Well, thank goodness!

How can I move into THAT neighborhood? 

cleaning

I have two last boxes that I can't seem to get unpacked.  Both of them contain books.  One is a box of my recipe books.  I've collected a few over the past few years and I love the wonderful pictures in them.  While I may never make MOST of the dishes in them, I still love it when somebody gives me a cookbook.  So, I have several.

The other box contains my antique books.  I dont want to cram them onto my existing bookshelves because that would mess up the casual chic feel I've got going on already.

here's my problem: I have one shelf and two brackets and I need TWO shelves and EIGHT brackets.  So, unless God pulls some loaves and fishes act, I think I'm going to have to make another trip to IKEA in the near future.  That just means that my dear friend, the Soccer Coach, is going to get to help me hang two more shelves.  *big grin*  We're pros at it now, aren't we, Coach? 

I've been in this apartment since March and so STILL having two @#%^ boxes sitting around, upon which I now habitually stub my toes, is REALLY ANNOYING.

A trip to the storage unit is definitely in order.  Maybe this weekend I'll FINALLY get all of this stuff DONE!

I took the day off today to spend it with my brother, who drove into town last night.  We had a great time today; picking up Mom's birthday present, shopping, waiting 45 minutes for TACO CABANA (WTHeck) and, in general, laughing until our sides hurt.  We did a little swimming this afternoon and all went out for dinner.  I'm pooped.  I bowed out of evening visiting because I really want to come home and relax but what do I do when I get here?  Start cleaning. 

So that brings us back around to the beginning of the post...  Don't you love a tidy ending?

No New Mail

I sent an open email to Senator McCain, the Republican Nominee for President on June 14.  Today is June 24 and I have recieved no response.  This is a very curious thing because, if I was on his staff, I'd been keenly interested in winning BACK that long-time Republican voter who voted Democrat in the primary. 

• Maybe he's assuming it was a Rush Limbaugh tactic 


• Maybe he's assuming I will just go ahead and vote Republican in the big show in November. 

Maybe somebody on his staff should tell him what happens when you assume.

ROFL

walking

I'm going walking tonight.  I need to tone and this is the best way.  Get out and walk with a pal.  I hate this stuff but I just have to do it.  And wno knows, I might actually have a little fun.

I did my pilates earlier and I can already feel it in my arms.  I hate fitness.

I'm Going BLIND

Editing logos is making me crazy.  But they are going to look SO cute when they are finish. 

Rehearsal last night was...interesting.  It reminded me a little of high school, where we would watch the choreographer figure out what she wanted us to do DURING rehearsal.  There was a lot of standing around but it was still fun.  I think it will look really cute once it's finished, once we know what the heck we're supposed to be doing (besides kicking invisible sand at each other) and swinging towels around.

Thursday here

You know, working four-day weeks is pretty freakin' cool.  It's already thursday for me.  WHOO HOO!

Workin' on the website today.  Making minor changes to content; sprucing up by adding more graphics, hotkeys and a few more bells and whistles to our pretty site.  I REFUSE to make it look like a myspace page so you won't see any rolling banners, flashing icons or tickers, for gawd's sake....  *barf*

*giggle*  (not that I have any opinions about that)

Y'all have a happy day!

summer hours

sheesh - I have GOT to get milk soon.  not having coffee but having to get up and be ready to go into the office at 7am is yucky. 

*laugh*  I slept on the couch last night.  No, not on purpose.  I fell asleep watching this show on History Channel called the Naked Archaeologist.  It's kind of looney but still interesting.  This guy takes theories that have been abandoned or rejected by "traditional academia" and has a look at them from another angle.  He is entertaining AND instructive - satisifies the Two Purposes quite nicely, I think.  Anyway, I woke up around 4:30 and figured it wasn't worth getting up and moving into the other room.  So, I slept fully clothed with LIGHTS on, on the couch.  *laugh* 

Well, I should finish getting ready for work so I can hurry and get to the office - where they have COFFEE. 

Have a happy day, y'all!

