Over a Year...

Maybe I won't even post this post, but - - -

Today I realized again that we've been in N.C. for over a year.

Sometimes it's something small:

• There's a festival coming up and realize we were here for it last year...

• and another street fest...they love their festivals here in October.
  

• and, today - we were at a pizza place in town and I saw a li'l family I noticed when we first moved here. They had the teeeeeeeniest, tiniest baby I think I'd ever seen. I mean, Bilda was pretty small and, hell - she was only about 2 months old when we moved here. But this baby was sooooo tiny. Anyway, we saw them today and I had to comment to them on how she's grown! Her mom said she'd be a year old next month and tears started to well up in my eyes. Another reminder for me.

• AND on the way home today, I ordered a warm coffee. I've had them iced for soooo many months now. And believe it or not - it tasted completely different. It brought me back to what seems like an eternity ago. When we were new here and all we knew was to come into town and shop. It was the same drive back to our home from the nearest, biggest (AND SMALLEST) towns in the world in our neck of the woods and the feeling just made my stomach sink and my heart ache.
  

This has been a good year. It's been a crazy year. It's been emotional for me to leave everyone I love behind. But, I have been happy, too. We have become a stronger, tiny family. We are content just being together.

And that comes from the calm that I have because I know we'll be home again someday.

Though I am still the most impatient person I know. (Besides my little daughter. But even she is gaining a little more patience.)

Wow...

I was checking to see if there are any upcoming Obama events here in N.C., and saw this:






Obama was in STL today! And over 100,000 people showed up! It made my eyes tear up...

D.C.

We went to D.C. this past weekend. A spur of the moment thing. Just decided that we really should go since we're only about 350 miles away and Mike had Monday off for Columbus Day.

It was a blast! We walked and walked and walked and went back to our hotel each night and swam in the pool and crashed.

Of course, we took lots of photos but I'm sooooo bummed because I accidentally erased a whole day's worth of pictures. I've got some recovery software on the way so - keep your fingers crossed for me! I had some really cute photos of Matilda walking around the Air & Space Museum with her hands folded behind her back. There are actually TWO of the Air Museums in D.C. (lucky for Mike). She LOVED it at the first one by the airport - it wasn't very crowded, there was nothing for her to destroy and she could roam freely right next to us.

The next day, we headed downtown to see the sites! It was just amazing to see the places that are such a part of our history and lives as Americans.

(I wish we'd had time to meet up with Wendy and Kristin while we were in town! I was telling Lori that we really should all meet up again sometime....Road trip!)

Mike thought it would be hiLARious
if he took a picture of this picture from the Smithsonian
and told Lori that he took it in an aquarium there.
Guess I just ruined that plan.

Water fountain by the Art Museum.
Made me wistful and think of the "Love & Marriage" Fountain in Chicago.

I liked this guy's choice of a seat.
(Above and below.)

Ice cream break.

Second day of Air Museum - not as exciting for Matilda.
And waaaaaay too crowded.

View from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.

Trying to get a photo with Matilda...but she has her own plan!

View from the Lincoln Memorial toward the Washington Monument.
I guess that's obvious.
BUT, I wasn't sure we'd make it - so it meant a lot to me!

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!!!