Saturday, November 29, 2008

Was it Black Friday?

I am one of those crazy people who have the tradition of getting up early and shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I do it every year. While living in Hawaii one year we did the midnight run to Wal-Mart to line up for the 5 am opening. (Wal-Mart had to do as Hawaii still does not have a Target!) This has become my holiday weekend tradition. Some years I even have all my Christmas shopping finished in one day. I make a plan, scour the adds and have in mind which items I will buy. I usually go with a buddy so that someone can stand in line while the other person shops and then switch. I am a shopper at heart so I really look forward to this tradition. This year something was different. I am still a little perplexed as to what happened. I had every intention of hitting the stores early on Friday. I have my Christmas list completed so I knew what I needed to purchase but as I looked through all of the adds for Black Friday, nothing on my list was on major sale. Most items were $5-$10 off but not the hot door buster deals that I usually get. I found plenty of things that were on sale that I personally would like to buy for myself but I feel weird buying something for myself so close to Christmas as I feel that my husband should! After several attempts to find that one hot item that would be my excuse to hit the stores early, I decided that there was nothing worth fighting all the crowds for! I stayed home, slept in, laid around the house until my kids said that we needed to do something. At 2 pm we finally got dressed, and went bowling with the kids. Then we came back home fixed the kids some pizza. At 8 pm my hubby and I went out to dinner for a date and just 45 minutes before closing I stepped into my first store, but not to buy anything, just to look. What happened to my fabulous tradition...is it because of the bad economy? Am I growing up and finding that I shouldn't spend money if it isn't want I really want? I am feeling lost this morning. Something is not right in the universe.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What's in a name

We have been trying to decide on a nick name for our youngest child. He is already 2 1/2 and his siblings nick names came rather quickly, since birth! But we just haven't settled on one for the baby yet. But usually that is what he ends up being called "baby." I don't like it because I am sure at age 15 he will hate it, and probably before that. Tata calls him the clown because he is the joker of the group. He makes the funny faces, has the strangest responses to things, and usually has something funny to say. Most of the time when people hear him talk and they hear his logic they are shocked that he is only 2 1/2 . When we ask him what his name should be it usually is something different like today he wants to be called by his first name and then the last name of Incredible. Should I be worried that we can't figure out a nick name for him? I feel like we are leaving him out of something since we don't have another name for him like his siblings. Or maybe I am just too concerned about nothing.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Yes, School House Still Rocks

I am sitting in my office listenting to the DVD my children are watching and I am washed over with a flood of memories. If you have never seen School House Rock, I suggest you race out to your store immediately and purchase it. It is one of the ages!

Conjunction junction what's your function?

I remember taking American Government in high school and singing the Just a Bill song in my head as I took the final.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Whew...it's over!

I don't think I am the only person who feels this way. I want to scream it from the roof tops... the election is FINALLY over. I have been so bombarded with phone calls, mailers and nastiness from neighbors, I am so glad it is over.

As I stayed up late last night watching returns I had many mixed emotions. I didn't vote for our new president elect, (the person who I would have like to see win wasn't even listed on my ballot) but I seriously recognized the history being made as we elected our first African-American president. I felt sincerity in his speech as he reached out to those of us who are still very skeptical of him and his plan for our country. Going into last night I thought I would be pretty depressed but surprisingly I wasn't. As I listened to him, my thoughts were all right man, here is your shot. You Democrats have no more excuses! I am willing to cross party lines I will be open. As much as I wasn't a strong McCain supporter either I was equally impressed with his speech. Wither or not you agree with his policies you must recognize that he has made a tremendous contribution to our country. There have been elections in the past where we have seen sore losers. Even as recent as 4 years ago. However, you can't say that about McCain he was gracious in his defeat and in offering his full support to our President-elect and also encouraging his supporters to do so.

It wasn't all disappointing. We were successful in CA, the one part of this election where I worked the hardest. As much as it was an up hill battle, Prop. 8 passed! As many people said last night now is a time to heal and come together. Bob Marley said it best..."Don't worry about a thing...Everything little thing gonna be alright."