A Lovely Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. We spent the day with TJ's Dad and Stepmother, for our Thanksgiving Dinner. My brother David joined us, which was very nice as it added a little more familial feel to the holiday. Libby always does a wonderful job cooking our feast, and of making it feel special. This year we enjoyed turkey (of course), mashed potatoes, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, yeast rolls, yams, macaroni and cheese, brocolli casserole, stuffing, pound cake, and homemade chocolate pecan pie. Yummy! After we ate, we lounged around the living room, making room for digestion to occur, and laughed with each other. It was very nice. I must admit, I am thankful for not having to travel over Thanksgiving, but I am also thankful that we will be traveling for Christmas!

Slacker

Sorry I have been neglecting my blog. I have been fighting off a sinus infection for weeks, and am giving up and going to the doctor tomorrow. Hopefully I will feel better soon!

Election 2008

Wow! What an amazing journey this election has been. I still cannot believe that we have just elected our first African American president. It is unbelievable to see how far our country has come. It was only 50 years ago, that our country was struggling through the Civil Rights Movement.

My support did not begin as support for Obama. I had said for years that if Hillary Clinton would run for President, she had my vote. Then she announced her intention to run. Around that time, my book club read "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama, and I was able to learn a little bit about the man. The book moved me, challenged my thoughts, and forced me to question my support for Hillary. I felt torn between the candidates. Gradually, as I feel was meant to be, Obama slid ahead of Hillary and secured the Democratic Nomination. My support was now solidified for Obama.

Throughout the campaign, I have admired Obama's composure, his solid plans for our country, and his ability to connect with people of all classes, races, and backgrounds. I feel this is a special gift that few people possess. I believe my own husband possesses this gift of undeniable charisma that captivates people. Obama captivates with honesty, genuity, and above all hope. He worked incredibly hard to reach all people, and I think that shows a lot about his character and his intentions for our country.

I tried to see Obama at JMU. I wasn't able to do so, and felt so deflated. Here was this man, who would potentially change our history in the United States of America, in my town, and I couldn't get there. I sat on the couch, with tears in my eyes, as he gave his speech at JMU. I thought, "We need this man."

I cast my vote on Tuesday. I stood in line, proud of my country and of my ability to speak my voice in who governs our country. I browsed the faces in line. Each face held that same excitement to make a difference. This is the first time I have felt such an excitement to vote. I think many of us take for granted the gift that voting is to us here in the US. In many places in the world, democracy is NOT a right, as we are taught from early elementary through adulthood. We are so lucky that we have the right to vote, and I felt privileged to vote for Barack Obama.

As soon as 7:00 arrived, I turned on the television to watch the results of the election. I waited, as each states' results were given. As I sat, and the screen flashed blue, I began to think about why this election was so important to me. As with everything in life, my thoughts turned to my children. This election was not only for me, but also for them. They would have a president that looks like they do! How powerful. It will ring true to them, when someone tells them that they can be President of the United States. They will be able to see a path that is theirs, no matter how many obstacles they might face along the way. Does racism exist in our lives? Absolutely. I see it every single day. Someone very close to me asked if I voted for Obama just because he was black? How could someone who knows and loves my family, ask me that question? We never play the race card, and try very hard to teach our children that race is insignificant. But yet, it is significant. Because no matter how smart, athletic, kind, compassionate, giving, empathetic, or hard-working they are, their skin will always be black. And to some people, that makes them less of a person. But as of 2008, black is in the most powerful position in this country. How can I ever teach them, or show them a better example of what they can do. Thank you Barack Obama, thank you!

Halloween Bash

Julienne and a stalk of broccoli. Broccoli!

We made it through another Halloween. The decorations have come down, lights put away, and new fun things have been purchased in preparation for next Halloween. For example, I was able to purchase a cool bubble/fog machine for next year's Halloween party. The best part is that it was 50% off. I couldn't find one yesterday when I browsed for Halloween bargains, but tonight I found one. Hooray!

The last leg of our Halloween marathon was our second annual Halloween bash. Of course all of the regulars were invited and our guest list included:

Ashley, Travis, & Tucker Bowman (mustard, ketchup, and a hot dog)

Jennie & Sam Carr (American Gladiators)

Jen & Justin Edris (Soccer player, soccer referee, and a soccer ball)

Charlie, Amanda, Charlie, Jelani, and Elise Holloway

David Grant

Kevin & April Gorby (cat & ugly woman)

Tanya, TJ, Tre and Julienne Butler (Broccoli, Pimp, Evil wizard, fairy/Belle from Beauty and the Beast!)

We munched on Halloween themed treats, and enjoyed everyone's costumes and friendship. It was another successful party at the Butlers.

Trick-or-Treat!

We made it through another Halloween. The decorations have come down, lights put away, and new fun things have been purchased in preparation for next Halloween. For example, I was able to purchase a cool bubble/fog machine for next year's Halloween party. The best part is that it was 50% off. I couldn't find one yesterday when I browsed for Halloween bargains, but tonight I found one. Hooray!

Trick-or-treating was a little disappointing this year, with far fewer houses giving out candy. I think it was reflective of our economy. Perhaps people are just not able to afford bags of candy. But we still made our rounds and the kids acquired LOTS of candy, even with fewer houses that were participating.

Miss Julienne was a beautiful, dark, Halloween fairy. She wore long purple eyelashes, and I drew spiderwebs under her eyes. Her skirt lit up with fiber optic wire and she sported large fairy wings.

My handsome Tre was an evil wizard. TJ helped Tre with his face paint, and Tre has somehow mastered this wizard/sorceror's pose. It is hilarious to see him pose this way, and try to look "evil". The fact of the matter is his nature is so sweet, generous, caring and kind that he could never look evil, even with his pose.

And last, but not least, was my husband's costume. He, too, dressed up for Trick-or-Treating this year, in his pimp costume. The first time that TJ was a pimp was in college. It was a great costume then, and he wore it for two years in college, and at least one year afterward. He loved the pimp costume. So this year, as we thought about costume possibilities, he expressed that he would like to be a pimp again. I met this suggestion with a lot of negativity, telling him that it was not original, he had already been a pimp, and so on. I may have gone too far and hurt his feelings. That was not my intent, but nonetheless, I succeeded in doing it.

TJ ignored my negativity, went by himself and purchased all of the parts of his costume. I must say that a pimp really is the perfect costume for my husband. He just has the look! It was very funny, and people enjoyed the costume. And the great thing about a costumed TJ, is that he will play the part. He is not bashful about anything, and it makes the costume even funnier. I love my pimp!