Happy Veteran's Day

Over 60 years ago,

On the day America declared the Second World War had ended,

Edith Shain was scooped up by a sailor in Times Square,

And kissed...oh, this kiss.

What many don't know is that moments after, he turned one way, and she the other.

No names were exchanged. No words ever spoken.

Two strangers caught up in the moment.

Perfect.

Maybe the romance hasn't been smothered out of me...

Yes, there possibly is a romantic stuffed somewhere deep inside here

struggling to get out.

One day soon I hope to set her free...

Happy Veteran's Day

...kiss your favorite vet for me!

Happy Birthday, Mom.

I miss you.

Elections are Fun!

I was so excited for yesterday! I took the kids with me to vote in the morning.

My household was split. Max, Elle, and I supported Obama, while Calvin held steadfast to McCain. Cal's daddy told him that Obama would take everyone's money and he wouldn't be able to buy toys for him. I explained that Obama would only take his daddy's money, but the rest of us would be ok. Cal didn't buy it. It is funny when your 7, 5 and 3 yr. olds are arguing economics at the kitchen table.

As the results started coming in, I carried on one of my childhood traditions and had the kids color in each state red or blue. They really got into it for awhile. But, by 8 o'clock, they ditched my MSNBC for Spongebob!

I am bound and determined to make them fellow political junkies!

3 Reasons to Smile

My Halloween Cuties!

I never win anything...really!

Until today!

Yeah, I won the darlybird giveaway from Leslie at A Room Somewhere!

See what I won:

http://www.aroomsomewhere.net/2008/10/darlybird-giveaway.html

Tagged...

I was tagged by Kim to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder on my computer. Here it is. This is my elle at about 4 months. Elle was born with a beautiful bald head. All of my babies were. After two boys, I was so excited to make her as "girly" as possible. I covered her in pink and flowers. And...at all times she had a bow on her head. I would take a q-tip, dip it in corn syrup, and stick on her bow. I carried around a bag of pre-tied bows and a little container of corn syrup just in case. It is hard to find a picture of her as a baby without a bow on her head.

Now, I tag Kristy and Keri.

I am a bad...no, good mommy!

Back when I was teaching I would have been appalled at myself.

Today, I surprised my kids and took them out of school early. I wouldn't tell them where we were going. They were thrilled when I revealed that we were at the movie theater to see High School Musical 3. As we were walking through the parking lot, I overheard Max whisper into Cal's ear, "Don't act like you are excited. It is girly."

We joined about 40 pre-teen girls in the theater. In the opening scene, Zach Efron's face appears on screen. Holy cow, these girls went crazy! Giggles and screams! It was like Beatle-mania. I remember going to see U2: Rattle and Hum in junior high. I am pretty sure I never shrieked in excitement over seeing Bono...and, I liked Bono!

If you are a HSM (that's how we do it) fan, you will not be disappointed. It is cute and I even had to hold back some tears in the last couple of scenes. Those high school graduation scenes get me.

Oh, Toro pride lives on...
*I'm raising my hand in toro sign right now.


FYI- Max loved it, of course!

a Taste of Fall

We took one last trip up north to try to catch the leaves turning. Two weeks ago, they were still green and I've had a yearning to see them red and gold. So, we took a drive. On the wind up through the canyon, I hoped to find a sea of fire-bright leaves from east to west. Instead, we found trees that seemed to have skipped a step and gone from gorgeous green to dull, dead gray.

Disappointment.

Still, we enjoyed two cool days soaking up the fresh air and barbecuing under the pines (and Elle and I drank our fair share of hot chocolate!). It was a good weekend.

And...on the way home, the leaves had turned-

beautiful golden brown and amber.


Perfect.