rhodes, who, at 30, calls himself the “elder statesman” of the group and who helped write the Iraq Study Group report as an assistant to Lee H. Hamilton.
Together they are working for a politician who not only is known for his speaking ability but also wrote two best-selling books and gave the much-lauded keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
“You’re like Ted Williams’s batting coach,” Mr. Favreau said.
But even Ted Williams needed a little help with his swing.
“Barack trusts him,” said David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s chief campaign strategist. “And Barack doesn’t trust too many folks with that — the notion of surrendering that much authority over his own words.”
When he first met Mr. Obama, Mr. Favreau was 23, a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., near where he grew up. Mr. Obama was rehearsing his 2004 convention speech backstage, when Mr. Favreau, then a member of John Kerry’s staff, interrupted him: the senator needed to rewrite a line from his speech to avoid an overlap.
“He kind of looked at me, kind of confused — like, ‘Who is this kid?’ ” Mr. Favreau recalled.
Mr. Obama became his boss the following year. Mr. Favreau had risen to a job as a speechwriter on the Kerry campaign, but by then was unemployed. He was, he said, “broke, taking advantage of all the happy-hour specials I could find in Washington.”
Robert Gibbs, Mr. Obama’s communications director, had known Mr. Favreau during the Kerry campaign, and recommended him as a writer.
Life was relatively quiet then, and Mr. Obama and Mr. Favreau had some time to hang out. When Mr. Obama’s White Sox swept Mr. Favreau’s beloved Red Sox three games to none in their American League 2005 division series, the senator walked over to his speechwriter’s desk with a little broom and started sweeping it off.
Mr. Favreau also used this time to master Mr. Obama’s voice. He took down almost everything the senator said and absorbed it. Now, he said, when he sits down to write, he just channels Mr. Obama — his ideas, his sentences, his phrases.
“The trick of speechwriting, if you will, is making the client say your brilliant words while somehow managing to make it sound as though they issued straight from their own soul,” said the writer Christopher Buckley, who was a speechwriter for the first President Bush. “Imagine putting the words ‘Ask not what your country can do for you’ into the mouth of Ron Paul, and you can see the problem.”
Many Democratic candidates have attempted to evoke both John and Robert Kennedy, but Senator Obama seems to have had more success than most. It helps that Mr. Obama seems to have the élan that John Kennedy had, not to mention a photogenic family.
For his inspiration, Mr. Favreau said, “I actually read a lot of Bobby” Kennedy.
“I see shades of J.F.K., R.F.K.,” he said, and then added, “King.”
Not everyone is so enamored. Mr. Obama excels at inspirational speeches read from a teleprompter before television cameras, critics have noted, but many of his other speeches on the campaign trail have failed to electrify.
Ted Widmer, a historian at Brown University, said that Mr. Obama’s speeches “were perfect for getting to where he was early in the race, but I think now that we’re in a serious campaign, it would be helpful to hear more concrete proposals.”
“There’s more to governing, there’s more to being president, than speechwriting,” he added.
Mr. Favreau said that when he is writing, he stays up until 3 a.m. and gets up as early as 5. He hasn’t slept for more than six hours in as long as he can remember, he said.
Coffee helped him through the Iowa caucuses. Two days before the victory there, he walked across the street from the campaign’s Des Moines headquarters and cloistered himself inside a local cafe.
He and Mr. Obama had talked about the post-caucus speech for about 30 minutes, settling on a theme of unity and an opening line: “They said this day would never come.”
“I knew that it would have multiple meanings to multiple people,” Mr. Favreau said. “Barack and I talked about it, and it was one that worked for the campaign. There were many months during the campaign when they said he’d never win. And of course there was the day that would never come, when an African-American would be winning the first primary in a white state.”
In discussions about the speech, the issue of race never came up, Mr. Favreau said. But, he added, “I know I thought about it.”
As Senator Obama’s star has risen, so has Mr. Favreau’s. In New Hampshire, Mr. Favreau stood in the back of a gym watching his boss campaign when Michael Gerson, a former speechwriter to the current President Bush, introduced himself. He complimented him on the Iowa victory speech.
The campaign staff has started teasing Mr. Favreau about his newfound celebrity. Not that it’s any great pickup line. Mr. Favreau, who said he doesn’t have a girlfriend, observed somewhat dryly that “the rigors of this campaign have prevented any sort of serious relationship.”
“There’s been a few times when people have said, ‘I don’t believe you, that you’re Barack Obama’s speechwriter,’ ” he went on. “To which I reply, ‘If I really wanted to hit on you, don’t you think I’d make up something more outlandish?’ ”
He does have other things to worry about. “Can you get through this process and keep the core of yourself?” Mr. Favreau asked. “You know, we’re finding out. I’m confident he can. And I think I can, too.”
What Would Obama Say?
By ASHLEY PARKER, New York Times
Published: January 20, 2008
Photo by Jacob Silberberg for The New York TimesTURNING A PHRASE Jon Favreau, chief speechwriter to Senator Barack Obama, at work the night of the New Hampshire primary.
AT the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, N.H., Jon Favreau sipped Diet Coke and munched on carrot sticks and crackers to pass the time. His boss, Senator Barack Obama, wandered in and out of the room.
Photo by Steve Pope/European Pressphoto AgencyECHOES Barack Obama’s speeches are written in his own style.
Finally, results from the New Hampshire Democratic primary started coming in, surprising everyone. Hillary Clinton was pulling past Senator Obama, who had won the Iowa caucuses only five days earlier.
Mr. Favreau, the campaign’s 26-year-old head speechwriter, found himself in the hotel lounge with less than three hours to revise what was to have been a victory speech. What made it particularly strange was that his words were being challenged. Mrs. Clinton had helped turn her campaign around by discounting Mr. Obama’s elegant oratory, saying, “You campaign in poetry, but you govern in prose.”
“To be honest,” Mr. Favreau said, “the first time I really stopped to think about how it felt was when he started giving the speech. I looked around at the senior staff, and they were all smiling. And I looked around the room and thought, ‘This is going to be O.K.’ ”
Mr. Favreau, or Favs, as everyone calls him, looks every bit his age, with a baby face and closely shorn stubble. And he leads a team of two other young speechwriters: 26-year-old Adam Frankel, who worked with John F. Kennedy’s adviser and speechwriter Theodore C. Sorensen on his memoirs, and Ben Rhodes, who, at 30, calls himself the “elder statesman” of the group and who helped write the Iraq Study Group report as an assistant to Lee H. Hamilton.
Together they are working for a politician who not only is known for his speaking ability but also wrote two best-selling books and gave the much-lauded keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
“You’re like Ted Williams’s batting coach,” Mr. Favreau said.
But even Ted Williams needed a little help with his swing.
“Barack trusts him,” said David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s chief campaign strategist. “And Barack doesn’t trust too many folks with that — the notion of surrendering that much authority over his own words.”
When he first met Mr. Obama, Mr. Favreau was 23, a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., near where he grew up. Mr. Obama was rehearsing his 2004 convention speech backstage, when Mr. Favreau, then a member of John Kerry’s staff, interrupted him: the senator needed to rewrite a line from his speech to avoid an overlap.
“He kind of looked at me, kind of confused — like, ‘Who is this kid?’ ” Mr. Favreau recalled.
Mr. Obama became his boss the following year. Mr. Favreau had risen to a job as a speechwriter on the Kerry campaign, but by then was unemployed. He was, he said, “broke, taking advantage of all the happy-hour specials I could find in Washington.”
Robert Gibbs, Mr. Obama’s communications director, had known Mr. Favreau during the Kerry campaign, and recommended him as a writer.
Life was relatively quiet then, and Mr. Obama and Mr. Favreau had some time to hang out. When Mr. Obama’s White Sox swept Mr. Favreau’s beloved Red Sox three games to none in their American League 2005 division series, the senator walked over to his speechwriter’s desk with a little broom and started sweeping it off.
Mr. Favreau also used this time to master Mr. Obama’s voice. He took down almost everything the senator said and absorbed it. Now, he said, when he sits down to write, he just channels Mr. Obama — his ideas, his sentences, his phrases.
“The trick of speechwriting, if you will, is making the client say your brilliant words while somehow managing to make it sound as though they issued straight from their own soul,” said the writer Christopher Buckley, who was a speechwriter for the first President Bush. “Imagine putting the words ‘Ask not what your country can do for you’ into the mouth of Ron Paul, and you can see the problem.”
Many Democratic candidates have attempted to evoke both John and Robert Kennedy, but Senator Obama seems to have had more success than most. It helps that Mr. Obama seems to have the élan that John Kennedy had, not to mention a photogenic family.
