Wise words, from a wise man:

"I've been meaning to ask, just haven't gotten around to it, plus I'm
worried that the question is premature. But you know, I think I'm finally at the
point where I believe it will happen. Now there's less than a month to go. Now
it's just a matter of days. Days until America does something which, I'll be
honest, I would have bet America would never do. At least not any time soon.
Just days until in one swift moment, the entire world will do a double-take.
Days until Americans of all stripes will come together to reaffirm America's
promise to its own people. Days until MLK's dream, and the dreams of all people
who love this country's founding PRINCIPLES more than life itself, finally come
true. I want to know: Where's the party? On the evening of November 4th, when
this moment is finally announced, where do I go to celebrate? Where can I be to
experience this historical moment with my brothers and sisters in humanity, with
those who truly understand what it may mean for us all? I'm not going to be at
some Democratic party balloon fest. I am not going to be at a bar. I am not
going to be in a gym. I am going to be at home, watching the TV with the volume
turned down so I don't wake my kids. And when the time comes, when the moment is
announced, I will walk out my front door into the street, and I will look up at
the sky and shed tears of joy. That'll be my victory party. To look up at the
stars and hope that this means a better future for my little ones. If I'm lucky,
some of you reading this will come outside right then too, and maybe we can
smile at each other in silence. Either way, when you finally hear it announced,
on the evening of November 4th, that Americans came together and took their
country back, and you're sitting at home celebrating the moment quietly alone or
as a family, spare a second would you and join me out in the street, and look up
at the sky and feel the smiles, hopes and joy of millions of people like you and
me reflecting down from the stars."

I received just received this from my friend Stevie. It was written by her friend's husband (I believe he is from small town Iowa, I've communicated with him and his wife on Diaper and Natural forums). Anyway, wouldn't it be nice if we all could open our doors up Tuesday night at Midnight and look up to the heavens and give thanks for a new day; new country; new world view?

So, after my downer post earlier today, let's keep up the hope!
Peace!

How are ya'll faring with this election stuff?

I feel like I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm just too darn scared to believe and get my hopes up after the last two debauched presidential elections. I still can't get over 2004 and how, oh how on god's green earth Dubya made it work his way again. But now, I'm even more scared, because Palin as VP makes no bones about wanting to push her weight around, whereas Cheney didn't let on so much that that was what he was doing. I don't know who is more dangerous, one with a public announcement of her agenda or the one with covert operations? They are both overzealous characters with one war happy at all costs; the other still wanting to be voted in as head cheerleader at the high school rally! What's up with winking at the camera and scrunchy up your nose acting as if somebody just told you Barak Obama has cooties? Nut cases at any rate!

I really believe in Obama and think he has the capabilities to unite us with the rest of the world again. If he gets in and he doesn't come through and totally falls back from his promises I will likely never vote again. I know that I shouldn't put all my hope on one guy, but I don't think I can get my hopes up again or believe in somebody ever again. We are all so down and need a country that we can believe in and I think Obama can deliver that. At this point in my life, I've been let down so many times that it's hard to see that there is anyone good out there anymore (in life and politics).

OK, not so to get ya'll down, but that's what I'm thinking up here in Blue, Blue Minnesota- I hope Blue is going to mean more of a reflection of the country's tide and not my state of mind!

It's Not For Girls!!

My sister Ann brought these lovely candy bars from the UK for the boys! I've had them hidden for them for a while because I wanted to get some good shots of them with these unique candy bars. Not sure why they are NOT FOR GIRLS, but it seems like a good gimmick to get the kids to buy their candy! Made by Nestle and I liken it to a Chunky- remember those?

When I was in Canada this summer with my sisters, I promised Jack I would bring back a super good chocolate bar that he had got the last time he was in Canada (2007). They were out of them at the border store, so he had to settle for something regular. I want to say it was a Caramilk he wanted, but that's just like a Carmello I think. Anyway, when Ann was in Scotland this past August, she picked up these candy bars because she felt bad for him because he didn't get the special candy bar he wanted. She thought these Yorkie bars were super funky and silly and of course they thought they rocked. I mean, come on! A candy bar made just for boys? How cool and Auntie Deutschie is so KEWL too!

Camping in October

We went to Fort Ridgely State Park last weekend and had beautiful tent camping! The fort was pretty cool and the historical center had two very helpful staff. They answered a lot of questions and gave us more ideas for reading material about the Dakota Uprising. Poor Graham was sick- but what a trooper! He was feverish and up-chucking, but still was in the camping spirit (as much as he could be).

Graham trying to stay warm

after everything had to be pulled

out of the tent quickly

for "a blow-chow" incident, requiring the

HAZMAT team (mostly Mom) to do an assessment and

cleaning!

One Happy Boy...

and one very mad boy!

The tale of two brothers:

One Happy Boy!
Jack turned 10 on Monday and we had a *special cake for him.
*As for every birthday at our house, we hit the Cub Foods clearance rack in the morning and get what we can.*
Sometimes we score with a Twins cake or other desired design. Sometimes the cakes are "generic Happy Birthday", which is just fine because one can jazz them up a bit with trinkets and candles from the decorating bin in the cupboard. Not OK is a Princess, Barbie or Hannah Montana cake! We were at Cub a few days before his birthday and I teased him that there was nice Hannah Montana cake that would last until his birthday- NOT!
This time Jack got a LadyBug Cake! Yummy double layer chocolate and bright! This seems to be an OK "special" deal with the kids. It's fun to see what Mom (and sometimes Dad and the kids) can find for a bargain. I once received a cake with a downhill skier planted headfirst into the cake by two cheeky bargain hunters (Daddy and Jack). That was classic and I will fondly remember their gesture. Truly "special"!

Another boy, not so happy as the mini-magnadoodle pad displays. Graham not happy about having to go to his bed last night decided to protest with an emotional sign. When I got up stairs to check on him and turn off his light, I found a sacked out little boy with this sign on his chest! Clearly he is angry with me and wishes that he didn't have a Mom. This is a sentiment we hear often from him when he is met with aversion. He has displayed similar notes with Dad as the big No-No! We've also heard it vocalized, often with a loud scream (ugh!). Brother Jack has often felt and heard the wrath of an upset Graham as well. But, right now he is happy as can be. Ah, the life of an almost 6yr old, silly, spirited, misunderstood boy!