November 2008 Round Up

Blinkie by: Jo's Blinkie Obsession (no longer active)

Monthly Round Up idea borrowed from Katie the Scrapbook Lady.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Hey, guess what? I read a book! Well, finished a book that I started last month. But still! It was pretty good. Can't rave about it, but I enjoyed it. The Book of Air and Shadows, by Michael Gruber. The more I read, the more I am convinced that I have a clear preference for female writers. There are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, that is the case. I also started The Eight, by Katherine Neville. Interesting, but not loving it.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
Just the usual. Don't recall anything new in the television department. Did see Bolt and liked it.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Thanksgiving. Lots of travel, lots of family, lots (and lots and lots) of food. The usual (of late, as we were formerly famous for going out to eat for Thanksgiving) home lunch with my grandfather, and an unexpected chance to have a pre-Thanksgiving pizza dinner with my uncle and his family (and his wife's parents, who are just lovely people). Put up the tree at my parents' for the first time in 4 years as well. They have a 6-foot tree that rotates; Luke will think ours is so small and boring by comparison when we ever get it up (not yet).

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Um, uh, er....

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
This is my punishment for typing things up in advance. Originally, I had written "We all kept trying really hard to get sick, but we managed with just a few coughs and sniffles." Then DH decided to go and run a fever the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I thought he felt awfully warm in bed that night; given that he usually radiates cold, you can see why that was a key indicator. But he insisted he felt fine. Ha! He was on fire by Wednesday morning. Got him some antibiotics, and he finally started feeling better by Saturday, just in time for me to start feeling poorly. I ran a low-grade fever for about a week in the middle of the month, but other than fever-related fatigue, I felt fine. Still, it probably knocked my immune system down a notch or two. I now have a few sniffles combined with serious sneezing (could be allergies, I suppose) and a bit of a dry cough (unlikely to be allergies, alas), but I can already feel the wheezing in my chest. Not good.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
We bumped into Ginny and Justin (and Riley) at Olive Garden around mid-month. They invited us to join them, and we did. It was so great to see them! I forget how much I miss my friends until I see them again. I also got a last minute invite to dinner with my friend Erica (better known in the BB world as Moira), who I probably had not seen in 5 years (maybe more). It was awesome to catch up!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
We tried Ted's Montana Grill in downtown Atlanta, and being that they are famous for serving bison, we both tried it. I was very disappointed in the bison chopped steak. The texture was just really really off. The garlic mashed potatoes were exceptional, and the green beans were crunchy, which I don't care for. DH got the bison pot roast, which was very good. So it's not that I don't like bison, I just didn't care for it in chopped steak form.

Our work team lunch for November was at Smokejack BBQ in Alpharetta. I'm not even a big BBQ fan, and I thought it was great! Long drive from here, but very very yummy. And a new food court place opened at the mall called Baja Bistro. For some reason, that makes me think more of "goofy Hollywood food" (organic, raw, macro, etc) than anything, but it is actually quite good "Mexican" food (and I use quotes because I'm sure there is nothing remotely authentic about the quesadillas or the taco salad). I think I'm addicted to the quesadillas!

Also tried some new brownies at Thanksgiving, made by my chef wannabe brother. Did we try anything else new? I really feel like we did, but nothing is coming to mind.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
DH took me to see Titanic Aquatic. I was actually disappointed in it. Titanic The Exhibition that I saw about 18 months ago at the Civic Center was far superior. Maybe I'll actually write it up this time.

What were this month's disappointments?
Watching one project fall farther and farther behind. Very frustrating.

What were my accomplishments this month?
We finished all of our assigned projects for the year at work! Whew. Still a few that may yet finish early, which would be nice.

What were Luke's accomplishments this month?
His speech is getting noticeably better all of the sudden. Not sure why, but not complaining. Feel like there were some other things, but nothing is coming to me at the moment. Did I mention he can now write his name? (It's after 3 AM, and I didn't pre-write this far down or even make notes. Give me a break here!) I also witnessed an awesome act of generosity by my son, which sincerely touched my heart.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
The Democrats won the Obama vs. Palin history battle. That's about all that comes to mind.

Currently feeling: thankful

Movie Musings Short: Bolt

I did get out to see Bolt this weekend. We liked it! Can't say we loved it (and we've seen it twice now), but we definitely liked it. Luke seemed to like it pretty well, too, though I'm not sure he really "got it" in terms of the story. He was certainly riveted during the opening sequence, which was a little intense, but not too bad. Definitely worth seeing. I will say that we did *not* see it in 3D (either time), so I can't speak to that aspect of it. I bet it would be fun, though. Just wanted to go on and give it a positive plug, in case any of you were wondering about seeing it over the holiday.