For his inspiration, Mr. Favreau said, “I actually read a lot of Bobby” Kennedy.
“I see shades of J.F.K., R.F.K.,” he said, and then added, “King.”
Not everyone is so enamored. Mr. Obama excels at inspirational speeches read from a teleprompter before television cameras, critics have noted, but many of his other speeches on the campaign trail have failed to electrify.
Ted Widmer, a historian at Brown University, said that Mr. Obama’s speeches “were perfect for getting to where he was early in the race, but I think now that we’re in a serious campaign, it would be helpful to hear more concrete proposals.”
“There’s more to governing, there’s more to being president, than speechwriting,” he added.
Mr. Favreau said that when he is writing, he stays up until 3 a.m. and gets up as early as 5. He hasn’t slept for more than six hours in as long as he can remember, he said.
Coffee helped him through the Iowa caucuses. Two days before the victory there, he walked across the street from the campaign’s Des Moines headquarters and cloistered himself inside a local cafe.
He and Mr. Obama had talked about the post-caucus speech for about 30 minutes, settling on a theme of unity and an opening line: “They said this day would never come.”
“I knew that it would have multiple meanings to multiple people,” Mr. Favreau said. “Barack and I talked about it, and it was one that worked for the campaign. There were many months during the campaign when they said he’d never win. And of course there was the day that would never come, when an African-American would be winning the first primary in a white state.”
In discussions about the speech, the issue of race never came up, Mr. Favreau said. But, he added, “I know I thought about it.”
As Senator Obama’s star has risen, so has Mr. Favreau’s. In New Hampshire, Mr. Favreau stood in the back of a gym watching his boss campaign when Michael Gerson, a former speechwriter to the current President Bush, introduced himself. He complimented him on the Iowa victory speech.
The campaign staff has started teasing Mr. Favreau about his newfound celebrity. Not that it’s any great pickup line. Mr. Favreau, who said he doesn’t have a girlfriend, observed somewhat dryly that “the rigors of this campaign have prevented any sort of serious relationship.”
“There’s been a few times when people have said, ‘I don’t believe you, that you’re Barack Obama’s speechwriter,’ ” he went on. “To which I reply, ‘If I really wanted to hit on you, don’t you think I’d make up something more outlandish?’ ”
He does have other things to worry about. “Can you get through this process and keep the core of yourself?” Mr. Favreau asked. “You know, we’re finding out. I’m confident he can. And I think I can, too.”
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cure for the Super Tuesday Hangover
Are you feeling a bit hungover from all the excitement of Super Tuesday? The revelry of voting and watching the results trickle in last night are gone and you just hurt?
If the rumor is true that the best cure for a hangover is to have a drink, then the best cure for the Super Tuesday Hangover is to vote again!
And I've got the perfect election for you!
Straight from the email sent out to millions of fans, Brad Meltzer is holding an election for the title of his new book (which is due out this fall!)!
How to vote: send an email to bradmeltzer27 atbellsouth dot net. HURRY! The deadline is Friday!
In this election, I endorse "The Book of Truth" because I believe there are many layers of truth and everyone's truths are a bit different. I think "Lies" is a bit mundane. The challenge is finding Life's Truth. And from the little bit I know about this book (story for once the book is released, sorry), I think "The Book of Truth" is more fitting.
If the rumor is true that the best cure for a hangover is to have a drink, then the best cure for the Super Tuesday Hangover is to vote again!
And I've got the perfect election for you!
Straight from the email sent out to millions of fans, Brad Meltzer is holding an election for the title of his new book (which is due out this fall!)!
I know what you're wondering: Where, oh, where is Brad and his pathetic, kinda sad way of choosing titles for the next novel? Screw the primaries. I want to vote on something that really matters. Like imaginary people. And thrillers. And stuff like that.
Well, have I got the answer for you.
You know how the game goes. We've done this beautiful (and yes, kinda sad) dance before. Just please vote for which title you like best. No, it doesn't matter what the book's about. I'll tell you later. Just pick what you'd rather read:
THE BOOK OF TRUTH
or
THE BOOK OF LIESOkay, that's it. You've made your decision, just send it. Don't overthink it. And thank you thank you thank you for putting up with such nonsense. I keep telling myself that asking family and friends isn't the way to do this, but if it ain't broke, cliché, cliché, cliché.
Love to all from Florida.
B
How to vote: send an email to bradmeltzer27 at
In this election, I endorse "The Book of Truth" because I believe there are many layers of truth and everyone's truths are a bit different. I think "Lies" is a bit mundane. The challenge is finding Life's Truth. And from the little bit I know about this book (story for once the book is released, sorry), I think "The Book of Truth" is more fitting.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
And Now the REAL Fun Begins!
The polls have just closed here in Illinois and my favorite part of the day is just beginning. Yes, of course, I voted this morning and I very proudly asked for my Democratic ballot. And I reminded everyone I saw, spoke to, or thought about (via ESP) to vote.
But now the REAL fun begins. I'm set to be glued to my TV until all the ballots have been counted tonight. I do this every election, unless I'm attending an election night party for a candidate I've worked for. Yes, I'm a political wonk. And I'm damn proud of it.
Watching the results pour in is my favorite way to spend an evening. I get more excited about this than I did about Santa Claus when I was a kid.
Here's an example of just how big of a geek I am . . . .
In the Spring of 2002, I was dating a nice man, we'll call him Tim (not his real name). Illinois was in the midst of a hotly contested gubernatorial primary in the wake of the George Ryan downfall. The night of the primary, my man had a meeting and wouldn't get home until late (he lived in the city and I was in the Burbs), so I hung out at my house. About 8:00pm, I called and left him the following message: "Hi Tim! It's me! I hope you had a great day and remembered to vote. And I hope your meeting went well tonight. I'm crawling into bed right now to spend the rest of the night doing my favorite thing, but you can feel free to call when you get home - I'm sure I'll still be awake." About an hour later, my phone rang and it was him desperately wanting to know what I was doing. I have to say he was terribly let down to learn that I was watching the election returns. He was actually irritated that I would leave such an allegedly suggestive message on his voice mail. But it honestly never occurred to me that he might think I was doing anything other than watching the election results!
Clearly, he didn't know me very well. I should have known then that he wasn't the right guy for me.
Needless to say, I'm a bit more careful about the messages I leave now.
But now the REAL fun begins. I'm set to be glued to my TV until all the ballots have been counted tonight. I do this every election, unless I'm attending an election night party for a candidate I've worked for. Yes, I'm a political wonk. And I'm damn proud of it.
Watching the results pour in is my favorite way to spend an evening. I get more excited about this than I did about Santa Claus when I was a kid.
Here's an example of just how big of a geek I am . . . .
In the Spring of 2002, I was dating a nice man, we'll call him Tim (not his real name). Illinois was in the midst of a hotly contested gubernatorial primary in the wake of the George Ryan downfall. The night of the primary, my man had a meeting and wouldn't get home until late (he lived in the city and I was in the Burbs), so I hung out at my house. About 8:00pm, I called and left him the following message: "Hi Tim! It's me! I hope you had a great day and remembered to vote. And I hope your meeting went well tonight. I'm crawling into bed right now to spend the rest of the night doing my favorite thing, but you can feel free to call when you get home - I'm sure I'll still be awake." About an hour later, my phone rang and it was him desperately wanting to know what I was doing. I have to say he was terribly let down to learn that I was watching the election returns. He was actually irritated that I would leave such an allegedly suggestive message on his voice mail. But it honestly never occurred to me that he might think I was doing anything other than watching the election results!
Clearly, he didn't know me very well. I should have known then that he wasn't the right guy for me.
Needless to say, I'm a bit more careful about the messages I leave now.
Ready! Set! VOTE!!!
"Think government isn't about you? How many of you have student loans to pay? How many of you have credit card debt? How many want clean air and clean water and civil liberties? How many want jobs? How many want kids? How many want their kids to go to good schools and walk on safe streets? Decisions are made by those who show up. You've gotta rock the vote!"
- CJ Cregg, The West Wing, "You Gotta Rock the Vote," Season 4, Episode 3 (emphasis mine)
Today is the day! The one we've all been waiting for! I don't think I have to tell you that if you live in a Super Tuesday state, you gotta vote!
And just as a reminder, snow storms, rain storms, or other Acts of God do not get you out of voting. It's that important.
Don't remember who to vote for? Click here or here.
Finally, wear your "I Voted" sticker with pride.
