Overdue to Read More- 2 quick reviews

So I didn't get to a book a week in January, but between the Inauguration and exams it was busy. I did read 2 books and am almost finished with a 3 on audiobook. So here are 2 quick reviews

Jan Book club Book- The Alchemist

Good, but not great book, liked the storytelling plotline of the book. It became a little too covey pop psychology by the end. I was a little miffed by all the reviews stating it was "one of the most moving novels of modern times"... Really, guess I missed that level of the book.

Name all the Animals- This was my runner-up to the book I picked for 2009 Book club when I host in October. I ultimately picked the Glass Castle and now that I finished Animals I'm glad I didn't pick this book for the group. The book is set in the early 80s and is the year in the life of a family after the death of their son. The story centers on how the sister copes but the parent aspect plays a pivotal role. The plot seems depressing, but it really wasn't. The writing, that uses the daughter's relationships as a search for self, leads to one hell of a plot twist and is unwraveled by the end. I would recommend this book.

I am currently trying to finish Extremely Loud and Dangerously Close on audiobook- really like this book and audiobook is the way to go with the amount of characters

I'm 75 pages into Outliers and yeah baby yeah!

This is just too funny!

When I picked up M. Gladwell's Outliers this afternoon from the library, Ben picked out the following book. I would like to say that the picture on the cover pulled him in. The name alone cracked me up!

Seeing that Bill has a love of small woodland creatures to the point that I fear one day he is going over to the dark side and become a furry in real life I had to laugh. A little of me and definitely a little of Bill is in this boy for sure!

Calling all econ nerds...

I subscribe to a AP Gov teachers listserve. In the last week a raging debate has emerged about how the proposed stimulus package will impact the taxpayer in regards to if supply side vs demand side economics is a better fix for the economy.

Hands down my favorite things to teach is monetary vs fiscal policy. It's complicated and let's face it really boring. So, I turn it into this big lesson about being sick and give the kids symptoms of a cold to represent key economic indicator like a runny nose= decrease in GDP and fever= uncontrollable inflation.

I come in as the Doctor and "cure" the economy by demonstrating the differing policies gov't can take. They kids typically play along and remember it come test time. (It also doesn't hurt that as a test item writer for the state test I have often been asked to write economics questions)

So today on the listserve was this great link about how other countries are approaching the economic crisis in their own countries.

As an aside I am hoping a subscription to the Economists makes it to me as a Valentine's Day gift. How unromantic would that be, but so perfect if you know me???

NOW I get it!!!

Once in a class on economics and public policy I failed the midterm. Let me restate, I walked into to class thinking I had studied and read all the chapters likely to be on the test. I opened my blue book to begin to answer the 3 questions and realized I didn't know the 2 of 3 questions. The question that stuck out and is a story I tell my students about "no professor is going to make you a study sheet, so you need to develop good notetaking strategies as you read" was a question about Say's Law of economics about the interaction of supply and demand. Needless to say I bucked up and became a better student after bombing the test and a really uncomfortable meeting with my advisor. So I laughed out loud as I read Paul Krugman's blog post this morning about Keynes theory versus Say's law. If I could only time travel back to 1995! I would be such a better student after being a teacher!

On a totally different note, I toured another Montessori this morning with Ben. He loved the materials they had out for children to play with while the parents (all who I think I taught their relatives at my old magnet high school) talked to the teachers and school director. I have a one-on-one interview later in the month, but I think it would be worth the 30 minute drive if we are picked in their lottery. Heading to another open house tomorrow while everyone else is pre-superbowl partying I'm being a overzealous parent sitting in a little chair taking copious notes!

PART DEUX and a FINALE for Friday

I have hit the wall folks. I didn't think about it being a really long week until I figured out all that has gone down this week. Over the past couple of days I have been dwelling on 1. Ben not sleeping at school 2. Where Ben should be this fall?

Needless to say I am stressing myself out when in actuality both are not big deals in the scheme of things. I was met at the door of his school tonight by the assistant director to discuss #1 as well as two accident reports (both of which he caused). Oh brother! I thought since he had gotten up a whole hour earlier this morning he would of course sleep today. NOPE, once again he was up the whole time. So some time this weekend will be spent looking for last ditch sleep efforts. Ideas?

I have now booked myself into the preschool Hall of Fame for number of visits. I have multiple visits upcoming including 2 open houses this weekend. I am tired even thinking about going to all these dog and pony shows, but the payoff is too important.

I am really, really tired tonight in abnormal way. I don't think I am going to make to our Friday night ritual of watching a weeks worth of Daily Shows/Colbert Reports. Not doing caffeine is contributing but adding it up it's been a busy week...

1. Finished giving and grading final exams
2. Calculated final grades, prepared failure letters for 28 students, contacted them, moved over 100 text books, kicked off a new semester with so many kids in 2/3 classes that it looks like a refugee camp (this task included seating charts, tons of copies, and pulling each child's records before day one Wednesday)
3. Today I stayed until almost 5 pm and got everything ready for next week PLUS finished the last of a major clean out of old student files.

On the Personal front I....
1. Got the last of holiday returns done
2. Got my hair cut
3. Finished Jan book club book and went last night

I really liked Laura's (and Lit and Laundry) idea of tackling a few projects each week instead of the shot gun approach I typically go for. So promise myself for next week since I have lots of after school and night commitments, that I am picking 5 things to do for School/Home. Let me get back to you on Monday after I collapse tonight!

oh this is not good

check out Ben's daily sheet today indicating a 10 minute nap! If you notice the time it's 2:55-3:05pm. Ok, so my question was why let him sleep at all, especially since they are suppose to be up and at outside playtime by 3pm. I asked his teachers again about what is going on, where he is sleeping in the room, is he getting up and disturbing others, can he sit quietly on his cot and look at a book if he's not asleep. Again I felt that they were blaming us for him not sleeping and that he is starting to drop his nap much to their dismay.

I agree that we can do some things at home, such as making sure that Bill takes him in no later than 8:30 and making sure he is going to bed earlier. On the days that he is not sleeping we are starting bedtime earlier with an abbreviated night time routine. The one redeeming note on here is the statement that he was dry most of the morning. We almost made it to bedtime without an accident. So I guess Ben's like his mom, can run on little sleep. The problem comes that in a group environment, he is expected to conform. I am thinking Montessori is looking better and better....

Decisions, Decisons....

I am turning into the parent that I have often complained about after a decade of teaching. You know the one who is already planning their child's grad school experience before they are potty trained. Or the parent that sends 5 page emails at 3am stating all the modifications you should make to give their student an advantage (yes this really happened to me.) I admit that I am likely taking an interest in Ben's future education opportunities a little bit too seriously.

We want Ben to attend the WCPSS magnet school program once he enters kindergarten. After teaching at a Magnet G/T Performing Arts High school I can honestly say there are so many doors that open because of a magnet experience compared to a typical neighborhood school that it is worth the extra effort now to ensure that he is on a path to success.

