Mr. Mustache

Birthday Boy

Craig took part in Movember and grew a mustache for the month in support of prostate cancer. Tomorrow he can shave it off and he says he can't wait as it's too itchy and heavy. But before he shaves it off tomorrow he went to the BMV today and got a new drivers license. How funny is this picture! And it'll be his driving license picture for the next five years!

This weekend it's his birthday and we have lots planned. I'll try to make sure we take lots of pictures.

Quick but Rambling....

A really quick post tonight as I'm going to make a start on wrapping presents.

Craig's hunting trip went as expected. I think both men had a good time but it will not be a repeatable event. The guy did not like walking or doing the whole "stay sat down on the hard ground for ages and be quiet" thing.  Neither would I actually. I have far too much ADD for that, which I why I wouldn't go hunting. Craig said at one point, as they were sat quiet, watching for deer, the guy opened a can of pop and a bag of crisps!  Which I think is hilarious and something I'd do, ha ha ha!

It was my last formal class tonight. On Tuesday I'll just do a review with them and their exam is on Thursday. Oh good Lord I am so ready for it to stop!! I love teaching but 16-week semesters are dreadful. But, and it's the most important point - teaching means a little more job security so I'm not complaining. As always happens at the end of a class I have gotten a little sentimental about the students leaving or drifting off, never to be seen again. It's weird this time though as normally I know them all and this time I don't. It's impossible to get to know 107 people in 16 weeks when you have a full cup with your kids.

Talking of which, it's definitely made a difference in my life, going from career #1 to kids #1.  I have let some things fall away and I have said no to things and I have not had my job as the priority in my life. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my job, but I'm not the gung-ho industry leader I was 6 years ago. A Professor rang me a couple of years ago when I was putting an education program together and he said "I'm back on the horse, now that the kids don't need me as much" (they are teenagers) and I didn't get it. I do now though. Right now I'm not leading like I used to. I'm chugging along and doing my job and being productive but I'm not being the mover and shaker of old. That's what parenthood does. And I'm not saying it's a bad thing. The boys come first and I don't think any human being would argue differently. It just gives me another guilt to burden, like parents don't carry enough.

Lights! And a hunting he will go.

We got the tree up! So much for waiting for Craig's birthday to be over. I feel so ready for Christmas this year that I can barely contain myself. I think having two kids under 6 that totally get in to it makes the difference. As I drove to the shops tonight Jack sang the whole Rudolph song, word for word. I wish I could have taped him.

My Christmas list is getting smaller but blimey it's a long one this year. Lots of new kiddos this year joined our family, including Dennon and Isla and Summer. Three little girls I dearly wish I could meet. Alfie is due any day now too. I'm waiting on Alfie's arrival so that I can finish the family calendar and get it sent off to Shutterfly to be printed.

On to a new topic - a couple of days ago I posted about a guy that Craig was going to take hunting who wasn't very outdoorsy (his missus gave Danny an energy drink etc.). Well he was supposed to meet Craig tonight at 5pm to go to the firing range before they hunt in the morning. He still hadn't shown up at 6.30pm so Craig called him and he's said "yeah, just getting home. Be over as soon as I can." Craig told him not to bother as the range would be shut by the time they got there. Craig had all his guns cleaned and ready and I'm hopping mad that the guy blew him off like that. He asked how far he might have to walk when they hunt (he's a big guy) and when Craig said about a mile, half a mile maybe, he said he'd climbed one flight of stairs at work today so wasn't sure he could make it. That's fine of course if he wants to pull out. Craig texted him and told him to please cancel if he doesn't want to do it tomorrow but he replied and said he's still on. If he stands Craig up at 6am then I will be doubly mad because Craig's taken a day off work for him.  I also wonder what on earth was going through his head when he decided he wanted to hunt?  It requires hiking in woods in the pitch black and maybe climbing trees. If you kill a deer you have to field dress it (cut it end to end and take all it's innards out) and carry it back to your truck. And he can't climb a flight of stairs? I feel half bad for Craig but also half looking forward to the stories he'll tell me when he gets back!