- CJ Cregg, The West Wing, "You Gotta Rock the Vote," Season 4, Episode 3 (emphasis mine)
Today is the day! The one we've all been waiting for! I don't think I have to tell you that if you live in a Super Tuesday state, you gotta vote!
And just as a reminder, snow storms, rain storms, or other Acts of God do not get you out of voting. It's that important.
Don't remember who to vote for? Click here or here.
Finally, wear your "I Voted" sticker with pride.
Monday, February 4, 2008
It's Super Tuesday Eve!
In honor of tomorrow being Super Tuesday, here's an Obama commercial that ran in many Super Tuesday states (although not in Illinois) during the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Oh, while you're at it tomorrow, vote for these candidates too:
Dan Seals (D-10th Congressional District)
Dick Durbin (D-US Senate)*
Peter Gutzmer (D-27th District, IL Senate)*
Carol Javens (D-53rd District, IL House)*
I'm not going to get into making endorsements for the Water Reclamation District, Cook County positions, or judicial positions.
*These candidates are running unopposed in the primary.
If you don't know where you should go to vote, in Cook County, check out Cook County Clerk David Orr's website.
Also, in Cook County, if you witness any shenanigans, including being refused the right to vote, (unheard of, I know), you should call 1-866-OUR-VOTE where you'll find the Election Protection Coalition, a group led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
And remember, polls are open in Cook County from 6:00am - 7:00pm. And yes, you can print out this blog post and take it with you. And no, a snow storm predicted for tomorrow is not an excuse not to vote.
Oh, while you're at it tomorrow, vote for these candidates too:
Dan Seals (D-10th Congressional District)
Dick Durbin (D-US Senate)*
Peter Gutzmer (D-27th District, IL Senate)*
Carol Javens (D-53rd District, IL House)*
I'm not going to get into making endorsements for the Water Reclamation District, Cook County positions, or judicial positions.
*These candidates are running unopposed in the primary.
If you don't know where you should go to vote, in Cook County, check out Cook County Clerk David Orr's website.
Also, in Cook County, if you witness any shenanigans, including being refused the right to vote, (unheard of, I know), you should call 1-866-OUR-VOTE where you'll find the Election Protection Coalition, a group led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
And remember, polls are open in Cook County from 6:00am - 7:00pm. And yes, you can print out this blog post and take it with you. And no, a snow storm predicted for tomorrow is not an excuse not to vote.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Yes We Can!
Now I'll admit that the Black Eyed Peas are not my favorite group. Frankly, they are more Dave than me. I'm more of a U2, Bon Jovi, REM, Dixie Chicks girl. But this moved me this morning when I first found it on Eric Zorn's Change of Subject blog. In fact, I added it to my endorsement of Barack Obama below.
But I just read will.i.am's stirring essay titled "Why I Wrote Yes We Can" on the Huffington Post blog. WOW. Go read it and try to tell me it didn't speak to something you believe in. And follow the link in will.i.am's essay to the Yes We Can Song.
After reading will.i.am's essay, I not only have a new respect for him, but I also decided this song needed its own post.
But I just read will.i.am's stirring essay titled "Why I Wrote Yes We Can" on the Huffington Post blog. WOW. Go read it and try to tell me it didn't speak to something you believe in. And follow the link in will.i.am's essay to the Yes We Can Song.
After reading will.i.am's essay, I not only have a new respect for him, but I also decided this song needed its own post.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Endorsements for Super Tuesday
President of the United States
I remember voting in my first Presidential primary in 1992. I crossed party lines and pulled a Democratic ballot because I believed Bill Clinton could change the world and I truly admired Hillary as well. (Yes, that means that at one point in my young life, I was a Republican and that's a story only to be told over martinis). She was the type of woman I wanted to be; she had a successful career as an attorney, worked in children's advocacy, and managed to be a hands-on mom and good wife. As the years went on, I grew to like her even more. She was smart and unafraid to stand up for what she believed in. I also agreed with her on many issues. In early 2000, when she declared her candidacy for US Senator from New York, I tried to figure out a way to go work for her and vowed that if she ran for President, I would drop whatever I was doing to be part of her campaign. Because I was in DC during the 90s, I had the unique opportunity to be in Mrs. Clinton's presence on more than one occasion.
Eight years later, Senator Hillary Clinton is running for President. It's an historic moment to see the first viable female candidate. And I almost volunteered for her campaign.
I say almost because in this election cycle we also have the unique privilege of having another equally strong Democratic candidate. A candidate who will also make history. A candidate who stopped me in my tracks when I first met him almost 6 years ago. His name is Barack Obama and he is the junior Senator from Illinois.
From the moment I first met him, I was taken in by Senator Obama's willingness to build coalitions and listen. He truly listened. He wanted to hear people's concerns and when he spoke, his words were inspirational. I don't mean inspirational like self-help gurus. He spoke of a better America. A safer America. An America that had the respect of foreign countries. He spoke of possibilities and his belief that we could all be better. He spoke of peace and of building unity. He reminded me of another inspirational president - John Fitzgerald Kennedy - and his famous words, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." President Kennedy made people want to be part of something bigger and better than themselves and Senator Obama does too.
At a time when America has been bitterly divided along partisan lines for 16 years, I believe that Senator Barack Obama is truly the candidate of change and the only candidate who can reach across all lines - gender, race, age, socioeconomic, and party - to rebuild America in the 21st Century.
Senator Obama is the Real Thing, and therefore, I throw my considerable support behind Barack and strongly encourage you to vote for him on Tuesday, February 5th.
For more information about Senator Barack Obama, visit his website.
I remember voting in my first Presidential primary in 1992. I crossed party lines and pulled a Democratic ballot because I believed Bill Clinton could change the world and I truly admired Hillary as well. (Yes, that means that at one point in my young life, I was a Republican and that's a story only to be told over martinis). She was the type of woman I wanted to be; she had a successful career as an attorney, worked in children's advocacy, and managed to be a hands-on mom and good wife. As the years went on, I grew to like her even more. She was smart and unafraid to stand up for what she believed in. I also agreed with her on many issues. In early 2000, when she declared her candidacy for US Senator from New York, I tried to figure out a way to go work for her and vowed that if she ran for President, I would drop whatever I was doing to be part of her campaign. Because I was in DC during the 90s, I had the unique opportunity to be in Mrs. Clinton's presence on more than one occasion.
Eight years later, Senator Hillary Clinton is running for President. It's an historic moment to see the first viable female candidate. And I almost volunteered for her campaign.
I say almost because in this election cycle we also have the unique privilege of having another equally strong Democratic candidate. A candidate who will also make history. A candidate who stopped me in my tracks when I first met him almost 6 years ago. His name is Barack Obama and he is the junior Senator from Illinois.
From the moment I first met him, I was taken in by Senator Obama's willingness to build coalitions and listen. He truly listened. He wanted to hear people's concerns and when he spoke, his words were inspirational. I don't mean inspirational like self-help gurus. He spoke of a better America. A safer America. An America that had the respect of foreign countries. He spoke of possibilities and his belief that we could all be better. He spoke of peace and of building unity. He reminded me of another inspirational president - John Fitzgerald Kennedy - and his famous words, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." President Kennedy made people want to be part of something bigger and better than themselves and Senator Obama does too.
At a time when America has been bitterly divided along partisan lines for 16 years, I believe that Senator Barack Obama is truly the candidate of change and the only candidate who can reach across all lines - gender, race, age, socioeconomic, and party - to rebuild America in the 21st Century.
Senator Obama is the Real Thing, and therefore, I throw my considerable support behind Barack and strongly encourage you to vote for him on Tuesday, February 5th.
For more information about Senator Barack Obama, visit his website.
Endorsements Teaser
My endorsements will be posted by 9:00pm CT tonight. I know you're waiting with baited breath and I hate asking you to wait longer, but I must.
Here's a teaser . . . .
For President, my endorsement will be historical.
Check back after 9:00pm.
Here's a teaser . . . .
For President, my endorsement will be historical.
Check back after 9:00pm.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Is It Just Me?
Is it just me or do Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton look like they're about to kiss in this picture from tonight's CNN-LA Times debate?Frankly, this debate was a little too much of a love fest for my taste. I didn't expect them to claw each others eyes out, but they were constantly falling all over themselves and each other with all the saccharin compliments.
I know that things have been extraordinarily nasty lately and I've thought plenty of it was unnecessary, but this was the last chance for people to understand the differences between the last two Democratic candidates. I'm not sure the differences were highlighted as much as their similarities were. And similarities don't help voters make up their minds.
