I am a Bad Blogger

I have the best of intentions, really, I do. I think of all these things to write and then I don't do it. The baby goes to bed and I am maybe 5 minutes behind him, flossing so I don't feel guilty but I have never wanted to sleep so much in my life and even if I get a good few hours in a row, all I can think about is how much I am looking forward to the next time. This can't be good.

I am getting excited about Obama and I hope he can keep his momentum and his lead and win. I have spent way too much time talking my mom out of her original "oh, she's refreshing" opinion of Sarah Palin. Not sure why I care, not like we can vote in that election but somehow I just had to convince her that it's just not right to support a woman who in so many ways sends women back instead of forward.

I have been using the slow cooker lately and tried a new recipe yesterday that totally rocks. Chicken, salsa, peanut butter, ginger and garlic. I know, sounds gross, but it all melts together and is so good that I was sad when it was done. I invited my family over for dinner this weekend which will make me clean the house, it's not too bad right now, and I am going to try this recipe on them and see how it goes.

Pretty Much an Addiction

I'm not sure how this happened but I am addicted to U.S. politics. I don't want to live in the U.S. ( no offense, I do love to shop there) but I want to vote so badly I can taste it. I haven't wanted anything this badly since Isaac Mizrahi snakeskin pumps were marked down at Nordstrom Rack. And I want to donate money, which I can't but I would happily eat beans and rice and donate the rest if I could. I wish Canadian politics moved me in the same way. I find it hard to care and I shouldn't.

I have taught about and studied the American system for years and its flaws. But they got something sort of right. You vote for your president. Maybe the Electoral College skews it but you get to vote for your person and put your ballot to it. In Canada, we don't get to do that and I think we should. There is something powerful about seeing that name, going to vote to show your support for that candidate and supporting and cheering them on.

I want Barack Obama to win. I am addicted to Time Magazine's "Swampland"and get a little distressed if it hits my email late. I can feel the contagious pulse of the Democratic movement and the rustling of the grassroots groundswell and I want to be part of it. I wished I was in Denver to hear his speech; I wanted to cheer on Michelle. I wonder how many other people, like me sitting on the sidelines, are watching the American political scene, understanding how it effects the world, and want to jump up and shake America and say, " Can't you see???"

Change is not only something to believe in; it is essential. I wonder if you can buy a US ballot of eBay.

To My TV and Our New Level of Commitment

OK, the Olympics, that was understandable especially all the swimmers in those low cut suits. And even the gymnastics with the little Chinese girls competing before they hit puberty and had hips. And then the track and field - the amazing women's pole vaulting ( how do they do that) and the running. I get the appeal of all of that even though I watched more TV in those 2 weeks than in the last 7 months. But, now, seriously, the Democratic convention? And what's with these hormones that make me tear up every time they show the mom shot? I cried during Joe's Biden's speech for goodness sake, I better not be pregnant.

And I cried yesterday during a long distance commercial. I peed on a stick so it can't be possible.

What is it about when the weather turns cooler and the TV comes on? I am going to read books, good books and maybe join a reading club ( I hope they have dessert) and do things that are good for my mind.

It may be August but autumn is here, there's no denying it.

Post Baby Hair and Ina

The baby is up at dawn and Ina Garten is making pear and apple crisp on TV. I want to go to her house for dinner. I will be like Jeffrey and say, "This is the best dinner ever", so she will cook for me again. I am going to talk to her about making more side dishes. I think people like a little choice.

OK, so the baby is 7 months old now. How come my hair still sucks? It was falling out for a while, then it slowed way down and now I am going bald again. What's the deal? I don't get to sleep, at least let me have some hair! It's curly/frizzy and when I put product in, more comes out. I am either frizzy with hair or smooth and balding. I am feeling like George Costanza.

Please let this baby go back to bed soon. 5 hours is not enough.

It's Tuesday, Day 2 of the Diet and a bit of a rainy day. I had fun with Ben today. We bought him some stacking cups and it amused him for a good part of the afternoon. I wonder what his first memory will be. My first is walking downstairs in the house I grew up in and walking into a sun-flooded living room where my grandmother was watching TV with my 2 cousins. I was pulling a wooden dog on wheels with a long yellow plastic lead. I remember my Gran saying, "Well, now, look who woke up!" It's a good memory. She passed away in 1998 and I still miss her, guess I always will.

I've been watching the Olympics every night. I get so emotionally involved although the events happened a day ago. I love when they show the athlete's mom with her heart on her face. I want everyone to win. But life doesn't work like that.

And So It Begins

This is my first post and I have some things to say. First of all, thanks for reading this. I have a lot of interests and have spent many hours nursing my son and reading all kinds of things on the Net. There have to be many people out there like me who enjoy finding good recipes, cool ideas for the home, reading about current political debate and learning about great new books to explore. It's a lot of fun being a mom but it's a lot of juggling too and you have to learn a hard lesson - you come second ( at best) now and you have to constantly figure out what the priority is ( your bladder or the baby's?). I like to read other mommy bloggers too so I can learn from them and see that I'm not alone.