A Day of Hope.

Today, I am hopeful. Today, I hope that I am a part of making history. Today, I hope that we, as Americans, will make the right choice. Today, I hope that instead of feeling angry and disillusioned, I will be excited about a new chapter in our political history.

To me, this isn't just another election. I think many people feel the same way. Voting is something that I think many people take for granted. It's something handed to us, and regardless of what they teach us in government class in high school, we (or at least my generation) don't really understand what a privilege it is. But I am not going to lecture, because I've been there. But today, voting in this election, as an adult (measured by practical standards, not by age), I am excited to vote for the person (Obama! duh) who represents things that mean something to me, that affect me, that will ensure for me a better future, as well as one for my children.

Of course we have no way of knowing what will REALLY happen. I doubt that all of those people who voted for Bush 8 years ago could foresee this mess. But I trust that if nothing else, Obama will give us a fresh start, will be a beacon of hope for America and for the world. Maybe he doesn't have a lot of "experience" but maybe that isn't a horrible thing. Maybe it's a refreshing thing. Experience doesn't mean you make good decisions. And it doesn't mean you're smart. And it doesn't mean you have the best interests of everyone at heart.

So. I'm anxiously awaiting lunch time, so that I can cast my vote. Judging by the absence of many people at work, I'm guessing the lines are long, and this pleases me. Sure, it's a pain in the ass to wait in line forever with nothing to do, but it means people care. And that, perhaps, is the most important thing.

In my house, we cannot merely say "vote." Every time I say that I'm going to vote, or ask Jack about voting, he looks at me sideways and says, "You mean you're going to Barack the Vote."

So people, let's Barack the Vote!

I've got a name, people

And, it's Spike. Shelby (which, by the way, started off as a male name until people made it into a female name, so no more on the "isn't that a girl's name?" business), as far as I know will stay Shelby.

So, we've got Spike, I think it fits him well, and Shelby named after this guy.

In other news, not directly related to kittens

It's a new week, and I've got my menu planned. The kittens are giving me extra incentive to go home at lunch time, and I shopped accordingly. Looks like a week of lean cuisines and being not quite satisfied is ahead of me. That's ok, though. It needs to be done. I've got a 40lb goal to meet by my 1 year anniversary. When I made that goal, 2 months ago, it was more than attainable. Now, though, I've set myself up for a more difficult go of it. 7 months isn't horrible, but it makes the time line a little tighter. I mean, that's almost 6lbs a month, almost 1.5 a week. It's doable, but it's going to take effort and will power, both of which I've been lacking lately. Last week wasn't horrible on the food front, this weekend wasn't great, but it was better than it has been. So, here's hoping I can get my act together, and see that scale move this week. My plan also includes nightly walks with Jack. Ha! Guess I should fill him in on that.

I've stocked up on low point snacks (turkey pepperoni and pickles for after work; frozen berries and cool whip for dessert). Yesterday I didn't have any inclination whatsoever to grab a piece of left over candy (of which we have plenty as our neighborhood is apparently not conducive to trick or treators--we had some, but not many). I'm feeling good about my plans. I've got meals done through Thursday, and I'm considering not buying any groceries next week (aside from lunch things) as I've got enough hot dogs and hamburgers to feed a small army. I'm thinking we might do that. I'm also wondering if there would be anything wrong with cooking a hamburger patty and repurposing the meat--as if it were just regular old ground beef.

I'll have to look into that, and stock up on recipes with hamburger meat.

We Survived

Well, we survived our first day and night with our kittens. I checked on them this morning and they were still alive, still alert. They had eaten, they were playing, and everything looks well so far.

They've discovered that there is a whole new world to explore outside of their little bathroom. Once we got them home, they seemed thrilled in that bathroom. I'm sure they now have more space to move around than they'd ever had before for any length of time. Now that they have settled in and gotten comfortable though, they're just waiting to bolt through that door. We've had a few escapes, but they aren't that hard to catch if you are careful. And it's not that we don't want them to explore, but I think it's better they stay contained, and close to their litter box for now.

They play more than they cuddle, but if you tire them out enough (which seems hard to do) they are very sweet.

I might be talking about them a lot in the coming days, so you'll have to bear with me.

Introducing...???

Names are still up in the air. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I have the job of naming that one there on the left. The one on the right, Jack has tentatively named him Shelby, but that is apparently not definite yet. So, any wonderful boy names you have to share? I'm really drawing a blank.


The story of these boys is simple really. We saw them at different times at Petsmart, and we went to get them today. Process was simple, we spent a butt load of money on stuff we need and don't need, and brought them home. They are wild, rambunctious, adorable and sweet. It was sort of sudden, quick, whatever, but it felt right.


We're in love.

Paranoia and Petsmart.

So, the first thing that I want to talk about, is that just because I seem emotional right now, just because I don't feel well, just because I'm drinking water at a Halloween get-together, just because I'm not smoking, none of these things mean I'm pregnant.  (for the record, I'm worried about the grammar in that sentence, but you get my point, so whatever.)  BUT.  Everytime someone says it, it makes me a little more paranoid, so I start counting days, and overanalyzing every little feeling I have.  The odds are like, maybe .01%.  So please, for my sanity, and the sanity of all women around us, don't say the p word unless you know someone is trying.  Yes I'm 28.  Yes I'm married.  Yes I want children.  Someday.  All of my symptoms can be contributed to other legitimate causes.  AND, I've gone this long without getting pregnant so I guess I'm doing something right.  Or I'm horribly infertile.

Enough of that.

I went to Petsmart today.  I was going to get a few cat related things to be prepared should some kittens fall in our lap in the very near future.  My dad ended up pissing me off, and then I got confused so I didn't get anything, but I did come across 2 adorable kittens.  Jack and I are going back tomorrow morning to see about adopting them.  I'm trying not to get too excited until I have them in my hands and in our house.  I will update as I know more.  Right now, I want night to come so I can go to sleep and wake up and find out if it's a possibility or not.  Jack says to me "you aren't a five year old, you can handle this."  

But today, I'm definitely a 5 year old.  

Who needs to go drano her shower.

And do some cleaning and some other house work.

Just in case her attention needs to be placed elsewhere tomorrow.