After months of increasing unhappiness at our current day care I have started a search for a new school. Monday I interviewed and toured a local Montessori school. I really like the Montessori approach and I think it would be a good fit for Ben. He does well with older children as well as working alone independently.

What I didn't like about this school in particular was that the school is so new that they don't have a great number of families yet. They are not in a permanent building and frankly the whole visit seemed a bit staged for my tour. So I am moving on to other Montessori schools in the area as well as some other options for fall.

With the area preschool lottery about to begin I want to secure a place for Ben this fall before the end of February. I am certain that my efforts to find an appropriate and fitting place for the all important 2 year lead-up to preschool will not be in vein. I am planning over the summer what magnet elementary schools we want to visit this fall as well as the Magnet Fair in November. I know I won't be alone as from working this event back at Enloe days I met PREGNANT moms asking about our HIGH SCHOOL programs. THAT my friends makes me look like the worst mom on the block!

Ben told me tonight that his name is "Ben Elmo" so I think we have lots of time to work on pre-kindergarten learning.

Ben v. Vegas

Poor child! Bill texted me this picture after hearing all hell break loose just before they left for school. From his interrogation of Ben, it appeared that Ben pulled her tail and she scratched him all down the side of his face and neck. At least he got a cars BandAid out of it. What's next, mixed martial arts vs the cats?

ahhhh....

Oh what a week it has been. To think that I have been in DC, home to give an final exam, and now I am in the mountains of NC at NCCAT teacher retreat all in one week? Throw in a massive foreign policy change I don't think this week could be any better.

Bill and I took Ben to school and then went out to breakfast before I got on the road. I was a little late in getting here, but it was worth it to spend some much needed time together.

As usual the weekend is jam packed with crunchy granola activities geared at trying to keep us in this profession. The weather was nice enough to take a 45 minute walk/run (heavy on the walk side) through Western Carolina's campus after dinner. After DC weather I am the woman-kinda!

I'm having breakfast with 30 year veteran Montessori teacher among our cohort to ask what I should be looking for when I tour southern Wake Montessori this Monday. More on if we are changing next week.

AHHH.....Minus missing my family and friends I could live here.....

Change has Come!

Where were YOU on 1-20-2009? I was there... with TICKETS



How to describe the wave of sound passing over as 2 million people are chanting OBAMA? ABsolutly Surreal Standing IN the middle of history will go down as one of the most awesome moments of my life as well as a SWEET 34th birthday present.

The whole trip seemed to radiate good karma in part due to Laura's planning. Our trip included manageable traffic and transportation options getting to and from the big day, staying with Laura's blogfriend Beth, and when we picked up the tickets we met Senator Conrad in person.

We walked and mapped out the Capitol on Monday for inauguration day logistics, saw Steven Colbert's portrait in the Smithsonian and the Lincoln memorial at night...

A happenstance meeting for drinks with another blogfriend of Laura's led to us finding the Obama swag superstore and my finding of the motherload of souvenirs.

Inauguration Day itself was insane with crowds. We luckily only spent an hour in line for security before finding a great place to stand just behind the reflecting pool. We had an unobscured view of the podium and when leaving the DC area amass the crowds and bitter cold we were often ahead of the worst of the waves of people as we made our way home.

So where were YOU? I was making unforgettable history! Change has come and we saw it firsthand!

We have the Golden Tickets!

This American Life did a show yesterday about expectations for the incoming Obama administration. Many of the interviews included a comparison to the Bush tenure. A must listen for anyone on either side of the fence about Obama.

Laura and I are leaving in a matter of hours for what I hope will be one of the best moments of my life. I have had many strong feelings about how the country that I stand up and teach open minds to love and honor has acted less than honorable in the last 8 years. January 20th @12:01pm is a new chapter in US history.

I believe that Bush acted in what he thought was HIS best interest or that of his advisors. He has had to make tough decisions that I would never want to ponder my response. So in that vein I am leaving the following experiences of where my life and the Bush administration have crossed-

For the Voters of the 2000 Election- Proof that the Constitution is the Ultimate Plan B in cases of emergency. Who would have thought anyone cared about the Electoral College since gov't class.

For my 2nd block students at Lee Co High School on 9/11/01- I am sorry that I could not give you an explanation as to why and how. I would have done anything not to be part of your personal history of "where was I at when I heard the news." It was all I could do that day to be the adult in the room just to read it news and not intprepret it.

To my 4th period students at Enloe- Your discussion about race and poverty in the most intest days of Katrina taught me more that you will ever know. It killed me to watch you realize the cold truth about priorities.

For my high school friend, Capt Kimberly Hampton, US Air Force who died in the line of duty in Fallujha in January 2005. Know that your picture hung in my civics class for a year after your death in your honor. When your story anchored a national story about women in combat I knew that you have given your life not only for our country but women's rights too.

For the Voters in the 2004 Election- A campaign that focused on Gays, Guns, and God scares me at the propaganda techniques that exist in American politics.

To the Major News Networks- Thank you for finally deciding to ask the hard questions. You redeemed yourself after falling asleep at the wheel. NPR, Frontline, The New York Times, and 60 Minutes should have been your template from Day One.

For the Teachers who have Left the Profession post NCLB Inception- The best the brightest are leaving. I have turned into that teacher I never wanted to be.

To my AP Gov students both in 2001-2003 and 2008. I hope you find your political voice and choose to be engaged. Complacency breeds evil.

To my son Ben who was born during this administration. I hope you too will love politics as much as me. The first thing we ever watched together was Meet the Press in the hospital. In your lifetime I hope you will have faith and confidence in your government.

For my husband Bill- I didn't think we would EVER be on the same page about politics. Your realization that Obama was the best choice and your decision to move away from your party helped me realize that the more we as citizens collectively meet in the middle the more likely we will repair our county at home and abroad. I appreciate your support of me and this trip.

Let history determine the fate of the Bush Presidency. I have faith that we are a bigger and better people and can move forward.

Microsoft Moustache Competition

I have not seen much of Bill this week. They are on a major deadline so he has been away at night and also this weekend. I guess this is repayment as he is going to have Ben most nights next week while I am gone to DC and then NCAAT weekend session. He is playing around with the idea of taking Ben to a monster truck show next weekend if he can find a way to protect his hearing. Ben by the way loves monster trucks and talks about them as they were crack.

So as if they weren't under enough stress to meet the deadline, they decided to have a moustache contest. I don't think this was Bill's idea but he readily jumped on the bandwagon. After all it during his freshmen year that his roommates encouraged him to shave curse words into his beard and go to class.

Bill decided to go with a lambchop/biker beard combo. I think all he needs is a baby blue leisure suit and it would look like 1977 around here. We are meeting up with friends tonight for dinner. His plan is to totally play it off as long as possible as if nothing is different.

