Hoping!

Okay, I admit it -- I'm really happy about the election of Barak Obama. I hope his is who we want him to be; sometimes I think of him as a canvas on which we have painted our hopes. May he exceed all expectations. May he reach across the aisle as he has promised and be the pragmatist who gets things done. May the Democrats rise above the "we've got the power now!" mentality to be true statesmen.

Here is what I found shocking about this election. (Forgive the generalization that follows) The white people I know were not shocked to see an African American elected president in this lifetime. MANY of the African American people I know were STUNNED. "I did not think this would happen in my lifetime or that of my children.... maybe my grandkids, but I doubted it."

While I'm sad that this is how my friends felt, I'm glad that a new day of hope has dawned. Hate me for my naive idealism, but I'm going to be an optimist here until I'm given reason not to be. I'm praying on it all.... wouldn't it be great if this was the start of something wonderful? This was my first non Republican presidential vote.... I hope I was right! I think he was the better choice... we shall see. Please make me proud Mr. President Elect.

Dream Ticket

I speculated here that an Obama / Palin ticket would be my preference. Back in February I declared my Obama hope. I even defended him when he called me bitter. I watched last week's and tonight's debates with great interest.

I could still be swayed because I'm not certain Obama is who I hope he is..... I don't trust McCain either.... I don't like Joe.... I do like Palin (I know Carrie... but you must admit she is likable?). I like a coalition of opposing views. I like a city council that disagrees and wrestles over my local issues. I like when they butt heads and then work it out. That is why I propose an Obama / Palin ticket. Two outsiders who disagree but who care about America....

If your fundamental intent is good and you can bring people together... well? Perhaps there is hope?

For now, the sign on my lawn is Obama (placed before tonight's debate -- I picked up an Obama / Biden sign and traded my brother -- he had an Obama sign without the Biden). Super Girl has asked me to go get a McCain / Palin sign. She is twelve and pro life following a 2 hour car ride discussion. She also wants a female in high office. I'll be picking up her sign tomorrow.... (She also agrees and Obama / Palin hybrid might be good....) I'm proud of her that she has a strong enough view to want a lawn sign... and that she challenged mine.

Agree or disagree -- I respect your rights to your opinions. I think I'm at the point where I believe either side can have good results... in an odd way it might be a win / win election.

Dream Ticket?

I have to give McCain credit... he may not be a spectacular orator (though he is pretty good), but he made a nifty VP choice. I like Sarah Palin. There, I've said it. She appeals to my desire for a strong woman in charge. She respects life and isn't perfect. She is spunky. She is a reformer. She can rally the crowd.... perhaps restore pride in America?

You know that is what I'm looking for.... someone who can spur us on just as Reagan did so long ago. That is what attracted me to Obama. Americans need to feel good about being Americans. We need to trust in our ability to innovate and we need to believe in OURSELVES. I want an inspirational leader. If we start to believe, our economy WILL bounce back. Fear and depression are not going to bounce us back. The rest of the policy crap may not matter so much as it matters how we feel. Call me what you want, but that is my gut feel. Maybe my dream ticket is Obama / Palin..... Maybe it is Palin / Obama........... I would rather that neither side accomplish all of their aims, but a combo? That might work.

Wouldn't it be ineteresting? What do you think?

Voting

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Okay, usually I can not stand this girl.... but I have to give her (or her handlers?) credit for a sense on humor -- especially after she was featured in McCain's attack ads. Your thoughts? I'm again at the juncture of voting for the less of the evils vs. the candidate who I'm excited about. So disappointed in both right now....

I did my duty and voted in the primary today. My local politicos had a laugh as I showed Wonder Boy the magic line -- that line the candidates may not cross when begging for votes or handing out literature. The candidates got a HUGE kick out of it when Wonder Boy and I leaped across the line and I told him "You are safe here!" The candidates loved us and thanked us as we left. I have to give them credit -- they are braver than I! I want to change the world, but I would never subject my family to the madness that is politics.

I love voting though!!!

Obama?

I'm still scared of Mr. McCain. I used to be wildly enthusiastic about Mr. Obama (like last February, and I had reasons too! Yeah, I listed some of them....). I worried for him; I supported him, and yes, at times I was bitter and even supported some limited bitterness.

Now I'm leery and nervous. Worry creeps in at this stage. Infatuation wears off and you wonder if the candidate you desired it the real deal. I was NEVER a Hilary Clinton fan, but.... Is Obama who I hope he is?

