Obama and Jindal Talk Like Second-Graders

I so sick and tired of all the political news, I am about to scream. Everything about last night's speech and rebuttal was hilarious. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I was a second-grader, because that was where they were directed.

First, we hear all day from television commentators exactly what President Obama would be saying even down to how he was going to say it. To myself, I was laughing; Obama will do better than that, I thought. Then he swaggers out to the podium like an actor might do on a Saturday Night Live skit. I am already in stitches. Then, the President proceeds to say his speech exactly the way the TV commentators said he would.

Hilarious.

And what's wrong with Nancy Pelosi? Her persona has got to be one of the most annoying I have ever seen. Did someone put a gooser on the seat of her chair? All she needed was a pair of pom poms. I started to throw up once watching her jump up to clap and cheer, but I held it in so it wouldn't land on my suit and end up looking like...Nancy Pelosi's suit!

Finally, the fluffy, cheerleady speech had come to an end. Next, it was the Republicans turn with their rebuttal. Charles Gibson tells us that it's not really a rebuttal but a prepared speech Jindal had written earlier. To myself, I was laughing; Jindal will do better than that, I thought. But no, Jindal starts giving a speech that seems totally disconnected to Obama's speech and I am seriously pissed off now. As he goes on and on I am reminded of a Indian Mickey Mouse. Is this the best we can do? What little I do know of this guy, he's smart and a good fiscal conservative. So why is his speech so lame?

Well, I am speaking for at least some of the Americans when I say, "We are not going to take this crap anymore"! The very least, there should be two versions of speeches: one for people who like second-grade material in their speeches and one for those of us who know what's going on, understand the complexities of a massive stimulus package and appreciate words that have more than one syllable!

Tackling the Sleepless Routine

It's 4 am and do you know where your Mother is? Well, if she's my age (51), there's a good chance she is up and roaming the house. One of the most dissatisfying aspects to growing older is the inability to sleep through the night. While some people resort to sleeping pills and other possibly addictive medications, I prefer a more natural approach.



First, set a plan for what you'll do if you wake up in the night before you go to bed. Perhaps you will fold laundry. Maybe you'll write thank you notes. I often plan to write a post. I find that if I say this plan out loud before I go to sleep, it eliminates confusion when I wake up. Also, if the plan is so dismal, I can accurately force myself back into sleep.



Second, wind down slowly. Take time in your beauty routine before going to sleep. Remove all make-up, moisturize and pamper in slow fashion. It'll be good for your face and body as well as help you lull yourself to bed.



Finally, I like taking Melatonin with a glass of water each night. This is a natural supplement consisting of melatonin and vitamin B-6. There are some warnings on the bottle but the print is too small for me to read (just kidding), but as always, you should know what works for you.



As any baby boomer or empty nest parent knows, it's not the waking up in the middle of the night that's the hard part. It's functioning properly the following day that's hard! Performing some of the easiest functions can be challenging without a full night's sleep. But planning your wee hour time, unwinding slowly before bedtime and possibly using a product like melatonin may help you avoid that fuzzy daytime existence all together.

Are you Feeling the Cold Today?

I walked my dog this early morning with a big heavy sweater, my apres ski boots and ski jacket on and feeling rather toasty. Imagine how silly I felt when I get to the computer and find out so many bloggers are experiencing freezing weather and really have to bundle up their kids so they won't get frostbite. Then my sister calls and tells me my niece and nephew are home today for a snow day.

My blood may be thin but my heart is warm and thick. Take care everybody. Bundle up your little bundles of joy. Stay warm by making a fire and cuddle up with a nice warm blanket.

I know, why don't you pack up and come for a visit to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. Seriously....

Timeless Bliss is My Second Home

Today, my first post is up as a contributing writer for the fabulous on-line magazine called Blissfully Domestic, in the Timeless Bliss section! I am very excited to be part of this exciting group of talented women writers. Blissfully Domestic was a finalist in this year's 2008 Weblog Awards, too!





If you have never visited the site, you should go right now. There are sections for financial bliss, kid bliss, military bliss....you name it, it's covered. They say, "whether you're looking for inspiration-budgeting-cooking-crafting-health and fitness-family-empty nesting tips-relationship advise or solace, you'll be able to consider our Timeless Bliss writers your wise aunt-older sister or best friend!" I am honored to be a part of the BD family.





A special thank you goes out to Cindi of Moomettesgram's Musings, the editor for our section, Timeless Bliss. Now maybe none of the other writers selected are like me and have trouble doing the simplest of tasks on the web. But Cindi has been so patient as I learn how to maneuver around in Word Press and follow the BD guidelines. She is amazing because she has several blogs of own, is the managing editor for Timeless Bliss and has an online job and a family. Can you say "Super Woman"?



Now, do me a favor and go over to my little post and give me some comment love, okay? It will make this empty nest Mom feel a little more at ease in my new second home....