Ah, what a weekend

I think I'm settling into a routine without the Midget.  I'm not eating very healthy and I noticed it when I stepped on the scale at Mom's house.  The good news is the number is going down but the bad news is that it's because I'm not eating.  I mean, I'm eating but not really what or as much as I should.  But what girl in her right mind will really quibble about 5-10 pounds? 

Rehearsal was fun tonight.  We didn't actually get to the part that the nurses had been called for but we bonded amongst ourselves and that was GREAT fun.  We acted up, laughed, supplemented dialogue with our own whispered commentary and, in general, acted like silly fools.   It was terrific.

I really like the girls in the cast and we're having a good time getting to know one another.  I wish Paige would come over and play with us - it would make it more fun. 

Quick update to my politics experiment: Senator McCain's camp has STILL not emailed any response and I have received nothing from either Senator Hutchinson or Senator Corwyn's office about the Energy Bill inquiry I sent last week.  It's only Monday, though, so I've not given up totally.  *grin* 

Why does my cat lick the bottoms of shoes?  Doesn't he know how GROSS that is?! 

I think I'm tired now.  Goodnight, friends.

Project Lists Galore

I'm getting organized if it kills me. 

(and it just might)

My newfound interest in politics

You may have noticed the upsurge in political posts lately.  Call me a late bloomer, but it occurs to me that my not being aware of what is happening in Austin and Washington is very irresponsible. 

I don't know that I'll blog about all of it but, at least for now, it's pretty high on my radar.

Yeah, because the media NEVER runs rumors...

"It is a destructive aspect of our politics right now," Obama told journalists. "And simply because something appears in an e-mail, that should lend it no more credence than if you heard it on the corner. And you know, presumably the job of the press is to not go around and spread scurrilous rumors like this until there's actually anything, one iota of substance or evidence that would substantiate it."

*laugh*  I like this.  

Here's the full article.

Follow up to the Senator's Letter

As a PR person, I am fully aware that this is a prepped message on one of his strong talking points and not a personalized message, typed by the man himself at 6 o'clock last night.  But as a PR person I have to say how impressed I am that, within 72 hours of the original message, I received a response that was content appropriate to the message I sent him. 

I like the phrase, "this is the fight of my life."  It is very impassioned and I can certainly see why he has such a huge following. 

I think, for the sake of political debate, I will write a similar letter to McCain's camp and see what response I receive from it.

A Response from the Senator

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns about our economy.  I agree strongly that our economy is failing too many hard-working Americans families right now.

This is the fight of my life.

The situation we face now in many parts of the country isn’t so different from the one that brought me to Chicago in 1985.  The old steel factories had shut down and the neighborhoods were dying.  The schools weren’t preparing the children for the few new jobs that were being created.  So I came to Chicago to be a community organizer.  I learned about the neighborhood by listening to anybody who would talk to me – laid-off workers and teachers, priests and pastors, small business owners and retirees.  And then I fought alongside them.  I organized with them to create the changes the community wanted and needed.

America needs a president right now who sees eye to eye with workers.  You can’t look out for workers and fix our broken trade laws if you’re taking money from Washington lobbyists and special interests, and you’ve promoted trade deals that hurt American workers.  And you can’t take on the establishment in Washington if you can’t rally the American people behind a legislative agenda of change.

I have developed that detailed legislative agenda, and I hope you’ll take a look at it by clicking here:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/Obama_Keeping_Americas_Promise.pdf

Or for an overview, please click here: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

These plans build on laws I’ve passed in over a decade as a legislator.  Together, they provide a path to financial security for every American family by stimulating the economy, restoring fairness to the tax code, protecting home ownership, strengthening workers’ rights, and renegotiating trade deals like NAFTA to make them work for American workers.

America’s economy is changing. We can no longer provide every member of our workforce the security of lifelong employment, but we can ensure that every American has lifelong employability. 

I hope you will join me in that fight.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

-------------------------------------
Paid for by Obama for America

Hellos and Goodbyes

Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes.  Some hellos are passing encounters; some change us forever.  Some goodbyes are more "see you later" and some are forever goodbye. 