It is interesting that at this time of candidate angst Mr. McCain decided to go negative. Please.... are you serious John? Do you expect me to buy what you are selling with this "funny" video for your supporters too?

Crazy me, I've actually blogged on politics again.... What are your thoughts? This November will be interesting... the media loves him, is he the real deal? Does he deserve my vote? McCain's decided turn to the negative makes me doubt him even more. You are losing me even more now John...

Kidney Stone

Storm clouds rolled in quickly yesterday. I was glad that darkness was off to the north of me. (The photo was taken somewhere around 4pm....). I expected to lose power but am glad we did not -- many are still without power. Not fun when it is over 90 degrees!

My best friend will be my nanny this summer! Can you say YAY? I'm excited to have peace of mind. She is wonderful, her kids are great too! It should be a good summer!

I am also happy that Hilary Clinton has thrown her support behind Obama. I agree with everyone -- she blazed a trail with determination and for that I respect her. May our next female candidate be less polarizing and more successful! May Obama be who we hope he is.

I am struggling a tad due to what I think is a kidney stone. I had one a few years ago, so I'm just going to wait it out. Yeah, it really hurts, but there is nothing they do for you unless the stone is HUGE. Mine is not huge because I've only been brought to my knees by the pain twice in two days. Note to self -- drink more water.....

Obama is right, I'm bitter.

Was it his most articulate moment? No. Was Obama uttering a truth? Yes. If not bitter, try the word disappointed. Try disenfranchised. Try skeptical. Try another word if it makes you feel better, but I'll admit to some bitterness here....

I don't think it is wrong or elitist to say that we are bitter in mid western states that are steeped in recession (oh, just call it a depression already). What the heck? Wouldn't you be a little bitter if your husband worked his butt off 6 days a week most weeks and 12-14 hour days in the summer time while you also worked full time to afford a house in a good neighborhood near your family? Wouldn't you be a little bitter if all that yielded you was an overextended home equity line of credit that puts your home at risk? Wouldn't you be bitter if your taxes were going up and your income was going down? Wouldn't you be bitter if you were watching friends lose their jobs and leave the state? Wouldn't you be bitter if your husband and his father had NOTHING to show but debt for a construction business that had once thrived?

Wouldn't you be clinging to your faith and hope? Did he articulate my bitterness well? Nope. But is he right? Hell yes. McCain and Clinton are kidding themselves if they think we are not bitter out here in the flyover states.

We are bitter. But we keep marching on. March on Barak Obama. I'm still on your team -- me and many of my bitter friends :-) I still agree with the "Yes We Can!" outlook.

I still believe that you have to believe. I want to believe in Obama. I see his as someone who can unify us. I'm disappointed in the other candidates. I wonder if I'm just clinging to hope? Where are we if we don't have hope? No other candidate is selling me hope.

/ Most days I'm not bitter, but once in a while.... it is there. Admit it and move on. There is nothing unnatural about being bitter when you have done your best and still failed. The key is rising up and marching on. I'm marching on. The past is the past... now is the time to save our future.

Staring at the phone... Silence is Loud

I feel bad for Hubby. Staring at the phone and listening to the loud silence is frustrating. The friend who works at the company where Hubby interviewed says not to worry. They are considering Hubby for a higher level position. I asked Hubby to remind our friend that starting at a lower level and moving up would be just fine! HELLO!!! We are broke here people! I have two kids with birthdays happening and I would love to not be sweating the finances quite this much. I have so much work to do to restore our credit. Late payments hiked one credit card up to 30%!!!! YIKES!

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So we will keep staring at the quiet phone and hope for a happy ring. I can't wait for the day that the phone sings the song of hope and a new career. Hubby deserves it... he is SUCH a great guy and hard worker.

I am missing my internet connection at home. It has been WEEKS and the issue still is not solved. We have broken down and invited The Geek Squad to rescue us. (The issue could not be replicated when taking the CPU in for a looksee). Can you believe my Dell warranty expired just ONE WEEK before my hardware issues began? Oh the pain! I miss have a place to put my odd pictures.... Next week's appointment will not come soon enough!

It is hard to blog on my lunch hour when I'm on the road more often than not right now due to work. I need my bloggity outlet to stay sane.

