Friday, December 19, 2008

martini time

grandmoth would have been 80 years old this week. and three years ago today was one of the hardest of my life. and molly is 2 1/2 years old.

for those that i love and miss so much...i will drink a martini today.


(picture taken on new years eve, 2002)

new look

finally got rid of that 'summer' header and now i have a nice festive look to the blog...so those that read this through a feed...go check it out .... my services are for sale!

getting old...

so...this week, for the first time, i saw a doctor because i was having some annoying 'symptoms' of something and wanted answers...so i went...and then i had, like, lab tests...and all those things that people who are 'getting older' have to do. and today i got my results...and wouldn't you know, i require medication.

i suppose i shouldn't complain too much, as it is the necessity of medication that supports my family, but still...i just never thought it would be me.

oye.

finally...

one month before he leaves office, he finally does something right...

(from the associated press)

The president said that on the one hand, the government has a responsibility not to undermine the private enterprise system, yet on the other hand, it must safeguard the broader health and stability of the U.S. economy.

"If we were to allow the free market to take its course now, it would almost certainly lead to disorderly bankruptcy and liquidation for the automakers," he said.

"Under ordinary economic circumstances, I would say this is the price that failed companies must pay," the president said. "And I would not favor intervening to prevent the automakers from going out of business. But these are not ordinary circumstances.

"In the midst of a financial crisis and a recession, allowing the U.S. auto industry to collapse is not a responsible course of action."

Thursday, December 18, 2008

so many blog posts on the brain...

i swear i will share them....daily december and 80th birthdays and trips to great wolf lodge...why can't christmas be another month away???

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

twilight

so i finally broke down and started the twilight series...i'm about a 1/3 of the way through the last book in the series...and i'm probably just as addicted as most others (well, maybe not as much as the teenage girls...)

i'm interested in seeing the movie, but just wasn't sold on robert pattinson as edward (who also played cedric in the harry potter movies - which i wasn't sold on him in those movies either)...

until i saw this picture from this month's vanity fair photo shoot with the twilight cast:

and then i turned into paris hilton and was all like...dang...that's hot....

Monday, December 15, 2008

kid council

so several months ago, we're enjoying a nice family dinner when one of the children mentioned that they would like to make another family trip to great wolf lodge . we have been twice before, with the last trip when molly was only a few months old (her first trip to a pool...all the pictures of which were lost in a laptop crash...ah well).

anyway, i digress. the conversation continues about how difficult it is to go away sometimes, with the distance, and the expense and possibly missing school. we propose something 'to the council' - we will take you to great wolf lodge if you would like it as your christmas gift - no other gifts, just the trip.

after pretty short deliberation at the dinner table, they all reach a unanimous decision - they want the trip. we tell them that we will re-visit the topic in a few weeks to make sure that this is still their desire.

a week or two later, we discuss again. yes, their vote remains the same. and thus, as parents, we began the process of the 'christmas surprise'...

we book a room at a pretty good rate...we discuss with teachers...we deflect future conversations saying that we don't know if it's going to work...we talk to swim teachers....and choir directors....and secretly pack the kids and even load the van to the near top.

it's saturday morning - just like any other and we tell the kids to eat breakfast and get dressed...we have some errands to run (like Christmas shopping) so we're all going out...

we pile them in the car and remarkably, no one notices that the back of the van has suitcases in it...we successfully distracted them with our new GPS unit and by putting on a movie..."it's going to be a bit of drive to the one store we want to go to..." we say, "so sit back and relax..."

porter asks if we can go to the toboggan run later...we remark that we don't know if it's open yet, but maybe, if they're good while we're shopping, we can go to the community center pool.

we drive and drive. they ask where we're going, but only about 3 times. we're nearly to traverse city (2 hours of driving later!) when we stop for lunch, telling them that we're almost to the store, so it's best if we eat first and then we can get the shopping done. so we eat...and we climb back into the van...with just 5 miles to go.

I'm in the left-hand turn lane...into the resort. lilly reads the sign..."great wolf lodge?!??" and she and maya look at each other..."WE'RE GOING TO GREAT WOLF LODGE???!!?!?" and they say - no wonder you said we could go to the pool this afternoon!

and we pull in and say "merry christmas"...

i never thought in my wildest dreams that they wouldn't have guessed we were going within the first hour of the trip. but they didn't - and their surprise when we arrived was totally worth it.

we got our fill of the waterpark.





we enjoyed story time and the 'snow' in the lobby.

we had sugar cookies and milk delivered to our room as a 'sleepy time' snack.

and we ate out at some of the kid's favorite restaurants.

they loved the trip, and the fact that they got to 'skip' of day of school to do it.
quality family time - what the holiday season should be all about.

