New front page from The White House website.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1.20.09: Inaugural Day, and Finally, Bush's Last Day
I can't help to feel a mixture of emotions today. It has been a long time since I witnessed an inauguration. The last one, as you can already imagine was President Clinton. I was all of 20 years old at his first inauguration and I felt about a quarter of what I feel today. Oh, I was excited, and the thrill from my being able to vote for the first time in that Presidential election was still deep within me. Today, however, it very special. Something extraordinary. I wanted to keep the girls home from school today to witness this event. I believe their classes are going to be airing the festivities during class today. They should. This is history in the making. If only Inauguration Day could have fallen on Martin Luther King Day. That would have been awesome!
I do not want to get into a political post. I believe that each his own, this just happens to be mine. My family has always been blessed, but during the last year the economy has touched our lives personally. My father, a corporate man, lost his job of 35 years last Spring. After quickly finding another position within a different company, a company, upon my father's hiring, boasted that they had never had economic problems and did not foresee any in the near future, closed their offices six months after hiring my father. It is a scary feeling. Even though I am fast approaching 40, to know your "daddy" is out of work, is upsetting not only to me, but I can imagine the stress and pressure that has put on my mother and him.
Truth be told, I believe my father like being at home. He has all the time to do the things he wanted to do when he worked. He loves to fish, garden, piddle around in the yard, visit friends, visit his favorite (and only) daughter. They are secure enough thankfully, that he does not have to assure that he has a job by a certain time period as some people do. My heart goes out to those people. So many have lost their jobs, their homes, their security, sense of self-worth and respect.
I gladly accept our new President Obama. I want to watch this moment of history. The first man of color accepting the position of President of The United Sates. Some said it would never happen. I, for one am glad it did.
I remember taking my girls to play dates and watch in amazement at how they would interact with other children, including children of color. You could tell, they did not seem "to see" the difference. My girls never asked why "little Billy" was a different color than they. I was proud of them, and of my parenting and my raising. Children are so accepting, I used to wonder, when does the hate enter a person's life. Then I knew, it is learned. I was raised, thankfully, to not notice differences in people, we are all God's children.
Sure along the way, in school, on TV, and in books, I learned that there are people that insist that to make themselves feel better, they must belittle and degrade those around them. Most of the time it has nothing to do with color. It just happens to be whomever is the target for the day.
Keep our troops in your hearts an prayers, today and every day. Wish them home soon.
I am going to TiVo the Inauguration to watch again when my girls get home from school. It is a moment I want to share with them. I can not wait for tonight, either. I love to see the fashion, and the Inaugural Balls. A little overdone, I have to admit, but this one, it is special.
Those of you that follow a lot of the blogs, and haven't yet heard, Queen of Spain (Erin) had the fortunate opportunity to attend. She is checking in on her IPhone via BriteKite and on Twitter.
You can follow her on Twitter @QueenofSpain. Also, check out her blog at Queen Of Spain. She's a cool mom and she ROCKS!
I will be Twittering during the day, as well. So follow me, if you like @ SpoiledMom on Twitter.
To Tomorrow: A New Day Of Change For America.
I do not want to get into a political post. I believe that each his own, this just happens to be mine. My family has always been blessed, but during the last year the economy has touched our lives personally. My father, a corporate man, lost his job of 35 years last Spring. After quickly finding another position within a different company, a company, upon my father's hiring, boasted that they had never had economic problems and did not foresee any in the near future, closed their offices six months after hiring my father. It is a scary feeling. Even though I am fast approaching 40, to know your "daddy" is out of work, is upsetting not only to me, but I can imagine the stress and pressure that has put on my mother and him.
Truth be told, I believe my father like being at home. He has all the time to do the things he wanted to do when he worked. He loves to fish, garden, piddle around in the yard, visit friends, visit his favorite (and only) daughter. They are secure enough thankfully, that he does not have to assure that he has a job by a certain time period as some people do. My heart goes out to those people. So many have lost their jobs, their homes, their security, sense of self-worth and respect.
I gladly accept our new President Obama. I want to watch this moment of history. The first man of color accepting the position of President of The United Sates. Some said it would never happen. I, for one am glad it did.
I remember taking my girls to play dates and watch in amazement at how they would interact with other children, including children of color. You could tell, they did not seem "to see" the difference. My girls never asked why "little Billy" was a different color than they. I was proud of them, and of my parenting and my raising. Children are so accepting, I used to wonder, when does the hate enter a person's life. Then I knew, it is learned. I was raised, thankfully, to not notice differences in people, we are all God's children.
Sure along the way, in school, on TV, and in books, I learned that there are people that insist that to make themselves feel better, they must belittle and degrade those around them. Most of the time it has nothing to do with color. It just happens to be whomever is the target for the day.