Updates & Tidbits:
- My kids turn 11 and 12 this week -- perhaps I should work harder on losing the pregnancy weight? I love thinking back and telling them what it was like the day before, the day of, and the day after their births (come to think of it, I need to blog about Super Girl's wonderful birth -- I covered Wonder Boy's birth here). They get a kick out of knowing who came to visit (though I probably shared too much when I told Wonder Boy how irritating it was when my inlaws would not leave the room for me to place my ice pack. "Moooommm!!!!!!!!"
- I enjoyed dying Hubby's hair recently :-) Funny the things yourself for the job market -- premature gray go away!!
- My brother remarries in March and the baby is due in May. His life is seeming more stable now, I hope so for the sake of his kids and new wife. Stability and security -- may they have them!
- I'm taking my last 2 classes and can not wait to be done! Each step closer brings me utter joy!
- Snow is getting old but still looks pretty when it paints the branches of all the trees.
- 4 wheel drive makes a difference.
- The Hoopty is fixed -- I love my 2001 Escape!!!
- Potholes are bigger than the cars....
- My friend's husband is being prosecuted for violating the Personal Protection Order!!! YIPPEE! Mr. Untouchable may be held accountable -- we pray! I am afraid she will be the next murdered woman. We would all believe it... he is crazy.
- My friend and I took a self defense class -- wow! It was at my kid's martial arts place. Simulations can be scary. I learned a ton. So did she. I hope it helps her when she needs it and that she will be careful to prevent Mr. Untouchable from having opportunity. We are going to have our kids take a radKids class this year -- staying safe by increasing awareness makes as much sense for them as it does for us.
- Obama -- I'm kind of excited for him! My reasons behind my support thus far are listed here. I enjoy following politics in America on the BBC -- check out this guy. I love catching his perspective. I hope he is wrong about "The Baracklash." There is something wonderful about this election in that we are talking about it and excited about it. I hope we can come together and be less partisan. My support of Obama is a step in that direction. Do you have to lean Democrat to be a teacher?
- Pain is worse again, need to go back for acupuncture. I had the flu and missed an appointment... then there was money.... now I'm back to minimum function outside of work and obligations. I need to get back to being myself.

And that is what is happening here at The Grim Reality! Hope all is well with all of you -- so sorry on the lack of visits and comments, I'm blogging on the down low until the internet returns to my home PC. May it be soon!

Hoopty & More..... Brrrrrrrrr.......

It is -2 degrees and the wind chill factor (how it feels outside) is 60 billion degrees below zero. I know the wind chill today because my hoopty broke down. I went from power steering to no power steering. I have learned that I don't have the upper body strength to steer my vehicle without power steering. Yay for power steering! It is very sad to lose it.

Apparently my poor hoopty had thickening oil due to the frigid temps. The car was warmed up, but the oil was thick and it caused the clamp to blow off the hose that channels the magic steering strengthening stuff to the engine. So I was screwed. Yes, this happened to me last year at this time -- thus making today's episode much easier to diagnose! I feel even better having found and read last year's post. It was 5 below zero last time this happened!!!! The hoopty, she does not like the cold.

I called up Hubby who was sleeping after working overnight. I was working 45 minutes from home and it was 11am. "Can you come save me?" He did he put a new tighter clamp on the other side of blown hose all the while cursing poor design). Lesson learned. DO NOT skip your morning coffee and plan it to follow your first work appointment. IF you skip that coffee something will prevent you from ever getting it and you will be robbed of the joy of that very first warm sip. You will be robbed of the soothing joy that is morning coffee. There is no reason to deny this joy. Next time I will be late for my appointment vs. missing my coffee.

So now I sit, thawing out without coffee. I have that slight "I didn't have my coffee" headache and I'm kind of grumpy (despite the fact that Wonderful Hubby fixed my car). How dare I be grumpy. But I am....... Hubby still has not gotten the promised call regarding the job. Back to staring at the phone.....

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My best friend with the ugly divorce had another ugly incident. There was a scuffle at the last drop off and the soon to be ex husband restrained her when she tried to run to the door of the police station (where they now do custody exchanges since he is such a lunatic). He restrained her, she tried to use her phone to call for help, he eventually released her but kept her phone. She left with the kids and came back later to report the theft of the phone to the police. She is again violated because he now has all the text messages she has sent and she had to buy another phone (because loser man didn't give up the phone when the police visited him).

No privacy for her, more control for him. It does not seem fair. She has learned her lesson though -- yesterday's drop off was done with a police stand by. Apparently you can have the police do a "Civil Standby" at a custody exchange if your husband is a lunatic. Good to know. Glad my hubby isn't a lunatic. I'm also glad she is seeing the threat to her safety more clearly and is having a civil stand by. The police office just stands there during the exchange and usually the police presence is enough to keep lunatics in line. Hopefully the court will hold him accountable for violating the personal protection order. She will have happier days when this is over......

