What is up with Sarah Palin?

Ok, so is this woman just plain crazy or does she truly have a strategic plan in quitting her position as governor of Alaska? When John McCain chose her as his running mate in the last election, I initially was very impressed with her. I loved her down to earth analogies and wanted to believe that she was really what the party needed. At first, I felt identified with her as a working mother myself and had very high hopes for her. But that optimistic first impression was short lived and she was simply one embarrassment after another as the campaign continued. But her resignation is just crazy for me. I can respect people who make mistakes but I have a real hard time with those who simply just give up when the going gets tough and quit, and for me that’s exactly what she did!

Many say this is a strategic plan in order for her to educate herself and prepare herself to run in the next election but I simply think she’s just a quitter! More than that I think she is just an attractive and somewhat charming total NUT JOB! What a total let down!

I've Officially Lost My Mind

These are two quick funny stories of what happens to people who have young children and I'm sure many of you can relate to...you basically just lose you mind!

So the other day I was having a great time chatting with friends and family and simultaneously watching all three of my kids run around to make sure no one gets into anything they shouldn't. I've always been really good at multi-tasking so this normally isn't an issue. Anyhow, at one point during this great conversation I realize I can't see Marco, my one-year-old. I scan the room two or three times and still can't see him. Now the panic sets in and I yell, "OMG, where is Marco?" Then someone tells me, "Umm, he's sitting on your lap and you're holding him". I look down, and sure enough that's exactly where he was. Just an example of the crazy things we do as parents of little ones.

At the airport a few weeks ago on our way to Milwaukee, we arrived at the gate so I told the kids to run wild. I'm hoping this will tire them out and they will sleep on the plane. Well, they sure were running wild. They were running and screaming and then decided to jump off of the chairs. At that point, I set some limits and told them to please not jump off the chairs or they were going to break a leg and we wouldn't be able to go on our vacation. Shortly after, they announced it was time to board. I looked at Rafael to tell him I was going to run to the bathroom and this is what I said instead in a really clear and loud voice. "Honey, I'll be right back, I'm just going to run and break a leg". At this point, several strangers just stared at me with a very odd look on their face.

Just another example of how I've completely lost my mind!

Jorge Nunez Gone - Not Fair!

Before I begin watching American Idol tonight I need to speak my mind about last week's results! I am really upset that Jorge Nunez was sent home. I think the judges had it out for him and the fact that they all criticized him so badly just ruined his chances.

The funny thing is that Rafael has been a big fan of his since the auditions in Puerto Rico and early on he didn't win me over. In fact, he sort of irritated me. However, with his last performance, I became a huge fan. I must have rewound it 20 times to hear "Never Can Say Goodbye" again and again. I was in shock with how terribly the judges thought he did. Anyhow, I think he has a beautiful and unique voice and I hope we hear more of him someday.

For now the show will go on and my all time fave is still my Milwaukee boy...Go DANNY! PYT!

Fun with Your Preschooler

So if your kids have already gotten tired of playing with their Christmas toys or you just want some simple fun activities, these are things that I've done with my kids and we've all really enjoyed the activities.

1. Go on a hunt for all different types of leaves and create a poster with them. Then have your child tell you similarities and differences among all of the leaves.

2. Have him/her find different shape stones in the yard and then paint and decorate then.

3. A Scavenger Hunt - Give your child a bag and they have to hunt for various items and place them in their bag. Ex: something red, a piece of grass, a sandbox toy, a stone, a leaf or flower etc. Then at the end have the child organize all of their items and tell you what they found.

4. Make up Stories - Read your kids a book but don't read the ending. Have them draw a picture and make up their own ending. You'll be surprised at how silly this one can get!

Made in China

So almost everything we purchase these days is made in China. We see the American automakers asking for a bailout and the foreign automakers doing fine. Many Americans feel that foreign factories have stolen American jobs and others feel foreign factories are what give us purchasing power. Obviously it's a very complex issue and one that has certainly affected and changed our economy. I personally don't think we should bail out the automakers but that's an issue I won't get into now. Anyhow, today a friend of mine told me a story that really made an impression on me and showed me how this change has really affected many Americans unfairly.

My friend's mom had worked in the same factory in Chicago for over 30 years. She had woken up before the sunrise to start work at 4:30 am for more than half of her life. Well, just the other day she lost her job because the factory moved to China. Now this is a woman that had dedicated her entire adult life to this one factory and was just a couple of years away from a retirement pay she earned that she will never fully get. It just seems wrong and it really brought the issue to life for me.

Parenting

Parenting is such a difficult job and I wonder all the time about if I'm doing a good job. Sometimes I feel like all I do is correct my kids or give them orders all day long. But then sometimes they do or say something, and it might just be the littlest thing, and you know you've done something right.

The other day, Sofia really made me cry of pride and joy. It was Halloween evening and Eva wanted to call her Abuelo (her Grandpa who lives in Venezuela) to tell him about her costume. As she was talking to him, Sofia was in the background telling her to be sure to ask him how he was feeling. Abuelo was in the hospital the week before and Sofia was genuinely concerned. So when it was Sofia's turn to talk she says, "Hola Abuelo, como estas, come te sientes, estas bien Abuelo?". (How are you Abuelo, how are you feeling, are you okay, Abuelo?)

I was overwhelmed with emotion because this little 4-year-old girl understood empathy and concern for others. I ran into the bathroom and cried my eyes out. For that moment, I knew that we have done something right and I couldn't have felt prouder.

Early Voting has Begun in 34 States

Ok, so although this campaign has lasted forever, the time is here. And although we have had lots of laughs and scares with things that have been said and done, or perhaps been impressed or let down with our candidates during this campaign, this is the real deal now.

So take responsiblitlity and exercise your right to vote if you haven't already done so. In Miami-Dade early voting started on Monday and will run seven days a week until election day. Find out about your community voting procedures and schedule now.


For all of us Floridians, let's just hope Florida gets the process right this time!