Currently feeling: a super bark coming on!

Okay, I'll bite

(Pun intended.) I picked up a copy of Twilight today at Target. They had their mass market paperbacks on sale, and I decided to see what all the fuss is about. Not sure when I'll start it. Maybe over Thanksgiving; many hours in the car will be involved. Not sure if I'll give up on my current book and switch over now, or try to finish my current book first (it's not really grabbing me). We'll see.
Currently feeling: like a sheeple

Manhood: A Conversation with Luke

After seeing the small remote control helicopters at the mall.

Luke: Dad, I want a hebadoctor.
DH: Well, when you get to be a grown man, you can have one.
Luke: Dad, I don't want to be a man, I want to be Luke!

Currently feeling: flighty

Brain is currently non-functional

I've been running a low-grade fever for a few days now. (I think Luke has a touch of the same thing. He's been awfully quiet and cranky lately.) I am having so much trouble concentrating and focusing on anything; I feel like my brain has turned to mush. And when that happens, it is usually time for a meme. From Belinda's blog, eons and ages ago (June, maybe?):

What is in the back of your car? Back seat: booster seat, magnadoodle, travel neck pillow, container of foam letters, various small toys, some of DS's artwork; Trunk: nothing
What color is your toothbrush? Blue
Name one person that made you smile today? Don't know that I've smiled today, how sad (see fever)
What where you doing at 8am this morning? Driving DS to school
What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Trying to decipher an email enough to know what action to take next on this project
What is your favorite candy bar? Snickers or Skor
Have you ever been to a strip club? No
What is the last thing you said aloud? Okay, if I still need help, I'll call you back.
What is the best ice cream flavor? Vanilla (I know, am I boring or what?!)
What was the last thing you had to drink? Coke
What are you wearing right now? Jeans, long sleeved t-shirt, baseball cap
What was the last thing you ate? Velveeta shells and cheese
Have you bought any new clothing items this week? No
When was the last time you ran? Can't remember
The last sporting event you watched? Saw? some basketball game; Actually paid attention to? probably the Olympics
What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Tons of butter and salt
Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on my space? Don't use myspace; last comment to Facebook was to Valerie
Ever go camping? Yes
Do you take vitamins daily? No
Do you go to church every Sunday? Used to, but not now
Do you have a tan? Bwa-ha-ha-ha! Um, no.
Do you like Chinese food over pizza? Would rather have pizza
Do you drink your soda with a straw? In a cup/glass? Yes; Out of a can? No.
What did your last text message say? Sent: R u avail to chat in 15 min or so? Received: Can now
Are you someone's best friend? I'd like to think so
What are you doing tomorrow? Same thing I do every week, try to get some work done
Look to your left, what do you see? A very cluttered end table
What color is your watch? It's gray, folds in half, has an LCD screen, and looks suspiciously like a cell phone (a.k.a. I don't wear one anymore)
What do you think of when you think of Australia? DH's grandmother
Do you use chap stick? Chap Stick brand specifically? not usually; Lip balm of some sort? Frequently, more so in the winter.
What is your birthstone? Ruby
What is your favorite number? Don't really have one
Do you have a dog? No
Last person you talked to on the phone? David, a co-worker
Have you met anyone famous? Scott Leonard of Rockapella
Any plans today? Try and get some work done
How many states have you lived in? 3
Ever go to college? Yes
Do you dye your hair? No
Biggest annoyance in your life right now? This stupid fever/sickness
Last song listened to? Probably the main theme from Star Wars
Can you say the alphabet backwards? If I think about it
Do you have a maid service clean your house? No, but I'd like to
Are you jealous of anyone? Not really
Is anyone jealous of you? Not that I know of
Do you love anyone? Of course!
Do any of your friends have children? Yes
Do you eat healthy? Not so much
What do you usually do during the day? Answer emails, attend conference calls, make a bunch of phone calls (I work from home)
Do you hate anyone that you know right now? Don't think so
Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Almost, most work days at least
What color is your car? champagne (that pale gold color that was so common)
Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes
Do you like cats? Yes
How did you get your worst scar? Define worst. Longest? c-section; Most visible? had a growth cut off my leg bone just below the knee; Non-surgical? fell while riding my bike (and that doesn't cover them all!)

Currently feeling: foggy

Cat Whacked

Too funny! As seen on Ina's blog.



