[W] Memory Lane: No. 1

May 1991. A+ Productions gleefully prepares to launch themselves into the world beyond high school (we, the sturdiest of little trees -- forgive me, C., but I love that to this day) and just look at how we are all laughing. Is it any wonder that we've remained close? It's funny to think of all the experiences that awaited each of us in the years that have followed this moment. We've done some amazing things, survived some great tragedies, and, for me at least, it's all been sweeter, richer, or my burden has been eased by our bond. I am so grateful for all of you.

-W.

[R] Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day -- Thank you, Veterans!
Yesterday we attended the local Veteran's Day Parade in Ellensburg. It was really nice to see people come out to support the veterans and current military people. I kept going back to the Obama election and thinking how I have never ever ever ever felt so proud of the country as I have this past week. It was a great feeling to look at the miriad of flags and smile and think, "Yeah, America!!"

And, on a side note, I love Ellensburg. I love that I live in a town where you can stop traffic for 45 minutes or so to have a Veteran's Day Parade, and I love that a whole bunch of people show up for it on a Tuesday morning and I love that you can watch the parade on one street and then walk one block and watch it again on another street! However, I get the feeling that Adele was thinking the whole time, "Ok, so I like the free flag, but where's the CANDY?"

R

[C] Sex and the Small Town

The other day my sister-in-law M. likened us four gals to the women of Sex and the City. Which begs the question: is small-town Iowa really all that different from mid-town Manhattan? The answer, of course, is yes. Yes, it is. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but wonder - which of us would be Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda in our real-world version of SATC?

- C

[R] A couple months ago -- what a smart kiddo!

A couple months ago -- what a smart kiddo!

[R] I am so proud of our country!

I am so proud of our country! It is an amazing thing to have elected Obama. What a beautiful family he has. I keep getting teary-eyed thinking about it! I am also thinking of my girls and how, I hope, when they can vote, it won't be such a big deal to have a woman/african america/asian american/hispanic/etc. for president or vice president.
Soooooo happy!!!!!

P.S. Hopefully the rest of the world doesn't think we're such big dorks anymore.

[W] Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Eight o'clock p.m. California time: Obama wins the 2008 Presidential Election. I am over-the-moon. Talk husband into opening bottle of Prosecco (yum!), eat some GoLean Crunch-Life-fresh strawberries cereal snack, watch Obama's victory speech, feel like I'm in an unbelievably happy dream.

--W

P.S. Sad that I won't be moving closer to C. in Canada, though. Wouldn't it have been fun to go on sleigh rides with the kiddos?!

[C] YES WE DID

I may live north of the border now, but I have never felt as proud to be an American as I do tonight. I was pretty proud of Chicago too. What a thrill to see President-Elect Obama cast his vote at the same elementary school in Hyde Park where we voted in two previous elections. And what an amazing moment in history!

- C

[C] New Seasons

There's something about the start of every new season, that instant when you realize the next one is coming and you get a rush of excitement thinking about everything good it will bring. Like now, for example. I love autumn, but as the last leaves cling to branches, bracing determinedly against colder and colder winds, the approach of winter is undeniable. And suddenly one has visions of building snowmen, warming up with hot chocolate by the fireplace, trimming trees, riding in horse-drawn sleighs, and the joy of reuniting with family. The thing about this anticipation, though, is that it is fleeting. Because once the thrill is over and the novelty is gone, all that remains are the cruddy parts you overlooked earlier - frostbite and frozen eyeballs, trudging through slush to get groceries, shoveling out a car buried in a bank of snow, holiday travel. And who ever really rides in horse-drawn sleighs, anyway? Then the long wait for another new season begins again... For the moment I'll try to hold on to that feeling of looking forward to the coming winter while it lasts.

Note that none of this applies to people living in the constant bliss of Southern California climes ;)

- C

[W] Overindulgence 101

I was doing a bit of searching for toddler beds online this morning since J & B are getting close to that age, and I came upon this fabulously frightening piece of frippery -- The "Little Miss Liberty Hollywood Junior Bed Frame." Good God! I thought to myself, This is the perfect bed for all the daughters of A+!!! And it's only $2500 with FREE shipping!

On the off chance that you remain unconvinced, dear friends, you simply must go to the website and read the description, which is just too good to be true. Here's how it starts: "Your child doesn't have to be famous to sleep like Hollywood royalty!"

And don't you just love how the wee model is looking at herself in a mirror? It's inspired, I tell you. Inspired.

-W

[W] Saturday on the Bay

We took J & B out on the boat for an impromptu picnic lunch today. It was gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous on the water. It's days like today that remind me how lucky I am to live in Southern California. Sure, it's expensive and yes, the traffic is horrendous, plus, there are those occasional earthquakes to consider, but on the whole, it's an incredible place to live. We are so lucky to be where we are... even though it's entirely too far away from my A+ sisters.

-W