Michelle Obama Rally

Wooohooo! Bilda and I saw Michelle Obama speak today in Jacksonville, NC. For once, I can say I'm thankful I live in the middle of nowhere North Carolina because we actually got to sit pretty close. It was amazing.

We also almost didn't make it inside the building so that made our luck seem even better when we got a good seat! The place filled up fast...it was an emotional sight for me to see all the people that showed up! Just incredible. I was thrilled.

She talked a lot about military families. We all cheered and cheered each time a speaker mentioned the military heroes and the sacrifices their families make and gave standing ovation after ovation.

Bilda and I made it through most of the event. Almost near the end, Bilda decided she was going to steal my camera and slam it on the floor....I objected and she screeched, so we booked outta there!

Overall - - it was an amazing day!

Just got a care package from my MOM

filled with treasures!

It was soooo exciting(!) to open it.

Matilda is napping and she'll explore her treats when she wakes up!

• A talking Minnie doll from my parents' recent vacation to Disney World. (YES! My parents vacationed at Disney. They love it there - they love the food!)

• THE cutest Halloween card EVER.

• Three adorable outfits. The cutest navy/green plaid dress I've ever seen!

And, amazingly, the clothes smell like home. [Sniff sniff sniff.]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, HOME. [Sniff sniff.]

I don't know if I can even wash the clothes, yet!

We LOVE our Grandma MeMe packages!

No one noticed!

I went out "about town" today in my Obama shirt...and absolutely nothing happened! I was inconspicuous as always! Woooooohooo!

I'm never taking it off now.

I did see a guy selling Obama shirts on the side of the road. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture. Maybe I'll stop by and see him sometime and ask him how many he's sold...

On Tuesday, Matilda and I are going to try to see Michelle Obama! She's going to be here - - in Jacksonville, NC. I guess I'll wear my shirt that day too. (Of course I will, because I'm never taking it off!)

T-Shirt Test

It's hard to explain why I'm nervous to go out into town today with my Obama t-shirt on.

I think it's because we live in a mostly military town. I admire and respect veterans. I'm married to a veteran, after all.

If I was in Champaign-Urbana, I would rock this shirt with NO problem. But I'm nervous here. I'm nervous to offend people. They are proud of their service and I AM SO PROUD OF THEIR SERVICE and THEIR FAMILIES' SACRIFICE(S). The son of one of my best friends served in Iraq and we are soooooo proud of him. And so thankful he came home safely. I know he's proud of the job he did and would serve again and again.

I love my country. I love my daughter. I love the soldiers!!! And THAT'S why I wear this t-shirt and vote the way I do.

Astounded

Of course, I watched the debate tonight. I'll leave the reviewing to the professionals - BUT, I do have a few observations about Palin, the mother:

First, she handed her infant to her 7 year old daughter to carry down the stairs from the debate stage. Unconcerned.

Secondly, at her post debate speech I saw the infant barefoot. It's chilly in St. Louis right now, I'm sure.

Lastly, why aren't her school age children in school?

(I guess I could say the same thing about Biden's school age grandchildren, so.......hmmmmmmm. It's only one night????? I don't know.)

Matilda Watches GloZell

Sooooo...a while back, Fighting Mad Mary posted her friend GloZell's video...then my friend Gnightgirl blogged it...then our friend Wendy posted that she was blogging it from FMM and GNG and wouldn't it be funny if someone posted it from her blog?

Wellllll, lately our Miss Matilda loves watching videos on the computer...she mostly watches bunnies and animals and videos of herself but, as it turns out, EVEN SHE loves GloZell!

And who wouldn't really???




And while I was on GloZell's YouTube site, I found a new favorite of mine:




She is talented!

Bizzzzzzy Weekend!

We had a ton of fun this weekend...we just went and went and went!

Saturday we toured Tryon Palace in New Bern. You're not allowed to take any pictures inside...waaaaaah! No pictures!

They were pretty nice though. Since we had our own li'l tour guide (Matilda), a nice lady came out and gave us a quick walk-through tour of our very own.

(Flower thief)

(Two flies at the same time!
Ruining both Mike and Matilda's straws.
We just had to laugh...)

She felt like such a big girl!

On Sunday we went to tour Screen Gem Studios in Wilmington, NC...where they film one of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill. It was my hubband's very nice idea chosen just for me! We really enjoyed it...saw the sets...didn't get ANY spoilers...and, again, didn't get to take any pictures inside. Blah!

We turned her seat around for the first time. I don't know who was more pleased and proud...

Peyton's car(s)

Then we headed to downtown Wilmington...they shoot scenes for the show there, too.

Brooke's store...empty!
They should think about actually selling clothes there!

I like how this one turned out:

Matilda met a doggie inside Java Dog...they allow them in there! She was a sweetheart named Junebug.



Today, we had plans of touring the maritime museum but we just were tuckered out. And did a little shopping before we decided it was too hot...we'll save it for another day. Matilda met some nice doggies again though. Who would have ever thought two catpeople would have a dog lover??!?!? We're wishing we'd rethought that now because I'd love for her to have a dog...



