The Flip Side of the Weekend

While Justin and I were out gallivanting around Ohio this past weekend, I knew my kids were safe and secure in the hands of Sarah and Brian...

They were Monster Robots (key word MONSTER - natty light box being the "robot"), made monster faces, made cake and decorated it with about 10,000 sprinkles and then Si and Brian wore their "beards" while watching football

Saturday night after their pizza dinner…Si was sticking his finger in his mouth, trying to get any extra pizza out of his teeth, when he looked at Sarah and says, “I need a Q-tip for my teeth”

Apparently we don't allow sharp objects in our house!

Celebration of Learning and Cincinnati = Fun Weekend!

Justin and I went to the CML (Columbus Metro Library) Celebration of Learning on Friday night. It's one of my favorite annual events - combining food, wine, the beautiful downtown library and a wonderful author/speaker. This year Roy Blount Jr. was the author. I had not heard of him but he was SO funny and had a great southern accent.
The food was fantastic - there are usually 8-10 or so local restaurants that cater it and you go around to all the different "stations" and fill up on their specialties. Jeni's Ice Cream was there also - I had Dark Cocoa Gelato and Justin had something pumpkin flavored - both to die for!

A few pictures - taken with the cell phone camera so they are not great.

1st floor of the main library - looking up at the 2nd and 3rd floors

Entering into the childrens area

My kind of kid area - open bar had been set up :)

On Saturday we dumped the kids off at Sarah and Brian's and headed South to Cincinnati. I had a work party (an early holiday party) and it was great fun. We ate and drank well (again!) - and we stayed the night in Cinci.
When we got back, Ella went to see a movie with a friend and Silas crashed - he must have been really worn out!

Happy Birthday to My Mama!

We love you!!

MUM's the Word

(My beautiful "Point Pelee" Mums)

Speaking of MUM, when it comes to "taboo" topics like my salary/finances, my sex life and my political views - you'd sooner hear more about sex and money from me than about politics...but there is no doubt that these elections were a defining moment in history - and would have been with either outcome in the Presidential election.

I realized yesterday and today that something was different about this election on a personal level - that is - I truly cared about the outcome. Along with most everyone else in the U.S., I have felt we have not been on the right track. For some (most?) it may be the economy, taxes, etc. And while those things are certainly very important to me, more important than the price of gas is the state of our values and work ethic in America. Corruption and greed seem to be the norm any more. I don't think our kids are getting the right messages, and often, I don't think that We the People are sending the right messages (I'll speak for myself on that one).

No one can walk into that Oval office and in 1 year, 4 years or even 8 years, fix all that is "broken" with the government, the economy, the war - not Obama, not McCain (maybe Robin Williams) - but I feel good about this "change in management".

My take on a great leader:

-A great leader is not "all-knowing" - they cannot do-it-all, know-it-all, be-it-all.

-What a great leader CAN do is inspire - encourage - and give hope. They will lead by example. A great leader will surround him or herself with the best talent and create highly functional, effective teams to drive success.

-A great leader will delegate, give responsibility and expect accountability. Great leaders encourage us to work harder and to expect more from ourselves.

I know that I have taken the "smooth sailing" of this country (in my lifetime) for granted. I have no doubt that I could and should be working harder - expecting and accepting more responsibility for the state of my community and my country.

I feel inspired...I feel encouraged...I feel hopeful...

P.S. - While I value your opinions (or at least your right to have an opinion) - I don't want to know it...unless you have something inspiring, encouraging or hopeful to add!

A Last Fall Hurrah...

While Fall technically doesn't end for quite awhile...we all know in Ohio, this is about as good as it gets. Next week we'll probably get snow.

A few pictures...as usual.

Once again, my fruit bowl has been corrupted. One guess who the culprit is

All That Remains - of my garden. A very sad day.

But what beautiful shrubbery we have

The wacko-jackos will be put to rest tonight as well, tomorrow is garbage day.

Too Much Fun!

We went to a Halloween Costume party at the James' - what a GREAT time we had! Here are some pictures to prove it...

I went as Sarah Palin. Justin was Todd, her commercial fisherman husband. He could have been the Gordon Fisherman too I guess.

I had my red jacket, glasses, $10K price tag on my jacket and baby Trig in my Bjorn carrier.

As I was getting ready, I realized that I looked like hell and had very little time to get ready. So, I went with it....mussed up hair, penciled in black bags under my eyes...and made myself a tag to wear:

The Girls - Jodi, Jen, ME, Beth


Jill and Doug were great as Juno and Paulie

Jay and Brenda or rather, Hugh and his PB Bunny

I won't tell you who's behind this is...

Fun Fun evening!!

Why I HATE Moonsand