Luckily for you, I have made up my mind and will be issuing my endorsements on Friday or Saturday, just in time for Tsunami Tuesday.
On the Bright Side of Things
As I was outside shoveling tonight - my shoveling fairies haven't arrived yet so I shoveled not only my driveway, apron and sidewalk, but the sidewalk of 2 of my neighbors as well - I was fantasizing about Spring. Yes, Spring. I was fantasizing about Spring. You have your fantasies, I'll have mine.
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. To me, Spring is a time of renewal. I will get to plant my garden. I have more energy. Flowers start to bloom and the grass is green. The air is fresh. It's all just good.
That led me to come in and see just how longer we have until Spring. And the good news is that we have just 48 more days until the Spring Equinox.
And that's something to be grateful for.
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. To me, Spring is a time of renewal. I will get to plant my garden. I have more energy. Flowers start to bloom and the grass is green. The air is fresh. It's all just good.
That led me to come in and see just how longer we have until Spring. And the good news is that we have just 48 more days until the Spring Equinox.
And that's something to be grateful for.
RIP Sheleata Kanatuna 1996 - 2008
Sheleata Kanatuna, a beautiful cat child of Tim and Tony, left his physical body this evening.
Please take a few minutes to visit his memorial at Morgan Terrace. You'll need tissues when you view the Memorial Slide Show Video and the Climb Every Staircase Movie, but take my word for it, you will be richer for the cry.
Mr. Kanatuna will always be fondly remembered for protecting guests' coats at Morgan Terrace parties and teaching the dogs - Long John and Buster Highmen - to bow to his excellence.
Mr. Kanatuna is survived by Tim, Tony, Long John, and Buster Highmen.
Betsey, Ross, and I send our deepest sympathies to our dear and loving friends at Morgan Terrace.
Rather than leaving condolence messages here, please leave your words of support at Morgan Terrace.
Please take a few minutes to visit his memorial at Morgan Terrace. You'll need tissues when you view the Memorial Slide Show Video and the Climb Every Staircase Movie, but take my word for it, you will be richer for the cry.
Mr. Kanatuna will always be fondly remembered for protecting guests' coats at Morgan Terrace parties and teaching the dogs - Long John and Buster Highmen - to bow to his excellence.
Mr. Kanatuna is survived by Tim, Tony, Long John, and Buster Highmen.
Betsey, Ross, and I send our deepest sympathies to our dear and loving friends at Morgan Terrace.
Rather than leaving condolence messages here, please leave your words of support at Morgan Terrace.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sometimes I Miss DC
There. I said it. Out loud. Well, in writing on the Internet. That's pretty much out loud.
I get asked that question all the time, even 8 years after moving to Chicago. No, I haven't been back. Truthfully, I'm afraid if I go back, I'll never leave.
My heart is so full of wonderful memories of my years in DC and nights like tonight make me realize how blessed I was to live in such an amazing place.
Tonight is the State of the Union address by President Bush (almost 8 years later, I still find it difficult to put those 2 words together). I never miss the State of the Union. Never. I'll be curled up on the couch in less than 30 minutes, glued to the TV.
When I first moved to DC in 1993, my mom helped me find the perfect apartment. I lived in The Massachusetts House at 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Apt. 917 (follow the link and look at the pic of the building - 2 floors from the top, 2nd apartment from the right - that was mine). My studio apartment had what I still believe to be one of the greatest views in all of DC - an unobstructed view of the Capitol Building.
I would lay in bed at night, staring out my picture window and imagine everything that had happened on The Hill that day. The awe of where I was never escaped me. One of the things I learned early on was that if the light at the top of the Capitol Dome was still lit, then Congress was still working. But only when the light was turned off, had Congress called it a day.
Laying in bed that cold night in January 1994, I watched President Clinton deliver the State of the Union. After the Republican response, I remember hearing Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings (I didn't have cable, so it was one of them) giving post SOTU wrap-up and saying that Congress had called it a night. As I looked out my window to find the light was still on, America may have thought Congress had adjourned, but I knew better.
I get asked that question all the time, even 8 years after moving to Chicago. No, I haven't been back. Truthfully, I'm afraid if I go back, I'll never leave.
My heart is so full of wonderful memories of my years in DC and nights like tonight make me realize how blessed I was to live in such an amazing place.
Tonight is the State of the Union address by President Bush (almost 8 years later, I still find it difficult to put those 2 words together). I never miss the State of the Union. Never. I'll be curled up on the couch in less than 30 minutes, glued to the TV.
When I first moved to DC in 1993, my mom helped me find the perfect apartment. I lived in The Massachusetts House at 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Apt. 917 (follow the link and look at the pic of the building - 2 floors from the top, 2nd apartment from the right - that was mine). My studio apartment had what I still believe to be one of the greatest views in all of DC - an unobstructed view of the Capitol Building.
I would lay in bed at night, staring out my picture window and imagine everything that had happened on The Hill that day. The awe of where I was never escaped me. One of the things I learned early on was that if the light at the top of the Capitol Dome was still lit, then Congress was still working. But only when the light was turned off, had Congress called it a day.
Laying in bed that cold night in January 1994, I watched President Clinton deliver the State of the Union. After the Republican response, I remember hearing Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings (I didn't have cable, so it was one of them) giving post SOTU wrap-up and saying that Congress had called it a night. As I looked out my window to find the light was still on, America may have thought Congress had adjourned, but I knew better.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
All Politics Is Local
I don't know what I've done this winter to warrant the Snow Shoveling Fairies to visit my house on a regular basis, but whatever it is, I want to keep doing it. You see, all winter long, almost every time it snows, my anonymous Snow Shoveling Fairy shovels my sidewalk and, many times, the apron of my driveway, too. I don't know who it is, although I have a strong suspicion.
And that leads to my conundrum.
As a strong supporter of the political process, I always vote in every election and I enjoy having yard signs for the candidates of my choice. This year, however, I'm a little concerned about voicing my political opinion.
No, I'm not concerned for my safety and I'm not wavering on my candidates. My concern is far more basic than that. Let me start at the beginning. I live in the heart of GOP Country, and I'm not exactly one of them. As a matter of fact, I'm about as liberal as a person can get. I believe we should all help each other out, that we give far too much corporate welfare to big businesses and the wealthy, and that I should be able to control my own body. My neighbors, by contrast, are all flag-pin wearing, church-going, mom-and-apple-pie loving, vote-against-their-financial-interests Republicans.
And this is where my problem lies.
Do I put out a yard sign in support of a Black Man or Woman for President and risk my sidewalk and apron being shoveled or do I just keep my mouth shut and continue to enjoy my (almost daily) visits from the Snow Shoveling Fairy?
Since neither Obama nor Clinton is going to start shoveling my driveway (or send their lackeys to do it), I think I'll just keep my mouth shut, as much as it pains me.
All politics is truly local.
And that leads to my conundrum.
As a strong supporter of the political process, I always vote in every election and I enjoy having yard signs for the candidates of my choice. This year, however, I'm a little concerned about voicing my political opinion.
No, I'm not concerned for my safety and I'm not wavering on my candidates. My concern is far more basic than that. Let me start at the beginning. I live in the heart of GOP Country, and I'm not exactly one of them. As a matter of fact, I'm about as liberal as a person can get. I believe we should all help each other out, that we give far too much corporate welfare to big businesses and the wealthy, and that I should be able to control my own body. My neighbors, by contrast, are all flag-pin wearing, church-going, mom-and-apple-pie loving, vote-against-their-financial-interests Republicans.
And this is where my problem lies.
Do I put out a yard sign in support of a Black Man or Woman for President and risk my sidewalk and apron being shoveled or do I just keep my mouth shut and continue to enjoy my (almost daily) visits from the Snow Shoveling Fairy?
Since neither Obama nor Clinton is going to start shoveling my driveway (or send their lackeys to do it), I think I'll just keep my mouth shut, as much as it pains me.
All politics is truly local.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Cold and Snow . . .
. . . to inform you that Spring Training is right around the corner.
Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training in 22 days and counting.
The rest of the players report a few days later.
Spring and Summer can't be too far away.
Go Cubs!
Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training in 22 days and counting.
The rest of the players report a few days later.
Spring and Summer can't be too far away.
Go Cubs!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
I'm Famous!
I thought it was a big deal when, as a high school senior, I appeared on the Today Show on January 1, 1989. I thought it was a bigger deal when I had the privilege of working the Green Room at President Clinton's 1997 Inaugural Ball and got to meet all kinds of cool people including Stevie Wonder and Jimmy Smits.
But both of those things pale in comparison to what happened tonight!