Donut Bribery

Today was the last day of regular classes and it was the last day I would have with my AP Gov students as most are exempting the final. After consuming 2 dozen Dunkin Donuts I picked up, they read their, "this I believe essays". WOW o WOW at what they wrote. Students anonymously shared their work and we voted on the entry I am going to submit to NPR's All Things Considered.

I am a huge fan of this Monday afternoon segment of the show and recently played one of my favorites, "always be nice to the pizza deli every guy" as a model. Likely their essays will only be heard by our class today, but I think the final exercise was a beautiful way to end the class. With her permission, here is an excerpt of what my student wrote.

I believe in coloring outside the lines. Remember the days when you were five and you picked up a handful of crayons and just started to color. All you had to be concerned about was whether the sun should be pink flamenco or mac and cheese orange or that it the fridge would have enough room to display all your artwork...If our five year old selves decided we wanted a hot pink barn with teal and orange strips, we colored it exactly like that. Coloring outside the lines is a simple joy of life, it has no rules. Besides, what else are you suppose to do with all the empty space on your fridge.

I could not be more proud of my kids, the effort they put in on this class, working on national presidential campaigns, and most of all the sense of community they created on a daily basis. I am also proud of myself for teaching, challenging them, pushing the envelope playing devils advocate when it was really hard, and most of all serving as a vehicle to encourage them to become politically active. I got lots of "this was an awesome class" as well as "it was so much harder than I ever thought, but so worth it" and for these sentiments, I am thankful to know my hard work was appreciated. I am sad to see them go but so, so fortunate that for a brief moment our lives crossed for common purpose.

Ugghh!!!!

I wrote this post last Friday in a moment of sheer frustration. I debated actually publishing it, but it actually makes me feel better to say it out "loud" ....

The rational voice in me for the last couple of days has said, " we weren't even really trying this month, you took the increased clomid dose just as a trial run, you didn't count days or take your temperature consistently, you didn't even buy an ovulation test this month" so why would you think you were pregnant? You even drank at holiday parties so you don't deserve for this to happen has even been cycling in my thoughts.

But being a a several days late, plus being really nauseated over the last couple of days gave me that little hopeful thought of what if???

All thoughts came to a screeching hault this morning :-(

Real Simple this month has an article entitled Resolutions of What NOT to do in 2009

For me I think not stressing about getting pregnant this year tops the list. I have let a miscarriage in summer 2005 totally dominate my thoughts about getting pregnant again. It ruined any joy to be had for the nine long months of daily worrying before Ben arrived safely. It freaks me out to even begin to think about going through that self-imposed misery again.

My rational self tells me you know the increased odds are against you for getting and maintaining a pregnancy having PCOS plus insulin resistance. I should just be thankful that I got pregnant with Ben fairly easily in comparision to so many. My deemed initial "high risk" pregnancy complete with daily blood testing and DVT scare at month 7 was easy breezy compared to what could have been.

So I refuse to see or judge myself each month that something does or does not happen in 2009. My AP class is working on "this I believe essays" as a final assignement. We are going to vote on and submit the best one to NPR.

For me I think my essay would be titled, "I believe in 2nd, 3rd,even 92nd chances for the impossible to happen". I have to believe that our family will be blessed beyond reason because we already are

Tales from the Little Potty- Vol 3

Highlighted on Ben's daily sheet today in bright highlighter was this statement "Ben fell in the potty today." I know that I shouldn't laugh as it was probably traumatic for him, but the image cracks me up. Everything was soaked to the bone, down to his shoes poor guy. Supposedly he has been working on sitting on the big potty and pushing his penis down after peeing all over his pants for the past few days and today he fell butt first into the bowl.

On the positive he is frequently waking up dry from nap and has been asking to pee in his little potty when he gets up in the morning. He is also staying dry longer between accidents. Tonight we had the poop-plosion and he even tried to help clean up, sweet boy. On the down side I hoped to relax into American Idol and nip/tuck instead of moping the floor, more laundry, and scrubbing Ben down from head to toe.

I didn't want my kitchen nor my son to smell like used wine at the bus station. Just another day in the life of a parent, right?

Open letter to Mickey Rourke

Oh Mickey-

Why didn't you call me after your win for The Wrestler last night. The collective "what the ****" from both the audience and viewers at home should have been a tip off that among the beautiful people last night, you seemed a little lost and must have stumbled (literally you lost your shoe on the steps to the podium) onto the awards show in hopes of finding Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab.

You thanked your dogs. Let me repeat myself after admitting that you are a total D-list celebrity if that,proceeded to thank your dogs. For a minute I thought the sentence was going to end, "for licking my balls when I was lonely for human touch".

But alas what was the most bizarre acceptance since Angela Jolie proclaimed her love for her brother at the Oscars a few years back you seemed in your element. Too bad for your other nominees who had likely the worst night of their career loosing to you. So with that I wish you tons of luck on your next picture as you have proved that even the forgotten Nick Notle-esque are still bankable to someone.

I will have to say you have lost whatever I found remotely sexy from Wild Orchid which I do believe my girlfriends watched about 100 times in high school for the sex (not the acting I can assure you). But then our lives revolved around comparing our lame boyfriends to you, man of men circa 1989. Oh silly girls to see you now.

I weep to hear you are in IronMan 2. Maybe a more appropriate title should be, "Can we get any more washed up stars in a movie? Is Todd Bridges from Different Strokes available, oh wait, he's dead. I guess we will have to settle for the short one."

Chili Haystacks and Watchin' the Globes

For Week 2 of Crock Pot Love I made Chili Haystacks for dinner with the Pressley's last night. We were almost an hour late as I finally sold my 2001 Honda Accord and it took longer than expected. As always had a good time letting the boys play and sitting around their kitchen table laughing.

Tonight I am watching my favorite of the awards shows, The Golden Globes. I like them better than the Oscars or Emmys because you get TV and movies in one show. You don't get the icky categories like, "Best Animated short from Azerbaijan" or "Interpretive Dance to Best Movie Score."

I was all too happy that both Mad Men and In Treatment were up for several awards including both for Best TV Drama. Mad Men won, but I was so happy to see In Treatment up for multiple awards to keep the buzz going for this little known show. It is not back on until this fall and I can't wait to see the new characters they bring on against Gabriel Byrne. He picked up an best actor award for his awesome role. Four of the main six of this years cast were up for something so it will be good!!!

I am also SO going to see Revolutionary Road after seeing all the clips. One more, too fitting for Heath Ledger to win posthumously. He will always break my heart as the son in Monster's Ball, but he stole the show in The Dark Knight. Onto the food!

