Now I can brag about my grandCHILDREN!

I remember that I really felt like a mother when I had my second child. I don't know what that was, exactly. Maybe it was just that I had to be more efficient and deal with the interaction between two kids as well as my reaction to one or the other.

I don't think having my second beautiful granddaughter makes me feel more like a grandmother - Lea did that for me very well. And since I don't have primary responsibility for them, I won't have to deal with the inter-child dynamics too much. Of course, she's only been here for a day and a half, so I don't really know WHAT grandmothering two little girls will be like, except HEAVEN.

Welcome, Susanna! You are a very lucky little person - and we are blessed to add you to our large and loving brood.

The beginning of something better

Honestly, I don't believe there is any good reason to rehash the last eight disastrous years, but I'll just indulge myself for a moment. No, it was not all George Bush's fault, but he displayed a sense of arrogance and hubris unjustified by his intelligence or performance. I was disappointed when he won the first time, devastated when he won the second time.

Almost a year ago, I became an Obama volunteer. I can't pretend that I was always sure he'd be nominated or elected, but I always, always trusted in his integrity and intelligence. Tuesday I was so moved - beyond what I expected. I know he'll make mistakes, but he is not coming in braying about having political capital (which he does) and a bulletproof majority in Congress (which he almost does). This man doesn't owe his career to a bunch of Washington insiders - he chose his Cabinet based on qualifications, not entitlements.

I am a happy, proud American today!

In the deep midwinter...

Dang, it is COLD!!! And it isn't even really MID-winter - not even to the end of the first month of winter, officially. I know all the global warming naysayers love to point to this cold and say, "See? SEE? Where's your global warming now, Al Gore and all you wimp tree-hugging environmental liberals?" But, you know, the depleted ozone layer means heat gets OUT as easily as it gets IN!

I find myself in a bunker mentality: once I'm in the house, I tend to stay there, even though it means I have very little social life. I read, watch TV, grade papers, and cuddle with the cat - sometimes with a nice glass of wine and some nuts and cheese (or, I confess, something a tad less healthy). I let Max (the aforementioned feline) out - he's back in, oh, about 30 seconds. I think that should be a pretty good indicator of sensible winter night-time behavior.

The place I'm thinking of moving to will allow me to walk to things in good weather, but I think it will also be a nice place to nestle in with lower energy costs and NO snow removal responsibilities!

I know I'll complain in the dead of summer when I just can't get cool, but right now I love to fantasize about being in Florida or Puerto Rico!

Here is what makes winter fun!

I love the flakes coming down around Lea - do you remember when you WANTED it to snow?









And how cute little girls are when they get their first babydolls?

Welcome, 2009!

2008 had many highs and some lows - of course, the two big highs were the Phillies World Series championship and Barack Obama's election. But there were other highs, including

- My AP class of 08 kicking serious butt on the exam
- News that I'm getting a new grandchild
- Spending loads of time with my kids, including five days of having Lea all to myself
- Celebrating my baby sister's 50th birthday
- Attending my dear friend Renee's son's wedding with my own terrific son

Lows - ah, why bring them up here? I have a steady job, wonderful kids, healthy (for their age) parents, terrific sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and good co-workers and friends. So what if the economy is not so hot - we'll manage to get through it somehow.

Here's to making new friends, cherishing old ones, caring for others and ourselves and the country and the planet, and being happy to be alive.