ReadySetMom

Sharing election night with the kids

God love that Heather. She had the brilliant idea of getting together and watching the election returns together last night: a little pizza, a little bubbly. She welcomed us and a few friends into her home for dinner for what was unquestionably the best election night of our lives. And not just because we were drinking. Obama's victory and his inspiring speech were cheered by all of us, including the kids. One of the moms thoughtfully made a photo copy of her blank ballot and let the kids "vote" during the party. I was shocked to see that my 4-year old had selected McCain, then crossed him out and colored in the circle for Obama (What are you gonna do? Poor child can't read yet). The adults got to talking about whether or not our parents discussed politics while we were growing up. Most did not. Or else we don't remember. It was great to share the excitement of election night with the kids. The kids had a blast. They took advantage of the fact that we parents didn't pay much attention as they dug into the potato chip bowl well after their normal bedtime. And that we put the TV on so loud. We kept the kids up way too late, but it seemed worth it to listen to McCain's gracious concession, Obama's inspiring victory speech together as a family. At the very least, it was a sure-fire way to force the kids into adusting to the time change. I hope that they will always remember this important night. I know I will. God love that Heather. And yes, it's quite possible I'm still a little drunk.

Dear Democratic pollsters,

Just so we're clear: I am voting for Obama and Merkley, though I really don't feel all that pumped about the latter, and I PROMISE to drop off my ballot today. I swear it's all ready to go. I'm heading down to the A-Boy ballot box right after breakfast. Signed, sealed and delivered. So please, don't make me dread answering the phone anymore. I feel fairly confident that it will all go our way. I've washed out all the champagne flutes. We're ready for major celebration tonight. Thanks for volunteering! Just stop calling me.

Love,

Heather

PS: Starbucks is giving away free coffee today -- just tell them that you voted. Ben & Jerry's is giving away free scoops today between 5-8pm.

PPS: If you're looking for a bummer-free chuckle that is no way related to politics but offers excellent weatherizing tips, check out this.

PPSS: OMG! Are you, like, totally excited about the election! Can you not just wait for it to be over? Any plans to ring in the new president tonight?

Have you mailed in your ballot yet?

OK, everyone, momnesia will not be a valid excuse if you forget to get your ballot in by Election Day.

Election Day. That would be Tuesday. A week from today. November 4.

I haven't mailed mine in yet, which is what prompted me to write about this. I couldn't remember if a mailed ballot must be received by Tuesday or postmarked by Tuesday. It is the former. I plan to mail mine today.

Here are the ways to make sure your vote counts:

• Mail in your ballot via U.S. Mail. It must be received by Tuesday.

• Drop off your ballot at a county elections office. (By 8 p.m. Tuesday)

• Drop off your ballot at an official dropsite. (By 8 p.m. Tuesday)

Click here for complete Oregon election information.

Fanning the flames: book burning threats in Oregon

Have you heard about the mom in Halsey, Oregon who is threatening to burn The Book of Bunny Suicides that her 13-year-old checked out from the school library? This kind of story kills me. I get that she doesn't like the book. I get that it's in her right to object to the library having that book. But saying she will hold it ransom and burn it?? And any additional copies if the library replaces it? Maybe this is one woman's answer to the high cost of winter heating bills. It reminds me of Tre Arrow's ledge-sitting days. Tre Arrow was enjoying his first 15 minutes of fame soon after my husband and I moved to Oregon in spring 2000. I did a fair amount of business traveling at the time, and it never failed: "Ory-gone? Where's that? Oh, yeah. Where that crazy treehugger guy's camped out on that ledge. What is it with you west coast fruits and nuts?" And you know. There's not a lot of good comebacks to something like that.

Join us in supporting Portland Children's Levy

We don't talk much about politics here, nor do we endorse many measures or candidates. We also understand that most of us are nearly drowning in taxes, and due to the economy funds are tight. However, we strongly support Measure 26-94 and invite you to vote YES for the Portland Children's Levy (Measure 26-94). The Children's Investment Fund, which has been in operation for 6 years, is up for renewal this year. Voting YES on Measure 26-94 will allow the fund to continue its important work in preventing child abuse, helping kids in foster care and improving academic achievement for Portland's at-risk kids.

Note that the Portland Children's Levy is the very last thing on the ballot, under "City of Portland." Please find Measure 26-94 on your ballot and vote YES.

Sarah Palin as POTUS? Ha!

OK. Life has been pretty stressful. What with the economy collapsing and all. Heather posted about needing to laugh more, and so did Marianne. We are all feeling rather grim and glum. So when my husband showed me this website of Sarah Palin in the Oval Office, it gave me the opportunity to work out my ab muscles in a great big set of roaring belly laughs. You need to mouse over the photo and click to hear and see some choice sound and visual bites. Be sure to open and close the office door at least three times.

