Most Important Election of My Adult Lifetime

Today I headed to the library to return a few books, grab some DVDs for the kids and pick out an audio book for my long Sunday car rides and was caught completely off guard by the lack of parking spaces at the normally deserted library. When I finally pulled into the grass in what I deemed a "parking spot" I stepped out into the blistery cold and extremely windy day to assess what was going on. I had to walk pass a line stretching down the side of the building, full of people of all different ages, genders and races. Some of the line were elderly, huddled together over walkers and in wheelchairs; some mothers with small babies wrapped in blankets; all it turns out waiting to cast their early voting ballots for the upcoming elections.

I cannot say what an impression this made on me. All of these people, waiting what turned out to be a two hour wait in very cold temperatures, simply to exercise their basic American right to vote and to make a difference. I knew this election would encourage voter turnout, but I had not expected the scene I saw today. What an amazing time this is and I am proud to be of age in this election. Regardless of the outcome, I see myself sharing stories with my children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of how I waited my turn to cast my vote in this election of historic importance.

I also heard something on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" election discussion today that was so poetic and filled with such hope I don't think I'll forget it ever. It seemed to ring true with what I want for my own children, simply the opportunity to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, with no limitations but the sky. (I must admit I was jealous and wish I had thought of it, but glad someone had. )

"Rosa (Parks) sat, so Martin (Luther King, Jr.) could walk. Martin walked,
so Obama could run. Obama is running so our children can fly."

Financial Industry Reform - My Plan

I would like to make a suggestion on how a portion of the $700B financial aid package from the US Government should be allocated. I think the money would be well spent by sending a copy of "Gumby: The Movie" to all commercial and residential loan prospects.

This move teaches the fundamental basics of responsible borrowing and of the consequences of irresponsible loans. Getting ready to buy a home? Check out this masterpiece of claymation on the little big screen and avoid the Blockheads!

The follow up should be required viewing of another classic on living within your means - "The Big Lebowski". Live how "The Dude" lives and abide by him for the true key to happiness.

Grandmas, Grandmas, Grandmas Everywhere!

Some people may not be aware that my mother has been suffering from a mystery illness that has caused doctor after doctor to run inconclusive test after test. Seeming to have come to the end of the road with treatment options, her last resort was seek out help from an traditional Chinese doctor. While she did not believe, not even for a second, that this was what she needed, she never the less decided to give it a try since there was nothing really left. And...amazingly...the treatments seem to be working!
For the past 12 months I have seen my mother become less and less active and unable to be the grandmother she longed to be to her growing grandchildren. And, suddenly, she seems to be making a comeback! Today she stopped by and played "Hi-Ho Cherry-O" with Kate and "Candyland" with Ashton. One month ago she would not have been able to bend down to play. Woohoo! I hope this treatment stays on track and I get my mother back. (And FYI - Kate absolutely LOVED Hi-Ho Cherry-O, she thoroughly enjoys sorting colors and counting the little pieces.)
Also, more good grandparent news! Paul's parents will be arriving in a few short days to spend Halloween with us! Ashton couldn't be more excited and filled with anticipation, while I'm sure Kate will be thrilled when she realizes what is going on. We are very happy they will be coming and, by the frost warning posted for later this week, know they are on their way! ;) (Coming from Detroit they ALWAYS seem bring the cold with them, be it Spring or Fall.) My one wish while they are here is to make sure we get plenty of good photos of everyone together for Darlene's scrapbooks. Either she or I are always behind the camera and never in any of the shots together. HINT HINT Paul.

Trail Mix Angels

While I was unsuspectingly taking a shower yesterday morning, Ashton crept into the kitchen, got our unopened Costco-sized bag of trail mix and took it upstairs. He then opened it and poured it all over his bed. Was he trying to make a "trail mix angel"? What a mess it was. Later that morning I also caught him trying to chug pancake syrup right out of the bottle when he thought I wasn't looking. Needless to say, yesterday was funny today, but ONLY today.

53 Plants and Ouch, My Back!

Well, I planted and planted and planted and planted and, did I mention PLANTED, 53 plants for 4 hours this afternoon. I am so excited! I tried to plant everything so that my beds are going to have that beautiful layered filled in look of an established garden instead of that bare, "three holly bushes out front only, sub-division" look. I will try to take some photos tomorrow when it's light out, but I don't think the real difference will be seen until mid-spring/early summer. How lucky to have gotten all these plants for free too! I made sure to share some with three of my neighbors and can't wait to see the whole street full of beautiful black-eyed-susans next summer!

Everything Is Coming Up Hostas?

A great hobby I've picked up over the last few years has been gardening. I really enjoy getting my hands dirty and watching something grow and flourish that I've tended to and watched over. My mother's kind neighbor just donated an entire trunk full of plants to me which I am very excited to get in the ground and try my luck with. All are perennials and seem pretty hardy. Tons of variety including some really interesting succulents, hostas, black-eyed Susan's, lambs ears, etc. The neighbor also instructed me on how to grow cuttings from my prized Anniversary present tree - our Weeping Japanese Cherry.
Wish me luck and I promise some before and after pictures of the yard!