It's Been a Rum Day

I finally dragged my poor sick bum to work this afternoon to teach, which I shouldn't have done but have no plan B.  First of all though I had to take both boys to school before I had showered. That was not a pleasant experience at Danny's pre-school because they are mostly moms that do lunch.  As I got out of my car in sloppy jeans, fleece jacket and mad bed-hair the woman next to me got out looking like something out of Falcon's Crest. I swear some of those women get dressed up for their day as if they are top models, with designer clothes and full make-up and dangling in gold. I'm a little jealous but mostly irritated by them. Get a life! I want to say. I don't of course.

So I got home at 5.30pm feeling blurgh and we had tea then Craig went shopping for his mum & dad's Christmas present. The poor man came back with the same thing we sent last year and looked crestfallen when I told him. What is it with men buying presents? He did get some nice things though and of course I'll help - it's just that we have nine grand nieces and nephews this year and I've been busy buying for them.

While Craig was shopping I suggested to Jack & Danny that we decorate the tree. After a minute of being ignored (telly was on), I said "ok, telly is off" and went over to turn it off.  Jack said "How dare you! Don't turn it off!"  So I said "Bed!" "Now!"   And so for the next hour he was screaming and shouting and carrying on in his bedroom and came out once to tell me he's leaving in the morning. And he begged and cried and cried and begged and made me feel like a heel but I stuck to my guns. I'm pretty proud of myself that I stuck to my guns because he's a very convincing crier that pulls at your heartstrings. After about an hour he calmed down and I went and sat on his bed and we had a talk about being cheeky & disrespectful (again) and he begged quietly again and I said no. I hope he's getting the message. Craig says he's just testing his boundaries. I hope so and normally we get on so well. Tonight's the first time he ever said he'd leave - isn't 6 a bit young for that?

And it Goes On..

I didn't post yesterday because I got slammed with the same sickness as my boys. Thankfully they are coming through it but mine is still full-one. I have aches and a cough and keep getting clammy & sweaty (an adult version of a fever?). Anyway it's not been all sunshine and roses that's for sure. Craig is ok (touch wood). Both boys are back at school tomorrow but I doubt I'll be going to work. I feel too miserable and I'm sure my colleagues won't appreciate me hacking on them.

We have friends from Tennessee coming tonight to stay over. I love these friends and can't wait to see them but feel horrible that I am not too much fun.

I will try and post something a bit more upbeat next time, when I don't feel like this.

Black Friday & More Lurgi

Craig sporting his Movember tash

I've got to get a new alarm clock. It has one setting and one volume - shock and awe. When it went off at 4.30am me, Craig, Coco and Ben all levitated off the bed about a foot like something out of the exorcist. It's like waking up to someone banging cymbals on your head. Craig muttered something about change that f'ing clock and went back to sleep.

By 5am I was in line at a store called Menards for the Black Friday sale. I can't say too much about what I bought as a lot were presents for other people, but I did get some cracking bargains. I bet I got about $250 worth of pressies for $100. I did not venture to Walmart though as that place is crazy on Black Friday. One of the best things I got was a weather radio that has a rechargeable battery and also a dynamo handle. It has the weather radio system, FM and AM, a flashlight and a charger for your phone. Craig was impressed that he could use the dynamo to charge his iPhone. It's a nice little gadget and it only cost $11.99!

When I got home I was wide awake so stayed up and made breakfast and mooched about. Both boys woke up with fevers and vomited (yellow bile) and they've been lethargic and feverish all day. Both of them napped and vomited again when they woke. up. It's horrible to see how bad they feel. And their babysitter Linda and her family have it now too.  UGH. I'm seriously considering taking them to an outpatient place tomorrow if they aren't better. Jack's had it now for a week!

Tonight I am trying to have a lazy night of telly and lazing on the couch but I also got Mario Cart for Jack and he's asking "Can we play?" every 30 seconds. It's like water torture. I'm exhausted too - I used to go 24 hours of work & partying and still feel fresh, now I get up at 4.30am for one day and I feel like I've run a marathon!