Tonight my dear friend Tony published my recipe for Frango Oatmeal Cookies on What's Cooking In The Frisky Kitchen!
Thanks Tony! xoxoxoxo
But both of those things pale in comparison to what happened tonight!
Tonight my dear friend Tony published my recipe for Frango Oatmeal Cookies on What's Cooking In The Frisky Kitchen!
Thanks Tony! xoxoxoxo
Friday, January 18, 2008
Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, PB&J
Last night, I attended a Chamber dinner at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest. No matter how often I attend functions there, I am always reminded of when I lived there as a kid. Yes, I was Eloise.
When I was 10 and in 5th grade, our house burned down (no one was hurt and we rebuilt the home, thanks for asking). During reconstruction, we lived at what was then the Arlington Park Hilton (now the Sheraton Chicago Northwest).
Life at the Hilton was fabulous. We had a huge suite, an indoor pool, and a restaurant that would cater to just about every whim we had. Every morning, I would call the restaurant and have them pack lunch for Dave and me, which we would then pick up when we stopped in for breakfast.
Dave and I got the same thing everyday for lunch: Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato with mayo on whole wheat for me and peanut butter and jelly for him. Inevitably, our lunch would also include fruit and a cookie as well. Our lunches would always be packed together and we simply divided them up at lunch.
One particular day, we decided to have lunch with Mom, so we took our Hilton-made lunches and walked over to what was left of our house - just 2 blocks from school. She was happy to see us and take a break from supervising the demolition of the remains of our home. Imagine our surprise, however, when we opened our lunch to find one sandwich containing turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo AND peanut butter and jelly. It seemed that the man I spoke to in the kitchen that morning was new and had misunderstood my order.
Needless to say, we did not end up eating that sandwich. I don't remember what we ended up having for lunch that day, but I do remember it involved a lot of laughter.
And yes, the food has improved at the Hilton (now Sheraton).
When I was 10 and in 5th grade, our house burned down (no one was hurt and we rebuilt the home, thanks for asking). During reconstruction, we lived at what was then the Arlington Park Hilton (now the Sheraton Chicago Northwest).
Life at the Hilton was fabulous. We had a huge suite, an indoor pool, and a restaurant that would cater to just about every whim we had. Every morning, I would call the restaurant and have them pack lunch for Dave and me, which we would then pick up when we stopped in for breakfast.
Dave and I got the same thing everyday for lunch: Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato with mayo on whole wheat for me and peanut butter and jelly for him. Inevitably, our lunch would also include fruit and a cookie as well. Our lunches would always be packed together and we simply divided them up at lunch.
One particular day, we decided to have lunch with Mom, so we took our Hilton-made lunches and walked over to what was left of our house - just 2 blocks from school. She was happy to see us and take a break from supervising the demolition of the remains of our home. Imagine our surprise, however, when we opened our lunch to find one sandwich containing turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo AND peanut butter and jelly. It seemed that the man I spoke to in the kitchen that morning was new and had misunderstood my order.
Needless to say, we did not end up eating that sandwich. I don't remember what we ended up having for lunch that day, but I do remember it involved a lot of laughter.
And yes, the food has improved at the Hilton (now Sheraton).
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sometimes Only Mom Will Do . . .
Most of the time I like being an adult. I love what I do for a living. I can handle paying bills, doing housework, and all the other things required to maintain a home. I usually even like grocery shopping. And even the scary noises aren't so bad.
But there's one thing that, no matter how old I get, will just plain suck without my mom.
Being sick.
When I was a kid and I was sick, my mom would do what probably every mom did - she took my temperature, made my room nice and warm and cozy with extra blankets and a heating pad in my bed, made me soup, and of course, gave me medicine or take me to the doctor. Usually, her extra attention alone made me feel better. She was the best.
Now that I'm an adult and I'm sick (it's really just a cold with swollen glands, sore throat, mild congestion, aches, and chills, but I feel miserable anyway), I've got to take care of myself. And my motivation to make soup is nil. I'm not hungry. And my body aches too much to walk to the cabinet and get more medicine. And somehow, no matter how many pillows and extra blankets I stuff into my bed, it's just not as cozy as when my mom did it. And then, of course, there's the whole issue about work. I should be working today and I've worked some, but I just feel too icky.
I'm not complaining about being sick. My well laid plan says I'll be better tomorrow. I'm not even complaining about being alone and having to take care of myself. I'm reminiscing about how lucky I have been to have a great mom who spoiled me when I was sick.
But there's one thing that, no matter how old I get, will just plain suck without my mom.
Being sick.
When I was a kid and I was sick, my mom would do what probably every mom did - she took my temperature, made my room nice and warm and cozy with extra blankets and a heating pad in my bed, made me soup, and of course, gave me medicine or take me to the doctor. Usually, her extra attention alone made me feel better. She was the best.
Now that I'm an adult and I'm sick (it's really just a cold with swollen glands, sore throat, mild congestion, aches, and chills, but I feel miserable anyway), I've got to take care of myself. And my motivation to make soup is nil. I'm not hungry. And my body aches too much to walk to the cabinet and get more medicine. And somehow, no matter how many pillows and extra blankets I stuff into my bed, it's just not as cozy as when my mom did it. And then, of course, there's the whole issue about work. I should be working today and I've worked some, but I just feel too icky.
I'm not complaining about being sick. My well laid plan says I'll be better tomorrow. I'm not even complaining about being alone and having to take care of myself. I'm reminiscing about how lucky I have been to have a great mom who spoiled me when I was sick.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
FREE Museum Days!!!
One of the things I absolutely love about Chicago is the world-class museums we have here. From the Art Institute to the Shedd Aquarium to the Chicago History Museum, there's really something for everyone. The only catch is that all of it comes with a (frequently hefty) price tag.
Until now.
Free Days at the museums are here!!!!!!!
Museum of Science & Industry
January 12-31 (that's NOW!!!!!!!)
February 29
June 17-22
September 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, & 30
October 31
November 27 (Thanksgiving)
December 24 (Christmas Eve), 31 (New Year's Eve)
Adler Planetarium - the museum is free on these days, but there is a charge for any of the shows
January Discount Week - January 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mon & Tue - January 20, 21, 28, & 29
February Discount Week - February 18-22
February Mon & Tue - February 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
June Discount Week - June 15-20
September Mon & Tues - September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October Discount Week - October 6-9
October Mon & Tues - October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mon & Tues - November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25
Art Institute of Chicago
Target Free Thursdays - Thursday evenings are free from 5-8pm
John G. Shedd Aquarium - free general admission, special shows are an additional fee
January discount week - Jan. 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mondays and Tuesdays - Jan. 21, 22, 28, & 29
February Mondays and Tuesdays - Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
February discount week - Feb. 18-22
June discount week - June 15-20
September Mondays and Tuesdays - Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October discount week - Oct. 6-9
October Mondays and Tuesdays - Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mondays and Tuesdays - Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25
Chicago History Museum
Free on Mondays
The Field Museum
January 14th
March 10th
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
September 21st – 26th
October 13th
October 26th – 31st
November 10th
December 8th
My advice, take the week off, pull the kids out of school and hit all the museums. Trust me, you'll be richer for it and they will receive a greater education than they could through textbooks. Travel back in time with a visit Sue at The Field Museum on Monday morning and then visit the Crossroads of America exhibit (make sure you download the free audio tour on your iPod) at the Chicago History Museum in the afternoon. On Tuesday, spend the day at the Shedd Acquarium and since the museum is free, there's no reason not to spend a little dough on the Oceanarium. Reach for the stars on Wednesday at the Adler Planetarium. During the day on Thursday, return to the Shedd Acquarium or Adler Planetarium for a more-indepth visit. Just wrap it up by 5 and then visit the Girls on the Verge exhibit at the Art Institute. Finally, put yourself inside a real U-505 Submarine on Friday at the Museum of Science & Industry.
If you go, wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and be prepared for long lines and crowds. Also, pack your own lunch and snacks. Food at these places is notoriously expensive. I would imagine cool free stuff like this won't be a secret for long.
Until now.
Free Days at the museums are here!!!!!!!
Museum of Science & Industry
January 12-31 (that's NOW!!!!!!!)