Currently feeling: in need of a good hiding place

The iPod Shuffle - Answers

1. Just when I believed I couldn't ever want for more (Hold On to the Nights, by Richard Marx)
2. Saturday night I was downtown, workin' for the FBI (Long Cool Woman, by Rockapella; Original artist The Hollies)
3. Well I see him on the TV, Preachin' 'bout the promise lands (Something to Believe In, by Poison)
4. Like the sound of silence calling, I hear your voice and suddenly I'm falling, lost in a dream. (When You Say You Love Me, by Josh Groban)
5. Oh, the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof. (Under the Boardwalk, by The Drifters)
6. I can't understand it. The search for an answer is met with a darker day. (Never Let Go, by Josh Groban)
7. You’re my sunshine after the rain, You’re the cure against my fear and my pain (Because of You, by 98 Degrees)
8. She Stares Through My Shadow She Sees Something More (In Her Eyes, by Josh Groban)
9. There goes my baby, movin' on down the line, wonder where, wonder where, wonder where she is bound? I broke her heart and made her cry (There Goes My Baby, by The Drifters)
10. I've been living with a shadow overhead , I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed (Way Back Into Love, by Hugh Grant and Haley Bennett, from the Music & Lyrics soundtrack)
11. Jesse is a friend, yeah, I know he's been a good friend of mine (Jesse's Girl, by The Brown Derbies; Original artist Rick Springfield)
12. Since you been gone, I feel my life slipping away (Second Chance, by .38 Special)
13. Baby, I knew at once that you were meant for me; Deep in my soul I know that I'm your destiny (True to Your Heart, by 98 Degrees and Stevie Wonder)
14. Boom-boom acka-lacka-lacka-boom, Boom-boom acka-lacka boom-boom (Walk the Dinosaur, by Was (Not Was))
15. Meeting you, with a view to a kill; Face to face in secret places, feel the chill. (View to a Kill, by Duran Duran)
16. Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain, with the rain in shambala(Shambala, by Rockapella, Original artist B.W. Stevenson, Most well known cover by Three Dog Night)
17. I don't want to hear about it anymore, it's a shame I've got to live without you anymore. (High Enough, by Damn Yankees)
18. You know our love was meant to be the kind of love that lasts forever (You're the Inspiration, by Chicago)
19. I was alone, thunderclouds were rolling You came along; Cupid was out strolling (No Doubt At All, by Rockapella (an original song))
20. I've got a dream 'bout an angel on the beach, and the perfect waves are starting to come (Tonight is What It Means to Be Young, by Fire, Inc., from the Streets of Fire soundtrack)
21. If you said goodbye to me tonight, there would still be music left to write (The Longest Time, by Billy Joel)
22. Just because you've become a young man now, there's still some things that you don't understand now (Shop Around, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles)
23. Pop, Six, Squish, Uh uh, Cicero, Lipschitz! (Cell Block Tango, by The Six Merry Murderesses Of The Cook County Jail, from the Chicago soundtrack)
24. Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me, I think they're okay. (Material Girl, by Madonna)
25. From a phone booth in Vegas, Jesse calls at five AM (Jesse, by Joshua Kadison)
26. I am Henry the 8th, I am; Henry the 8th I am, I am. I got married to the widow next door. She'd been married 7 times before. (I am Henry the 8th, I Am, by Herman's Hermits)
27. I have been blind, unwilling, to see the true love you're giving (My Confession, by Josh Groban)
28. Well its been building up inside of me, for oh I don't know how long (Don't Worry Baby, by The Beach Boys)
29. Come on pretty baby, put your little hand in mine (Dance With Me Tonight, by The Wonders, from the That Thing You Do soundtrack)
30. Hold on little girl, show me what he's done to you (To Be With You, by Mr. Big)

Currently feeling: sing-song

Comment replies

Two things, real quick.

Yes, we did fine with the parade on Tuesday. We decided to take public transportation instead of driving, but that meant I had to leave early enough to arrive at our destination before my calls. This had an unexpected perk, though. It meant we were downtown in time to eat lunch, so we tried something new: Ted's Montana Grill (owned by Ted Turner, for those who don't know). I'll talk more about the exhibit later.

And as far as the incident at the salon goes, I do try to be charitable. I hope the kid was just having a bad day, and I did not consider it a reflection on the mom. Luke is far from perfect. Believe me, he has plenty of bad days when we are truly mortified by his behavior. Kids are kids; it happens. It could easily have been a combination of hungry, tired, lack of attention, any sorts of things. Based on the other boy's interactions with his younger brother, I think some of it could be chalked up to jealousy/no longer only child/desperate for attention type issues as well. She was doing all the right things as a mom!