Chili Haystacks- source Fix It and Forget It Big Cookbook-2008

2 lbs browned ground beef or ground turkey
1 small onion chopped
2 oz cans of tomato sauce
2 15 oz cans chili beans
1 10 oz can of enchilada sauce
1/2 tsp chili power
1 tsp garlic salt
pinch of pepper

Combine all ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on High 1 hour or low 2-3 hours
Serve with crushed corn chips, cheese, sour cream over rice or potatoes

I like corn bread with chili- Here's my Vinson style change to the basic cornbread mix, mix in one beaten egg, 1 small can of evaporated milk, 1/2 cup of corn (can use mexi-corn for zing), 1 tablespoon of honey- Make into muffins. Bake accoring to box

Jump the Shark?

Oh the possibilities! As I was watching the kick off to the final season of nip/tuck last night I could only think where will this show go in thier final episodes. This show by nature from seasons past seem to be able to pull off plotlines that in any other show would deem it to have "jumped the shark".

Where else could a whole season center around serial killer that rapes and carves up his victims only for it to be a derranged brother-sister team complete with a strap on. My personal favorite episodes are: Adelle Coffin As Sean comforts a dying Megan and admits his affiar and the quintential episode from the Carver season Granville Trappwhen you get Christan's self-loathing at it's best.

So I can only hope that by the series finale later this year I won't be diasppointed. While no ending can ever top the last 10 minutes of Six Feet Under which I can watch over and over and sob just as hard as the first time viewing, I'm sure then end to nip/tuck will be a blow-out sex fest followed by an totally unrealistic ending. Oh Goody!!!!!

Since we are turning off our cable by end of month, I was a little concerned that I wouldn't get to fest on this season, but luckily all episodes are online.

100 posts!

Happy 100 Posts to Pieces of Me!

As a person who has zero confidence in my writing abilities, I am really proud of this accomplishment. When I started this blog is was in attempting to keep myself accountable on my 2007's 70 Things in 69 Days mega summer to do list. I made it a priority to try and post at least 3-4 times a week when my Giant To Do list rolled out for the summer 2008 after letting it die with the school year in 2007.

I am proud to say that I kept my goal despite alot of time spent on my AP Gov class this fall. Bill has agreed to help me format and bind my first 2 years for my upcoming birthday. My 2009 goal is 150 posts by year end. Thanks to friends who read and comment. Who would have ever thought Bill's 2004 t-shirt reading, "I'm blogging this" that he wore proudly and had to explain to me would become a part of my life and connection to others.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

As we pulled into our neighborhood this afternoon the street was blocked with firetrucks and emergency vehicles. Not knowing immediately what house they were at I screamed, "Oh my God" as we made our way to our house. My little parrot proceeded to say this over and over as we got out of the car and walked towards our house.

I told Ben let say, "oh my Firetrucks" instead, which didn't really work. Luckily the family was not home and no one was hurt. Ben was totally obvious to the smoldering ruins but instead was enthralled by the sight of the firetrucks, hoses at full blast, and a big digger that was tearing off the flaming roof.

For me it was one of those, "I am adult, not a kid amazed at firetrucks and this is really horrible reality for someone". All that all I wanted to do was bear hug Ben and assure myself that this could never happen to us.

What do you think Ben said as we were reading a Dora book tonight that had a firetruck? Bingo and collect your prize at the door.

"We have lots in common... we both like soup"

Title Source- Best in Show Stiffer's mom to her 90 year old husband whom she has nothing in common but waiting on him to die for his $$$

Until I can get my 52 Weeks of Crockpot Love gadget to be live I will post whatever recipe I did as an entry. This first week I have spent time flagging recipes in the cookbooks I borrowed from the library. I am going to buy Not Your Mothers Slow Cooker Cookbook as well as the Bible of cookbooks Fix It and Forget It as both have lots of items Bill has agreed to try.

I decided since it was cold and rainy on Friday to make a Hendricks favorite-

Veggie Patch Soup- By Marilyn Hendricks

Ingredients- 1 64 oz bottle of V-8 (regular flavor)
1 large size bag frozen veggies (or several well rinsed cans)
2 cup of cooked rice, barley, or pasta
2 cups of beef broth
1/2-1 lb lean stew beef cut into small pieces
1/2 cup sugar (I used splenda)
salt, pepper
I also added marjaram- 1 tablespoon

Put all ingredients into the slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours or High for 1-3.

Great with grilled BLT or cheese sandwiches, or corn muffins

This Girl is On Fire

Instead of working on my Final AP Gov project tonight I decided to add/delete from my blog. I have gotten into writing more frequently and Bill is going to format my first 2 years (almost 100 entries) into book form for my birthday. So I am adding the following new gadgets to update weekly as well as some new buds on the blogroll

52 weeks of Crockpot Love...is based on the blog A Year of Crockpotting. I got an awesome deal on a new crockpot during the holiday sales and armed with a bevy of library books I am on a mission to use it once a week. My moms group is doing a crock pot tasting party instead of our usual night out this month so I hope to come away with even more ideas. I hope to make this a live link with the recipe with Bill's help.

Overdue to Read More.... A plan to read more than my monthly bookclub book. I made a wish list of all the books I would like to read this year. I am shooting for 25 total including audiobooks.

Adding to my Blogroll- The Pressley Press - Family friends, Linker Girls< - Childhood Friend in Charlotte, NC, Freakonomics Blog - You MUST read this book, Conscience of a Liberal- NY Times columnist Paul Krugman. If only Paul and Maureen Dowd could be my parents.

I am also trying to break my old school newspaper a day habit and going solely online. I already read the NY Times online most days as a subscription costs more than a kidney transplant, but I am trying to give up my daily local paper too now that I don't get it free at school. Bill would be proud as I am the last luddite alive according to him.

Bring It On "09

Our quiet night to ring in the New Years turned into dropping by friends seafood boil where I wound up doing 4 shots before we left much to Bill's surprise. It was loud, crazy, and remind me of college days of yore.

We did ring in the New Year by tucking Ben into bed together. My hopes for 2009 are high. Talking to Laura yesterday about our upcoming Obama inauguration trip was the icing on the cake to get syked about this new year. We are so going to rock at the ND party in our matching t-shirts!

So my list of resolutions are short in hopes of accomplishing them all-
1. Work on Baby V part deux
2. Make some type of resolution about my job
3. Potty train Ben
4. Make use of the new elliptical
5. Be a more supportive spouse and show appreciation more often

Here's to a Year of Great Expectations

Goodbye, Godbless, Goodnight- 2008

2008 will go down as a year of extreme highs and lows. It's telling that this morning Ben was naming all his friends at school and told if they were "pooping or not". A highlight of the year has been his language explosion as I was a little concerned early in the year. So in typical fashion here's the short list:

Lows- Being worried about my mom, insulin issues for myself, Motricity's downturn and an IPO that never materialized, 2 bouts with mild month-long depression, still didn't loose the 25 pounds from my first year as a mom, not knowing if I want to stay in teaching, major losses in our 401k and investments, missing the market to sell our house.

