What a weekend!

The weekend isn't over, it's only Sunday morning. EARLY Sunday morning. We started this weekend by agreeing to "help" paint B&K's rooms. B, of course, chose to paint each wall a different neon color. K chose a light brown paint for all the walls and large,chocolate brown circles on top. Dan and I figured that it is paint, it can be painted over and it's an opportunity for them to express themselves. Someday they may be asking for purple hair, piercings or tattoos - for today I'll give in to the paint. We started early Saturday and took a break to go to K's last soccer game for this season. It was warm, sunny and gorgeous out. They won their game then it was right back to painting.

Both girls had birthday parties to attend that afternoon so we didn't finish. I was covered in paint and rushed them off to their separate events. Dan and I had a nice dinner out then collapsed on the couch in exhaustion. It seemed like such a simple idea - but now the office is overflowing with all their "stuff", they had to sleep in the guest room and the ladders, paint brushes and rollers sit waiting for me today.

Dan left early this morning to go hunting. He took our pup, Woody with him. Wally, our older English setter (He's 4) has to stay home now because he has seizures when he hunts. This is all fine and good, but even though he's been debarked, he has spent all morning (since Dan left at 4:30 - yes - 4 fricking 30) doing his "silent" bark. We had him de-barked because nothing worked to stop him from barking. Now when he "barks" it sounds like a seal with laryngitis.
It doesn't bother our neighbors, but it makes me insane.

My schedule for today? Finish an article that is due in a couple of days. Finish grading papers because Friday was the end of the grading period. Go to school, lesson plan and work on report cards. Grocery shopping needs to be done for the week. The girls have play practice in the afternoon, K needs to walk the neighbor's dog she gets paid to walk and oh yeah, I need to finish that darn painting!

Did you notice I didn't mention meditating? Ugh!

Meditating, elections etc.

So I decided that if I want to figure out the whole mediating thing that I need to attempt it everyday. I've attempted it the last two days. I sat quietly for 10 minutes. I focused on my breathing, relaxed, tried to eliminate my resistance - so far no amazing contact with the spirit world - but it feels good. I'll keep trying - maybe my "fake it 'till you make it" attitude will bring me there. Time will tell....

I'm feeling so excited about Nov. 4. I voted early - felt so good to cast my vote for Obama. I don't just want it all over - I want to be cheering for Obama and celebrating his election to the presidency! It's going to feel so good.

Chick Night!

Last night my book club friends (plus 1) came over for a "Chick Night". I need nights like this to remember why I love them all so much! Great food, lots of laughter, fantastic conversation....
It was a spur of the moment thing - but most everyone made it. The stars must have been aligned. I'm so grateful for each and every one of them.

I think we all have "sections" of our lives. We have family, we have work friends, we have friends from school either high school or college or both, book club friends, mom's group friends, hobbie or professional group friends.... I feel welcome and special in each group and cherish them all. But there are certain groups - the ones where you feel yourself start to relax and be yourself, the ones when you say things you probably wouldn't say anywhere else, the ones when laughter is more frequent and hugs abundant. That was my group last night.

It was a night of "I'm so happy right now" instead of "I'll be so happy when..."

My kids and Obama

I forgot something very important - B and K got to see Obama here in Reno on Tuesday. My friend Renee took them. (I had to teach) They found it to be (and I quote) "inspiring" "awesome" "I got goose bumps" "There were sooooo many people!"

DEBATES!

Ugh! I don't know about you, but these debates are making me want to throw a brick through my television screen! Obviously, as a supporter of the Obama/Biden ticket, I agree with most of what they have to say. However, both sides say the same thing over and over and over and over! Did you know Mcain is a maverick and Palin is part of the middle class? If you didn't before the debate, you should now because she said it 12 million times! (That might be an exaggeration - another happening in these debates.) Obama/Biden are just as guilty when it comes to repeating themselves. Change, change and more change. The last 8 years have sucked. Okay, we get it already. Will these debates make the undecided decide? I just don't know.
I do know that Palin scares the living crap out of me. Her God Bless the sick pack, gun toting American spiel(sp?) makes me want to hurl.

How do you guys feel about the bail out plan? I honestly don't know what to feel. I want my parents to have money left in their retirement and I fear the bail out may be the only way. I just don't know.

Okay, enough politics. Here are a few quotes or sayings that running through my head this week - things I think will point my thoughts and feelings in a more positive direction:

"I have two dogs fighting inside me all the time. The negative dog and the positive dog. The one that will win is the one I feed the most. " (This is adapted from an old Indian saying)
"I will feel so great when I figure this out."
"I am where I am right now."
"I am grateful."
"Pure intentions."

Let's wade our way through what's going on in our world and vibrate as much positive energy as we can......(I am well aware that my rant above is not espousing positive energy - I'm working on it!)