Keep our troops in your hearts an prayers, today and every day. Wish them home soon.
I am going to TiVo the Inauguration to watch again when my girls get home from school. It is a moment I want to share with them. I can not wait for tonight, either. I love to see the fashion, and the Inaugural Balls. A little overdone, I have to admit, but this one, it is special.
Those of you that follow a lot of the blogs, and haven't yet heard, Queen of Spain (Erin) had the fortunate opportunity to attend. She is checking in on her IPhone via BriteKite and on Twitter.
You can follow her on Twitter @QueenofSpain. Also, check out her blog at Queen Of Spain. She's a cool mom and she ROCKS!
I will be Twittering during the day, as well. So follow me, if you like @ SpoiledMom on Twitter.
To Tomorrow: A New Day Of Change For America.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bound!!
Troy Polamalu, Steelers Safety,
celebrates with a #1, Sunday,
after Steelers become the AFC Champs
STEELERS = AFC NATIONAL CHAMPS and SUPER BOWL BOUND
I may be a Tennessee Girl, but I grew up with Pittsburgh in my heart. Pittsburgh Steelers' football that is. Now,the Steelers are Tampa bound.
Long before the Titans came to Nashville, my father and I would would watch the Steelers and the Jets every Sunday. So, I guess, it's in my blood. However, I did hate to see Philadelphia miss out on their opportunity to Arizona on Sunday I am an Eagles fan as well.
Here's a small recap of the Steeler's game: (SpoiledMom style)
Final: Steelers 23, Ravens 14
Pittsburgh's dominating defense beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in the AFC championship Sunday.
Santana Holmes scored on an electrifying 65-yard catch-and-run in the first half, and hard-hitting safety Troy Polamalu returned an interception 40 yards for a clinching TD with 4:24 remaining for the Steelers (14-4).
Jeff Reed kicked three field goals for the Steelers, who will be seeking their sixth Super Bowl title.
The Pittsburgh franchise is a veteran to the championship game, heading to their seventh Super Bowl, while their Super Bowl opponents, the Cardinals are finally making their first trip to the big game, the first of which was played in 1967, 19 seasons after the Cardinals' last league championship.
There was also a serious injury to Baltimore player, Willis McGahee. During the game
McGahee suffered a helmet to helmet crash that did not look, nor sound good. It was a few long moments of nail biting, even though he is on my opposing team, it is always scary to see these big guys go down.
McGahee was carted from the field on a stretcher after colliding with Steelers safety Ryan Clark. The play occurred in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 23-14 victory. Although he had significant neck pain, McGahee had movement in his arms and legs after the hit. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and held overnight for observation. McGahee was released early Monday morning and back in Baltimore by early afternoon, at his home.
McGahee returned to his Baltimore home Monday after spending the night in a Pittsburgh hospital recovering from a helmet-to-helmet hit in the AFC championship game against the Steelers.
Both teams played a great game. Now on to Tampa.........
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Goodbye, 2008
Another year has come and gone. Every year, at this time, as I start to reflect, I stop and think, "Where the hell did the year go?" Where did the time go?
All the plans I had made, then didn't "plan out". I started blaming Cancer for all of it. Cancer became an excuse, a crutch. Everyday things that I enjoy, suddenly came to a halt due to health constraints. I was either too tired or too sick to join a friend for coffee. I missed several of my daughter's school functions due to Cancer.
Just recently, I missed my oldest daughter's Christmas Concert because I had just underwent a chemo cycle the day before. She plays clarinet. If she doesn't continue band next year, in high school, it was the last opportunity for me to see her Christmas performance. I did, however, attend her Jr. Beta induction in October. I was so proud of her achievements. That was something, no matter what it took, I was going to be there and relish in her moment.
I missed out on my youngest daughter's 3 day, 2 night field trip. Something that her grade does every year for the students. They travel to a nearby national park and spend three days and two nights in cabins. I was able to attend with my oldest daughter when she was that age. It was a memorable trip. The children have a great time hiking, crafting, ghost stories, making 'smores, and spending time with their friends and classmates while learning about wildlife, conservation and nature.
I became guilt ridden because I could not attend. It did not seem fair to me that I was able to enjoy this with one daughter, but not the other. My youngest daughter, quite more mature than I at times, told me "You have cancer, Mom. I understand that you can't go, but you will be with me in my heart." I cried the entire time she was gone. She brought her camera with her and took a lot of pictures to share with me.
After she returned home, she connected the camera to my laptop and shared with me a slide show of everything she and her friends did. She told me story after story of the happenings and it seemed as if each picture had its own story. She later told me she did it so that I could feel as if I was there, to have memories of my own. Children amaze me at times. When you think they possibly can't understand, sometimes, they understand better than you, yourself.
