death row

Last night I was telling some friends about the book I had just finished (Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult). Olympia was playing on the floor while we were talking. I was talking about the main character who was on death row. I probably said death row 3 times in the conversation when the following conversation happened.
O: "Mom, we saw death row."
Me: "What?!? What are you talking about? Death row?"
O: "Remember we saw death row at the movies."
Me: (panicing) "What movie?"
O: "You know the mouse with the big ears!" (eye roll)
Me: "Oh Despereaux. Yes we say Despereaux at the movies."
O: "I told you we saw it."

We laughed at that for a long time. Thankfully we avoided a conversation I was not really ready to have with her. I think death row might be a 7 or 8 year old conversation.

Two thumbs up!

return from the Christmas abyss

Hello. My last entry was after the election. If there are any of you still out there reading, welcome back. I barely survived the Christmas season this year. It was a tough one. I haven't done the numbers yet, but it might have been the best one yet. We are now trying to get our house ready to sell and look for a new at the same time. We also will be needing a new car. What is with all of the new stuff you ask? Well, apparently our family will be growing this year. Yes, that's right. Olympia got what she wanted for Christmas. (When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Olympia responded with a baby sister. When told that couldn't happen by Christmas, she would say, a baby brother would work too.)

In July, we will have a new baby brother or sister. We are very excited. (I am very tired.) Olympia makes sure everything I eat is "good for the baby." She is so happy. If you ask her when the baby is coming, she replies, "First is the 4th of July, then my birthday, then the baby comes." (She uses the 4th of July as a reference a lot. Like no more kisses until the 4th of July.)

So, with all of this big news, you might need a moment to collect yourself. I am working out the work details, but will let each of you know the plan for that. I will still be working, just a little less, so schedule early. 

Other than that small thing, I can't think of much else to update you on. I will be posting more now that the "season" is over. 

Two thumbs up!

Thank you!

Today is a great day. No matter what side you support, today is a great day. Election day! I love the entire political process. (except the mud-slinging) The hype, the tradition, the grandness. Love it all! 

On our walk to vote today, Olympia and I talked about what we were doing. She was not as interested as I hoped, but I really wanted to impress on her the path taken to get there. Women had a long fight to get where we are now. I hope all of my fellow women out there on their way to the polls said a quiet "thank you" to those who did the work before us. 

That being said, I try to keep my politics to myself, but tonight, I am excited. I am excited to see the energy that was brought to this country by one man. I look forward to the future.

almost famous

On Tuesday, I took a little trip to Omaha. Hillary Clinton was doing a rally for Barak Obama. I thought this is probably one of my only chances to be so close to seeing her. I went by myself, but quickly made two friends in the audience. (I had to go to the ladies room and they held my spot.) When I returned to my spot in the growing crowd, (5 or so rows deep) we started chatting about the people beginning to filter onto the risers behind the podium. I told my new friends that I was going to ask how you got up there. Wouldn't hurt to ask, right? I finally ran into the guy who gets to decide, he marked my ticket, and was nice enough to let me grab my new friends as well. Once we got to the risers, they said they wanted us to stand in front. We were so excited, we were shaking. Anywho, here is what it looked like:

That's me in the brown sweater just over her shoulder. This cute little lady next to me wearing a hat, kept saying things like "amen, sister" and "un-huh sister" to everything Hillary said. It was so awesome. Afterward, I got to shake Hillary's hand. She really is beautiful up close. 

I knew we would make the local news, since no one ever comes to Nebraska, but it must have been a slow day, because we made national news on ABC and Nightline. Of course they were talking about how Nebraska can split its electoral votes. To see the whole story on ABC news, click here. (look for me in the brown sweater.)

Two thumbs way up!

warning: cuteness alert!

Last weekend, Olympia and I went out to Ravenna to photograph a family. We stayed at a friend's farm. Olympia got to go 4-wheeling. It was a blast. One of the boys took me into a shed and showed me this:

Yes. I tried to bring one home, but the hubby said no. We guessed them to be about 2 weeks old. Aren't they the cutest things you ever saw. The mom would lay there and nurse them, but as soon as someone got close, she would stand up and let all the babies fall off so she could try and get you to pet her. It was just great to watch. Being on the farm was a lot of fun. Olympia keeps asking when she gets to go back.

Thumbs up!

frost?

I would just like to replay the conversation I heard on my tv between the anchor(A) and the weatherman(W).

W: Hope you have the ice scraper in your car for tomorrow morning.

A: What?!?

W: You might need it.

A: GASP!!!!

W: I took her breath away. I haven't done that to a woman in decades. 

SERIOUSLY!!!! I don't want to know about your low self esteem. I want to know about the weather. I think someone should call the inappropriate police.

Two thumbs not up!

marriage

Here's the conversation that just took place at my house as we were getting ready for school.

Me: I need to buy you new pants that actually fit, since you are growing so fast.

O: I am growing up big. Soon I will be a mom.

Me: I suppose so.

O: And then I will be married. 

Me: I hope so.

O: When will I get married?

Me: When you find the right guy.

O: One that's someone else isn't using?

Me: (laugh) I hope so.

Isn't a 4 year olds mind great?