Thanksgiving Curve Ball

Today started with gusto and ended with a wimper. As the day progressed Jack coughed more and more, got hotter and hotter and got more lethargic. For the first time in his 6-year life he asked to go to bed in the afternoon! That is unheard of for a boy that runs at full speed from dawn till dusk.

So we didn't get to do our traditional Thanksgiving Day hike and I had to cancel on a friend's party tonight but it doesn't take away from the sentiments of the day.

Danny has been a trooper, even though he must be bored to death and we did get the dogs out for a couple of walks but still, it hasn't exactly been party central in this house.

I hope Jack's ok. The last two nights he's coughed so bad that he's thrown up. Poor lad.

I have to say though that I still feel thankful today. My family on both sides of the pond is healthy (excluding Jack's cold) and our life here is wonderful. We are blessed with great kids, two lovely dogs, wonderful friends and employment.  I'm excited that we have English visitors coming next year, including my mum, who has yet to meet Daniel.  So I feel very thankful and very happy today. Life is good for us.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Even if you aren't American it's always good to count your blessings.

Let the Holiday Begin

It's Thanksgiving tomorrow and I'm loving it as usual. The house is clean, the turkey is defrosted and we have lots of yummy food lined up. Our neighbour has started to decorate his tree which always gets me in the festive spirit too.
I'll post more about the Holiday tomorrow but until then, gobble gobble!

Favourite Kiss

My favorite screen kiss has always been between Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) and George Emerson (Julian Sands) in the Film "A Room with a view". The music is Chi il bel sogno di doretta by Kiri te Kanawa-Chi bel di Doretta (blimey, imagine trying to spell that in school).

 Are there any other favourite movie kisses out there?

Cranky Old Moo

We had visitors tonight who showed up somewhat unexpectedly and stayed till 9.30pm. And gave Danny an energy drink while they were here. You probably guessed already that they do not have children but I shouldn't be judgemental because I was probably that oblivious too, pre-kids. I want you to imagine a wildlife show where two monkeys are fighting and they run from room to room shrieking. That's what their bedtime was like. It's really is no wonder I drink.

Craig will be taking the husband out hunting soon and the wifey and I get along okay but during the elections they posted quite vocal anti-Obama stuff on their facebook pages and I have a horrible feeling that I de-friended the guy. So that's awkward. They are nice people but not close friends, and I feel like I'm getting too old and cranky to start up new relationships. And to be quite frank, my political opinions also reflect my social opinions so I really have no desire to hang out with right-wingers. And giving Daniel an energy drink at 9pm? That didn't help.

Poorly Boy

Poorly Boy

Jack was off sick today. Craig stayed with him most of the day then I took him to the doctors. No pneumonia. Phew. Turns out it's a nasty cold but it's all on his chest so he sounds terrible. When he coughs it makes me cringe.

I'm going to keep him off tomorrow too because there's a nasty tummy bug going around and he's off Wednesday to Friday anyway for Thanksgiving. I'd hate to send him tomorrow with a low immune system and him get worse for the holidays.

Danny has a cold too but nothing bad, thank goodness.  Craig said he feels like somethings coming too, so hopefully he won't get man-flu.   Fingers crossed for a healthy Thanksgiving.

To while-away some time today I helped him make this Christmas scene (thanks for the suggestion Ruby!) and we played Operation. He's a horrible cheater though and kept pushing my hand to set the buzzer off! And we tried to play Battleships but that was a nightmare. Maybe we'll attempt that again when he's 10.

Where's Bigfoot?

I was far too tired to post last night. The good news is that the advice I got from my dog whisperer is working. Coco hasn't done anything in the house since. What a relief. It was just common sense stuff really - praise her a lot when she goes outside, don't say anything to her if she goes inside (just get her straight outside), and exercise her like a crazy woman. That's why I was so tired. We did lots of walking yesterday!
Today we walked a lot too. We took the boys & dogs for a hike and to see if we could see Bigfoot. The boys totally believe in it. Terrible aren't we.

They're coming to take me away

Yes that's right. I spent $25 on fashion diapers for my dog.
You can send the nutty van in whenever you're ready.

Is it weekend yet? Yawn....

