Routines

For those of you who know me, it is not at all a surprise that I like routines. I like the comfort it brings to have a little bit of an idea of what is coming next. I like that it helps me get through my day when it is difficult. And I like that it helps me with the kids, they seem to thrive on routines too.

Now, I am not rigid in my routines. I will change and adapt them as I need to. But usually I see it coming.

Grace has decided that she is changing a few things. She now gets up and hour and a half earlier. And she is not happy the entire time I am getting ready. Occasionally, she even has crawled into the shower with me.

Now, I do not mind change, but this change has not been pleasant. It seems I needed that extra sleep and the little bit of time to focus on myself to start the day.

Oh well, pretty soon the new routine will be normal and I will hardly remember this. Right? That is going to happen?!?

State of the Union

I have been pondering the President's address for a couple of days. I wish that I was able to follow and comprehend the whole thing.

I needed to have taken notes and taped the whole thing. I just wish that would have had the outline that the members of Congress were using to follow along.

I know that this speech is important. I understand it is not often the President can touch so many people at one time. But couldn't they have used a little less rhetoric and made it a little more plain.

Plus, it just does not seem to mean much anymore. They say a lot of things and then do not do much. At least, they said it right.

Maybe soon, we can have a President that means what they say. And to work towards a compromise instead of being a bully.

Comments and Advice Please

I have emailed some people about my hats and thought I would broaden my poll sample.

I have been making hats this winter. I really have enjoyed it. I made them for my girls first and they got so many comments that I think I am going to sell them. I have made for both boys and girls and I am posting pictures of my girls and my nephew. I can make it in most any color to match most things.

But,what I want to know is (based on the pictures) how much would you pay? I do not want to give too much info because I want to know your honest thoughts.

And please pass this along to other people so that they can comment as well. I really appreciate it.

The little things

There are days when my time with the girls can make me crazy. But, then there are other days when it goes pretty well.

I had a major grocery list to tackle. And since I just could not bring myself to deal with it yesterday, I thought I would try today.

Now, I could have gone alone yesterday but it would have been so crowded. And I went in with the theory that if it went badly, I would just stop where I was and come back another time.

But the girls were great. They kept each other entertained and were so good. I am thankful for the little things like that. I have good girls

How Cool

How cool it is to be a part of History. We are about to start a long but history making campaign for President of the United States. We get to choose from a very interesting field of candidates. We could elect the first African-American or Woman president. We could elect a good and ethical veteran. We could elect someone who is a lot like what we have had.

Except for the last option, we have a chance to make a change. We are in need of something different and we definitely have that for an option.

As a woman, it is really neat to see someone take on the challenge of being the first woman. Besides the job, doing something first brings extra focus and criticism. I used to doubt that Hillary Clinton was that woman (and I am not totally convinced) but I like the Senator the she has been. She has a lot of quailifacations. But I will not vote for her just because she is a woman. She needs to earn my vote, just like anyone else. That is what Feminism really is, not discounted or given preference, just treated the same.

Obama is an exciting choice. Again it could be ground breaking but does he have what it takes to get the job done. He has charisma that is true, but sometimes that is not enough to be effective. Although there have been Presidents in the past that have had little experience, he too will have to earn my vote. Civil Right is just like Feminism, it is not about giving preference, it's about having the opportunity to be treated the same as everyone else.

McCain is another great choice. He has integrity, honesty, and experience. He reminds me of Truman. And I think America needs a person like that again. There are some things that need to be returned to the White House. And he could definitely be the one to do it.

Regardless of all this, please watch and learn about these people. I think that who we choose next is very important. We need to make amends with the world and within our own country. President Bush has not been all bad but he has brough a negativity with him thas has been harmful. We need to be repaired. So, check references like you would do with any repairman in order to get it right this time.

The Right Tools

As I have already mentioned, I have really enjoyed cooking lately. One of the big reasons that I have gotten into it is that I received a bunch of great kitchen tools for Christmas.

My favorite tool these days is tongs. It is amazing how something so little can things easier. It is great for making most anything. Pastas and sauces, meats, you name it.

The thought also brings me around to things besides cooking. Isn't it amazing how when you have the things you need to do it right, it goes much easier. I know that education has it faults, but they really do try and give kids the tools that they need.

I know there are faults in the system but it can be fixed. We have the tools to make that happen.

Cooking

I have found some Joy in Cooking lately. To some degree, it is because Igot some great things for Christmas to make it fun. I received good knives, tongs (I never had any), mearsureing cups and spoons, fun little gadgets and some great cookbooks.

I like to be able to do things in a way that seems more effecient when I am in the kitchen. And I like it. I feel like I am contributing to my family in a very tangible way. They like what I am making (most of teh time) and the appreciate the effort. I like that.

When things do not work out, I need to work on my response. Since I feel like this is one of the only really tangilbe things that I do during the day, I get upset when it does not work out. But what I need to realize is that it was a good effort.