Highs- Ben's development into a little boy, another stable year of marriage, Bill's move to Microsoft, AP Government, Election 2008 in general, faithfully working out 3-4 a week, trips to FL and SC to see family, 3 beach trips, adult friendships, making date nights a regular thing, returning to reading more books for fun not school, NCCAT trips, being published with DPI and our local paper with school achievement, making the time for therapy, not spending as much time at home on grading and parent emails/contacts, keeping this blog going for myself, a festive Holiday season 2008 including a great trip to Atlanta

Wishing everyone peace and joy in 2009

To JBH at 8:11 pm- I get my answer everyday so I know you heard me- love h

Hotlanta!

Wow did we pack alot into 5 days and 800 miles! As Bill and I were driving home last night I mentioned that the whole trip was relaxed. I think we made the best use of time and picked activities that gave us the most bang for our buck. So here goes a photo diary of our trip:

Opening gifts at Mema's house in South Carolina with Uncle Brian

Uncle Brian giving Ben the claw and a JBH "smeefin"

Happiness is in Mema's lap with a book by the fire (ok No fire this year as it was almost 70 on Christmas day)
On to Atlanta to Dave and Busters for dinner and games with Grandmommy Pam and Uncle Jamie (aka Mini-Bill). Ben decided to roll the skee-balls down other people's lanes. The most famous thing in Bill's hometown of Smyrna is the Original KFC with the Big Chicken landmark.

Fun on the MARTA subway to the Georgia Aquarium. Other subway riders were none to thrilled at Ben's train noises and motions for the entire trip.

Heather felt the need to stop and drool at her man candy outside CNN

I LOVE this picture in front of the Barrier Reef Tanks

Family Reunion time at the McGreaham's home in Roswell. Big family picture to come from Aunt Lynn as soon as she gets home.

Time for holiday lights at a local Atlanta display that also had a petting zoo and pony rides. Ben was scared of both, but wanted to talk about them and tell them good bye repeatedly.

I tried to get Ben to hold the bear for this photo but he refused, so Mommy held it instead

Really Awesome lights!!!!!

Sunday and a trip to Lenox Mall where the "Pink Pig" had moved from it's home in downtown Atlanta to Macy's in the Buckhead area suburb. This is an Evans (Bill's family) tradition dating back to the 1950's to ride each holiday season. I did ask Pam for a picture of Bill for a future side-by-side. More shopping and a nice dinner followed before Pam and James had to leave.

Last day and we are headed to 2 stores before splitting town:

IKEA for mommy (and daddy too)

and Fry's Electronics for Bill

Final dinner with Mema and Brian at Cracker Barrel in Easley, SC on our way home. You know you are from a small town when before you get your food 3 sets of people you grew up come by to visit.

All in all it was a great trip to see family and celebrate the holidays. Ben was mostly well behaved, loved the hotel pool, sleeping in his sleeping bag, playing with cousin Gray's baby toys, got lots of new toys, games, puzzles, and even a little computer (to Bill's happiness that Ben loved).

Onto April 2009 where our Destin road trip is already being planned!

The 12 Days of Christmas-Vinson Style

We decided to leave on our trip to Atlanta via South Carolina in the morning and have a nice Christmas Eve family night. We feasted on grilled steaks, loaded baked potatoes, and creamed spinach for dinner after the 5 pm service at our church and some light viewing around town.


I really hate the song "the 12 Days of Christmas" along with the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". I know I should be burned at the Christmas stake but we will likely turn on Bad Santa, a my type of Christmas movie followed by mandatory viewing of "A Christmas Story" once Ben is in bed. So to prove that I am not without Christmas cheer here's my own version of the ever famous and never ending song.


On the 1st day of Christmas my family gave to me- A jam-packed festive season
on the 2nd day of Christmas my family gave to me- 23 Chrismas books read by the tree
On the 3rd day of Christmas my family gave to me- Pink phallic shaped cookies
On the 4th day of Chrismas my family gave to me- 2 Christmas crafts made with Ben for grandmoms
On the 5th day of Christmas my family gave to me- A fun date night for sushi and Quantum of Solace with the Pressleys sans the kids.
On the 6th day of Christmas my family gave to me- Getting caught up on This American Life while cooking up piles of holiday goodies
On the 7th day of christmas my family gave to me- The great reveal of the green bed
On the 8th day of Christmas my family gave to me- Awesome family photo cards with our 2008 countdown
On the 9th day of Christmas my family gave to me- Watching our favorite kids Christmas shows with Ben with eyes of wonder
On the 10th day of Christmas my family gave to me- Special family ornaments dating back to 1975 made by my mom
On the 11th day of christmas my family gave to me- Peace and quiet to practice yoga, read, write, and watch a Six Feet Under Marathon
On the 12th day of Christmas 2008 my family gave to me- A more positive diagnosis for my mom, a new job for my brother, another year of marriage to my appendage, a trip to see Grandmommy Pam and MeMaw, and most of all unconditional love from my family.

Merry Christmas to All
May Peace and Grace find you this season

File that under Christmas 2009, 2010, 2011...

One of the things I want to remember this holiday are all the great ideas I have read, heard, or seen in action that I want to include for future years. Number 3 is of my own imagination I'm proud to say.

1. Make a Santa Sleigh Landing Strip using a string of blinking lights and cardboard. Kids get to decorate and pretend Santa is landing with their gifts.

2. Make salt dough ornaments using this recipe. Use food coloring in the dough to avoid the painting step.

3. Create the 12 days of crafts leading up to the big day and have a art walk to display complete with fancy kid drinks and treats for your guests.

4. Make a pan of rice crispy treats and cut using holiday cookie cutters. Decorate with sprinkles and candy (nice alternative to cookies)

5. Christmas shirts using felt, hot glue, and bag o' sparkles- this one I did after my iron on transfer didn't work. I am in the process of making a snowman for January and likely hearts for Feb. I hope I can stop myself and not make 12 shirts.

6. Participating in a cookie swap gives you a ton of cookies for guests, coworkers, family without all the work.

7. Make Stocking Countdown Calendar next year Family Fun Magazine is a favorite, but I discovered all these cool online projects at thier site today.

8. Take time to write each year in the Advent book I made by hand at a NCCAT seminar last year. The book has four internal hand folded envelopes, each with an advent themes of Love, Peace, Joy, Hope, and Christ. Within each envelope is a hand bound book on which I can record the next 20 years of Christmas in our home.
It took almost 17 hours to make the book, sew the bindings and envelopes. Of all my crafy-crafiness it is one of my most proud achievements. So tommorrow in keeping with my own tradition I will put on some Windham Hill and write about this very special holiday.