February 29
June 17-22
September 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, & 30
October 31
November 27 (Thanksgiving)
December 24 (Christmas Eve), 31 (New Year's Eve)
Adler Planetarium - the museum is free on these days, but there is a charge for any of the shows
January Discount Week - January 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mon & Tue - January 20, 21, 28, & 29
February Discount Week - February 18-22
February Mon & Tue - February 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
June Discount Week - June 15-20
September Mon & Tues - September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October Discount Week - October 6-9
October Mon & Tues - October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mon & Tues - November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25
Art Institute of Chicago
Target Free Thursdays - Thursday evenings are free from 5-8pm
John G. Shedd Aquarium - free general admission, special shows are an additional fee
January discount week - Jan. 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mondays and Tuesdays - Jan. 21, 22, 28, & 29
February Mondays and Tuesdays - Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
February discount week - Feb. 18-22
June discount week - June 15-20
September Mondays and Tuesdays - Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October discount week - Oct. 6-9
October Mondays and Tuesdays - Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mondays and Tuesdays - Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25
Chicago History Museum
Free on Mondays
The Field Museum
January 14th
March 10th
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
September 21st – 26th
October 13th
October 26th – 31st
November 10th
December 8th
My advice, take the week off, pull the kids out of school and hit all the museums. Trust me, you'll be richer for it and they will receive a greater education than they could through textbooks. Travel back in time with a visit Sue at The Field Museum on Monday morning and then visit the Crossroads of America exhibit (make sure you download the free audio tour on your iPod) at the Chicago History Museum in the afternoon. On Tuesday, spend the day at the Shedd Acquarium and since the museum is free, there's no reason not to spend a little dough on the Oceanarium. Reach for the stars on Wednesday at the Adler Planetarium. During the day on Thursday, return to the Shedd Acquarium or Adler Planetarium for a more-indepth visit. Just wrap it up by 5 and then visit the Girls on the Verge exhibit at the Art Institute. Finally, put yourself inside a real U-505 Submarine on Friday at the Museum of Science & Industry.
If you go, wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and be prepared for long lines and crowds. Also, pack your own lunch and snacks. Food at these places is notoriously expensive. I would imagine cool free stuff like this won't be a secret for long.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Life Lessons From Hillary Clinton's "Comeback" In New Hampshire
As I watched the New Hampshire Primary returns come in on Tuesday night, I believe that I was as surprised as many other people across America. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) won with 39% of the vote and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) came in a close second with 37% of the vote. Interestingly, they will both receive 9 delegates from New Hampshire.
What made Senator Clinton's victory so surprising is that just the day before the election, every major poll and pundit predicted an Obama victory with at least a 10-point spread. The pundits were asking whether Senator Clinton would even be able to move forward to South Carolina and Nevada (the next primaries). Senator Clinton's own campaign was trying to manage expectations with statements about if they came in 2nd by less than 10 points, that would be a victory.
And then the unexpected happened. Senator Clinton won.
So as I watched the night unfold, I thought about what life lessons could be learned from her victory and determination. The list below is by no means all inclusive. There may be more life lessons and I'm open to suggestion. I'll expand on each lesson later, but for now, I wanted to get the list out there.
1. Never give up.
2. Work from your heart and not your head.
3. Let your passion be felt.
4. Connect with people as individuals.
5. Find your voice - even if it takes 60 years.
6. Take risks.
What made Senator Clinton's victory so surprising is that just the day before the election, every major poll and pundit predicted an Obama victory with at least a 10-point spread. The pundits were asking whether Senator Clinton would even be able to move forward to South Carolina and Nevada (the next primaries). Senator Clinton's own campaign was trying to manage expectations with statements about if they came in 2nd by less than 10 points, that would be a victory.
And then the unexpected happened. Senator Clinton won.
So as I watched the night unfold, I thought about what life lessons could be learned from her victory and determination. The list below is by no means all inclusive. There may be more life lessons and I'm open to suggestion. I'll expand on each lesson later, but for now, I wanted to get the list out there.
1. Never give up.
2. Work from your heart and not your head.
3. Let your passion be felt.
4. Connect with people as individuals.
5. Find your voice - even if it takes 60 years.
6. Take risks.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Politics Is In My Blood
Growing up, I learned about politics sitting at the knee of my paternal grandfather. He lit a fire deep within me with his in-depth explanations of the 1980 Republican National Convention and why Ronald Reagan would change the world. Although I've come to disagree with his beliefs about just how great Ronald Reagan was, I still love politics today. In fact, it runs through my blood. The political game is in my soul. If not for my grandfather, I might never have gone to Washington DC in 1993. And we all know how well that turned out.
I have never missed an opportunity to vote. In fact, I don't think voting is a privilege. I believe it's a duty. I believe that we are all obligated to learn about our political candidates - local and national - and vote in every election. And I can't understand why people don't vote.
I have volunteered on numerous political campaigns at all levels, was even fortunate enough to work in a paid position on a state-wide campaign in 2002, and even worked on the Inaugural Committee after the 1996 Presidential Election. I LOVE POLITICS.
Politics is such a part of my soul, I even named my cats Betsey and Ross.
What I love even more is how people get involved and it becomes so personal for them. I have a young friend who worked for Obama in Iowa and got out 90 votes for him in her precinct (34 came out for Edwards and 9 were undecided). She's 19 and this was her first election. I'm so proud of her for being so involved. When I saw her this summer, I recognized the way her eyes danced when she spoke about the candidates - it's in her blood too. She was very knowledgeable and obviously put a lot of thoughtful consideration in her choice. It had become personal for her.
I also love the people of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire. They have the first in the nation voting tonight at midnight (eastern time) and then again on November 4th. Dixville Notch is this tiny town in Northern New Hampshire, just south of the Canadian border. They have 16 registered voters. And at midnight, all 16 will vote. You read that right - Dixville Notch has 100% voter participation. And it's a big deal. Whole families come out. The kids are excited. Once all 16 voters have exercised their right, the ballots will be counted and the results will be made public.
You may be familiar with Dixville Notch from The West Wing, although in The West Wing, Dixville Notch was called Hartsfield's Landing. One of my favorite episodes.
If you haven't decided which candidate you will support yet, I urge you to familiarize yourself with each of them and to vote on February 5th (or whatever day your state primary is held).
Here are some links to help you:
Transcript of the ABC/Facebook Democratic Debate - January 5, 2008
Transcript of the ABC/Facebook Republican Debate - January 5, 2008
Meet The Candidates from ABC News
And some quizzes that think they can help you narrow down the right candidate for you:
Match-O-Matic
Glassbooth
Select A Candidate
Presidential Candidate Selector
The Vote-by-Issue Quiz
For even more information on the candidates in many races, check the list of political websites at the left.
UPDATE 1/7/08 11:10pm CT: Dixville Notch voted. Voting started at 12:00am ET and ended at 12:02am. 17 votes were cast because minutes before voting started a new registration was received. Here are the results:
Democrats
Obama - 7 votes
Edwards - 2 votes
Richardson - 1 vote
Republicans
McCain - 4 votes
Romney - 2 votes
Guiliani - 1 vote
I have never missed an opportunity to vote. In fact, I don't think voting is a privilege. I believe it's a duty. I believe that we are all obligated to learn about our political candidates - local and national - and vote in every election. And I can't understand why people don't vote.
I have volunteered on numerous political campaigns at all levels, was even fortunate enough to work in a paid position on a state-wide campaign in 2002, and even worked on the Inaugural Committee after the 1996 Presidential Election. I LOVE POLITICS.
Politics is such a part of my soul, I even named my cats Betsey and Ross.
What I love even more is how people get involved and it becomes so personal for them. I have a young friend who worked for Obama in Iowa and got out 90 votes for him in her precinct (34 came out for Edwards and 9 were undecided). She's 19 and this was her first election. I'm so proud of her for being so involved. When I saw her this summer, I recognized the way her eyes danced when she spoke about the candidates - it's in her blood too. She was very knowledgeable and obviously put a lot of thoughtful consideration in her choice. It had become personal for her.
I also love the people of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire. They have the first in the nation voting tonight at midnight (eastern time) and then again on November 4th. Dixville Notch is this tiny town in Northern New Hampshire, just south of the Canadian border. They have 16 registered voters. And at midnight, all 16 will vote. You read that right - Dixville Notch has 100% voter participation. And it's a big deal. Whole families come out. The kids are excited. Once all 16 voters have exercised their right, the ballots will be counted and the results will be made public.
You may be familiar with Dixville Notch from The West Wing, although in The West Wing, Dixville Notch was called Hartsfield's Landing. One of my favorite episodes.
If you haven't decided which candidate you will support yet, I urge you to familiarize yourself with each of them and to vote on February 5th (or whatever day your state primary is held).