I've thought a lot lately about the hellos and goodbyes in my life. 

Today, I waved goodbye to my five year old as she left on her two-month vacation with her dad.  They were bubbling with excitement. 

I think about the times I say goodbye to my brother on the phone.  In his line of work, there is always that very small but distinct possibility that, well....  But that's not something on which to dwell - it's just there. 

I think about saying hello to new bosses and friends.  Who could have forseen the bond that would form between a girl six years my junior and myself almost three years ago?  She's like my sister - I can't imagine my life without her in it. 

I think about goodbyes that have broken my heart; the death of my grandparents, a failed marriage, disappointed hopes in later romances, etc...  Those kinds of goodbyes reveal the true character of a person.  It's not always pretty but it's always real. 

I'm exhausted.  I'm SO looking forward to melting off the face of the planet for a few days this weekend.  I'm going to turn my phone off and disappear for a couple of days.  I need it.

Almost ready

Her room is clean, the house is straight and her suitcase is almost packed.  We have movies, cds and some barbies to pack and she'll be ready for her trip.  I need to run by the office tomorrow and make a copy of her shot record but, other than those last little things, I think we're ready.

Follow up

No, I'm not giving up on the Republican Party.  I am not convinced the Senator McCain is the best choice for our country now.  While I have been a long-time Bush supporter, even I cannot deny the astronomical problems that have fallen on average Americans under his watch.  I see military spouses and loved ones weary from seven years of war.  I see soldiers leaving for their FOURTH deployment.  I see $60 at the pump in my gas-efficient car.  I see increasing costs as I try and put regular food on the table.  I see increasing fears about budget cuts at home and at work. 

Like many Americans, I'm tired of worrying about money.  Frankly, I'm sick of an agenda that seems to leave average Americans completely out of the picture.  I'm tired of a Republican candidate that panders to the ultra-conservative when he is much more moderate.  I liked McCain a LOT more when he wasn't sucking up.  Call it like it is, John. 

It is June and I still don't know who I'm going to vote for in November....

Open Letter to Senator Obama

Senator Obama,

I have followed your campaign with fascination and want to congratulate you on your success. 

 

As a newly registered Democrat (I voted for you in the Texas primary), I am keenly interested in where we go from here. 

 

You've talked a lot of about big picture issues and ideas.  As a fellow big picture thinker, I applaud your vision; I think it is the key to your success.  However, as a single parent, I need to think a little more small scale.  How would you, as President of the United States, work to relieve the crushing effects of the economy on the average American family? 

 

I am a single parent and I make $XX,XXX/year.  While that is a decent salary, even our household feels the pinch of $4/gallon gas prices and incredible increases at the grocery store.  It becomes harder and harder to budget as costs continue to rise. 

 

I know we didn't get here overnight and the solutions aren't going to be overnight either.  But I am keenly interested in solutions that will help the segment of the country that desperately wants to believe in the change you are selling. 

 

Help us, Senator Obama.  Talk to US about things we need now.  Talk about the price of gas, milk, bread, chicken, cheese, hamburger meat.  The stuff that ordinary families, even if they have good jobs, are worried about.  Because a lot of us aren't quite sure how much longer we can hang on to our way of life under the tremendous weight of this economy. 

 

Thank you for your hard work.  I believe it is time for change.  Are you the way?  You have until November to SHOW us that you've thought about ALL of us. 

 

God bless you, sir. 

fridaynightgirl
a long-time registered Republican, politically moderate, evangelical Christian, single mom, in Texas - now, a registered Democrat

Call the Nurse

You rang?  *giggle*

Well, actually the director did.  Last night, around 9:30pm.  He "can't" offer me Nellie but wants to know if I'll be in the show anyway.  Well, of course I will.  And not even be upset or disappointed about it.  I don't know who he cast but I'll find out tonight, at the read-through. 

So, I'm a nurse! 

Deep Sighs All Around

Munchkin is waiting on me to finish my computer time so she can have my undivided attention. 

I am waiting on the phone to ring.  Waiting to hear if I got the part.  *sigh* 

We hate waiting.