"I think I'll call it America"

Those of you that know, know that I am less than patriotic really, but lately, I have been proud of my nation. First, I am loving books on CD lately as I spend tons of time in the car. I have been listening to a book called Child 44 a murder-mystery-historical-fiction that takes place in Stalinist Russia. And, needless to say, the living conditions and fear and hate and paranoia and poverty in which the people lived in this time period not so long ago, very much makes me thankful that I am not raising my children in those conditions.

Secondly, Nashvillians just voted down a proposed English only bill that I was against. I pessimistically thought it would pass. I feel that our great city could of easily sided with clear racism, hate, and insecurities, and instead opted for safety, education, and compassion. Go Nashville, now go find something important to fight against like war, poverty, hunger, faith... (fighting against or for languages?? In the face of poverty, illness, environmental distraction?? Really???)

And, while I'm on a rollllllll, I very much enjoyed the inauguration, and relished the community sentiments, connectedness, and togetherness I felt this Tuesday. Classes and work stopped for those of us not able to travel to Washington to gape in awe at our Democratic process. I was proud on Tuesday of the possibility of hope. Don't get me wrong. I am wary, realistic, and on guard against empty promises by politicians of all shapes and colors, but it is a breath of fresh air to have our country almost collectively optimistic about our leader. I guess after Bush was elected a second term, I was apauld enough, my feelings hurt enough, that I sort of lost faith in the intelligence, compassion, and even the religion of our nation. All that has been restored in a single presidency, and people that I love and respect and think and pray think this guy has similar beliefs and intelligence, and I respect our nation for coming together.

Likewise, Pres. Obama commented on how many times in this countries history we have had a peaceful transfer of power, and yes, for that we are lucky. I would still move to Uruguay at the drop of a hat, but our lives here are so very good. Thank God.

Fightin' for peace is like screamin' for quiet...

Sooo, some of the gals do a Friday Afternoon Video, and here's mine. Also if you go here you can download the entire album for FREE until midnight tonight.




On a similar note, we went to vote yesterday and poor Elijah was confused. All day he thought we were going boating. So, he was very confused and disappointed when there was no boat. Only votes. Rock the boat baby!

Newspaper, newspaper, Can't take no more, You're here every morning, Waiting at my door

I have decided to turn off the news.

I am an avid NPR listener, but the economic news has gotten more prevalent and depressing than news of the war. The tales seem to be a self-fulfilling prophesy. I am not trying to be oblivious, but I AM a bit incredulous. My dad just got a great new job. Evan's job doesn't seem to be threatened. WalMart is packed. I just got a new computer, and I plan to drive to Arkansas today to pick the Raisin. I am getting new customers everyday. The "economic slow-down" seems a figment of my imagination. I am still marketing my booty off. If I never listen to the news, life seems peaches and cream. Maybe I am living in a bubble, but life is good, fall is here, and there are two children laughing hysterically in my house dressed as superman. What "depression?"

Hey Emily, I'm stealing this from you. Today is the last day to register in Tennessee. Now go register, you can decide later not to vote if you don't want to.

"Have you heard the news?" he said, with a grin,"The Vice-President's gone mad!"

Alex P. Keaton rears his head again in these parts. This could be an entire nature vs. nurture discussion. This morning on the way to school we had the following conversation:

Ollie: Where's Washington?
Me: It's the capitol of the US. It is where our leaders live and work, like the President.
Ollie: What's the President's name?
Me: George W. Bush. But, all the people in the US are about to vote on a new President. [cutting out the conversation on voting, and remember when you voted, etc...] In a few weeks there will be a new President that we get to vote on. Some people want John McCain to be President and some people want Barak Obama to be President.
Ollie: I like John McCain.
Me: Why?
Ollie: What's he like?
Me: (Trying NOT to make him look cool) He's very serious, and was a soldier, and acts before thinking.
Ollie: Yup, I like McCain. I want him to be President.
Me: But Obama is a peacemaker, he listens to other people's opinions before he makes decisions, he thinks before acting.
Ollie: McCain for President. McCain, McCain, McCain. He's a serious soldier.
Eli: (Finally weighing in to this intense political discussion) Obamamamamamaam. McCain loose, Obama winnnnn. (That's my boy!)
Ollie: McCain, McCain, McCain
Me: Oh brother!

I am almost positive that he asked his teacher who she was voting for as he stepped out of the car. She probably thinks we're Republicans. Oh the horror.

Fifteen men on the dead man's chest — Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest — Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!

A week update:

Ollie: Has been focusing on the letter "S" in school this week. Today, they had a "silly sock contest" made s'mores, and had share day. He got high marks on his "smelling test." He even got his first real report card this week. When I saw it, I cried. What a sap, I know, I just didn't expect that he'd get one and that he'd be all grown up, and that he'd be so smart, and good. Well, I did expect it, but its just so strange to see.

Eli: Continues to crack me up in his acquisition of language. He'll pretend to freeze when he says, "agua fria." This week we were listing to Dave Ramsey (oooo, go there and read his take on the absurd bail out) and Dave said something about congress calling one day to yell "We're debt freeeeee," and here the cue of the Braveheart yell, well I cracked up, and Eli said, "What's so funny?" and I told him not thinking he'd get the joke, and he burst out laughing. What a ham. He's two. Laughing at financial and political jokes repeated to him. Even funnier than the government operating in the black.

Evan: 2 guesses, playing computer games (yawn) and watching football (snoozeville) ding, ding, ding..... (Oh, he is taking me to a show tomorrow night, soooo.)

Me: Reading this, and getting tons of ideas for my growing business, painting, playing guitar, and loving the fact that I am not teaching ungrateful teenagers. (Thanks Delena Joe for reminding me why I felt like I was banging my head against the grey concrete walls.) (Oh, and I hope you get some sleep tonight with that sweet 4 month old of yours.)

The family: Reading Treasure Island together. Our first non-picture book aloud. It is fun, I am narrating, and it is very exciting. I can't wait to see what happens next, or what book we'll decide on. Good clean family fun, and the kids are loving it.