Even though we have enjoyed all the holidays since my diagnosis this year, they have not been as elaborate as I have made them in the past. After I got past the guilt, I discovered that sometimes, less is more. Simple is better.
At my youngest daughter's 12th birthday party, she opted for a birthday cake "from scratch". She told me, however, if I didn't feel like making it, I could get a store bought cake, as we normally do. Something about the fact that she asked for a homemade cake made me more determined to make her one. Not one ounce of pain was going to stop me from making it.
The morning of her birthday, which fell on a Sunday this year, I made her favorite breakfast of waffles and fruit and sausage. Later that morning, she asked if she could help in making the cake. We both had a fun time making her birthday cake and spending that amount of time together. It was more important to her than just buying one at the store. (and it tasted wonderful as well...)
As time went by,I learned to gain a greater appreciation for small things in life. Everyday things that may easily go unnoticed in our fast paced, hectic life. Things I know that I had not been so aware of daily, at times. Health. Energy. Strength. Pride.
In 2009, I am going to say goodbye to my guilt. I pray to say goodbye to my cancer. Nonetheless, I am bound and determined to have the energy, no matter how much or how little, to spend with my children. To bake a dessert, make dinner, watch a movie together or play a game, and know that I did all I can do. As long as I am with them and spending quality time with them, I have succeeded. I want them to continue to be my positive, my will to beat this cancer. I did it once, I can do it again.
I want to be around for my children a long time.
This time, the fight is personal.
All the plans I had made, then didn't "plan out". I started blaming Cancer for all of it. Cancer became an excuse, a crutch. Everyday things that I enjoy, suddenly came to a halt due to health constraints. I was either too tired or too sick to join a friend for coffee. I missed several of my daughter's school functions due to Cancer.
Just recently, I missed my oldest daughter's Christmas Concert because I had just underwent a chemo cycle the day before. She plays clarinet. If she doesn't continue band next year, in high school, it was the last opportunity for me to see her Christmas performance. I did, however, attend her Jr. Beta induction in October. I was so proud of her achievements. That was something, no matter what it took, I was going to be there and relish in her moment.
I missed out on my youngest daughter's 3 day, 2 night field trip. Something that her grade does every year for the students. They travel to a nearby national park and spend three days and two nights in cabins. I was able to attend with my oldest daughter when she was that age. It was a memorable trip. The children have a great time hiking, crafting, ghost stories, making 'smores, and spending time with their friends and classmates while learning about wildlife, conservation and nature.
I became guilt ridden because I could not attend. It did not seem fair to me that I was able to enjoy this with one daughter, but not the other. My youngest daughter, quite more mature than I at times, told me "You have cancer, Mom. I understand that you can't go, but you will be with me in my heart." I cried the entire time she was gone. She brought her camera with her and took a lot of pictures to share with me.
After she returned home, she connected the camera to my laptop and shared with me a slide show of everything she and her friends did. She told me story after story of the happenings and it seemed as if each picture had its own story. She later told me she did it so that I could feel as if I was there, to have memories of my own. Children amaze me at times. When you think they possibly can't understand, sometimes, they understand better than you, yourself.
Even though we have enjoyed all the holidays since my diagnosis this year, they have not been as elaborate as I have made them in the past. After I got past the guilt, I discovered that sometimes, less is more. Simple is better.
At my youngest daughter's 12th birthday party, she opted for a birthday cake "from scratch". She told me, however, if I didn't feel like making it, I could get a store bought cake, as we normally do. Something about the fact that she asked for a homemade cake made me more determined to make her one. Not one ounce of pain was going to stop me from making it.
The morning of her birthday, which fell on a Sunday this year, I made her favorite breakfast of waffles and fruit and sausage. Later that morning, she asked if she could help in making the cake. We both had a fun time making her birthday cake and spending that amount of time together. It was more important to her than just buying one at the store. (and it tasted wonderful as well...)
As time went by,I learned to gain a greater appreciation for small things in life. Everyday things that may easily go unnoticed in our fast paced, hectic life. Things I know that I had not been so aware of daily, at times. Health. Energy. Strength. Pride.
In 2009, I am going to say goodbye to my guilt. I pray to say goodbye to my cancer. Nonetheless, I am bound and determined to have the energy, no matter how much or how little, to spend with my children. To bake a dessert, make dinner, watch a movie together or play a game, and know that I did all I can do. As long as I am with them and spending quality time with them, I have succeeded. I want them to continue to be my positive, my will to beat this cancer. I did it once, I can do it again.
I want to be around for my children a long time.
This time, the fight is personal.
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