I have also found some ways to make it easier too. My friend Heather S turned me on to planning my menu for the whole week. That is soooooooo helpful. You can shop all at once and you will be really surprised at how much stress/pressure it relieves to not have to make that decision at the last minute. It also seems to help us eat more healthfully; less opportunities to eat out, less boxes dinners.

I also have found that pasta side dishes are great. My sister, Anne, turned me on to this. It gets veggies tokids in way they may be more likely to eat them. It gives variety to dinner because I now have something to replace the potatoe with. And the sauces are really easy. If you do not have cookbooks with sauces, www.foodnetwork.com has great recipes for free. Also, the packets in the store make things easy and good.

I hope that this spread the joy of cooking to you as well. It really is a nice way to spend some time during the day.

I have hope it will work

I have a lot of hope these days. I have hope for the future of a lot of things. But specificially here, I am talking about things political.

I have listened to the President and the responses. I still do not get it completly but what I am encourage by is the discussion. People are interested. Sides are talking. HOPEFULLY, the discussions continue and it does not deteriorate into fighting.

I have hope that because so many people are interested it means that they will come to a place where things can be resolved. There may not be a perfect solution to things but maybe they can compromise to find one that is not horrible.

I have hope that because they feel accountable to the people and to each other they will be responible. That they will work towards something instead of just against what the other guy is saying.

I have hope.

Exciting News

I did not realize how much the news would affect me yesterday. I knew that Nancy Pelosi was going to be Speaker of the House and I knew that she was the first women to do so. But what I was not expecting was how proud I felt. And in MN news, 2 women making History for our state as well. Amy Klobacher, the first women elected to the Senate from MN. And Michelle Bachman, first Republican women elected to the House from MN.

It was exciting for me to see Mrs. Pelosi officially accomplish it. The way she spoke, the words she chose, and the people she surrounded herself with (children) to make a point. She had the support of her husband and children. And she was assertive and confident. She was the kind of women in leadership that no one can complain about. It made me proud to be a women.

I was also excited because she went from being a stay-at-home mom to a member of Congress. Sometimes, it feels like a dead end job to be a stay-at-home mom. When and how do you move on from it? But she illustrates that it is really a jumping off point to do whatever you want. Litereally the sky is the limit.

And as a mother of girls, it is truly exciting to see more barriers broken. Hopefully, it will be one less thing that they will have to face. They will know that women can do whatever they set their minds to just like everyone else. And I hope that they learn that from me as well as from the world.

Thank you Ladies for doing this successfully and publically so that my girls know that anything is possible.

Tired of Sick Kids

Well this morning was not my best one. The kids have been sick basically since the day before Christmas Eve, but luckily it has not been much more than an annoyance.

Until today.

Caroline has been really coughing and this morning it definitely identified itself as croup. And by later in the morning Grace had it too.

So I had a pity part for myself for a couple of hours (well really I get scared when they are sick)then I got a new attitude. I might not be able to fix it, but I am going to deal with it.

I am confident that soon this house will be a well one.

Watching History

As I watched President Ford's funeral today, I was struck by all the History in the room. There were so many people who have affected in the world in one room. There were people to started wars and people who ended them. Those who worked for social change. Those who controled the economy. There were presidents, first ladies, senators, representatives, cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, etc. It is so cool to me to see them take time out and show their human sides. I know that I sometimes forget that they are just human after all.

The greatest part of the whole thing for me is to see them there to say good bye to a president, a friend, but more importantly to give support to a family grieving. They showed a picture of any family who had lost a husband, father, and grandfather.

For me this sad day just put things into perspective. A President may be powerful in many ways, but just like you and me, their life is fragile. They have many of the same issues we have, they just have more people watching. Which then makes me grateful that they are willing to do a job that I am not.

Thank you Mrs. Ford for letting us into such an emotional and personal thing as your grief.

Happy New Year

It has been awhile since I blogged. I am sure none of you can relate to the business of the season. ;-)

I was thinking about some of the big news stories of the last few days. The death of Sadam weighs on me a bit. I worry about people rejoice in it too much. It was likely the right thing to do, but it is still a death. And I wonder if God is really ok with us doing this. To me, He is the one that makes the calls on life and death but people make compelling arguments for it. Have we fallen to his level or done what he wants? I struggle with these questions.

President Ford's passing is interesting to me. When a president dies, I find myself wanting to watch the coverage. People say such wonderful things and they have such amazing funerals. I can feel the pain that Mrs. Betty Ford must be feeling and am moved by her strength. I know it does not seem like the rest of us get such things when we pass, but I think we do. It is just a different scale.

For me, though I am just grateful that I many blessings.. My family is healthy and close. I have the things I need to survive (along with too many things to make it comfortable). I wish my aunt had more anwers but I am comforted in that she will know what happened when she really needs it. My girls are great. I love them and they love me. It is so great to be with them, watch them learn and participate in the little things. My husband is more than I could ask for. He supports and is supportive, loving and my best friend.

I hope that the new year brings time for reflection and thankfulness as it does for me. I also wish for you every blessing in the coming year