For a 4-day work week this week certainly has dragged! Bring on the weekend - I need sleep so desperately.

Today I booked the flights for Orlando. Disney here we come! I am seriously more excited about Magic Kingdom than the kids!

Today some friends of Jack's have gone down with a bad tummy bug. I heard that kids are dropping like flies with it. Oh please don't let the lads get it. I have bleached everything in sight and keep barking at the kids "wash your hands!" But I just know it's coming...

Today it occured to me that after Thanksgiving week (next week) I only have 2 weeks of teaching left this semester!!  It's been tough going from quarters (10 weeks) to semesters (16 weeks) and it's been even tougher having 107 students. Its always fun but I'm happy the end is in sight.

Next week is the opening night of The Life of Pi and I am so excited. I hope the film does the book justice. One of the biggest book-to-movie disappointments for me was the Horse Whisperer. Robert Redford butchered that story. The DaVinci code was another one that didn't transfer well. This has the potential to be horrible if it isn't done right but I can't wait to see it..

Help from the Dog Whisperer

Thank God for friends. Especially ones that are animal specialists.  I have one coming over on Saturday morning to help me with Coco. Between the pee, the poo and the digging I'm tearing my hair out.

It's so not nice to be on the phone to someone when you step and slip on a puddle of pee on the top step of the steep basement stairs (maybe she's trying to kill me?). That actually happened tonight.

It's become the norm to come into the living room and find Daniel stood pointing at a big pile of poo shouting "There's poo in the house!". What makes this even more precious is if we have company (the shame)

I thought wiping a dogs muddy paws every time they go out was gruelling enough. Now I have to wash hers in a bowl of warm water first because she's got big clumps of soil stuck in the pads from digging.

She's dug two big tunnels under the fence that I have temporarily patched but will need work. She got out twice yesterday.

My cream living room carpet is a pee stained mess that I have to steam clean every week. She pees when we are in the house (she's crated when we leave her alone). And she gets let out a lot. Why is she doing this????

I've said it a hundred times but I'll say it again. It is a damn good job that dog is cute.

Wish me luck for Satuday morning with my dog whisperer. I have a feeling she'll be like Nanny 911 and tell me it's my fault for not exercising her enough (guilty look).

Jack's Conference

I realised that for the second time this month I skipped a day of posting.Oops.

In my defense I taught until 5.15pm, then got home, grabbed the family and dashed to Jack's school for a parent/teacher conference, then met a couple at my house who might be buying some toys off Craigslist, then did homework, ate dinner, bathed and put boys to bed. At this point it was 9pm and I just collapsed on the couch and watched Homeland. I love that show and marvel each time how much of a great actress Claire Danes is.

Jack's conference was okay I suppose. He's great at all the things I was great at (science, art, social studies) but struggling with reading and writing. We talked about how they can help him and how we can help him. One of the issues we have is that he's sat with kids much older than him that finish their work quickly, so he rushes too (so he won't finish last) and he gets it wrong. She even made the statement that one of the kids in his group finds it way too easy. Marvelous. How about we move him then to a group of kids that don't finish it first and find it all easy-peasy lemon squeezy?  How about we build his confidence rather than making him feel like a dunce?

I keep questioning my decision not to red-shirt him (hold him back a year so he's one of the oldest) but it felt so right at the time and for heavens sake - kids start in school at age 4 in England! I read a really nice article written by a child psychologist recently that concluded that all the kids typically level out by 3rd grade and that red-shirted kids do not necessarily go on to excel. She also said (and this is the most important thing for me) that years 5 and 6 are crucial for learning and the best place for them to be during those formative years is in school. So what I have to do is stop comparing him to the older kids. I really do.

One thing at a time

Today was a bit of a wash-out as it rained constantly. It was 67 degrees F this morning and 37 degrees by tea time ! Looks like winter is here perhaps.

My blue-eyed boy

 We spent a big chunk of the day playing with Danny and I think he loved it, being in the limelight.