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My internet is still out at home. Oh the humanity!!!! It works for the Geek Squad at their shop but not at home. The wireless internet works for hubby's laptop, but not when I plug in a wireless internet adapter to my PC. The cruelty is unbearable!!! I WANT MY INTERNET BACK! Wah.

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I am happy Obama won this weekend. I am also shocked to see the Huffington post has at least one writer who agrees with me on Obama vs. Clinton. It is shaping up to be an interesting election year. Too bad so much money (a BILLION ALREADY) is being wasted in the process.

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More to come...... please keep up the prayers for peace and hubby's employment!

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Staring at the phone

The interview: A friend who recommended Hubby for the position he interviewed for reports that Hubby should be expecting a call for a second interview as the first one went really well. That was the day of the interview. We are still waiting for the phone to ring -- oh the angst!!!

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My ex-sisterinlaw sent me the following picture and it cracked me up. Being the owner of a brindle colored greyhound and a fawn pug, she wanted to know if she should order me the following crochet patterns for some real hooking madness:

Even if I had the free time, I do not think I'd be immortalizing my furry family members in this manner. It DID crack me up though!!

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My computer at home is still on the fritz. Hubby took in the tower to the Geek Squad and nothing was wrong with the hardware. Now we will go on a cable replacing frenzy to see if that is the issue. It is maddening not to have internet access on my home computer. Borrowing Hubby's laptop doesn't work well for me. Ugh. I miss my computer and I want to update my ipod!! Grrrrrr.

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Oh well. I must focus again on staring at the phone and willing it to ring. After that I'm back to focusing on healthy eating -- off the wagon big time the last two days. Travel and work equate to bad eating for me. Have a nice weekend!

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(Oh! If you are in a primary state and are teetering between Clinton and Obama, please vote Obama. I like him better and want the chance to vote for him this November. I think he is much more electable especially since I'M cheering for him -- I tend to be moderate to conservative.)

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Barack Obama - "Yes, We Can!"

Here is what I like so far about Barack Obama:

- He does not get ruffled. I like that in a president.

- He is calm, we need that in a president. Like Reagen, he can make us feel good -- there is value in that with these economic times. Confidence = spending = economy stimulated.

- He appears to be a man of conviction. Too rare in politicians these days.

- He appears to be able to work with people on both sides of the aisle. Most politicians are so partisan these days, it seems like Barack can rise above that.

- He has the charisma to be a "healing" president. He can make us feel good about America again vs. Hilary who believes we are all evil. I want Americans to be proud to be American again. I want to see patriotism that isn't centered around militarism. We need to celebrate the freedom we enjoy. We need to teach appreciation of our freedom and American ideals to our kids in schools and not be afraid to say the pledge in high schools. We live in a wonderful country, we need to be proud and appreciate it. We need to fix things, but we also need to be proud. I think Barack can help us get there.

- We need to be mindful of world opinion. I think Barack is mindful. I think he can do a world of good in foreign policy for the simple fact that he seems to lack arrogance. Not all Americans are arrogant like the Clinton and Bush's. It would be nice if the world didn't view us as arrogant.

- He values education -- need I say more?

Many white people won't admit their fear of electing Obama. The big fear is assassination. There are many black people who say they won't vote for him because they know if he is elected he will be assassinated. I'm not one to be a conspiracy theorist, but I understand the fear. We live in a crazy world. We can not let fear paralyze us.

I hope with all of my heart that Barack Obama comes out ahead of Hilary. If she is the nominee from the Democrats, I will be forced to toss my vote over to the Republican side. Hilary frightens me even more than the other options. I'd love to see a woman president, but she is not the one.

So, today I go on the record with my support of Barack Obama. I rarely blog political, but it you are in a voting state on super Tuesday, please consider my logic. I am a typical woman voter who in the past has leaned conservative and moderate in the voting booth. If you Democrats want my vote this year, I just explained to you how to get it. Please realize, if you get my vote you will get many more. I am not alone in my thinking. I will vote anyone but Hilary.

PLEASE nominate someone I feel okay about voting for!!!! I'm sick of voting for the less of the evils. Go Barack! I believe you can unite us and bring progress domestically and internationally. GOOD LUCK and God's speed! I want to believe. I want to be inspired.

Oboma's message inspiring? Yes. Check this out. We are not as divided as our politics suggest.



/Yes, my internet is still down on the home PC so I apologize for fewer blog updates. It is making me insane that I don't have the funds for repairs at the moment!!