(ps - they'll still be getting some gifts on Christmas, too...but they don't know that yet!)

Friday, December 12, 2008

capes

enjoy!



PS - for my aunt sue (and ben) - did you picture this when you gave porter that collection of superhero pajamas??

Monday, December 01, 2008

conspiracy

got this from another blog i read...and it rings so true that i thought i'd share...



even our own 'kid council' voted for no gifts this year (though they are getting some...) in lieu of a family trip...

we are doing fewer gifts. and we'll be making some great memories on our trip. and my charity of choice this time of year is heifer international.

now don't presume i'm thinking we're like the model non-commercial christmas family - cause we do have three different trees and did buy a whole new set of icicle lights by the case this year...but we're on our way...

join the advent conspiracy.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

it's that time of year again

when one can spend hours wasting time on the internet...enjoy!

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the kids' favorite:


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and my favorite:


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Monday, November 17, 2008

celebrities

just a little more than a year after his eldest sister graced the same spot and space in the newspaper, porter makes his daily news appearance:



and just one short month ago, lilly's 'weather' artwork was 'featured' on the front page...


guess our family is just that popular in this town!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

hbd

shout out to my 'little brother'...who is celebrating his birthday today....

this is us when he and his adorable kidlets were in michigan in sept...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

public service announcement

a message from my SIL, followed by a message from GM's North American President:

O.K., so normally I wouldn't be a proponent of government involvement, and I admit, this is personal since I currently work for General Motors. However, I do feel that the right way to help the economy is to aid industries that actually make things, as opposed to banks, insurance companies, etc.

If the government can help AIG with $160 Billion, I see no argument for neglecting to assist the automakers.

The automakers have long tentacles - millions of jobs are linked to the manufacture of cars by GM, Ford, and Chrysler. I'm sure everyone of you knows someone who's income is in some way linked to the auto industry - directly, through supplier companies, dealerships, and all the doctors, lawyers, stores that auto company employees use.

The U.S. auto companies will certainly shrink even with government aid. That is absolutely necessary and, from what I can see, well recognized within the companies. Jobs will be lost through the restructuring and shrinkage of the industry, but even a steep hill is better than a cliff.

If you believe, as I do, that the U.S. auto industry should be granted some assistance to bridge the chasm they face, please contact your congress person/senator to voice that as they consider the issue in the coming days.

Thanks for listening,
Amy

Congress is expected to discuss aid to the auto industry next week.

Dear Employee,

Next week, Congress and the current Administration will determine whether to provide immediate support to the domestic auto industry to help it through one of the most difficult economic times in our nation’s history. Your elected officials must hear from all of us now on why this support is critical to our continuing the progress we began prior to the global financial crisis.

As you know, we have taken the tough, necessary actions over the last few years to strengthen our competitive position. With our UAW partners we have reshaped our business and will have reduced our structural costs by more than $13 billion by 2010 and have closed the quality and efficiency gaps with our competitors. We also are building products that have received great customer acceptance and acclaim, as we have seen with the Chevy Malibu, Cadillac CTS and our family of crossovers. And, there’s more to come with the Chevy Volt which will position GM as a global technology leader as well as more hybrids and fuel efficient passenger cars like the Chevy Cruze.

The consequences, however, of a portion of the domestic auto industry collapsing extend far beyond GM’s ability to continue its transformation. One in 10 American jobs depend on our industry, as well as the health of communities, dealers and suppliers in all 50 states. As you know, nearly 3 million employees, retirees, and their families also depend on us for their pensions and health care. Because of our economic contribution, the cost of allowing this industry to fail would be catastrophic: 3 million jobs lost within the first year; U.S. personal income reduced by $150.7 billion; a government tax loss over three years of more than $156 billion. This level of economic devastation far exceeds the $25 billion of government support that our industry needs to bridge this current period.

Today, I want you to take the time to contact your members of Congress to ask them to support America’s domestic auto industry. Please call the following number to be connected with your legislators 1-866-927-2233. Directions and key messages are in the attached document to assist you with the calls. Also attached is a fact sheet that includes the economic figures cited above. Additionally, you can visit www.gmfactsandfiction.com to obtain further information on the auto industry and GM.