For his birthday next January we are going to take him to Disney World. I'm down in Florida for a conference so it seems like a good time to tag on an extra few days on and have the boys fly down to meet me. We are in the planning phase right now and let me tell you, it's complicated! So many parks and ticket options and fast-pass tips and trying to work out how to eat without paying an arm and a leg for a butty.  We are definitely going to do Magic Kingdom and maybe Epcot as they seem the most young kid-friendly. And I have to confess that I really want to see the Magic Kingdom too (who doesn't?)  More on that later though because before then we have Thanksgiving, Craig's birthday and Christmas!

We have a rule in our house that we do not mention or get into the Christmas groove until after Craig's birthday on the 2nd December. That way we make a big fuss of him and him alone. But I've secretly been playing Christmas music in the car for the last two days. I just can't help myself.

Good Karma

It's been a full but great day. And I love this picture that I took of Jack and Danny with their friends Wesley & Ryan. How often do you find two kids in the same school that are friends and you also like their parents?  Not often in my book. Most parents I meet I want to stab in the eye.  Joking of course, ha ha haaaa! (evil laugh)

Good Night in the Country

Tonight we went to Craig's boss's house for a party. His boss Mark is such a nice man. Salt of the earth. His son Travis used to work with me during his summer holidays (working for a friend of mine as summer help). Then he spent a year at a college in Arizona studying to be a Harley Davidson mechanic. He just got back last week and landed himself an amazing job with a Harley dealer. You can see the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree when you see them side by side! They are both such nice people. Mark's wife Gail rides a Harley too and they are the ones that have the 68' Mustang that my boys love to ride in (me too!).

Travis & Mark putting on their top hats

They live out in the countryside with a few acres, a big barn and stables. Their kids can ride and show horses and dirt bikes and they are such down-to-earth, smart kids. Their daughter is a good soccer player too.
I always have such a good time with these people. I am at my most comfortable with people that work hard and play hard. They made me eat a cherry soaked in moonshine which made my throat set on fire then Mark made me a Jack Daniels and Figg's Hot Apple Pie.  You have to trust me when I tell you that the former was like eating gasoline but the second was rather too yummy. Seriously, if I lived near Mansfield I'd have a cupboard full of that stuff.

BIG Bonfire

Before we left I snapped a picture of Craig. In honor of "Movember" (prostrate cancer awareness) he's got a tash going. This is day ten obviously ....

Nice handlebar dude!

On the way home we talked briefly about moving to the countryside again. We have the conversation at least twice a year, usually when we visit Mark or our friends Debbie & Lynn. There are so many wonderful things that make us want to do it but several large equally wonderful things that we love about our house and neighbourhood and schools.  And I'm NOT a morning person so living more that 15 minutes from work is definitely not going to work for me - unless we win the lottery and we buy a helicopter.

The boys had fun. There were a half dozen kids there playing corn-hole, chucking stuff in the fire and fighting over the pink big wheel. It's one of those places you can relax because you know the whole group is watching them and will keep them in line. I haven't come across many of those, where you aren't expected to hover & just take care of your own. You keep watch over all kids. It feels like the old days when I was a kid and the lady two doors down would give me a good telling off for stealing apples from her garden. I don't think either her nor I ever told my mum!

So anyway I had a great night but for some reason I've been exhausted all week. I'm considering the fact that I'm getting old and have been affected by the clocks going back last weekend. Ack!

Boys & Mr.Bond

I took today off to hang out with Danny. I had visions of us playing all day and skipping through the park holding hands but at least half the day was spent doing housework and shopping while he played on my phone. We did get to the library and the park playground though. He's such a good egg he really is. At one point he pointed to his bare chest and said "humans keep their hearts in their chest mommy". I was taken-aback and asked where he had heard such wisdom. He said "Pingu".

Another bump on the head. Ouch!

Jack gives an impromptu rendition of "Thriller"  on the picnic table. 

Tonight we got a babysitter and went to see the new Bond film "Skyfall". It was brilliant! A mixture of old and new and of course Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever. Sorry Mr. Connery.

Renewed Faith In Schools

Yesterday was a day that renewed my faith in my boy's schools and level of education.