'Twas the Night before Christmas

Better make that the DAYS before Christmas and all through Casa Vinson not a creature was stirring except Santa with train table in tow.

Come Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen and watch and Heather and Bill drop half of the table down the steps to get it all in place for morning reveal.

How they have planned this great surprise while Ben was snuggled safe in his bed with dreams of firetrucks dancing in his head.

Check out Bill's Video of the great "green bed" reveal.

It was an awesome parenting feat to say the least.

Mom Cop Out

I had such good intentions to make cute cupcakes for Ben's school party. But after a week that included rescuing the sub next door from students that had build a fort out of the desks surrounding her I copped out and bought them.


As if that was not slacker enough I dropped them as I was taking them in. The kids didn't notice or care. I also managed to save the Christmas t-shirt I had made for Ben to wear to the Santa Srain. I had found a really cute iron on transfer but it didn't take. After reading about using felt and hot glue I got creative. I am so impressed with myself I am definitely making a snowman for the doldrums of January!

Overdue to Read More

Last night was my neighborhood book club. I was invited to join this group 5 years ago shortly after we moved into our house and it was a welcome invitation of friendship with new neighbors. This year I am really proud that of our 12 books I read 7 of them. I found time to read 8 other non-book club books. I kinda got a on an Augusten Burroughs kick this summer and read 4 straight books of his and hope to read his other 3 in 2009. Here's my total 2008 list starting with my personal choices first.

Team of Rivals
When you are Engulfed in Flames
Running with Scissors
Dry
Wolf at the Table
Sellavision
Feminine Mystique
Freakanomics- 3rd time

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Eat, Pray, Love
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Where the Red Fern Grows
The Birth House
World Without End
Alyas Babylon


My 2009 resolution is to read 10 of 12 books including my own choice The Glass Castle
as well as at least 9 other book club books as the books picked last night as almost all ones on my list to read. Plus I hope to read at least 8 other personal choice throughout the year. What are you reading in 2009?

Code for Hellion in 7.5 shoes

I got a thank you note from one of Ben's teachers yesterday for the giftbasket I had made her. In the note she referenced, Ben's "creative energy that encourages her".

Ok- as a fellow teacher I can read between the lines. My son is a wild hellion. Oh dear, this is not what I had hoped for this year. I think we are doing an OK job with discipline at home in being consistent and establishing rules.

In yesterday's John Rosemond's parenting column he talked about 6 ways to get you child ready for life. all were food for thought-

1. Put yourself at the center of your child's attention
2. Give your child a meaningful role (responsibilities) within the family- ben helps feed our dog, cleans up toys before bed, and hangs up his jacket nightly
3. Electronic media minimized until they can read and self entertain
4. Keep toys on the minimum side, low maintenance kids have fewer toys that they appreciate more (Bill read this one again)
5. Empathize manners over skills (Heather read his one again)
6. Love your child enough to raise a happy child.

well stated-

How many years to accomplish it all?

I have been working on this list since Thanksgiving at the beach but I think it's appropriate with recent news on my mom to post it today. I really liked the idea from Laura and in my typical list making fashion I think I am going to laminate it and put in on my fridge. Since her #7 is my #10 I will add one more goal. I'm sorry to steal-

1. Live to be at least 10 years older than my dad and stave of a diabetes diagnosis as long as possible
2. Have the conversation with my kids about "when they knew their current partner was the ONE"
3. Grow our family by 2 feet before I'm 35
4. Take the final step from my weight loss and have reconstructive surgery
5. Own a top of the line, loaded Audi that I pay cash to purchase
6. Be in single digit clothes for life
7. Take our 10 year month-long anniversary trip across Europe that didn't happen due to Ben's birth
8. Plan and take an awesome family camping and rafting trip following the Lewis and Clark trail one summer (as well as see some major site in the West)
9. Move and live in the Pacific Northwest at some point of life-retirement?
10. Get a second masters degree possibly in public policy and work for an education policy think tank. Dream school would be the Kennedy School of Government-
11. See the Obama inauguration in person and know that Personal, Professional, and family change can happen when you work for it.

allusion of perfection

Do you think anyone noticed that I had to duct tape the toparies to the wall behind us to keep them from falling? Martha would have actually finished them unlike me who made them 2 years ago out of remnant decorations, but ran out of fruit to finish the backs of them, hence the tape. Is allusion of perfection the same as denial?

I think we were all too busy gorging ourselves on yummy food and swaping cookies to notice or care. This holiday is going down as a keeper. Between the Santa train, cookie making, Sunday Cantata at church that Ben actually sat through for 30full minutes, tonight's MNO party, tomorrow night the live Nativity, and Thursday Book club which is always a late, late night of too much wine December 2008 rocks.

Too bad come January it will be 12 long months until this much action packed festivities roll around.

You're Going Down Martha!

If the queen of domesticity saw the end result of these cookies (pink phallic shaped candy canes) then she would know her empire was safe.

With all due respect, Casa Vinson looks much in the spirit of the holidays. We made cookies as a family Saturday night and I made my usual trays of holiday goodies today(fudge, chess cake, sugar cookies, haystacks) for both Bill's work and mine. I also burned out my mixer on batch ONE of the holiday cooking so the rest had to be mixed by hand, taking oh so long.

We went to Pullen Park for the Santa Train and before Ben hit Bill in the face prompting us to leave, we had a good time. I did decide NOT to attempt the pre-fab gingerbread house, after ben kept making his own "cookies" out of the dough- I knew not to temp fate.

The coolest thing about Christmas 2008 is that Ben knows somthing is up. He seems completely enthralled to talk about Santa and Snowmen and loves all the outside decorations around town. Tonight I found him asleep clutching all the parts of this push Nativity scene my mom gave him and I thought if only to see the season as he does.

12+

"carry this day with you, as it will sustain you and remind you of your completeness"-12/14/1996

I don't remember who said it on that day, but how true a statment to have gotten us through the joys and sorrows of 12 years together. love you- h

JBH

Jack Bennett Hendricks 12/9/46-12/31/01

Happy 62nd Birthday. I hope you are eating Skins Hot dogs while listening to a never-ending Earth, Wind, and Fire concert to celebrate.

disposable nipple clamps

For some reason this was the funniest thing I heard at Lewis Black tonight. It was in reference to how we celebrate Earth Day. We had a great night seeing him again at a beautiful New Arts venue in Durham-DPAC.

Back when Ben was a tiny baby Lewis Black did a book signing at Barnes and Noble. Bill and I being the nut-job parents we were that summer decided to take Ben everywhere. This was when he was portable and not able to say no 90 billion times a day. Needless to say we got some stares, but since consistently Bill and I have enjoyed seeing comedians in all the places we have lived and visited it seemed fitting to take our son at an early age.

I am going back to School tomorrow. Ben is going to do a 1/2 day too to ease back into his little schedule. He seems to be back to his normal self thankfully, although I did enjoy cuddling with him on the couch the past couple of days like days of yore.

