A Cowboys Fan?

Never thought I would ever cheer for a Dallas Cowboy, but I did the other night, and it paid off. I am a HUGE Dancing with the Stars fan (and a lot of other cheesy reality shows) and I was so excited to see Emmitt and Cheryl win last night! This season I have been pleasantly surprised by how likeable this Dallas Cowboy is. First Jerry Rice, who I also had memories of beating the Pack but you who you just had to love because of his smile won me over last season, and now Emmitt Smith, a Cowboy no less!

Growing up 30 miles from the football shrine that is Lambeau Field, you can't help but have "I hate the Dallas Cowboys" run through your blood. I think we recited that right after the 10 Commandments in grade school. I remember when the Packers were first making their comeback in the mid to early 90's and they would get so close, and then lose to the Cowboys, thanks to Emit and his gang.

But now it is different. Dancing with the Stars shows you people/stars whom are in front of the public regularly, taken out of their element and put in an environment where they are not comfortable. It is apparent every season that the majority of the contestants are not comfortable expressing themselves as dancers. But then as the season goes on you can see them emerge as competitive dancers.

Emmitt is one of those guys. He shows you that you can embrace something that isn't your strong suit and look graceful and have some fun doing it. I think that is even more impressive for a professional athlete. Many of these athletes are always told how good they are and can't handle it if they aren't the best one. (I don't know, T.O. seems to come to mind). I truly think the reason Emmitt won was because he always looked like he was having fun, yet he was confident.

He also made you see that it wasn't ALL that he was doing. He has a wife and a family in a different state that are more important than dancing. Mario may have been the better dancer, and possibly even Joey. But do we watch Dancing with the Stars to judge the technique? I have know idea what should be the difference from a Samba to a Ramba. We watch it, just like any other reality t.v. to try to relate with the people on it and for entertainment.

So who cares how the judges judged? Who cares that Mario might be a better technical dancer? What matters is who made you smile the most and gave you the most entertainment while watching it. And it was apparent by Mario's response when he lost (sore loser, I guess they didn't teach him how to loose on Saved by the Bell), that Emmitt was the bigger man and he deserved the trophy.

...this doesn't mean that I am ever going to cheer for the Cowboys!

To vote or not to vote

As I stood shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Village of Oregon voters all in our little plastic voting desks, I encountered a few items that I debated how I was going to vote. As I stood there, knowing that many people were staring at my back, I wondered which arrow I should complete or should I leave it blank. It is my right as a citizen of the United States to vote but it is also my right to not vote. That didn't really cross my mind until I was standing in the voting "booth".

So in the few seconds that I had to make a decision, I pondered whether it was better to make an unsure, or in some instances and uninformed, vote or to leave it blank. What I did, I will probably never reveal (I don't typically even tell my husband how I vote), but I think it is something that should be discussed a little more. Maybe some of the money used on the annoying adds and MULTIPLE political calls/messages, could be used to inform the public better of what exactly the ballot looks like and what questions and elections are on it.

This is probably something that is out on SOME website, but I don't remember ANY of the people running telling me where it is. I just wish I was a little more informed on some of the things I was voting on, the exact wording of the questions that were to be asked and the implications of my vote or no vote!

And for the record, I am not a fan of the plastic voting desks. I remember as a kid my mom bringing me with her and going into an actual booth, with a curtain and some privacy while you choose which political figure you want to make decisions on your childs education, how much of your hard earned money was going to thier salary and organiztions, your grandparents healthcare and social security, and many other aspects of your daily life!

Hunter is still a little too young, but he will be going with me to the next election. I think it is important for kids to see how the process works and I was happy to see some kids at the polls today!

My Little Elmo

Trick-or-treat! Oh how I used to love Halloween when I was a kid. We would get all bundled up in our snowsuits and try to fit our costumes on over and go trick-or-treating. Then we would break the rules and go to Grandma and Grandpa's house after the time was up. I still remember how my cousin Troy and I would feel like we could get arrested for trick-or-treating after the "allowed time". Funny what you remember.

Being a mom that works full time, there is always a lot of guilt that you can't do things for your kids that 'stay at home moms' can do. And one thing I have promised myself I will always do for my kids is make them a Halloween costume (provided that they want one). I know how to sew, I love Halloween and I thought this is one thing special I can give my kids.

So this year, considering Hunter's OBSESSION with Elmo I thought an Elmo costume would be perfect. So I bought the fabric, and the pattern and I was off, off to procrastinate that is. Like any other sewing project I have taken on, I buy everything real early and then it sits until the last possible minute when I have to get everything done. But I got the costume done in time...even with haven't to seam rip the legs after I sewed them shut (did I mention I don't follow directions real well, a good prerec for sewing).

I got Hunter into his costume (kicking and screaming), got him outside in the wagon and then he started to cry. Which in turn meant that I needed to carry him. I proceeded to carry him around the block as my nieces and nephews trick-or-treated, all the while crying "home momma, home." I took him home, two houses worth of candy in toe, my brother and his family left and then he perked up.

I then stuck him in the stroller (sometimes restraints are good) and we went to his sitters. He was in a good mood then and we were able to go to some neighbors, so the night wasn't a total loss. I am pretty sure the costume was enjoyed. I am just glad I didn't spend a ton of time on it. Maybe next year, when candy means more, he will enjoy trick-or-treating a little more.

Happy Belated Halloween!!!