First of all we had a fantastic conference with Danny's 2 teachers. He's excelling in everything with nothing to worry about, no challenges academically or socially. He's helping and sharing and making friends. It was like night and day compared to last year's nightmare conference where had discussions about things like having to drag him out from under the table and prevent major eruptions. It's amazing how much confidence he's gained by going back to the same teachers and being a little bit older. The only thing we said to keep an eye on was his fear of new things (substitute teachers, a new routine in the classroom etc.) but that's not something I'm too concerned with. As his confidence builds he'll get over that. So we had a great time there and I'm so happy for my little lad.

Then last night Jack brought home a letter from his new "helper". He goes to a reading teacher for 30 minutes each day to help him with the "reading comprehension" that's he's struggling with. She will send home a book each night that he has to read to us then he has a little task (fill in the blanks or draw a picture about the story etc.). She gave us easy guidelines about how to help (thankfully, because I was stumped) and he seemed to enjoy it. What a marvelous thing - that our boy has been helped so quickly in the school year. And it really helped that a friend told me that her daughter was struggling with the same thing, because her daughter is incredibly bright. I'm not saying I'm glad that she's having the same issue - just saying that it's comforting to know that Jack's not alone. If that makes sense.

Then I was also reflecting on the PTA meeting I went to the night before. We talked about all the families and kids at our school that are struggling financially right now (more than 60% of the kids are on assisted lunches for example) and we came up with plans to send gift cards home and start a pantry and send food home for the weekends. It makes me  feel so proud of the school that we take care of each other.

Blimey aren't I sentimental today. Maybe I should turn my car radio over to Christmas music after all. Joking!! I vow not to do that until after Craig's birthday on the 2nd December.

Time Spent with Each Boy

Good grief I'm tired. Craig and I tried very hard to stay up and watch President Obama's speech last night but then woke up on the couch at 1.30am. I guess we both just passed out with tiredness. Then I had a full day's work, followed by a charity donation run and a PTA meeting tonight. Then bedtime routine with the kids, which should be called bedtime "hell" not simply routine. It never gets better.

At the moment I'm reading the first Harry Potter book to Jack, one chapter at a time. We are up to chapter 5 and doing well. A chapter is about 15-20 minutes of reading which is the max for Jack's attention span. And I'm trying to be an animated story-teller.  I have Hagrid's accent down already of course!

One thing we do have to work on is helping Jack with reading comprehension. He's doing really well at school with his social studies, art & music, maths, and science and some aspects of reading, but not all. So we have to have him read to us and for him to describe what's going on in the story and do tasks like "fill in the blanks". I will help him of course but isn't that errr, his teacher's job? Or are they just too stretched? I have already had some conversations about some work he's brought home where it's obvious he doesn't understand the task at hand and of course I'm mega paranoid that not holding him back a year is backfiring on me. But I would hope that he's getting the attention he needs and not being compared to some of the kids that are a year older than him.  We meet for a teacher conference next week, so more on that topic later.

Tomorrow we have a teacher conference at lunch-time with Danny's pre-k teacher. Last week he spat on the teacher's young daughter. Not just any kid but the teacher's daughter. Thanks for that Daniel. He apologised finally, wrote her a note (well I did and he made a scribble at the bottom) and his teacher is lovely, but still. He cried when Craig and I talked with him and said he did it because he wants to stay at home. I also think he is severely lacking in attention sometimes, since Jack is like an attention seeking mine-sweeper.  On Friday I have taken a day's vacation and Danny and I are going to have fun together. I love him so much and he's such a lively, funny, gorgeous little lad. I just need to make more time for him. Just him.

My Favourite thing TODAY

I thought about this post a lot today -  "My favourte thing".  I of course wanted to snap a picture of my family, my dogs, my neighbourhood, my job.  But TODAY it's him. I hope and pray (yes pray) that this man wins. Good luck Mr. President.

2012 School Pixs

Today's meme was "5 o'clock"  and I ignored it. So here's the boy's 2012/13 school pictures. Aren't they lovely (I know I'm biased)!