Currently feeling: babbly

Teach them well, and let them lead the way

I picked up Luke a bit early from daycare on Monday so I could take him to get a haircut. I take him to a salon for kids, so I was really surprised when there were 3 people ahead of us at 3:45 on a Monday. But, being a salon for children, they have a play area. The waiting area is arranged with bench seats lining two walls in the shape of an L, with a kid-sized table positioned at the end of one set of seats. It's a small table, maybe 3 feet (about a meter) in diameter, and they have a bin full of flat plastic shapes with magnets embedded in the edges (3-4 inches (7-10 cm) on the longest side of any given shape, maybe 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick). Luke *loves* them. It's easy to make a high tower because the magnets keep them more stable and well stacked.

There was another mom there with her two boys, ages about 15 months and nearly 4 (based on overhearing a conversation between him and mom). The other mom was sitting in the seat right next to the table. I sat down a seat away from her (leaving a space between us), about 6 feet (2 meters) from the table. The older boy was looking around and playing with all sorts of other things, but he had no interest in the table or the shapes. Until Luke sat down and started stacking them. First, he tried to "help" Luke, which was actually much more like "take over and do it for Luke." But I gritted my teeth and watched it play out. Kids have to figure this stuff out for themselves, no matter how hard it is for me as a mom to just sit there and watch. They got most of the shapes stacked up, and it fell over, the majority of the pieces falling to the ground. The other kid picked up a few of them and went to play on the other side of the table, leaving Luke to pick up the mess by himself.

After Luke got all the squares stacked up again, I could tell the kid was coveting the squares, so I asked Luke if he would please share with the other boy. There were maybe 40 squares total. Luke gave him about 5. I just rolled my eyes and went over to him. "Luke, you have almost all of the squares, and he doesn't have many. You need to give him some more." Two more? "No, let's give him more than two." And I broke off a hunk, giving them basically the same number (I didn't count them, so they weren't perfectly even, but within 1-2). Other Mom then prompts, "What do you say to him?" We got a grudging "thanks," and that was that. And I thought things were good. Each boy has a stack of squares, and there are plenty of triangles in the middle to go around.

Luke is happy. Other kid is not. He stacks some up, then turns around to his mom (who is really having to keep an eye on the 15 month old, needless to say) and starts whining. "Mom, he has all the squares! I want all the squares!" No, she says, he doesn't have them all, he was very nice and shared with you. You both have plenty of squares, and there are lots of triangles to play with. "But I want all the squares!" Well, you can't have them, says Other Mom, you have to share. This statement was greeted with crossed arms and a scowl.

By this point, Luke's tower had grown quite high, and the triangles were not nearly as stable as the squares had been, so it fell over. The squares stayed together in a stack, just laying on its side on the table, but the triangles had come off and fallen to the floor, breaking apart from one another, so they had to be picked up one at a time. Luke bends over, still seated for now, and starts picking up the triangles from under the table. Mom is off retrieving the 15 month old from the trash can, her back to the table. The other kid walks over to Luke's spot and takes the entire stack of squares that is sitting in front of Luke. Luke sat up just in time to see the kid walk off with them. Of course my first instinct is to tell the kid to put them back. (Actually, my first instinct is to snatch them back!) But I hate the thought of disciplining another child right there in front of his mom. Surely when she turns around and sees what he has done, surely she'll make him put them back.

Luke wasn't angry, he was just crushed. He looked over at me, pleading. "Mom, he took all the squares." Other Mom has come back by now, and her son is showing her how tall his tower is. She has not noticed how many more squares he has now than he did. I am *trying* not to make a big deal out of it. "Luke, you have all the triangles now! Why don't you see what you can make out of that." He gives me a small pout, which is genuine (when he's pouting for effect, it is much bigger!), and it nearly breaks my heart. But Mom, says Luke, he took them from me. I am about to call him over to me and try to figure out something to say, knowing none of it will make up for what just happened and feeling terrible.

