The Post in Which I Get All Political and Self-Serving

I've been asked to contribute to MOMocrats, the moms-for-Edwards website. I'm proud and happy to be part of such a great cause, working with brilliant and articulate women who have a lot to say. Check us out!

I truly believed that John Edwards would be a different kind of president - the kind who does what he says, says what he means, and means to get this country moving in the right direction. I am crushed that he has stepped aside, though I knew from the beginning that I was backing an underdog. But one of the positive things to come out of John Edwards' campaign suspension is my renewed zeal for getting the person who can do the most for our country elected. Which is why my post "The Feminist Vote - Why Hillary Rodham Clinton Won't Get Mine" is live for the world to see.

I was an early Obama supporter, until I started paying close attention to John Edwards' message. Everything he said made perfect sense to me, but most especially his commitment to end poverty and the corporate takeover of our government, and reengage with the global community on a cooperative level. I hope that Barak Obama takes notice of the chords that John Edwards struck with the people of this country, those of us who really do want things to change. And I hope he makes good on his promises, like I know Edwards would have. We'll see.

Sick

Hazel came into our bed at 3:00 in the morning, burning with fever. I dosed her with Tylenol, cuddled her for a few minutes, then carried her back to her top bunk, where she tossed and turned and hacked with a cough that came out of nowhere. She was perfectly fine all day yesterday.

Poor Hazel. She seems to get every little bug that goes around, and always has. Her immune system is challenged, I think (it runs in her family). Mike has been good enough to agree to make a Whole Foods run before heading to work - we need O.J., kids Emergen-C, those fabulous vitamin/zinc lollipops and tranquilizers (for me. I WISH.)

It's gonna be a long, grey day.

You Want To Know How I Know My Kids' Brains Have Been Disneyfied?

Because as I was getting out of the shower a few days ago, Hazel asked:

"Mom... how come Tinkerbell's boobs point up... and yours... don't?"

Um, because I nursed you and your sister for almost two years - each!?

Yeah. You're welcome.

Christmas Past

And it passed so quickly, and with so much fanfare and hullaballoo, that when it came time to take down the tree, the stockings, the lights and the decorations, we cried! It was that much fun. (Look at those happy girls!)

This year was the first year that both girls were really excited about the holiday. Hazel really "got it," and was very excited about making and giving presents to friends and family. She asked thoughtful questions about the meaning of Christmas and Chanukkah and Kwanzaa, and pointed out - very astutely - that they are all basically about being thankful for life as we know it. Can I just say that I love that she knows what Kwanzaa is?

As usual the girls raked in the booty, but this year, Mike and I made the conscious decision to get them gifts that they could play with together. They got art supplies, a rockin' new kite, a playhouse for the backyard, board games, and a few assorted other goodies, including a new dress and pair of tights for each girl. We opened presents, had breakfast, and then passed the rest of the day with friends, where a giant potluck dinner and basement karaoke party were lwhat made the holiday one of our most memorable as a family.

We rang in the new year in SoCal, which is always a good time. The time for us to move down there is drawing near, I think. Each time we go down there, it's harder to leave. We have such a great thing going on here, it's hard to even imagine leaving... and yet, the magnetic draw of family is pulling us in a different direction. Who knows what 2008 will bring?