Link-a-palooza

I wanted to show you pictures from our fun weekend. But our computer is freaking out. I wanted to show you who came to visit and what we celebrated and how we played, but all I've got are words since the computer won't work long enough for me to upload pictures to a post. Instead of pictures, I give you links. Here's the linked version of what we've been up to, what we'll be up to, and what we're thinking (and by we, I mean me):

Papa and Tutu (Ty's parents) came to visit for Lainey's 5th birthday! We had so much fun. We went downtown and watched the printing press at the paper run. We drove over and saw Snoqualmie Falls. The flow was high (is this the right term????) because there had been lots of rain. It was incredible. We went to Puget Sound Energy's Wind Farm (20 minutes outside of town... its like the only tourist attraction in the county) and we got to go inside a windmill. It was pretty cool. But most importantly, we celebrated Lainey's birthday! I can't believe we've made it five years! Grandma and Grandpa drove over for the evening (4 hours of driving for 4 hours of party...) and Lainey was spoiled with love! This was the first time she actually understood she could get what she asked for, or maybe it was just the first time I cared to listen. She wanted the Barbie Diamond Castle Doll and she got it. Her face, that joy, I just love being a mom. The doll is annoying, as it sings by the push of a button, but she loves it and all her other presents, so I guess I can be happy for her.

And just for a little Wahoo!, Tyler filled up my van from empty to full for $32.27 on Monday, and the price has dropped another .05 a gallon since then! I know it's a sign that the economy is not good, but I can't help but be a little excited that gas is getting more affordable. $1.83 a gallon... makes my heart sing! Now instead of making 10 billion dollars off of the gas guzzling Americans, all the oil sheiks will only get 5 billion!

Going to see Twilight tonight. That last book really ruined the series for me. I'm not excited to see the movie at all. I am excited that I've finally convinced some women here to hang out with me outside of church. Only took, what, 5 months. Geez. I'll be giving my always insightful, objective, and detailed review soon, I'm sure.

Turkey day next week. I've never been more excited for the holiday. I keep telling myself to work hard with the diet and exercise till that day because I am not counting calories eaten or burned for that glorious, glorious day. Or at least I'm going to try not to. It's so ingrained in me that i doubt I'll be able to totally let it go. I'm determined to make this chocolate pumpkin pie I saw in the latest Martha Stewart Living mag. And I'm making this apple, sausage, cranberry stuffing. It's gonna be good. If 882 reviewers thought so, how can it be otherwise? Lainey is actually writing my list while I spell it for her as we speak... or type... or read... or whatever. And it is as hard to do as it sounds. Type and spell, that is...

Tyler's been spending his time browsing this site. Have I told you how much he loves shopping on Black Friday? This year won't be quite as fun for him as years previous, but he's been scoping out where the best deals are for what we need. Like, maybe a new computer. One that will let me upload that adorable picture of Lainey right before she blows out her candles.

And Santa, if you happen to read this here blog, I was serious when I said don't get me anything for Christmas since I'll be taking care of myself by way of the new wardrobe I've yet to purchase, but anticipate doing so soon and with much joy. But since I know you so well, Santa dear, here is the one thing I want that you could get me if you just can't help yourself. Or you could tell one of the retired Santas we know that they could gift it to me this year. I really, really want it.

In case your Santa stops by this here blog too (and because I'm just curious by nature), what do you really, really want for Christmas? No intangibles (like world peace, or a turn in the economy). What do you want under that tree? If you're worried your Santa won't be stopping by to read your comment, you can always write him a letter and check out his blog here. Everyone has a blog, don't they?

I think I hate politics.

Of all the days for me to realized this, I just had to pick this one, didn't I? After a historic night and a historic election, I'm finally figuring out that I just don't like politics. I'm usually a pretty opinionated and passionate person, but I just can't get very opinionated or passionate about it. I really think I hate politics. How did I come to this huge realization, you wonder?

Well, when Tyler woke me up telling me which way the battleground states finally swung, I rolled my eyes and then rolled myself towards the opposite wall, declaring Tyler's factoid the LAST political statistic I wanted to hear for 4 years. I think that means I don't really like politics.


When I turned on the TV for my workout this morning, I did a few jumps for joy. Why? Because I realized there would be NO political ads while I chugged through my workout on the elliptical today. There would be no 30 second snippets that tell nothing the way it really is on either side of the coin, no fact stretching, 1/2 truths and veiled barbs to choke down . I can't tell you the happiness that burst forth as I started my warm-up. Then, all my joy deflated as I watched Good Morning America's continued election coverage. Boring tv= long workout. The plummeting of my spirits made this morning's workout extra long. I think I hate politics.

When the news media reported that in the Washington State govenor's race, the candidates spent over $20 million dollars, I wanted to scream. Then I read that Obama, McCain, and other political interest groups have spent a record $5.3 billion dollars. I cringed. I wonder how many children in America went hungry in the last week while campaign's were forking over millions of dollars in ad time. I wonder what kind of change America would see if we put our money where our candidates' mouths are (in ideas and programs we support), instead of putting it in their pockets. I think getting this angry about it means I hate politics.

I don't think I'm being a sore loser or a sore winner. I may be wrong, but I doubt it. I think my issues with politics are largely unrelated to political parties and leanings. I think I just plain hate politics. I think I hate it because I love this country. I love freedom. I love our history. I just hate what our process does to us.

What about you? What do you hate about the process? And are you glad the election is over? Why? Or why not?

I will say, before I even worked out, I checked the results of Prop 8 in California. That is one political issue I feel passionately about. Thank goodness it passed... let's just hope it stays that way!

And just so we're clear- hating politics and participating in them are not the same thing. I participate and am proud to do so. I just hate the process.

The advantages to a small town...

Can you believe I forgot to take pictures of Halloween? Luckily we live in a fun little 'Burg where all the businesses trick-or-treat Halloween afternoon, and the local newspaper even takes pictures of all the 'Burg's children. And then they publish them in the paper the next day. I happen to have a very close connection to someone down at the local paper and was able to wheedle this little gem out of him.





Now if only I could convince my family to chuck the candy! Oh, and here are some fab fall cookies if you've got a hankering. Ya know, for after that Fun Size Snickers bar. Gosh, you'd think I wasn't on a diet at all by reading this, wouldn't you?