And On a Lighter Political Note...

I don't think any words are necessary.

Time to Relax

Some days, especially during election time, it feels like we are bombarded with too much information. There are e-mails, blogs, news websites, television, radio, magazines, SNL skits, political cartoons, talk around the water cooler, etc, etc.

Some days it just feels like too much. Until today. Today, I heard someone on the radio remind everyone of this fact:

"No matter who wins this election, you can't let that person, or that outcome of the election, determine your happiness."

And it's true, we can't.

No matter who is elected, it is up to us, each of us individually, to make sure that we are responsible for our own happiness.

When I hear bits of news about people wanting candidates to be killed or to be gang raped I realize that there are some people out there who are not only psychopaths, but they are also hanging their only hopes of any sort of happiness for the next four years on the outcome of this election. And that's just ridiculous.

I'm thrilled that I have the right to vote and I will exercise that right and vote for the candidate who I believe should be in office. But when it's all said and done and after I cast my vote and say my prayers, it is truly out of my hands. However, it's okay, because we all have more control over our individual destinies than any presidential candidate ever will.

It is absolutely important to fight for the issues. There are important issues to be fought for. However, no one needs to get shot at. No one needs to get raped. No one needs to drag a candidate's pregnant child through the mud over this. That type of rhetoric is just immature, unproductive and only makes things worse.

As we approach this next presidential election, let's all just take a collective deep breath and calm down and relax. Educate yourself on the facts, cast your vote and end it.

As the old saying goes, it's just not worth getting your panties in a bunch over this.

Happy Fall, Y'all

Really, when it's all said and done, no matter what happens, I can whole heartedly say that...

I really like my new Fall purse.

I've gotten more compliments on this purse in the last week than I think I have ever gotten on any purse before in my life.  (Except maybe for the Holly Hobbie one I had when I was six.)

Flu Shot Night!

It's October. Among the changing leaves, pumpkins, mums and corn stalks, my mind turns to...flu shots.

Yes, flu shots.

Flu Shot Night is a simple and strange tradition that my husband and I have had since the beginning of our marriage.

Every October, we pick a Friday night after work and go and get flu shots (usually a walk in clinic somewhere). Then, as tradition dictates, the following things happen:

• We go home and put on sweatpants.
• We order pizza and open a bottle of red wine.
  
• We watch movies.
• We take some Advil (to ease sore and/or swollen arms) and we sleep late the next morning.
  
  

Somehow, having this simple tradition makes the flu shot ritual something we look forward to each year.

So, dig out your sweatpants, grab some comfy socks, and grab a few movies--it's flu shot night!

Apparently, I Should Have Called in "Brunette" Today...

Above - Another apparently distraught woman upon finding out the news that she is brunette.

In the news...

Blonde sues over brown dye; judge brushes off suit 

A Connecticut judge has given the brush-off to a blonde woman's lawsuit claiming L'Oreal Inc. ruined her social life when she accidentally dyed her hair brunette with one of its products. 

Charlotte Feeney of Stratford says she can never return to her natural blonde hue, a shock that left her so traumatized she needed anti-depressants.

She says she suffered headaches and anxiety, missed the attention that blondes receive and had to stay home and wear hats most of the time.

A Superior Court judge dismissed Feeney's 2005 lawsuit Monday, saying she never proved her allegation that L'Oreal put brown hair dye in a box labeled as blonde. The company also had disputed the claim.

Feeney referred questions on Wednesday to her attorney, David Laudano, who has declined to comment.

How terrible for her.  I send out my condolences to her and to all those suffering from "brunette-ism" including (but not limited to) Cindy Crawford, Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie, Courtney Cox, Eva Longoria, Brooke Shields and Jessica Alba.  

I had better buy a hat on my way home.

Soon, I Will Need a Second Job

Things I have done for other peoples' kids in the last month:

Bought 1 canister of flavored popcorn. ($18.00)
Bought 1 apple pie kit. ($18.00)
Bought another canister of flavored popcorn. ($17.00)
Pledged money for walk-a-thon. ($25.00)

Total so far - $78.00

Question - Do you think I could get any donations by putting a jar at my desk that says, "I have no kids in Band, Boy Scouts or Drama Club, but I do like to shop at Target. Please contribute. (Gift cards accepted)" ?

My Letter to 2008

Dear 2008,

I realize that it has been a difficult year, (you know, with the deaths, injuries/ruined vacations, divorces, surgeries, plagues of spiders, in addition to just wreaking general havoc on my family and friends) and now you want to try to make it up to me.

I also have to admit that you are off to a good start by allowing me to win a free cruise through a random drawing at work.





Not just a free cruise, but a free cruise to the island of Grand Turk in January, on one of the upper decks of the ship, in a really nice cabin, with a balcony.







However, I have to admit, I am hesitant to embrace this act of generosity. 2008, you have a pattern and I am afraid that you are just setting me up for the ultimate smack down.

I could let my guard down and you could send another plague of spiders my way or cause me to drop my cool new phone in a toilet or something--or worse. I've seen what you are capable of.

So, here's the deal, 2008: When I am safely on that ship, enjoying a drink with a little umbrella in it, I might look back and say nice things about you.

But until then, I am going to have my eye on you. And I will probably still say bad things about you upon your departure on New Year's Eve. Come on, you can't really blame me. You and I both know what this year has been like. You deserve a little trash talk.

I will be watching and waiting and hoping that we can make our peace after you leave in January.

Thanks again for the cruise.

Sincerely,

Nonblond

P.S. If you allow me to win a large quantity of some cold hard cash from a slot machine on the ship it will make forgiveness that much easier. Just throwin' it out there.

P.P.S. If that ship sinks, even though it will be 2009, I'll still blame you.