Thanksgiving after Turkey day

Ben is MUCH better today. He has responded well to rest, fluids, and the meds from the ER. Bill took him to our peditrician and he thought he was making great progress. This was the best thanksgiving gift we could recieve, even if it didn't invovle turkey.

In general we had a great holiday at the beach. The weather was warm, beautiful for the majority of the trip. We walked on the beach, played and fed the ducks at the park, walked on the Pier, enjoyed the holiday lights at Arlie Gardens, sat on Santa's lap, swam in the indoor pool, visited the aquarium, Bill took Ben to see Bolt while I took a nap and finished a book.

We have enjoyed many trips to Kure beach as a family and this one was espeically fun. I am thankful for a beatiful place to spend with my family year after year. I worked on my list one morning while watching the sunrise over the ocean. Needless to say owning a beach home of our own one day to continue the Thanksgiving beach tradition with our kids and hopefully thier kids makes my list.

Don't promise an ambulance sighting or you will get 8 hours of hospital fun :-(

I think the Vinson family is carrying on the curse of the Hendricks family of seeing the inside of an Emergency Rooms related to vacations. I could write a book of all the ERs I went too seemingly always on vacation with my family.

Starting last night Ben was very lethargic, running fever, and in general all he wanted to do was lay on us while we watched Wall-e. We packed up and left Kure Beach early this morning and decided on the way home to take him to the Quick Med instead of waiting until morning for the Pediatrician to open. We thought he only had a bad cough and maybe the start of an ear infection. In the middle of unloading the car I got a frantic call from Bill saying "get up here now" Ben might have pneumonia.

It is never good when you pull up and an ambulance is sitting out front and a nurse is waiting for you at the door. "Oh God, it's that bad", I asked as she took me by the arm and lead me to the hall where Ben is on a stretcher. Bill visibly shaken by what has gone down in the last hour (IV antibiotics, bloodwork, chest X-rays). They take us by ambulance and directly into the Peds ER at Big Wake Med across town. On the ride over the EMT is telling me he might have to be admitted or at least it will be a late night while they run more tests. Surprisingly enough the EMT knew me from my old high school where she was a student. I am WAY too old!

We get there and true to form they run more tests. By 9 pm they are satisfied with Ben's progress and we won't have to stay the night. Ben was awesome! I don't know if it was being doped up or watching endless hours of the Thomas and Pooh videos they had in his room, but he did the best job of the 3 of us. It's funny that as he was pulling down the driveway I told Ben maybe he would get to see an ambulance while at the doctor, never mind ride in one before the day was out.

Turkey in the Rec Room

I got back from my mom's just a bit ago. It was a good trip with much accomplished. My brother and I were talking last night about crazy family holidays of years past. This one from Thanksgiving 2001 is worth sharing. I am thankful that we proceeded with our plans despite it turning into a chapter from Running with Scissors.

It had started out as a good plan over the phone with my brother. The idea was to cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner and then transport it to SC. It had been a really hard few months for our family. We were in the midst of a layoff post 9/11, I was a first year teacher, Brian was in his last semester of college, our sole remaining grandparent had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, my dad had been in and out of the hospital with diabetes related illness over the year, and then on Nov 7th my mom had fallen over dad's wheelchair and broken her leg in two places. No one felt festive nor wanted to plan some giant meal of days of yore.

It seemed the right thing to do given all the miserable circumstances. So we planned in secret to surprise our families with a traditional meal at mom's rehab hospital.

I had arranged with the nurses to use the floor rec room for us to celebrate. Everyone was surprised we had pulled off Thanksgiving even if it was at a hospital. Then I started pulling out the food- or the lack therof. I had forgotten the Turkey as well as half of the food I had made along with the plates and utensils. Brian and I resorted to raiding the nurses kitchen and rounded out our meal with crackers, heat and eat soup, and ice cream.

It was the last time our family was together on a holiday and it was one of the best meals ever. I am thankful that all things considered that day jello never tasted so good.

Heather is.... Bill is....

It has been a long, long week. Both I and the majority of my freshmen students have hit a wall. I'm frustrated and tired of fighting the good fight.

On that note, greeting from Easley, South Carolina. Once again I have ventured south to the land of no shirt, no shoes, no problems. This weekend here is what I will be doing compared to Bill.

Heather- Drive to SC and back home(12 hours roundtrip), cook-a-thon to help my mom put back some freezer food, general help out and give my brother a much needed respite with cleaning and errands, potty training, attack a stack of scholarship letters to write for students, write test for AP, contact a bunch of parents of failing kids and document an action plan for each child. I have 21 of these to do before Thanksgiving.

Bill- go to see Zach and Mimi and to a bar with Matt Friday night, sleeping late and lounging on the couch by the fireplace, putting together: Ben's train table for Christmas, 2 step stools, a jumping thing my mom is giving Ben, sleeping in the afternoons, probably eating pizza, likely watching any of the following movies: Punisher, Serenity, or something involving the prerequisite sci-fi goo-pod,and likely staying up late playing video games.

He was awesome helping me get out the door for this quick trip and in general as gets best husband ever with events during the last couple of weeks at home.

Put it on the To Do List

I am counting down the days until we leave for our Thanksgiving beach trip. In typical weekend fashion we stayed busy. I have started my weekend house chores when I get home on Friday from school so I don't spend most of Sunday night doing the load of laundry 'til midnight.

I met my AP kids on Saturday at a local university to work on their public policy project. Bill was gracious to watch Ben (and Cars for the millionth time). We met up with the Pressley family for dinner and 3 hours of boys under 6 chaos. Chrissy helped me bag and decorate the Webkins NHS is raffling off. I always show up at her house with a project in hand. I think my definition of true friendship involves going along with my hair-brained plans of perfection, even when you know I am nuts.

Sunday we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then to Southpoint mall for me to pick up the remaining items for a basket my BUNCO group is giving a friend as well as let Ben play in the kid zone. I also managed to get our hotel booked for our Christmas Atlanta trip, coordinated with Bill's mom about going to the GA Aquarium and King Tut exhibit while there as well as a unit on the Federal Budget planned for class.

What did I not do? I never manage to stay awake as soon as I sit down to watch TV with Bill. In typical fashion I was out before the Word of the Day on Colbert Report. Maybe I need to actually schedule relaxation on my daily to do list. How predictable would that be?

Tales from the Little Potty- Vol 3

It has been a good potty week! Everyday Ben has gone at least once after asking to sit at school and home. This morning I awoke to a frantic "mommy go potty" on the monitor. Bill had mentioned that his nighttime diaper had not been soaked through most mornings this week but just wet. Ben marched into the kitchen and sat and filled up the potty! We had a monumental potty dance!

