Nice weather, eh?

Yes, the weather is lovely. There's something slightly naughty about wearing short sleeves in November. With no jacket. *oh!*

With Frank working from home, I was able to leave him with Nico so that the baby and I could whiz through the megamart for our party shopping trip. I'll have to ask my sister what time she'll be here tomorrow so that she doesn't have to sit and watch me decorate. I vow to be prepared. So far, so good.

The past few days have been pleasant, both weather-wise and in general, a couple of irritating moments aside (about which I am fighting back a huge bitching). I'm not having any party planning stress. The kids have been very active, but little things that used to irritate me with them just don't seem to matter anymore. Life is too short to worry about stupid crap. Okay now I'm going to get back to wearing my short sleeves and piling stuff into closets to make room for our party guests.

I'll be right back, I have to run to the bathroom real quick.

Guess what. Guess whose computer I'm using to write this entry. MINE! That's right. Wireless is back, baby. I'm so excited I just might have to go stand in the bathtub so I can pee my pants over it.

Oh, happy day!

This morning I was driving to Wegman's for some long overdue food shopping with the kids. Dare I say, I felt hopeful about the future of this nation. Still buzzing with excitement, and overjoyed about Obama's victory, I felt my eyes well up with tears as I thought about how good it is to be proud of my country. It's something I have never really felt this deeply before. Finally, someone new and positive. It feels like the U.S. has once again begun to breate, and everything will change for the better. Lofty expectations to place on one man's shoulders, but really it's on all of us to hold together as one and move it all forward. Congratulations, Obama. 44 is a beautiful number. It suits you well.

Go forth and vote!

Happy Election Day to all. Please go out and vote. I'd be lying if I said I don't care who you vote for, as long as you are out there pushing your buttons or pulling your levers... I do care who wins. My personal choice on this Election Day is Obama, and I hope you vote for him, too. If not, we can still be friends, just don't mention the other guy's name and we'll continue to get along just fine.

A special Election Day note to my mom, who never reveals the name(s) of her candidate(s) of choice -- today is the day to add at least one more name to that special list you're keeping for me in a safe deposit box somewhere on a mountain top. All other readers, please join me in lovingly mocking my mother by repeating after me in an innocently superior-sounding voice while batting your eyelashes... "That's why they call it a secret ballot." Mom, I don't feel the least bit guilty about teasing you, because you know you always get the last laugh on Election Day. Curses!

Listin' it up

My moms group is doing a thing called Secret Sister. It's a Secret Santa type thing, but in an everyday kind of way. One of the cute things I got from my SS is a To Do List, which I so badly need this week so I can check off my progress on my real life sister's upcoming birthday bash. And when I say bash, I mean a gathering of many of the most fabulous people we know. Some family, some friends, and lots of love for the world's best sister.

Tonight there's one thing I'm adding to my list unexpectedly. Pick up Frank from the Greyhound station. Since tomorrow is election day, he wants to come home from New York to vote. Even though he knows Jerz will undoubtedly go to Obama, he wants to make his voice heard and push the little buttons in the booth. Just 'cause it's fun. No, really, I think it's mostly because he misses us. It's going to cost us an extra $50 if he can't swing working from home Tuesday through Friday, but I miss him, too, so I don't mind one bit. When he was commuting, at least we got to see one another every night and sleep in the same bed. And he got to see the kids for a little while, either at night or in the morining when we dropped him off at the bus. Honestly it didn't really hit me until yesterday when we were over Fay and David's house, and David commented on how it must be pretty lonely for me and Frank to live apart most of the week. I think it's lonely not just for me and Frank, but for the kids as well. It leaves a big empty spot in their lives when he's not here. All I can think of is that it'll be worth it when we buy another house. And it's not your traditional set-up, but it's only temporary.

The other day when I was writing about myself and Jen, it set me on the path to finding the positive in every situation. Sure, I miss my hubby. But we've talked for years about moving north, and doing it without having to sell the condo, and him possibly staying with friends during the transition. It took some time, and most of that time it felt like we were talking a lot of shit. Become landlords... sure! Buy another house without selling our beloved first home... right! Well, fast forward four years and *poof* we're on our way. Was it simple? Easy? Always a hell of a great time? No. Am I sad about doing what I have to do to get where I want to go? No. It's all worth doing, so I should do it well and make the best of it. *sigh*

Raaaawrrr!

Here are some photos from yesterday at Jen's par-tay. We had a great time trick or treating. Jen made perhaps the most delicious chili meal ever (with toppings aplenty, cornbread, salads and desserts), and after dinner the kids ran around the house working off their sugar high. If I'm not mistaken, they were playing a game called "Halloween Dogpile" which involved running from one side of the house to the other, screaming and shouting, and eventually meeting up in a crash-and-fall manner. This was followed up each time with a two minute heap of flailing arms and legs, laughter, and more shouting. It was the cutest thing, and the giggles were absolutely infectious.

Please to enjoy a small sampling of photos from this super fun day...


Our little familia, ready to make the candy rounds. Livi says, "Thanks for the costume, Aunt Jen!"


This is Nico saying, "Oooh Smarties, how I love you so... num-num-num-num."


This picture of Jen and me is one of my favorites from the whole day. When Frank saw it, he said it was funny how we don't look like kids anymore. It made me think of when Jen and I were in high school and college, and how we used to talk about how much fun it would be when we got older and had families of our own. How we wanted to be able to stay home with our kids, and how we would spend holidays together watching all the babies run around and play. It's the most wonderful thing to look around and see how our dreams have come true. Not to be cheesy, but the simple things in life really are the best.