Good News

So, after all my moaning and groaning about the house we finally did something about it! We had a haloween party for some of our dear friends and decided it was time to do our fall cleaning. Because I started yet another round of layoffs with my staff I needed some therapeutic cleaning to keep myself busy and out of my own worrisome thoughts! The Monday before haloween I decided to take every single item out of every single closet (including the bedroom) and lay it out in our entry hallway. I figured if I had to stare at all of it I would figure out what I really wanted to keep and what I didn't and it worked! It took a little longer than I thought but by Thursday night I had thrown out/donated over 8 black plastic trash bags of good out. It was beautiful. Our closet is finally organized and we even made it down to Ikea to purchase a dresser and shoe racks. Our entry way closet it dedicated only to our cleaning goods and the overflow of Rob's studio. Oh that was another huge major task- Rob's studio. Wednesday night Rob emptied the studio onto the leftover floor space and we spent several hours building a very large red cabinet to house all of the loose ends in the Studio. And what inspired all this? The bedroom and living room. The bedroom was filled with living room furniture (TV, book shelves, etc) and because of the comfort of our living room (or the lack there of) we haven't spent more than 15 minutes in it since we moved in. So the great move happened. We now have a beautiful, clutter free bedroom with a reading corner made just for me. Our living room is now open and inviting to have people over and just chat. 15 people were here last Friday and there was enough comfortable seating for all that encouraged discussion and fellowship. Oh it is great!

The icing on the cake was the washing off all the windows and de-cobwebing the outside patio. I even managed to get some gloves on and kill the black widows much to my husband's despair who prefers to capture them and set them free in the wild. Too much work if you ask me...
So the baseboards didn't get done but the dusting did and the moping of the floors with some much needed bleach. The counters received tender polishing and CLR is now my favorite new cleaning product in the bathrooms. By Friday morning only hours away from the party I was still cleaning but feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

So needless to say I nested this weekend and it feels like a new home, except better...organized, inviting and ours. Oh, And before I forget the best part we took the time to hang all our paintings and pictures. We still don't have any pictures of us up in the house but nevertheless we have a basquiat in the hallway, some of Rob's own in the living room, picasso in the bedroom and some vintage french adds in the bathrooms.

I feel blessed with a home filled with love and made with love! And so all may know, Rob helped me every step of the way. It was a true partnership. What more could a girl ask for!

Cara

Day after

Well today is the day after elections. Last night before they announced Obama as president I had the opportunity of getting stuck pulling out into 24th st. behind the motorcade as McCain drove to the biltmore. I must admit I was proud to have voted and even more excited that I might just get to watch the next president drive by. I did watch McCain's speech and more than ever I thought what a graceful man he is. Mom called this morning to see if I saw him walking to get his morning coffee at the Starbucks we share but of course I did not. But I did think to myself I hope him and Cindy are enjoying some peaceful time after the storm. That is my prayer for them. I can only imagine the exhaustion they are feeling and I pray for restful peace now that the storm has passed.

Happy Election Day

I was proud today to say that I voted for McCain and Palin. I have kept my political views quiet and struggled with the many disparaging remarks from everyone around me regarding "how only stupid people would vote for McCain". Clearly I see differently.

I had the opportunity to hear both of the them speak this year at National Council of La Raza. I was able to understand first hand the persuasion of Obama's gifted speech giving abilities but in contrast was truly humbled by the honesty of McCain. It was only weeks later when interviewed by a prominent faith leader that McCain spoke from the heart and shared that his biggest regret in life was the failure of his first marriage. I can only imagine how that must have felt when Cindy heard those words. I also heard Palin's first speech and was inspired by her strength. I find her to be woman of strength. Of course God only knows the heart of each person. But as a feminist minor in college I am excited about the opportunity to see a woman in office. And not just any woman. A women who is raising a family who is not embarrassed or ashamed of being called a hockey mom. After hearing commentary after commentary regarding her lack of experience and so forth I felt even stronger that she is woman I want to vote for. I want my vote to stand not just for any woman being in office but for a woman that has raised a family, is walking through the heartache of a teenage pregnancy with her daughter and proudly raising a child with special needs. I feel it is time for me to support a woman with real life experience. A woman living life on life's terms. Of course there are many other reasons to vote and I don't expect everyone to share my views just please don't judge mine as I won't judge yours.