Here are some links to help you:
Transcript of the ABC/Facebook Democratic Debate - January 5, 2008
Transcript of the ABC/Facebook Republican Debate - January 5, 2008
Meet The Candidates from ABC News
And some quizzes that think they can help you narrow down the right candidate for you:
Match-O-Matic
Glassbooth
Select A Candidate
Presidential Candidate Selector
The Vote-by-Issue Quiz
For even more information on the candidates in many races, check the list of political websites at the left.
UPDATE 1/7/08 11:10pm CT: Dixville Notch voted. Voting started at 12:00am ET and ended at 12:02am. 17 votes were cast because minutes before voting started a new registration was received. Here are the results:
Democrats
Obama - 7 votes
Edwards - 2 votes
Richardson - 1 vote
Republicans
McCain - 4 votes
Romney - 2 votes
Guiliani - 1 vote
Living Oprah
I found a very cool new blog today and am so excited that I just have to share it.
Living Oprah is documenting the 12-month experiment of one woman to live according to the Gospel of Oprah. She is going to live her life based entirely on the advice of Oprah - on her TV show, magazine, and website. Living Oprah will document her life including the costs - financial, time spent, and energy expended - to "Live Your Best Life" as prescribed by Oprah.
Why would anyone embark on this journey you wonder?
The short answer is that Living Oprah believes Oprah is the most influential public figure today, but wonders, if simply because of her astronomical success, Oprah is really in touch with the typical American woman and if we are all a little too quick to let Oprah tell us what to do.
I, for one, can't wait to see what the year has in store for Living Oprah and will read her blog regularly. I have many of the same questions Living Oprah does and even wonder if Oprah unintentionally sets us all up for failure in attempting to emulate all of her greatness.
Living Oprah is documenting the 12-month experiment of one woman to live according to the Gospel of Oprah. She is going to live her life based entirely on the advice of Oprah - on her TV show, magazine, and website. Living Oprah will document her life including the costs - financial, time spent, and energy expended - to "Live Your Best Life" as prescribed by Oprah.
Why would anyone embark on this journey you wonder?
The short answer is that Living Oprah believes Oprah is the most influential public figure today, but wonders, if simply because of her astronomical success, Oprah is really in touch with the typical American woman and if we are all a little too quick to let Oprah tell us what to do.
I, for one, can't wait to see what the year has in store for Living Oprah and will read her blog regularly. I have many of the same questions Living Oprah does and even wonder if Oprah unintentionally sets us all up for failure in attempting to emulate all of her greatness.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
I'm a Big Chicken
There's a reason I don't read mystery novels or watch scary movies. I couldn't read Nancy Drew books at night when I was growing up because I would get scared. I've never picked up a Stephen King novel and sometimes even the suspense in a Brad Meltzer novel freaks me out at night. And please, when I'm visiting you, do not tell me about the woman that died in your house 6 months before you moved in (Dave & Linda - are you listening???). I will NEVER get to sleep. I will lay awake all night imagining all sorts of things.
That's right, I'm a29 36 year-old chicken.
Tonight, I had a great night at Tim and Tony's birthday party for Elvis, or as I kept referring to it, an Epiphany party. I had a few cocktails, but stopped drinking at least 2 hours prior to Christopher driving me home. I ran into some old friends, one I hadn't seen in 15 years. It was great to catch up.
So completely sober, I crawl into bed about 2:20. As I lay there reviewing my gratitude list in my head (yes, I do this nightly), I hear this horrible crash. Ross, who had previously been snuggled up against me, and Betsey, who had been at the foot of the bed, were now firmly positioned under the bed (where better to fight potential terror threats?). I reach for the phone, but resist my urge to dial 911. I'm a grown up after all and it can't be anything. Plus, I live in the suburbs. I calmly get up and just peak out the window through the slightly ajar shutter. I can see nothing but darkness.
And then it happens again. BOOM.
Before I know it, I'm stammering on the phone with 911, barely able to utter my own name. I'm terrified. The sweet woman on the other end of the line was so calm asking me questions - was I alone? was the noise from inside or outside of the house? were any pets barking? Before I could finish answering, the cops were on their way.
About 5 minutes later, I could see a man walk up my driveway. He had a big stick in his hand and barely paused at the car in my driveway. He just headed straight for my backyard. I hadn't seen any cop cars pull up, so now my terror level has gone from 8 to 15. With my heart now beating outside my body, I call 911 again to report the "intruder." Another nice woman assures me that it is in fact the cop. He's gone to my backyard to look around, as is standard protocol before he comes to chat with me.
As I continue my vigil on the front yard, I am suddenly surrounded by Arlington Heights' finest in no fewer than 3 cars. And then the doorbell rings. Betsey, Ross, and I were so startled we hit our heads on the ceiling. I try to remain calm as I walk to the front door to speak with the officer.
He was so nice and reassuring and asked me a few questions about the noise but said he saw no footprints anywhere around the house. As I'm answering, I suddenly see the culprit laying on the ground, not 5 feet from my bedroom window. And now I also see the entire platoon of officers walking up my driveway. And my terror has suddenly switched to sheer embarrassment.
What has just caused me so much agony you wonder? Falling ice. Three huge pieces of ice that had been on my roof, and because of the record thaw we are experiencing this weekend, had slid off the roof and landed on the cement outside my bedroom window.
The cops were all relieved because they were expecting to see a car driven into a tree on the parkway. I was just embarrassed. They told me they hoped I got to sleep tonight and off they went.
The thing is that even as I write this my hands are still shaking. Yep, I'm just a big chicken.
UPDATE 1/8/2008: So I've taken a little ribbing for this and it's ok. I can handle it. I can handle the wellness check I got yesterday during a rare January thunderstorm (I love thunderstorms, for the record). And I can handle the insinuation that my friend's 3 year-old daughter is braver than I am because, although she was also woken up by falling ice on Saturday night, they did not need to call 911. Of course not, my friend is a cop and would have been laughed out of the department.
That's right, I'm a
Tonight, I had a great night at Tim and Tony's birthday party for Elvis, or as I kept referring to it, an Epiphany party. I had a few cocktails, but stopped drinking at least 2 hours prior to Christopher driving me home. I ran into some old friends, one I hadn't seen in 15 years. It was great to catch up.
So completely sober, I crawl into bed about 2:20. As I lay there reviewing my gratitude list in my head (yes, I do this nightly), I hear this horrible crash. Ross, who had previously been snuggled up against me, and Betsey, who had been at the foot of the bed, were now firmly positioned under the bed (where better to fight potential terror threats?). I reach for the phone, but resist my urge to dial 911. I'm a grown up after all and it can't be anything. Plus, I live in the suburbs. I calmly get up and just peak out the window through the slightly ajar shutter. I can see nothing but darkness.
And then it happens again. BOOM.
Before I know it, I'm stammering on the phone with 911, barely able to utter my own name. I'm terrified. The sweet woman on the other end of the line was so calm asking me questions - was I alone? was the noise from inside or outside of the house? were any pets barking? Before I could finish answering, the cops were on their way.
About 5 minutes later, I could see a man walk up my driveway. He had a big stick in his hand and barely paused at the car in my driveway. He just headed straight for my backyard. I hadn't seen any cop cars pull up, so now my terror level has gone from 8 to 15. With my heart now beating outside my body, I call 911 again to report the "intruder." Another nice woman assures me that it is in fact the cop. He's gone to my backyard to look around, as is standard protocol before he comes to chat with me.
As I continue my vigil on the front yard, I am suddenly surrounded by Arlington Heights' finest in no fewer than 3 cars. And then the doorbell rings. Betsey, Ross, and I were so startled we hit our heads on the ceiling. I try to remain calm as I walk to the front door to speak with the officer.
He was so nice and reassuring and asked me a few questions about the noise but said he saw no footprints anywhere around the house. As I'm answering, I suddenly see the culprit laying on the ground, not 5 feet from my bedroom window. And now I also see the entire platoon of officers walking up my driveway. And my terror has suddenly switched to sheer embarrassment.
What has just caused me so much agony you wonder? Falling ice. Three huge pieces of ice that had been on my roof, and because of the record thaw we are experiencing this weekend, had slid off the roof and landed on the cement outside my bedroom window.
The cops were all relieved because they were expecting to see a car driven into a tree on the parkway. I was just embarrassed. They told me they hoped I got to sleep tonight and off they went.
The thing is that even as I write this my hands are still shaking. Yep, I'm just a big chicken.
UPDATE 1/8/2008: So I've taken a little ribbing for this and it's ok. I can handle it. I can handle the wellness check I got yesterday during a rare January thunderstorm (I love thunderstorms, for the record). And I can handle the insinuation that my friend's 3 year-old daughter is braver than I am because, although she was also woken up by falling ice on Saturday night, they did not need to call 911. Of course not, my friend is a cop and would have been laughed out of the department.