About this time, Other Mom tunes in. "Did you take those squares from that boy?" No, says the son. Luke chimes in with "yes, he did!" And I think it is very telling that she took Luke's word for it. So Other Mom breaks the stack in half and gives half to Luke. Other Boy starts *screaming* at the top of his lungs. "NO! THOSE ARE MINE! THEY'RE MY SQUARES!" Que the lecture from Other Mom about not taking things from other people, and how they belong to the salon not to him, and he will have his game system taken away when they get home if he can't stop screaming, etc etc. Luke is looking a little stunned, trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about. "Mom, is he in trouble?" (When do they learn tact?) I went over to him and said yes, that his mom was talking to him about sharing and not taking toys from other kids, and he wasn't listening, just like Luke gets in trouble when he doesn't listen. I told him it was okay, and he should just keep playing with the shapes. And I tried my best to say this in a low enough voice that she couldn't hear me. Other Mom has now forbidden Other Boy to play with the shapes. The table is right next to her bench seat, almost touching it. She sits her son on the other side of her, and Luke doesn't care to go over and get the other boy's shapes that are now no longer in use (probably a wise move). He has a stack of squares, he is happy.

Then, through the door, comes a mom with four kids under the age of 8. The two smallest ones, probably just under 2 (boy) and right at 3 (girl), immediately go over to the table and pick up a few triangles. They seemed perfectly content with the shapes they had, not fussing about or asking for any of Luke's. But still, I think he should give them at least a few squares each. I heave a big sigh, thinking about how badly things just went with sharing with that Other Boy, struggling to figure out how to suggest sharing again without him feeling betrayed, or to see if I could get the other squares from next to the Other Mom without starting another outburst from Other Kid. But there was no need for me to worry.

With absolutely no hesitation, Luke immediately broke off two chunks of his stack of squares and gave them to the newcomers. "Here you go, you can play with these," he said. He wasn't looking at me, and I didn't say anything; he was not doing it based on any sort of signal from me. He did it completely of his own volition. I had to do a whole lot of blinking to keep the tears of pride and joy at bay. Even after what had just happened, he still wanted to share, and he did so of his own accord.

I thought my heart would burst with happiness. I mean, I know he's a good kid, I do. But on occasion, I can't help but wonder if anything I am saying is sinking in. Like most children, his behavior is occasionally appalling. So to see such an act of genuine kindness and caring for others spontaneously demonstrated at the age of 4, especially having just had a similar charitable act essentially spit upon, it just thrills my soul. I hope it continues.

Currently feeling: so proud

Planning Ahead

One of these days, we'll learn to check on things like this. DH and I planned a spontaneous trip to downtown today to see the new Titanic exhibit at the Aquarium. Being that today is Veteran's Day and DH is a state employee, he is off today. We have tickets for 1 PM, figuring that would easily give me time to take my 10 AM and 11 AM conference calls from home, and still leave plenty of time to arrive at our destination, so I only have to take a half-day.

Except for the parade that we didn't know about until this morning. Downtown. Closing major streets. On 3 out of 4 sides of the Aquarium. The parade that starts at 11:11 several blocks north. And ends at Centennial Olympic Park around 1 PM. Did I mention that Centennial Olympic Park is essentially the front lawn of the Aquarium? Yeah, *great* plan there.

Currently feeling: futile

Wow, y'all are good! Only 10 left.

Well, I have to say, I am impressed! There are only 10 left on The iPod Shuffle. And 13 comments; that's always nice to see. Go you all! LOL

Currently feeling: awed by your awesomeness

The iPod Shuffle

I don't have an iPod, but DH's phone does function as an MP3 player, and we loaded it with music we both love, so I'll use that. Originally seen on Valerie's blog quite a while back, but I was reminded of it today by Belinda posting some results to hers. Not much else to talk about right now, so may as well play. I'll leave this up until Friday, Nov 14, then give the answers.

The problem with a few of mine is that the title of the song is the first line! I'm going to try to work around that somehow, so I may bend the rules just a touch.

And if you have time, you should watch the emoticon at the bottom all the way through. It takes about 20 seconds or so, but I think it's pretty funny.

Step 1: Put your iPod or whatever on random.
Step 2: Post the 1st line from the first 30 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song. And it doesn't have to be perfect if you can't understand the lyrics word for word.
Step 3: Let everyone guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Bold the songs when someone guesses correctly.
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING!