That's for another day and time, too!!!

What to Say?

First of all, it smells of desperation to me...McCain choosing a woman as his VP nominee since Hillary isn't on the ticket. Well, too bad!! It's not going to change the fact that McCain will lead this country backward not forward.

She seems pretty and, darn it, she has a tiny baby with Down Syndrome. [sigh] I truly feel for her...

BUT this choice just seems sooooo desperate.

And their slogan of "Country First"??????? What do we all want? If I'm honest - - my family is first BUT:

We all love our Country! That's why WE want it to move forward.

Obama's Speech

It's an understatement to say that I really enjoyed his speech.

Wow - I know what an amazing speaker he is and was still blown away...I can only hope that he becomes our President. I won't even dare to let myself imagine it yet...only hope that it can and will happen...and, of course, get out and vote for him on November 4th!

Momo's Re-citing DNC Coverage Continues!

It was an interesting night.

I thought former President Clinton backed Barack well...

And I like Biden even more now (if that's even possible for me). He's just sooo identifiable, matter-of-fact/down-to-Earth - - you just can't help but like him! His children and wife clearly love him and he is obviously proud of his family. Yes, his speech wasn't as lively as he can be...but it was still very telling, honest and open.

To quote Pres. Clinton's speech tonight:

"I LOVE JOE BIDEN!"

I'll Keep Going...

I was not sure what to expect from Hillary's speech tonight...it seemed like an insurmountable task - to unify the party. We will see how it worked but I, for one, was very impressed. She did a fantastic job...

I am and have been an Obama supporter - I am a liberal and I have always been a Democrat. I know that I would've voted the Democratic ticket no matter who the candidate was...so I cannot say how this speech will affect die-hard Hillary supporters but I can say that I thought Hillary was brilliant and pulled it all together clearly!

Some of my favorite lines:

"No way. No how. No McCain."

"Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President."

"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me?"

"We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare."

"Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance."

"I want you to think about your children and grandchildren come election day. And think about the choices your parents and grandparents made that had such a big impact on your life and on the life of our nation. We've got to ensure that the choice we make in this election honors the sacrifices of all who came before us, and will fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich gave a rousing speech, too! Loved it!

Political Blog...

I really don't blog very much about my political views BUT I would say that politics is a big part of my life right now...well, maybe not politics soooo much as I am just very, very interested in this upcoming election and I am hopeful that my candidate will win.

I was very pleased to be awakened Saturday morning at 3:25 A.M. ET by the text message announcing Sen. Joe Biden as Obama's running mate...what a great way to start my morning! I even crazily stumbled downstairs to get online to see if it was really true - I even felt like I was the first to know! And I wondered if anyone had posted it online yet...OF COURSE they had!

I'm so glad that Biden is the VP nominee...he is outspoken and passionate in his work. And we need someone fighting for us out there.

Then tonight, I was pleasantly surprised with Michelle Obama's speech. I'm not surprised that she was open and articulate...or that it was a moving speech - - actually I guess I wasn't surprised at all. The Obamas continually move me.

Michelle Obama just reminded me of one of the main reasons I'm voting for her husband. She mentioned that Barack wants to be President to give their daughters and all children a more promising future. Of course, my daughter's future is the single most important thing to me...I can't wait to cast my vote for HOPE in November.

Coming Clean

My friend Lori recently blogged her "True Confessions"...before your mind goes into the gutter - these are not those kind of confessions! She is not that kind of lady!

Her blog was about claims she had made and how she had to confess she couldn't quite live up to them - so I started thinking about myself...AND then we did something pretty uncharacteristic and Matilda was just so cute doing it, I couldn't resist posting - it fits perfectly!

So, while I try to feed my li'l family healthy foods and CLAIM that I avoid trans fats and fast food joints like the plague - - we were out running an errand the other night and got the craving for something fast and fried so we stopped at Burger King and Miss Matilda got to enjoy some macaroni (great choice for a kids meal - though not healthiest macaroni product out there) and apple fries and some of her mommy's french fries...she quickly figured out the best part of fries is the KETCHUP! You know, for KIDS!





Ketchup scooper:

1st Birthday

Our Bilda turned 1 a few weeks ago...I definitely meant to blog this earlier but we went home to Illinois for her birthday (YAY!) and I've been recovering from that AND staying up all night watching the Olympics like a complete nerd!

But what an amazing year it has been. Sometimes I look at her and just marvel at how she has changed. I would say that this year has flown by - but it actually feels like it has been the longest year of my life. With moving cross country and just that fact that Matilda has grown and learned sooo much, each month feels almost like a year in itself.

I feel like she has been around forever...sometimes it's hard to remember a time in my life before her. She is the greatest joy of my life (our life)! Mike and I gaze at her in awe and adoration...and sometimes I think our hearts will just burst!

I cannot even begin to describe how wonderfully she has changed our lives...she is the single most beautiful thing we have ever done...