Ashton is On His Way to Recovery

After spending most of the night in the ER last night, Ashton's doing better. Not full recovery by any means, but he got anti-nausea medicine and a bag of IV fluids with some Tylenol and now has most of his color and spirit back. (Poor little guy!)
Side Note: The Presbyterian Children's ER downtown was awesome! CMC's Levine Children's ER was full to the top (people on gurneys in the hall, every seat taken) when we walked in and sat down. After witnessing a parent trying to fight a nurse and another mother talking loudly to herself about her 3+ hour wait just to be taken back to be seen with her baby, I called Paul to see if he would check Presby's ER for their wait time. He went over, said there were 2 people in the waiting room and 4 rooms open. I ran as fast as I could with Ashton to the car and headed on over. Because of the distance from the parking deck to the ER, Presbyterian provided complimentary valet parking which was very nice because I was carrying Ashton's weakened 19.1kg around. The whole Children's ER was done in an Ocean theme and was really beautiful. We were seen very quickly and the doctor was in our room within minutes after our triage. While I hope not to have to go back anytime soon, the whole experience really helped me feel better which I think helped Ashton feel better too. ;)

Ashton is Sick

Since around 4am this morning, Ashton has had a fever (staying around 102*F in spite of Tylenol), horrible vomiting episodes, severe lethargy (can barley stand up) and has been whimpering for almost 13 hours now when he's not drifting in and out of sleep. He is bordering on dehydration and, if I can't get him to drink anything in the next few hours, we'll be heading to the ER for IV fluids per his pediatrician's office. I'll try to give an update tommorrow.

Three Years Later and Still Going!

Check our our Wedding Photobook -

Click here to view this photo book.

Ghosts Are Funny...

....at least to Kate. Ask her to do her "Boooooooooooooo" for you if you see her. She cracks up to hear the sound come out of her mouth. ;)

Bad Economy = Time To Rethink "Wealth"

As the economy stumbles and slides, I've observed the stress levels of people all around me inch upward. As the overall financial health of this country is beyond my power (other than making sure I cast my ballot in Nov), I've decided to turn my eyes toward the things in my life I can control and the happiness I get from them. Here goes!

• Picking up Kate from preschool every day and the always getting a big hug and even bigger smile followed by "Mommy's here!" (as if we've been away from each other 4 months as opposed to 4 hours)


• Hearing Ashton always ask for seconds, not for himself, but to ensure Kate gets whatever it is he is getting


• Watching the leaves change on the trees and realizing how wonderful fall is in NC. I'm thankful that nature takes no notice of the NYSE!


• Buddy, the coolest cat of all time, is mine and always has time for me to pet him and cuddle with him.


• Having a good man for a husband. One that is patient, even keeled and a good father to our children.


• Meeting new and always interesting people in my job and seeing them insist on having fun, no matter what type of day they had


• Loving my neighbors and the fact that we all know each other by first name


• Listening to my niece's voice over the phone. (It's so adorable and tiny)


• Having both my mother and father alive and around for me, but also for my children to know their grandparents (Both of my grandfathers had passed away before I was born)


• Talking to my grandmothers, both of them, and realizing what huge impacts they've both had on my life and how lucky I am to have to help me parent my little ones


• Having a great mother-in-law that truly loves her grand kids and who's grand kids love her


• Thinking ahead to how this will be the first halloween both of the kids will really be into it and how much fun it's going to be to take my little red dragon and fair maiden princess out to trick-or-treat!


• While we have little left over, I am happy that both Paul and I have jobs and are able to pay all our bills each month and on time!


• Realizing that myself, my husband and my children are all healthy

I mean, really, happiness come not from what happens to you in life but how you react to it right? So, while my retirement savings circle the drain (remember, my background is in the financial industry) all I can do is look forward to working the rest of my life and raising kids that will do well enough to support me in my twilight years! ;)

T.L.O.L.W.W.N.A.A.

Ashton and I picked out a book from the library yesterday that was both a fall theme and had a title that reminds me of my mother. Check it out sometime, great little tale full of sound and rhythm. (I re-read it to Kate and Ashton in the bathtub tonight and they loved it even more.)

"The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything"

by Linda Williams

Scary Thought This Halloween

This is even creepier than

Frankenstein or a witch!

Ever Read "The Paper Bag Princess"?

If you haven't checked out "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch, you should. Great feminist children's book with a strong and independent lead character that happens to be a female. It's one of Ashton's favorite books and came recommended by Owen's mother Karen. Great alternative to the classic "woman as a victim".

The other day I was in Old Navy looking for jackets for the kids when I spotted the coolest all-in-one Halloween costumes. One in particular caught my eye, the fire engine red dragon suit. Basically it's a fleece jumpsuit with extras like blue wings attached with a head that doubles as a hood that turn it into a dragon. I convinced Paul and the kids to come up there with me and had Ashton check all the selections out. At first he liked the monkey, then he saw the dragon and the decision was made. We took him back to the dressing room and had him try it on. Once the top and bottom were on (the best thing about this costume is it consists of putting on pants and a jacket, feet and hands are attached) he FLEW out of the dressing room to check himself out in the three way mirror. He then proceeded to run around the giant store roaring at anyone and anything that he passed. Kate thought it was great fun and wanted me to put her butterfly costume on so she could do the same. While Paul checked out a few pairs of 36x36 denim, I wrangled a roaring purple butterfly (the dressing room clerk renamed her a dragon fly) and a fire breathing dragon who would not answer to "Ashton", only to "Dragon".

Ashton was insistent on wearing the costume out of the store and even to bed that night. As my little red dragon and I snuggled in bed I read him "The Paper Bag Princess" and, as the dragon in the story feel asleep, so did mine, in perfect timing. To see him enjoy something so much, in such an ordinary way, fills up my soul and replenishes me. I never knew that being a parent was going to be like this and don't want these times to ever end.

Also, FYI --- After consulting her, I exchanged Kate's butterfly for a princess costume and figured that since dragons always seem to hold princesses hostage, the costumed pair would make more sense. Now, if I could just get her to wear it....