Thanks-giving

Thanks to my car, which seems to keep on ticking, I am now the owner of a new couch. Oh yes, a new, fabulous mocha (notice I didnt say brown for the mere fancy effect) will be coming to my house in about 2 weeks. As of now, I am on my rug with a lawn chair (thanks to Sherry). The animals are confused, especially Cita who has taken over my bed because of th lack of a couch back. I should have waited to sell my old Craigslist couch so as to have one. I put it on Craigslist (to dust we will return) and in a couple hours it was sold. I felt compelled to give it to this youngster who so wanted it. I gave in and sold him the chair too. I am so malleable. So, Thank you God I finally found a couch I liked.

Now, I am getting over Strep Throat which has turned into a rampant couching coldy mess. Ive been in bed all weekend. Actually, I cant believe the weekend is over as I think I have been awake for only a few hours at a time. Back to the grind, I guess.

Semester #5 of Professorhood is winding down. I have grading to do and things to read, but I am more worried about all these damn conferences to go to. What ever got into me to send so many in? I think I was so scared that my writing wouldnt get in that I over did it. I leave for Orlando on Tuesday Dec. 1.

As for the holiday, I will be writing for NRC and driving to Dallas after Turkey Day. Loretta is cooking, which means I will probably gain 3 pounds. Luckily I am smart and have been dieting for a week to lose 3 to balance it out. I will then go on Friday to Dallas to see my family. It is a good time as my grandpa's 95th birthday is on Dec. 3. I think it is 95. I guess when you get that up there they all run together! I just cant do another yelling, lack of family loving holiday. Im too old. I quit.

I am an American, I am.

I am out at a school, waiting for my last observation, readying myself for the race to the airport for a flight at 1. I have been thinking about the possibility for change that is upon us as Barak Obama takes office...A friend of mine, whom I was texting last night during the speeches, thinks Obama is nothing but rhetoric. Ive been pondering her thoughts this morning. As I entered the school and the Pledge of Allegiance was being blasted overhead, I was, for the first time since beginning to vote, proud of our country. I have felt so disconnected and negative towards our country for such a long time. Now, I dont want to move to Canada (although if Palin came on board I might of had to) and I do think that the United States is a good place to be. However, since I have been teaching (which is not much longer than I have been voting), I merely stood at the Pledge, not said it, not placed my hand over my heart. Stood. My kids would ask me about it each year and I said, "When you get older and are a voting member of our country, you too can choose to say it." The end. They never really thought anything about it, I think mostly because there are a lot of things that adults dont do that we make our children do. But for me, it was more than that; it was my personal statement about how uninspiring our country is, how the lack of leadership does not establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, or even promote the general welfare. That is to say nothing about securing the blessings of liberty to those children whose eyes I looked into everyday. It was my riot, my rage against the machine. I have high hopes for Mr. Obama, but I also feel that if, in the minimum, I get inspiration, speeches reminiscent of Martin Luther King, and a country I can be proud to be apart of, it will have been more than I have gotten since my birth here in the land that I want to love. So, for the first time since I became an active member of The United States of America, All Hail the Chief!

Prayer for MY newly elected President

May you always remember those who chose you to serve, and in their serving, may you help us, lead us, and defend us. Let there be light!

Dear Mr. President

Wouldn't it be grand to have a president that took this song and answered each of the questions? As our new president takes over the United State of America, my thoughts to him are 3. #1: Don't forget who you want to be, #2: Don't forget to walk next to those below you, and 3: Never stop working to better the world. It is what we expect and want from you, your best. Good Luck tomorrow, President Obama, good luck.

Zoey says, "Ruurrr...gurrr..."