Things to do list for 2009...

1. Build up my immune system!

2. Enjoy every moment with my precious daughters and bring magic into their lives with the knowledge that they will be this small only once and it will pass quickly.

3. Live "full out".

4. Maintain a happy spirit and keep vampires (mean unhappy people) at arms distance.

5. Use the sewing skill that my mom taught me to make clothing for my children - it will save money and keep a family tradition going.

6. Clean out the garage once and for all.

7. Nurture the relationships (friends and family) that matter to me.

8. Read more professional books on education.

9. Be present in the moment.

10. Save money.

Barack Obama is my President!

I am so happy to say it now that it is official. Obama is my president! I am proud, hopeful and elated. I just finished watching the inauguration here at work. I watched it with a classroom of students. His speech was phenomenal. I am inspired beyond words to be a better person and do my part. That is really what defines a great leader to me. It is a person who can inspire and lead others into something better...a collective effort. A person who realizes that he cannot do it alone and must lead the masses into change - and make every man and woman responsible for the change - is my new president! Hallelujah! YES WE CAN! YES WE DID!

P.S. Do metaphors speak to you? (Cheney in a wheelchair due to a pulled muscle)

Under 10 days!

Do you realize that we only have nine days left of Dumbya? We are down to one digit. I honestly never thought we would see the day some days...especially the day we all found out he got a second term. I am still glowing about what the citizens of American have done. We are on to a new day. It will be a difficult climb out of the hole that was created during the last eight years. Times are sure tough. We are going in the right - or should I say correct - direction, however. We can do it. Sometimes I still let myself think of what the alternative could have been. Oh so scary. I can't wait until President Obama's inauguration! It is real and going to happen! Oh happy day.

WTF?? "Christmas Song" Rant.

So I was driving down the street the other day listening to Christmas music on a local radio station. I was having a great time getting all jolly and warm. Then the most ridiculous, idiotic and ignorant song came on. "IT IS CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA". The lyrics were so dumbed down and just plain stupid I could hardly stand it. I actually only did stand the song for a little bit before exercising my "freedom to change the station". I know that is a ridiculous statement, but I just had to make it - to make fun of that phrase that is so overused by people when talking about political differences or defending an ignorant statement. I can hear them now, "That is the beauty of our country... I have the freedom or RIGHT to"...whatever dumb thing they can think of. Okay I am off topic. It just bugs me. Anyway, this song goes on to tell me how I should be grateful for my way of living....let freedom ring...all that crap in a Christmas song! A Christmas song! What is it only Christmas in America?! What happened to the rest of the believers in the world?! Are we now taking Christmas...the birth of Christ...and painting it red, white, and blue and calling it ours? All because we are so lucky to be Americans? Please. 9/11 was a monumental tragedy that we will all never forget. That I know for sure. Just as big a tragedy for me, however, are the egocentric, "we are the best", "us against the world" ignorant and divisive thinking and actions that have been practiced and embraced in this country since 9/11. What is that cliche about the truth of a man's character is how he overcomes adversity? Well, we blew it there! I wonder if Jesus knew he was dying on the cross so that one country could be grateful for being "the best country" in the world. It makes me sick and I hope that in time this type of thinking will go away. What ever happened to Joy to the World? Oh, and another thing we shouldn't forget. Jesus was born in the middle east!! Not Memphis!

Taking the time to celebrate!

The wonderful people in my life came over last weekend to celebrate that Barack Obama is our president elect! I knew there would be no better way to celebrate than with a party and with people I love. We had quite a feast! We drank blue and red cocktails. We all loved the pomegranate martinis the best! We watched Obama's victory speech again and even toasted him. Elyse brought Filet Mignon for the occasion! It is definitely a new day and I am glad I paused with loving family and friends to make sure that we didn't just let the moment pass. I am trying more and more to make sure I don't take things for granted and that I pause. I'm so glad I have intelligent, kind, tolerance, beautiful and informed people in my life!

P.S. We are still sad that Prop. 8 passed. We know it is a momentary loss, however.

That is a picture of Toni above. I love it! She came over with the celebration spirit!

Elyse enjoying a pomegranate martini.
Rebeka and Tim are such a lovely couple! So glad they joined us.

Al and the girls. Thanks for hosting our first of many political parties mom and dad!

Newell and Toni.
Leslie preparing her delicious patriotic salad!
Dinner time!

The 5th batch of pomegranate martinis!

Oh here is Leslie's salad. Yum.Look at Tamie! Isn't she beautiful? She found out days later that she is having a girl!

Abuela and Maggie enjoying the evening.Getting ready to hear Obama's brilliant victory speech.Tamie and I agreed that we should host a commentary show.

The O for Obama cheesecake.

Grrrr....McCain supporters stay away from our party or prepare to be attacked!

Thank you America for voting for my future...

The Sun is Shining on America!

WAHOO!!!! I am breaking the rules of all caps and multiple exclamation points tonight!!! I am thrilled, speechless, and emotional! Thank you America! So many of us believed WE could do it! Obama will be our president! Tonight I am filled with joy because HOPE prevailed and not FEAR. Today HOPE prevailed. It is a new day. This day is so meaningful to so many people in so many ways. I can't focus enough to outline it all! I can say that I almost dropped to my knees and sobbed (I did sob standing) when I saw the images of the people from a small village in Kenya cheering and the youth of America - the future of America - cheering and crying on my television. Thank you America for not letting fear and nastiness dictate our future!

YES WE CAN!

Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness...

Happiness is what describes this weekend best for me. I gave myself one of my favorite gifts...a day spent with my women friends. I am blessed to have them. I can't imagine not having my friends. It would be an incomplete life. We spent the day at Village Venture in Claremont. It is a magnificent art show that I look forward to every year. We make a day of it and nothing gets in the way of me going. We laugh until it hurts and talk honestly about everything. This year we met for breakfast and then we were onto VV as soon as it opened. All of the streets in Claremont are closed off for the event and artisans and crafters fill the streets with their creations. It was hot! I mean 100 degrees hot! We hydrated and hid in the shade when we could, but we kept going. Anna and I bought hats for yard duty at work and soon we had them out and on. I don't think I would have survived the day without it. Slowly, our entire group bought them to stay cool. Next Tamie bought one and then Heidi. Leslie felt left out and caved and bought one too. I think people thought we were a group like the Red Hat Society or something. Who needs them?! We had a fabulous time with our little group...and probably more fun too! Elyse couldn't make it this year because she was sick. We missed her. Syl couldn't fly down this year for the event either...bummer. So the five of us braved the heat and I had the best time ever. These days always remind me that no matter how busy life gets, it is essential to make time for the special women in my life. It feeds my soul. My finds this year were as follows: quilt for Maggie's big girl room, silver rose bracelet, rose cross necklace, cubic zirconia ring made by female inmates, stuffing stockers for my daughters, a fabulous sunhat, petticoats for my daughters, bookbag for Bella, and pearl earrings. I also had a yummy breakfast and lunch at two new restaurants in town. It came after a very long and hard week and I am so glad it did! I am already looking forward to next year! Happiness is the word of the weekend.

"My friends are my estate". - Emily Dickenson

My bracelet that was sized just for me! I love it. Tamie bought a cool bracelet and ring set at the same booth.