Exit Bush, enter.....?

I'm watching the crowds this morning assemble in our nation's capital for the inauguration of Barack Obama. I can't help but wonder what the next four years are going to be like.

I didn't vote for him. I don't like many of the things he stands for. I don't care if he's black, white, or any other color- I don't have to agree with him. I think the Democratic party in general will lead this country in a direction I'm not comfortable with.

But such is the result of elections in this country. I have a great deal of pride in my country and our democracy. I think it's amazing the way power transfers in such a peaceful fashion. But I do have mixed emotions.

I remember watching in 2001 when George Bush came into office and how excited I was to have a decent man in the White House after the scandals of the Clinton years. Today, I am sad to see a man leave the presidency who, while he may not have always made the correct or best decision, has been unfairly tarnished by a media who hates the Republican party in general, especially truly deplorable people like Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher and other left-wing bomb throwers who do nothing but complain about how much they hate Bush without offering any productive or constructive dialogue about how the country can move forward.

Let's not forget the Hollywood elitists who are on the Obama bandwagon because it's hip and cool and don't know jack-squat about anything that matters in this country. How Hollywood actors can know and/or care about what the average American is going through is beyond me. Those people should stick to reading their scripts and producing fictional works for our entertainment. I don't care about their politics, nor do I want to hear about them while they promote their next movie or appearance on Dancing With The Stars.

These are the same hypocrites that preach "going green" and then climb into their five-vehicle SUV posse to go nightclubbing in Los Angeles, get on their private jets to fly to Washington and go to one of the 960 inaugural balls and be "seen" by everyone. These are the same people who are willing to raise your taxes because they already make millions. In short, because they can play a character on the big or small screen and make a ton of money doing it, they feel they can tell you how to think. Scary thing is, many people listen to them because they don't have any independent thought of their own. Please, America, don't swallow everything Obama and his team give you at face value. Take a step back, think, analyze and objectively look at what is happening with your government, your country and your lives.

But, like many Americans, I am interested to see what happens after noon today. It's also different for me this time around as a father---this man will be the first president Grant grows up to know. I still remember watching Ronald Reagan as a very young boy and the influence it had on me-it will be interesting to see what mark Mr. Obama leaves on the youngest generation in his presidency. I hope it is for the best. At heart, I'm a cautious optimist. Good luck, Mr. President.

People Watching

Over the past few months I have observed some strange/interesting behavior. Here are some of the highlights. Maybe some of you might not find these observations strange but I sure do!

I love to people watch, some of my favorite places are malls, Las Vegas, airports and church. Church you say? Yes church. Mostly before mass starts the rest of the time my mind is where it should be. One person at Christmas Eve mass kept me entertained/annoyed for a period of time. We arrived early to get a good seat and sit through our wonderful choir and bell choir's Christmas carols. The people in front of us sit down and I notice she has an issue of "Newsweek" in her possession. Thinking this was a little odd I thought this could get interesting. Not only did she read the magazine during Christmas carols but also through parts of the service! How disrespectful! We Catholics do the "sign of peace" during a portion of the mass. This is when we shake hands, greet one another and flash our gang signs (I'm kidding). The same person in front of me after she give the sign of peace takes out a bottle of Purell and uses it! Oh no not a small purse size to make it inconspicuous but household size. Was that really necessary? Wash your hands after the service if your that worried about germs.

Next observation comes from the anniversary party of Mark's workplace. As part of the festivities a kiosk of Dip and Dots was on the premises. People really love their Dip and Dots, in fact so much one person was licking the bowl.

This last observation comes from the Starving Artist Sale held at the Holiday Inn. Side note: There is a reason why these artists are starving and I think they should study a new trade. I overhear a conversation between a mother, father and their tweens about which painting they should purchase. This was a pretty heated discussion. They were so animated about which piece of "art" they should buy and where it should be placed. Really people, is is worth arguing over a $55 piece of "art". Who let's their children and husband pick out the decor of their house? Mark has A ROOM and that's all he gets. If it were up to him the house would be decorated with Vikings, fantasy football banners, Agusta Golf pictures and dogs playing poker.

People watching is such a great pastime. Sometimes it makes me wonder what the rest of their life is like. I am thankful for these people in my observations, it gives me a little time away from my everyday life, makes me smile/laugh and helps pass the time when I am waiting for people. Next time your in a public place take a few minutes to people watch I bet you will find it entertaining.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We had a quiet night last night of our choosing. Mark and I have never been ones to party on New Years. For the past five years or so we have ordered in Olive Garden and spent some quality family time together. This year we broke out one of our new Wii games, Monopoly. The game ended the way all games I play with with Mark, me getting frustrated and walking away. For once I just want to beat him in something! At least I didn't throw the Wii mote and throw out some expletives (flashbacks form Wii golf are rolling threw my mind). I can go through childbirth without a scream or an expletive but put a Wii remote in my hand and I am a different person. We watched the "ball" drop on CNN with my favorite CNN reporter Anderson Cooper and the funny/sarcastic comedian Kathy Griffin.