Friday, January 4, 2008
I Love Warm PJs!
I so need this!!!!! It's been cold enough to slaughter pigs lately and anything that helps me keep warm at night is a bonus. Warm PJs are the BOMB!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Jessica Gardner IS Good For You!
Even the advertising world thinks so!
and possibly the truest thing ever said on the internet . . .
Thanks Tim & Gourmet Goddess!
Jessica Gardner
IS Good For You.
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America's Most Trusted . . .
Little Merry Sunshine.
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and possibly the truest thing ever said on the internet . . .
Little Merry Sunshine Stays Sharp 'til The Bottom of the Glass.
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Thanks Tim & Gourmet Goddess!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2007 - A Year In Review
2007 has been a year of many blessings. That's not to say it's all been good, but even sadness always has a silver lining.
This year I entered the exciting world of blogging. I've always written, but historically, my writing has been private and for my eyes only. For me, blogging has been a huge leap of faith - would anyone care what I had to say? how would people like my style of writing? - and it's turned out great! Despite a lack of comments, I have a small, but growing regular readership and receive new hits from around the world daily. Maybe one day I'll see my dream of being published fulfilled. For now, though, I'm happy to be "self-published" on my blog.
I also discovered the joys of gardening in 2007. I grew three types of tomatoes, iris, lavender, geraniums, primrose, hastas, and quite a few other plants that thrived under my loving care. Next year, I think I'll give it another shot.
My Mary Kay business has grown by leaps and bounds this year, and I was the proud recipient of some very prestigious awards at our annual awards event. I was #1 in sales and team building in both my unit of over 100 consultants and our area of over 500 consultants. The award that meant the most, however, is called the "Miss Go Give" award and it's given annually to the Mary Kay Consultant who best personifies the Golden Rule philosophy. It is also the highest award given in Mary Kay. In the new year, I will earn a Mary Kay car and finish directorship qualification.
Dave moved back to Michigan this year, which saddened me, but was the right move for him. His carpentry business is thriving and he's in high demand. He's much more of a small town guy, while I'm a big city girl. He loves being able to hop on his bike or windsurfer, while I love being able to go to the opera or a museum. Although living close to my family is high on my priority list, he's only 6 hours away and we see each other about every 6 weeks or so.
Speaking of Michigan, Dad, Dave, & I spent a week at Watervale in August, as we always do. It was great to catch up with old friends, but my fun was tempered with Nana's near-death and hospitalization.
Due to severe illnesses in May and August, Nana now lives in a nursing home full-time. She is unable to walk, sit up on her own, feed herself, and can barely hold her head up when she's being fed. She has good days and bad ones, but I'm grateful that she's happy in her mind. Whether she's fishing for catfish, designing dresses for herself or mom, talking to her (long-dead) parents, or in Heaven with God and Jesus, she's chipper. Sometimes she knows me, but mostly she doesn't. Mom visits her regularly and has been an amazing advocate for her. If not for Mom, Nana would have died a very painful death earlier this year. I know Nana's time is short, but I'm eternally grateful she's still with us and that I was able to spend a beautiful Christmas with her.
My neighbor Joan Green passed away on Halloween. To call Joan my neighbor doesn't begin to convey the importance she held in my life. Joan and her family were my family. She was a second mom to both Dave and me. The night my mom tried to kill herself, Joan kept an eye out for Dave to come home from the hospital and when he wasn't home by midnight or so, she went over to find him sitting alone waiting patiently for the doctors to speak to him. Because he was 17 and a minor, no one would speak to him and give him an update on Mom, but once Joan arrived, she was able to get the doctors to talk and let Dave see Mom to know she'd be okay. Joan was always there for both of us no matter what. And although Dave was closer to their family than I was (they had a son Dave's age), I've always known I'm a member of their family too. I'll always be grateful that both Dave and I were with her until the end and got to tell her how much we loved her.
Betsey and Ross turned 11 this year and are still healthy, happy, and active. I expect that they may start to slow down and begin to show their age at some point, but fortunately, that hasn't happened yet.
I've had the great fortune of reconnecting with many old friends this year - Kelly, Karen, Rick, Joni, Steve, Jeff, Matt, and many others. Tim also talked me into attending the Lake Forest College Homecoming Reunion in October. I hadn't been to any events at the College since graduating 14 years ago, but I am so glad I went. I ran into a number of old friends, one of whom I saw again over Christmas. I won't miss any LFC events in the future. It's always fun reuniting with old friends and catching up on the many adventures from our lives.
My gratitude list runs long this year and is filled mostly with the relationships that enrich my life. If you're reading this, you've probably enriched my life in some way this year and I thank you and love you for being part of this great adventure.
This year I entered the exciting world of blogging. I've always written, but historically, my writing has been private and for my eyes only. For me, blogging has been a huge leap of faith - would anyone care what I had to say? how would people like my style of writing? - and it's turned out great! Despite a lack of comments, I have a small, but growing regular readership and receive new hits from around the world daily. Maybe one day I'll see my dream of being published fulfilled. For now, though, I'm happy to be "self-published" on my blog.
I also discovered the joys of gardening in 2007. I grew three types of tomatoes, iris, lavender, geraniums, primrose, hastas, and quite a few other plants that thrived under my loving care. Next year, I think I'll give it another shot.
My Mary Kay business has grown by leaps and bounds this year, and I was the proud recipient of some very prestigious awards at our annual awards event. I was #1 in sales and team building in both my unit of over 100 consultants and our area of over 500 consultants. The award that meant the most, however, is called the "Miss Go Give" award and it's given annually to the Mary Kay Consultant who best personifies the Golden Rule philosophy. It is also the highest award given in Mary Kay. In the new year, I will earn a Mary Kay car and finish directorship qualification.
Dave moved back to Michigan this year, which saddened me, but was the right move for him. His carpentry business is thriving and he's in high demand. He's much more of a small town guy, while I'm a big city girl. He loves being able to hop on his bike or windsurfer, while I love being able to go to the opera or a museum. Although living close to my family is high on my priority list, he's only 6 hours away and we see each other about every 6 weeks or so.
Speaking of Michigan, Dad, Dave, & I spent a week at Watervale in August, as we always do. It was great to catch up with old friends, but my fun was tempered with Nana's near-death and hospitalization.
Due to severe illnesses in May and August, Nana now lives in a nursing home full-time. She is unable to walk, sit up on her own, feed herself, and can barely hold her head up when she's being fed. She has good days and bad ones, but I'm grateful that she's happy in her mind. Whether she's fishing for catfish, designing dresses for herself or mom, talking to her (long-dead) parents, or in Heaven with God and Jesus, she's chipper. Sometimes she knows me, but mostly she doesn't. Mom visits her regularly and has been an amazing advocate for her. If not for Mom, Nana would have died a very painful death earlier this year. I know Nana's time is short, but I'm eternally grateful she's still with us and that I was able to spend a beautiful Christmas with her.
My neighbor Joan Green passed away on Halloween. To call Joan my neighbor doesn't begin to convey the importance she held in my life. Joan and her family were my family. She was a second mom to both Dave and me. The night my mom tried to kill herself, Joan kept an eye out for Dave to come home from the hospital and when he wasn't home by midnight or so, she went over to find him sitting alone waiting patiently for the doctors to speak to him. Because he was 17 and a minor, no one would speak to him and give him an update on Mom, but once Joan arrived, she was able to get the doctors to talk and let Dave see Mom to know she'd be okay. Joan was always there for both of us no matter what. And although Dave was closer to their family than I was (they had a son Dave's age), I've always known I'm a member of their family too. I'll always be grateful that both Dave and I were with her until the end and got to tell her how much we loved her.
Betsey and Ross turned 11 this year and are still healthy, happy, and active. I expect that they may start to slow down and begin to show their age at some point, but fortunately, that hasn't happened yet.
I've had the great fortune of reconnecting with many old friends this year - Kelly, Karen, Rick, Joni, Steve, Jeff, Matt, and many others. Tim also talked me into attending the Lake Forest College Homecoming Reunion in October. I hadn't been to any events at the College since graduating 14 years ago, but I am so glad I went. I ran into a number of old friends, one of whom I saw again over Christmas. I won't miss any LFC events in the future. It's always fun reuniting with old friends and catching up on the many adventures from our lives.
My gratitude list runs long this year and is filled mostly with the relationships that enrich my life. If you're reading this, you've probably enriched my life in some way this year and I thank you and love you for being part of this great adventure.
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