I had been thinking about using a little personal timer to latch onto his pants as an auditory reminder. Instead I found the following watch that you can set to go off as an alarm. I ordered it earlier this week and mentioned it to his teachers to possibily use once it comes. They agreed it will help remind Ben without them needing to remember among all the other potty-training kids. They too are being very supportive and are sending up a daily note for all the kids including potty progress. For what it was worth, talking to the Director accomplished exactly what I had hoped to. Update next week on using the watch.

Don't drink the Kool-aid

I have a weird fascination with Jonestown. I remember watching the really bad made for TV movie with Powers Boothe as Jim Jones in Junior High. I made my mom take me to the library and checked out a book on the Peoples Temple. I also remember being intent on getting the librarian to help me find articles on the microfiche machine to read at home. I think she thought I was nuts.

My fascination is probably in part due to being raised in Southern Baptist household that instilled a healthy fear of cults. When I saw that a 2 hour special was coming on tonight on CNN called "Escape from Jonestown", I was all over it and dropped my typical Thursday night of watching CSI. As expected, my fascination is being quenched. I am the first to admit it is odd in some sick way. Want to weigh in?

Like I was suprised

I had the holiday off from school today and you would have thought that I would spend it relaxing at home. NOPE! In my typical "pack a week into a day" mindset I got the following done:

1. Slept in to see a 6 on my alarm clock
2. Relieved Bill from Ben am duty including taking him to school
3. Went to the dentist to have 2 cavities filled-ouch!
4. Worked out at the gym
5. Went by Micheals, AC Moore, Barnes and Nobel, and Kolhs
6. Took Vegas to the vet. They gave me a discount for our long wait (I didn't even have to ask)
7. Sorted shoes and clothes to be passed on to a friend and delivered them to her
8. Made 3 pans of homemade mac and cheese for the freezer
9. Picked up prescriptions at CVS and signed up for a prescription benefit club
10. Picked up ben in time to talk to both teachers. He had a great potty day :-)
11. Made dinner, unloaded the dishwasher, put up clean laundry, and played with play dough with Ben
12. Went to monthly Bunco with my neighbor and WON THE POT!

I ROCK and get the efficiency award today.

Dreams of Driving the Zebra Bus

Great weekend that didn't involve school work until now, so I am procrastinating.

We got together with Larry and Heather last night for dinner and a Settlers of Cattan rematch part 3 and I redeemed myself by pulling out a win from nowhere, sorry boys!

Today, we decided to head to the NC Zoo in Asheboro one more time before the weather turned cold. It was an absolutely beautiful fall day. We hit all the things we really wanted to see and hopped on the tram bypassing the rest. Having a family membership has really paid off. We have been 3 times this year plus we have been to all of the NC aquariums. Check out some of our pictures from the day as well as my "in depth" interview on the Zebra bus with Ben. Notice that his favorite thing is riding on the bus not the animals. Great weekend from start to finish!

Ben and Heather try to lift a baby sea lion from Waking Badger on Vimeo.

E pluribus Unum- So possible!

Bill's post yesterday got me thinking about what I hope to see happen as the Obama administration takes office. It is so very telling what industries we work in as I read his list and now draft mine. Some similarities though:

1. Work with both domestic and foreign agencies to rebuild confidence in the global economic markets
2. Consider consumer bailouts for the consumer credit market and US automarket(not a forgiveness of debt, but a way to prevent further meltdown)
3. Make the first 100 days about implementing incremental change (passage of expansion of Children's Healthcare for example). If you get the public buy-in on something small, real change for bigger issues will be more attainable. Learn from the mistakes of Clinton 1st term
4. Pose real options for healthcare reform to allow more people to gain coverage
5. Work to ensure that families have reproductive choice
6. Work with Congress to overhaul No Child Left Behind. States need money if expected to comply. Everyone wants kids to succeed, don't tie our hands in red tape.
7. Restore US standing on the world stage (this is not a 1 term expectation, just the groundwork). Diplomacy is a sweet word!
8. Work to reduce troops overseas and evaluate where we truly need to be stationed
9. Lead the effort for the US to reduce greenhouse gases and curb global warning by pushing for alternative energy sources
10. Help us keep this feeling alive. Help us find common ground as parties as the next few years will truly test if change mantra can result in tangible, measurable results.

Our Gov't can't do this alone, this is a mandate for us all to step up to the plate and find individual ways to say "YES WE CAN, and WILL"

How did we do Tim?

It's over!!! Earlier than I predicted (and without calling bellweather Missouri and even NC), the Obama presidency begins. Wow! As I kissed ben tonight I said a prayer that in his lifetime he will benefit from what I hoped would happen tonight as millions of Americans voted for real change. Thanks Laura for the ongoing dialogue as we watched the states come in. Thanks Bill for watching beside me as well as my celebratoy flowers and Obama T-shirt you went ahead and got me last week.

So tim, did we get it right? Only the next 4 years will tell. How many times did I think about you today. Sad but true but it wasn't the same without you. I would have done anything to see you with whiteboard in hand doing the electoral math. Watching the celebrations around the world was awesome! oh so much good it to come. Just watch, and I know you are Tim :-)

V Day!

So at Casa Vinson today is a big day. this marks the FIRST time in a 14 year relationship that bill and I voted for the same candidate (I think for most any election, state or local either). We always have said it we could cancel each other out even on holly springs water commissioner, we would.

So today is V day (Voting day, Victory day, but it will also go down as Vinson Day)to mark the end of a long election season we were together for most of the way in our support of change and an end to the bush dynasty. Has bill seen the light? I doubt it, I don't think he is going to join me when I renew my teacher membership in the ACLU, but he has changed and no longer will only consider the Conservative choice for future elections and to be able to say that, that is REAL change!

I am taking the workday off to spend it with ben and bill. I cannot think of a better way to spend this personal holiday!

Providence

Greeting from NCCAT. As much as I wished that I could have been with Ben and Bill tonight to go trick o treating (video coming tomorrow), I cannot begin to say how much I needed this trip alone this weekend. An absolutely beautiful drive to the mountains in all the fall color glory complete with my audiobook Band of Rivals.

I got here in time to take a long walk around Western Carolina's campus before meeting the 20 fellow teachers that were also picked to particate over the next 2 years (4 weekend sessions per year). As we introduced ourselves before our afternoon activities I realized that all of us are struggling with different challenges in our teaching careers. I think that being apart of this cohort will really help me clarify what direction I want to go at the end of this year.

On to some yummy comfort foods served to us on white table cloths and a big fire after dinner as we worked on a visual journaling project. Tomorrow am we are hiking on an area trail as well as more outlets for artistic creativity. This place is cathartic, collaborative, and helps to define why part of my identity is so wrapped up in this profession. Thank you to Bill who is making these weekends possible. I wish I could say I want to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua tomorrow instead of being here, but I think I'll leave it to the boys for their weekend together.