A new year makes people ponder how they can improve themselves for this year. Here are our resolutions for 2009. My last years resolution was to read more books, which I did. This year I want to become more organized in all aspects of my life. I want my cupboards, drawers and closets to not have objects fall out of them when they are opened. I want to be able to find things and know where they are. Basically I want everything to have a home. I have a clean house thanks to the Flylady system I just need it organized. I plan to follow the Flylady and toss out or donate 10 items a day for 100 days. This should help me get rid of 1000 items! I also want to bring my scrapbooks up to date. Grant's resolution is to become fully potty trained. As I have said before we have #1 down but not #2. I told him for every accident he has 1 toy will be taken away. It's a little harsh but I have tried everything. By the end of the year we might have a totally trained child or a child without toys. Mark's resolution is to eat better. We'll see how that goes. Quincy promises to be cute, cuddly and to tone down the barking.

Happy New Year everyone! May your days be filled with health, happiness and peace.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Our area of the country is digging out today from one of the biggest blizzards in recent years. The snowblowers on our street have been running nonstop (I can still here a few out in the distance).

The blizzard practically buried parts of Harrison St. Three of our neighbors had snowdrifts to the middle of their garage doors that spread to the middle of their driveway. We were lucky only a very small drift in the middle of our driveway and parts of our sidewalk were buried. Our street however had an 8ft drift, nobody was going anywhere! Days like this is when I am very thankful for the snowblower!

Due to the blizzard we actually had a fun and not so productive day. Grant and I watched a movie (Elf), took a long nap, made homemade chicken noodle soup and decorated a gingerbread house. Mark watched football, washed and folded all of the laundry and organized the new computer. It was a simple day but a fun day! grant had a pajama day. He was so cute running around the house in his footie jammies! Days like these I will remember forever, the afternoons at the mall not so much.

Fun Game On a Snow Day

1. put your music on shuffle.
2. for each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. tag friends who might enjoy it, too.

If someone says, 'Is this OK?' you say...
'Not Ready to Make Nice' -Dixie Chicks

What would best describe your personality?
'All of the Words (Sea of Faces)' -Kutless

What do you like in a guy/girl?
'Anything But Mine' -Kenny Chesney

How do you feel today?
'Every Once in Awhile' -Black Hawk

What's your life's purpose?
'Pressure' -Billy Joel

What's you motto?
'If Everyone Cared' -Nickelback

What do your friends think of you?
'Don't Stop 'til You get Enough' -Michael Jackson

What do you think of very often?
'Who'll Stop the Rain' -CCR

What is 2+2?
'She Thinks My Tractors Sexy' -Kenny Chesney

What do you think of your best friend?
'Sloop John B' -Beach Boys

What do you think of the person you like?
'Let it Be' -The Beatles

What do your parents think of you?
'It's Officially Over' - NKOTB

What will you dance to at your wedding?
'We Fall Down' - Kutless

What will play at your funeral?
'Run It' -Chris Brown

What is your hobby/interest?
'Bawitdaba' -Kid Rock

What is your biggest secret?
'Gold Digger' - Kanye West Hey!

What do you think of your friends?
'Alcohol' -Brad Paisley

What is the worst thing that could happen?
'Bootylicious' -Destiny's Child

How will you die?
'Click, Click, Click' -NKOTB

What is the one thing you regret?
'Because You Loved Me' -Celine Dion

What makes you laugh?
'Cowboy' -Kid Rock

What makes you cry?
'Hey Jude' -The Beatles

Will you ever get married?
'Sexyback' - Justin Timberlake

What scares you most?
'Another Day in Paradise' - Phil Collins

Does anyone like you?
'Redneck Yacht Club' -Craig Morgan

If you could go back in time what would you change?
'Bridge Over Troubled Water' -Simon and Garfunkel

What hurts right now?
'2 In The Morning' -NKOTB

What will you post this as?
'Invisible' -Clay Aiken

Are You on Facebook?

A few months ago I joined the Facebook community. I was a little leery at first because I tried MySpace for a few weeks and than my page was deleted for reasons unknown to me. This really irritated me and the MySpace people also had no idea why my page was deleted. It's not like I am some creepy adult trying to lure teens to my page. So I joined the "grown up" world of Facebook.

I enjoy Facebook! Where else can you reconnect with old friends, share your day with your current friends, join groups, and take mindless quizzes? "Just make sure you don't get addicted" said Mark. Sure Mark, whatever!

Facebook is an amazing way to reconnect with your old classmates and not have to go to your reunion! You can catch up on their lives, who they married/dated and see current pictures without having to make the awful road trip with a 3 year old...woo hoo!

A few things I want to know about Facebook: Why do some people have 100+ friends? Who keeps challenging me to take an IQ test? Who has a crush on me (according to a ticker that comes across the screen)?

Let it snow!!!

You know how when you were a kid, you always used to be real anxious for that first snow? Maybe hoping that school would get canceled? Or that you could build that superwickedawesomecool fort that you'd been planning since, oh, last April?

We finally got some over the weekend.

And like I was many years ago, I was psyched to see it again.

Why, you might ask?

Because tonight I got to fire up my brand new snowblower. And let me tell you, it was pretty exciting. I think all the thing doesn't do is play MP3's, and I'm sure that will be forthcoming in the newer model.

After having to shovel all that !@# snow last year without a functioning snowblower, I (and my back) are very pleased to welcome the Toro Power Max 826 LE to our family. A great toy you hope you never have to use!