1. Just when I believed I couldn't ever want for more Heather got it.
2. Saturday night I was downtown, working for the FBI [cover version, but will accept original artist] Matt got it (via Cyndi, his wife)
3. Well I see him on the TV, preachin' 'bout the promise lands Jenn (Sewunicorn) got it.
4. Like the sound of silence calling, I hear your voice and suddenly I'm falling, lost in a dream. Ginny got it.
5. Oh, the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof. [original artist] Melissa C. got it.
6. I can't understand it. The search for an answer is met with a darker day. Ginny got it.
7. You’re my sunshine after the rain, you’re the cure against my fear and my pain Ginny got it.
8. She stares through my shadow, she sees something more Heather got it.
9. [insert title], movin' on down the line, wonder where, wonder where, wonder where she is bound? [original artist] Ginny got it.
10. I've been living with a shadow overhead , I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed [final version] Melissa C. got it.
11. Jessie is a friend, yeah I know he's been a good friend of mine [virtually unknown cover version; will accept original artist] Annette got it.
12. Since you been gone, I feel my life slipping away Stasha has it close enough! She got the artist, and I know she has the right song, just didn't quite get the title.
13. Baby, I knew at once that you were meant for me; Deep in my soul I know that I'm your destiny Ginny got the title and one of the artists; this version has a group singing with him.
14. Boom-boom acka-lacka-lacka-boom, Boom-boom acka-lacka boom-boom Jenn (Sewunicorn) got it.
15. Meeting you, with a [insert title]; Face to face in secret places, feel the chill. Heather got it.
16. Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain, with the rain in [insert title] [recent cover version; will accept true original artist or most well known cover] Ginny got it with the most well known cover artist.
17. I don't want to hear about it anymore, it's a shame I've got to live without you anymore. Ginny got it.
18. You know our love was meant to be the kind of love that lasts forever Melissa C. got it.
19. I was alone, thunderclouds were rolling; You came along, Cupid was out strolling
20. I've got a dream 'bout an angel on the beach, and the perfect waves are starting to come Ginny got the title, which is shocking enough!
21. If you said goodbye to me tonight, there would still be music left to write Valerie got it.
22. Just because you've become a young man now, there's still some things that you don't understand now Heather gets a half for the title; anyone know the artist?
23. Pop, Six, Squish, Uh uh, Cicero, Lipschitz! Leah got it.
24. Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me, I think they're ok Melissa C. got it.
25. From a phone booth in Vegas, [insert title] calls at five AM Cris got it.
26. [insert title] [variation of title] I got married to the widow next door [don't know if this is the original artist or not] Lisa got it.
27. I have been blind, unwilling, to see the true love you're giving
28. Well its been building up inside of me, for oh I don't know how long Matt got it (via Cyndi, his wife) Sorry Heather! LOL
29. Come on pretty baby, put your little hand in mine Heather got it! I "wondered" if anyone would, LOL.
30. Hold on little girl, show me what he's done to you Anonymous got it.

(And before anyone thinks Ginny monopolized the list, she waited until Thursday to send in her guesses (the day before I will post the answers). She got 8 of them! Guess that means she and I have terribly similar musical tastes, LOL.)

Currently feeling: rockin'

And history has chosen....

Witnessing History

I was strangely moved this morning as I drove past an elementary school. A long line of people - every size, shape, gender, and color you can think of - was standing outside in the cold, waiting to vote. It quite literally moved me to tears, knowing that I was witnessing history. All too often, when tears are shed in the presence of history, they are tears of sorrow and tragedy. Pearl Harbor, JFK, MLK, Challenger, 9/11. But not today.

Today, the United States of America will make history. We will either elect the first female to the office of Vice President, or we will elect the first African-American to the office of President. To have either of those things be possible in an election once seemed a far off dream. Reachable, for sure, but still far off. To have them in the same election is incredible. I had absolute faith that these things would happen in my lifetime, but to be honest, I am a little surprised, and quite pleased, that it has happened so early in my life. I really thought I would be much older, perhaps able to tell my grandchildren that I knew this day would come. Instead, I will get to tell them, "I remember that day. The day we made history."

Currently feeling: proud

Intergalactic Dinosaurs: A Conversation with Luke

Why do these conversations always happen in the car? It's really difficult to drive when you're laughing so hard that you can't breathe.

Luke: Mom, dinosaurs are scary.
Me: They can be. It's a good thing they don't live here anymore.
Luke: They live in the forest?
Me: No. There aren't any dinosaurs anymore. They lived a long long time ago.
Luke: Yeah, in a galaxy far far away!

Currently feeling: stellar

Identity: A Conversation with Luke

His conversation this morning with my mother regarding the events of last evening.

Nana: Luke, did you go trick or treating last night?
Luke: No, I went to the mall.
Nana: Oh, what did you do while you were there? Did you get some candy?
Luke: Yeah.
Nana: Did you wear a costume?
Luke: Yeah.
Nana: Who were you?
Luke: Luke!

Currently feeling: hidden