Support for the domestic auto industry will contribute to a stronger economy, save millions of jobs, and establish U.S. manufacturing and technology leadership in the global marketplace. As an employee, you have a lot at stake and continue to be one of our most effective and passionate voices. I know GM can count on you to have your voice heard.

Thank you for your urgent action and ongoing support.

Troy Clarke
President
GM North America

Thursday, November 06, 2008

back dating

for those of you that may not be reading this blog via google reader, or some other feed, please be aware that there are times that i back date posts...and therefore, you might miss some that you don't want to (which really should be every one, but today is certainly no exception!) i really use my blog as a bit of a 'diary', and hope to soon upload it to have it printed in a book (my posts to date so far...), so i try really hard to keep the happenings in order...though i don't actually always post them that way.

for example, i didn't have time before today to post my halloween pictures and stories (like jason cross-dressing) but if you were to just check my blog, all you would see was the past post about our president-elect....and not the new halloween posts that magically appeared below that post today.

so...scroll down...

i also recommend that you use something like google reader (my particular choice) to manage all the blogs you may read - as it will tell you whenever someone has a new post out there, regardless of what day they posted it (or said they posted it...as the case may be).

that's my public service announcement for today.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

yes WE can


If you missed the extraordinary scene of Grant Park last night, I encourage you to at least read the words of our next President:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America

Friday, October 31, 2008

halloween fun

we sent maleficent off to work, porter off to school, and then waited until it was school party time.

luke skywalker, tinkerbell and i headed over to the school where we saw and met many a celebrity and scary witch in the halloween parade...including none other than the disney princesses ariel and jasmine!

we hung around for a bit to watch ariel do some pumpkin bowling (yes, with REAL pumpkins!) and try the old 'eat the donut off the string' game. (she did take off her wig, so as to increase her advantage and not end up looking like george washington with a powdered wig from the powdered donut...)

then back home for some much needed nap time for the sugar-induced hyperactivity of the evening.

i put on a big pot full of soup (white chicken chili this year...) and jason's parents come over to tend to our house and passing out candy while we take our little goblins out for their loot. here's everyone getting ready for trick-or-treating...

lilly as ariel

maya as jasmine

porter as luke skywalker

and the one and only molly as tinkerbell

and some shots of our pumpkins glowing outside...really hard to get good shots with my camera, but here's hoping you get the gist of it.



cross-dresser

it doesn't happen often (i don't think, anyway...) and he claims that this is the first time he's ever worn make-up.

i present jason as 'maleficent' from sleeping beauty.


Thursday, October 30, 2008

holidays

so we're discussing holidays over breakfast this morning....what with halloween being tomorrow, and porter's birthday just one week from today (how did that kid get to be FIVE already!)

KQOTD:

Porter: Jesus is dead, right?

Me: Yes.

Porter: But he comes back to life at Easter. *slight pause* When he turns into a bunny and gives us presents, right?

(Hurray for "Jesus-time" in pre-school. Clearly he's grasping it.)

more important than WHO is that you DO

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sunday, October 26, 2008

rivalries

we started our day with breakfast with all the kids - the six of them, ages 9 - 2. and then we left them in the loving care of their uncle and grandmom.

we enjoyed lunch with jason's sister and dad at one of the downtown ann arbor pubs.


we walked through downtown a bit...taking in a few stores.

searching a bit for some of the infamous fairy doors - this is something i will have to do more of!



and then we headed up the hill to the big house.

the last college football game i went to was the citrus bowl, jan. 1, 2001, in orlando, fl. with a large family group. it was UM vs. auburn. i'm not sure that i've ever been to a game in the big house.

many people asked who i would be cheering for. that's the kicker, isn't it. i was born and raised a wolverine. i graduated (twice over) a spartan. i would be in the big house. surrounded primarily by wolverines. i wore my big hoodie with a blue block M on it. i wore a maize-colored wind/raincoat. but to be honest, i wasn't sure who i'd be cheering for.

so i started by taking it all in.

michigan stadium. the marching band. the fly-over (which was really impressive).
the student section.

and when push came to shove.... and it was kick-off time.... and i could hear both fight songs in the same stadium.... i found myself cheering for....the spartans. without a doubt, that's where my allegiances are. i guess my heart really is on the banks of the red cedar.

sorry dad.