Danny at 3

Favourite Telly Night

Today's meme is "TV", which turned out quiet well, because our absolute favourite tv night is Sunday! Dexter and The Walking Dead are on at the same time (thank you DVR) and they are both great shows. In case you don't know about them: Dexter is a serial killed who kills bad people (so that's alright then) and TWD is about zombies.

The zombies are coming, run faster you numpty!

As a bit of a "ps" I also have to mention that this was the weekend that Craig got a deer with his bow and arrow. A compound bow no less, so very difficult to do. Now we have 40lbs of venison sausage and several large steaks in the freezer!

Happy Bommy Night!

Today I was supposed to post about "breakfast" but that's obviously not happening.

Tonight we went to a Guy Fawkes Party with British Expats and:

I laughed until my sides ached
I made a complete fool of myself (they did too)
I got far too tipsy
I made 5 new friends
I told myself how lucky I am to have these people in my life

Happy Bommy Night!

The Election Colours

Today's picture is about colours so I thought this would be rather apt, seeing as we'll know who the President is this time next week. It hasn't escaped my notice that this election map was garnished from George Bush's evil puppeteer Karl Rove but it's a fairly accurate map I think.

When you see so much red you think "how on earth could Obama (blue) win?" but then you see how many electoral votes those blue states have (Ohio has 18, California has 55 etc. ) and that's what counts.

The yellow states are"swing" states which means a lot of people do not have official party affiliation and consider themselves independent voters. That's why we have been courted by both candidates relentlessly for the last 6 months. I read today that Ohio has on average 300 commercials each day. Couple that with tv appearances, radio debates and signs in people's yards and I can safely say that everyone I know in Ohio is sick of it. I personally cannot wait for it to be over! A friend went to Boston for the weekend recently and she said there was no mention of the election at all - because it's a strong Obama state. That would be so nice.

I'll have to watch the proceedings of course, even though I can't vote. As a working class taxpayer and a woman and a believer in civil rights there's no guessing who I'm  rooting for. The alternative sends shivers down my spine. Not just because I don't believe in him, but because most of his supporters are crazy bigots. Seriously - if you don't believe me go on You Tube and watch people being interviewed at his rallies.

So what do I like about Obama? Well I think he's genuine, the real deal. I think when he went to New Jersey this week and met with the people devastated by Sandy he had genuine empathy. That's in stark contrast to Romney who labelled the poor, sick, elderly, veteran and student masses as "victims".  I like that he's worked hard to make changes in the health care sector (and God knows it needs reform) and tried to help the auto industry get back on it's feet. He's come out strongly in favor of gay rights, immigration change and women's reproductive rights and equal pay. He has plans  to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan and he's going to close Guantanamo's torture camp.  He's trying to improve education and he believes in protecting the environment and investing in science. I can go on and on.

Why has he not accomplished "more" the opposition asks?  Well he inherited a cluster f*** in 2008 for starters and he's having to battle with an opposing political party that try and shut down every single plan he has. They'd rather spend their energy fighting him than fighting for us.

That's my opinion on the subject. I hope he wins, but I won't post any more political diatribe I promise. It's just very hard not to be wrapped up in this when you live in a swing state.

National Blog Posting Month - C

It's national blog posting month (nablopomo) and for the last few years I've taken part, posting each day for the month of November. I saw this idea tonight and thought I might try it.

Which means today that I post about "something beginning with C". I'm supposed to post a picture of "C'  but how about I just say that 2 things today were "Crap". My youngest spat on a school friend and I argued with my husband. I'd rather forget today and go to bed. Tomorrow I'm supposed to post about colour. That sound more cheery, hey.

Trick or Treat

It was such a good time last night. We went to a friends house for a party and then did the whole trick or treat thing on their street. There were a couple of hundred people out even though it was rainy and cold. Next year we will host the party (gulp). Here's a few pictures...

Parcel from my mum with coats, cool bobble hats and curley wurleys!

Danny's school parade

Frankendaniel

Jack's school parade

Jack's school principal (Dorothy), assistant (scarecrow) and office staff. What good sports!

Time to trick or treat

Ingalls sisters (how great are those outfits!) 

Friends

Scary man - best trick or treat house on the street!

Spiderman and a big banana