The Big 41

Yesterday my baby turned the big 41 -- .41 of a year that is. Maxine's 5 months already. I remember holding her in the hospital when she was under 6 pounds; I didn't even know how to move with her in my arms. Now I just toss her around like a football...which perhaps paints an ugly picture given my total lack of athletic ability. I should say I carry her around like the free tote bag I got after spending over $32.50 at the Clinique counter, which I no longer do by the way. I’m strictly MAC and Aveda now.

In any case, Maxine is growing into her own personality and it’s a laugh to watch. I can tell from her cry if she’s hungry or wants to be held or is bored and wants more attention. She shrieks angrily when I can’t tell.

She has more smiles than I have Chipotle charges on my Discover card. That's a lot of smiles -- trust me. This is her pre-giggle smile. Her pre-laugh smile is even better. I've tried to catch them all on film, but after a while realized that it's better to be a part of it, rather than to always be trying to capture it. Not that that will stop me from trying.

I'm Going To Say It: The Hills

The Hills has been sucking lately! There, I said it.

I have a theory as to the why. Where's Lauren? Lately her part has been diminishing and she's become a side kick to all the story lines. I know that in "real" life sometimes you're the one with all the drama and sometimes your friends are the ones losing their jobs, having boy trouble, etc., but as a Hills fan, I have to say the show sucks when Lauren is on the back burner.

I'll keep watching, but I'm not happy about it. I fear my reason for not hating Mondays may be no more... :-(

The People's President?

I can't help but wonder if Obama will be the People's President the way Princess Diana was the People's Princess. When you hear and watch him speak, he somehow seems reachable. Like, if he wasn't running the country, I might just run into him at CostCo.

Well, maybe not, but if I did, I'd look at his cart for sure. I bet you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their CostCo cart. Our's always has spinach and some kind of dessert.

Our New President

Obama is president-elect and gas is under $2.00 a gallon for the first time in a few years. Maybe things aren't as bad as we worried they were.

Okay...there still bad, but it does feel like they could change.

They're saying you'll never forget where you were when you found out Obama won the election. I was in bed trying to get Maxine to fall asleep. Paul was brushing his teeth. "He won! He won!" Paul ran over with toothpaste still in his mouth. Maxine didn't seem to be swayed by the news, but then again she was busy blowing spit bubbles only moments earlier.

I hate to admit it, but I fell asleep during Obama's speech (I've got a newborn, so you can't really blame me) but I did see all of McCain's concession. He was sincere and thoughtful, making it easy to see why so many like him. You can't blame his supporters for booing when McCain said he'd called Obama to conceed, but it was great to hear them cheer at what Obama's win means for the progress we've made in terms of racial equality.

Although I'm thrilled about the Obama win, I'm really disappointed about Prop 8 in California, which will ban same sex marriage. And even worse than that was the ban on unmarried couples being able to foster and/or adopt children in Arkansas. The supporters are mincing no words about the target of this ban being gay and lesbian couples. Right - because God forbid a kid finds a nice, safe, loving home with a gay couple. The fact that so many people believe a child is better off in the system, rather than in a stable family environment with parents who happen to be gay, boggles my mind.

As corny and cliched as it sounds, I really do believe change is coming and I'm excited. I'm thrilled I got to vote for it and I can't wait to watch it unfold over the coming years.

The Final Debate

Last night's presidential debate seemed quite repetitive, with the exception of one statement from McCain:

“My friend, we have increased the size of government by some 40 percent just in the last few years."

My feelings on this are strong. Obesity is a big problem in our country. I say, Weight Watchers for everyone, starting with the senate. Losing 10 lbs? Now that's change I can believe in.

The Economic Bailout

How much is $700 billion dollars? Those who know me well, know that I like to measure things with the almighty Chipotle burrito.

The math has been done and ... $700 billion dollars is over 127 billion burritos. The population of American being ~350 million, that's ~360 burritos per person.
Which means -- that's enough burritos for everyone in America to have 1 per day for an entire year.

In short: that's a lot of burritos.

Rest In Peace

Paul's Grandfather passed away on Friday, August 29th at 9:00pm in Sarasota, FL. He'd been in the hospital for the last few months trying to fight both lung cancer and pneumonia.

From the first time I met him, almost 5 years ago, I felt an immediate fondness and kinship for him. Perhaps because I never got a chance to get to know any of my own grandparents. Or maybe it was just him and the energy he carried. I will never forget his warm smile or his gentle way. Even more so, I will always regret that Maxine didn't have the opportunity to meet her Great Grandpa.

It is of some comfort to know that is he no longer in pain and that is he watching over us. I know Maxine will always have a guardian angel in him.