Looking for a laugh

I don't know about you, but with all the bad news we're hearing everyday my brain is in serious need of frequent time-outs and my soul is thirsting for a good laugh. I spent a blissful two hours on the couch last night watching day-old episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report (8-9pm on Comedy Central), followed by a new Office (I totally lost it when Meredith clarified that she wasn't trading sex for goods, rather sex for 'steak'), followed by SNL's Thursday Weekend Edition. Did anyone see it? Hoo! "Fix it!" It was too good. I had to watch that bit again this morning and let the tears of laughter flow. "Fix it!"

If we felt we could afford it, my husband and I would catch a double feature of Burn After Reading and Religulous this weekend. I've put down Three Cups of Tea and picked up David Sedaris. I even watched the Sex in the City movie the other night, and while it's not a very good flick it was a fantastic escape, and I plan to watch it again. Go Fug Yourself continues to be a source of excellent, shallow amusement.

What is making you wet your pants with laughter these days?

Walk + Bike to School 2008 on Oct 8

This year we're not going to wuss out. Last year, unfortunately, we did. Lessons learned:

• Do not wait until Walk + Bike to School day to try walking or biking to school for the first time.
• Be prepared for inclement weather. This is OREGON, after all. Get your rain gear ready in advance: rain boots, rain coats, umbrellas, and rain bonnets for strolling younger siblings.
• Talk it up among your friends. Last year's "Punch Out Pollution" and Walking School Bus campaigns really made walking to school a social event. Trust me, it will be much more enjoyable if you're not the only mom out there trying to cheer-lead your kids to school in a downpour.

Walk + Bike to School Day 2008 is coming up quick on Wednesday, October 8. Is your school participating in Walk + Bike day? Will you?

New favorite game: Democratic National Convention

Right now I can hear my kids playing Democratic National Convention downstairs:

Daughter: What we need right now is Energy! Energy, and we need Exercise! These are both very good for our country.

Son: Hillary! Hillary!

Daughter: Let's have Michelle Obama come on up. She's done such a great job.

Son: What about John McCain?

Daughter: No! I'm sorry, but John McCain is bad news. He just doesn't get it. He will not be speaking.

Son: He's going to be really mad.

Daughter: Presidents can't be mad.

My husband and I have spent the past four evenings glued to the convention, and the kids have tuned in to all of the big speeches. They know it's important to us, and in-between shushing them, we've tried to explain why in the simplest of terms. But basically they are mostly aware of the cast of characters and which ones we support. Chances are they will spend their youth thinking they are Democrats, just as I considered myself a Republican growing up (though we almost never spoke of politics in our house unless we were getting a lecture from my very conservative grandfather). That's OK, because by the time they are old enough to vote they will hopefully be smart enough to make up their own minds (which better lean to the left if they want to stay in the will). Ha! Kidding! We have no will.

What excites me about the kids being so aware of the election and watching the convention is that they are watching men and women, black and white, old and young, speaking with passion and authority about our future. These are leaders. Important people. They are being praised and cheered by thousands of people. It's opening the door for us to talk to our kids about race and gender equality and to show that people of any color or sex can achieve great things. They will grow up knowing this, expecting this.

So play on, kiddos! Lead your stuffed animals into a better playdate. Stand at the easel and outline your plans for a smarter game of hide and seek. Extol the virtues of energy and exercise to your parents (they need it). You are our future! And our future caregivers! Thank you, and God Bless America!

(And on another note, the pastor who gave the benediction immediately following Obama's speech was my pastor back home in Indiana -- Dr. Joel (J.C.) Hunter. He's at a church in Florida now. While I don't agree with many of his beliefs, I still think he is an amazing, inspirational man. See his video here.)

Mama and her 286-pound baby seem to be doing fine

My maternal instincts have been in high gear since last weekend's birth of an elephant at the Oregon Zoo.

Mama elephant Rose-Tu gave birth on Saturday after 30-plus hours in labor and, unfortunately, her first reaction was to violent kick the newborn. Zoo officials think she reacted this way out of confusion and ignorance, because most likely she had never witnessed a birth before. Can you imagine growing huge and feeling weird for two years, then seeing this 286-pound wrinkly thing painfully emerge from your body and not knowing that you were supposed to love and cuddle this squishy thing?

Since the birth, mama and son have had supervised visits and are apparently bonding and behaving more naturally. The baby is nursing. The mama is cuddling.

And for the moment, I'm putting aside any criticism of zoos as unnatural places for wild animals and feeling grateful to the animal experts who are helping the new mother and baby develop as "naturally" as they can.

All mamas need a little help sometimes.