A NEW CAR!!!

Dennis and I did something on Saturday that neither one of us have ever done before. We bought a brand new car. We got a 2009 Honda Civic!

Those who know us best know what a really HUGE deal this is. We are practical and frugal folks. So this was a loooong time coming, but I’m so happy to say that we finally have a vehicle from the 21st Century in the family!

Hurray for ABS breaks and 6 airbags! Hurray for keyless entry and an MP3 jack. Woo-hoo! Hurray for just finally having a car that everything on it works! It’s a beautiful thing.

Of course this purchase did come with a bit of pain. Naturally it was difficult to fork over the chunk of cash, especially during this kooky economy. But what made me the saddest was saying goodbye to my faithful Mazda.

The Mazda was my first grown up car. I sold my 1967 Corvair, which I was also sad to see go, and bought the Mazda in 1997 from one of Ellen’s Hastings College professors. He had babied this car and it was in excellent shape. I hoped it would last, but I had no idea car would run for 18 years and accumulate over 275,000 miles.

Dennis and I joked that we bought Addie’s school car when we bought the Honda. Hopefully that is true, and this car is just as good as the Mazda. But in the meantime, it’s all mommy's and daddy's to enjoy!

Thanks

It’s time for my all time most favorite holiday – Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving for many reasons - being with those I love the most, eating home-cooked delicious meals, and taking time to express thanks.

A Thanksgiving tradition in my family is to pass around a small notebook and jot down the things for which you’re most thankful. I’m not sure when Cynthia started this tradition, but it’s been a good one. It’s a lot of fun to look back through everyone’s entries over the years. Some are really witty (my Aunt Barbara). Some are embarrassing (most of mine!). Some are poignant (Ellen’s last entry saying she was most thankful for being a wife and mother). But all are priceless and deeply cherished.

Since I won’t be with my side of the family for Thanksgiving this year, I thought I’d just use my blog as that little notebook, or “book of blessings.” Here goes -

1. My amazing husband. (He doesn’t read this blog, and would be mortified, or at the very least rolling his eyes right about now). But I can’t help it. The more I’m with him the more thankful I am to share my life with such a wonderful man.

2. My beautiful daughter. She is a complete delight and I love watching her grow.

3. Our health. It’s something I take for granted, but I am soooo thankful.

4. My family. All the wonderful mix - the biological, the step, the in-laws - my life wouldn’t be as rich without each of them in it.

5. My friends. I know it’s a girl thing, but I LOVE my girlfriends. They make me a better person and my life just plain fun!

6. My job. During this economic crisis, I am especially thankful for the blessing of being able to work and support my family at a job I enjoy.

7. The basic comforts – food, shelter, fear from want.

8. My country.

9. My freedoms.

10. My life.

My list is pretty boring really. But that’s OK. Basically, I think we’re all most thankful for the things in life that we don’t deserve, earn or even expect.

It’s good to take a few moments to sit back and think about all of the blessings that surround me everyday. And then not just count my blessings, but take the time to truly be thankful, to be grateful, and humbled by all of the good fortune that surrounds me.

Thanks.

A Great Book

This is one of the most inspiring books I’ve read in a long time. It’s about how one man has made a real difference in the villages in the border area of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has done this not through politics or war, but instead through the simple act of providing children the opportunity to go to school. It’s pretty profound, and speaks to the staggering importance and power of an education.

One of my favorite quotes is by Margaret Mead - “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” This book is about that very thing. We all have the power to make a difference in our own ways. Check it out . . .

Congratuations America!

We did it!! Finally. After eight long years of watching our country being led into the ground by an indignant, blustering, maniacal, moron, we finally have a leader I’m proud to call our President.

So Congratulations, America. You have finally elected a leader to which the ideals of this country aspire.

Yes. We. Can.

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween. I love seeing little kids in their adorable costumes. I love jack-o-lanterns. I love the theatre of it all. And I’m happy to say so does my daughter.

She had several opportunities to “get her Halloween on” this year. We went to a local church’s “Trunk or Treat” event where we filed through a parking lot full of parishioner’s SUV’s and mini vans that they had decorated for Halloween. We also did Pioneers Park’s “Spooktakular” again this year. Addie is finally old enough to really enjoy this event. I still think her favorite part was just walking down the trail with her BFF, Sydney. Then on Halloween we met up with Syd and Uncle Zach and Aunt Stacy and cousin Carter at the mall for another round of trick or treat.

Addie had always wanted to be a princess for Halloween. I was just planning to put her in the dress she wore for Uncle Derek’s wedding, but Dennis’ coworker had a Snow White dress that fit Addie perfectly. You should have seen her face when Dennis brought that sparkly, poofy dress home. She beamed, and also wore it every night for a week leading up to Halloween.

I will have to say that I think peanut allergies have ruined the candy haul this year. Addie got loads of junky hard candy. Dennis and I are pretty bummed about this.

Freedom of Speech?

This pretty much sums up the idiocy of the whole Bill Ayers debacle . . .

On Saturday morning it was really foggy. When Addie woke up and looked outside she said, "the clouds fell down, mommy."

I just think that's perfect.